oxfordworld’sclassicsTHEADVENTURESOFTOMSAWYERMarkTwain,thepen-nameforSamuelLanghorneClemens(1835–1910),drewhisidentityfromlifealongtheMississippiRiverduringtheyearsimmediatelyprecedingtheCivilWar,whichinspiredthecharactersandincidentsinhisbest-knownworks,includingTheAdventuresofTomSawyer(1876)andAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn(1884).BorninFlorida,Missouri,butraisedinHannibal,Clemensfirsttrainedasaprinter,butin1857hebecameanapprenticepilotonthegreatriver.AtthestartoftheCivilWar,hewenttoNevadawithhisbrotherOrion,andwasbrieflyinvolvedinminingventuresbeforetakingupajournalisticcareer(underthenameMarkTwain)whicheventuallycarriedhimtoCaliforniaandHawaii,experiencesrecountedinRoughingIt(1872).Henexttrav-elledtoEuropeandtheHolyLandwithanexcursionparty,thebasisforTheInnocentsAbroad(1869),ahumorousnarrativethatquicklyestablishedhisreputationandlaunchedhiscareerasacomiclecturer.AftermarryingOliviaLangdonin1870,ClemensabandonedthelecturecircuitandmovedtoHartford,Connecticut,wherehewrotemostofthebooksbywhichheisknown,inaperiodofgreatprosperitythatwasendedin1894bybankruptcyresultingfromincautiousinvestments.Returningtothelecturecircuit,Clemensrecoveredhisfortune,buthislaterlifewasdarkenedbytragedy,includingthedeathsofhisfavouritedaughter,Susy,andhiswife.Anotherdaughter,Jean,sufferedfromepilepsyanddiedin1909,followedshortlybyherfather.PeterStoneleyisProfessorofEnglishandAmericanLiteratureattheUniversityofReading.HisbooksincludeMarkTwainandtheFeminineAesthetic(1992)andConsumerismandAmericanGirls’Literature,1860–1940(2003).
oxfordworld’sclassicsForover100yearsOxfordWorld’sClassicshavebroughtreadersclosertotheworld’sgreatliterature.Nowwithover700titles––fromthe4,000-year-oldmythsofMesopotamiatothetwentiethcentury’sgreatestnovels––theseriesmakesavailablelesser-knownaswellascelebratedwriting.Thepocket-sizedhardbacksoftheearlyyearscontainedintroductionsbyVirginiaWoolf,T.S.Eliot,GrahamGreene,andotherliteraryfigureswhichenrichedtheexperienceofreading.Todaytheseriesisrecognizedforitsfinescholarshipandreliabilityintextsthatspanworldliterature,dramaandpoetry,religion,philosophyandpolitics.Eacheditionincludesperceptivecommentaryandessentialbackgroundinformationtomeetthechangingneedsofreaders.
OXFORDWORLD’SCLASSICSMARKTWAINTheAdventuresofTomSawyerEditedwithanIntroductionandNotesbyPETERSTONELEY1
3GreatClarendonStreet,Oxfordox26dpOxfordUniversityPressisadepartmentoftheUniversityofOxford.ItfurtherstheUniversity’sobjectiveofexcellenceinresearch,scholarship,andeducationbypublishingworldwideinOxfordNewYorkAucklandCapeTownDaresSalaamHongKongKarachiKualaLumpurMadridMelbourneMexicoCityNairobiNewDelhiShanghaiTaipeiTorontoWithofficesinArgentinaAustriaBrazilChileCzechRepublicFranceGreeceGuatemalaHungaryItalyJapanPolandPortugalSingaporeSouthKoreaSwitzerlandThailandTurkeyUkraineVietnamOxfordisaregisteredtrademarkofOxfordUniversityPressintheUKandincertainothercountriesPublishedintheUnitedStatesbyOxfordUniversityPressInc.,NewYorkIntroduction,SelectBibliography,ExplanatoryNotes©PeterStoneley2007Chronology©R.D.Gooder1992ThemoralrightsoftheauthorshavebeenassertedDatabaserightOxfordUniversityPress(maker)FirstpublishedasWorld’sClassicspaperback1993Neweditionpublished2007Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmitted,inanyformorbyanymeans,withoutthepriorpermissioninwritingofOxfordUniversityPress,orasexpresslypermittedbylaw,orundertermsagreedwiththeappropriatereprographicsrightsorganization.EnquiriesconcerningreproductionoutsidethescopeoftheaboveshouldbesenttotheRightsDepartment,OxfordUniversityPress,attheaddressaboveYoumustnotcirculatethisbookinanyotherbindingorcoverandyoumustimposethesameconditiononanyacquirerBritishLibraryCataloginginPublicationDataDataavailableLibraryofCongressCataloguinginPublicationDataTwain,Mark,1835–1910.TheadventuresofTomSawyer/MarkTwain;editedwithanintroductionandnotesbyPeterStoneley.––Newed.p.cm.––(Oxfordworld’sclassics)Includesbibliographicalreferences.ISBN-13:978–0–19–280682–6(acid-freepaper)ISBN–10:0–19–280682–3(acid-freepaper)1.Sawyer,Tom(Fictitiouscharacter)––Fiction.2.MississippiRiverValley––Fiction.3.Runawaychildren––Fiction.4.Childwitnesses––Fiction.5.Missouri–Fiction.6.Boys––Fiction.I.Stoneley,Peter.II.Title.PS1306.A2S762007813′.4––dc222006030358TypesetinEhrhardtbyRefineCatchLimited,Bungay,SuffolkPrintedinGreatBritainonacid-freepaperbyClaysLtd.,St.IvesplcISBN978–0–19–280682–613579108642
CONTENTSIntroductionviiNoteontheTextxxviSelectBibliographyxxviiiAChronologyofMarkTwainxxxiiiTHEADVENTURESOFTOMSAWYER1ExplanatoryNotes204
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INTRODUCTIONIn1866inHawaii,afteraneveningonwhichTwainhadbecomeverydrunk,hewassubjectedtoanimprovinglecturebythediplo-matandpoliticianAnsonBurlingame:‘Youhavegreatability;Ibelieveyouhavegenius.Whatyouneednowistherefinementofassociation.Seekcompanionshipamongmenofsuperiorintellectandcharacter.Refineyourselfandyourwork.Neveraffiliatewith1inferiors;alwaysclimb.’Atthispointinhiscareer,Twainhadanationalreputationasthenewfigureintheoftenimpolitegenreofhumour.Hewrotebriefsketches,featuringjokey,rough-hewnchar-acters;and,inanageinwhichthedistinctionsweremarked,hismediumwasthepopularpress,notliterature.BythetimeofwritingTheAdventuresofTomSawyerintheearly1870s,hehadmarriedintoawealthy,genteelnorthernfamily.Hewasstillbest-knownasahumorist,buthehadextendedthelimitsofthegenre,makingnationalfablesoutofhisexperiencesasAmericantourist,inTheInnocentsAbroad(1869),andasgoldandsilverprospectorinRough-ingIt(1872).Increasingly,alongsidethehumour,hestyledhimselfasaseriousmanofbusiness,andasanupper-middle-classpater-familias.Whetherhehadtriedto‘climb’ornot,hehadcertainlyrisen.TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwasthefirstnovelTwainwrotewithoutacollaborator,andtolookatitsappearanceanditsprelimin-arypagesistogetsomesenseoftheculturaldistancesthatTwainsoughttocross.Farfrombeingavailableaspartofthepriceofanewspaper,Twainwasnowquitegrandlypackaged.ThefirstUnitedStatesedition,publishedbytheAmericanPublishingCompanyin1876,wasavailableinthreedifferentbindings,fromclothat$2.75,toclothwithgiltedgesat$3.25,to‘half-turkey,elegantlybound’at$4.25.Thismadeeventhecheapestcopiesquiteexpensive,espe-ciallycomparedwiththepiratedCanadianedition,whichwasavail-ableforlessthanadollar.Thebookhadapopularaudience,andthepiratededitionsoldwell.Theauthorizededition,too,wasaimedatawidereadership,inthatitwaspublishedbysubscription,a1AsAlbertBigelowPaineputsitinhispolite,authorizedversion,MarkTwain:ABiography(NewYork:Harper&Bros.,1912),i.285:‘Theyhadahilariouslygoodtime.’
viiiIntroductiondoor-to-doormethodthatwasdesignedtoreachlesseducatedandlesscosmopolitanbuyers.Andyet,TomSawyerwasalsobeingpitchedatamoreaffluentandaspirationalaudience,anaudiencethathaddisposableincomeandwaswillingtospenditonstately,2embossed,andgildedbooks.Iftheinitialproductionofthebookindicatesuncertaintyastoaudience,withthepiratepublisheroutperformingtheapprovedpub-lisher,thecombinedsalesintheearlyyearswereprobablynotveryimpressivebyTwain’sownstandards.TheAmericanPublishingCompanyeditionsoldfewerthan24,000copiesinthefirstyear,whereasTwain’sfirstbook,TheInnocentsAbroad(1869)hadsoldnearly70,000initsfirstyear.Thestatusandpopularityofthenovelonlyreallydevelopedwiththegrowingrecognitionofthesequel,AdventuresofHuckleberryFinn(1884).Withthegradualrisetofameofbothbooks,TomSawyerseemedthesafer,easieroption,andbyTwain’sdeathin1910,TomSawyerhadoutsoldalloftheauthor’sotherworks.SinceTwain’sdeath,though,HuckleberryFinnhasemergedasadefiningtextinthetraditionofthenovel,andithasovertakenTomSawyerinsales.ButTomSawyerhasremainedpopu-lar;ithasbeentranslatedintoovertwentylanguages,andhasnever3beenoutofprint.Today,itseemstoholditsstatus(astatusitdidnothaveinitsearlyyears)asaclassicandperennialvisionofboy-hood.Fromthelatenineteenthcenturyonward,someofitsinci-dentshavehadanexistenceasarchetypes,inthattheyaretakentoillustratesomeofthedeepertruthsofhumannature.ThesceneinwhichTominduceshisfriendstowhitewashthefencehasaprover-biallife,knowntopeoplewhohaveneverreadthenovel.Tomhimselfisamythicalfigure,inthatheseemstoencapsulatecertainessentialfeaturesofboys’lives.Forotherreaders,though,TomSawyerisnotaclassicvisionofboyhooditself,butaclassicinstanceofthenostalgiawithwhichboyhoodisviewedbyadults.Thebookisanexampleofthefactthatarchetypesarenotsomuchfundamental2Foranaccountofthepricing,seeJohnC.Gerber’sintroductiontoGerber,PaulBaender,andTerryFirkins,TheAdventuresofTomSawyer,TomSawyerAbroad,TomSawyer,Detective(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1980)29.GerberalsoestimatestheimpactoftheCanadianedition.3AgainIrelyonGerberhere(ibid.29–30).ForastrongersenseoftheplaceofTwain,andofhischaracters,inAmericanculture,seeLouisJ.Budd’sOurMarkTwain:TheMakingofhisPublicPersonality(Philadelphia:UniversityofPhiladelphiaPress,1983).
