The boys made a hearty breakfast from the remains of the previous night's feast, and then Dan hurried away to purchase his stock of papers while Seth went to the engine-house.
"Well, how did you sleep last night?" the driver asked as he entered.
"Great! That place is away up in G; but the only trouble is that I shan't know when Ninety-four goes out."
"It won't hurt if you don't. I've about made up my mind that such business must be stopped."
Seth looked at 'Lish in pained surprise, and there was an ominous quivering of his lip as he asked:
"What's the reason I can't turn out at the fires? I'll never get ahead if I don't pick up points."
"That isn't the best way to do it, my boy," the driver said in a kindly tone. "I've been thinking about your plan of getting into the Department, and come to the conclusion that, seeing's you're so set on it, we'd better lend a hand."
The expression of sorrow on Seth's face changed very suddenly as the driver ceased speaking an instant, and in its place came a flush of joy so great as to seemingly prevent him from speaking.
"Yes, Amateur, all of us have taken up the idea that you're to be a fireman, though I don't say as it's the kind of a life a boy should hanker for, and we've been working to get you into a place where you can learn the business."
"Do you really mean that?" Seth cried, fearing lest he had misunderstood the words.