There was no end of machinery, tools, and electrical apparatus of all kinds, including miles of copper wire and chemicals for charging batteries.
Besides these, there were ropes, canvas, furniture, boxes, barrels, and other things too numerous to mention.
"What a prize this place would have been for the Indians if they had ever discovered it," reflected the young engineer.

"I wonder that he dared go off and leave it unguarded." When he finally returned to the outer room, he found it even colder than the cavern in which he had been working, and realised, as never before, the value of the knowledge that had enabled him to restore the usefulness of that electric heater.

After getting it into operation, and making his report to the sick man, who had impatiently awaited him, there was another meal to prepare.
So, in spite of Cabot's overwhelming desire to hear Mr.Balfour's story, there was so much to be done first that the short day had merged into another night before the opportunity arrived.

When it came, our lad drew a chair to the bedside of his patient and said: "Now, sir, if you feel able to talk, and are willing to tell me how you happen to be living in this place, I shall be more than glad to listen." "I am willing," replied the other, "but must be brief, since talking has become an exertion.

As perhaps you know, I was a working electrician in London, where, though I had a good business, I had not accumulated much money.