They tugged and strained with might and main, and at last the flat rock came up out of the hole. Beneath was the cover to an old rusty pot and beneath this the pot itself, resting in a bed of dirt and small stones.
“Hurrah! here it is!” cried Andy. “Bring it up, Jack!”
It was no easy matter to bring up the iron pot, which was heavy, but at last they had it out on the grass. The lid was rusted fast, but they speedily pried it off.
“Empty!” ejaculated Pepper, looking into the receptacle, and his face fell.
“All our work for nothing,” murmured Andy.
“No, it is not empty,” said Jack. “That is an iron plate resting near the bottom. Wait till I pry it up with my knife blade.”
He set to work, and soon the iron plate came up. Beneath lay some dull yellow round pieces of metal.
“Gold!” shouted the young major. “Old English and Spanish gold!”
“Are you sure it is gold?” queried Pepper.
“Yes. Look for yourself,” and Jack brushed off one of the pieces on his coat-sleeve. “Boys, we’re in luck! We have certainly found the pot with gold in it that Mr. Strong has been looking for so long!”