The hole was now about eighteen inches deep. Mark cleared away some of the dirt, and disclosed an earthen pot which appeared to be provided with a cover.
"What shall I do now?" he asked.
"Stoop down, and remove the cover, and take out what you find inside."
Mark got down on his knees, and bending over, accomplished what was asked of him. To his surprise he saw that the bottom of the pot was covered with gold pieces.
"Take them out, and hand them to me," said old Anthony.
"All of them, sir?"
"Yes, I may as well remove them to another place. Besides the balance must be small."
The hermit counted the gold pieces, as they were placed in his hands.
"There are but three hundred and fifty dollars left!" he said.
To Mark this seemed considerable, though it was evident the pot would have contained, if full, many times as much.