Page 68 - An Amateur Fireman

"I'd like to shift 'em an' go, sir, for--- "

At that instant the click caused by the opening of the electric circuit in the alarm was heard, followed by the
striking of the joker.

The weight fell--the lever flew up--the horses were released, and before Seth could have spoken, even if he
had had anything to say, the animals were under the swinging harness, while every man stood at his station.

"Get on, Amateur; get on alongside the engineer. This may be the last time you'll run with Ninety-four for
quite a spell, and I'm minded to give you the advantage of it," the captain cried as 'Lish Davis sprang to his
seat, snapped into place the catch on his belt, and released the harness.

Almost before the last word was spoken Seth had leaped to the side of the engineer, and never a boy in New
York City was more proud than he, when the ponderous engine, drawn by the plunging horses, left the
building with a rattle and roar which could have been heard blocks away.

In a uniform hardly to be distinguished from the members of the company the Amateur was riding to his first
fire in what seemed to him like an official capacity.

One portion of his dream was being realized, and he said to himself as he clung to the rail, swung to and fro
by the swaying of the ponderous machine, that when the time came for him to be regularly enrolled in the
Department he would use every effort toward being assigned to Ninety-four.

"You are our mascot, Amateur," Jerry Walters, who stood next to Seth, shouted at the full strength of his
lungs in order that the words might be heard above the clanging of the gong and rattle of wheels, "and if
you're to bring us good luck we shall get first water to-night."

[Illustration: THE FIRE-ENGINE GOING OUT. Page 152.]

Seth's heart sank. For the moment he believed Walters was in earnest, and knew full well, having the location
of each signal station in mind, that there were two engines whose houses were nearer the call than was
Ninety-four's.

To get first water under such circumstances seemed impossible, and timidly Seth reminded Walters of the
fact.

"I know it, Amateur, and am not counting that we'll win; but if we should, and if there be such things as
mascots, then I'm free to admit you'll be a lucky one for us."

Perhaps 'Lish Davis had in his mind some idea similar to that expressed by Walters, for although Seth had
seen him urge his horses to their utmost speed time and again, never before had he known him to press them
so hard.

The mass of steel and iron was drawn over the pavement as if it had been but a feather's weight, and 'Lish
Davis guided the horses, without checking their speed in the slightest, around a sharp corner so suddenly that
Seth was nearly overthrown, while the clanging of gongs in the distance told of the approach of a second
engine.

"It's Fifty-three!" Jerry Walters shouted in the boy's ear. "It's Fifty-three, and we've got thirty seconds the start
of her. How about getting first water now, Amateur?"

Seth pointed straight ahead where could be seen a cloud of sparks arising from the stack of a third engine