It almost seemed as if Jumbo understood what she said.  At any rate he began to swim towards the island as fast as ever he could.  But weighted with his long fur, and unaccustomed to swimming--for he had never in his life before been in the water, and how he had learned to swim always remained a mystery to the children--he yet struck out valiantly.  He knew that he was swimming for his very life, and he never ceased paddling for one moment.