The next day, early in the morning, Punchinello came on deck to see the sun rise.
"A storm is rising," he announced.
The Captain laughed at Punchinello's prediction, and so did the crew.
But suddenly the sky became black, the waves grew larger, and the ship commenced to roll dangerously.
"I told you, sir, that you would be drowned," said Punchinello.
The Captain, furious, instead of attending to the management of his ship, thought only of revenging himself on Punchinello.
"You scoundrel!" cried he, "if I am going to be drowned, you shall be so first."
Immediately poor Punchinello was lifted up and held between the sky and the sea. But even in this terrible situation he did not lose his presence of mind.
"Mercy on you, my good people!" said he. "You will not have long to rejoice over my death, for I see some one coming who will avenge me."