Page 141 - An Amateur Fireman

Why he was thus separated from the men with whom he had practised Seth could not imagine, and there came
into his mind as the order to march was given, the thought that some serious mistake had been made--that he
was in the wrong place, and, therefore, would utterly fail of acting his part properly.

His astonishment and uneasiness increased when the squad with their escort, having arrived at the Drive, were
stationed in line facing the river, with their backs toward Seventy-Sixth Street, the Sixty-Ninth Regiment
Band a short distance behind them.

Why these men, two of whom he had never seen before, should with himself be singled out and stationed
apart from the others, was a mystery which Seth failed to unravel, speculate as he might.

He saw the Life-Saving Corps, in whose ranks he should have been, march up and take their station not far
from the grand stand which was thronged with spectators.

Then, in line with the other engines, he saw Ninety-four with 'Lish Davis holding the reins, and he fancied the
driver winked at him in a most mysterious manner as he passed.

A moment later he heard a shrill cry:

"Hi! Get on to Seth! What's he standin' out there all by his lonesome for?"

He knew it was Dan who had made this remark; but could not see him without changing his position,
therefore he remained motionless.

The band was playing, gayly-dressed people were watching curiously, and in many cases admiringly, the vast
number of blue-coated men who represented the finest Department in the world, and of all those to be seen
Seth was, perhaps, the only person troubled in mind.

Some order was given, the boy did not understand what, for he was watching the Life-Saving Corps in the
hope that some of them, seeing he was out of position, would summon him to their ranks.

He saw that some one had arrived at the stand, and believed it to be the mayor.

The little squad and their escort saluted the gentleman by slowly raising their right hands to their helmets, and
then as slowly lowering them.

Mechanically Seth copied the example of the men on either side of him, and thus, fortunately, had not
neglected his duty.

The music of the band was hushed, the mayor began to speak, and as he went on Seth was plunged into even
greater bewilderment than before.

"It is the very pleasantest task of my experience," said the mayor, "to acknowledge the great debt which New
York owes to the Fire Department of the city. In our population of two million souls there is no one branch of
the municipal service which renders such valuable services as the Fire Department. We are gathered here
to-day to do honor to a few of the firemen who have rendered themselves famous during the year. These men
have snatched persons from the jaws of death, but this is the duty of every fireman. The army and navy are
called upon to destroy everything, but it is your duty to save everything."

"We are proud to-day to render you our homage for the magnificent manner in which you have discharged
your duty all along the line, from the Chief down, in all perilous moments, and especially you who have been
selected by the Department to receive these medals. This is the most pleasing duty I have ever performed."