Seth was, perhaps, the only person troubled in mind.

Some order was given, the boy did not understand what, for he was
watching the Life-Saving Corps in the hope that some of them, seeing he
was out of position, would summon him to their ranks.

He saw that some one had arrived at the stand, and believed it to be the
mayor.

The little squad and their escort saluted the gentleman by slowly
raising their right hands to their helmets, and then as slowly lowering
them.

Mechanically Seth copied the example of the men on either side of him,
and thus, fortunately, had not neglected his duty.

The music of the band was hushed, the mayor began to speak, and as he
went on Seth was plunged into even greater bewilderment than before.

"It is the very pleasantest task of my experience," said the mayor, "to
acknowledge the great debt which New York owes to the Fire Department of
the city. In our population of two million souls there is no one branch
of the municipal service which renders such valuable services as the
Fire Department. We are gathered here to-day to do honor to a few of the
firemen who have rendered themselves famous during the year. These men
have snatched persons from the jaws of death, but this is the duty of
every fireman. The army and navy are called upon to destroy everything,
but it is your duty to save everything."

"We are proud to-day to render you our homage for the magnificent manner
in which you have discharged your duty all along the line, from the
Chief down, in all perilous moments, and especially you who have been
selected by the Department to receive these medals. This is the most
pleasing duty I have ever performed."

The speech ended, Seth was more positive than before that he had made a
mistake in position, and to his yet further bewilderment, after the
mayor had handed to the Chief a medal, the latter pinned it to his
coat--to the uniform which Ninety-four's company had presented,
probably knowing at the time how it would be decorated.

While this was being done the mayor described in detail that which Seth
had done when saving the baby's life, and as he concluded a great shout
went up from the assembled multitude, high above which could be heard
Dan's shrill notes.

Then another medal was given to the Chief, who pinned it to the coat of
the man standing next to the boy in line, the mayor meanwhile explaining
why it had thus been bestowed, and Seth began to understand how greatly
he