our you're entitled to all that's going."

Dan ran forward eagerly, intent only on getting his share of the food,
for he was very hungry; but Seth walked slowly in order to prolong the
pleasure of obeying the captain's command, and could almost fancy he was
wearing the city's uniform.

He stood by 'Lish Davis's side when the lunch was passed around, and
that gentleman said grimly as Seth blew on the steaming coffee to cool
it:

"You mustn't do that if you ever count on being a fireman, Amateur."

"Why not?" and Seth looked up in surprise.

"Because you must get used to hot things. Supposing you could drink that
while it was boiling? Don't you reckon you'd stand the heat from a
blaze better and longer than them who need to have it mighty nigh cold?"

This seemed reasonable to Seth, and without stopping to further consider
the matter he instantly raised the cup to his lips, drinking the hot
liquid until the pain was so great as to bring tears to his eyes.

Then he lowered the cup slowly, striving manfully to repress any sign of
suffering, and the driver gazed at him admiringly.

"That kid has got sand, eh?" Davis said half interrogatively as he
turned toward Jerry Walters, and the latter replied:

"He showed it when he jumped for the horse. I believe if you should tell
him to roll over on the embers in that 'ere cellar, he'd do it."

"I guess you're right, Jerry. Here, Amateur, don't try to drink any more
of that coffee till it cools a bit! I was only stuffing you when I said
you'd stand a better show of being a fireman if you could scald your
throat without feeling it."

This evidence of solicitude for his welfare was sufficient reward for
all Seth had suffered, and he glanced at Dan as if to make certain that
young gentleman was fully aware of the great honor which was being
bestowed upon his partner.

Dan had no eyes except for the rapidly decreasing store of sandwiches,
and no thought save as to how he might get his full share without
appearing absolutely greedy, therefore all this by-play had passed while
he remained in ignorance of it.

Once his hunger was appeased Dan curled himself up on a bale of
half-burned merchandise near at hand, and immediately fell asleep.

For him this association with Ninety-four's men was nothing of more
importance than the gaining of a meal and so much of a night's lodging
as might be possible; but to Seth it was as if the gates guarding the
approach to his desires had b