Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1914-01-21

truck. drawn by another excited com
pany. now rumbled upon the scene, it's
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 stout
cart to do such a 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 to describe grace
full curve and spatter upon the side
walk in front of the burning building
You're spelling that old WOmans
bed Anthony warned him. at which
policeman with drawn club forced
him back as if resentfu Of criticism.
For perhaps ten minutes there was
no further change in the situation
Then great shout arose as it was
seen that the roof of an adjoining
building had burst into flame At this
the fanfare of trumpets sounded again.
Firemen rushed down the street. drag
ging a line of hose and drenching the
OnlookerS. But. despite their hurry.
they halted too soon, and their stream
just failed to reach the blazing roof.
BY now the heat had grown really in
tense, and the more hardy heroes in
the vanguard retreated to less trying
positions. The voice Of the crowd had
arisen to a roar rivaling that of the
danes.
Kirk pointed to the nearest fireman.
IF he'd get up under that wall be
could save the roof and be out of the
heat | can't stand this. Let's give
him hand, Allan"
Every well, sar''
Here! Help me get kink in this
hose. There! Now you hold it until
you feel me pull" Kirk forced his
way out through the crowd to find the
fireman holding the nozzle. from which
a feeble stream was dribbling. and me-
chanically directing it at the fire
Kirk laid hold Of the canvas and. with
a heave. dragged it along with it's
rightful guardian ten feet forward.
But there had been no bugle blown or
der for this, and the uniformed man
pulled backward with all his might,
chattering at Kirk in Spanish
well. then. let go" Anthony shook
the Panamannikin loose. then ran for
ward across the street until he brought
up at the end Of the slack and felt the
hose behind him writhe and swell as
Allan released his hold. The next in
slant the negro was at his side, and the
two found themselves half blistered by
the heat that rolled out upon them. But
the newly ignited roof was within
range. and the stream they played
upon it made the shingles fly.
The fireman they had despOiled be-
gan to drag at the hose from safe
distance. but when Kirk made as If TO
turn the nozzle upon him he scampered
away amid the jeers of the crowd.
few moments later the American felt
a hand upon his arm and saw an angry
policeman who was evidently ordering
him back. Behind him stood the ex
cited nozzleman with two companions
He says you should return the 'OSe
where you found it." Allan translated.
Leave us alone" Kirk replied. You
fellows help the others Wen attend
to this" More rapid words and ges-
ticuations followed. in the midst of
which a dapper young man i'll uni
form somewhat more impressive than
the others dashed up. flung himself
upon Anthony and endeavored to
wrench the hose from his hands
Meanwhile he uttered epithets in bro
ken English which the other had no
difficulty in understanding. Kirk
promptly turned the nozzle upon him,
and the full force of COlon's water
pressure struck him squarely in the
stomach. doubling him up like the kick
of a mule. Down the newcomer went,
then half rolled, half slid across the
street as the stream continued to play
upon him.
81 guess they'll keep away now
laughed Kirk, as he turned back to his
self appointed task.
But an instant later a half dozen pc
licemen advanced in a businessIike
manner. and their leader announced
Come. you are under arreSt"'
"Pinched--what for? We're doing
a lot of good here"
Come queeck"'
"Oh, Lard. my GOd"' Allan mum
bled. Il shall die and kill myself"'
'They won't do anything to u.s.
Kirk assured him. i've been punched
lots of times Wen have to quit.
though. and that's pity. It was just
getting good"
He surrendered the hose TO fire.
man. who promptly letreated with it
to a discreet position, then followed
his captors. who We're now buzzing like
bees.