SINGING A DIFFERENT TUNE


From various directions came running the young members of the
volunteer fire department. The bucket brigade was also on hand, and
had formed a line from the town pump, which stood near the store, as
close to the burning shop as they dared to go. The whole interior
seemed a mass of flames.

"Where will we get water?" shouted Cole to Bert, who had arrived on
the run.

"Back the engine down to the brook!" cried the young captain. "Isn't
the hose long enough to reach from there?"

"Yep! Plenty!"

"Then back her down!"

The flames were crackling and roaring, and the smoke was so thick and
choking, because of the burning meats and fats, that it was impossible
to go very close. The bucket brigade had to beat a retreat, and,
though they had the satisfaction of first getting water on the blaze,
it was an empty honor.

"Lively, now, boys!" cried Bert. "Take one nozzle, Vincent! George,
you grab another! Hold 'em here, and we'll unreel the hose when we
back the engine!"

It was rather hard work to push the clumsy machine down through the