Introductionixembodiments,asoursbyadoption.Wesetthemupretrospectively,soastoorganizeandgivemeaningtooursenseofourselvesinthepresent.Iwanttoconsiderthesevariouspossibilities,andtolookinmoredetailatcontemporaryandmodernresponses,butletusreturnatthispointtothebookitself,andhowitseemstoconstructreadersandreaderlyexpectations.ThetitlepagegivesTheAdventuresofTomSawyerasbyMarkTwain,anamethatannounceditselfasajoke(‘Marktwain’wasaleadsman’scallontheMississippi,signify-ingtwofathoms,ortheintermediatepointbetweenthesafelydeepandtheworryingshallow).Ifthecopyrightnotice––whichimpliestheauthorshipofSamuelL.Clemens––soundsanoteofsocialandlegalpropriety,thisisaffirmedbythesucceedingwords,‘ToMyWifeThisBookisAffectionatelyDedicated.’Thededicationisapublicdeclarationofprivatefeelings,butitisofferedintheslightlyhushedandcontrolledregisterofan‘affectionate’tribute.Thereisaninterplayofdifferentpossibilitieshere,betweenthecrudeandgeneric‘adventures’bythelarger-than-lifeMarkTwain,andamoreformalClemens.ThesubsequentPrefaceseemstomiti-gatethepromiseofmadcaporsensationalevents.Thebook,weareinformed,‘isintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,’butitishopedthat‘itwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount;forpartof[the]planhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysome-timesengagedin’.Thiscautiousstatementissignednotby‘MarkTwain’but,moregrandly,by‘TheAuthor’,wholocateshimselfinthecomfortablenortherncityof‘Hartford’.ThePrefaceisaself-consciouslyliteraryandmeasureddiscourse,offering‘pleasantreminders’ratherthansensations.Perhaps,then,wealreadyknowthatweshouldread‘adventures’inagentlyironicallight,beforewehavereachedthebeginningofthenovel.Andyet,Twainalsosignalsthediscomfortthatliesinstoreforhisreaders,astheyareobligedtoacknowledge‘oddsuperstitions’and‘queerenterprises’aspartoftheirownhistory.Acurious,rough-hewnpastis,itwouldseem,commontousall,anditisnottobeleftentirelybehind.ThedelicatelyequivocalPrefaceisfollowed,almostshockingly,withanaltogetherdifferentvoice.Itisashoutingvoice,whichcasu-allyandunhesitatinglyusesslang:‘Tom!...What’sgonewiththat
xIntroductionboy,Iwonder?YouTOM!’(p.11).TheeruptionofAuntPolly’svernacularmightseemallthemoredissonantafterthedecorumoftheAuthor’sPreface,andyetthevernacularwasverymuchapartof‘MarkTwain’.Therepresentationoflocal,non-standardizedspeechwascrucialtohisidentityasahumorist.Thesuccessofthehumor-ousnarrativedependedlessonanyjokeassuch,asonthewaythecharacterscommandedthereader’sattentionwiththeirvigorousparticularity.ThevernacularwouldsubsequentlybeconstruedasTwain’smajorachievementinfiction.Hewasproudofhisskillinsimulatingtherhythmsandaccentsofdialect,andheisusuallycreditedwithhavingbroughtanewrangeandsubtletytothe‘writ-ingofthespoken’.Further,inAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn,Twainpresentedhisreaderswithavernacularnarrator,Huckhim-self.ThechoiceofunderclassboyasnarratorhascompoundedtheideaofTwainasademocraticauthorwhofreedhimselffromreceivednotionsofliterarypoliteness.Theargumentisperhapsasimplification.InitsstudieddifferencefromstandardEnglish,thevernacularnarrativefixesdifferentmodesofspeechinrelationtoeachother,ratherthanproducingsomeinstanceoflinguisticfree-dom.Andyet,onewondersatthepotentialjoy,atthispoint,forthechild-readerortheanxiouslyaspirationalreader,cominguponanimproperlyloudanddirectentryintothestory.Thevery‘bookculture’thatonehadapproachedinaspiritofself-improvementactuallygrantsahappyexistencetoincorrectlives.Intheprocess,thenovelofferstoarticulateaneasyrelationshipbetweenone’s‘improved’and‘unimproved’selves.Thebridgingbetweentherawandthepolite,betweentheback-woodsandtheliterary,isanimportantfeatureofthebookasawhole.Itisoftenobserved––andrightly––thatTwain’swritingismostexcitinganddistinctivewhenhedealswiththematerialofhismid-Westernpast.Thecontemplationofthepastinducesaclimacticenergy.Whenaletterfromachildhoodfriendstirreduphismemor-ies,Twainwroteinreplythat‘[t]hefountainsofmygreatdeepare4brokenup&Ihaverainedreminiscencesforfour&twentyhours’.Hewaswritingshortlyafterhismarriage,andtheletterseemsanunambiguouscelebrationofalifethatisnowclosed.Butthe4LettertoWillBowen,6Feb.1870;seeMarkTwain’sLetters,vol.iv:1870–1871,ed.VictorFischerandMichaelB.Frank(Berkeley:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1995),50.
Introductionxiexpressionismorecuriouslyevocativethanthat,withtheimplicitacknowledgementthattheearlierselfisstrongerthanitssubsequentoverlays.Theexperience––ofalaterselfbeing‘brokenup’bythepowersfromone’s‘greatdeep’––isexhilarating,andhaselementsofpleasureandanxiety.Atothertimes,Twainwasmuchlesswillingtoadmitapastselfanyrenewedexistence,andthebalancewasmoreonthesideofanxietyorshame.Once,whenaskedwhywehatethe5pastso,hereplied,‘It’ssodamnhumiliating.’TheAdventuresofTomSawyerisanextendedandbroadenedversionofthispersonaldrama,wherethemature,professionalmanisobsessively‘brokenup’andreassembled.Thenarrativeisanattempttopermitandtogovernthedisruptivepotentialofapastlife.And,giventheenduringpopularityofthenovel,thereisthequestionofhowitdealsnotonlywithTwain’spast,butalsowithhowthenationunderstandsandrepresentsits‘infancy’.Wemightbegintothinkabouttheseissuesbyrecognizingthatthestoryitselfisdisrupted,inthesensethatitisputtogetheroutofdisparateparts.SomeepisodesdrawoutTom’scharacter,ashestartsfights,seekstocurehimselfofwarts,andfallsinlove.ThereisamoresustainednarrativestrandwithInjunJoe’scrimesandTom’spartinhisdemise.Theinterplayofepisodesseemsbrilliantlycalcu-latedinsomeinstances,aswhenasceneofcourtroomdramaisfollowedbyaquiet,inconsequentialmorning.Moregenerally,how-ever,thenarrativeunevennessmightbeseenasaproblem,asthestoryseemstofalltopieces,onlytoberevivedbyanunlikelyturnofevents.Evenifwehavenodifficultyinsuspendingourdisbelief,thecriticalviewpointmightbethatthemostinterestingfictionisthatwhichdoesnotprolongitselfbyasuccessionofevents,butbymoresubtleandmorediversemeans.IthasoftenbeenarguedthatTwain’sworksuffersforhisfailuretodesigncompellingandprogressivenarrativestructures,andthisfailureissymptomaticnotonlyofhowTwainworked,butoftheplaceofwritinginhislife.Hetendedtowriteveryquickly,andusuallywiththehopeofmakingquickmoneytocoverthemanyinvestmentsandexpenditurestowhichhecom-mittedhimself.Butasheseldomhadadevelopedplot-lineonwhichtofallback,heoftenexperiencedacrisiswhenhisinventivenessfailedhim.Atsuchmoments,hisrapidproductionwouldcease5WillamDeanHowells,MyMarkTwain(LondonandNewYork:Harper&Brothers,1910),30.
xiiIntroductionaltogether,andhewouldturnhismindtootherprojectsformonthsandevenyears.Twain’simaginationworkedinrelativelyshort,opportunisticbursts,andhiscreativehabitssuggestatempera-mentalcorrespondencewithhisprotagonist.Tom,too,isconsumedwithenthusiasmforhisplans,andwhenonefails,hestartsupanother.Butauthorandcharacteraretakentobeallthemorerepre-sentativeforthistrait.Twainoncewroteinhisnotebook,‘Iamnot6anAmerican,IamtheAmerican,’andTomtooseemstobespeakcertaincharacteristicsthatareoftendefinedas‘national’.Tom,likehisauthor,seekstofulfilhisdreamsofgreatwealth,andheisend-lesslyingenious––ifalsoverynaive––inhispursuitofhisgoal.Thereis,though,aninterestingambivalenceonthepartoftheauthorforthisinfantnationalself.Tom’s‘American’traitsarethesourceofprideandshame:pride,thatTom’singenuitywillalwaysseehimthrough;shame,thathisingenuityisasignofthefactthatheactsmoreintermsofexpediencethanprinciple.Theseambiva-lencesdonotleadtowardsomesortofconclusivedevelopmentaldrama.Instead,Twainleaveshisheroenclosedwithininfancy.Forallhisexperiences,Tomseemsasyoung,vain,andresilientatthe7endasatthebeginning.Theideaofenclosuresanddisruptions,then,ispresentinthestudied,worldlyPreface(andtheequallyworldlyConclusion),andinthevaluesofthemaincharacter.InthefirstAmericanedition,itwasalsoapparentinthepresentation,inthatthetextwasdecora-tivelyenclosedbyillustrations.Thechapterheadingsweresur-roundedbyattractivesketchesandmotifs,andespeciallybyprofuselittlebundlesofflowers.Thereisasensethatthe‘odd’and‘queer’6AlthoughscholarshaveoftenassumedthatTwainwasreferringtohimself,thereissomequestionastowhetherhewasrecordingthecommentofafriend.Forasummaryofthearguments,andforanelectronicfacsimileofthenotebookpage,seeJimZwick,‘MarkTwainandtheAmerican’,onhttp//boondocknet.com/twainwww/essays/american011.htm/.7Inhissubtleandpersuasiveessay,LeeClarkMitchellarguesthattheunevennessorheterogeneityiswhatcontemporaryreaderswouldhavefoundsoenjoyable.Hewritesthatthe‘abrupttonalshifts’are‘anessentialpartofitsnarrativeappeal’.Itishardtocometoanysecureconclusionastowhyorhowreadersmayhaveenjoyedatext,butMitchellmakesthepointthat‘unevenness’mayalsoconstituteanappealingvariety.Hecomments:‘TomSawyerappealstoreaderspreciselythroughitscontradictorymix,invokinghorroraswellashumour,indulginghighandlowstyles,satirizingyetcham-pioningthevenalimpulseofwantingsomethingfornothing.’See‘Introduction’,TheAdventuresofTomSawyer(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1993),p.xiii.
