to be ashamed
of its department. In a jiffy the hose-cart was rattling across the
yard--and, incidentally, some flower beds--in the direction of the pond
behind the house, and a moment or two later the engine was pumping
vigorously and a fine stream of water was wetting down the roofs of the
threatened structures. Axes bit into charring timbers, sparks flew,
enthusiastic, rubber-clad firemen dashed here and there, shouting
loudly, the audience cheered and the worst was over!

With the collapse of the remaining section of barn wall the danger from
sparks was past, and, emptying one final bucket, Mr. Brady, followed by
a very wet, very tired and very warm Don, crept back through the
skylight and joined the others below. Mr. Brady rescued his coat, led
the way to the kitchen pump and drank long and copiously, setting an
example enthusiastically emulated by the boys. Tim declared that if he
drank as much as he wanted there wouldn't be enough water left to put
out the fire with!

"Well, boys," said Mr. Brady, finally setting down the dipper and
drawing a long breath, "I guess we did pretty well for amateurs, eh? I
don't know whether we get any thanks, for I've a suspicion that Corrigan
would have been just as pleased if everything had gone. From the way he
talked when we got here I guess he wanted the insurance more'n he did
the buildings!" Mr. Brady chuckled. "Well, we put one over on him in
that case, eh? Want to stick around much longer? I guess most of the
fun's over; unless they're going to serve some of that roast pig!"

"They got the pigs out," chuckled Tim. "They were running around here
awhile ago like crazy. About twenty of them, big and little, squealing
and getting between people's feet. Those pigs had the time of their
lives!"

"Well, then, suppose we start along home?" said Mr. Brady. "You fellows
ready?"

They agreed that they were. The remains of the barn were already
blackening, and, while the firemen, evidently determined to make the
most of the occasion, were still swinging axes and pouring water on the
already extinguished and well-soaked buildings, there was no danger of
further trouble. Mr. Corrigan, surrounded by a group of sympathetic
neighbours, was cataloguing his losses and Mr. Brady called to him as
they passed.

"Good-night, Corrigan! Sorry for you, but you've saved your house
anyway!"

"Yes, sir, Mr. Brady. I'm greatly obliged to you, sir, and them young
fellers, too. It's a bit of a