At the request of the engineman, deceased went to remove some ballast from the balance-box affixed to the end of the bell-crank in connection with the pumps. The balance-box is 6 feet deep and works in a pit about the same depth. At the time of the accident the box was at its highest position and clear of the pit, the pumps being stationary. The night was wild and dark and deceased took a lamp, climbed into the box and threw out the necessary amount of ballast. His lamp had in the interim been blown out and in getting out of the box in the darkness he fell into the pit. His injuries were not at first considered sufficiently serious to report.