Introductionxiiipastisnottrulyodd,ornotsooddthatitmaynotbegarlandedinretrospect.Theideaofpermittingandgoverningthe‘odd’or‘queer’poten-tialofthepastiscontinuedintheearlychapters,andinthefirstmid-Westerncharacterwemeet,thewomanwhopondersonwhat’s‘gonewiththatboy’.This‘oldlady’isTom’sAuntPolly,andinlookingforTom,shelooksoverandunderherspectacles:‘Shesel-domorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor“style,”notservice––shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstovelidsjustaswell’(p.11).TwaingentlymocksAuntPolly’spretensionsto‘style’;hervanitiesaresosmallandnaivethatwemayregardthemfondly.Assheisan‘oldlady’,her‘pride’willnotresultina‘climb’,butisapleasurethatiscompleteinitself.Eveninhersmall,distantworldofStPetersburg,though,sheisengagedinherowncomicalnegotiationofoldandnew.SheworriesifsheisraisingTomcor-rectly,andrememberstheOldTestamentproverbaboutsparingtherodandspoilingthechild.Butsheisalsointerestedineverynewmedicinethatcomesalong,andhasstudiedallthelatestfashionable‘treatments’(shesubjectsTomtoa‘watercure’inChapterXII).Withnaive,lovablecharacters,Twaindescribesapastthatisevocativebutalsoclosed.Asseveralearliercommentatorshavenoted,thenoveloffersapastoralvisionofapre-industrialsocietytoamoreurbanizedand‘incorporated’America.Thereisreassuranceintheconnectednesstoolderways,butthepastismadepresentinsuchawayastoalludetoourownpresent-daymaturity.Twainestablisheshis––andimplicitlyour––maturityviathistolerantenjoymentofthepettyhopesandvanitiesofanearlierage.ThisisespeciallythecaseinthedepictionofTomhimself.TwainexposesallTom’svaingloriousimpulses––Tomisalmostrelentlesslydefinedbyhisimmaturity––butinexposingTomwithknowingandruefulclarity,thenarrativeemphasizesthegrown-upqualitiesof‘TheAuthor’.Thisauthorialmaturityinvolvesacertainpretentiousnessinturn,inthatitisestablishedinpartviathecommandofliteraryculture.Scenesandcharactersarerepeatedlydescribedasthroughthelensofliteraryknowledge.WhenTomhastoworkonaSaturdaymorning,andCardiffHillseemsa‘DelectableLand’,Twainalludestothe‘DelectableMountains’ofBunyan’sThePilgrim’sProgress(1678).WhenwearetoldinthesamechapterthatTom’sfriends
xivIntroduction‘cametojeer,butstayedtowhitewash’(p.21),TwainoffershisreadersanechoofGoldsmith’s‘TheDesertedVillage’(1770),inwhichfools‘whocametoscoff,remainedtopray’.WhenTom’ssisterMaryhascleanedhimup,Tomisonceagain‘amanandabrother’,adescriptionthatreproducestheanti-slaverymottoinwhichtheAfrican-Americanmanasksforhisfreedomonthegrounds,‘AmInotamanandabrother?’Finally,whenTommakesendlessmistakesinhisgeographyclassuntil‘chaoswascomeagain’(p.52),TwainmakesanironicgesturetowardShakespeare’sOthello,who,whenheismistrustfulofDesdemona,feelsthat‘chaosiscomeagain’.Elsewhere,Twaindealsin‘finewriting’thatmaynotciteanyparticulartext,butthatexhibitsitspoeticalskillswithaworldlynuance.Theallusionsandthefinewritingdonothelpustoenvisagethescenemoreclearly,buttheydoremindusofthegulfbetween‘TheAuthor’andhismaterial.Thesenseisthatthenarratorhasacomfortablecommandofculture,andhecanoverlaythestoriesofthesimplevillagewiththeliterarydignitythat,itisimplied,ishisownnaturalmedium.Noneofthereferencesisparticularlyrecherché,andonemightexpectmanyofthevillagerstohavereadShakespeare,Bunyan,andGoldsmith.Itistheplayfulnessofthenarrator’sredeploymentofthesemoralandliterary‘greats’,morethananything,thatsignalsthenarrator’sremovalfromtheanxiouslymoralisticworldofhisyouth.Withhisliteraryknowingness,healsoseemstoinvitehisreaderstoadoptthesamegentlyindulgent8attitudetowardsthenaivecharactersofthepast.What,though,ismaturity,beyondtheauthorialcondescensiontowardthearchetypalsmalltown?WedonotgetafullersenseoftheClemensbehind‘TheAuthor’––thedynamic,desperatelyambitiousmanrevealedinlettersandautobiographicaldictations.Occasion-ally,however,themaskofleisuredwisdomslips,andadifferentnarrativevoiceappears––avoicethatisangryandcynical.Thereis,forinstance,theprolongedandsavagesatireinthedescriptionoftheSchoolEvening.Aseriesofyoungwomenrecitetheirpainfullytrite‘compositions’:8MyargumenthereechoesthatofRichardLowry,whoobservesin‘LitteryMan’:MarkTwainandModernAuthorship(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1996),that‘theindirectdiscourseframesTom’smusingswithanironyevenasitinvitesakindofnostalgicindulgenceinthenaïvetéofyouth...Theresultisawritingthat,ineffect,producestwocharacters––theyouthfulvictimofborrowedfantasiesandthesophisticated,worldlynarrator’(p.78).
IntroductionxvAprevalentfeatureinthesecompositionswasanursedandpettedmelan-choly;anotherwasawastefulandopulentgushof‘finelanguage;’anotherwasatendencytoluginbytheearsparticularlyprizedwordsandphrasesuntiltheywerewornentirelyout;andapeculiaritythatconspicuouslymarkedandmarredthemwastheinveterateandintolerablesermonthatwaggeditscrippledtailattheendofeachandeveryoneofthem(p.127).Twainalsoobservesthat‘thesermonofthemostfrivolousandleastreligiousgirlintheschoolisalwaysthelongestandthemostrelent-lesslypious’.Twainhadaneyeforbadwriting,andheproducessomespectacularinstanceshere.Heaccompanieshisexampleswithsomewonderfullysharpreproaches,andconcludes:‘Itmayberemarked,inpassing,thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword“beauteous”wasover-fondled,andhumanexperiencereferredtoas“life’spage,”wasuptotheusualaverage’(p.129).Theauthor-ialjudgementhereiscleverandamusing,butthereisnoneofthetolerantfondnessforthenaivepretensionsofthepastthatistobefoundelsewhereinthenovel.Twain,inthisliterarylesson,seemsacounterparttothenovel’sownviolentlyaggressiveschoolmaster,whoflogsTomforhismisdemeanours.Andyet,Twain’sownstyleinTheAdventuresofTomSawyerisrelativelyunadventurousandclichéd.Characters‘wend’and‘sallyforth’;breezesaredescribedas‘zephyrs’,andlargetreesas‘solemnmonarchsoftheforest’;thedawnis‘greatNature’smeditation’.LikeTommimickingtheheroesfromstorybooks,Twainhasatendencytorelyonprescribedmodelsof‘elegant’prose.Equally,earliereditorshaverevealedtheextenttowhichTwainwasrecyclingcharactersandscenariosasmuchasfinephrases.IntherelationshipbetweenTomandAuntPolly,thereisextensiveborrowingfromB.P.Shillaber’sMrs.Partingtonandhernephew,Ike;and,Gerbernotes,‘[o]therepisodes––oneistemptedto9sayallotherepisodes––alsoshowtheeffectsofwidereading’.9SeeGerberetal.,pp.4–5.OfShillaber’sinfluence,Gerbernotes:‘BothwidowsaregoodCalvinistswhosebeliefinsterndisciplineinevitablygetsbetrayedbytheirsoftheart.Bothnephewssuccessfully“work”theiraunts,snitchdoughnuts,playtricksoncats,misbehaveinchurch,feignsicknesstoavoidschool,andfindinspirationinTheBlackAvenger,orThePirateoftheSpanishMain.’TwainwasonfriendlytermswithShillaber.Baender,drawingonBlair’sscholarship,notes(ibid.458)thatoneoftheillustrationsofMrs.Partington,inShillaber’sLifeandSayingsofMrs.Partington(NewYork:J.C.Derby,1854),wasliftedtoserveasanillustrationofAuntPollyinthefirstUSedition.ShillaberhimselfisassumedtohaveliftedaspectsofMrs.PartingtonfromEnglishwriterSydneySmith’sDamePartington.
xviIntroductionTheresultofTwain’svariousborrowings––andespeciallyhisborrowingofliteraryorpoeticizedphrasings––isareassuringlyfamiliar,cosyaspect,whichis,onoccasion,disruptedbyamoreacerbicsatireorbycynicism.Thealternative,cynicalvoiceissome-whatmean-spirited,butitisalsoaltogethermoreexciting.Thedual-ityofthenovel––andofmuchofTwain’swork––isobvious,andithasprovidedastapleofTwaincriticism.Thepolite,conformistTwainisseenasinconflictwithamoreoriginal,independentself.TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhasoftenbeentwinnedwithAdven-turesofHuckleberryFinnonthesamegrounds:thesafe,regularlyliteraryTomSawyerisseenasamerepreparationforthemoreradicalstylisticandsatiricventuresofHuckleberryFinn.ButeventreatingTomSawyerinisolation,thedualitieshavebeenapointofdepartureforsomeofthemostinfluentialcriticism.CynthiaGriffinWolff,inparticular,drawsattentiontothefactthat,behindtheprettysurfaces,TomSawyer’sworldisfilledwithviolence.Thecosyvillagescenehasanunderlyingaspectwhichdenotesanextremeandfrighteningmoraluniverse:‘Nostoresarementionedinthenovel.Noblacksmiths.Noliverystable.Nobank...theonlydowntownbuildingsthatactuallydoappearintheSt.PetersburgofTwain’screationarethosefewgrislyemblemsofcrimeandpunishment.Twotaverns,acourthouse,ajail,andadesertedslaugh-10terhouse.’WolfftendstosympathizewiththeotherwiseoftenunlikeableTom.Forher,heissmotheredbyemotionallymanipula-tivewomen,andhasnosuitableandattractiverole-models.Shenotesthatthe‘one“respectable”manwhomTomseesregularly,[theschoolteacher]Mr.Dobbin,isasadist’.Theonlydefiantlypassion-atemanisthevillain,InjunJoe.Themovementofthebookisconsequentlytowardthe‘shuttingaway’ofajustifiedangerandrebellion.ForWolff,thefinaltragedyofthisotherwisecomicnovel10Wolff’sessay,‘TheAdventuresofTomSawyer:ANightmareVisionofAmericanBoyhood’,wasfirstpublishedinMassachusettsReview,21(1980),637–52.IciteStuartHutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain:CriticalAssessments(Robertsbridge:HelmInformation,1993),iii.225–36,wheretheessayisreprinted(p.226).Wolffechoesearliercommen-taryinthisrespect,asforinstanceDeVoto,whowrotethat‘[I]fMarkcouldnotanalyzethefermentsofthemind’sdarkside,hehasgiventhemenduringsymbols.’DeVotocitesTom’sguiltduringathunderstorm,andhisandHuck’shidingbehindatreewhileamurderiscommitted.DeVoto’scommentsarefromhisMarkTwainatWork(Cambridge,Mass.:HarvardUniversityPress,1942),asreprintedbyHutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,209–13(pp.211–12).
