All circus existence is not sunshine, however. There are communities which are always dreaded5 by circus managers, on account of the rough and lawless element which dominates them.
Early one morning Barlow's circus arrived at the mining town of Coalville (as we will call it), in Pennsylvania. An afternoon performance was given,[Pg 124] and passed off smoothly6; but in the evening a gang of about twenty miners made their appearance, bent7 on mischief8.
Mr. Clark, the manager, sought Mr. Barlow.
"I think we shall have trouble this evening, Mr. Barlow," he said.
"Guard against it, then. What indications have you seen?"
"A gang of twenty miners have just entered the lot. They look ugly."
"Have the canvas men on guard, and summon the razorbacks, if necessary. Don't provoke a conflict, but be ready for one."
Mr. Clark hastily made his arrangements as quietly as possible. Near the ticket seller lounged a body of men, strong and muscular.
These were the canvas men. Some of them looked as reckless and dangerous as the miners, from whom a disturbance9 was feared.
These canvas men, whose duty it is to set up and take down the tents, are, for the most part, a rough set. They are paid from fifteen to twenty dollars a month and board. Their accommodations are very poor, but as good perhaps as they are accustomed to. They are not averse10 to a scrimmage, and obeyed with alacrity11 the directions of Mr. Clark.
The body of miners marched in procession to the ticket seller and then halted, one serving as spokesman.
"Give us twenty tickets, boss," said the leader.
"Where is your money?" asked the ticket seller, cautiously.
"Never you mind! We're on the free list, ain't we, boys?"
"There are no deadheads admitted to the show," said the ticket agent, firmly.
"You'll be a deadhead yourself if you ain't careful, young feller!" was the retort.
"Keep back, men! There are others waiting for a chance to buy tickets."
"Let 'em wait! Just hand over them tickets, or we'll run over you."
He raised the well-known circus cry, which is called out in times of danger, like a summons to arms,
"Hey, Rube!"
Instantly the canvas men and razorbacks rushed to the rescue, and made an impetuous attack on the disorderly crowd of miners. They, too, were aching for a fight, and there was a wild scene of battle, in which, as in the ancient days, the opposing forces fought hand to hand.
The canvas men were strong, but so were the miners. Their muscles were toughened by daily toil14, and it looked as if the outsiders might win.
Kit was not of course called upon to take part in the contest, but he was unwillingly15 involved.
One of the miners detached himself from the main body, and creeping stealthily to the big tent, whipped out a large knife, and was on the point of cutting one of the ropes, his intention being to sever16 one after another till the big tent collapsed17. Kit saw his design, and rushing forward seized his arm.
"Hold on there!" he cried. "What are you about?"
But Kit saw that it was a critical moment, and that[Pg 126] great mischief might be done. He looked about him for help, for he was far from able to cope with his brawny19 antagonist20. Still he clung to the arm of the intruder, and succeeded in delaying his purpose.
Then Kit in desperation raised the cry, "Hey, Rube!"
But it hardly seemed likely to bring the needed assistance, for all the fighting men were engaged in the battle near the ticket seller.
"That won't do no good, young bantam!" said the ruffian, as he aimed a blow at our hero.
Kit's career would in all probability have been cut short, but for the timely arrival of Achilles Henderson. The giant had heard the boy's warning cry, and being near at hand, rushed to his aid. His arrival was most opportune22. He seized the miner in his powerful grasp, and the ruffian, strong and muscular as he was, was like a child in his clutch. His knife fell from his hand, as he was shaken like a reed by the giant.
"Secure the knife, Kit!" cried Achilles.
Kit needed no second bidding. He stooped swiftly and took up the weapon.
But Achilles was needed in another direction.
The contest between the miners and the canvas men still raged fiercely near the ticket stand. It looked as if the intruders would conquer. From the ranks of the defenders23 rose a wild and desperate cry, "Hey, Rube!"
Achilles heard it.
"Come, Kit!" he said. "We are wanted."
He hurled24 the miner in his grasp to the ground with such force that the man lay senseless; then he rushed with all the speed which his long limbs enabled him to attain25 to the scene of the conflict.[Pg 127]
Here again he was none too soon. The leader of the miners, who had been the first spokesman and aggressor, was armed with a powerful club with which he was preparing to deal the ticket seller a terrible and possibly fatal blow, when Achilles rushed into the mêlée like a hurricane. He snatched the club from the hands of the ruffian, and dealt about unsparingly.
The ringleader was the first to fall. Next Achilles attacked the rest of the brutal26 gang, till half a dozen men with broken heads lay upon the ground. The attacking force were completely demoralized, and in dismay fled from the field.
The ticket seller breathed a sigh of relief.
"I thought I was done for, Mr. Henderson," he said, when the giant returned flushed with his exertions27. "You are equal to half a dozen men."
"I haven't had so much exercise in a long time," said Achilles, panting. "Kit, where is the knife that scalawag was going to cut the rope with?"
"Here it is, Mr. Henderson."
"I will keep it in remembrance of this little adventure. Perhaps I had better go and look after the original owner."
"I couldn't think of it, my man!" said Achilles blandly30. "Evidently you are not old enough to be trusted with a knife."
"I'd like to thrash you!" growled the miner again.
"I've no doubt of it, my friend; your intentions are good, but can't be carried out. And now I have a word to say," he continued, sternly. "Just get out of the lot as fast as your legs can carry you, or I'll serve you worse than I did before."[Pg 128]
The ruffian looked toward the ticket stand. He saw several of his friends limping away like himself, looking like whipped curs, and he saw that there was no choice for him but to obey. With a muttered oath and a sullen scowl31, he left the grounds.
"Kit," said the giant, "it won't do for me to exercise like this every day. I shall need a second supper."
"You are certainly entitled to one, Mr. Henderson," replied our hero.
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1
kit
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| n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物 | |
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2
acquit
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| vt.宣判无罪；(oneself)使(自己)表现出 | |
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3
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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4
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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5
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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6
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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7
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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8
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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9
disturbance
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| n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调 | |
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10
averse
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| adj.厌恶的；反对的，不乐意的 | |
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11
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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12
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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13
parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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14
toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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15
unwillingly
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| adv.不情愿地 | |
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16
sever
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| v.切开，割开；断绝，中断 | |
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17
collapsed
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| adj.倒塌的 | |
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18
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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19
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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20
antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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21
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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22
opportune
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| adj.合适的，适当的 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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24
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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25
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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26
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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27
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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28
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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29
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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30
blandly
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| adv.温和地，殷勤地 | |
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31
scowl
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| vi.(at)生气地皱眉，沉下脸，怒视；n.怒容 | |
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