But except in rare
instances it failed to reach the flames. A ladder-truck, drawn by
another excited company, now rumbled upon the scene, its arrival
adding to the general disorder. Meanwhile, the steady tradewind
fanned the blaze to ever-growing proportions.
"Why the devil don't they get closer?" Kirk inquired of his
Jamaican companion.
Allan's eyes were wide and ringed with white; his teeth gleamed in
a grin of ecstasy as he replied:
"Oh, Lard, my God, it is too 'ot, sar; greatly too 'ot! It would
take a stout 'eart to do such a thing."
"Nonsense! They'll never put it out this way. Hey!" Kirk attracted
the attention of a near-by nozzleman. "Walk up to it. It won't
bite you." But the valiant fire-fighter held stubbornly to his
post, while the stream he directed continued to describe a
graceful curve and spatter upon the sidewalk in front of the
burning building. "You're spoiling that old woman's bed," Anthony
warned him, at which a policeman with drawn club forced him back
as if resentful of criticism. Other peace officers compelled the
crowd to give way, then fell upon the distracted property holders
and beat them off their piles of furniture.
For perhaps ten minutes there was no further change in the
situation; then a great shout arose as it was seen that the roof
of the adjoining building had burst into flame.
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