Do n't you be a donkey , Bill . When you hear a real roar , you 'll shake in your boots , '' said Ben , holding up his handkerchief to dry , after it had done double duty as towel and napkin . `` I wish you 'd hurry up , Sam . Folks are going in now . I see 'em ! '' and Billy pranced with impatience ; for this was his first circus , and he firmly believed that he was going to behold all that the pictures promised . `` Hold on a minute , while I get one more drink . Buns are dry fodder , '' said Sam , rolling over to the edge of the bank and preparing to descend with as little trouble as possible . He nearly went down head first , however ; for , as he looked before he leaped , he beheld a sight which caused him to stare with all his might for an instant , then turn and beckon , saying in an eager whisper , `` Look here , boys , -- quick ! '' Ben and Billy peered over , and both suppressed an astonished `` Hullo ! '' for there stood Bab , waiting for Sancho to lap his fill out of the overflowing trough . Such a shabby , tired-looking couple as they were ! Bab with a face as red as a lobster and streaked with tears , shoes white with dust , playfrock torn at the gathers , something bundled up in her apron , and one shoe down at the heel as if it hurt her . Sancho lapped eagerly , with his eyes shut ; all his ruffles were gray with dust , and his tail hung wearily down , the tassel at half mast , as if in mourning for the master whom he had come to find . Bab still held the strap , intent on keeping her charge safe , though she lost herself ; but her courage seemed to be giving out , as she looked anxiously up and down the road , seeing no sign of the three familiar figures she had been following as steadily as a little Indian on the war-trail . `` Oh , Sanch , what shall I do if they do n't come along ? We must have gone by them somewhere , for I do n't see any one that way , and there is n't any other road to the circus , seems to me . '' Bab spoke as if the dog could understand and answer ; and Sancho looked as if he did both , for he stopped drinking , pricked up his cars , and , fixing his sharp eyes on the grass above him , gave a suspicious bark . `` It 's only squirrels ; do n't mind , but come along and be good ; for I 'm so tired , I do n't know what to do ! '' sighed Bab , trying to pull him after her as she trudged on , bound to see the outside of that wonderful tent , even if she never got in .
But Sancho had heard a soft chirrup ; and , with a sudden bound , twitched the strap away , sprang up the bank , and landed directly on XXXXX 's back as he lay peeping over .
Ben Billy Hullo Indian Sam Sanch Sancho first minute war-trail