Part 12 (2/2)

”Here they are!” shouted Tom Donnell, as about ten lads rushed into the barn They lived on the far side of town, and had come in a bunch to respond to the alarm

”Grab the rope, boys!” cried Bert ”Don't let the bucket brigade beat us!”

The long double line was run off the reel, and a two-score of ready hands grasped it Cole, as was his privilege, jued up a tiller wheel on it, since it had been in his barn, and this ht

”Let her go!” he called, and with a rumble over the barn floor, the apparatus was hauled out, the bell on the engine clanging out a warning

In the street in front of Cole's house, were severalto catch up with the foreer, were running toward the blaze

These stragglers the young firemen shortly left behind, and soon they were alhters

”It's the Stockton ot to the foot of the hill on which the big house stood It could be plainly seen now, and flaot much of a start yet,” shouted Bert ”Maybe we can put it out, boys, and save the house Co They reached the burning house alade Out in the yard was an old wo:

”Oh, dear! Oh, dear! We'll all be burned up! The house will be destroyed! Oh, dear! Oh, dear!”

”Where is a well or cistern?” asked Bert, as he signalled his coine

”A cistern? Oh, dear! Here's one! But be careful you don't fall in

It's very deep Oh, dear! This fire is terrible!”

The fla headway, but seemed to be only in one part of the house, on the east side

”Run the engine close to the cistern,” directed Bert ”Toths to the buckets

We'll have to dip up the water froine tank Vincent, you take charge here, and see to the buckets

Cole, get your fellows to the handles! Tom, you and Charlie Sanders take the nozzles! Lively now!”

His orders were pro pieces of rope attached to them, by which they could be dropped down into the cistern, when the cover was removed They could then be pulled up full, and the fluid emptied into the tank

The hose was unreeled, and with the nozzles in charge of Tom and Charlie, Bert hurried into the house

”Show us the way to where the fire is,” he said to the old housekeeper

”Right this way! Right this way!” she cried, hurrying into the side door of the house as fast as her tottering legs would carry her ”The fire's in an unused part of the mansion It's near a chimney flue Oh, dear! It's awful!”

Bert and his two chums followed her Meanwhile, the bucket corps was rapidly dipping up water and filling the tank The boys had not yet begun to work the handles, as Bert had arranged to give a signal, on a whistle he carried, when he wanted the water to begin to flow

The tank was al captain would signal for the streahter, and were now shooting fro chi out between the caseit away froer, as, followed by severalall about the preht use, but had not been successful

”We were here first, and we're going to stay!” declared Vincent