"Oh, where are you going?" asked Horni, the rhinoceros¹, who had been taking a little doze², and who woke up, just as the men came in. "I thought I heard some one say you were going to tell a story, Umboo," spoke³ the rhinoceros.

 

"I was going to, and I started it," the elephant answered, "but now I must go out and help push a wagon⁴ loose from where it is stuck in the mud. I'll be back pretty soon, for it is no trouble at all for me to push even a big circus wagon."

 

"Yes, you are very strong," said Chako, the monkey. "Well, don't forget to come back and tell us about the jungle. That will make us forget the heat."

 

"Come, Umboo!" called one of the men, as he loosed the heavy elephant chains. "You must help us with the wagon."

 

Out of the circus tent walked the big elephant. He could understand some of the things the circus men said to him, just as your dog can understand you, when you call:

 

"Come here, Jack⁵!" Then he runs to you, wagging his tail. But if you say:

 

"Go on home, Jack!"

 

How his tail droops⁶, and how sadly your dog looks at you, even though you know it is best for him to go back, and not, perhaps, go to school with you, like Mary's little lamb.

 

So, in much the same way, Umboo knew what the men wanted of him. He was led across the circus lot, outside the big, white tent, that was gay with many-colored flags, and as Umboo swayed along, some boys, who were watching for what they might see, caught sight of the great elephant.

 

"Hey, Jim! Here's one of the big ones!" shouted one boy.

 

"Maybe he's going to take a drink out of the canal," said another.

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