Scotimondo sat astride Pinocchio's back and squeezed him with his knees so hard that he took his breath away.
"'Yesterday our brave Alpine troops, supported by infantry regiments, by means of a brilliant attack gained the highest summit of the Col di Lana, which is now safely in our possession.' ... Hurrah!"
"Hurrah for Italy!"
"Hurrah for the King!"
They were crazy with joy and danced about on the snow like fiends, throwing their plumed hats up into the air, waving their guns above their heads. Suddenly, just as if they had risen from the ground, a hundred soldiers appeared and surrounded them.
"What is it?"
"What has happened?"
"The Col di Lana is ours!"
"Hurrah for Italy!"
"Who told you so?"