on down the street, not bestowing so much as a glance at the butcher
shop. They were too occupied thinking of the prospective fire
department.

"There, I'm glad they're gone," said Mr. Sagger. "They made me nervous
standing there. Put the things out again, Sid."

The boys, at Cole's suggestion, had adjourned to his barn. He had a
double object in inviting them. He wanted to have a comfortable place
to sit down, while they talked the matter over, and he wanted to
demonstrate his improved force-pump.

This pump was the pride of Cole's heart. He had made it out of parts
of several old pumps, and, to give him credit, it did throw quite a
stream, when the handle was vigorously worked. The boys admired it to
his entire satisfaction, and even admitted that it would be of good
service if ever Cole's house caught fire.

"Now, let's talk business," Bert proposed. "Cole, do you know about
how much the authorities at Jamesville would want for their old
engine?"

"I haven't the least idea, but I should think they'd sell it cheap."

"Do you know whether they will sell it?" asked Tom.

"No, not for sure, but I should think they would."

"We can't go by that," declared Bert. "We've got to find out for
sure."