ride the
sill of a window, holding himself in place by the pressure of his knees
much as though he had been in a saddle, drawing up one of the climbing
ladders and passing the hook attached to the upper end into the window
above.

This does not appear by the description thus given to be a very
difficult task, and yet others beside Seth have found that it was a
lesson extremely hard to learn, but once gained the pupil can readily
make his way from the street even to the roof of a building with no
other implements than the two ladders.

The lesson of "standing on sill" is always given to the pupils in pairs,
and before explaining what Seth learned in this line it is necessary to
describe the belt which is worn by members of the Life-Saving Corps.

It is broad, made of thick leather, with two stout buckles to hold it in
place. Directly in front is a leathern handle, to which a steel
"snap-hook" is attached by a stout ring, this hook being provided so the
fireman may fasten himself to a ladder or any projection while he works,
and is similar to that worn by the drivers. On one side of the belt in a
leathern sheet is a hatchet with a heavy square head to be used either
as a hammer or an axe, as occasion may require.

When a pupil is instructed in "standing on sills" he does exactly as the
term implies, but on the inside of the building is his mate, who holds
him in place by means of this belt-hook. In such position he raises the
ladder to the window above, as when he was astride the sill.

Another lesson, which Seth often took, is that of coming down a rope
alone, or bearing a burden. It was not difficult, and, with this
particular "probationer," decidedly exhilarating.

A rope is made fast to the roof or window, of a building and two turns
of it taken round the hook on the fireman's belt, thus forming a "brake"
to prevent too rapid descent. By a pressure of the hand just below the
hook it is possible for the operator to control his speed. In case of
bringing down a burden, twice the number of turns are taken.

As a matter of course, Seth was taught to leap from the building into a
net, and later to aid in holding it, in which last exercise he learned
that 'Lish Davis had not spoken falsely when he declared it was
exceedingly hard work.

It might not be entertaining to repeat all the lessons which
Ninety-four's kid took part in; but suffice it to say that by the 1st of
May Mr. Fernald announced that he was as nearly