Page 118 - An Amateur Fireman

"If there was one, I'd like--- "

Mr. Davis interrupted him by saying with mock seriousness:

"I'm afraid, Amateur, we shall have to hire a back-yard somewhere, and keep a little blaze going so's to amuse
you."

Seth laughed heartily at this conceit, and then bethinking himself that there was no reason why he should not
give the men's boots an extra polish, brought his outfit from the chamber above, although Jerry Walters
insisted strongly that he should sit still "and visit with 'em."

To do this work he had drawn on an old pair of overalls to protect his blue trousers, taken off his coat, and
was in full working costume, when a "click" came from the Morse instrument, and the men were already on
their feet as the alarm began to sound.

"Am I in it?" Seth cried eagerly, as the horses dashed out of their stall, and 'Lish Davis replied, while
attending to his portion of the work:

"I reckon we shall have to take you along, Amateur, seeing 's this fire seems to have started jest when you got
into trim for hard work. Swing alongside the engineer, and we'll allow you're one of the company."

By the time the driver ceased speaking the engine was on its way out of the building, and Seth, swaying to and
fro, clung for dear life to the guard-rail, as the mighty machine was drawn swiftly over the pavement.

"There's no chance of our getting first water this time, even if we are taking the mascot with us," Jerry Walters
said with a laugh, and Amateur knew there were no less than three engines stationed nearer the signal-box,
from which had come this alarm, than was Ninety-four.

"A nasty place for a fire," the engineer said as the engine, following another an hundred yards or more in
advance, rolled on toward a block of apartment houses, from the centre of which could be seen dense clouds
of black smoke ascending.

"And it seems to have a good start," Walters added.

Then Ninety-four's hose was coupled on, and, without attracting the attention of the driver, Seth followed Joe
Black and Jerry as they dragged the nozzle up the steps to the entrance of the threatened building.

"Get back, Amateur!" one of them shouted, and the boy cried imploringly:

"Please let me go as far as you do! It's my first chance, an' I've got my old clothes on!"

"All right; but have an eye on yourself, and see to it the battalion chief don't spot you," Joe Black replied
carelessly, and Seth congratulated himself that he had gone to Ninety-four's quarters instead of spending his
time down-town.

The fire appeared to have its strongest hold in the shaft of the elevator, coming from the basement, and the
two men whom Seth was following, joined by Ben Dunton, dragged the long length of hose up one flight of
stairs to the landing where tongues of yellow flame were apparently coming through the very floor.

Once they were in position for battle with the foe directly before them, Jerry Walters ran into the adjoining
apartment, and shouted through the open window.