He hated to do this, for Mr.
Balfour's words were always instructive, and he so freely yielded the established secrets of his profession, as well as those of his own recent discoveries, to his young friend that Cabot acquired a rich store of valuable information during the short days and long nights of that Labrador winter.
With the apparatus at hand, he was able to conduct many experiments and put into practice a number of his newly acquired theories.

The sick man followed these with keenest interest, and aided his pupil with shrewd suggestions.

At other times they discussed the mineral wealth of Labrador, and Mr.Balfour drew rough diagrams to show localities from which his various specimens had been brought.

He also gave much time to a sketch map of the surrounding country, especially the coast between the place where the "Sea Bee" had been left and Indian Harbour, beyond which his knowledge did not extend.
With these congenial occupations, time never hung heavily in the wilderness home of the Man-wolf, and, though bitter cold might reign outside, fierce storms rage, and driving snows pile themselves into mountainous drifts, neither hunger nor cold could penetrate its snug interior, warmed and lighted by the magic of modern science.

With the passing weeks the old year died and a new one was born.