Edward was fascinated by the older Hendry’s swagger, recounting their initial meeting in a letter to his aunt:

“As for the men at camp, most of them are dour Greeks who play euchre for money and drink themselves into a stupor nearly every night. I cannot say I blame them. The work is exhausting, the successes are very few, and the delineations between laborer and gentleman are enforced to the point of mutual loathing. I am buoyed, however, by a man named Hendry Thorne, who goes wherever he pleases and is respected throughout the entire camp. He is an explorer of some renown, as well as being a veteran of two wars. I am keen to make his acquaintance.” 

Hendry mentioned Edward in a letter to his girlfriend:

“This week’s fun arrives courtesy of a young student named Edward Piermont. He looks all of twelve and is only slightly taller than the shovels, but he is a genius. Even rarer, he is humble despite being one of the very few for whom arrogance would not be misplaced. He knew of my adventures in Kamchatka and Nepal and offered to assist in translating the jade tablet I have had little luck with. I might accept his offer…”