The San Francisco call., 1905-03-26

dcws there were twelve feet down, and
there was no pipe-no foothold. He
went to the back of the roof and found
another coping.
He turned, to see Hanrahan running
from parapet to parapet. now hidden in
a cloud Of whirling smoke, now black
In the red glow Of wind blown flames.
He saw him lean over the marble rail-
ing that surmounted the cornice on the
front of the building, and put his hands
In a trumpet to his mouth; the voice
was lost In the roar Of the wind. He
saw him take off his helmet and try
to throw 1t down into the street: and
the gale snatched 1t from his hand,
tossed 1t aloft, and blew it away to
the south with the smoke and the
flying embers.
He came running back to German.
Lets get down." he painted. Lets
get down."
German did not answer him.
For the Lords sake. Bull" he cried.
don't let us burn alive up here!"
German shook his head. II can't get
down." he said.
on the brick roof to burn: the heat and
The fire was at its worst in the light
well, and at the point farthest from
1t there was an enormous water tank,
protected with a covering of tin, and
supported across the angle of the walls
on steel beams, so that, even If the roof
should fall, the tank would not go with
1t. Here was the greatest safety. They
would have water to prevent the heat
from baking them alive, and they
would have the tank to shelter them
from the drift of smoke.
German went over to it and crouched
to peer beneath the beams. Hanrahan
stumbled against him. BULL" he
whimpered. II can't can't get down."
German thrust him aside, We'll, who
said you could?" he snarled. You're
up here to stay. You better make up
yer mind to that an shut yer yap."
Hanrahan threw UP his arms and
screamed at the sky in a high. dry
voice, clutching with his fingers and
swapping like a dog with his teeth
Then he pitched forward into the
smoke on q run for the street parapet
again.
German climbed slowly up the iron
ladder to the top of the tank. He came
on seuttle there and raised 1t. to find
that the tank was almost full. He took
OF his rubber coat and dipped it down.
and II came up dripping. He rubbed it
over his face and licked at the moisture
IN the smooth tarpaulin. and the touch
Of water sent burning fever flush of
thirst through him. He reached down
with his helmet, drew 1t UP half-full
and emptied it over his head and down
his back. again and, again. Then he
drank In great gulps, signing with sat
isfaction.
The relief brought back his energies.
The tank ladder took his eye, and 1t
occurred to him that If he could get 1t
loose he might be able to reach lower
window with it. He took hold of 1t in
his huge hands. drew a long breath
and strained to- o<wrench 1t from its iron
sockets, Tightening on 1t slowly until
the blood drummed in his ears. He bent
the upright OF 1t. but the socket held 1t
still. When he paused for breath he re-
membered Hanrahan and shouted to
him for aid.
He got no answer. and he descended
the roof to find him lying on his face
In the worst Of the heat that blew from
the air shaft. He dragged him back
from 1t and emptied helmet full Of
water on his face.
Hanrahan rolled his head from side
to side, muttering to himself.
Say" German said Say. look-a-
here"
He opened staring eyes. moving his
lips In q whisper.
Better get I'D to the tank and take