But Freddie had slipped away, in spite of
what Bert had said about going to keep a watchful eye on his small
brother.
Suddenly, when the steamer was well out in the river, there was the loud
clanging of a bell, and a voice cried:
"Fire! Fire! Fire!"
At once every one on the boat jumped up. The women looked frightened,
while the men seemed uncertain what to do.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" rang the fire alarm bell.
CHAPTER XVII
FREDDIE'S REAL ALARM
"I hope nothing has happened--that the boat isn't on fire," said Mrs.
Bobbsey to her husband. "That would be terrible!"
"I hardly think that is it," he said. "There may be a small fire,
somewhere on the boat, but, even if there is, they have a way of putting
it out. I'll go and see what it is. You stay with the children."
But just then, after another clanging of the bell, some one was heard to
laugh--the ringing, hearty laugh of a man.
"There!" exclaimed Mr. Bobbsey, "I guess everything is all right. They
wouldn't be laughing if there was any danger."
"Let's go to the fire!" cried Bert. "I want to see it!"
"So do I!" chimed in his new chum, Billy, eagerly.
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