Kabumpo in Oz
men tottered and went out, falling to the ground with a great clatter. Then Pompa leaped several feet in the air and his scream put out five more.
"Stop!" cried King Cheer angrily. "Stand where you are!" But Kabumpo and Pompa neither stopped nor stood where they were. The Elegant Elephant rushed over to the Prince and threw his heavy robe over his head. And just in time, for Pompa's golden locks were a mass of flames. Then the Prince tore off his velvet jacket and clapped it to Kabumpo's tail, which also was blazing merrily.
"Great Grump!" rumbled the Elegant Elephant furiously, when he had extinguished Pompa and Pompa had extinguished him. "I'll put you all out for this!" He raised his trunk and pointed it straight at the Candlemen, who cowered in the far corner.
"I was only trying to light you up," wailed a little fellow, holding out his hands pleadingly. "I thought that was your wick." He pointed a trembling finger at Kabumpo's tail and another at Pompa's head.
"Wick!" snorted Kabumpo in a rage—while the Prince ran his hand sorrowfully through his once luxurious pompadour, of which nothing but a short Stubble remained—"Wick! What would we be doing with wicks?"
152
