"That's so. I'll tell 'em." He ran to where the members of the
department to which he belonged were futilely passing buckets of
water.

"Why don't you come around front and closer?" the butcher asked them.
"You ain't doing any good here!"

"Why don't you take a hand yourself?" demanded Silas Lampert. "You
ain't doing anything but running up and down."

"I'll help," declared Mr. Sagger. "I declare, I don't know what I am
doing! This will be a heavy loss to me!"

"I guess you can stand it," murmured Mr. Lampert. "You got lots of
money salted down, same as you have your pork."

"Come on, help me save the shop!" cried the butcher, and his fellow
members of the bucket brigade followed him.

Fortunately, there was not much meat in the ice box, and when it had
all been consumed, and there was only wood for the fire to feed on,
the blaze was less fierce. The water from the three lines of hose and
that dashed on by the men, who could now approach quite close, had its
effect. In a little while the fire was about out, and Bert ordered the
boys to use only one line of hose, which made it easier on the pumpers
and bucket lads. Then, with a final hiss and splutter, the fire died
away.

"It's a terrible loss!" declared the butcher, as he contemplated the