He was about the
only boy who could qualify, for only he could take the pumps apart and
get them together again. Tom Donnell was made chief of the "bucket
corps," as the boys decided to call that part of the fire-fighting
force whose duty it was to keep the engine tank filled with water. The
other boys, to the number of a score or more, were made ordinary
firemen, to help haul the engine, pass the buckets or work the
handles.
There was some dispute as to who would be in charge of the hose, at
the nozzle ends, during a fire, and, to get around this, as it was
considered a post of honor, Bert decided the boys could take turns.
There was something fascinating about directing a stream of water upon
a blaze, and it is no wonder that every boy but Cole wanted the place.
That is, excepting Bert, and he had all he could take care of with his
duties as captain.
It was decided to keep the engine permanently in Cole's barn, as that
was near the centre of the village.
"We ought to have some sort of an alarm bell," suggested John Boll.
"We can't always depend on Constable Stickler."
"That's so," admitted Bert. "I wonder if we couldn't get permission to
have the church bell rung?"
This seemed a good idea, and Bert and Cole interviewed the minister on
the subject.
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