Such a shabby , tired-looking couple as they were ! Bab with a face as red as a lobster and streaked with tears , shoes white with dust , playfrock torn at the gathers , something bundled up in her apron , and one shoe down at the heel as if it hurt her . Sancho lapped eagerly , with his eyes shut ; all his ruffles were gray with dust , and his tail hung wearily down , the tassel at half mast , as if in mourning for the master whom he had come to find . Bab still held the strap , intent on keeping her charge safe , though she lost herself ; but her courage seemed to be giving out , as she looked anxiously up and down the road , seeing no sign of the three familiar figures she had been following as steadily as a little Indian on the war-trail . `` Oh , Sanch , what shall I do if they do n't come along ? We must have gone by them somewhere , for I do n't see any one that way , and there is n't any other road to the circus , seems to me . '' Bab spoke as if the dog could understand and answer ; and Sancho looked as if he did both , for he stopped drinking , pricked up his cars , and , fixing his sharp eyes on the grass above him , gave a suspicious bark . `` It 's only squirrels ; do n't mind , but come along and be good ; for I 'm so tired , I do n't know what to do ! '' sighed Bab , trying to pull him after her as she trudged on , bound to see the outside of that wonderful tent , even if she never got in . But Sancho had heard a soft chirrup ; and , with a sudden bound , twitched the strap away , sprang up the bank , and landed directly on Ben 's back as he lay peeping over . A peal of laughter greeted him ; and , having got the better of his master in more ways than one , he made the most of the advantage by playfully worrying him as he kept him down , licking his face in spite of his struggles , burrowing in his neck with a ticklish nose , snapping at his buttons , and yelping joyfully , as if it was the best joke in the world to play hide-and-seek for four long miles . Before Ben could quiet him , Bab came climbing up the bank , with such a funny mixture of fear , fatigue , determination , and relief in her dirty little face , that the boys could not look awful if they tried . `` How dared you come after us , miss ? '' demanded Sam , as she looked calmly about her , and took a seat before she was asked . `` Sanch would come after Ben ; I could n't make him go home , so I had to hold on till he was safe here , else he 'd be lost , and then Ben would feel bad . '' The cleverness of that excuse tickled the boys immensely ; and Sam tried again , while Ben was getting the dog down and sitting on him . `` Now you expect to go to the circus , I suppose . '' `` Course I do . Ben said he did n't mind paying , if I could get there without bothering him , and I have ; and I 'll go home alone . I ai n't afraid .
XXXXX will take care of me , if you wo n't , '' answered Bab , stoutly .
Bab Ben Indian Sam Sanch Sancho chirrup playfrock tassel war-trail