hay was. The flames had mostly enveloped it, and Mr. Kimball and his
two sons were vainly dashing pails of water at the base of the ignited
pile.

"Run the engine right down to the brook," said Bert. "We won't have to
pass the water so far then. As soon as it stops I'll unreel the hose
and Cole will call for some fellows to jump up and work the handles.
Don't have any disputes. The rest will pass buckets, and John Boll and
Tom Donnell can handle the nozzles. I'll pass water, this time."

The post of honor, of course, was at the nozzles, of which there were
two. Next to that came being at the handles, or brakes, while the
hardest work and probably the least spectacular was passing the water.
Bert deliberately selected this, as he knew putting out the fire
depended entirely on the water, and he did not want it said that he
chose the best position, as he wanted plenty of lads to assist him
with the buckets.

"This way, bucket brigade!" called Mr. Sagger, who acted as a sort of
chief at times.

"Here you are with the engine," cried Bert, in opposition. "Right down
to the brook, boys!"

"Form lines!" directed Mr. Sagger. "Pass buckets."

Bert and his chums ran the engine close to the stream of water. Then
Burt unreeled the two lines of hose, and gave them in charge of Tom
and John. Cole was busy oiling the brake bearings and calling for ten
boys to assist him. The others, with Bert, grabbed the buckets from