"Now," exclaimed Bobsey, "you look less like a Heast Hindian, and more of a Christian. Warn't it a lark? Oh! crickey, didn't I split with laughing ven I saw old Floyd near smothered with soot!" "I'm afraid he'll be down on me for it," said Tommy. "Never mind, you and me's friends, and if you get the dirty kick out, I'll see hafter you." "Will you, indeed?" "Vill I? I promise that you shan't want as long as I've got a shilling to whack up, if it's only to spite the old man," replied Bobsey. All at once Mrs. Floyd's voice was heard calling: "Fire! Fire!" "Bless us and save us!" cried the cook. "Vot's up now?" said Bobsey. He ran upstairs to examine, and came back with the intelligence that the parlor was on fire. "I think," he remarked, "that the cat coming from the fire must have caught a live coal and dropped it in the window curtain, for the front of the room's a-blazin' away like mad." "Won't you help put it out?" said Tommy. "Not I. Vy should I? The engine'll be here as soon as the peeler on the beat sees the flames, and I'm goin' out into the street to see the fun. Come on, Yankee." "All right, Johnny Bull," replied Tommy. The house was now all excitement. The young gentlemen ran about with water jugs, making feeble efforts to put out the fire. Mrs. Floyd fainted and was carried out in the snow, while her husband, with a small garden syringe, squirted at the flames, which were increasing in fury and intensity every moment. Wild Charley was the only one who had any sense. He put on his hat and ran to the engine house, which was fortunately in the next street, and gave the alarm. Bobsey, with Tommy by his side, formed one of a rapidly increasing crowd that lined the pavement opposite. He enjoyed the fire as only boys can, and when the flames darted out of the parlor windows, took off his cap, waved it, and cried: "Hooray!" Tommy was much concerned at the state of affairs, for he saw a prospect of losing the new home that he had so recently acquired. By and by the engine came snorting and panting up to the scene of the fire. People all up and down the street were aroused. The firemen got at the hydrant and fastened the hose, and soon two streams of water were playing on the flames. "Go it, boys! pump on her!" exclaimed Bobsey, wild with excitement. "Let her have it. 'Ere's a jolly spree!" The water descended in streams on the flames, but for some time did not appear to take any effect. All this time the feathery snow descended pitilessly. CHAPTER XIII. TOMMY FINDS A FRIEND IN BOBSEY. In spite of the efforts of the firemen, the flames, aided by a strong northerly wind which had suddenly sprung up, increased in volume and intensity. The Rev. Mr. Floyd began to recognize the fact that his house would eventually succumb to the flames, and he remembered that he had a box containing money and valuable papers in the room in which he slept. Calling his son, he exclaimed: