The flames were gaining headway, but seemed to be only in one part of
the house, on the east side.

"Run the engine close to the cistern," directed Bert. "Tom, you and
John cut down the clothes line. Fasten some lengths to the buckets.
We'll have to dip up the water from the cistern, and pour it into the
engine tank. Vincent, you take charge here, and see to the buckets.
Cole, get your fellows to the handles! Tom, you and Charlie Sanders
take the nozzles! Lively now!"

His orders were promptly executed. In a short time several buckets had
long pieces of rope attached to them, by which they could be dropped
down into the cistern, when the cover was removed. They could then be
pulled up full, and the fluid emptied into the tank.

The hose was unreeled, and with the nozzles in charge of Tom and
Charlie, Bert hurried into the house.

"Show us the way to where the fire is," he said to the old
housekeeper.

"Right this way! Right this way!" she cried, hurrying into the side
door of the house as fast as her tottering legs would carry her. "The
fire's in an unused part of the mansion. It's near a chimney flue. Oh,
dear! It's awful!"

Bert and his two chums followed her. Meanwhile, the bucket corps was
rapidly dipping up water and filling the tank. The boys had not yet
begun to work the handles, as Bert had arranged to give a signal, on a