A London paper tells of Bob, the firemen's dog, at the Southwark Fire-brigade station in London. Whenever the fire-bell rings, Bob is in a great hurry to be off. He runs before the engine to clear the way, and, arrived at the fire, no one is more ready than he to obey orders. He will run up ladders, jump through windows, and enter blazing rooms more quickly than any of the firemen. One day a house was on fire in Duke Street. The flames were spreading rapidly, and threatened soon to bring the building to the ground. Bob darted into the burning house, and in a few moments was seen coming out with—what do you think?—a poor cat in his mouth! He carried pussy very carefully, and gently dropped her in a place of safety.
On another occasion, a house in Westminster Road was on fire, and Bob was there, as usual. The firemen thought that all the inmates were out of the house. Bob, however, knew better. He kept barking and scratching at a small door. The firemen ordered Bob to "hold his noise and get away." Although usually a very obedient dog, Bob barked more loudly than ever, and seemed almost to say,—"Be quick, do open the door!" The firemen were afraid that if the door was opened it might make the fire burn more rapidly, but as Bob was so very boisterous, one of the firemen said: "There's some reason why Bob makes this ado, let's burst open the door!" The door was burst open, when the astonished firemen found a poor little child, who, but for Bob, might have been burned to death!
Bob has been presented with a collar, on which is the inscription:—
