nearly ten o'clock
Houston was fired with new ambition that morning ; he would no longer have to work alone , keeping his anxieties and doubts , his plans and discoveries alike to himself ; from henceforth he would have companionship , counsel and assistance , and he felt a new interest and enthusiasm . Immediately after breakfast , the two set forth upon their first day 's work . Going first to the mills , Houston secured the services of two or three men who could be spared from the ordinary work , to assist Van Dorn in making preparations for the erection of the machinery ; then he left for his early visit to the mines . It was nearly ten o'clock when , having finished his round of duties at the mines , and coming up to the surface from the cool , underground workings , he found the heat almost unendurable , and strolled over to the mills , to see how Van Dorn was progressing . The latter did not seem averse to stopping for a few moments , and for a while , the two chatted and laughed with the old , careless abandon of their college days , without a thought of the more serious side of life , until , something being needed for the work , which Houston thought was in the tool-house , they proceeded together to look for it . Houston was still searching for the needed implements , when Van Dorn , who was near the door , called out : `` I say , Everard , here 's a small specimen of humanity who seems to be looking for you in a desperate hurry , '' and an instant later , he heard a familiar voice say : `` Is the boss in there , mister ? Le ` me in quick , I wa n'ter see ` im ! ''