ould be running with Ninety-four,
until it did not require a very great stretch of the imagination for the
boy to fancy himself already a member of the company.

On reaching Mrs. Hanson's he found his roommates awake, and grumbling
because he had not returned sooner.

"I s'pose we shan't see very much of you now you're gettin' so high up
in the Department, eh?" Dan said in a tone of ill-humor.

"You'll see me all my spare time, providin' you an' Bill still agree to
go to school, 'cause I've got to duf into study in great shape now, an'
we'll be together every evening."

"Got to do it now? What else has come up?"

"Mr. Fernald has put me right into the drill, an' I don't have to tackle
the odd jobs any more."

"Are you a fireman already?" and Dan sprang to his feet in astonishment.

"Of course not; but I'm to be drilled the same as if I was, an' in case
I show sand enough you'll see me in the exhibition drill that's to be
given on the street next spring."

Neither Dan nor Bill spoke for several seconds, and then the former
exclaimed with emphasis:

"Say, but you're gettin' there with both feet, eh?"

It was midnight before the roommates could afford to retire, and then it
was understood that on the following evening at seven o'clock Seth was
to be at the main entrance to the post-office, in readiness for the
"blow-out" to be given in his honor.

In vain he questioned his friends concerning the proposed feast.

They would give him no further information on the subject, declaring
that he would "have his eye knocked out before the thing was over."

At daylight next morning Seth was at Ninety-four's house blacking boots,
despite the fact that 'Lish Davis had given orders another boy should be
engaged for such work, and before the members of the company were astir
he departed for headquarters.

During this day the "new probationer," as he was called, was kept at
work learning how to handle, raise, and balance ladders, and it is safe
to say he never did more labor in a single twelve hours before.

He was exceedingly tired when supper-time arrived, but did his best to
prevent Mr. Fernald from suspecting the fact.

"Feeling rather sore?" the instructor asked as the boy came to say
good-night.

"I ain't played out, sir."

"If such was the case, would you admit it?"

"I'd hate to," Seth replied with a smile, and Mr. Fernald said in a
friendly tone, as if speaking to a comrade instead of a pupil:

"It is ha