`` There , Sir , how 's that for a jump ? '' asked Ben , rubbing his hands with satisfaction as his friends clapped till their palms tingled . `` We 'll rig up a spring-board and try it , '' said Billy , fired with emulation . `` Where 'll you get your elephants ? '' asked Sam , scornfully , for gymnastics were not in his line . `` You 'll do for one , '' retorted Ben , and Billy and Bab joined in his laugh so heartily that a rough-looking , man who sat behind them , hearing all they said , pronounced them a `` jolly set , '' and kept his eye on Sancho , who now showed signs of insubordination . `` Hullo , that was n't on the bill ! '' cried Ben , as a parti-colored clown came in , followed by half a dozen dogs . `` I 'm so glad ; now Sancho will like it . There 's a poodle that might be his ownty donty brother -- the one with the blue ribbon , '' said Bab . beaming with delight as the dogs took their seats in the chairs arranged for them . Sancho did like it only too well , for be scrambled out from under the seat in a great hurry to go and greet his friends ; and , being sharply checked , sat up and begged so piteously that Ben found it very hard to refuse and order him down . He subsided for a moment , but when the black spaniel , who acted the canine clown , did something funny and was applauded , Sancho made a dart as if bent on leaping into the ring to outdo his rival , and Ben was forced to box his ears and put his feet on the poor beast , fearing he would be ordered out if he made any disturbance . Too well trained to rebel again , Sancho lay meditating on his wrongs till the dog act was over , carefully abstaining from any further sign of interest in their tricks , and only giving a sidelong glance at the two little poodles who came out of a basket to run up and down stairs on their fore-paws , dance jigs on their hind-legs , and play various pretty pranks to the great delight of all the children in the audience . If ever a dog expressed by look and attitude , `` Pooh ! I could do much better than that , and astonish you all , if I were only allowed to , '' that dog was Sancho , as he curled himself up and affected to turn his back on an unappreciative world . `` It 's too bad , when he knows more than all those chaps put together . I 'd give any thing if I could show him off as I used to . Folks always like it , and I was ever so proud of him . He 's mad now because I had to cuff him , and wo n't take any notice of me till I make up , '' said Ben , regretfully eying his offended friend , but not daring to beg pardon yet .
More riding followed , and XXXXX was kept in a breathless state by the marvellous agility and skill of the gauzy lady who drove four horses at once , leaped through hoops , over banners and bars , sprang off and on at full speed , and seemed to enjoy it all so much it was impossible to believe that there could be any danger or exertion in it .
Bab Billy Hullo Pooh Sancho dart emulation jigs spaniel spring-board