Let me go in ; I ai n't afraid . '' `` Not till Jud comes back ; he told us we must n't , '' answered the astonished Jimmy , thinking the little girl as mad as the dog . With a confused idea that the unknown Jud had gone for a gun to shoot Sanch , Betty gave a desperate pull at the latch and ran into the yard , bent on saving her friend . That it was a friend there could be no further question ; for , though the creature rushed at her as if about to devour her at a mouthful , it was only to roll ecstatically at her feet , lick her hands , and gaze into her face , trying to pant out the welcome which he could not utter . An older and more prudent person would have waited to make sure before venturing in ; but confiding Betty knew little of the danger which she might have run ; her heart spoke more quickly than her head , and , not stopping to have the truth proved , she took the brown dog on trust , and found it was indeed dear Sanch . Sitting on the grass , she hugged him close , careless of tumbled hat , dusty paws on her clean frock , or a row of strange boys staring from the wall . `` Darling doggy , where have you been so long ? '' she cried , the great thing sprawling across her lap , as if he could not get near enough to his brave little protector . `` Did they make you black and beat you , dear ? Oh , Sanch , where is your tail -- your pretty tail ? '' A plaintive growl and a pathetic wag was all the answer he could make to these tender inquiries ; for never would the story of his wrongs be known , and never could the glory of his doggish beauty be restored . Betty was trying to comfort him with pats and praises , when a new face appeared at the gate , and Thorny 's authoritative voice called out , -- `` Betty Moss , what on earth are you doing in there with that dirty beast ? '' `` It 's Sanch , it 's Sanch ! Oh , come and see ! '' shrieked Betty , flying up to lead forth her prize . But the gate was held fast , for some one said the words , `` Mad dog , '' and Thorny was very naturally alarmed , because he had already seen one . `` Do n't stay there another minute . Get up on that bench and I 'll pull you over , '' directed Thorny , mounting the wall to rescue his charge in hot haste ; for the dog did certainly behave queerly , limping hurriedly to and fro , as if anxious to escape . No wonder , when Sancho heard a voice he knew , and recognized another face , yet did not meet as kind a welcome as before . `` No , I 'm not coming out till he does .
It is XXXXX , and I 'm going to take him home to Ben , '' answered Betty , decidedly , as she wet her handkerchief in the rain water to bind up the swollen paw that had travelled many miles to rest in her little hand again .
Betty Jud Moss Sanch Sancho doggy fro minute pats protector