The Ashton Road Gang Chapter 11 November Part 2.

Later that day when the Foster St Gang tried to add some wood to the pile Graham chased them away snarling like a demented tiger. Eventually we persuaded them it was a good idea to have Graham on guard.

Monday was a school day. When I arrived home Graham was on the Bank. He had chewed quite a bit more of Mrs. Potter’s sideboard. I went in to tell my mother I was home.

"That Graham’s been up to his nasty tricks again," she said.

"Oh?" I asked, munching on a jam crust.

"He ought to be locked up. Do you know, just before you came home he was chasing a whole gang of lads down the road."

I almost choked. "Do you know who they were?"

Mum thumped me on the back. "No! They were not from round here."

"I am going down to see if Peter’s in yet."

"Well, don’t be late for your tea." She told me.

Peter had only just come in. His mother answered the door. "Hello, Billy, had a nice day at school?"

I said, "Yes!" even though it was not true. Explanations of bad days at school took too long.

She went on, "I saw some of those awful boys from Black's End at the bottom of the road, before."

My ears pricked up.

"One of them was showing the others a bite. I did not know there were any fierce dogs like that round here. I am not going to let Peter out if there are."

"Graham," I said, by way of explanation.

"Ah!" she said.

Whoever did it must have been very nasty or did not realise he was there. Somebody set fire to the Bonfire. Bob’s mother happened to be cleaning their front room ready for their Bonfire night party. They were one of the few families with a telephone. She rang the Fire Brigade and dashed out with a bucket of water to try to put out the fire.

In her haste she had forgotten about Graham. She was stopped in her tracks when a small figure dashed out of the centre of the Bonfire, gnashed its teeth at her and disappeared back inside. She did manage to throw the water at a distance on the flames, which slowed the burning down a lot, but she could not get close enough to put them out completely.

The fire was beginning to burn quite well, when the Fire Engine arrived. Naturally, the sound of bells brought everyone who was not outside already, into the street. Bob’s mother explained to the firemen about Graham while they rolled out their hose pipes. One brave man entered the Bonfire to rescue the little boy. He backed out of the middle clutching his hand without Graham.

The wind was blowing up Ashton Rd., taking the smoke from the smouldering bonfire away from where we were sat on the wall of No.72. We had a fine view.

All this took less time to go on than it does to describe.

"Look at him!" exclaimed Peter. "He’s clinging to the centre pole."

Two firemen now entered the fire while their colleagues hosed it down.

"Here’s his mother" said Noddy.

Graham's mother came dashing up the road, screaming

"Where’s my baby? Where’s my Graham?"

"He’s inside the Bonfire," shouted Stew.

Graham’s mother gave a screech and fainted.

"Hummmph! Typical," snorted Noddy. "Bet she did only that so she would not have to go in and rescue him.

The smoke was thick and black now. It cleared enough for us to see Graham’s face, his mouth was open and he seemed to be shouting something.

I’ll bet I know what he’s saying," said Stew.

There were no takers.

"I’ll getcha!" we all chorused.

The firemen had taken the precaution of wearing heavy gloves and breathing apparatus. They dragged Graham out. The Bonfire was hose piped until all traces of the fire had gone.

Graham appeared none the worse for his experience. His mother was helped down the road by Bob’s mother and mine. Graham was carried, soaking wet and black by one of the firemen. The crew began rolling up their hoses and preparing to leave. The rescuing heroes returned, one of them shaking his head in disbelief. He was wearing only one glove.

"I couldn’t get it out of his mouth!" I heard him say to his mates.

"That child should be muzzled," said the one whose hand had been bitten.

Noddy surveyed the sodden Bonfire. "It is going to take a lot of doing to get that lot lit tomorrow night," he said sadly.

Grubby nodded then gave a big beaming smile. "But you have to admit, Graham kept everybody away from it."