on to so much as speak.

The fire was subdued, but not extinguished, when the patrol-wagon was
driven away with Ben Dunton on the front seat, and Dan asked in a tone
of awe:

"Do you s'pose they're goin' to carry us up to the engine-house?"

"It seemed as though that was what Mr. Davis meant; but yet I'm afraid
we're bound for the hospital."

"Well, say, you don't catch me inside of one! I ain't goin' to flock in
with a lot of dyin' folks jest 'cause I've got a little smoke down my
throat," and Dan, who was not suffering as much as his partner,
attempted to scramble to his feet, whereat Ben Dunton shouted gruffly:

"Lay still there, you two kids, or I'll come down and know the reason
why!"

"We ain't goin' to no hospital!" Dan cried angrily.

"Who asked you to? You don't allow we're running an ambulance for such
kids as you, eh?"

"Where are we goin'?"

"Lay still and you'll find out."

Seth had learned enough regarding a fireman's life to know that the
first engine at the scene of a conflagration must be the last to leave,
therefore wherever Ben Dunton might be taking them, there was little
chance of seeing 'Lish Davis until the following morning.

To the great delight of both the boys the patrol-wagon was drawn up in
front of Ninety-four's house, and Dunton asked:

"Can you lads get out alone, or shall I lend a hand?"

"Are we goin' to stay here all night?" Dan asked suspiciously.

"Of course you are. It's the captain's orders, and you're to have 'Lish
Davis's bed."

This was sufficient to cause a decided change in Seth's condition.

The fact that he was to sleep in the engine-house as if he had been a
member of the Department was so great an honor that for the time being
his illness was banished.

The boys alighted from the vehicle without assistance and followed Ben
Dunton into the building, where a report was made to the house-watchman
regarding the guests, who were then conducted to the floor above.

"There's where you're to sleep," the fireman said, pointing to the
driver's bed. "And you want to get in some precious big licks, for it
ain't often 'Lish Davis puts himself out in this fashion for anybody,
especially when he's likely to be on duty six or eight hours. No
skylarking, now, but get between the sheets as quick as you know how."

No second bidding was necessary, and five minutes later the two boys
were enjoying a greater degree of comfort than they had ever fancied
would be possible