"No, wait a few minutes," directed the captain. "We will need a few
more fellows to haul her up the hill, and there's no use going off
short-handed.

"But the fire will get too much of a start."

"Can't help it. Might as well not go at all as to go with not enough
to work the engine. The bucket brigade would only laugh at us then."

"There's some of 'em now!" exclaimed Cole.

Out in the village street could be heard the tramp of running feet,
and a man's voice crying:

"Come on, bucket brigade! We'll beat the new department!"

"Why don't the fellows hurry!" exclaimed Cole. "We'll get left!"

"Here they are!" shouted Tom Donnell, as about ten lads rushed into
the barn. They lived on the far side of town, and had come in a bunch
to respond to the alarm.

"Grab the rope, boys!" cried Bert. "Don't let the bucket brigade beat
us!"

The long double line was run off the reel, and a two-score of ready
hands grasped it. Cole, as was his privilege, jumped on the engine to
steer, for he had rigged up a tiller wheel on it, since it had been in
his barn, and this made it easier to pull, even with his added weight.