The Young Firemen of Lakeville; or, Herbert Dare's Pluck by Frank V. Webster
page 83 of 190 (43%)
page 83 of 190 (43%)
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The fire was now under control, the boys having prevented its spread beyond a small area. Quite a hole was burned in the floor, and the flames had eaten through the side of the house, and burned out two windows. A little more water served to put out the last sparks. "Guess we're done," said Charlie. "You can signal 'em to stop pumping, Captain Bert," and he laughed, for he was well pleased with his role of fireman. Bert blew the prearranged blasts on his whistle, and the boys at the brakes were glad enough to cease, for their arms ached with the strain. Those drawing water from the cistern likewise welcomed the respite. "Take up the hose," ordered Herbert, with as much importance as if he was a battalion chief of a big city department. Tom and Charlie went through the hall, dragging the two lines with them, and the hose was soon reeled back on the engine. "Guess we've done our share," declared Mr. Sagger, as he called to his men of the bucket brigade. "The fire's out!" "Well, I can't say that we did it all," Confessed Mr. Appelby. "The boys did the most of it." "We could have done it without them," asserted the butcher. "They were only in the way. We couldn't use the cistern." "I guess it's just as well they got there first," went on the mayor of Lakeville. "This looked like a bad blaze, and if it had got beyond |
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