CHAPTER XXIX

A FREE TROLLEY RIDE

The young acrobat turned in time to see the performers’ tent wobble inwards.  Miss Starr, quite flustered, ran rapidly to escape being caught in its drooping folds.

Following her, looking worn out and anxious, carrying Midget in his arms, was Billy Blow.

“Get them out of this!” cried Marco, holding up the flap of the canvas passage way.

“Here, let me take him,” directed Andy.  “You’re not equal to the heavy load.”

He removed Midget from the clown’s arms, and led the way to the outer air.

Yells and shots sounded from the main tent.  Outside there was a swaying, excited mob.  Andy evaded them, leading the way to the street lining the circus grounds at one side.

“Look there,” suddenly exclaimed the clown in a gasping tone.

The main tent was on fire.  A mob was trying to pull down the menagerie tent.

“Hi!” yelled the leader of a gang of boys rushing past them and halting, “here’s some show folks.”

“Pelt them!” cried another voice.  “They won’t pay my father his feed bill.”

An egg flittered towards the fugitives.  It struck Miss Starr on the back, soiling her pretty dress.

Andy ran back, Midget held on one arm.  He let drive with his free hand and knocked the egg thrower head over heels.

This was the signal for a wild riot.  The crowd of young hoodlums pressed close on Andy, and he retreated to the others.

“Take him, Miss Starr,” he said quickly, placing Midget in her arms.  “Hurry to the lighted street yonder.”

A rain of stones came towards them.  Andy ran back at the crowd.  In turn he sent four of them reeling with vigorous fisticuffs.  Then he rejoined his friends.

A trolley car stood at one side of the street.  The boys had yelled for help from others of their kind and their numbers increased dangerously.  The motorman of the trolley car had neglected his duty and joined a gaping crowd at a corner.  Riot and enmity to the circus people was in the air.  Andy formed a speedy decision.

“Quick!” he ordered, “get into that car.”

A brickbat knocked off his hat.  A second smashed a window in the car as Miss Starr and the others got aboard.

Two big fellows pounced upon Andy.  He met one with a blow that laid him flat.  With a trick leap he landed his feet against the stomach of the other, sending him reeling back, breathless.

Andy made a jump over the front railing of the car.  Another deluge of missiles struck the car.  He noticed that his friends were safely aboard.  Andy noticed, too, that the crank handle of the motor box was in place.

“Anywhere for safety from that mob,” he thought.

Grr-rr-whiz-z!  The car started up.  Shouts, missiles, running forms pursued it.  Andy stopped for nothing.  He put on full speed.