"Perhaps he went back to get the little girl," suggested Bert. "But he's in danger now."
The young chief ran forward, telling Cole to look after the engine. As he did so sheets of flame burst from the windows of the extension, on which the aged watchman stood.
"Get a ladder!" shouted Bert. "It's the only way he can get down!
Fetch a ladder, boys!"
One was found, and quickly raised against the extension in a place where the flames had not yet broken out. Bert was up it in a second, while some of his comrades held the end on the ground, to steady it.
[Illustration: "Don't drop the child!" he called to Bert.]
"Come on! I'll help you down!" cried Bert to the old man.
"I—I can't!" was the quavering answer, "I've got rheumatism so I can hardly move, and I'm stiff from fright!"
"You must!" insisted Bert. "This place will be all ablaze in another minute! Here, give me the little girl! I'll carry her down, and help you!"
"You—you can't do it!"
"Yes, I can. Give her to me! Come on!"