IntroductionxviiisthatTomcapitulatestohisenvironmentandbecomeshimselfthe11conformistandgenteel‘ModelBoy’.ThedualityofTomSawyerhasbeenread,then,intermsofasuppressedormediatedviolence,andotherscholarshaveofferedsubtlevariationsonthissocio-psychologicalapproach.GlennHendlerhasanalysedthenovelasastudyofdisciplinaryauthority.HendlernoteshowthehomosocialviolenceofTomSawyer––astheschoolteacherrepeatedlybeatsTom––hasaparadoxicaleffect.Ithasthesociallyapprovedoutcomeofconfirmingadominant,male,hetero-sexualsubjectivity.ThemostseverebeatingthatTomreceivesistheonehetakesforhislove,Becky,andthisestablishesTomasthemanlyhero.Atthesametime,thisbeatingestablishesBeckyasthefemalewhomustbeprotected,andwhoisthereforeexcludedfrompower.Itisthroughviolence,Hendlerwouldsay,thatTomwillbecomeanadult,whileBecky,beingspared,willretainthestatusofachild.Hendlerdoesnot,likeWolff,seethistragically.Forhim,itissimplyaninstanceofhow‘bad-boybooks’delineateanacceptedideaofdevelopment.Theboy’sdiversityandinstability––his‘oddness’and‘queerenterprises’––areviolentlyreducedtoafunctional,authoritative,recognizablymanlyidentity.AsHendlerphrasesit,‘radicalself-lossistheprerequisitefortheattainmentofnormativemasculinity’.Thisisalsothesourceoftheexcitementofthe‘bad-boybooks’,inthattheyoffer‘anuneasyproximitybetweenmasculine12individualityanditsdissolution’.Moderndiscussionofthebook,then,fromWolfftoMitchelltoHendler,oftenturnsonthefactthatitisboth‘strong’and‘weak’,bothidyllicvisionofsmall-townAmericaandevocationoftheter-rorsthatliebeneath.Acomplicatingfactorhereisthefactthatthebookisbothaboutchildrenand,tosomeextent,forthem.Twainwasuncertainwhetherhewasreallywritingforchildrenornot,andaswehaveseen,whilethePrefaceexplainsthattheworkis‘intendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls’,heseemsmorekeentoclaimtheattentionofadultsand,perhapsespecially,theattentionofadultmen.InletterstoWilliamDeanHowells,andindiscussionswithhiswife,heequivocatedaboutwhetherthebookshouldbemarketedasforonegrouportheother,butclearlyhewishedto11Hutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,iii.230,235.12SeeHendler,‘TomSawyer’sMasculinity’,ArizonaQuarterly,49/4(1993),33–59(p.46).
xviiiIntroductionstrikebothreaderships.Hewasgenerallydismissiveoffictionforchildrenbecauseittendedtobethreadbare,moralisticstuff.Hisownworkwaspartofanewdevelopmentinliteratureforandaboutchildren,inthat,likeLittleWomen,itintroducesagreaterdegreeofrealism.ButinTomSawyer,Twainmediatesbetweenthe‘realistic’andthe‘sensational’.Tom’sgoalsinviteadultamusement––helongsfor‘treasure’andhisfantasiesseemfar-fetched––andyetTwainrequitesthedesire,whetherinadultsorchildren,for‘adventures’andevenforthediscoveryoftreasure.Inanothercurioustwist,whilewetendtoassumethat,giventhechildreadership,thewriterwouldrestrictthetreatmentofcertainmatters,itispreciselybecausethebookisaboutchildrenthatitisasrealistasitisinitshandlingofintimatefeelings.Thereisalengthy,detailedsectionthatfallsinChaptersXVIIIandXIX,inwhichTomandBecky,atalternatemoments,wishtoputtheirdifferencesbehindthemand‘makeup’.Butwhenonewishestoreconcile,theotherseekstotriumphandtomaketheotherpayfortheslightsofthepast.Theybecomecaughtupinarepeatedcycleofsadisticindifferenceandmasochisticlong-ing.Wemightseethisasaharmlessseriesoftrivialspitesandwoundings,exceptthatthissequenceissolonganddetailed,andTwaindoesnotmaskthestrengthoffeelingthatitinvolves.InthefaceofBecky’sdesperateattemptstofeigngaietyandindifference,wearetoldthatit‘gratifiedalltheviciousvanitythatwasin[Tom]’(p.114).Tom,meanwhile,usesaformerlove,Amy,tospurBecky’sanguish,whileAmyherselfis,ofcourse,beingsetupforrenewedrejectionanddisappointment.Thedepictionofsuch‘viciousness’wouldhavebeenquestionableinabookfeaturingadultcharacters.ButTomandBeckydonotbreakadultvowsorcontracts,andthe‘treachery’isnotasexualbetrayalbutabetrayaloftheaffections.Theirintimatecrueltiesandseductionsareallowablebecausetheparticipantsare‘only’children.Forallhisnarratorialsuavity,however,Twaincouldnotquitegethis‘strong’material––whethersensationalorrealist––pasttheguardiansofpolite,literarymorality.AlengthyreviewintheNewYorkTimescomplainedthatthemurderofDr.Robinsonwas‘over-minutelydescribedandtoofullyillustrated’.Whilethereviewerclaimednottoobjectto‘roughboys’being‘theheroesofastory-book’,heorsheclearlybelievesthatTwainofferscrudeandunimprovingmaterial.Thereviewconcludes:
IntroductionxixInthebookstobeplacedintochildren’shandsforthepurposesofrecre-ation,wehaveapreferenceforthoseofamildertypethanTomSawyer...Withless,then,ofInjunJoeand‘revenge,’and‘slittingwomen’sears,’andtheshadowsofthegallows,whichthrowsanunnecessarilysinistertingeoverthestory,(ifthebookreallyisintendedforboysandgirls),we13shouldhavelikedTomSawyerbetter.Evenbeforethemuch-reported‘banning’ofAdventuresofHuckle-berryFinnbyschoolandlibraryofficials,then,Twainwascaughtupinthedebateastowhatchildren’sliteratureshouldandshouldnotdo.Thedebatewasoftenstagedintermsofwhetherchildren’sreadingshouldbe‘truetolife’or‘improving’,and,asnoted,Twainhadlittleregardforthe‘improving’.TheimplicationforthosesuchasTwain,whooffered‘truthtolife’,wasthat‘improving’fictionwasafalsificationofwhatchildrenactuallyknew;that‘improving’fictionwassoobviouslyaformoflyingthatitonlyconfusedorrepulseditsreaders,whowerebest-servedbyfictionthathadagreaterdegreeofrealism.Interestingly,thereviewerfortheNewYorkTimesiscarefultoobjecttothesensational,dime-novelaspects(murderandextravagantvengeance),andnottotherealism(‘roughboys’).Thereisthesenseinthereviewthat,whilearealistelementmighthavesomeclaimtomoralandliteraryrespectability,Twainwasinfactbringinginelementsfromthepopulistpress––withitsfocuson‘lowlife’––undertheguiseofsuchrespectability.Theearliestandmostinfluentialreviewer––andaclosefriendandassoci-ateofTwain––wasWilliamDeanHowells.Hiswasamorecomplex,andperhapsmorestrategicresponse,anditisinterestingthathedoesnotobjecttoordefendthesensationalelements.Heismoreconcernedtoguardagainstcriticismofanexcessofrealism.Hisargumentisthatrealismistruthful,andthatacautiousrepresenta-tionofagenuinecharacterismorerewardingand,perhaps,moreimproving,thanthepresentationofanunlikelyrolemodel.HowellswroteofTom:Heiscruel,asallchildrenare,butchieflybecauseheisignorant;heisnotmean,butthereareverydefiniteboundstohisgenerosity;andhiscourageisoftheIndiansort,fullofprudenceandmindfulofretreatasoneofthe13Anonymousreview,NewYorkTimes(13Jan.1877),3;repr.inHutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,ii.64.
xxIntroductionconditionsofprolongedhostilities.Inaword,heisaboy,andmerelyand14exactlyanordinaryboyonthemoralside.Howellsimplicitlyallowsthataboymaybedepravedbycircum-stances,butintheordinaryrunofthings,hewillinevitablyshowamixedandchangeabledispositionthatwillbecomemoreconsist-entlyhonourableashematures.ForHowells,thismoralorcharac-terologicalambiguityisthenovel’ssupremeachievement,and,indeed,itskeytruth:‘Thestoryisawonderfulstudyoftheboy-mind,whichinhabitsaworldquitedistinctfromthatinwhichheisbodilypresentwithhiselders,andinthisliesitsgreatcharmanditsuniversality,forboynature,howeverhumannaturevaries,isthe15sameeverywhere.’TwainhimselfdescribedthebooktoHowellsas16‘simplyahymn,putintoprosetogiveitaworldlyair’.Thishasperhapsbeenthedominantview:thatthenovel’senduringpopular-ityliesinitsevocationoftheessentialexperienceofboyhood.Thewhitewashingscenehasbecomefamousasamomentwhichrevealsacommonhumancunninganditsmatchinggullibility,whilerunningawaytotheisland,thepassingenthusiasms,theinterestinphysicaldecay,thefearofdeath,areoftenseen,asHowellssuggested,aspartofaninevitablephase.Shouldwe,though,accepttheviewthatTwainisbeingrealisticandtruthful?Thathehascapturedauniversalphaseofmaledevel-opment?Otherearlyreviewersdidnotseethestoryasuniversal,somuchasofitstimeandplace.TheanonymousreviewerfortheLondonTimesofferedtheopinionthat‘[w]eareverysuretherearenosuchboysinthiscountry,andevenintheStatesitmaybesup-posedthatthebreedhasbeendyingout,forfullymorethanagener-ationhasgonebysinceTomwasthegloryandplagueofhisnative17villageontheMississippi’.Otherreaders,then,discernedrealisttruthinthesenseoffaithfuldescriptionofaparticulartimeandplace,butnotauniversaltruth.WetoomaywonderwhyTomshouldbeacceptedasthetimeless,definingfigureofboy-naturewhen,clearly,thereareotherboyseveninthisnovelwhoaresignificantly14Howells’sreviewwasfirstpublishedintheAtlanticMonthly,37(1876),621–2;repr.inHutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,ii.55–6.15Ibid.56.16AlbertBigelowPaine(ed.),MarkTwain’sLetters(NewYork:HarperandBros.,1917),477.17Hutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,ii.57,61.
