Page 21 - An Amateur Fireman

signal-box he had aroused the entire city.

Now Seth and Dan would be saved if they were yet alive.

At that moment there was no hope in Jip's mind that they could still be living.

It was as if he had lighted that match an hour ago, so slowly had the seconds passed, and with the thought of
them as dead--burned to death through his act--came wildest terror.

He fancied every fireman on Ninety-four had recognized him as they rode past in such mad haste, and knew
him to be the one who had committed the crime.

There was no place in his mind for any thought save that of his own danger, and instantly he started at full
speed down the street, never daring to so much as glance behind him, although no man pursued.

When the "joker," which is the name given by firemen to the combination-bell, in Ninety-four's house rang
out the number of the call sent in by Jip, and as the horses, released by the mechanical trip moved by the
joker, dashed out of their stalls, 'Lish Davis believed he knew beyond a question to what particular building
they were summoned.

Instantly that which Seth had told him came into his mind, and with it the painful thought that perhaps by his
own neglect he had contributed to what might be a fatal disaster.

"And I never so much as warned the policeman on this beat!" he said to himself as he leaped to his seat on the
engine, snapped into place the belt that would hold him there, and with a quick jerk on the reins released the
harness-catch.

Ninety-Four had seldom left the house more quickly, and certainly the horses were never urged to a higher
rate of speed than now, when 'Lish Davis charged himself with criminal neglect.

During the minute and a half which intervened before they reached the station from which the alarm had been
sent, the driver of Ninety-four conceived an absolute affection for the boy who had so persistently followed up
his idea of becoming a fireman, and, prompted by the prickings of his own conscience, perhaps, he muttered
to himself:

"The kid shall go into the Department if I can put him there, providing it so be we find— "

He did not finish the sentence, for at that instant it was to 'Lish Davis as if he must in a certain degree take
upon himself the results of this night's work.

When they dashed past the station he needed not Jip's reply to tell him whence came the glow of light which
could now be seen reflected on the taller buildings, and Ninety-four got water a full two minutes before any
other engine.

"That little bootblack, Seth Bartlett, sleeps in the shed behind the shop," 'Lish called hoarsely as the men ran
swiftly through the lumber-yard, and, hearing the words even above the tooting of whistles, the sounding of
gongs from the on-coming engines, and the puffing of steam, Jerry Walters cried:

"I'll look out for him, 'Lish!"

Every man heard the driver's cry, and knew that the amateur fireman was in danger.