The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-09-15

made good the first move In their puA
nose Backing away from the pier
was a steamer and at the iiioie n,s
Lund and Jerry came upon tne uoeA
peg was being carried down a cum
nanion-way that led from the upper
deck. at the stern of the boat Ans
wonld-be rescuers stood translNeu
with horror as they realized, IN a NASH
the danger to which the circus gu
was now exposed.
But Lund came to sudden realiAu'ion
thot moments were too precious 70
waste, and began at once to look ABOUT
for some means by which ne might
follow Peg and rescue her, If possible,
from her captors. The ISOLATION wouiu
be found in hiring tug, II one were
only Mt hand-but when the boat, pear
ing Peg backed away from the wharf,
the place became at once deserleu'
In desperation Jerry and young
Lund ran to the edge of the wharI'
as IL by that move to lessen the as
lance between themselves ana lhe
boat. It was strange move OIL late
that led them to do this, for when
thew reached the edge of the pier, ana
began looking about, their eyes were
gladdened by the sight of an evidently
deserted motor boat tied to the DOCK
some distance away from where tney
stood.
The two men acted as with one I'M
pulse, and dashed along the pier.
When they reached the motor boat,
Lund jumped in and tried the engine.
In feyerish haste he worked to turn
it over and was, after a few trials,
successful In his attempt. Then Jerry
united the painter that held the boat
fast to the pier, showed her free, ana
the two men were soon speeding away
in pursuit of Peg and her captors.
Meanwhile the girl was desperately
struggling against heavy odds. The
rough sailors, half mad with drink,
were revealing in their discovery. When
| they carried the girl below, they left
her alone for while in the ill-smell-
ing cabin, while the brutes went on
deck and started drunken orgy.
Left alone Peg looked about for
some means of protecting herself. She
first investigated her surroundings, and
found that the hold was divided into
two cabins. In one cabin the sailors
evidently ate their meals, for on the
table were the remains of some coarse
food. Just forward of this cabin was
another in which beds and hunks pro-
vided sleeping quarters.
There was not a weapon Of any
sort to be seen. Only old ropes and
cordage, with pulleys and blocks-the
usual embellishments of harbor
craft. Peg felt trifle relieved when
she had made thorough investigation
of her prison. She knew at least what
was behind the door that separated
the cabins, and during the little time
they left her alone she had time to
form some plan of defense.
Above her head she could hear the
heavy footballs of the drunken sailors.
Their voices came to her down the
companion-way in loud dispute. Only
the round portfolios in either side of
the cabin afforded her a view of the
water as the boat steamed along. Her
heart almost failed her as she contem-
plated the terrifying position in which
she was placed.
After travelling through the water
for several moments Peg heard the
bell ring in the engine room and knew
by the lack of vibration that the
machinery had stopped. Gradually the
boat lost Roadway, and soon she heard
the noise made by the anchor chair
as it ratified from it's capstan.
The girl could not know that this
very act would be the means of in.
surfing relief. Young Lund and Jerry
forcing their borrowed motor boat to
it's top speed, rejoiced when they saw
what the sailors had done. They had
made slow gains in their efforts tc
overtake the steamer, but now that
she rode at anchor they rejoiced.
The boat had stopped because all
hands wanted to enter into the drunk
en- orgie. The engineer and the mar
at the wheel determined that the,
would not be left out of the reyelry
and so they agreed that the boa
should be brought to anchor that nj
hands might be free to Join in IN,
carouse. When the anchor struck hot
tom. Pegs position grew desperate.
Peg heard the drunken men m
preaching the companion-way. WheI
the first man touched the bottom stem
she was waiting for him with a stoo
raised above her head. She brough
the heavy weapon down with all he
strength = but the sailor was ouicI
enough to break the force Of the blow
by throwing his arm above his head
The man next behind him witnesse,
the action and shouted to his pals.
Come on boys, we've got figh+o
down here" Soon strong arms h,
overpowered the girl, and they Aim
her into the corner of the cabin.
reg was weighing her scant chonco