night-school."

Seth had listened attentively to the old driver's words; but there was a
cloud on his face when mention was made of the fact that a fireman must
have a certain amount of book-learning.

"I don't know hardly anythin' at all, Mr. Davis," he said in a mournful
tone.

"You can read, can't you?"

"Yes, if the words ain't too long."

"And write?"

"Well, I wouldn't like to say I really could, 'cause it's just puttin'
down letters same as they're printed."

"Didn't you ever go to school, Amateur?"

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

"'Cause I've allers had to hustle for my livin,' an' it never seemed as
though I had the time; but now since you've begun to talk I know I might
have done it evenings, instead of hangin' 'round with the fellers, or
sleepin'. If I'd known folks had to go to school before they could be
firemen, I'd been studyin' these last two years."

"I believe you, my boy, and if you had put into the work at books
anywhere near as hard as you have on what you call 'picking up points,'
you'd have been pretty well along by this time. Howsomever, we can
remedy that, though we can't call back lost time. Jerry Walters and I'll
figger up what's to be done, and explain further as soon as we've
settled matters, 'cause you see, Amateur, you belong to Ninety-four, an'
we ain't of the mind to have you fail in what you set out after."

"Shall I have any chance to see you?"

"Bless you, lad, yes. You'll be through between six and seven o'clock,
and we'll be glad to have you drop in any evening till you set about
studying; then I allow we'll fix up some place so's you can be away from
your partner and his friends. We won't have any soft talk after we get
inside, so I'll say it all now. Keep your upper lip stiff, Amateur;
don't get down at the heel if them as are in charge seem to bear on a
little too hard; remember that all hands of Ninety-four's company are
counting on you to make good their words, and be a man. Unless we get a
call you'll see us to-night, so there ain't need of saying very much
more just now."

By this time they had arrived at headquarters, and 'Lish Davis entered
the building with the air of one who has no especial interest in whoever
may be following him.

CHAPTER XI.

SAM'S RETURN.

It was nearly eight o'clock on the evening of the day Seth paid his
first visit to headquarters and he was greeted warmly by such of the men
as were on the lower floor.

"Where's Mr. Davi