Pinocchio in Africa | Page 5

ought to have fifty thousand francs, because I must get a new jacket for my father, who sold his old one to buy me a spelling book. If there is so much gold and silver in Africa, I will fill up a thousand vessels. Is it true that there is a great deal of gold and silver?"
"Did we not tell you so?" replied another voice. "Why, if I had not lost all that I had put in my pockets before leaving Africa, by this time I should have become a prince. And now were it not for the fact that I have promised to stay with these people, to be a panther at two francs and a half a day, I would gladly go along with you."
"Thank you; thank you for your good intentions," answered the marionette. "In case you decide to go with me, I start to-morrow morning at dawn."
"On what steamship?"
"What did you say?" asked Pinocchio.
"On what steamship do you sail?"
"Sail! I am going on foot."
At these words everybody laughed.
"There is little to laugh at, my dear people. If you knew how many miles I have traveled on these legs by day and by night, over land and sea, you would not laugh. What! do you think Fairyland, the country of the Blockheads, and the Island of the Bees are reached in a single stride? I go to Africa, and I go on foot."
"But it is necessary to cross the Mediterranean Sea."
"It will be crossed."
"On foot?"
"Either on foot or on horseback, it matters little. But pardon me, after crossing the Mediterranean Sea, do you reach Africa?"
"Certainly, unless you wish to go by way of the Red Sea."
"The Red Sea? No, truly!"
"Perhaps the route over the Red Sea would be better."
"I do not wish to go near the Red Sea."
"And why?" asked the wolf man, who up to this time had not opened his mouth.
"Why? Why? Because I do not wish to get my clothes dyed; do you understand?"
More laughter greeted these words. Pinocchio's wooden cheeks got very red, and he sputtered: "This is no way to treat a gentleman. I shall do as I please, and I do not please to enter the Red Sea. That is enough. Now I shall leave you, and he started off.
"Farewell, farewell, marionette!"
"Farewell, you impolite beasts!" Pinocchio wanted to call out, but he did not.
"Come back!" cried the bearded man; "here is the bucket; please fill it once more, for I am still thirsty."
7. Pinocchio In Doubt
PINOCCHIO went away very angry, vowing that he would avenge himself on all who had laughed at him.
"To begin with," said he, "I intend to make them all die of thirst. If they wait to drink of the water that I bring, they will certainly die." With these thoughts in his mind the marionette started homeward, carrying the bucket on his head.
"The bucket will repay me for all the work I have had put upon me. How unlucky we children are! Wherever we go, there is always something for us to do. To-day I thought I would simply enjoy myself; instead, I have had to carry water for a company of strangers. How absurd! two trips, one after the other, to give drink to people I do not know! And how they drink! they seem to be sponges. For my part they can be thirsty as long as they like. I feel now as if I would never again move a finger for them. I am not going to be laughed at."
As he finished these remarks Pinocchio arrived at the fountain. It was delightful to see the clear water rushing out, but he could not help thinking of those poor creatures who were waiting for him. He had to stop.
"Shall I or shall I not?" he asked himself. "After all, they are good people, who are forced to imitate wild animals; and besides, they have treated me with some kindness. I may as well carry some water to them; a trip more or less makes no difference to me."
He approached the fountain, filled the bucket, and ran down the road.
"Hello within there!" he said in a low voice. "Here is the bucket of water; come and take it, for I am not going in."
"Good marionette," said the beasts, "thank you!"
"Don't mention it," replied Pinocchio, very happy.
"Why will you not come in?"
"It is impossible, thank you. I must go to school."
"Then you are not going to Africa?"
"Who told you that! I am returning to school to bid farewell to my teacher, and to ask him to excuse me for a few days. Then I wish to see my father and ask his permission to go, so that he will not be anxious while I am away."
"Excellent marionette, you will become famous."
"What agreeable people!" thought Pinocchio. "I am