Part 8 (1/2)

The plan met with instant endorseether as many boys as they could, and late that afternoon the croent to Jaood shape, was ready for them

”Look out you don't lose the buckets,” cautioned the chief ”They're hanging underneath the tank Now, boys, good luck, and may your first run be a success”

They thanked hi rope, set out, dragging the engine after theood time, and soon were on the outskirts of Lakeville

”Noait until I light the la dark ”Then we'll start through the town, singing Sing for all you're worth!”

The boys needed no urging They were full of enthusiashted on the old engine they gleahtly

”It looks alood as new!” exclaiood as my force pump”

”Oh, let up on that force pump, can't you!” asked Tom Donnell ”You'd think it was the only pump in town!”

”It's the only one of that kind,” declared Cole, a little hurt that his ”patent” should thus be spoken of

”All ready, now, boys?” asked Bert

”All ready,” was the general response

They started off Above the ru, and, as they entered the an to come out to see what the unusual exciteenerally known, few persons believing the boys were serious in organizing a departirl

”Naw, it's one of theer, who stood on the steps of his butcher shop

”Why, it's a fire engine!” exclaiet it? They must have borrowed it to have some fun with!”

”More likely took it without perht to tell Constable Stickler”

Down the streetat the tops of their voices, the lae

”Well, I u to keep the engine?”

”I wish there was a fire--I e,” said Cole ”I'd like to show 'eed a bonfire in soested Bert, ”We'll do that, after we have our coanized”

But the boys were destined to give an exhibition before they anticipated it

Froe street there came a cry

”Fire! Fire! Fire!”

It was Constable Stickler's voice