escape through the mouth of the Dog-Fish, throw ourselves into
the sea and swim away."

"You talk well; but, dear Pinocchio, I don't know how to swim."

"What does that matter? I am a good swimmer, and you can get on my
shoulders and I will carry you safely to shore."

"All illusions, my boy!" replied Geppetto, shaking his head, with a
melancholy smile. "Do you suppose it possible that a puppet like you,
scarcely a yard high, could have the strength to swim with me on his
shoulders!"

"Try it and you will see!"

Without another word Pinocchio took the candle in his hand, and, going
in front to light the way, he said to his father:

"Follow me, and don't be afraid."

And they walked for some time and traversed the body and the stomach of
the Dog-Fish. But when they had arrived at the point where the monster's
big throat began, they thought it better to stop to give a good look
around and to choose the best moment for escaping.

Now, I must tell you that the Dog-Fish, being very old, and suffering
from asthma and palpitation of the heart, was obliged to sleep with his
mouth open. Pinocchio, therefore, having approached the entrance to his
throat, and, looking up, could see beyond the enormous gaping mouth a
large piece of starry sky and beautiful moonlight.

"This is the moment to escape," he whispered, turning to his father;
"the Dog-Fish is sleeping like a dormouse, the sea is calm, and it is as
light as day. Follow me, dear papa, and in a short time we shall be in
safety."

They immediately climbed up the throat of the sea-monster, and, having
reached his immense mouth, they began to walk on tiptoe down his tongue.

Before taking the final leap the puppet said to his father:

"Get on my shoulders and put your arms tightly around my neck. I will
take care of the rest."

As soon as Geppetto was firmly settled on his son's shoulders,
Pinocchio, feeling sure of himself, threw himself into the water and
began to swim. The sea was as smooth as oil, the moon shone brilliantly,
and the Dog-Fish was sleeping so profoundly that even a cannonade would
have failed to wake him.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XXXVI

PINOCCHIO AT LAST CEASES TO BE A PUPPET AND BECOMES A BOY

Whilst Pinocchio was swimming quickly towards the shore he discovered
that his father, who was on his shoulders with his legs in the water,
was trembling as violently as if the poor man had an attack of ague
fever.

Was he trembling from