`` Hold tight , Jimmy , and let 'em peek , if they want to . He ca n't hurt anybody now , '' said one of the dusty huntsmen , who sat on the wide coping of the wall , while two others held the gate , as if a cat could only escape that way . `` You peek first , Susy , and see if it looks nice , '' said one little girl , boosting her friend so that she could look through the bars in the upper part of the gate . `` No ; it 's only an ugly old dog ! '' responded Susy , losing all interest at once , and descending with a bounce . `` He 's mad ! and Jud 's gone to get his gun , so we can shoot him ! '' called out one mischievous boy , resenting the contempt expressed for their capture . `` Ai n't , neither ! '' howled another lad from his perch . `` Mad dogs wo n't drink ; and this one is lapping out of a tub of water . '' `` Well , he may be , and we do n't know him , and he has n't got any muzzle on , and the police will kill him if Jud do n't , '' answered the sanguinary youth who had first started the chase after the poor animal , which had come limping into town , so evidently a lost dog that no one felt any hesitation in stoning him . `` We must go right home ; my mother is dreadful ` fraid of mad dogs , and so is yours , '' said Susy ; and , having satisfied their curiosity , the young ladies prudently retired . But Betty had not had her `` peep , '' and could not resist one look ; for she had heard of these unhappy animals , and thought Bab would like to know how they looked . So she stood on tip-toe and got a good view of a dusty , brownish dog , lying on the grass close by , with his tongue hanging out while he panted , as if exhausted by fatigue and fear , for he still cast apprehensive glances at the wall which divided him from his tormentors . `` His eyes are just like Sanch 's , '' said Betty to herself , unconscious that she spoke aloud , till she saw the creature prick up his cars and half rise , as if he had been called . `` He looks as if he knew me , but it is n't our Sancho ; he was a lovely dog . '' Betty said that to the little boy peeping in beside her ; but before he could make any reply , the brown beast stood straight up with an inquiring bark , while his eyes shone like topaz , and the short tail wagged excitedly . `` Why , that 's just the way Sanch used to do ! '' cried Betty , bewildered by the familiar ways of this unfamiliar-looking dog .
As if the repetition of his name settled his own doubts , he leaped toward the gate and thrust a pink nose between the bars , with a howl of recognition as XXXXX 's face was more clearly seen .
Bab Betty Jimmy Sanch Sancho Susy escape huntsmen topaz tormentors