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But the real contest was now among the Lakeville, Jamesville and Northville Centre crews. The two latter had taken a lesson from Bert's first contest, and had men ready with hooks to tear the piles apart as soon as chance offered. This opportunity soon came, as the flames began to die down under the influence of the powerful gas.
"We haven't regularly organized," said Bert, who was rather pleased at the enthusiasm of his chums, "but I'll be willing to go over to Jamesville and see what we can do. Cole can look at the pumps, and see if they will work well." "Yes, they can't fool me on pumps," declared the owner of the improved forcing apparatus on the family cistern.
The boys found a goodly crowd already assembled. The Jamesville fire department had arrived, and they greeted the Lakeville boys with cheers. Soon after this the Weedsport and Northville Centre contingents arrived. Mr. Bergman had named a committee to see after the sports and games, and the members of this soon had things going.
But he was beginning to get out of breath. "We've got a better chance now," he said. "Don't talk," advised Bert. "Save your breath for running, Cole." Which advice the young engineer followed. It was now an even race between the Lakeville, Jamesville and Northville Centre departments. The members of the Weedsport crew were trying to right their engine. "They've got her up!
Thus it was decided, though there was enough more talk about it to fill several books the size of this one. Bert and Cole promised to go over to Jamesville the next day, and report back to their chums, in Cole's barn, the following night. Jamesville was a village about five miles from Lakeville, but more progressive in every way than its neighbor. Bert and Cole made the trip the next day.
"Cole, do you know about how much the authorities at Jamesville would want for their old engine?" "I haven't the least idea, but I should think they'd sell it cheap." "Do you know whether they will sell it?" asked Tom. "No, not for sure, but I should think they would." "We can't go by that," declared Bert. "We've got to find out for sure."
"I know; but they might forget. Well start early." They did, and before noon had completed arrangements, paid the twenty dollars, signed an agreement to pay forty more, and were told they could take the engine. "How are we going to get it home?" asked Cole, as he and Bert, with the Jamesville fire chief, went out to look at the hand engine.
What's the matter with buying the second-hand engine of Jamesville?" "Nothing's the matter," returned Bert slowly, "except that we haven't got the money." This announcement served like a dash of cold water to the boys. They had been quite enthusiastic over Cole's plan, but Bert's words made them realize that it was one thing to say what they would do, and another to accomplish it.
On the way from Jamesville, Bert and Cole, who had been instructed by the chief of that department how to operate the engine, imparted this information to their chums. So, though the lads had never before worked a hand engine, they felt that they could make a good showing. "We'll have to hustle, boys," called Bert to his little force.
"I move that Bert and Cole be a committee to go over to Jamesville, and see if they can buy the engine," sang out Vincent. "That'll start things going." "Why, we haven't got our fire department yet," objected Charlie Rupert. "What's the good of a department if you haven't got an engine?" replied Tom Donnell. "I'm in favor of that motion." "So am I!" cried a number of the boys.
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