ike a
mother hen keeping a watchful eye on her brood of chicks.

Each motorcycle was equipped with a fire extinguisher clamped on either
side, just back of the seat. Directly in the rear of the seat was a
small red tool box in which hose-coupling wrenches and two sets of
harness were kept. This harness, devised by Mr. Ford, was made of canvas
in the form of a sling to hold the extinguishers in position on a Scout's
back. In that way a boy could enter a burning building and carry an
extinguisher with him, still having both hands free to operate the
extinguisher hose. On top of the tool box was strapped a short coil of
hose with a small nozzle ready to be brought into action when coupled to
the nearest street hydrant.

"Old Nanc," besides carrying an extinguisher and the oxygen-acetylene
blow torch tank, also contained the remaining hose, an equipment of axes,
pike poles and scaling ladders, and provided accommodations for three
Scouts and the driver besides.

Until a few days before the tournament the Scouts were working on their
equipment. Indeed, the very last coat of varnish was put onto "Old Nanc"
the Saturday afternoon preceding the tournament day, which fell on
Wednesday. All that remained to be done was to deck the machine with
flags and bunting and she would be ready for the parade. In truth, that
very morning Bruce had gone on a motorcycle trip to St. Cloud City,
twelve miles south of Woodbridge, to buy the necessary decorations.

"By Jove, she looks like a real fire fighter, doesn't she?" said Romper
Ryan, backing off, paint brush still in hand, to survey his own handiwork
on the sides of "Old Nanc."

"For downright good looks I think our equipment has it on anything
Woodbridge ever experienced," said Jiminy Gordon enthusiastically.

"Well, we'll sure create some sensation," said Bud. "This is going to be
a complete surprise to everybody. Has Bruce heard from Chief Blaney yet?
He sent him our entry for the tournament events last week, you know. I
wonder--Here he comes now! I heard his siren. That was a mighty quick
trip to St. Cloud."

Bud and several others rushed to the door. Coming up the hill at top
speed was Bruce, his motorcycle fairly flying. When he caught sight of
the group in front of the machine shop he began to wave a blue paper
above his head.

"Hi, fellows, here's our reply from Chief Blaney," he shouted as he
jumped from his machine. "I just got it at the house. Haven't o