“By Hook! You’ve done the trick!” exclaimed the chief. “I didn’t think your little machine would force water so far.”
The chief ran back to direct his men, while quite a crowd stayed to watch the motor boys in their unexpected role of firemen.
In a few minutes the firemen had the blaze under control. It had just begun to eat through the shingles, but, so well did the volunteers play the water on, and, thanks to the Dartaway’s pump, so much was there of the fluid, that the fire soon got discouraged and, save for a few little tongues of flame, it was out five minutes later.
The house was saved, but the barn was a total loss. Seeing that there was no further need of a stream on the roof, the chief directed the men to play on the burning embers of the stable, which had collapsed into a huge bon-fire.
“Well, I reckon I can call off my men now,” said the chief some time later, when there was only a little smoke to show where the barn had stood. “I guess the danger’s over. One of you men take a look upon the house roof to see there are no sparks left.”
A volunteer fireman scrambled up and reported that the roof-fire was out completely.
“Then we’ll pull up and go home,” went on the chief. “I’m sure we’re much obliged to you boys. I don’t know what we’d ’a done only for you.”
“That’s all right,” spoke Jerry. “Glad we happened along in time to be of service.”
The hose was uncoupled from the boat pump, and coiled on the reel, while the hand engine was dragged out into the road in preparation for being taken back to quarters.