The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1910-03-23


of the loungng room just above
the drivers seat the truck, slipped nimbly
through the opening, fastened the safety-bet
about him and gathered up the reins He did
it all with a speed and precision of move
ment that wasted not a second. One glance
over his shoulder to assure himself that Can
ley was at the tler, and the horses sprang for
ward the ungainly truck rolled out into the
afternoon sunshine, swung onto the tracks
and went plunging down town, with galopins
horses and changing bell.
On the side-step the already
chaanty donning rubber coats and helmets as
the truck Swayed and rolled with it's gathering
speed.
Whalen, standing next to slattery voun-
teered the information: Greenwood apart
ments Rndge avenue again. Guess they're
going some this time
Slattery merely nodded He drew from his
hip pocket thick plug of tobacco, bit off
generous mouthful and silently offered it to
Whalen, who followed suit in every respect
to the size of the mouthful
Murphy swung the plunging team into side
street, and so deity did Lieutenant Ganley han
die the ter that the truck rounded the corner
easily if it had been going at half its
speed. They swung into Rindge avenue beyond
and Slattery, looking ahead. saw the great col
umn OF smoke drifting upward from the blazing
apartment house.
With a critical eye he looked it over. and
slowly shook his head.
They've got all that's comm to EN- this
time he observed to Whalen.
the avenue from the blazing building, and even
before it halted. Captain Shea had leaped from
the sidestep and was numbering across the pave
ments to report his arrival to battalion chief.
whose white helmet was now and then visible
through the choking clouds of smoke.
n HE crew seized this opportunity to kick off
1 their shoes and don hgh-hipped fire boots,
packed in the rack top OF the nest OF lad
ders
In another moment Shea putting up.
over there at the norwest corner. just out
side the water tower he instructed Murphy.
"Ganley, take six and and help EN-
bust down partition by the elevator we'll
just through the main entrance. You. Began
and Hall and Whalen jerk out the sxty-foot
ladder and come with me. Slattery, clear the
automatic hoist and stand by with Murphy to
run up the big Teller, so'st they take up a
line OF hose to that next roof, when the chief
gives the word!'
The big truck crossed to the opposite curb
Ganley and his quota OF six men disappeared
through the smoky entrance doorway. Out
came the siNty-foot ladder. the three men bear
ing it trotting along in the wake OF Shea who
led the way at shambling
In trice Slattery had the automatic hoist OF
big ladder cleared. Then he looked up. From
seventh floor up, the building was blazing fur
re- Windows came outward with sharp crack
the glass came tinkling to the pavement i'll
overs. A score OF engines buzzed like giant bees;
arse orders We're passed to and fro through mega
ones. Just below him. 6S's big ladder was already
and 6S's We're gathering in tier OF Win
US the sixth floor.
face softened he his sons big
oulders heaving to the swing OF heavy maui.
Then all at once there sounded above the
OF the pumping engines long drawn scream.
after it deeper yell of terror. From the crowd,
itching the fight from outside the fire ropes
lOarSe shout OF horror
There. in window on the tenth floor, just above
S ladder stood woman her waving wildly,
lie her screams rang out again and again; and in
window beside her, a window already lurid with
light of the flames beyond. appeared the blanch-
face of
Someone beloved an order. Up the ladder ran
zee with scaling ladders. At the top they
pped Slattery his son drop his maui, grasp
first scaling ladder. plant it's hook firmly the
&c of the window above him, and scramble nimbly
its length.
With never a moments hesitation once he had
med that ledge. Martin Slattery unlocked the lad
at his feet swung it upward as if its weight had
Ell nothing at all. braced himself firmly the
ge. and sent the long hook crashing through the
xt window above Another man following in
wake and third merely waiting for the