im sorry but i keep thinking that while Santos can turn into a horse, what if, there was many people that saw Horse!Santos before Henry found him. and Santos is very annoyed by the people and had to go back on the hill everytime and is relieved by the time Henry spots the 'horse'.
He probably had a VERY long day before Turner made an appearance XD.
“Awwww….mommy! Look at the cute horsey!”
*Santos runs off, being pursued by a happy and very, very fast little girl while her parents are trying to keep up. He comes back to the hill later*
“Damn it, Bessy! Third time this week you’ve gotten loose!”
*Angry old woman with bad eyesight gives an impressive chase, Santos having difficulty escaping her. He doubles back, glancing furiously around*
“I say old chap!” Murtogg and Mullroy pop up. “Look at this one! It can take us both back to the harbor!”
*Santos can’t slip away in time, and has to carry both Englishmen to the harbor, debating about whether or not if he should just take them to Moss and have an early dinner*