They had already reached the village when a gust of wind blew Pinocchio's cap off his head and carried it ten yards off. "Will you permit me," said the puppet to the soldiers, "to go and get my cap?" "Go, then; but be quick about it." The puppet went and picked up his cap, but instead of putting it on his head he took it between his teeth and began to run as hard as he could towards the seashore. The soldiers, thinking it would be difficult to overtake him, sent after him a large mastiff who had won the first prizes at all the dog races. Pinocchio ran, but the dog ran faster. The people came to their windows and crowded into the street in their anxiety to see the end of the desperate race. [Illustration] CHAPTER XXVIII PINOCCHIO ESCAPES BEING FRIED LIKE A FISH There came a moment in this desperate race--a terrible moment--when Pinocchio thought himself lost: for Alidoro, the mastiff, had run so swiftly that he had nearly come up with him. The puppet could hear the panting of the dreadful beast close behind him; there was not a hand's breadth between them, he could even feel the dog's hot breath. Fortunately the shore was close and the sea but a few steps off. As soon as he reached the sands the puppet made a wonderful leap--a frog could have done no better--and plunged into the water. Alidoro, on the contrary, wished to stop himself, but, carried away by the impetus of the race, he also went into the sea. The unfortunate dog could not swim, but he made great efforts to keep himself afloat with his paws; but the more he struggled the farther he sank head downwards under the water. When he rose to the surface again his eyes were rolling with terror, and he barked out: "I am drowning! I am drowning!" "Drown!" shouted Pinocchio from a distance, seeing himself safe from all danger. "Help me, dear Pinocchio! Save me from death!" At that agonizing cry the puppet, who had in reality an excellent heart, was moved with compassion, and, turning to the dog, he said: "But if I save your life, will you promise to give me no further annoyance, and not to run after me?" "I promise! I promise! Be quick, for pity's sake, for if you delay another half-minute I shall be dead." Pinocchio hesitated; but, remembering that his father had often told him that a good action is never lost, he swam to Alidoro, and, taking hold of his tail with both hands, brought him safe and sound on to the dry sand of the beach. The poor dog could not stand. He had drunk so much salt water that he was like a balloon. The puppet, however, not wishing to trust him too far, thought it more prudent to jump again into the water. When he had swum some distance from the shore he called out to the friend he had rescued: "Good-bye, Alidoro; a good journey to you, and take my compliments to all at home."