CHAPTER XXIV
PINOCCHIO IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE KING
Pinocchio had slept for hours when he was aroused by strange sounds. Were these the voices of human beings.
“Yah! Yah! Hoi! Hoi! Uff! Uff!”
What could it possibly be? The marionette opened an eye, but quickly shut it again when he saw a number of coal-black faces turned toward him.
“What do these ugly people want of me?” he asked himself, as he lay there perfectly still.
When Pinocchio next opened his eyes he saw to his great surprise that the men had formed a circle about him. At their chief’s command they began to dance. It was all so funny that Pinocchio could hardly keep from laughing. Then the chief made a sign, at which the savages advanced toward the marionette, took him up by his arms and legs, and started away with him.