“Why, it is of great use. This stream carries warmth to the cold regions of the north. It cools the hot countries of the tropics. Without this saving current, life would not be pleasant in many countries.”
“Hurrah for the river in the middle of the sea, then!” shouted Pinocchio. He had understood little, so he thought it better not to speak further on the subject.
Towards noon of the same day the sea began to be filled with herrings. They were on all sides. Our two travelers were surrounded. Pinocchio enjoyed being with the silvery animals.
Soon, however, there were so many that Marsovino found it hard to move. Still, the kind little fellow, seeing that Pinocchio was enjoying himself, did not try to get away. After a while, however, the herrings became so numerous that the ocean looked like a sea of silver, not of water. Pinocchio and the dolphin were being pushed and shoved around without mercy.
“I am being killed, stifled,” whispered Pinocchio. Yes, he whispered. If he had opened his mouth a herring could easily have slipped into it. This might not have been very pleasant.
Marsovino finally saw that the herring had become as thick as a stone wall. So with a few strong strokes of his tail, he made his way to the surface of the water.
“Ah! now I can breathe!” exclaimed Pinocchio. “In that fishy world I thought I should die.”
As night had come, and as it was very dark, our friends began to think of sleep. Anyway, even if they had tried to move, they could hardly have passed through that multitude.
Just as the sun rose, Pinocchio opened his eyes. He had had a very good sleep on the back of his swimming horse. Looking around, he could not help crying out in surprise.