rong of spectators just outside the lines had diminished in number
until no more than an hundred remained, and 'Lish Davis came up with the
appearance of one who has already done his full duty.

"Hello, Amateur! Still here, eh?"

"You told us to stay, sir."

"I didn't allow that you'd hold on to go out with us. We're like to be
here till well towards morning, an' if you lads have got the price of a
bed about your clothes you'd better be leaving. If you haven't, I'll
ante up something to hire one."

"We've got the money, sir," Seth replied; "but seein' 's we belong to
Ninety-four jest now, why can't we stay till she pulls out?"

"Please yourself, Amateur, please yourself," was the grim reply, and as
the driver turned away he muttered, "If that bloomin' little duffer
don't get into the Department it won't be 'Lish Davis's fault, an' that
goes for a fact."

CHAPTER V.

TARDY REPENTANCE.

Seth was as happy and proud as a boy well could be.

Never before had he dared to remain very long near any particular engine
lest some of the firemen should take it upon themselves to send him
outside the lines, consequently all his "points" had been gathered as he
moved from place to place.

Now, however, he was in a certain sense attached to Ninety-four, and
each member of the company had some kindly word with which to greet him,
for it had become known to all that if the amateur did not actually save
'Lish Davis's life, he had assisted in preventing that gentleman from
receiving severe injury.

Dan was enjoying the advantages thus arising from his partner's
popularity, which was quite sufficient for him, since, not aspiring to
become a fireman, he thought only of the present moment, and the
privilege of remaining by the engine as if he were really a member of
the Department was some thing of which he could boast in the future
among his comrades.

It is true there was little of interest to be seen after the fire was
apparently extinguished, when the men had nothing more to do than remain
on the lookout for any smoldering embers which might be fanned into a
blaze; but Seth's interest was almost as great as when the flames were
fiercest.

Shortly after sunset hot coffee and sandwiches were served to the weary
firemen, and Master Bartlett believed he had taken a long stride toward
the goal he had set himself, when the captain shouted:

"Come here, you two kids, and get your rations. While doing duty with
Ninety-f