Hiss-s-s-s-s! went the fire, like an angry snake.
"Ha! That's the way to do it, Tum Tum!" cried his keeper. "You know how to put out a fire! That's the way. You're as good as a fire engine yourself!"
Tum Tum did not answer. In the first place, he could not talk to his keeper except in elephant language, which the circus man did not understand. And, in the second place, Tum Tum was going to suck up more water in his nose, for the fire was not quite out yet. And you know it is hard to talk when you have your nose full of water, even if you are an elephant.
Whooo-ish! went more water from Tum Tum's trunk on the blazing peanut wagon and straw.
Hiss! went the fire again, as it felt the wet water. Fire does not like water, you know.
"Once more, Tum Tum! One more trunk full, and you'll have the fire out!" cried the elephant's keeper.
Again Tum Tum dipped his trunk into the tub of water, and spurted it on the fire.
This time the fire went out completely. Tum Tum had made it so wet, with water from his trunk, that it could no longer burn.
"Oh, what a smart, good elephant!" cried the peanut man. "He saved my wagon from burning up. I must give him some peanuts!"
A few of the peanuts were burned, but there were plenty left, and, though some of them tasted a little like smoke, Tum Tum did not mind that. He chewed several bags full—shells and all—and was hungry for more.