Los Angeles herald., 1906-07-08
S1E ~ Jonn AUTH &,HtTTY

COPYRIGHT BY JBLPpneoT7
"11CKEY and the Captain were two angry
and disgusted men as they watched the
gt8y,.,yi Chief depart, It was just fifteen min
| lkSH$ssI utes after nine in the morning, and
~A'SAA~ Hickey, for the first time in his record
had been late. Worse, he had been smartly re.
buked by the Chief who had been accompanied
by little man Of brisk alert ways and keen eye.
The Chiefs unwonted tone had so angered Hc-
key that he did not observe the little man max
ing notes on small pad which he carried; for the
same reason he had not told his superior how his
detection had been caused by the illness Of his
little daughter, who was even now, perhaps dy-
ing at home II he had, things might not have
been SO bad lie did not explain even to Cap
tain Williams, for his heart was too full And
Williams forbore asking, for he still believed Hic-
key to be the best man in the department
"The Chief wouldn't have kicked" said the
captain after a moment, only he had the new
Commissioner along"
"The who?" asked Hickey blankly.
"The new Fire Commissioner Lord
thought you knew all the time That's what got
me, how you had the nerve to talk back, and him
there"
"Never laid eyes on him before" said Hickey.
eff that's him, I'll get trimmed for week. Well,
it cant be"
The sentence was cut short by the sudden
clang Of the gong. With bound both men
sprang into the supply. After them came coats.
helmets, boots and men, all tumbled together in
heap on top Of the hose. The horses, Dick
and NRay, clattered to their places almost as
quick thought. The harness snapped together.
Hickey picked up the reins and the doors swung
wide The Captain, with quick look behind
saw old Thirteen sending forth clouds of smoke
and was satisfied
Let her go!' he yelled in Hickey's ear. With
a bound they swung out, over the curb, and into
the street Some passers-by looked their admira-
tion. The whole thing had taken the half of
minute.
When they swung into the avenue the thor
oughfare was crowded with vehicles of all kinds
But Hickey touched the gong, and they scattered
or seemed to melt away. Some oclated ones hud-
died close to the curb. Dick and X-Ray were
only beginning to get in their fine work Moved
by kind of equine exaltation, the two brutes
thundered over the roadway with every muscle
a-quiver. At such moments Hickey king,
and people did him homage
Look at that cloud said Williams, pointing
to a pillar of smoke arising from the heart of
the city Looks as if it were the Chapman
store
Right Cap! Just what was thinkn'.' They
turned corner on two wheels and headed down
side-street.
"Where are you going Hick?" demanded Will.
liams
Down through Dey street-it will cut out one
minute, Cap, and"
"But it's like going down to hell to take that
grade"
"I'll hold EN- back I've done it before"
Dey street was thoroughfare that took
sheer drop of fifty feet to the level of the town.
1t was short cut but dangerous one, for it
turned an angle. then dropped again. Williams
turned and looked back Old Thirteen was com
ing right behind them.
She'll go to pieces if ever she comes down
here" he muttered hoarsely. With one hand
grasping the seat in front OF him, he waved the
other wildly. and was immensely relieved to see
Baxter turn off into Washington The supply
had taken the street twice before and always
with their hearts in their mouths. Williams had
vowed long ago that they never should take it
again and-but here they were already going
down: it was too late to stop. Bang They
went over a cross.wak with a bound that sent
every man in the air. Dick and A-Ray were Just
beginning to appreciate the grade The wagon
crowded upon their rear, but Hickey pressed the
brake and she drew off again. Right ahead was
the turn before mentioned Each gripped
his partner and Williams flung his arm about
Hickev's waist. He almost wished he had for
bidden him to take that grade.
Look out for the curb, man. you'll kill us a Il!
he cried hoarsely in the drivers ear Hickey
vanked at Dick and iammed desperately at the
brake but the speed increased. What was the
matter? He the brake was broken The
CAPTAIN saw his face whiten; the next instant
the corner seemed to whrl about them Ike a
mery-go round gone pad, they grazed the curh
by a hair. while the wagon hung poised for one
fateful instant at an angle that threatened de
struction to them all. then she came down with
Jolt which sent every man foot in the air!
Brake. YOU idiot! Brake" cried Williams
81 can't she's broke" replied Hickey.
Like flash he felt he was responsible for these
mems deaths Before them lay the rest OF the
grade right down into the heart of the town. If
no one would get in their way, they might yet be
saved The horses now began to 60 little wild
w. The wagon with that grade under 1t came
up against them with Jolt. They were not used
to that it startled them, and they plunged quick
" forward as Hickey knew they would.
''Whoa. Dick old boy! Come. come there,
that's it Easy, Exie, easy!" But Dick and
X.Ray were thoroughly startled now. They snort
ed and reared then dashed madly ahead. Sud
denly a light delivery wagon shot from side
street. Its driver never saw the oncoming team,
which tore by the tailboard, leaving him safe