CHAPTER XV
THE HONOR BRAND
"He's gone!"
"Who was that boy?" called the foreman of the fire company, as he camerunning up, waving his speaking trumpet.
"Jack Stormways, the lumber man's boy!" some one answered.
"Well, he's a good one, all right; but I'm sorry for his mother!" saidthe experienced fire-fighter, as he looked anxiously at the flamespouring out from several windows directly under the room next the tower.
Paul had dropped out of the line. He could not pass another bucket afterseeing the chum he loved so well plunge into the doomed building. Fromright and left he heard many things spoken, and presently understood whatit was induced Jack to attempt what seemed so like a foolhardy thing.
So it would have been, had the object of Jack's attempt been the securingof valuables, no matter what the amount. But a human life counts formore than earthly riches; and a brave soul never stops to consider therisk when a fellow being is in peril of a terrible fate.
Jack found himself in the midst of dense smoke as soon as he plungedacross the doorsill. He had foreseen this, and with a wisdom beyond hisyears made simple preparations to combat the evil.
On the way to the door he passed close by one who carried a bucketof water, and some happy inspiration caused him to snatch out hishandkerchief and dip it into the cool liquid, not wringing it out toany extent.
This he clapped over his nose, so that in breathing the wet cloth wouldkeep much of the suffocating vapor from being drawn into his lungs.
His eyes began to smart furiously. By the time he was half way up thestairs he could not see a thing around him save murky clouds of smoke,lighted by the tongues of flame that darted like serpents out of manyplaces.
He staggered up still further, and fell on the landing. But gaining hisfeet again he pushed on, still heading in the right direction. Only forthe knowledge he possessed regarding the interior of the building, Jackwould have lost his bearings then and there. The result must have beenserious indeed.
Along the hall he went. It seemed to grow hotter the further he pushed;but even that did not daunt him. Once enlisted in a good cause he mustgo on, no matter what faced him. Had not Paul said words to that effect,after telling them what it meant to be a tried and true scout?
And here the opportunity had come to him not half an hour after thethrilling words were spoken!
Those outside while still sending the buckets of water along, in theeffort to save one portion of the large house, were waiting to see whatcame of Jack's attempt at rescue.
"He's lost!" declared one, as the fire broke out in a new place; "see,that's the tower burning now, and she said the baby was in the room nextthere."
"Poor old Jack! to think it should be him to go!" groaned Bobolink; "see,Paul, there's his father passing the buckets along. He don't even knowhis boy is in the old shack! Oh! my, whatever did he take chances likethat for?"
"Because he couldn't stand and see that poor mother shrieking for herbaby. Because he's got the strongest heart of us all! That's why!"declared Paul, his voice vibrating with love for the chum he might neversee alive again.
And Bobolink said to himself:
"By the jumpin' Jehosaphat, I believe Paul would have gone if Jackhadn't. He's lookin' at that house now like he wanted to run right inand tear it to flinders."
"There he is at the window!" whooped a man's heavy voice.
Instantly every eye ranged along the front of the building, wherever thecolumns of smoke permitted. And many a finger was pointed at the onewhere a waving hat served to draw attention.
"He's shouting something. Keep still, everybody!"
A dead silence immediately ensued. Only the roaring and crackling of thehungry flames could be heard, as every ear was strained to catch whatit was the imperiled boy was saying.
"He's got the baby--look! he's holding her up!"
A shriek came from the agonized mother, and she fell on her knees withclasped hands.
"Listen to what he says!"
"Go to back of house--get ladder to window there!" called Jack huskily,at the top of his voice.
"Hurrah! we understand, old fellow! We'll have you out of that yet!"whooped Bobolink, starting on the run around the end of the mansion.
"A ladder--bring it around, boys! Let's save the brave youngster!" howledthe tall foreman.
The ladder happened to be up against the building at a point where theflames had now burst forth, driving the fire-fighters back. Himself, theforeman led in a bold forward rush to capture the required ladder; norwas he to be denied, scorning the efforts of the licking tongues of fireto daunt him.
