`` May be the end of that dog , but not of mine . I 'll bet he ran away ; and if it was Sanch , he 'll come home . You see if he does n't ! '' cried Ben , refusing to believe that all was over . `` A hundred wiles off ? Oh , he could n't find you without help , smart as he is , '' answered Thorny , incredulously . Ben looked discouraged , but Miss Celia cheered him up again by saying , -- `` Yes , he could . My father had a friend who left a little dog in Paris ; and the creature found her in Milan , and died of fatigue next day . That was very wonderful , but true ; and I 've no doubt that if Sanch is alive he will come home . Let us hope so , and be happy , while we wait . '' `` We will ! '' said the boys ; and day after day looked for the wanderer 's return , kept a bone ready in the old place if he should arrive at night , and shook his mat to keep it soft for his weary bones when he came . But weeks passed , and still no Sanch . Something else happened , however , so absorbing that he was almost forgotten for a time ; and Ben found a way to repay a part of all he owed his best friend . Miss Celia went off for a ride one afternoon , and an hour afterward , as Ben sat in the porch reading , Lita dashed into the yard with the reins dangling about her legs , the saddle turned round , and one side covered with black mud , showing that she had been down . For a minute , Ben 's heart stood still ; then he flung away his book , ran to the horse , and saw at once by her heaving flanks , dilated nostrils , and wet coat , that she must have come a long way and at full speed . `` She has had a fall , but is n't hurt or frightened , '' thought the boy , as the pretty creature rubbed her nose against his shoulder , pawed the ground , and champed her bit , as if she tried to tell him all about the disaster , whatever it was . `` Lita , where 's Miss Celia ? '' he asked , looking straight into the intelligent eyes , which were troubled but not wild . Lita threw up her head , and neighed loud and clear , as if she called her mistress ; and , turning , would have gone again if Ben had not caught the reins and held her .
`` All right , we 'll find her ; '' and , pulling off the broken saddle , kicking away his shoes , and ramming his hat firmly on , XXXXX was up like a flash , tingling all over with a sense of power as he felt the bare back between his knees , and caught the roll of Lita 's eye as she looked round with an air of satisfaction .
Ben Lita Milan Paris afternoon disaster flanks hour night weeks