Pinocchio had nearly reached the top of the hill, and the man was halfway up, when a loud roar made them both stop. Turning around, they saw that a lion was carrying off the dead ostrich. At that, the hunter thrust his fingers into his curly hair, and without paying further attention to the marionette, started off to regain the knife, which was still lying where it had fallen.
“Tit for tat,” Pinocchio shouted after him, and went on up the hill.
CHAPTER XXIX
PINOCCHIO IS SWALLOWED BY A CROCODILE
When Pinocchio reached the top of the hill he looked around for a place where he could rest. He thought of the lion that had carried off the ostrich, and he did not like the idea of meeting him. Fortunately there were no signs of life, but neither was there any place where he could sit down in comfort. Sand and rocks, rocks and sand were everywhere. In the distance he saw water.
“At any rate,” he said, “I shall at least be able to wash myself;” and he turned his footsteps toward the water.
He arrived before long at the water’s edge. How fresh and clean it was! He was so dusty and tired that there was only one thing to do,—take a bath! When Pinocchio decided upon a course of action he did not hesitate. In an instant he was undressed.