At first this did not seem to cause any ill effects, but Pinocchio kicked and struggled until the poor reptile could not help wondering what the trouble was, and began to twist and shake its whole body.  Pinocchio did not stop.  Presently the crocodile decided to return to the surface and deposit the marionette upon the bank.  Pinocchio desired nothing better.  As soon as he saw a ray of light he became very quiet.  The crocodile, now that the trouble seemed over, was about to return to its cave, but it had made this plan without consulting our wooden marionette.

“Suppose I let the beast carry me a short distance!  I can make it throw me upon the bank later as well as now!  It may carry me to some place where — enough, I am going to try it!  A green ship, without sails, without engines, and without a crew, is not to be found every day.  Boo! boo! boo!” muttered the marionette.

The crocodile, frightened at the strange noises inside its body, began to swim with all its strength.  It swam and swam and swam!  When it slowed up the marionette continued, “Boo! boo! boo!” and the crocodile went on faster than ever.

The poor creature became thoroughly exhausted, and fairly wept with anger and fright, but the strange voice went on without ceasing.

At last, growing desperate, the crocodile stopped, opened its huge jaws, and with a great effort sent the marionette flying through the air to the bank of the river; then it disappeared in the deep water.

“Pleasant trip home!  Remember me to everybody!” cried Pinocchio as he leaped about joyously.

31.  Pinocchio Is Made Emperor

Finding himself without any clothes, the marionette began to think of his condition.  To go back and search for his suit was out of the question.  To go about in that state did not seem proper, although he knew that the Africans in general were dressed in the same fashion.

Finally he decided to make himself a suit of leaves.  There were some beautiful ones near by that were just suited to the purpose.  He knew how to go to work, for at home he had often made clothes out of shavings and twigs.  He set about his task at once and in a short time had made a garment that reached from his waist down to his knees.  He was busy selecting the leaves for a coat when he happened to raise his eyes, and saw a crowd of men and women rushing about as if either very happy or frantic with terror.

“Lunatics!” he murmured, and went on with his work, for he disliked to be seen half-dressed.  All at once the marionette heard a hissing, humming sound.  A cloud of arrows fell around him.  He was amazed and terrified, not by the arrows, for what harm could arrows do to him? — but by the idea that this meant more trouble for Pinocchio.

“So long as they shoot, I fear nothing; but if they try to capture me, I may have to jump into the river and take to my green ship.”

The arrows continued to fall like hailstones on his shoulders, on his breast, on his arms and legs; but of course they dropped to the ground without doing any harm.  The natives were astonished.  They looked at one another in blank surprise.