"Put out that fire back there," went on Mr. Muchmore, motioning to where Bert had come from. "That is all there is in the house. And don't you dare pass into this hall."
"Very well," replied the young captain, quietly, as he returned to Tom and Charlie.
Just then he thought he saw a flicker of flame beyond where Muchmore was standing. He started forward to investigate.
"Keep back, I tell you!" cried the man, and he thrust Bert to one side so violently that the young fireman hit the wall with considerable force.
"There's no need for you to do that!" Bert exclaimed, highly indignant. "I only want to help put out the fire!"
"You can't come in this hall!" declared the man, and then, before Bert could answer, he turned and ran along it at full speed.
"Well, he certainly acts queer," thought the boy, but, as a second look convinced him that there was no blaze in that part of the house, he returned to his chums.
In spite of their efforts the fire seemed to be gaining.
"See if they can't give us a bit more water!" cried Charlie.
Bert leaned out of a window, and whistled a signal that had been agreed upon, whenever more pressure was needed. The boys at the handles, who had lagged a bit, increased their strokes, and more water was available. A few seconds later Vincent, who had turned his supervision of the bucket corps over to John Boll, came into the smoke-filled hall.