The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-17

One afternoon Cole fell on a graf
ing and broke his arm while Hansen
was at dinner. The ambulance mad
just driven away when the telegraph
sounded and men and horses dashed
to their places
Gore, with his light buggy, was out
of the house first, and Smith sprang
TO the drivers seat of the tower.
Capt Franks stood in front of the
truck horses, and as the rein snafie
was snapped on the bits ne looked
up to see that Cole threw them off
the cords supporting the harness. The
drivers seat was empty.
Then for the first time Coles acct
dent was recalled.
"Hale!"
Yes, sir,' Dan ran up.
Get up there!"
Dan sprang to the seat and caught
the drivers belt to the ring at the
further side. Reaching for the pear
shaped pull, he gave it a jerk. the
harnss was freed and swung out of
the house.
The tower already had gone half a
block. Dan gritted his teeth II the
tower reached the fire before the truck
1t would be the first time in the history
of the new 6. The sensation was exhil-
arating. He had three of the best
horses in the department and he could
depend On them. He eased up little
on the reins and the speed was in
| creased. He had turned the corner in
to Broadway, and the horses were gall
Looping on the smooth asphalt, danger
Gus in wet weather even to the rubber
shod horses, but the heavy apparatus
rolled along as easily as a toy express
wagon. Skillfully guiding his steeds
through the maze of traffic, he made
the half-mile run to River street, from
which the alarm had been sent in Just
beyond he could see the heavy black
smoke rolling out of the burning build
ing. Suddenly the tower turned down
Henry street, one block this side of
River, and as the turn was made Smith
waved his hand and pointed ahead.
Between Henry and River a sewer ex-
caYation blocked one side of the road
way clear to the car tracks. The track
was blocked at that point by cars go
ing both ways and a heavy dray with
three large safes stood at the curb at
the other side
There was no chance here to take the
truck to the sidewalk. but there was
just room TO pass between the car and
the dray.
To get through and avoid circlins
the block would mean a full minute
saved. In the early stages of a fire,
seconds are minutes. He would also
beat Smith to the fire and save the
record. His jaw set firmly as he
swung across the car tracks. The gap
was only half block away. The men
clinging to the step saw that he was
going to take the risk and they chung
close to the side. The tiller man kept
the rear wheels straight and with a
rattle the horses were in the gap, then
the truck lurched forward. On one
side the button of Captain Franks
| coat sleeve ratified against the wood
work of the trolley car; on the other
there was an inch and half to spare
Now they were free Of the crush and
as they swung UP in front of the build
ing the men set up a cheer. Thirty
seconds later Smith turned the corner
and to his utter surprise saw 35-foot
ladder being raised.
Filling his pail at the hydrant Dan
washed out the mouths of the painting
| horses and as he did so he kissed them
on the forehead.
When the fire was over the men
| crowded round to shake HIS hand. Best
of all Chief Corbyn came up, saying:
THAT was great driving, Hale. j
was right behind you and | never saw
better. Keep up this gait and you VIII
be wearing enc Of these some day. az
he touched his i've trumpet star.