some better, or more effective, way of fighting a fire than just
pouring on a comparatively insignificant bit of water," he added,
as, from what was now a safe distance, they watched the firemen
using many lines of hose.

"They do have chemical extinguishers," said Ned.

"Yes, for little baby blazes that have just started," went on
Mr. Nestor. "But in all the progress of science there has not
been much advance in fighting fires. We still do as they did a
hundred years ago--squirt water on it, and mighty little of it
compared to the blaze. It would take a week to put this fire out
by the water they are using if it were not for the fact that the
blaze eats itself up and has nothing more to feed on."

"We'll have to get Tom to invent a new way of fighting fire,"
remarked Ned.

The young inventor was about to reply when several firemen,
equipped with smoke helmets which they adjusted as they ran, came
running down the street.

"What's the matter?" asked Tom of one whom he knew.

"Some men are trapped in a small shed back of the factory," was
the answer. "We just heard of it, and we're going in after them.
Oh! Oh--my--my heart!" he gasped, and he sank to the sidewalk.
Evidently he was either overcome by the smoke and poisonous gases
or by his exertions.