Introductionxxidifferent.Tom’shalf-brother,Sid,isasneakwho,accordingtoTom,‘can’tdoanybutmeanthings’(p.195),whileothers,includingHuck,enterintoTom’splansandfantasieswithouteverfullyunder-standingthem.Toreadsomeearlyandmid-twentieth-centurycriticsisagaintoencounterthebeliefthatTwainhasnotsomuchcapturedanessentialoruniversalboyhood,asmanipulatedclichésandmythsthatwillpassasessentialwiththenaivereader.DwightMacdonaldarguesthatthe‘surenesswithwhichTwainbuildsupthe18clichéissomethingtobeadmired(ordeplored)’.EvensogreatanadmirerofTwainasBernardDeVotoasked:‘Hasaboynogriefsandlossesoutsideofphantasy,nosatisfactionsandnoachievementsmorerealthanthese?Isaboy’smindnowideranddeeperthanTom’s?’DeVoto,alongwithothers,pointsoutthatTomseemstobehavelikeaveryyoungchildatsomepoints,andlikeanadolescentatothers.DeVotodoesnot,though,seethisasanimpedimenttothereader’spleasure.Hesupposesthatweknownottoreaditpurelyas19‘realism’,butas‘adistillation,ageneralisation,amyth’.Inmoderncriticalterminology,Twainmakesdifferentkindsof‘truth-claim’.Hecombinestherealistic‘truth’ofsocialdetailwiththelarger,wishful‘truths’ofa‘hymn’.ReadersmaywishtoacceptTomasuniversal,andasaprecursorforthemselves,becausetoacceptTomasrepresentingaphaseinourdevelopmentisalsotograntourselvestheauthorialmaturitythatisthenarrative’sstock-in-trade.WemaybecharmedbyTwain’sver-sionofboyhood––itsterrors,discoveries,andimpulsiveness––andwemayequallybecharmedbyTwain’svisionofasmall,close-knit,pre-industrialtown.Or,indeed,wemaybeimpressedbyTwain’sabilitytomeasureoffthefamiliarityandfriendshipsofthesmalltownagainstitsboredomsandconstraints.WemayalsowishtoanalysehowTwainconstructshisboyandhistownasauniversaltreatmentof‘boy-nature’and‘small-townlife’.Thereare,forinstance,therhetoricalasideswhichenjointhereader.WhenthenarratorcommentsofTom’stechniqueinwhistling,‘thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy’(p.14),18MacDonald’sessay,‘MarkTwain:AnUnsentimentalJourney’,waspublishedinTheNewYorker,36(1960),160–96;itisexcerptedbyStuartHutchinsoninMarkTwain:TomSawyerandHuckleberryFinn(NewYork:ColumbiaUniversityPress,1998),26–8(p.27).19Hutchinson(ed.),MarkTwain,ii.211,210.
xxiiIntroductionheseemstochallengethereadertorejectthetruthofthenarrative.Similarly,onp.141,thenarratornotesthat‘[t]herecomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy’slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure’.We,asmuchastheboysthemselves,areobliged––howevergently––toconformtoanimaginedtrajectoryfromchildhoodtoage,ifwearetoseeourselvesas‘rightlyconstructed’.Equally,thegirlorwomanreader,ifshefeelsthatherpresenceisatalllegitimate,willknowwhatdesiresandskillsarenot‘rightly’hers.Twainbeguilesandbulliesusintoacceptinghisversionastrue,andevenasnecessarytoanhonestsenseofourselves.ItmightseemsuspicioustoanalyseorquestionTwain’saccountofboyhood.WhynotacquiesceintheundoubtedpleasuresoftheseAdventures?WhynotsimplyenjoyTwain’stalentsasastorytellerandahumoroussocialcommentator?Theeasewithwhichweareabletodosomaybedeterminedbyourownsocialpositionsasreaders.Thewayinhereistorememberthat‘realism’isnot‘thereal’,andthat‘thereal’isitselfanarguableornotionalentity.Therealistnarrativeisnotacompletereality,butarepresentationthatwillinevitablypractisecertainprejudicesandexclusions.Aswehavealreadyseen,claimstotherealhavebeencontestedinrelationtoTomSawyer,withonereviewerarguingthatboysarealwayslikeTom,whileanotherarguesthattherearenoboyslikeTomanymore.ButifwedoidentifyTomasapre-eminentrepresentativeofboyhoodandofAmericanquali-ties,wehavetoacceptthatotherexperiencesandothervalueswillbepushedtooneside.Withastory-tellerastalentedasMarkTwain,thecharactersandthepointofviewcanbegintoseementirelynaturalandinevitable.Itcanevenseemanaffronttopauseandmakeapointofdrawingattentiontocertainfactsabouttheworldthatheevokes.Thesearethingsthatweknow,ormightassume––thingsthatgowithoutsayingbutthatperhapsoughtnottogowithoutsaying.Forinstance,allthechildreninTom’sfabledschoolroomwouldhavebeenwhite,andAfrican-Americanchildrenwouldnothavebeenpermittedthere.Moreover,therewouldnothavebeenother,sanctionedschoolsthatAfrican-Americanchildrenwouldhavebeenpermittedtoattend.Similarly,allthemembersofthecongregationinthemomentouschurchandSundayschoolsceneswouldhavebeenwhite,and,again,African-Americanpeoplewouldnothavebeenwelcomethere.People––blackpeople––werebought
IntroductionxxiiiandsoldinthetownonwhichStPetersburgisbased,andsuchsaleswerenotobligedtorespectfamilystructures.Thosewhosoughttohelpslavestoescapeweretriedandputintoprison.Wemightassume,then,another,moredreadfulandmoreshamefulworldofpunishment,beyondthedisciplinethatTomreceivesatthehandsoftheschoolteacher.WhereAfrican-Americansfeature,thereisanostalgicequalizing,asforinstancewiththeintroductionofthe‘smallcoloredboy’calledJim.Heisahappy-go-luckycharacterwhoseemstobeincludedinthesamedisciplinaryregimeasTom,Sid,andtheotherchildren.He,likethem,isgivenchorestoperform,andheissubjecttothesamerelativelyharmlesschastisementswhenhefailsinhisduties.TwainpresentsJimalongsideotherchildren––‘[w]hite,mulatto,andnegro’––aspartofanunselfconsciouscommunity,astheyfight,play,andwaittheirturnatthetownwater-pump.Except,ofcourse,thatJimisalsosubjecttoawhiteregulatoryregimethathewillnotsimplyoutgrow.TomSawyerisseldomdiscussedintermsofitsracialpolitics,becauseTwaindoesnotventuretheracialthemeasasustainedpointofinterest.AdventuresofHuckleberryFinn,ontheotherhand,isrepeatedlydiscussedintermsofracebecause,inthatnovel,oneofthemainrelationshipsisbetweenHuckandaslavewhomhehelpstorunaway.Theideaofracialinequalityandcross-racialfriendshipisexplicitlysignalledinTomSawyer,though,inHuck’scommentthatheisgoingtosleepinthehayloftontheRogersplace.HetellsTomthatBenRogers’sfather’s‘niggerman’allowshimtosleepintheloft.WelearnthatHuckhascarriedwaterforthisman,UncleJake,andinreturnforthiskindness,themansometimesgiveshimsomethingtoeat.Twainoffersanimpliedcommentaryonhowadepravedsocietycaninduceamisplacedshameinanotherwiserespectfulrelationship.AsHucksaysofJake:‘Helikesme,becuzIdon’teveractasifIwasabovehim.SometimesI’vesetrightdownandeatwithhim.Butyouneedn’ttellthat.Abody’sgottodothingswhenhe’sawfulhungryhewouldn’twanttodoasasteadything’(p.159).Inthisway,TomSawyerforeshadowsthethemeofHuckleberryFinn,which,Twainwrote,dealswithaboy20whohas‘asoundheartandadeformedconscience’.20JustinKaplan,Mr.ClemensandMarkTwain(NewYork:SimonandSchuster,1966),198.ForafurtherdiscussionofracepoliticsandthelegendofTomSawyer,seeShelleyFisherFishkin,LightingOutfortheTerritory:ReflectionsonMarkTwainand
xxivIntroductionIfTwain’sversionofsocialrealityisonethatdiminishesthefactsofracializedprejudiceandexploitation,heisnotaltogetherforgetfulofapossiblecounter-narrativewhichwouldfocusonpreciselythesethings.Thisislessthecasewiththe‘Indian’character,whoseIn-diannessandwhosewickednessareinseparable.ThischaracterisneverreferredtoasJoe,butasInjunJoe,oras‘thehalf-breed’(heisintroducedtousas,inHuck’swords,a‘murderin’half-breed’(p.65)).InjunJoegoesontocommitmurder,andtoframehisfriendforthecrime.Healsoplansotherretributionsagainstthosewhomheconsiderstohavewrongedhim,includingfacialmutilationwithaknife.JoedefineshisownIndiannessintermsofvengefulness:‘DidyouthinkI’dforget?TheInjunbloodain’tinmefornothing.’Heexistsinarepetitiousandsimplifieddiscursiverealm:heburnsto‘geteven’withpeople;hiseyes‘flam[e]withpassion’;hespringstohisfeettodriveaknife‘tothehiltin[a]youngman’sbreast’(p.67);hespringsforawindow‘[q]uickaslightning’(p.139).Asearliercriticshavenoted,Joeseemstohavebeenliftedwithoutmodificationfromthepagesofablood-and-gutsdimenovel.Perhapswemightnotquestiontheracializingofevilinthisinstance,becauseJoeseemsanaivefigmentofthepopularimaginationratherthana‘realchar-acter’.ThisisborneoutbythewaythatTomandhisfriendsplayatbeingIndians.Theytakealltheirclothesoff,paintstripesacrosstheirbodiesinmud,ambusheachotherwith‘dreadfulwar-whoops’,andpretendtokillandscalpeachother‘bythousands’(pp.105–6).Indiannessispresentedasapleasurablefantasyofviolence,andhoweverfrighteningJoemightbe,thereisanunderlyingsensethatheisanarrativeprinciplemorethanheisacharacter(heistheforceofdangerthatisrequiredtodramatizethisotherwise‘poorlittleshabbyvillage’(p.14)).Andyet,thisdefinitionanddeploymentofIndiannessbespeaksanactualhistoricalprocess,wherebyIndianswererepresentedasadangerousnuisance,andwerewrittenoutofthenarrativeofAmericannationaldevelopment.IfJoeseemsafigurefromlegend,therewereIndianwarsandremovalsthroughouttheearlytolatenineteenthcentury(asRasmussennotes,CusterandtheSeventhCavalrymettheirendatLittleBigHornsixteendaysafterAmericanCulture(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1996),andalsoTerrellDempsey,SearchingforJim:SlaveryinSamClemens’sWorld(Columbia:UniversityofMissouriPress,2003).
