Page 39 - An Amateur Fireman

with a rush and a clatter that sounded like sweetest music in Seth's ears.

"'Lish kind er took the wind out of your sails that time, Amateur," the house-watchman said with a smile as he
closed the heavy doors. "Ain't one fire in twenty-four hours enough for you?"

"I did so want to go out once with Ninety-four, an' it seems too bad to miss this chance for I'm not likely to get
another."

"Why not?"

"'Cause I can't expect to sleep here very often, an' there's no show of my happenin' 'round at the very minute
an alarm comes in."

"Don't be so certain about that. You'll go out with them yet, or I'm mightily mistaken. You'd better take
pattern by your partner, and get what sleep you can. That's a rule we in the Department have, and it comes
handy at times."

Dan had leaped from the straw when the alarm first sounded; but instead of making any attempt to follow the
engine, crept back again with a smile of content.

It is not probable he would have deprived himself of sleep even if permission had been given for him to ride
on the engine.

Seth lay down by Dan's side, and despite his disappointment was soon slumbering peacefully; but only for
half an hour, because at the end of that time he was awakened once more by the noisy return of Ninety-four.

The alarm had been sent in for a small blaze in one room of an apartment house, and was extinguished almost
immediately by the company whose quarters were nearest the signal station, therefore Ninety-four's men had
no labor to perform.

However, it became necessary to wash down, make ready for a new fire in the furnace of the engine, roll
Ninety-four and her tender to their respective places on the floor, adjust the harness, start the clock once more
(for it had been stopped by the weight set free when the first stroke of the alarm rang out), and replace the
weight which fastened the horses in their stalls.

In a portion of this work Seth assisted while Dan remained apparently asleep on the straw, and when the
captain had sent in to headquarters the three-fours, followed by Ninety-four's number, thus telling that she was
again ready for duty, 'Lish Davis said to the amateur:

"You didn't miss much that time, eh?"

"I missed going out with the company, sir."

"I don't allow that cuts any very great figger, for there'll be many another chance when you're in better trim
than you were this night."

"Anyway, I've helped wash up twice, an' that counts for something, 'cause I'm just so much ahead on points."

"Take care you don't stick your nose too near a fire some time, and get one point too many," the driver said
with a smile as he ascended the stairs wearily, and Seth called after him:

"I'd rather it would be that way, Mr. Davis, than never know anythin' about the business."