would be much lower if we had a good fire department, even as good a
regular one as the boys' volunteer organization is."

"I don't believe it," declared the obstinate butcher.

For the next week the boys had several drills, and they showed a great
improvement. The different divisions took turns sleeping in the barn,
though they were disappointed that no alarm came in to test their
abilities. Some improvements had been made to the engine, for Cole,
after much experimenting, had mounted his force pump on the forward
part of the tank, and attached a long garden hose to the spout. With
it he could send a small stream a considerable distance, though not
much water went through the small hose, as compared with the larger
lines.

"It'll do for small fires," observed Cole, with much satisfaction, as
he contemplated his work.

The very night that Cole finished the work of attaching his force
pump, an alarm came in about eleven o'clock. The volunteer division,
which was assigned to barn duty that night, had hardly retired to the
cots or the haymow, when the clanging bell told them there was a
blaze.

"Lively, boys!" cried Cole, who assumed the post of captain until Bert
arrived.

Surely no boys ever dressed more rapidly than did the ten lads in the
barn. In really quick time they were running the engine out of the
driveway, and Cole cried: