“You have most likely heard the proverb: ‘Fire makes a good servant, but a bad master.’ Now just as long as we keep fire in its rightful place to do all sorts of work for us, and to keep us warm in winter, or to create steam in the water placed on it for many important services, then fire is the servant. But once let it get the least bit of headway through neglect, or mischief, or by any other cause, and it immediately consumes whatever it touches and feeds upon all it burns so that it becomes a raging demon.
“A child can control a fire in the stove or in a lamp—all one has to do is to turn down the wick or pull out a damper. But once we let fire leap from its bounds, we need a force to fight it. And that is what I expect of you boys. To so train yourselves that in case of emergency, you will know instantly how to fight the demon, fire.
“To help you all I can, I have invited one of New York’s Fire Commissioners to visit us shortly and tell you many wise things I do not know in connection with this work. But long before he comes I want you to be practicing daily and have sham-fires. I have a hand-engine waiting in the great barn back of the tool-house, and enough hose to reach from the brook to any Nest or building in the woods.
“I have also ordered, but they have not yet arrived, a set of small ladders and hooks and other implements useful in case of fire. All apparatus for the Fire Department will be kept in this new shed back of us, and no Little Citizen is ever to be allowed inside this door, unless it be one of the boys detailed as a fireman.
“You ten boys will have a dark-brown camp-uniform to show you are Firemen; and in case of a fire you will don the heavy overalls and caps kept in the Fire-house.”
As Uncle Ben explained the plan and held up a sample fireman’s uniform, the boys shouted and whistled and clapped with delight, for this sort of thing was very unusual and gratifying.
“Now, Firemen, you may stand back while I call out our Police Force. The twelve boys on the right will step up.”
The chosen Firemen retired after being introduced, and the twelve policemen eagerly ran over to Uncle Ben’s side.
“These are to be our official policemen in camp. They are going to be taught all that a policeman needs to do and know, and they are responsible for the laws and good reputation of Happy Hills. If anyone needs help or advice about matters here or in any personal problem, the policeman must give what aid he can.
“The police must see that rules and regulations are carried out to the letter, and all games, drills, or other public gatherings must be ordered by them, and all nuisances removed.