Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-31

wet envelope"
The jamaican rose. saying: Step
this way, please. / know the place
where very good female is. Per'aps
she will make US a present"
How far IS it,"
'rOh. not too far" Allan replied OF
tfmIstically, and Kirk hopefully fol
lowed him.
But st the opposite side OF the square
they were halted by q sudden commo-
ton which drove all thoughts of food
out of their minds. From building
across the street issued 4 buGle call
upon which an indescribable confusion
broke forth. Men began running TO
and fro. 4 voice in authority shouted
orders. each of which was the signal
for another bHCIe call. Through the
wide open doors the Pana maniaRs
could be heard. scurryinS around hose
cart apparently in search of clothes
"Oh. look. bossi" Allan cried quickly.
There must be 'fagration-
It's a Spiggoty hose company, as
live Come Or
Already a glare could be seen above
the crowded portion OF the city. and
the two set OF in that direction at q
run. leaving the bugle sounding in the
rear and the gallant hremen still wreS-
Ting with their uniforms. They had
nearly reached the IRE when around .
corner back Of them. with friEhtful
speed ana clanSor. came a modern au-
tomobile FIRE truck, clinginS 10 which
was swarm OF little brown men in
red shirts and helmets. Without a
pause the Yankee machine wh1zzed On
mp the street. its gong Changing. its oc-
cupants holding on for dear life. the
peaceful inhabitants of Colon fleeing
from its path.
Kirk and his gIlide fell IN behind and
logged to the scene of the confiagra-
ton.
A three stored building was already
half Quilted. Out of IFS windows roar
ed long. fiery tongues. The structure
snapped ard volieyed 4 chorus 10 the
sullen monotone of destruction. The
street was Uttered with the household
belongings OF the neighborhood On
all sides was a bedlam which the ar
rival of the flremen only augmented.
The fire captains shouted orders to the
buglers, the buglers blew feebly upon
their horns. the companies deployed in
obedience to the buglers. Then every
body waited for further directions.
Again the trumpet sounded. where
upon each fireman began 10 Interfere
with his neighbor. series of quarrels
arose as couplings were made or
broken. Then. after an interminable
delay, water began to aow as if by
miracle; but. except in rare instances.
ii failed to reach the flames. 4 ladder
truck. drawn by another excited COM
pany. now rumbIed upon the scene, its
arrival adding to the general disorder.
Meanwhile the steady trade wind fan
ned the blaze TO ever growing proper
tons.
why the devil don't they get
closer?'' Kirk inquired of his Jamaican
companion.
"Oh. Lard. my God. it is too 'ot, sar,
greatly too 'ot! 1t would take a stout
cart to do such thing"
Nonsense. They'll never put it out
this way. Hey" Kirk attracted the
attention of nearby nozzleman.
walk up to it. 1t won't bite you"
But the valiant fire fighter held stub
bOrnly to his post. while the stream he
directed continued 10 describe grace
full curve and spatter upon the side
walk in front of the burning building.
You're spelling that old wOman's
bed" Anthony warned him. at which
u policeman with drawn club forced
him back as if resentful of criticism.
For perhaps ten minutes there was
no further change in the situation
Ill IL
seen that the roof of an adjoining
building had burst into fame. At this
the fanfare OF trumpets sounded again.
Firemen rushed down the street. drag
giug = line OF hose and drenching the
onIookers. But, despite their hurry.
they halted too soon, and their stream
just failed to reach the blazing roof.
BY now the be@t had gown really in
tense. and the more hardy heroes in
the vanguard retreated to less trying
positions. The voice of the crowd had
arisen 10 a roar rivaling that of the
flames.
Kirk pointed to the nearest fireman. f.
IF he'd get mp under that wall be /
could save the roof ana be out Of the /
heat. I can't stand this. Let's give I
him a hand, Allan"
Very well, saT."
Here, Help me get n kiub in this 1
hose. There. Now you hold it until .
you feel me pull" Kirk forced his .
way out through the crowd to md the .
brennan holding the nozzle. from which F..
] feeble stream was dribbliHg. and me
financially directing it ct the fire
Kirk laid hold of the canvas and. with
!. heave, dragged IL along with its
-igbtful guardian ten feet forward.
But there had been no buEIe blown or
Ter for this. and the uniformed msn
pulled backward with all his might.
.hatteriug ut Kirk in Spanish
well. then. let go" Anthony shook
he Pan4mauu.Eiu loose. then ran for
ward across the street until be brought
ID Mt the end Of the slack and felt the
lose behind him writEe and swell as
Alian released his hold The next in