will take you back to the market and I will sell you by weight as seasoned wood for lighting fires.'
'Sell me if you like; I am content,' said Pinocchio.
But as he said it he made a spring and plunged into the water. Swimming gaily away from the shore he called to his poor owner:
'Good-bye, master; if you should be in want of a skin to make a drum, remember me.'
And he laughed and went on swimming; and after a while he turned again and shouted louder:
'Good-bye, master; if you should be in want of a little well-seasoned wood for lighting the fire, remember me.'
In the twinkling of an eye he had swum so far off that he was scarcely visible. All that could be seen of him was a little black speck on the surface of the sea that from time to time lifted its legs out of the water and leapt and capered like a dolphin enjoying himself.
Whilst Pinocchio was swimming he knew not whither he saw in the midst of the sea a rock that seemed to be made of white marble, and on the summit there stood a beautiful little goat who bleated lovingly and made signs to him to approach.
But the most singular thing was this.
