He then proceeded with his other hand to unload his other pocket, the contents of which were quite as numerous and as varied; but in neither of the pockets did he find what he wished.
“Wal, I declar!” he cried, suddenly. “I remember, now, I put it in my waistcoat pocket.”
Saying this, he felt in his waistcoat pocket, and drew forth a copper coin, which he held forth to the boys with a face of triumph.
Bart took it, and the others crowded eagerly around him to look at it. It was very much worn; indeed, on one side it was quite smooth, and the marks were quite effaced; but on the other side there was a head, and around it were letters which were legible. They read this:
LOUIS XIV. ROI DE FRANCE.
All of which sank deep into their souls.
“It’s an old French coin,” said Bruce at length. “Where did you get it? Did you find it yourself?”
Captain Corbet made no reply, but only held up his mineral rod, and solemnly tapped it.
“Did you find it with that?” asked Bart.
The captain nodded with mysterious and impressive emphasis.