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 Ben 's back as he lay peeping over . A peal of laughter greeted him ; and , having got the better of his master in more ways than one , he made the most of the advantage by playfully worrying him as he kept him down , licking his face in spite of his struggles , burrowing in his neck with a ticklish nose , snapping at his buttons , and yelping joyfully , as if it was the best joke in the world to play hide-and-seek for four long miles . Before Ben could quiet him , Bab came climbing up the bank , with such a funny mixture of fear , fatigue , determination , and relief in her dirty little face , that the boys could not look awful if they tried . `` How dared you come after us , miss ? ''
demanded XXXXX , as she looked calmly about her , and took a seat before she was asked .
Hullo Indian Sam Sanch Sancho chirrup first minute playfrock tassel