thrown on the fire he would make a beautiful blaze for the roast."

At first Harlequin and Punch hesitated; but, appalled by a severe glance
from their master, they obeyed. In a short time they returned to the
kitchen carrying poor Pinocchio, who was wriggling like an eel taken out
of water and screaming desperately: "Papa! papa! save me! I will not
die, I will not die!"




[Illustration]

CHAPTER XI

FIRE-EATER SNEEZES AND PARDONS PINOCCHIO


The showman, Fire-Eater--for that was his name--looked like a wicked
man, especially with his black beard that covered his chest and legs
like an apron. On the whole, however, he had not a bad heart. In proof
of this, when he saw poor Pinocchio brought before him, struggling and
screaming "I will not die, I will not die!" he was quite moved and felt
very sorry for him. He tried to hold out, but after a little he could
stand it no longer and he sneezed violently. When he heard the sneeze,
Harlequin, who up to that moment had been in the deepest affliction and
bowed down like a weeping willow, became quite cheerful and, leaning
towards Pinocchio, he whispered to him softly:

"Good news, brother. The showman has sneezed and that is a sign that he