But as I have to crawl along on the
ground, please be careful not to step on me. We snakes do not like to
be stepped on."
"I'll be careful," promised Umboo.
Then the snake glided, or crawled, along through the jungle, and
Umboo, watching which way she went, followed, carrying in his trunk
the branch of palm nuts for his mother.
On and on went the snake, now and then stopping to coil and raise her
head above the ground so she might listen. The water drops glistened
on her shiny scales, and she was very beautiful in color, though she
was so dangerous and deadly.
"What are you stopping for?" asked Umboo at one time.
"I am trying to listen to hear the tramp of the herd of elephants,"
the snake answered. "Do not make any noise."
So Umboo stood still, and was very quiet, but he could hear nothing.
However, the snake must have heard, for she uncoiled herself and
started off another way, saying:
"Follow me, Umboo."
"How did you know my name was Umboo?" asked the elephant boy. "I did
not tell you that."
"We serpents are wise, and know many things," was the answer, and
Umboo began to believe that.
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