“Will you do it, fellows?” “Will we? Will a cat eat warm milk?” demanded Pete, as if there was no question about it. “But say, there won’t be any come-back, will there? We got into trouble enough with the railroad people, and by flying our kite with Susie Mantell on the tail of it last year, so I’m not looking for any more,” said Cap Smith solemnly. “Oh, this will be all right,” Bateye assured them. “Now I’ll come over about eight o’clock, and make a noise like a tree toad. Then you come out. But lock up Waggles, your dog, or he might give the scheme away.” “We will,” promised Bill, and then the boat tied up at the wharf, and the ball players in advance of the crowd rushed off. “Say, I’ll bet there’s something doing,” said Beantoe Pudder to Spider Langdon, as they followed the throng. “Why?” asked the long legged lad, who was nicknamed “Spider.” “Because I saw those Smith Boys and Bateye talking together, and—” but at that moment Sam Pudder stumbled and would have fallen, had not his chum caught him. “There you go again, Beantoe!” exclaimed Spider, as he helped him regain his balance. “What’s the matter with you?” “It’s these new shoes, I guess,” and Beantoe, who owed his title to his habit of stumbling, limped along. “But as I was saying, I saw the Smith fellows and Bateye and Doc talking together. There’s something doing. Let’s watch and see what it is,” he concluded. “All right, I’m with you. We’ll hang around to-night, and maybe we can spoil their game,” and the two cronies who, among other things in common, had a dislike for the Smith Boys and their friends, hurried along, whispering together. Meanwhile the members of the Freeport Volunteer Fire Department were all unaware of the plot brewing against them. CHAPTER II A FIRE DEPARTMENT RUN “Well, boys, how did you make out at the game?” asked Mr. Smith, as his three sturdy sons tramped into the house a little later. “Fine,” answered Pete. “It was a close game, but we won.” “Good!” exclaimed the father. “I wish I’d been there.” “What’s Mrs. Murdock got for supper?” demanded Bill, as he sniffed various odors coming from the kitchen. “I hope it’s roast lamb!” “I want sausage and potatoes!” cried Pete. “Get out! It’s too early for sausage,” asserted Cap. “Guess again, Pete.” “What is it, Mrs. Murdock?” demanded Bill, as the housekeeper just then entered the room. “Roast beef and baked potatoes,” she answered, and there was a chorus of delighted howls.