He subsided for a moment , but when the black spaniel , who acted the canine clown , did something funny and was applauded , Sancho made a dart as if bent on leaping into the ring to outdo his rival , and Ben was forced to box his ears and put his feet on the poor beast , fearing he would be ordered out if he made any disturbance . Too well trained to rebel again , Sancho lay meditating on his wrongs till the dog act was over , carefully abstaining from any further sign of interest in their tricks , and only giving a sidelong glance at the two little poodles who came out of a basket to run up and down stairs on their fore-paws , dance jigs on their hind-legs , and play various pretty pranks to the great delight of all the children in the audience . If ever a dog expressed by look and attitude , `` Pooh ! I could do much better than that , and astonish you all , if I were only allowed to , '' that dog was Sancho , as he curled himself up and affected to turn his back on an unappreciative world . `` It 's too bad , when he knows more than all those chaps put together . I 'd give any thing if I could show him off as I used to . Folks always like it , and I was ever so proud of him . He 's mad now because I had to cuff him , and wo n't take any notice of me till I make up , '' said Ben , regretfully eying his offended friend , but not daring to beg pardon yet . More riding followed , and Bab was kept in a breathless state by the marvellous agility and skill of the gauzy lady who drove four horses at once , leaped through hoops , over banners and bars , sprang off and on at full speed , and seemed to enjoy it all so much it was impossible to believe that there could be any danger or exertion in it . Then two girls flew about on the trapeze , and walked on a tight rope , causing Bab to feel that she had at last found her sphere ; for , young as she was , her mother often said , `` I really do n't know what this child is fit for , except mischief , like a monkey . '' `` I 'll fix the clothes-line when I get home , and show Ma how nice it is . Then , may be , she 'd let me wear red and gold trousers , and climb round like these girls , '' thought the busy little brain , much excited by all it saw on that memorable day . Nothing short of a pyramid of elephants with a glittering gentleman in a turban and top boots on the summit would have made her forget this new and charming plan . But that astonishing spectacle , and the prospect of a cage of Bengal tigers with a man among them , in imminent danger of being eaten before her eyes , entirely absorbed her thoughts till , just as the big animals went lumbering out , a peal of thunder caused considerable commotion in the audience . Men on the highest seats popped their heads through the openings in the tent-cover and reported that a heavy shower was coming up . Anxious mothers began to collect their flocks of children as hens do their chickens at sunset ; timid people told cheerful stories of tents blown over in gales , cages upset and wild beasts let loose . Many left in haste , and the performers hurried to finish as soon as possible . `` I 'm going now before the crowd comes , so I can get a lift home . I see two or three folks I know , so I 'm off ; '' and , climbing hastily down , Sam vanished without further ceremony . `` Better wait till the shower is over .
We can go and see the animals again , and get home all dry , just as well as not , '' observed XXXXX , encouragingly , as Billy looked anxiously at the billowing canvas over his head , the swaying posts before him , and heard the quick patter of drops outside , not to mention the melancholy roar of the lion which sounded rather awful through the sudden gloom which filled the strange place .
Ben Bengal Sam fore-paws hind-legs jigs left poodles spaniel tent-cover