“Why can’t we get the boats out?”
“We can! Come on, fellows, quick!” And thereupon part of the crowd rushed into the boathouse to save whatever could be handled.
In the meanwhile a hose had been attached to a new water tower near the gymnasium, and soon a stream from this was directed upon the flames. For fully ten minutes it seemed to be a toss-up as to whether the boathouse would be consumed or not. But the professors and the cadets worked vigorously and presently it was seen that the flames were going down.
“Hurrah, boys, we’ve got the best of it!” shouted Jack encouragingly. “Keep it up! Pass that water along lively!” And the buckets came along the line so rapidly that it was all three cadets and two professors at the front could do to empty them.
At last the spot where the fire had originated was only a smoking and steaming mass. With the conflagration out it was quite dark in and around the boathouse and lights had to be lit so the workers could see what they were doing.
“I guess it’s out,” said Colonel Colby at last, and gave a sigh of relief.
“I’ll place Nixon and Crews on guard with a number of pails of water,” said Captain Dale. “They can remain here for the rest of the night just as well as not.”
“Has any one any idea how this fire started?” demanded the owner of the school, looking around at the assembled professors and cadets.
“I have,” answered Jack. “I’m quite sure the place was set on fire.”
“You surprise me, Major Rover,” answered Colonel Colby. “What have you to tell?”