“You may go yourself,” said TEDDY-G, “And see the town, but as for me, I climbed one pole to-day before And it left my bones a trifle sore. I’ll stay right here and rest a bit The several places where I got hit.” While thus they talked Muddy Pete and Cribs Went off to buy some roasted ribs And fried potatoes and muffins hot And three cups of coffee in a pot.
As they ate their lunch they heard a ring, Both quick and loud: ding! ding! ding! ding! “A fire! fire!” cried Muddy Pete, And off the four ran down the street. TEDDY-G forgot about electricity And ran as fast as TEDDY-B.
They found the fire in a dry goods store And making its way towards three or four Of the largest shops on the busiest street: A clothing house and a store with meat,
And a great big grocery on the right And not a fireman yet in sight. The firemen’s hall was across the street And in half a minute Captain Muddy Pete
Had told some boys that the job was theirs And had given orders to the Roosevelt Bears
About the wagons and reel and hose, And hooks and ladders and firemen’s clothes.
“I’ve seen a thousand fires,” said he, “And I know this thing from A to Z. Slap on those togs: they fit you slick; Boost out the reel; get busy quick;
Hitch up that rubber to that spouter there; Twist round the stopper and let ’er tear. Hang on to that nozzle, you TEDDY-G, And point it straight at the fire you see.”
“_Up to a roof with hose in hand And on the ridge to take his stand._” ]
“Now let ’er go!” and with swishing stroke The water struck the fire and smoke. In sixty seconds the Roosevelt team Were pouring water, a steady stream, On the blazing store and the crowd near-by, Making women run, and children cry.
Captain Muddy Pete took full command And told the Bears just where to stand, And what to do and where to go, And to point the nozzle high or low.
They climbed up ladders in clouds of smoke, And lifted hose and windows broke, And carried goods out to the street, And burned their ears and scorched their feet.
They saved two boys from the highest floor Who were in a room and had locked the door. The wind was blowing both hard and high, And it carried fire to roofs near-by.
TEDDY-G was ordered by Muddy Pete To carry a ladder across the street, And go up to a roof with hose in hand, And on the ridge to take his stand,
