"Well, never mind about pulling up more trees now," said Whoo-ee. "We called you to come out, and have some fun with us. We are going swimming."
"Where?" asked Tum Tum, as he got up off his back, and blew some dust over himself to keep away the flies.
"Oh, we're going down in the river," said Zunga. "It's so hot to-day, that a nice bath will cool us off. Come on."
"I'd better ask my mother," said Tum Tum. "I didn't know you were going swimming, when you called for me to come and play with you. I'll go ask her."
"All right, we'll wait for you. Only don't be all day," said Gumble-umble. "We want to go in the water before night."
"Oh, you mustn't mind him," laughed Whoo-ee. "I don't know what's the matter with him to-day; he's always finding fault. Did you get a thorn in your foot, Gumble, that makes you so cross?"
"No, I didn't," answered the other boy elephant. "But I don't want to stand here all the afternoon in a hot jungle, waiting for Tum Tum."
"I won't be long," promised the jolly elephant. He hurried back through the woods to where his father and mother were still eating.
"Mother, may I go in swimming?" he asked, as he came to where Mrs. Tusky stood.
"Yes, but don't go so far, that you can't hear any calls that may come from Mr. Boom. There's no telling when the hunters may find us."