Sancho , Sancho , is it really you ? '' called Betty , at her wits ' end what to do . `` Bow , wow , wow ! '' answered the well-known bark , and the little tail did all it could to emphasize the sound , while the eyes were so full of dumb love and joy , the child could not refuse to believe that this ugly stray was their own Sancho strangely transformed . All of a sudden , the thought rushed into her mind , how glad Ben would be ! -- and Bab would feel all happy again . `` I must carry him home . '' Never stopping to think of danger , and forgetting all her doubts , Betty caught the gate handle out of Jimmy 's grasp , exclaiming eagerly : `` He is our dog ! 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 XXXXX , it 's Sanch !
Bab Ben Betty Jud Moss Sanch Sancho Thorny protector wag