Walters," Seth said decidedly, as he
obeyed the command, "an' if we turn anybody out as we did last
night----"

"If you _was_ begging a bed I reckon you wouldn't get it from me; but
since you're so mighty independent I'm just contrary enough to see that
you have one. I reckon it won't strain the rules very hard if you sleep
on the straw, an' that's about the best you'll get up at the house
to-night, unless another alarm is sent in."

At this moment 'Lish Davis returned with the horses, and Jerry Walters
held a short, whispered conversation with him, at the conclusion of
which the latter said gruffly:

"Amateur, go on with your partner up to the house--there's no need of
your riding--an' wait there till I come. We ain't going to have any
sulking jest because we've taken it into our heads to see that you get
some sleep 'twixt now and morning."

"We ain't sulkin', Mr. Davis," Seth made haste to say, "an' we'll go
wherever you say; but I don't want you to think we can't find a
lodgin'-place."

"Get on with you!" the driver roared as if in a fury of passion, and
when the boys obeyed he said in a low tone to Jerry Walters:

"The Amateur has got a good bit of spirit in him, and that's what I like
to see. He shall come into the Department, eh?"

"I'd like to see him there, for sure, and hope you'll be able to work
it."

"I don't know as a fireman's life counts much to the city; but if it
does something ought'er be done for the Amateur, 'cause if it hadn't
been for him there'd be one driver short in the Department by this
time."

Dan was in high glee at the prospect of spending another night in the
engine-house, and said in a tone of satisfaction as the two made their
way rapidly up the street:

"This is great luck, eh?"

"Yes, though I almost wish we was to shirk for ourselves."

"What's makin' you so foolish all of a sudden? Don't you think a bed on
the straw in Ninety-four's house is better'n bunkin' in anywhere, or
perhaps walkin' the streets for the rest of the night?"

"Of course it is; but I'm 'fraid the men will think we hung 'round for
jest such a chance."

"After your stoppin' that hoss in time to save 'Lish Davis from gettin'
all mashed up, I don't reckon they can accuse you of coaxin' for a bed."

Seth made no reply to this remark.

He appreciated the invitation which had been given, even more highly
than did Dan, yet feared it might appear to some of the company as if he
should have gone away w