in, I don't want to lose run of 'em, for perhaps some day
'Lish Davis'll give me a lift into the Department."

"There's no use lookin' here, 'cause we'd known if there was any place
that would suit us."

"I ain't so sure of that. You see, we wasn't lookin' for one, an' now if
we go along with our eyes open there's no tellin' but what we may
run----"

Seth ceased speaking very suddenly, for at that instant the clanging of
gongs could be heard far up the street, and Dan exclaimed:

"That sounds like Ninety-four."

"Course it is. I'd know her if she was in the middle of a hundred, an'
all of 'em comin' straight for me."

There was no longer a thought in the mind of either of the boys
regarding the necessity of finding a home that night.

Under no ordinary circumstances would Seth have allowed himself to be
prevented from getting possible "points," and although Dan did not share
in the aspirations of his friend, he was equally excited by the prospect
of "going to a fire."

The two waited breathlessly an instant, expecting Ninety-four would
continue straight on toward them, when from the opposite direction came
the clatter of wheels and the booming notes of the gongs telling of the
coming of a second engine, and they knew that at some point midway the
two engines would be turned at right angles with their present course.

"Come this way! It looks to me as though Ninety-four was slackenin' up!"
Master Bartlett cried as he darted forward, and Dan readily followed the
advice, for while he did not approve of his friend's devotion to the
Fire Department, he understood full well that Seth was thoroughly
conversant with all such matters as might be learned by an outsider.

"There she goes, an' I wouldn't wonder if the alarm came from some of
them big storage warehouses, for Ninety-four is headin' straight toward
them."

The first engine had swung sharply around to the left, and the driver of
the second was urging his horses forward at yet greater speed, in the
hope, perhaps, of getting first water, when the two boys dashed up the
street at their best pace, for to Seth at least there was but one engine
and one point of attraction at any conflagration, however extensive.

While it is probable he could have "picked up as many points" from other
companies, it did not so appear to him, and in his mind it was only from
the crew of Ninety-four he could gather such information as was most
desired.

Before they neared the st