disposing himself on a narrow tressel-bed, on
which there was no bedding save one blanket. The comrade happened to be
on duty that night. It was his duty to repose on the tressel-bedstead,
booted and belted, ready at a moment's notice to respond to "calls."
Another fireman lay sleeping at his side, on another tressel-bed,
similarly clothed, for there were always two men on duty all night at
that station. The guard-room, or, as it was styled, the "lobby," in
which they lay, was a very small room, with a bright fire in the grate,
for it was winter; a plain wooden desk near the window; a plain deal
table near the door, on which stood four telegraphic instruments; and
having the walls ornamented with a row of Wellington boots on one side,
and a row of bright brass helmets on the other, each helmet having a
small hatchet suspended by a belt below it.

The comrade, who looked very sleepy, glanced at a small clock, whose
tick was the only sound that fell upon the ear, and whose hands
indicated the hour of half-past two.

On hearing the door open, the comrade, whose name was Bob Clazie, raised
himself on one elbow.

"Ah, Joe,--that you?" he said, with a somewhat violent yawn.

"All that's left of me, anyhow," replied Joe Dashwood, as he hung up his
helmet and axe on his own particular peg. "Bin much doin', Bob?"

"Not much," growled Bob; "but they don't give a poor fellow much chance
of a sleep with them telegraphs. Roused me four times already within
the last hour--stops for chimbleys."

"Ha! very inconsiderate of 'em," said Dashwood, turning towards the
door. "It's time I had a snooze now, so I'll bid 'ee good night, Bob."

Just as he spoke, one of the sharp little telegraphic bells rang
viciously. He waited to ascertain the result while Clazie rose--quickly
but not hurriedly--and went to read the instrument with sleepy eyes.

"Another stop for a chimbley," he muttered, with a remonstrative growl.
By this he meant that the head office in Watling Street had telegraphed
that a chimney had gone on fire in some part of London; that it was
being looked after, and that he and his comrades were to _stop_ where
they were and pay no attention to it, even although some one should rush
into the office like a maniac shouting that there was a fire in that
particular place. This use of the telegraph in thus _stopping_ the men
of the Brigade from going out in force to trifling fires, is of the
greatest service, because it no