_ 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. Mayor Appelby was vainly rapping for order. At last Mr. Sagger made his voice heard above the others.
"I say if that boy is made head of the fire department none of us men will join!" he shouted. "We'll stick to the bucket brigade!"
"That's what!" declared several of his cronies.
"I wish you to remember one thing," replied Mr. Bergman. "I am paying for this improvement, and I think I ought to have something to say about it. Another thing, the town ought to be glad to get a good, up- to-date department. If you don't accent my offer then I must consider moving my lumber yard to a location where there is better fire protection."
This was something of which no one had thought, A number of the men of Lakeville found employment in the lumber yard, and if it went to some other town it would mean quite a loss.
"Then there is one last point," went on Mr. Bergman. "These boys know more about fighting fires than you men ever will. They have showed that already, and I want to give them due credit. I think Herbert Dare has proved that he knows how to handle a blaze, and how to use his force of boys to the best advantage. I have learned that his father was a regular city fireman. Either he is to be made chief of the new department or there isn't going to be any department."
This was plain talk, and the objectors knew Mr. Bergman meant it.
"I, for one, would be only too glad to see the boys run the department," said Mayor Appelby. "They have more time than we have."
"That's so," agreed a number, as the sentiment began to swing around the other way.
"I'd like to say a few words," spoke up Herbert, rising in his seat.
"Go on!" invited Mr. Appelby encouragingly.
"This offer of Mr. Bergman's is a complete surprise to me," said the boy. "I never sought the position of head of the new department."
"We know that," spoke a friendly voice.
"And I want to say that if there is going to be any feeling over the matter I'd rather not have it," went on Bert. "We boys will continue our own department and--"
"You'll do nothing of the kind," interrupted Mr. Bergman. "Lakeville is going to take a step forward, and you boys are the best persons to help her."
"I don't want to take the place, and feel that there is jealousy," added Herbert. "I admit I would feel proud of the honor, but--"
"He's the best chief we could have," interjected Cole, "and with my force pump--"
"That'll do you," put in Vincent, pulling Cole back to his seat for the seventh time.
"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. Bergman went into financial details with the officials of Lakeville. It was decided to have a simple alarm system, with boxes located at the more prominent places in the village, and an arrangement whereby the signal would be sounded on a big bell, which would be erected on a steel tower.
It took some time to put these improvements into shape, but in about three weeks they were finished, and the two chemical engines had arrived from the factory.
"Say! They're beauties!" exclaimed Cole, happily, as he and the other boys went down to the freight depot to see them. "I wonder if they can throw a stream as far as my force pump?"
"Are you still talking about your force pump?" asked Tom Donnell.
"Well, it's a good pump," replied Cole, defending his invention.
"Wait until you see these," said Mr. Bergman, who had come to superintend unloading the engines.
Each chemical apparatus consisted of a large copper tank on four wheels. It had a long hose, on a reel, and a rope to pull the machine by, similar to the old hand engine.
But the principle of the new engines was entirely different. They shot a chemical stream at the fire, instead of one of merely water, and carbonous acid, or, as it is commonly called, carbonic acid gas, was generated. Fire will not burn where this gas exists, so that a small stream of the chemical was more effective than a big stream of water. The gas, being heavier than air, forms a sort of blanket over a blaze.
In the big copper tank was placed water, in which was dissolved some bicarbonate of soda, the sort mothers use to cook with. Then, in a small receptacle, fitting in one end of the big cylinder, was some sulphuric acid, or oil of vitriol. The two liquids were prevented from mixing until the proper time, by a simple arrangement.
When a fire occurred the chemical engine was to be hurried to the place. The hose would be unreeled, and then a lever and valve wheel would be turned, breaking the glass receptacle in which the sulphuric acid was held. This allowed the acid to mingle with the solution of soda water, and a strong gas was at once formed. The gas was under such pressure that it forced the combined soda and acid solution out through the hose for a considerable distance. It could be played on the fire, the gas would be generated, and the blaze would be extinguished in much less time than if water was used, and there would be less damage done.
"Those are certainly fine engines," declared Bert. "I guess we'll have to have some practice with them before we'll know how to run them."
"They are very simple in operation," said Mr. Bergman. "We'll arrange for some tests soon."
"We ought to have a parade," suggested Vincent. "Let's take 'em through the town, and show the people what we've got."
"A good idea," declared Mr. Bergman. "And, while we're about it, why not have a picnic."
"A picnic?" repeated Bert.
"Yes. Why not? Every village fire department has a picnic once a year. I don't see why Lakeville can't. It will stir the people up, and get rid of some of this jealous feeling."
"I guess the boys would like it all right," replied Bert.
"Then we'll have it over in Tillman's grove. I'll make the arrangements, and let you boys know when it's to be. Now we'd better get the engines into quarters."
It had been decided to keep one engine in Cole's barn, and another in the basement of the town hall, as these two places were far enough apart to give good protection in case of fire. The alarm system had been installed some days before, and Lakeville was now in good shape to take care of a blaze. Several members of the bucket brigade made application to join the new department, and they were taken in. Moses Sagger and some of his cronies, however, still held out.
As the boys dragged the new chemical engines through the town, quite a crowd came out to look at them. The machines glittered with brass and copper, highly polished, and made a fine appearance.
"Them things don't look as if they could put out a fire," said an old resident, who was used to seeing the bucket brigade or a hand engine at work. "Why, there ain't no pump, nor yet any pails."
"They say the pump's inside that there big copper cylinder," explained a man standing near him.
"Humph! Looks like an old wash boiler stuck on four wheels. That ain't any good. You need water to put out a fire."
"You do, eh?" thought Cole, who overheard this remark. "Well, we'll show you, some day."
The engines were soon in their quarters, and were charged with the soda and acid, according to the directions sent by the manufacturers.
"Now, we're all ready for a fire!" exclaimed Bert, as he and his chums looked at the machine in Cole's barn, while an equally admiring throng had gathered at the town hall, where Vincent was to be in command.
"I wish we'd get a big fire now," said one small lad, as he patted the big copper cylinder.
"Hold on, little man!" exclaimed Mr. Bergman. "We didn't get the engines for that. I haven't gotten over the scare about my lumber yard yet. Wait a bit, before you wish for a fire."
"I--I meant a bon-fire." replied the little fellow.
"Oh--that! Well, maybe we'll have one at the picnic." _