"It was fortunate for me that you did both those things," said Cabot, "for I should certainly have remained where I fell after stumbling over the wire if it had not been for the combination of light and music. But tell me, sir, why have you masqueraded as a man-wolf?"
"For convenience in hunting, as well as to inspire terror in the minds of savages and keep them at a respectful distance from this place."
"Have they ever troubled you?"
"At first they were inclined to, but not of late years."
"Not of late years! Why, sir, how many years have you dwelt in this place?"
"A little more than five."
"Five years alone and cut off from the world! I should think you would feel like a prisoner shut in a dungeon."
"No, for I have led the life of my own choice, and it has been full of active interests. I have had to hunt, trap, and fish for my own support. I have tried to redress some wrongs, and have been able to relieve much distress among the improvident natives. I have busied myself with electrical experiments, and have explored the surrounding country for a hundred miles on all sides."
"Have you discovered any indications of mineral wealth during your explorations?" asked the young engineer, recalling his previous thought on this subject.
"Quite a number, of which the most important is right here; for this range of cliffs is so largely composed of red hematite as to form one of the richest ore beds in the world."