“You bet we are!” called out several; for it only needs a leader in any crisis, and hosts are ready to follow.
“Keep in a bunch,” continued Frank, coolly. “And remember, no one must throw his hand grenade without orders. Scattered, they won’t do a bit of good; but sent to the right spot they can knock out nearly any blaze going. Come along, fire-fighters! We’ve just got to save good old Columbia High!”
When the crowd of students, girls and boys, saw that dozen brave lads boldly enter the cellar from which that pungent smoke was pouring, they held their breath with suspense. In fact, just at that moment, besides the crying of a few hysterical younger girls, the only sounds that could be heard were the brazen notes of the town alarm bell, calling the volunteer firemen to rally at the engine house.
Already people were running wildly toward the high school.
As soon as Frank, in the van of the boy fire-fighters, had entered the cellar, he saw that the situation was not quite as bad as he had feared. True, the smoke made their eyes sting, but through it they could see some tongues of flame beginning to play fiercely among the waste wood in the great bin.
He headed straight that way. Just as Frank had said, every boy ought to know the lay of things down here. Close by was the refreshment room where Mrs. Louden disposed of certain light luncheons during recess. Sometimes she went home immediately after school began again, for she had much cooking to do. Then again, she would stay until after school was out at half-past one; to cater to those students who had not exhausted their funds, and had a long way to go before reaching home.
On this particular day it happened she had left early; and that was why no one had discovered the fire, which must have been smouldering quite some time before the alarm was given by an outsider, passing the school.
Frank immediately felt renewed confidence. A man with a hose just then could have extinguished the fire without much effort, though it was just getting a good start. Ten minutes later—yes, even when five minutes had elapsed—it might have proved beyond holding, and the building be doomed.
Frank had a fire extinguisher on his back, and this he instantly set playing upon the blaze. Two other boys, upon receiving orders from the foreman, copied his example; while those who carried hand grenades, or small liquid-filled receptacles, intended to put out fires that were just beginning, began to get in their work.
“Hurrah!” they shrieked, as they saw an immediate change begin to take place in the character of the threatening fire; “give it to the old thing, Frank! Soak it good and plenty, fellows! We’ve got it on the run! We’ll knock spots out of it, sure as you live. Hurrah for the Columbia High fire brigade! Whoop-la! once more now, and all together, boys!”