This strip was separated from the shore of a small island by a long narrow channel of water. Marsovino swam a few yards up the channel, and then stopped to let Pinocchio jump on land.
“That battle in the sea has upset me greatly,” said Pinocchio to his friend. “I must strengthen myself with some food. But I don’t see anything around. What shall I eat?”
The last words were interrupted by a soft whistle from the channel. A second whistle was heard, then a third, then a fourth. Our two friends turned. Large, clumsy, black bodies were coming out of the water. They were trying very hard to get to shore.
Pinocchio knew them at once. They were sea tortoises, and it was they who had made those strange sounds. After dragging themselves to the shore, they stood on the sand, moving their heads and blinking up at the sun.
“You said you wanted something to eat, Pinocchio. Well, do you see those large holes on the sand there? Look in them. You will surely find some tortoise eggs in them. They will make a delicious dinner for you.”
Pinocchio did not have to be told twice. In a moment he was gone. In a short time he returned with two large eggs in his hands.
“Make haste, now, eat them. We must continue our journey, and we have no time to lose.”
“You are going to wait, my dear Marsovino. I really do not see why you should be in such a hurry.”
“Because father told me never to stop needlessly. That’s why.”