, Seth refusing to join in the conversation which his
partner would have started, in order to give himself wholly up to
building air-castles, all based on the Fire Department with himself
rising from the grade of recruit to that of battalion-chief.

Slumber closed their eyelids in due time, however, and they journeyed so
far into the recesses of Dreamland that neither heard the home-coming of
Ninety-four, nor the bustle consequent upon cleaning up and making ready
for duty once more.

It was seven o'clock in the morning when Seth awakened, and for the
first time since having been told he was to sleep in 'Lish's bed, he
realized how much inconvenience and possible discomfort he might have
caused the driver.

"Say, Dan, we did a mighty mean thing to sleep here, an' perhaps Mr.
Davis had to set up all night. Hustle your clothes on as quick as you
know how, so's we can get down-stairs an' tell him we're ashamed of it."

Neither of the boys was feeling any the worse for the painful experience
of the previous night, and in a remarkably short space of time they were
ready to descend, but not by the stairs.

For the first time in his life Seth enjoyed the pleasure of sliding down
the pole to the floor below, and this method of descending served to
strengthen certain portions of the air-castles he had built just before
falling asleep.

The driver was found grooming one of the horses, and greeted the boys
before either could speak, by saying cheerily:

"Well, how are you getting along after your dose of last night?"

"First-rate, sir. We're as well as ever; but feelin' mighty mean to
think we used your bed an' kept you up all night."

"You didn't do anything of the kind, lad. We got back about four
o'clock, and I found plenty of spare beds for the short nap I wanted. I
reckon you lost everything you owned, eh?"

"Yes, sir; but that wasn't very much. My box, brushes, and what we had
brought home for breakfast."

"How will you get another outfit?"

"I guess I've got money enough for a second-hand box and brushes; but if
I haven't some of the fellers will lend me what's needed, an' I'm goin'
now to pick up the things, so's to get back in time to do the shinin'
here."

"There are brushes and blacking belonging to the house, and you can use
them this morning, which will give you a little extra towards buying a
new outfit. Haven't been to breakfast yet, have you?"

"That don't count, even if we haven't, 'cause we can g