`` I like circuses so much ! I wish I lived here all the time , and slept in a wagon , as you did , and had these dear little colties to play with . '' `` It would n't be fun if you did n't have any folks to take care of you , '' began Ben , thoughtfully looking about the familiar place where the men were now feeding the animals , setting their refreshment tables , or lounging on the hay to get such rest as they could before the evening entertainment . Suddenly he started , gave a long look , then turned to Bab , and thrusting Sancho 's strap into her hand , said , hastily : `` I see a fellow I used to know . May be he can tell me something about father . Do n't you stir till I come back . '' Then he was off like a shot , and Bab saw him run after a man with a bucket who bad been watering the zebra . Sancho tried to follow , but was checked with an impatient , -- `` No , you ca n't go ! What a plague you are , tagging around when people do n't want you . '' Sancho might have answered , `` So are you , '' but , being a gentlemanly dog , he sat down with a resigned expression to watch the little colts , who were now awake and seemed ready for a game of bo-peep behind their mammas . Bab enjoyed their funny little frisks so much that she tied the wearisome strap to a post , and crept under the rope to pet the tiny mouse-colored one who came and talked to her with baby whinnies and confiding glances of its soft , dark eyes . `` Oh , luckless Bab ! why did you turn your back ? Oh , too accomplished Sancho ! why did you neatly untie that knot and trot away to confer with the disreputable bull-dog who stood in the entrance beckoning with friendly wavings of an abbreviated tail ? Oh , much afflicted Ben ! why did you delay till it was too late to save your pet from the rough man who set his foot upon the trailing strap , and led poor Sanch quickly out of sight among the crowd ? `` It was Bascum , but he did n't know any thing . Why , where 's Sanch ? '' said Ben , returning .
A breathless voice made Bab turn to see XXXXX looking about him with as much alarm in his hot face as if the dog had been a two years ' child .
Bascum Ben Sanch Sancho bull-dog circuses colties frisks wavings whinnies