The colonists had no library at their disposal; but the engineer was a book which was always at hand, always open at the page which one wanted, a book which answered all their questions, and which they often consulted.
Les colons n'avaient point de bibliothèque à leur disposition; mais l'ingénieur était un livre toujours prêt, toujours ouvert à la page dont chacun avait besoin, un livre qui leur résolvait toutes les questions et qu'ils feuilletaient souvent.