Then, with a swarm of followers, he pushed around the corner. Here,to be sure, there did seem to be less of smoke and blaze, owing to thedirection of the night wind.
Now they were placing the ladder. It reached up to a window, and if onlyJack would show himself all might be well. Seconds were like an eternityto those who crowded below, every face upturned, and every eye rangingalong the side of the house.
The fire was pushing in this direction too, for it suddenly burst outof a broken window. From many pairs of lips there burst a groan. Welldid they know that every second counted against the boy, who wasdoubtless groping his way along halls and through rooms filled withthat overpowering smoke.
"There he is!"
It was like a sudden electric shock, that cry. The clarion notes of abugle would not have thrilled that vast crowd one half so surely as didthe appearance of a head at a window on the left.
Jack had been shrewd enough to pick out a room that was further away fromthe devouring flames. A hoarse shout went up at sight of him.
"He's got the baby too!" was the tenor of that victorious cry; and itwas as though every man and boy and other person present felt a personalinterest in the success of Jack's daring venture.
The precious baby was saved; yes, he was hugging the bundle to hisbreast; and during a lull in the clamor they plainly heard the lustycries that proceeded from that shawl-wrapped package. Those weredoubtless the most blessed sounds that ever reached the strained earsof the praying mother.
Quickly was the ladder lifted and rushed along the wall of the houseuntil it stood beneath the window where Jack had shown himself.
The foreman himself mounted as soon as it was in position. But Jackrefused to hand over his burden, nor could Mr. Elderkin insist. It wasonly right that the one who had saved the little darling should have thepleasure of placing her in the arms of the frantic mother.
But he could and did guide Jack's feet as they sought the rounds ofthe friendly ladder, so that presently the boy, with singed hair, andbegrimed with smoke, was lifted to the ground.
Hardly had Jack landed than a pair of arms encircled both him and thebaby; for in that happy moment the mother realized what she owed thisbrave lad; and her heart was brimming over with gratitude.
Such shouts as went up then! Those still coming to the scene must havethought the wearers of the fire hats had succeeded in running a line ofhose into a position where victory was assured.
Again the bucket brigade got busy, working with renewed zeal, thoughbut little hope of saving any portion of the big building now remained.But every one was roused up to fever pitch by the excitement of the hour.And Jack's valiant work had helped inspire them to renewed deeds ofendeavor.
Paul led his chum away, for Jack was almost exhausted. Then came Mr.Stormways on the run, having just learned what his boy had done. Heseized Jack in his arms, and shed tears over him; though at the same timehis heart must have swelled within him with satisfaction that one ofhis brood had acquitted himself so well in a crisis that called for acool head and nerves of steel.
The flames kept on eating into the old building. It was now doomed, andthe fire laddies confined their efforts to saving any furniture thatcould be carried out.
Paul called his scouts around him, at the request of the old minister.They were rather a sorry looking group, though just as full of a d
esireto assist as ever. The fine new uniforms were bedraggled with mud andwater. Several had holes burned in their coats, and that of Jack wasa sight to behold.
But who cared? After all, the uniforms were but an insignia of theirconnection with a great organization. New or old they stood for aprinciple; and gallantly had Stanhope Troop No. 1 responded when theneed arose.
The old and highly respected minister, whose heart was filled with agreat love for the rising generation, shook hands with each and everyscout, declaring that he was proud of the privilege.
"Don't mind the soiling of your new uniforms, lads. Every mark found uponthem to-morrow must serve as a badge of honor to the wearer. After thisit will be the tried and true scout who can point to a burnt hole in hissmart coat, and say 'I got that the night of the great fire up atBradley's!' And what shall I say of this fine member of your patrol whoso bravely risked his own life to save that of a mother's baby? Only thathis own mother has reason to thank God to-night because of such a son. Weall love him!" and a tear fell on Jack's hand as the old man squeezed it.