When he lighted the lantern he had brought with him, he saw it as he had left it, dry, or even drier than before, for the few pools which had remained after the main body of water had run off had disappeared, probably evaporated.

He hurried on toward the mound in the distant recess of the cave.

On the way, his foot struck something which rattled, and holding down his lantern to see what it was, he perceived an old tin cup.
"Confound it!" he exclaimed.

"This is too careless! Did the boy intend to make a regular trail from the outside entrance to the mound?
I suppose he brought that cup here to dip up water, and forgot it.

I must take it with me when I go back." He went on, throwing the light of the lantern on the ground before him, for he had now reached a part of the cave which was entirely dark.
Suddenly something on the ground attracted his attention.