“How?”
“Why, we must escape from the mouth of the Dogfish and throw ourselves into the sea.”
“But I do not know how to swim.”
“That does not matter. You can get on my back and I will take you to the shore.”
“You are dreaming, my boy,” said Geppetto, shaking his head.
“Try it and see. Anyway, we shall have the consolation of dying together.”
And without saying any more Pinocchio took the candle and started to walk toward the mouth of the Dogfish. “Come along, and do not be afraid, Papa,” said Pinocchio.
And thus they walked along for a little while, traversing the whole length of the Dogfish’s stomach. When they arrived at the end they stopped so as to look carefully before trying to escape.
Now, my little readers, you must know that the Dogfish, being very old and suffering from asthma and palpitation of the heart, was obliged to sleep with his mouth open. Pinocchio, therefore, looking up through the throat, saw the starry heavens and the light of the moon.
“This is truly the time to escape,” whispered Pinocchio; “the Dogfish sleeps and the sea is very
