In the Transvaal, in 1900, the British army condemns to death an American mining engineer for aiding and abetting the Boer enemy. The engineer escapes from custody and takes refuge at an isolated Boer farm. When three deserters from the British army arrive on the scene, the engineer takes steps to protect himself and the Boer family.

When the Newsboys inherit a minor league circus on the verge of bankruptcy, they formulate a plan to put on one final show.