"I now, then, offer to purchase two of the best chemical engines that can be bought," went on Mr. Bergman. "I think we will not need horses, as the engines are light, and half a dozen persons can haul them. With two of these machines, one on either side of the town, we can take care of almost any ordinary blaze, as the houses here are not so close together that we will have any great conflagration. Now it remains for the town to act on my offer. Remember, I will furnish all the money needed for the engines, and to fit up a headquarters. All I ask the town to do is to supply the members and places in which to keep the engines." [Illustration: "One moment, if you please," began Bert.] "You have heard the very generous offer of our distinguished fellow townsman and public-spirited citizen, the Honorable Perrett Bergman," said Mayor Appelby, pompously. "What have you to say?" "I say take it!" exclaimed Moses Sagger, quickly. He saw a chance for a good fire department without any increase in the taxes. "That's right! Accept the offer!" came from various parts of the hall. "With thanks!" added a more thoughtful man. "You seem to be of one mind," went on the mayor. "I shall now put the question to a vote." "One moment, if you please," began Bert, rising to his feet. He was rather pale, for he was not used to speaking in public. "What is it, Herbert?" asked Mr. Appelby. "Don't you favor this?" "I most certainly do, and so do all the boys. All we want to know is, what will become of our department?" "Oh, we won't need you boys when we get the chemical engines," said Mr. Sagger quickly. "The members of the bucket brigade will attend to them. You boys can give your old engine away if you want to." "We'll do nothing of the kind!" exclaimed Bert. "We bought and paid for that engine, when there was no prospect of Lakeville having anything like a department. Now we have a good organization and---" "Yes, and we can put out fires!" interrupted Cole. "My force pump---" "Dry up!" exclaimed Vincent, pulling Cole by the coat-tails. "Let Bert do the talking." "That's all right. I was going to tell them about my force pump," murmured Cole. "They don't want to hear it. Listen." "I think we ought at least be allowed to continue our organization, and be recognized by the town as a part of the fire department," went on Bert. "We don't ask to run your chemical engines, but we would like to keep our hand engine." "No, we don't want it!" cried Mr. Sagger. "We have no use for you boys. The men can run things in this town, We'll merge the bucket brigade into a regular department." "That's what we will!" came from some of the older members of that ancient organization. "Then we might as well go home, boys!" exclaimed Herbert, somewhat bitterly. "They have no use for us here." "One moment!" exclaimed Mr. Bergman, rising in his seat. Everyone turned to look at him.