noon
There were four casks of gasoline left unused . As these were being carried to the temple Ned suddenly exclaimed : `` Why not rig up the engine and dynamo and use an electric light down in our cave of Mystery . '' `` Good , '' answered Alan , `` and while we are at it , why not hook up the balloonet blower with the engine and get fresh air ? '' The stowing away of the machinery , the packing of the gas bag and the setting up of the engine and dynamo and blower afforded plenty of work until noon ; and then , while the trusty little engine was pumping volumes of good sweet air into the hot , almost suffocating chamber below ground , the boys had luncheon . Then began the real exhumation of the long buried articles in the secret religious chamber of the almost forgotten race . As revelation succeeded revelation in the next two days the paralyzing wonder that first came to Ned and Alan was succeeded by the dullness of fatigue . At intervals of not more than an hour they came above ground for fresh air .