“Perhaps we won’t have to go much deeper,” said Grant hopefully.
“I think we shall though.”
“Suppose we take turns down there with the knife,” suggested Fred. “One of us can loosen up the sand with it and then a couple more can get in and throw it out.”
“That’s a good scheme,” exclaimed John. “Give me the knife, Sam.”
“Ah can do it mahself,” protested Sam.
“No, you can’t either,” laughed John. “You’ve done enough work for to-day anyway. Let me have it now and perhaps you can take another turn at it later.”
Reluctantly Sam gave up the knife and joined the others who stood and watched John down in the hole. When he had loosened a considerable amount of earth he climbed up and Fred and George took his place and threw the loose sand out of the pit. This operation was repeated many times with different ones doing the work. In this way the labor was lightened and the hole grew amazingly.
It was George’s turn with the knife and he was working tremendously. He hacked and carved the sand, exerting himself to the utmost. All at once the knife struck something hard that had a metallic ring to it.
“You’ve got it, Pop!” cried Grant excitedly. “You’ve got it sure!”
“Hurry up and dig around it,” exclaimed Fred. “Let me do it.”