JUMBO AS A SWIMMER.
Jumbo knows how to bathe and swim; I may say he is a “great swimmer.” He
makes a bigger hole in the water than most other animals, and he
certainly throws water up into the air higher than any other animal,
with his great water-spout trunk.
When in London some years ago, it being inconvenient to take Jumbo down
to the river, it was arranged to construct a special bath for him and
Alice, his wife. I just wish I had the boys and girls who have done so
much shouting for Jumbo in this country, with me there to see Jumbo and
Alice bathing. I would not wish for greater pleasure than to stand upon
the top of the bath and look into their faces as they would gaze with
intensity at the manœuvres of Jumbo as he led the way into the bath,
down to the deep end, where he could have a swim, with Alice close at
his heels. It is impossible to describe the amusing scene.
Jumbo would, every now and then, turn right about and with his massive
trunk throw up such a quantity of water as would make a shower-bath fall
on Alice’s back, and then, perhaps, he would in the same way, throw up
to a great height a regular three-inch water-pipe gush of a douche bath,
and this would so tickle Alice, and so add to her enjoyment, that she
would presently begin to reciprocate; but as her trunk and powers were
not so great as Jumbo’s, she could not make such a good job of it. Yet
Jumbo was awfully pleased at Alice’s consideration in trying thus to
wash his back. Jumbo would make a good five-or six-story window-washer.
When they got to swimming depth they would play some of the funniest
frolics, rolling about like two ships in a storm at sea; and at other
times would swim most majestically along, Jumbo always leading the way
for quite a time, then, when they got to the end of the oblong bath,
Alice would turn round and Jumbo would follow her back to walking depth;
then some more shower-bath business, and after that a return for a few
dives. It is really amusing to see Jumbo on his head trying to show his
hind legs, just like the boys do when they are bathing.
Jumbo and I had the same kind of fun out West in the rivers, whenever we
had an opportunity, the only difference being that I had to take Alice’s
place. I got all the shower and douche bath without the ability to
return the kindness. Being without a long water-spout of a trunk, I
couldn’t do more than splash a bit with my hands, or throw a few buckets
of water on Jumbo’s back, and although he appreciated my efforts as a
substitute, he never has enjoyed his bath as much as he did when Alice
was along with him.
Jumbo is a remarkably clean animal, and he is mighty particular about
his bed, and, indeed, in all his habits he is a model of cleanliness.