his protecting Fairy greeted him. His tears fell fast, and sobs rent
his heart.

"If I should die, here in this gloomy place! If I should die of
weariness, of hunger, of fear! To die a marionette without having had
the happiness of becoming a real boy!"

He wept bitterly, and yet his troubles had scarcely begun. Even
while his tears were flowing down his cheeks and into the dark water,
he heard prolonged howls. At the same time he saw lights moving to and
fro, as if driven by the wind.

"What in the world is this? Who is carrying those lanterns? asked
Pinocchio, continuing to sob.

As if in answer to his questions, two lights came down the rocky
coast and drew nearer to him.

Along with the lights came the howls, which sounded like those he
had heard at the circus, only more natural and terrible.

"I hope this will end well," the marionette said to himself, "but I
have some doubt about it."

He threw himself on the ground and tried to hide between the rocks.
A minute later and he felt a warm breath on his face. There stood the
shadowy form of a hyena, its open mouth ready to devour the marionette
at one gulp.

"I am done for!" and Pinocchio shut his eyes and gave a last thought