there, and - if I were sure that it would not be too much trouble I
would willingly go with you."

"With us? We are not going to Africa."

"What a pity! I thought I could make the journey in your company."

"Are you in earnest?" asked the bearded man. "Do you believe that
there is any Africa outside this tent?"

"Tent or no tent, I have decided to go to Africa, and I shall go,"
boldly replied the marionette.

"I like that youngster," said the man who played the part of a
crocodile. "That boy will make his fortune someday."

"Of course I shall!" continued Pinocchio. "I 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