"I may say," went on Mr. Bergman, with a look at the boys, in their
natty uniforms, "that my offer depends on one thing."
"What is that?" asked Mr. Appelby quickly.
"It is this: That the boys are to be in charge of the regular
department, just as they now are of the volunteer one!"
"Hurrah!" cried Cole again, and his chums joined in with him. "My
force---"
"Ain't the bucket brigade going to run things?" inquired Mr. Sagger.
"With all due respect to that organization, they are not!" replied Mr.
Bergman loudly. "I will furnish the money for the engines only on the
condition that the same boys, who did such good work at the fire in my
place, continue in charge. The members of the bucket brigade may join
if they wish, but the boys are the ones I want to see in control. They
have proved what they can do, and I would recommend that Captain
Herbert Dare be made the chief of the new department!"
"Whoop!" shouted Cole, standing up, and waving his hat. "That's the
stuff! Whoop! Hurrah!"
CHAPTER XVII
THE ENGINES ARRIVE
There was instant excitement in the hall. Everyone seemed to be
talking at once. The boys of the town were standing together, cheering
for Herbert.
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