Never had Lakeville been so stirred as when, a few days after the lumber yard fire, notices were posted in various parts of the town, stating that a special meeting of the Selectmen would be held to take action on an offer made by Mr. Bergman to equip a regular fire department for the place.
"So, that's what he meant!" remarked Bert, when he read the notices.
"Well, I wonder where we'll be, if they have a regular department?"
"Oh, I suppose the bucket brigade will be taken in, and they'll run the whole thing," said Vincent, a little bitterly.
"If they do, we'll keep our old hand engine and run to blazes just the same," declared Cole.
"That's what we will," added Captain Bert.
The notices announced that the meeting would be a public one, and would be held in the town hall, over the post-office. Opportunity would be given for all interested to state their views, the notice added.
"Then we'll state ours," threatened Cole. "Bert, can't you go there and make a speech?"
"I suppose I can, if the boys want me to. But what shall I say?"
"Oh, wait until we get there and see how things look. But if they want to turn us down, you get up and protest. We'll stand by you."
"All right," agreed Bert. "I think we ought to have something to say."