The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-09-01

Forced the Operator to Send Her Mes
performances, under the circum-
stances, were abandoned. The show
men decided that they might, at best,
guard their property and protect them
selves.
But as the day advanced and the
rioting increased, news came to the
show that the help of every person
who could be spared was needed up
town to quell the rioters. Then 1t was
that the lighting blood" of the circus
men was aroused. Leaving only
enough guards TO protect show prop.
erty, the others equipped themselves
with firearms and sailed into the fray.
Flip was among those who dashed
from the circus grounds into the thick
of the battle on the streets. Despite
the urgings of his companions who
warned him that his age might count
against him in such battle, the old
clown had left the lot before Peg
heard that he was going.
Then it was that the girl showed her
mettle There was no restraining her
and despite every protest from the
men who remained to guard the show
property Peg darted away in the di-
rection Of the town.
II want to be where I can help my
old daddy" said the girl. I'm as
good as any of you men with my
! icAo ~ nx,d ne
in any kind Of battle
And her words proved true. There
was not man among the Americans
who gave a better account of him
self that wild afternoon than did
the circus girl. She found her way
through the crowds and stood shout
der to shoulder with the men in Civ
ing battle to the treacherous Mex
leans.
While the riot ragged help was APP
preaching from an unexpected quar-
ter. The Americans gave no thought
but young Lund's telegram to his
friend solved what might have been
a very serious problem for the be-
leaguered Americans.
The word went out by couriers for
miles around that the Mexican upris-
ing, so long threatened, was at last
reality and that the circus folk and
American residents Of the town were
In danger. Cowboys mounted fast
steeds, and as the cavalcade proceeded
other riders Joined the rescuing forces.
Late in the afternoon when the
Mexicans had been giving battle to
the besieging Americans for hours,
two hundred sturdy men dashed into
town and turned the tide of conflict.
And just before the cowboys whirled
into view the train bearing young
Doctor Lund had pulled into town,
unloading more Americans to swell
the forces of relief.
Young Lund hurried into the midst
OF the fray and fought his way to a
long low building where many Amer
leans were to be seen firing upon the
rrenzied Mexicans In the street below.
Inc strange fate that had led the
young man through so many hazard
Gus experiences, brought him to where
Flip and several other circus men
were making their stand.
Lund had no time to make Inquiries
or ask for explanations. He turned
loose with his revolver, joining the
other Americans in the battle. And
When the cavalcade of cowboys
cleared the street of most of the
rioters he was near Flip when the two
men beheld sight that thrilled them
! with apprehension.
reg was running across the street,
IN the momentary lull, and had
stopped for a second to look around
her bewilderedly. Four Mexicans on
horseback dashed out from the side
street and rode directly to where Peg
hau matted. One of them bent low In
MS saddle and with sudden sweei
oI ms strong arms caught the girl
from her feet and swung her up in
front of him across his horse. Then
with wild shout the Mexicans turned
thelr horses and dashed madly down
t the street.
rip and young Lund who had
watched the whole proceedings, stood
Ior moment transfixed with amaze
lleht and stunned by the realization
OF what had just happened before
tleir very eyes. Lund was the first to
. recover from the shock of surprise
ne dashed down the steps that led to
: tne street, followed closely by the old
clown but when the two men had
i reached the pavement Pegs captors
had disappeared completely from
view.