“We do everything,” he said, “on the principle that a minute’s work at the beginning of a fire is worth more than an hour’s work after it has gained headway. We must be on hand quickly; and, as you see, we don’t waste much time.” Throughout the afternoon and early evening the engine was manned five or six times, and every time Dick was promptly in his place; but it did not go out. When bedtime came, between nine and ten o’clock, the chief gave him some final instructions. “And you must mind what I tell you,” he said, “or you’ll not get to the fire, if there is one.” “I am used to obeying orders,” Dick replied. “Very well then,” said the chief, “here is order number one. You see that brass handle around the back of the boiler? Hang on to that with both hands, for your life depends on it. At night when the streets are clean we go on a dead run, and turning the corners will throw you off your feet.” “Aye, aye, sir,” said Dick. “Order number two. Keep your eye on the horses. If a horse falls, jump for your life; for the tender will be right behind you, and it will be on top of you and crush you in a second.” “Order number three. Here is a fireman’s hat for you and an old coat. See, I hang them on the end of the brass handle, near where you will stand. You see every man has his hat and an old coat hung by his place on the engine or tender. We don’t wear uniform at night, except the hat. These are all hung up ready for work in case we go out. Now come up stairs till I put you to bed properly.” “Here is your bed,” he continued when they were in the third-story room, “and here is a pair of rubber boots I can lend you. Take off your shoes and put these on; you’d never get into those shoes in time.” “Am I to sleep in rubber boots?” Dick asked with a laugh. “No; but put them on. That’s right. Now stuff the ends of your trowsers into the tops of the boots. So. Now, then, strip down your trowsers till the top part is all inside out, and pull off both boots and trowsers, leaving the ends of the trowsers still sticking in the boot-tops. “That’s it; you’re doing famously. Now we stand the boots here by the side of the bed, with the trowsers skinned down partly over their legs, leaving a free passageway for a foot into each boot-leg. There! now you’ve gone to bed like a fireman. “Do you see the reason for all this?” the chief asked. “When the tap of the bell wakes you, you spring out of bed, and down go your feet right into the boots. With the same movement you are inside your trowsers also, and you pull the trowsers up as you run to the pole. The hat and coat, being already on the engine, you put on whenever you get a chance. That is our secret of quick dressing. It is these little things that help us get the engine out of the house in ten seconds from the tap of the bell.