The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-08-24
ENGLISH FlREMEN.
The Plan Of Battle Fighting Fire from
the Roof Of the HUiIding Our
Jack" nnd his Brave
AcIInma.

A correspondent of the London TcIc,
graph of July %, writing of the great
fire which broke out at Chelsea ON the
18th, says; "Thc plan of battle now
develops by the appearance of two fire
men upon the smoking roof of the street
which is abutting off the fire. They are
reinforced by other figures creeping
along the burning house; they hand up
the hose; the engines puff more violently
than ever, and | venture to express an
opinion in answer to the old lady in the
fur cap and Jacket, who has also come
round, that they mean to mount the
ridge and fight the flames at close quar-
tcrs. Don't tell me, young man = she
replies; "a cat wot had got caSt-lron
boots ON couldn't 90 where them there
flames is comm. But she is wrong, the
brave fellows crawlcd up the states till
they stand out like black shadows against
the glare and choking smoke you won,
' Il IT. how they can get a single moulhlul
Of breathabc air in that whirIlng reek
the states under their feet are absolutely
cracking with the flames which shine
through the charred easements beneath,
they are climbing over Il live vol lcano,
and yet We all perfect y understand that
if they could only get the hose TO work
from such a spot, it would he II great
stroke of business. They are already
near the proposed point, and we see the
hot light shine upon the cOuntcnance 0I
one handsome, manly fellow, who
snatches the nozzle from his companion
and plays upon the chimmcy-root close
30 his feet. which has already broken
into flames. That's our Jack, abruptly
rcmarksa young woman among us; INN
what YOU saw bring the 'oSscs out =
and after that observation everybody
calls her Miss though we don't know
whether Jack is brother, or husband,
or otherwise, and we all make Il very
GOOD place for her, and are particularly
careful that she is not squeezed, ard
that she shall see Jack through his
work. lie gets across the burning roof
ridge, and, having temporarily quenchcd
the chimney behind him, we observe
him with universal delight drive Il jet OF
water full upon the center of the flames
They spit and sputtcr and roll up brown
clouds of defiance, but Jack and his
companions know their duty, and kccI
the thin Jet steady upon the main force
of the blaze. More than once we see
them driven down between the ridge
and there is one heart.quaking craSI
when the neighborng wall goes down il
A SPOT where they had lately been, and
the old lady in the jacket is heard tC
murmur, Thcy're going to make 4
movement, and mind you, don't blame
'em for it,
But they make no movement OF more
than temporary rctrcat-they stick t'
the task, and keep the stream falling upol
the worst of the flame, ii II there Is little
less glare and denser smoke, and the fire
for the first time does not advance. We
lose sight at this juncture of Jack whC
has attempted the fate of Empcdocies {
dozen times at the very least in course u
the night but we see another OF thl
brigade 20 up the tire.escape into burn
ing house and pump from its window
upon the other side of the flames in
manner perfectly fire proof and salaman
drine, till gradually the roar of the fir
sinks so that we now hear the swish u
the water and the Clank of the engine
much palmer than the vo ccs of the con
nacration, and indeed there begins sue
movement in the crowd as precedc
the final tabcau at Il theatre. We seer
10 know byinstinct that science and dut
have won the battle. The mothers roI
M the babies and carry them indoors
the fringe of the crowd thins off and dis
f sipates the light that was so rosy, brigIl
and threatening sunk into a lurld glow
vou can see the gas. lamps burning owe
+ the doors Of some of the half consume
houses in the growing gloom, and tn
, steamers move up closer and pan
t more furiously as they pour deluges upO
. the vanouised foe. Thanks to the al
= sence of any breeze, and to the gallantr
, of Jack and his comrades. those Jets
, water which seemed so thin and fecb
G have conquered the fierce fire. Dr. Ii
4 ivgstone is alas melted into a shapele
+, lump inside the foundry, and 200,
) worth of property is gone; but no life
n reported lost, and We rejoice to rema
n that the firemen have time at last to wi
!. the ashes from their faces and to answ
t questions now that the flames fade a
= the battle il won. AS | turned avs
- noticing the householders putting o
their lights and getting to bed, saved
st those faithful salamanders, | feel sol
e that | did not ask who 'our Jack W
le | could have enriched my narrative wi
Ia brave mans name-personally, at lea