“Good!” exclaimed the chief. “Here boys! Run the line down to the motor boat!”
Wondering whether their chief had taken leave of his senses the men obeyed. A curious crowd gathered to see what was going on. Some even deserted the bucket brigade lines.
“Don’t leave my house to burn up!” cried the distracted owner.
“Do you think you can attach the hose to the engine?” asked Bob, as he ran along beside Jerry.
“Not to the engine but to the pump; the auxiliary pump,” said Jerry. “I guess you forgot we have a regular force pump which is worked by the engine. Not the one that pumps up water to cool the cylinders, but the one in the stern that is intended for a hose to be attached to. It’s for use in case the boat gets afire, or to wash it off when it’s dirty. It’s a fine pump, double acting, but we never had occasion to use it, and we haven’t any hose for it. I measured the fire hose, and it will just fit on the pump nozzle.”
By this time the men dragging the hose were at the Dartaway. They stared in wonder at the trim craft, for it was the first time many of them had ever seen a motor boat.
“Fasten the line on there!” cried Jerry showing the men where the pump was. “I’ll start the engine!”
He threw out the gear, and started the motor, which, running free, soon attained a terrific speed. Then Jerry threw in the clutch connecting with the pump. In an instant the machine began to suck up water from the river.
A few seconds later there came a shout from the other end of the hose, where some men were holding it ready to play a stream on the roof, which was now blazing furiously.