Introductionxxv21thenovel’spublication).TorepresentInjunJoeasinstinctivelyandirrepressiblyviolentistosuggestoncemorethattheisolationanddestructionoftheIndianisnecessaryandinevitable.Itistoaffirmanongoingprocess,anditistoaffirmthattheprocessisaninstancein22which‘might’isalso‘right’.Toaccept,then,thatTwain’sstoriedpastis‘rightlyconstructed’isperhapstoacquiesceinmorethannotionsaboutwhistlinganddigginguptreasure.Recentcritics––Fishkin,Dempsey,andBrownamongthem––urgeusnottoallowliteraryculturetofunctioninfetishistic,ornervouslyexclusionaryways.TheselectingoutandprivilegingofTomasthe‘truth’ofboyhoodmaybepartofalargerpattern,inwhichspecificaspectsofthepastareselected,collectiv-ized,anddeclaredtobeeither‘national’or‘universal’,whileotheraspectsareneglectedorhandledcynically.Therearealternativeorcounter-narrativesthatwemayalsowishtobearinmind,andper-hapsweshouldnotfallintooreadilywith‘TheAuthor’.Perhapsweshouldpause––ifwedonotalready––overthemomentsatwhichTomandhisfriendstalkabout‘niggers’,andovertheassociationofevilwiththe‘half-breed’.Thenagain,TheAdventuresofTomSawyerisstillanengrossingreadtoday––pleasurableanddifficult––preciselybecauseTwaindealsindualities.Occasionallythis‘hymn’allowsustoglimpsetheuncomfortabletruthsthatlietoonesideofthecharmandthehumour.21R.KentRasmussen,MarkTwainAtoZ:TheEssentialReferencetoHisLifeandWritings(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1995),459.22ItakemyleadfromHarryJ.Brownhere.HeseesalargernationalistnecessityinthefictionalrepresentationsofNativeAmericans,andhequotesAmandoJoséPratstotheeffectthatthe‘Indian’‘mustreturn...notonlytobeviolentlymadeabsentagain,buttovindicate...the“history”thattransmutesmightintoright’.SeeBrown,InjunJoe’sGhost:TheIndianMixed-BloodinAmericanWriting(Columbia:UniversityofMissouriPress,2004),14,4,15.
NOTEONTHETEXTTwaintendedtowritehisfull-lengthbooksinaseriesofrelativelyshort,concentratedbursts,thougheventheseconcentratedburstswereofteninterruptedbypersonalandbusinessconcerns,andbyotherwritingprojects.Hewasespeciallyproductivewhenpassingthesummerswithhiswife’sfamilyinElmira,NewYork.PaulBaender’sstudyofthemanuscripthasledhimtoconcludethatTwainbeganwritingTheAdventuresofTomSawyerinthewinterof1872/3,whenTwainwasinHartford.Theauthorthenputthebookononeside,andreturnedtoitinElmirainthespringandsummerof1874;hecompleteditinHartfordinthesummerof1875.ThenovelwasfirstpublishedinEnglandbyChattoandWindusinJune1876.Thiseditionwassetfromasecretarialcopyofthemanuscript.Twainhadrevisedthissecretarialcopy,andthentransferredmost,butnotall,hisrevisionstohisownmanuscript.TheUnitedStateseditionwassetfromTwain’smanuscript,andpublishedbytheAmericanPublishingCompanyinDecember1876,withillustrationsprincipallybyTrueWilliams.ThiswastheonlyeditionthatTwainsawthroughpress,andithasbeenusedascopy-textforthecurrentedition.Theillustrationsarenotincluded,andIhavesilentlycor-rectederrorsandinconsistencieswithregardtotypographyandspelling.Afacsimileofthemanuscripthasbeenpublished.SeeTheAdventuresofTomSawyerbyMarkTwain,twovolumes,introducedbyPaulBaender(Frederick,Md.:UniversityPublicationsofAmer-ica,1982).Forafullaccountofthecompositionandtextualhistory,includingWilliamDeanHowells’ssuggestionsforrevision,andthecopyrightproblemsthatwerethrownupbythepiratedCanadianedition,seeHamlinHill,‘TheCompositionandStructureofTomSawyer’,AmericanLiterature,32/4(1961),381–3,andHill’sedition,MarkTwain’sLetterstohisPublishers(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1967);aboveall,seeJohnC.Gerber,PaulBaender,andTerryFirkins(eds.),TheAdventuresofTomSawyer,TomSawyerAbroad,TomSawyer,Detective(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1980).Gerberetal.providedetailsofchangesintheauthor’sandsecretarialmanuscripts,andfromthemanuscriptsthroughtheearlyeditions.
NoteontheTextxxviiTheoriginalrunningheadlinesarenotreproduced.AllfootnotesinthecurrenteditionarebyTwain.Theeditor’snotes,cuedbyasterisks,canbefoundatthebackofthebook.
SELECTBIBLIOGRAPHYTocitethestandardworksofMarkTwainscholarshipis,onocca-sion,tociteworkthatisnowknowntobeunreliable.Thisisespe-ciallythecasewithAlbertBigelowPaine,Twain’sliteraryexecutor.Paine’spowerfulbiography,andhisearlyeditionsoftheposthumousworks,theletters,andtheautobiography,wereincertainrespectsdeliberatelyandgrosslymisleading.Andyettheyprovedacrucialsourceandinspirationformuchthatfollowed.Foranauthoritativecommentaryontheachievementsandthedeficienciesofthescholar-ship,seeAlanGribben’s‘TheStateofMarkTwainStudies’,inPeterMessentandLouisJ.Budd,ACompaniontoMarkTwain(Oxford:Blackwell,2005),533–54.EditionsTheMarkTwainProject,attheBancroftLibrary,Berkeley,iscur-rentlyproducingthemostthoroughlyresearchededitionsofTwain’sworksintheirCaliforniaEditionoftheWorksofMarkTwain,pub-lishedbyUniversityofCaliforniaPress.TheOxfordMarkTwain,publishedbyOxfordUniversityPressin1996,providesfacsimilereprintsoffirsteditions.TheMarkTwainProjectandUniversityofCaliforniaPresshavealsoproducedTheMarkTwainPapers,featur-ingletters,notebooks,uncollectedworks,andautobiography.Pro-gressonthecollectedlettershasbeenslow,butseetheCaliforniaeditionsofletterstospecificandimportantcorrespondentssuchasWilliamDeanHowells.Themostcomplete,generalresourceforlettersisstillAlbertBigelowPaine’sMarkTwain’sLetters(NewYork:HarperandBros.,1917).BiographyandAutobiographyHill,Hamlin,MarkTwain:God’sFool(NewYork:HarperandRow,1973).Hoffman,AndrewJay,InventingMarkTwain:TheLivesofSamuelClemens(NewYork:WilliamMorrow,1997).Kaplan,Fred,TheSingularMarkTwain(NewYork:Doubleday,2003).
SelectBibliographyxxixKaplan,Justin,Mr.ClemensandMarkTwain(NewYork:SimonandSchuster,1966).Kiskis,Michael,MarkTwain’sOwnAutobiography:TheChaptersfromthe‘NorthAmericanReview’(Madison:UniversityofWisconsinPress,1990).Lystra,Karen,DangerousIntimacy:TheUntoldStoryofMarkTwain’sLastYears(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,2004).Neider,Charles(ed.),TheAutobiographyofMarkTwain(NewYork:Harper&Row,1966).Paine,AlbertBigelow,MarkTwain:ABiography(NewYork:HarperandBros.,1912).——(ed.),MarkTwain’sAutobiography(NewYork:HarperandBros.,1924).Wecter,Dixon,SamClemensofHannibal(Boston:HoughtonMifflin,1952).InterviewsandContemporaryReviewsAnderson,Frederick(ed.),MarkTwain:TheCriticalHeritage(London:Routledge,1971).Budd,LouisJ.(ed.),‘AListingofandSelectionfromNewspaperandMagazineInterviewswithSamuelL.Clemens’,AmericanLiteraryRealism,10(1977),1–100.——(ed.),‘ListingandSelectionsfromNewspaperandMagazineInter-viewswithSamuelL.Clemens:ASupplement’,AmericanLiteraryRealism,28(1996),63–90.——(ed.),MarkTwain:TheContemporaryReviews(NewYork:CambridgeUniversityPress,1999).Hutchinson,Stuart(ed.),MarkTwain:CriticalAssessments,4vols.(Robertsbridge:HelmInformation,1993).CriticismandReferenceArac,Jonathan,‘HuckleberryFinn’asIdolandTarget:TheFunctionsofCriticisminourTime(Madison:UniversityofWisconsinPress,1997).Blair,Walter,MarkTwainandHuckFinn(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1960).——‘OntheStructureofTomSawyer’,ModernPhilology,37(1939),75–88.
xxxSelectBibliographyBrown,HarryJ.,InjunJoe’sGhost:TheIndianMixed-BloodinAmericanWriting(Columbia:UniversityofMissouriPress,2004).Budd,LouisJ.,MarkTwain:SocialPhilosopher(Bloomington:IndianaUniversityPress,1962).——OurMarkTwain:TheMakingofhisPublicPersonality(Philadel-phia:UniversityofPennsylvaniaPress,1983).Camfield,Greg,TheOxfordCompaniontoMarkTwain(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2003).Cardwell,GuyA.,TheManWhoWasMarkTwain:ImagesandIdeologies(NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress,1991).Cox,JamesM.,MarkTwain:TheFateofHumor(Princeton:PrincetonUniversityPress,1966).Dempsey,Terrell,SearchingforJim:SlaveryinSamClemens’sWorld(Columbia:UniversityofMissouriPress,2003).Fetterley,Judith,‘TheSanctionedRebel’,StudiesintheNovel,3(1971),293–304.Fishkin,ShelleyFisher(ed.),AHistoricalGuidetoMarkTwain(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,2002).——LightingOutfortheTerritory:ReflectionsonMarkTwainandAmericanCulture(Oxford:OxfordUniversityPress,1996).——WasHuckBlack?MarkTwainandAfrican-AmericanVoices(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1993).Gillman,SusanK.,DarkTwins:ImpostureandIdentityinMarkTwain’sAmerica(Chicago:ChicagoUniversityPress,1989).Hendler,Glenn,‘TomSawyer’sMasculinity’,ArizonaQuarterly,49/4(1993),33–59.Hill,Hamlin,‘TheCompositionandStructureofTomSawyer’,AmericanLiterature,32(1961),379–92.Howells,WilliamDean,MyMarkTwain(NewYork:HarperandBros.,1910).Knoper,Randall,ActingNaturally:MarkTwainintheCultureofPerform-ance(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1995).Krauth,Leland,ProperMarkTwain(Athens,Ga.:UniversityofGeorgiaPress,1999).LeMaster,J.R.,andWilson,JamesD.,TheMarkTwainEncyclopedia(NewYork:Garland,1993).Lowry,RichardS.,‘LitteryMan’:MarkTwainandModernAuthorship(NewYork:OxfordUniversityPress,1996).Lynn,KennethS.,MarkTwainandSouthwesternHumor(Boston:LittleBrown,1959).Messent,Peter,‘DisciplineandPunishmentinTheAdventuresofTomSawyer’,JournalofAmericanStudies,32(1998),219–35.
