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Yes, added Andy seriously, there have been a number on the bay the last three seasons, and two people that I can remember were so badly burned that they died after being rescued.
Both of the boys watched with more or less interest, and possibly with suspended breath, while the red-faced passenger in Captain Jerrys old launch puffed several times at his pipe, then tossed the match aside.
Oh! it didnt go overboard, for a fact, Rob! gasped Andy; but there was no time to say another word, for suddenly they saw a flash of flame spring up aboard the old Sea Gull , and in an instant it seemed as though the launch was aflame from stem to stern!
CHAPTER II PROMPT WORK, AND A RESCUE
No sooner did the leader of the Eagle Patrol see that terrible outburst of fire than he started his little motor on at full speed, heading straight toward the imperiled launch.
Quick! get hold of that fire extinguisher we carry! he called out to his companion, who was staring, with open mouth and awe-filled eyes, at the scene of commotion close by.
But, Rob, will the fluid put out a gasolene fire? exclaimed Andy, though at the same time hastening to throw back the lid of a locker and snatch out the brass tube which had been lying there for just such a time of sudden need.
Yes, thats one of its best uses, Rob told him hastily. It seems to form a coating over everything it touches that the fire cant break through. It kills fire. Thats where it gets its name. Be ready now to make use of it when we come up as close as I dare go.
Both of the men are overboard, Rob! announced Andy excitedly, and hanging on to the side of the boat. Wow! but isnt she blazing, though? I can begin to feel the fierce heat even here!
Ready to get busy now! cried the skipper, as he manipulated his engine in such a way as to reverse the propeller, and bring the Tramp to a stop close to the blazing launch.
Andy was no coward, and could keep a pretty level head when it came down to doing things; though often he had to be told what to attempt by someone more masterful than himself. As soon as Rob shouted to him to start operations, he worked the fire extinguisher with might and main, and was considerably astonished to discover that just as Rob had said, wherever the magical fluid struck, it seemed to dishearten the conflagration, for the flames immediately died out.
Whoop! its doing the whole business, thats right, Rob! cried the pleased amateur fire-fighter, as he continued to make judicious use of his apparatus. Why, I tell you nothing can hold out, Rob, against this dandy contraption. Look at it do the work, will you? Oh! its sure worth its weight in gold when you need something to save your boat with.
Indeed, to judge from the magical way in which the threatening fire was extinguished aboard the old launch, Rob Blake had certainly made no mistake when he purchased that little fire-fighting contrivance, even though it did cost him close on ten dollars.
Rob, seeing that all danger of the fire communicating to the Tramp was now past, slowly started toward the other boat. His intention was to rescue the two elderly men who were in the water. To tell the truth, Rob was very
much afraid the passenger may have been seriously burned, and that in his panic he might release his frenzied grip on the gunwale of the boat.
It turned out otherwise, however, for Scotch grit held good, and Rob soon had the satisfaction of helping both men aboard the Tramp .
They had received a number of burns, and presented rather a peculiar appearance, since their eyebrows and beards had been badly singed.
Fires all out, Rob! announced Andy, at this juncture.
Then fix it so that we can tow the Sea Gull behind us, the other told him, and well change our course for the Collins Point yonder.
It is verra kind of ye to go to all that trouble, remarked the elderly man, looking the young skipper of the rescuing boat over from head to toe, and I wull not be the one to forget the favor, I assure you, my fine laddie.
I hope you are not seriously burned, sir? remarked Rob, who saw that there were signs of the others clothes having been afire before he tumbled overboard, possibly urged to this last resort through the energetic efforts of old Captain Jerry Martin.
I sincerely hope not myself, replied the other, as he felt of his body, and then put up a hand to his blackened face. I believe Ive been well singed, and that until I grow a new crop of eyebrows I will look like a scorched rat; which is verra unfortunate, since I am on a most important errand over in your country. But, indeed, I should be ashamed to complain, for it might have been a deal worse.
And how about you, Captain Jerry? asked Rob, turning to the subdued looking old skipper of the disabled motorboat, who had once been an oysterman, though of late years rheumatism had compelled him to seek another less strenuous means for making a living on the famous bay.
Nawthin to count much, Rob, grunted Captain Jerry, but Im afraid Ill jest hev to git a new engine aboard the Sea Gull arter this accident. I knowed she leaked a mite in the connectin feed pipe, but I never thought anybody would throw a lighted match down thar ! Im glad to be alive still; and I hopes as how the duckin aint agoin to fotch on my rheumatiz agin.