A DESPERATE BATTLE
Tom's tones and voice were so insistent that the giant and the colored man had no choice but to obey.They dropped the hose which, half unreeled, lay like some twisted snake in the grass.Had it been pulled out all the way the water would have spurted from the nozzle, for it was of the automatic variety, with which Tom had equipped all his plant.
"But what are you going to do, Tom, if you don't use water?" asked Ned, wonderingly.
"I don't know--yet, but I know water is the worst thing you can put on carbide," returned Tom.For all he spoke Slowly his brain was working fast.Already, even now, he was planning how best to give battle to the flames.
It needed but an instant's thought on the part of Ned to make him understand that Tom was right.It would be well-nigh fatal to use water on carbide.Those of you who have bicycle lanterns, in which that not very pleasant-smelling chemical is used, know that if a few drops of water are allowed to drip slowly on the gray crystals acetylene gas is generated, which makes a brilliant light.But, if the water drips too fast, the gas is generated too quickly, and an explosion results.In lamps, of course, and in lighting plants where carbide is used, there are automatic arrangements to prevent the water flowing too freely to the chemical.But Tom knew if the hose were turned on the fire in the red shed a great explosion would result, for some of the tins of carbide would be melted by the heat.
Yet the fire needed to be coped with.Already the flames were coming through the roof, and the windows and door were spouting red fire and volumes of smoke.
Several other employees of Tom's plant had made ready to unreel more hose, but the warning of the young inventor, shouted to Eradicate and Koku, had had its effect.Every man dropped the line he had begun to unreel.
"Ha!Massa Tom say drop de hose, but how yo' gwine t' squirt watahon a fire wifout a hose; answer me dat?" and Eradicate looked at Koku."Me no know," was the slow answer."I guess Koku go pull shed downand stamp out fire."
"Huh! Maybe yo' could do dat in cannibal land, where yo' all come from," spoke Eradicate, "but yo' can't do dat heah! 'Sides, de red shed will blow up soon.Dere's suffin' else in dere except carbide, an' dat's gwine t' go up soon, dat's suah!""Maybe you get your strong man-mule, Boomerang," suggested Koku."Nothing ever hurt him--explosion or nothing.He can kick shed all to pieces, and put out fire.""Dat's what I wanted t' do, but Massa Tom say I cain't," explained the colored man."Golly! Look at dat fire!"Indeed the blaze was now assuming alarming proportions.The red shed, which was not a small structure, was blazing on all sides.About it stood the men from the various shops.
"Tom, you must do something," said Mr.Swift."If the flames once reach that helmanite--""I know, Father.But that explosive is in double vacuum containers, and it will be safe for some time yet.Besides, it's in the cellar.It's the carbide I'm most worried about.We daren't use water.""But something will have to be done!" exclaimed Mr.Damon."Bless my red necktie, if we don't--""Better get back a way," suggested Tom."Something may go off!"His words of warning had their effect, and the whole circle moved back several paces.
"Is there anything of value in the shed?" asked Ned.
"I should say there was!" Tom answered."I hoped we could get some of them out, but we can't now--until the fire dies down a bit, at any rate.""Look, Tom! The pattern shop roof is catching!" shouted Mr.Swift, pointing to where a little spurt of flame showed on the roof of a distant building.
"It's from sparks!" Tom said.
"Any danger of using water there?" Ned wanted to know.
"No, use all you like! That's the only thing to do.Come on, you withthe hose!" Tom yelled."Save the other buildings!""But are you going to let the red shed burn?" asked Mr.Swift."You know what it means, Tom.""Yes, Father, I know.And I'm going to fight that fire in a new way.But we must save the other buildings, too.Play water on all the other sheds and structures!" ordered the young inventor."I'll tackle this one myself.Oh, Ned!" he called.
"Yes," answered his chum."What is it?"
