In an hour it was all over. The volunteers forced their way up the stairs, got to the fire which had originated in the air shaft, and succeeded in dampening it with water and chemicals so thoroughly that it was soon under control. Patterson's room was pretty badly burned out, and the roof at that point was burned off. But no lives were lost, thanks to David.
CHAPTER XXIII.A CHALLENGE FROM WARWICK.
"They are making a great deal of fuss about nothing," said David, the day after the fire. "I'm sure it wasn't half as hard as it would have been to climb a rope that distance. The vines gave me a great grip."
David and Frank had just come across the yard from luncheon, and everywhere they were greeted with friendly nods from the members of all classes.
"That lame fellow is the one who saved Patterson last night," spoken in low tones, was frequently heard as the two went along. In the class-room, the boys and the teachers themselves applauded David's action until he felt like running away and hiding.
"I did nothing much anyway," he would say, blushing.
That morning old Doctor Hobart sent for David, and David was embarrassed by his praise.