The lava was almost upon them, and they were nearly suffocated by the intense heat. But, while King Stanislaus ran here and there directing the preparations, and shouting his orders through the fire-trumpet, they quickly unwound the coils of hose and effected a connection with the stand-pipe. The water was thereupon turned on, and while Brownies in helmets, rubber coats, and boots held grimly on to the hose and trained the big brass nozzle on the fast approaching lava, others manned the handles of the engine, a half dozen or more being required at each end, and flew hanging to them up and down through the air to furnish the necessary pressure. [Illustration] Though the engine was old and out of repair, it had one redeeming feature. It could throw two or three streams of water at once as well as one, and the Brownies in their great need forced it to the limit. Immense volumes of water gushed out at the lava, and their contact produced a hissing, boiling sound, while the air was almost immediately filled with steam which became so thick that it could almost be cut with a knife. In the thick vapors that arose their forms could only be distinguished dimly, and they seemed like shadows flitting to and fro. [Illustration] At times the hose burst in various places, and streams of water from them spouted high into the air involving waste, but King Stanislaus proved himself equal to all emergencies. "Stick your fingers in the holes to keep the water in," he shouted through the trumpet. Brownies either poked their fingers through the openings or held their hands against them to prevent the escape of water. The hose got away from those who were holding it, and the terrific stream drenched the Dude, Chinaman, and Indian who were directly in its path, sweeping them off their feet. In another moment the Brownies regained their mastery of it, and once more the water was directed full at the blazing lava. Such efforts were bound to achieve results, and these King Stanislaus noted with great satisfaction. "We're gaining on it!" he announced exultantly. "Just keep it up, boys, and we'll soon have the fire out." Thus encouraged, higher and higher flew the Brownies on the handles of the engine, while others continued to play the hose upon the descending lava, which hissed, steamed, and bubbled as the water struck it. [Illustration] As the lava cooled off it formed a composition resembling asphalt, and upon this the Brownies could walk, unwinding as they did so more and more hose, and all the while getting nearer and nearer to the volcano. Finally they were directing the stream down the crater's mouth, which gurgled, gasped, and then instead of flame began to emit smoldering smoke which grew less and less in volume. "I guess that settles Mr. Volcano!" triumphantly cried King Stanislaus, as he wiped beads of perspiration from his royal brow. [Illustration] "It's a pity the palace was destroyed," remarked the Student.