"Let's vote on it!" called a man. "I'm in favor of the boys every
time! Remember, they'll be men in a few years."
This brought matters to a head. There was considerable more
discussion, but, with the exception of two or three, everyone was in
favor of Mr. Bergman's plan, for he had used arguments that appealed
to the majority.
A vote was taken, and was almost unanimous in favor of accepting the
offer, and putting the boys in charge, with Herbert Dare as chief. As
there were to be two engines, Vincent Templer was made assistant
chief, to be in charge of the second apparatus.
Other officers were named from among the boys, and, as there were to
be two companies, located in different parts of the town, places were
made for all the lads who cared to join.
It was decided to keep the old hand engine for use in emergencies,
and, as there would be no need of any one operating the new engines,
since they worked automatically, the young fire fighters were advised
by Mr. Bergman to develop themselves into a sort of salvage corps, to
save goods at a fire, while one or two boys were at the chemical
nozzles.
This much being accomplished, Mr.
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