a grin of ecstasy as he replied:

"Oh, Lard, my God, it is too 'ot, sar; greatly too 'ot! It would
take a stout 'eart to do such a thing."

"Nonsense! They'll never put it out this way. Hey!" Kirk attracted
the attention of a near-by nozzleman. "Walk up to it. It won't
bite you." But the valiant fire-fighter held stubbornly to his
post, while the stream he directed continued to describe a
graceful curve and spatter upon the sidewalk in front of the
burning building. "You're spoiling that old woman's bed," Anthony
warned him, at which a policeman with drawn club forced him back
as if resentful of criticism. Other peace officers compelled the
crowd to give way, then fell upon the distracted property holders
and beat them off their piles of furniture.

For perhaps ten minutes there was no further change in the
situation; then a great shout arose as it was seen that the roof
of the adjoining building had burst into flame. At this the
fanfare of trumpets sounded again; firemen rushed down the street,
dragging a line of hose and drenching the onlookers. But, despite
their hurry, they halted too soon, and their stream just failed to
reach the blazing roof. By now the heat had grown really intense,
and the more hardy heroes in the vanguard retreated to less trying
positions. The voice of the crowd had arisen to a roar rivalling
that of the flames.

"They must intend to let the whole town burn!" cried Anthony.

"Yes, sar! Very probably, sar."