The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-08-10

assigned to the various houses. where
they took part in the routine life.
The fourteen new men made up the
class, most of them older than Dan,
though several were not yet 25. The
chief had a theory that the younger
men fitted best into the service.
When Adams reappeared before
them, in place of the natty uniform
he had worn Gas chief instructor he
ranked with the battalion chiefs he
had on a faded suit. About his waist
was broad leather belt six inches
wide and double strapped. At the back
were two loops, while in front was a
snap hook Ave inches long. On his arm
he carried 40 number of these belts,
which he threw on the ground before
him.
This" he explained, sis life belt
You never go up a ladder or enter a
house unless you have one on. It's
third hand and as useful as a mon
keys tail. If you are on a ladder you
hook this or a rung and have both
hands free. If YOU are standing on a
fire escape you hook on that. You can
use 1t anyway When needed, an ak
is carried in the loop at the back Now
put them on and strap EN- tight"
The men. laughing at each others
appearance, buckled on the belts, and
Adams led the way to the net. He
swung up as easily as a circus aero
bat and balanced on the yielding sur
face like a rope walker. The men fell
all over the net to the amusement of
the old men of the engine company
stationed at headquarters. Soon they
caught the knack of balancing on the
net, and the scaling or life-saving lad
ders, the alphabet of the firemen, were
then passed up.
These were poles from twelve to
eighteen feet long, with a hook at the
end two and one-half feet long at the
top. The hook was notched to enable
1t to grip a sill, and on either side of
the poles were pegs to serve as rungs.
This" explained Adams, 'is the
easiest way to climb. If window is
down, jab it through the glass If
ats up, rest it on che sill, but be sure
that the notches bite into the wood.
Then climb up, straddle the sill, raise
the ladder to the next window and
make the next story. Now try it,"
AS Adams worked it looked easy
enough, but ii proved no joke to han
die the heavy pole, and it was ten
minutes before any one got it right
Dan was first to catch the knack and
was about to climb when Adams stop
ped him. That will do" he said,
flet Horton try"
Horton was a longshoreman who
skill. He succeeded in fastening the
hook. but when he reached the window
he sat calmly on the sill with both
feet hanging over.
"Straddlei" shouted Adams. and
when Horton seemed bewildered he
turned to Dan.
go u9 there, Hale, and show him ="
Dan set his ladder, and climbing a
little awkwardly, reached Horton.
Throwing one leg inside the window, he
quickly raised the ladder to the second
floor and, standing up, made the third
floor Here he sat watching the others
till they were able to see the ladder and
slowly make their way up the side of
the house.
Racing was not permitted, but when
Dan and Horton started on different
windows, Horton. who was Jealous of
Dams SKILL gave him a look that
reused the young fellows ire. With a
rush they went at it, but Horton was
green, and Dan was sitting in the win
dow Of the fifth floor when Horton had
barely reached the fourth. II Adams
saw the race he gave no sign.
Bit by bit, the men were led through
the drill. They were taught TO slide
down a rope when there was no time
Tor ladder They had to carry down
the stuffed figure OF man, and a
series Of demonstrations showed that