THE ENGINES ARRIVE
There was instant excitement in the hall. Everyone seemed to be
talking at once. The boys of the town were standing together, cheering
for Herbert. Mayor Appelby was vainly rapping for order. At last Mr.
Sagger made his voice heard above the others.
"I say if that boy is made head of the fire department none of us men
will join!" he shouted. "We'll stick to the bucket brigade!"
"That's what!" declared several of his cronies.
"I wish you to remember one thing," replied Mr. Bergman. "I am paying
for this improvement, and I think I ought to have something to say
about it. Another thing, the town ought to be glad to get a good,
up-to-date department. If you don't accent my offer then I must consider
moving my lumber yard to a location where there is better fire
protection."
This was something of which no one had thought, A number of the men of
Lakeville found employment in the lumber yard, and if it went to some
other town it would mean quite a loss.
"Then there is one last point," went on Mr. Bergman. "These boys know
more about fighting fires than you men ever will. They have showed
that already, and I want to give them due credit. I think Herbert Dare
has proved that he knows how to handle a blaze, and how to use his
force of boys to the best advantage. I have learned that his father
was a regular city fireman. Either he is to be made chief of the new
department or there isn't going to be any department."
This was plain talk, and the objectors knew Mr. Bergman meant it.
"I, for one, would be only too glad to see the boys run the
department," said Mayor Appelby. "They have more time than we have."
"That's so," agreed a number, as the sentiment began to swing around
the other way.
"I'd like to say a few words," spoke up Herbert, rising in his seat.
"Go on!" invited Mr. Appelby encouragingly.
"This offer of Mr. Bergman's is a complete surprise to me," said the
boy. "I never sought the position of head of the new department."
"We know that," spoke a friendly voice.
"And I want to say that if there is going to be any feeling over the
matter I'd rather not have it," went on Bert. "We boys will continue
our own department and--"
"You'll do nothing of the kind," interrupted Mr. Bergman. "Lakeville
is going to take a step forward, and you boys are the best persons to
help her."
"I don't want to take the place, and feel that there is jealousy,"
added Herbert. "I admit I would feel proud of the honor, but--"
"He's the best chief we could have," interjected Cole, "and with my
force pump--"
"That'll do you," put in Vincent, pulling Cole back to his seat for
the seventh time.
"Let's vote on it!" called a man. "I'm in favor of the boys every
time! Remember, they'll be men in a few years."
This brought matters to a head. There was considerable more
discussion, but, with the exception of two or three, everyone was in
favor of Mr. Bergman's plan, for he had used arguments that appealed
to the majority.
A vote was taken, and was almost unanimous in favor of accepting the
offer, and putting the boys in charge, with Herbert Dare as chief. As
there were to be two engines, Vincent Templer was made assistant
chief, to be in charge of the second apparatus.
Other officers were named from among the boys, and, as there were to
be two companies, located in different parts of the town, places were
made for all the lads who cared to join.
It was decided to keep the old hand engine for use in emergencies,
and, as there would be no need of any one operating the new engines,
since they worked automatically, the young fire fighters were advised
by Mr. Bergman to develop themselves into a sort of salvage corps, to
save goods at a fire, while one or two boys were at the chemical
nozzles.
This much being accomplished, Mr. Bergman went into financial details
with the officials of Lakeville. It was decided to have a simple alarm
system, with boxes located at the more prominent places in the
village, and an arrangement whereby the signal would be sounded on a
big bell, which would be erected on a steel tower.
It took some time to put these improvements into shape, but in about
three weeks they were finished, and the two chemical engines had
arrived from the factory.
"Say! They're beauties!" exclaimed Cole, happily, as he and the other
boys went down to the freight depot to see them. "I wonder if they can
throw a stream as far as my force pump?"
"Are you still talking about your force pump?" asked Tom Donnell.
"Well, it's a good pump," replied Cole, defending his invention.
"Wait until you see these," said Mr. Bergman, who had come to
superintend unloading the engines.
Each chemical apparatus consisted of a large copper tank on four
wheels. It had a long hose, on a reel, and a rope to pull the machine
by, similar to the old hand engine.
But the principle of the new engines was entirely different. They shot
a chemical stream at the fire, instead of one of merely water, and
carbonous acid, or, as it is commonly called, carbonic acid gas, was
generated. Fire will not burn where this gas exists, so that a small
stream of the chemical was more effective than a big stream of water.
The gas, being heavier than air, forms a sort of blanket over a blaze.
In the big copper tank was placed water, in which was dissolved some
bicarbonate of soda, the sort mothers use to cook with. Then, in a
small receptacle, fitting in one end of the big cylinder, was some
sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol. The two liquids were prevented from
mixing until the proper time, by a simple arrangement.
When a fire occurred the chemical engine was to be hurried to the
place. The hose would be unreeled, and then a lever and valve wheel
would be turned, breaking the glass receptacle in which the sulphuric
acid was held. This allowed the acid to mingle with the solution of
soda water, and a strong gas was at once formed. The gas was under
such pressure that it forced the combined soda and acid solution out
through the hose for a considerable distance. It could be played on
the fire, the gas would be generated, and the blaze would be
extinguished in much less time than if water was used, and there would
be less damage done.
"Those are certainly fine engines," declared Bert. "I guess we'll have
to have some practice with them before we'll know how to run them."
"They are very simple in operation," said Mr. Bergman. "We'll arrange
for some tests soon."
"We ought to have a parade," suggested Vincent. "Let's take 'em
through the town, and show the people what we've got."
"A good idea," declared Mr. Bergman. "And, while we're about it, why
not have a picnic."
"A picnic?" repeated Bert.
"Yes. Why not? Every village fire department has a picnic once a year.
I don't see why Lakeville can't. It will stir the people up, and get
rid of some of this jealous feeling."
"I guess the boys would like it all right," replied Bert.
"Then we'll have it over in Tillman's grove. I'll make the
arrangements, and let you boys know when it's to be. Now we'd better
get the engines into quarters."
It had been decided to keep one engine in Cole's barn, and another in
the basement of the town hall, as these two places were far enough
apart to give good protection in case of fire. The alarm system had
been installed some days before, and Lakeville was now in good shape
to take care of a blaze. Several members of the bucket brigade made
application to join the new department, and they were taken in. Moses
Sagger and some of his cronies, however, still held out.
As the boys dragged the new chemical engines through the town, quite a
crowd came out to look at them. The machines glittered with brass and
copper, highly polished, and made a fine appearance.
"Them things don't look as if they could put out a fire," said an old
resident, who was used to seeing the bucket brigade or a hand engine
at work. "Why, there ain't no pump, nor yet any pails."
"They say the pump's inside that there big copper cylinder," explained
a man standing near him.
"Humph! Looks like an old wash boiler stuck on four wheels. That ain't
any good. You need water to put out a fire."
"You do, eh?" thought Cole, who overheard this remark. "Well, we'll
show you, some day."
The engines were soon in their quarters, and were charged with the
soda and acid, according to the directions sent by the manufacturers.
"Now, we're all ready for a fire!" exclaimed Bert, as he and his chums
looked at the machine in Cole's barn, while an equally admiring throng
had gathered at the town hall, where Vincent was to be in command.
"I wish we'd get a big fire now," said one small lad, as he patted the
big copper cylinder.
"Hold on, little man!" exclaimed Mr. Bergman. "We didn't get the
engines for that. I haven't gotten over the scare about my lumber yard
yet. Wait a bit, before you wish for a fire."
"I--I meant a bon-fire." replied the little fellow.
"Oh--that! Well, maybe we'll have one at the picnic."