I wish I 'd gone ! '' and Bab felt that she had for ever lost the chance of distinguishing herself . `` Who cut his tail off ? '' demanded Ben , in a menacing tone , as he came uppermost in his turn , dusty , red and breathless , but radiant . `` The wretch who stole him , I suppose ; and he deserves to be hung , '' answered Thorny , hotly . `` If ever I catch him , I 'll -- I 'll cut his nose off , '' roared Ben , with such a vengeful glare that Sanch barked fiercely ; and it was well that the unknown `` wretch '' was not there , for it would have gone hardly with him , since even gentle Betty frowned , while Bab brandished the egg-beater menacingly , and their mother indignantly declared that `` it was too bad ! '' Relieved by this general outburst , they composed their outraged feelings ; and while the returned wanderer went from one to another to receive a tender welcome from each , the story of his recovery was more calmly told . Ben listened with his eye devouring the injured dog ; and when Thorny paused , he turned to the little heroine , saying solemnly , as he laid her hand with his own on Sancho 's head , `` Betty Moss , I 'll never forget what you did ; from this minute half of Sanch is your truly own , and if I die you shall have the whole of him , '' and Ben sealed the precious gift with a sounding kiss on either chubby check . Betty was so deeply touched by this noble bequest , that the blue eyes filled and would have overflowed if Sanch had not politely offered his tongue like a red pocket-handkerchlef , and so made her laugh the drops away , while Bab set the rest off by saying gloomily , -- `` I mean to play with all the mad dogs I can find ; then folks will think I 'm smart and give me nice things . '' `` Poor old Bab , I 'll forgive you now , and lend you my half whenever you want it , '' said Ben , feeling at peace now with all mankind , including , girls who tagged . `` Come and show him to Celia , '' begged Thorny , eager to fight his battles over again . `` Better wash him up first ; he 's a sight to see , poor thing , '' suggested Mrs. Moss , as she ran in , suddenly remembering her muffins . `` It will take a lot of washings to get that brown stuff off . See , his pretty , pink skin is all stained with it . We 'll bleach him out , and his curls will grow , and he 'll be as good as ever -- all but -- '' Ben could not finish , and a general wail went up for the departed tassel that would never wave proudly in the breeze again . `` I 'll buy him a new one . Now form the procession and let us go in style , '' said Thorny , cheerily , as he swung Betty to his shoulder and marched away whistling `` Hail ! the conquering hero comes , '' while Ben and his Bow-wow followed arm-in-arm , and Bab brought up the rear , banging on a milk-pan with the egg-beater . CHAPTER XVIII BOWS AND ARROWS If Sancho 's abduction made a stir , one may easily imagine with what warmth and interest he was welcomed back when his wrongs and wanderings were known . For several days he held regular levees , that curious boys and sympathizing girls might see and pity the changed and curtailed dog .
Sancho behaved with dignified affability , and sat upon his mat in the coach-house pensively eying his guests , and patiently submitting to their caresses ; while XXXXX and Thorny took turns to tell the few tragical facts which were not shrouded in the deepest mystery .
Bab Ben Celia Sanch Sancho Thorny bleach first levees pocket-handkerchlef