Lying about were a few blackened objects--brass buttons marked with an anchor.

The dead man's boots were in the best state of preservation, but the leather had shrunk and the nails protruded like fangs.
A rusted pocket-knife lay there, and on the left breast of the skeleton rested a round piece of tin, the top of a canister, which might have reposed in a coat pocket.

Jenks picked it up.

Some curious marks and figures were punched into its surface.

After a hasty glance he put it aside for more leisurely examination.
No weapon was visible.