Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-10-09
ENGINE NUMBER SEYBN.

ENGINE NUMBER SEYEN.
Written for the CITIZEN by s. Roland Han.
Unless the fire was far away, Billy
was close behind when Engine Seven
arrived.
The boy had lived just across the
street from the engine house ever
since he could first remember. As
much as he now loved the horses, the
fremen and the excitement of a Ere,
he could recall the time when he was
badly frightened at the clang of the
bell and the roar of the engine as it
dashed out with its flying trail of
sparks.
He was fsvorite with the firemen
and spent much Of his time aroaud
the doors of the engine house. He
loved the big horses more than he
did many of his playmstes. and he
knew their histories and qualities
we'll.
He was playing down the street
one day when nearly all the engines
OF the city were called out for q fire
in a four-story furniture factory. He
heard the whistle Of the engines aud
ran to the corner just as Number
Seven came by. Reynolds, the driver,
was bare-headed and be was urging
Nick and Charley, the two big srays,
to their top speed.
where's the fire?" screamed Billy.
Reynolds recognized the voice
through the thunder of his horses
feet and yelled back,-"Down by the
Long Dock, Billy; come on" And
the boy dsrted off like the wind.
1t was spectacular fire. The
factory was full of new furniture
and the cracking of the seasoned
wood, the oil and the varnish could
be heard for blocks. The flames had
spread rapidly aud were shooting out
one corner of the building before the
engines were well at work. 1t soon
became evident that the factory was
doomed and the efforts of all the
engines were directed to saving the
adjoining buildings,
Billy very quickly threaded his
way through the crowd to Engine
Seven. lie was perfectly happy
Watching the engine and in seeing
the stream Of water play on the sides
of the building.
The crowd was being ordered back
to give the fremen more room when
q shout Of alarm came from those
nearest the burning building. A
tank of varuish had burst. The air
was full of sparks and the burning
fluid was spreading in every direc-
tion. The horses, accustomed to
ordinary fire scenes, were frightened
by the shower of sparks and the
great heat, and neighed shrilly.
The rapid spreading Of the fire
drove every one away from the fac
tory. and Engine Seven, in the most
dangerous place, was cut OFF. It's
men were driven back, leaving the
engine blocked with the horses
harnessed to it.
Reynolds turned his face as soon
as he got away from the death-deal-
ing heat, and shouted to his horses.
They heard and struggled, but were
unable to get away. The hair on
the back of Charley, the horse nearest
the flames, was curling, and he
neighed piteously.
Reynolds could not stand that.
Holding coat over his face, he ran
back at the risk Of his life and cut
the traces Of the trembling animals.
Nick vas not hurt badly, but Char
ley the veteran of thousand fires, was
in q sorry plight. The firemen put
cooling liniment on long strips of
cloth and laid them over his blistered
back. and the horse rubbed his nose
afectionately against their hands,
apparently understanding that they
we're doing all they could for him.
But his head drooped, aud half an
hour after the fire he totterea and
fell.
The firemen turned away and
wiped their eyes in silence, but little
Billy, being only q boy, stood over
the body Of the noble gray and cried
until his heart was relieved.