Page 142 - An Amateur Fireman

The speech ended, Seth was more positive than before that he had made a mistake in position, and to his yet
further bewilderment, after the mayor had handed to the Chief a medal, the latter pinned it to his coat--to the
uniform which Ninety-four's company had presented, probably knowing at the time how it would be
decorated.

While this was being done the mayor described in detail that which Seth had done when saving the baby's life,
and as he concluded a great shout went up from the assembled multitude, high above which could be heard
Dan's shrill notes.

Then another medal was given to the Chief, who pinned it to the coat of the man standing next to the boy in
line, the mayor meanwhile explaining why it had thus been bestowed, and Seth began to understand how
greatly he was honored.

When each of the seven had been decorated, and while the throng were cheering themselves hoarse, the Chief
said in a low tone to Seth:

"Mr. Fernald has the official notification of your appointment as substitute fireman, and you can get it on your
return to headquarters. You are assigned to Company Ninety-four, and will report to their house for duty
to-morrow morning."

Seth could not speak, and in fact the Chief moved away so quickly that there was no chance; but looking up
toward where Ninety-four was stationed he saw every member of the company waving his helmet as if
indulging in silent cheering.

Then he knew they were all in the secret--that it would be no news when he told them he was at last really
their comrade.

[Illustration: PRESENTING THE MEDALS. Page 322.]

As to what followed immediately after this, Seth had no very clear idea.

He was not even conscious of how he left the squad of men who had just been decorated for their bravery, and
found himself in his proper station among the Life-Saving Corps.

He hardly heard the order for the drill to be commenced, but followed the movements of those nearest him
until it was as if he forgot everything else, and was once more back at headquarters fitting himself for what
had already been accomplished.

Over the building which had been loaned for this purpose Mr. Fernald's pupils swarmed, as if clambering up a
smooth surface of brick was a task more simple than the ordinary methods of locomotion, and each portion of
the drill was gone through with mathematical exactness.

Concerning it, 'Lish Davis said to his comrades as Ninety-four was hauled into her quarters that evening:

"It was a great sight, boys, and what made it greater was that not a man among them outdid our kid. Josh
Fernald himself couldn't go through a drill better, and we've reason to be mighty proud of what that little chap
has done."

After the Life-Saving Corps had concluded their portion of the exhibition, two battalions were paraded by the
Chief himself, ten engines, two hook and ladder companies, the water-tower and the fire-boat, New Yorker,
taking part therein.