S A N C H O . 281 



Sancho. Somewhat reassured, I awaited his ap- 

 proach. I should have run, had there been a 

 place of security at reasonable distance. But 

 from my position to the nearest tree or fence vrae 

 *uch a distance as that in a race I would certainly 

 have been overtaken. When Sancho came within 

 a short distance, I spoke his name. At this he 

 grew almost frantic, and began such a series of 

 ungainly capers about me, that though in immi- 

 nent fear of being crushed by him in his elephan- 

 tine manifestations of joy, I had to laugh heartily 



When he was a little quieted, I advanced and 

 stroked his bushy head and handled his horns, 

 whereat he seemed as pleased as a child would be 

 at the caress of a friend. The other cattle mean- 

 while gathered around at various distances, sus- 

 piciously watching my movements, and evidently 

 much at a loss to know the import of Sancho's 

 actions. 



After paying my huge friend such attentions as 

 I thought would be mutually agreeable, I turned 

 to leave. But this motion he strenuously resisted. 

 Turn which way I would, he got before me, and 

 insisted on further attention. The nearest fence 

 was some hundred yards off, and I saw no way of 

 getting there with his opposition. When I per- 

 sistently moved on, he would recommence hie 

 huge gambols in such close proximity to my 

 person as to make me glad to stop. He would 

 toss his head an i leap about me madly, sha- 

 king his ungainly hump, and making altogether 



