But, indeed, the whole realm of Fire Extinguishment is a world of constant improvement and strain after perfection. To describe something of these efforts, and trace out the main features of their story, is the object of the present volume. [Illustration] CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. THE HORSED FIRE-ESCAPE APPEARS. AN EXCITING SCENE 9 II. THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY. HERO'S "SIPHON." HOW THE ANCIENTS STROVE TO EXTINGUISH FIRES 17 III. IN MEDIÆVAL DAYS. AN EPOCH-MAKING FIRE 20 IV. THE PEARL-BUTTON MAKER'S CONTRIVANCE. THE MODERN FIRE-ENGINE 36 V. EXTINGUISHMENT BY COMPANY. THE BEGINNINGS OF FIRE INSURANCE 47 VI. THE STORY OF JAMES BRAIDWOOD 53 VII. THE THAMES ON FIRE. THE DEATH OF BRAIDWOOD 58 VIII. A PERILOUS SITUATION. CAPTAIN SHAW. IMPROVEMENTS OF THE METROPOLITAN BOARD AND OF THE LONDON COUNTY COUNCIL 67 IX. A VISIT TO HEADQUARTERS 83 X. HOW RECRUITS ARE TRAINED 98 XI. SOME STORIES OF THE BRIGADE 111 XII. FIRE-ESCAPES AND FIRE-FLOATS 123 XIII. CHEMICAL FIRE-ENGINES. FIRE-PROOFING, OR MUSLIN THAT WILL NOT FLAME 134 XIV. THE WORK OF THE LONDON SALVAGE CORPS. THE GREAT CRIPPLEGATE FIRE 144 XV. ACROSS THE WATER 156 [Illustration: OFF TO THE FIRE.] FIREMEN AND THEIR EXPLOITS. CHAPTER I. THE HORSED FIRE-ESCAPE APPEARS. AN EXCITING SCENE. "Shall we have a quiet night, Jack?" "Can't say," replied Jack philosophically; "I take it as it comes." Clang! Even as he spoke, the electric fire-alarm rang through the silent station. The men sprang toward the stables, glancing at the bell-tablet as they ran. The tablet revealed the name of the street whence the alarm had been sounded; and at the clang the horses tossed their heads and pawed the ground, mad to be off. They knew the sound of the alarm as well as the men themselves. "Will it be a life-saving job, d'ye think, mate?" "May be," was Jack's sententious reply; "you never know." The horses were standing ready harnessed, and were unloosed at once. They were led to the engine, the traces hooked on, the crew, as the staff of firemen is called, took their places, and the doors in front of them were opened smartly by rope and pulley. "Ready?" "Aye, aye, sir!" "Right away!"