THEADVENTURESOFTOMSAWYER
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toMYWIFEthisbookisaffectionatelydedicated
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PREFACEMostoftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred;oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown,therestthoseofboyswhowereschoolmatesofmine.HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife;TomSawyeralso,butnotfromanindividual––heisacombinationofthecharac-teristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew,andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofarchitecture.TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory––thatistosay,thirtyorfortyyearsago.Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthataccount,forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin.TheAuthor.Hartford,1876.
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CONTENTSchapteriY-o-u-uTom––AuntPollyDecidesUponherDuty––TomPracticesMusic––TheChallenge––APrivateEntrance11chapteriiStrongTemptations––StrategicMovements––TheInnocentsBeguiled18chapteriiiTomasaGeneral––TriumphandReward––DismalFelicity––CommissionandOmission23chapterivMentalAcrobatics––AttendingSunday-School––TheSuperintendent––‘Showingoff’––TomLionized29chaptervAUsefulMinister––InChurch––TheClimax38chapterviSelf-Examination––Dentistry––TheMidnightCharm––WitchesandDevils––CautiousApproaches––HappyHours43chapterviiATreatyEnteredInto––EarlyLessons––AMistakeMade53chapterviiiTomDecidesonhisCourse––OldScenesRe-enacted58chapterixASolemnSituation––GraveSubjectsIntroduced––InjunJoeExplains63chapterxTheSolemnOath––TerrorBringsRepentance––MentalPunishment69
8ContentschapterxiMuffPotterComesHimself––Tom’sConscienceatWork75chapterxiiTomShowshisGenerosity––AuntPollyWeakens79chapterxiiiTheYoungPirates––GoingtotheRendezvous––TheCamp-FireTalk83chapterxivCamp-Life––ASensation––TomStealsAwayfromCamp90chapterxvTomReconnoiters––LearnstheSituation––ReportsatCamp95chapterxviADay’sAmusements––TomRevealsaSecret––ThePiratestakeaLesson––ANightSurprise––AnIndianWar99chapterxviiMemoriesoftheLostHeroes––ThePointinTom’sSecret107chapterxviiiTom’sFeelingsInvestigated––WonderfulDream––BeckyThatcherOvershadowed––TomBecomesJealous––BlackRevenge110chapterxixTomTellstheTruth118chapterxxBeckyinaDilemma––Tom’sNobilityAssertsItself120chapterxxiYouthfulEloquence––CompositionsbytheYoungLadies––ALengthyVision––TheBoy’sVengeanceSatisfied125chapterxxiiTom’sConfidenceBetrayed––ExpectsSignalPunishment131
Contents9chapterxxiiiOldMuff’sFriends––MuffPotterinCourt––MuffPotterSaved134chapterxxivTomastheVillageHero––DaysofSplendorandNightsofHorror––PursuitofInjunJoe140chapterxxvAboutKingsandDiamonds––SearchfortheTreasure––DeadPeopleandGhosts141chapterxxviTheHauntedHouse––SleepyGhosts––ABoxofGold––BitterLuck147chapterxxviiDoubtstobeSettled––TheYoungDetectives154chapterxxviiiAnAttemptatNo.Two––HuckMountsGuard157chapterxxixThePic-nic––HuckonInjunJoe’sTrack––The‘Revenge’Job––AidfortheWidow160chapterxxxTheWelchmanReports––HuckUnderFire––TheStoryCirculated––ANewSensation––HopeGivingWaytoDespair167chapterxxxiAnExploringExpedition––TroubleCommences––LostintheCave––TotalDarkness––FoundbutnotSaved175chapterxxxiiTomtellstheStoryoftheirEscape––Tom’sEnemyinSafeQuarters183chapterxxxiiiTheFateofInjunJoe––HuckandTomCompareNotes––AnExpeditiontotheCave––ProtectionAgainstGhosts––‘AnAwfulSnugPlace’––AReceptionattheWidowDouglas’s186
10ContentschapterxxxivSpringingaSecret––Mr.Jones’SurpriseaFailure195chapterxxxvANewOrderofThings––PoorHuck––NewAdventuresPlanned198Conclusion203
CHAPTERI“Tom!”Noanswer.“Tom!”Noanswer.“What’sgonewiththatboy,Iwonder?YouTOM!”Noanswer.Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom;thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem.Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor“style,”notservice––shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstovelidsjustaswell.Shelookedperplexedforamoment,andthensaid,notfiercely,butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear:“Well,IlayifIgetholdofyouI’ll––”Shedidnotfinish,forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunchingunderthebedwiththebroom,andsosheneededbreathtopunctuatethepuncheswith.Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat.“Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy!”Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand“jimpson”weeds*thatconstitutedthegarden.NoTom.Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistance,andshouted:“Y-o-u-uTom!”Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundabout*andarresthisflight.“There!Imight’a’thoughtofthatcloset.Whatyoubeendoinginthere?”“Nothing.”“Nothing!Lookatyourhands.Andlookatyourmouth.Whatisthattruck?”“Idon’tknow,aunt.”“Well,Iknow.It’sjam––that’swhatitis.FortytimesI’vesaidifyoudidn’tletthatjamaloneI’dskinyou.Handmethatswitch.”Theswitchhoveredintheair––theperilwasdesperate––“My!Lookbehindyou,aunt!”
12TheAdventuresofTomSawyerTheoldladywhirledround,andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdan-ger.Theladfled,ontheinstant,scrambledupthehighboard-fence,anddisappearedoverit.HisauntPollystoodsurprisedamoment,andthenbrokeintoagentlelaugh.“Hangtheboy,can’tIneverlearnanything?Ain’theplayedmetricksenoughlikethatformetobelookingoutforhimbythistime?Butoldfoolsisthebiggestfoolsthereis.Can’tlearnanolddognewtricks,asthesayingis.Butmygoodness,heneverplaysthemalike,twodays,andhowisabodytoknowwhat’scoming?He’pearstoknowjusthowlonghecantormentmebeforeIgetmydanderup,andheknowsifhecanmakeouttoputmeoffforaminuteormakemelaugh,it’salldownagainandIcan’thithimalick.Iain’tdoingmydutybythatboy,andthat’stheLord’struth,goodnessknows.Sparetherodandspilethechild,*astheGoodBooksays.I’malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth,Iknow.He’sfulloftheOldScratch,*butlaws-a-me!he’smyowndeadsister’sboy,poorthing,andIain’tgotthehearttolashhim,somehow.EverytimeIlethimoff,myconsciencedoeshurtmeso,andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks.Well-a-well,manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays,*andIreckonit’sso.He’ll1playhookeythisevening,andI’lljustbeobleegedtomakehimwork,tomorrow,topunishhim.It’smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays,whenalltheboysishavingholiday,buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse,andI’vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim,orI’llbetheruinationofthechild.”Tomdidplayhookey,andhehadaverygoodtime.HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim,thesmallcoloredboy,sawnext-day’swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper––atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree-fourthsofthework.Tom’syoungerbrother(orrather,half-brother)Sid,wasalreadythroughwithhispartofthework(pickingupchips)forhewasaquietboy,andhadnoadventurous,troublesomeways.WhileTomwaseatinghissupper,andstealingsugarasopportun-ityoffered,AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile,andverydeep––forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingreveal-ments.Likemanyothersimple-heartedsouls,itwasherpetvanityto1South-westernfor“afternoon.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer13believeshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdip-lomacy,andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning.Saidshe:“Tom,itwasmiddlingwarminschool,warn’tit?”“Yes’m.”“Powerfulwarm,warn’tit?”“Yes’m.”“Didn’tyouwanttogoina-swimming,Tom?”AbitofascareshotthroughTom––atouchofuncomfortablesuspicion.HesearchedAuntPolly’sface,butittoldhimnothing.Sohesaid:“No’m––well,notverymuch.”TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom’sshirt,andsaid:“Butyouain’ttoowarmnow,though.”Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutany-bodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind.Butinspiteofher,Tomknewwherethewindlay,now.Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove:“Someofuspumpedonourheads––mine’sdampyet.See?”AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircumstantialevidence,andmissedatrick.Thenshehadanewinspiration:“Tom,youdidn’thavetoundoyourshirtcollarwhereIsewedit,topumponyourhead,didyou?Unbuttonyourjacket!”ThetroublevanishedoutofTom’sface.Heopenedhisjacket.Hisshirtcollarwassecurelysewed.“Bother!Well,go’longwithyou.I’dmadesureyou’dplayedhookeyandbeena-swimming.ButIforgiveye,Tom.Ireckonyou’reakindofasingedcat,asthesayingis––better’nyoulook.Thistime.”Shewashalfsorryhersagacityhadmiscarried,andhalfgladthatTomhadstumbledintoobedientconductforonce.ButSidneysaid:“Well,now,ifIdidn’tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread,butit’sblack.”“Why,Ididsewitwithwhite!Tom!”ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest.Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid:“Siddy,I’lllickyouforthat.”InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwere
14TheAdventuresofTomSawyerthrustintothelappelsofhisjacket,andhadthreadboundaboutthem––oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack.Hesaid:“She’dnevernoticedifithadn’tbeenforSid.Consoundit!some-timesshesewsitwithwhite,andsometimesshesewsitwithblack.Iwishtogeeminyshe’dsticktooneort’other––Ican’tkeeptherunof’em.ButIbetyouI’lllamSidforthat.I’lllearnhim!”HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage.Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough––andloathedhim.Withintwominutes,orevenless,hehadforgottenallhistroubles.Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman’saretoaman,butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime––justasmen’smisfortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenter-prises.Thisnewinterestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling,whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro,andhewassufferingtopracticeitundisturbed.Itconsistedinapeculiarbird-liketurn,asortofliquidwarble,producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic––thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy.Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit,andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude.Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdiscoveredanewplanet––nodoubt,asfarasstrong,deep,unalloyedpleasureisconcerned,theadvantagewaswiththeboy,nottheastronomer.Thesummereveningswerelong.Itwasnotdark,yet.PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle.Astrangerwasbeforehim––aboyashadelargerthanhimself.AnewcomerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt.Petersburg.Thisboywaswell-dressed,too––well-dressedonaweek-day.Thiswassimplyastounding.Hiscapwasadaintything,hisclose-buttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty,andsowerehispantaloons.Hehadshoeson––anditwasonlyFriday.Heevenworeanecktie,abrightbitofribbon.HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom’svitals.ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel,thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow.Neitherboyspoke.Ifonemoved,theothermoved––butonlysidewise,inacircle;theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime.FinallyTomsaid:“Icanlickyou!”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer15“I’dliketoseeyoutryit.”“Well,Icandoit.”“Noyoucan’t,either.”“YesIcan.”“Noyoucan’t.”“Ican.”“Youcan’t.”“Can!”“Can’t!”Anuncomfortablepause.ThenTomsaid:“What’syourname?”“’Tisn’tanyofyourbusiness,maybe.”“WellI’lowI’llmakeitmybusiness.”“Wellwhydon’tyou?”“IfyousaymuchIwill.”“Much––much––much.Therenow.”“Oh,youthinkyou’remightysmart,don’tyou?Icouldlickyouwithonehandtiedbehindme,ifIwantedto.”“Wellwhydon’tyoudoit?Yousayyoucandoit.”“WellIwill,ifyoufoolwithme.”“Ohyes––I’veseenwholefamiliesinthesamefix.”“Smarty!Youthinkyou’resome,now,don’tyou?Ohwhatahat!”“Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon’tlikeit.Idareyoutoknockitoff––andanybodythat’lltakeadarewillsuckeggs.”*“You’realiar!”“You’reanother.”“You’reafightingliaranddasn’ttakeitup.”“Aw––takeawalk!”“Say––ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI’lltakeandbouncearockoff’nyourhead.”“Oh,ofcourseyouwill.”“WellIwill.”“Wellwhydon’tyoudoitthen?Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor?Whydon’tyoudoit?It’sbecauseyou’reafraid.”“Iain’tafraid.”“Youare.”“Iain’t.”“Youare.”Anotherpause,andmoreeyeingandsidlingaroundeachother.
16TheAdventuresofTomSawyerPresentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder.Tomsaid:“Getawayfromhere!”“Goawayyourself!”“Iwon’t.”“Iwon’teither.”Sotheystood,eachwithafootplacedatanangleasabrace,andbothshovingwithmightandmain,andgloweringateachotherwithhate.Butneithercouldgetanadvantage.Afterstrugglingtillbothwerehotandflushed,eachrelaxedhisstrainwithwatchfulcaution,andTomsaid:“You’reacowardandapup.I’lltellmybigbrotheronyou,andhecanthrashyouwithhislittlefinger,andI’llmakehimdoit,too.”“WhatdoIcareforyourbigbrother?I’vegotabrotherthat’sbiggerthanheis––andwhat’smore,hecanthrowhimoverthatfence,too.”[Bothbrotherswereimaginary.]“That’salie.”“Yoursayingsodon’tmakeitso.”Tomdrewalineinthedustwithhisbigtoe,andsaid:“Idareyoutostepoverthat,andI’lllickyoutillyoucan’tstandup.Anybodythat’lltakeadarewillstealsheep.”Thenewboysteppedoverpromptly,andsaid:“Nowyousaidyou’ddoit,nowlet’sseeyoudoit.”“Don’tyoucrowdmenow;youbetterlookout.”“Well,yousaidyou’ddoit––whydon’tyoudoit?”“Byjingo!fortwocentsIwilldoit.”Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision.Tomstruckthemtotheground.Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt,grippedtogetherlikecats;andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother’shairandclothes,punchedandscratchedeachother’snoses,andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory.PresentlytheconfusiontookformandthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared,seatedastridethenewboy,andpoundinghimwithhisfists.“Holler’nuff!”saidhe.Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself.Hewascrying,––mainlyfromrage.“Holler’nuff!”––andthepoundingwenton.Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered“’Nuff!”andTomlethimupandsaid:
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer17“Nowthat’lllearnyou.Betterlookoutwhoyou’refoolingwithnexttime.”Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes,sob-bing,snuffling,andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe“nexttimehecaughthimout.”TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers,andstartedoffinhighfeather,andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone,threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope.Tomchasedthetraitorhome,andthusfoundoutwherehelived.Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime,daringtheenemytocomeoutside,buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined.Atlasttheenemy’smotherappeared,andcalledTomabad,vicious,vulgarchild,andorderedhimaway.Sohewentaway;buthesaidhe“’lowed”to“lay”forthatboy.Hegothomeprettylate,thatnight,andwhenheclimbedcau-tiouslyinatthewindow,heuncoveredanambuscade,inthepersonofhisaunt;andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness.
CHAPTERIISaturdaymorningwascome,andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh,andbrimmingwithlife.Therewasasongineveryheart;andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips.Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep.Thelocusttreeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair.CardiffHill,beyondthevillageandaboveit,wasgreenwithvegetation,anditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand,*dreamy,reposeful,andinviting.Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong-handledbrush.Hesurveyedthefence,andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit.Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh.Lifetohimseemedhollow,andexistencebutaburden.Sighing,hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank;repeatedtheoperation;diditagain;comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar-reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence,andsatdownonatree-boxdiscouraged.Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail,andsinging“BuffaloGals.”BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom’seyes,before,butnowitdidnotstrikehimso.Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump.White,mulatto,andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns,resting,tradingplaythings,quarreling,fighting,skylarking.Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahundredandfiftyyardsoff,Jimnevergotbackwithabucketofwaterunderanhour––andeventhensomebodygenerallyhadtogoafterhim.Tomsaid:“Say,Jim,I’llfetchthewaterifyou’llwhitewashsome.”Jimshookhisheadandsaid:“Can’t,MarsTom.Olemissis,shetolemeIgottogoan’gitdiswateran’notstopfoolin’roun’widanybody.Shesayshespec’MarsTomgwinetoaxmetowhitewash,an’soshetolemego’longan’’tendtomyownbusiness––she’lowedshe’d’tendtodewhitewashin’.”“Oh,neveryoumindwhatshesaid,Jim.That’sthewayshealwaystalks.Gimmethebucket––Iwon’tbegoneonlyaminute.Shewon’teverknow.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer19“Oh,Idasn’tMarsTom.Olemississhe’dtakean’tardeheadoff’nme.’Deedshewould.”“She!Sheneverlicksanybody––whacks’emovertheheadwithherthimble––andwhocaresforthat,I’dliketoknow.Shetalksawful,buttalkdon’thurt––anywaysitdon’tifshedon’tcry.Jim,I’llgiveyouamarvel.I’llgiveyouawhitealley!”Jimbegantowaver.“Whitealley,Jim!Andit’sabullytaw.”*“My!Dat’samightygaymarvel,Itellyou!ButMarsTomI’spowerful’fraidolemissis––”“Andbesides,ifyouwillI’llshowyoumysoretoe.”Jimwasonlyhuman––thisattractionwastoomuchforhim.Heputdownhispail,tookthewhitealley,andbentoverthetoewithabsorbinginterestwhilethebandagewasbeingunwound.Inanothermomenthewasflyingdownthestreetwithhispailandatinglingrear,Tomwaswhitewashingwithvigor,andAuntPollywasretiringfromthefieldwithaslipperinherhandandtriumphinhereye.ButTom’senergydidnotlast.Hebegantothinkofthefunhehadplannedforthisday,andhissorrowsmultiplied.Soonthefreeboyswouldcometrippingalongonallsortsofdeliciousexpeditions,andtheywouldmakeaworldoffunofhimforhavingtowork––theverythoughtofitburnthimlikefire.Hegotouthisworldlywealthandexaminedit––bitsoftoys,marbles,andtrash;enoughtobuyanexchangeofwork,maybe,butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom.Sohereturnedhisstraightenedmeanstohispocket,andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys.Atthisdarkandhopelessmomentaninspirationburstuponhim!Nothinglessthanagreat,magnificentinspiration.Hetookuphisbrushandwenttranquillytowork.BenRogershoveinsightpresently––theveryboy,ofallboys,whoseridiculehehadbeendreading.Ben’sgaitwasthehop-skip-and-jump––proofenoughthathisheartwaslightandhisanticipationshigh.Hewaseatinganapple,andgivingalong,melodiouswhoop,atintervals,followedbyadeep-tonedding-dong-dong,ding-dong-dong,forhewaspersonatingasteamboat.Ashedrewnear,heslackenedspeed,tookthemiddleofthestreet,leanedfarovertostarboardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithlaboriouspompandcircum-stance––forhewaspersonatingthe“BigMissouri,”andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater.Hewasboat,andcaptain,
20TheAdventuresofTomSawyerandengine-bellscombined,sohehadtoimaginehimselfstandingonhisownhurricane-deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem:“Stopher,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!”Theheadwayranalmostoutandhedrewupslowlytowardtheside-walk.“Shipuptoback!Ting-a-ling-ling!”Hisarmsstraightenedandstiffeneddownhissides.“Setherbackonthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow!ch-chow-wow!Chow!”Hisrighthand,meantime,describingstatelycircles,––foritwasrepresentingaforty-footwheel.“Lethergobackonthelabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ch-chow-chow!”Thelefthandbegantodescribecircles.“Stopthestabboard!Ting-a-ling-ling!Stopthelabbord!Comeaheadonthestabboard!Stopher!Letyouroutsideturnoverslow!Ting-a-ling-ling!Chow-ow-ow!Getoutthathead-line!Livelynow!Come––outwithyourspring-line––what’reyouaboutthere!Takeaturnroundthatstumpwiththebightofit!Standbythatstage,now––lethergo!Donewiththeengines,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!Sh’t!s’h’t!sh’t!”(tryingthegauge-cocks.)Tomwentonwhitewashing––paidnoattentiontothesteamboat.Benstaredamomentandthensaid:“Hi-yi!You’reupastump,ain’tyou!”Noanswer.Tomsurveyedhislasttouchwiththeeyeofanartist;thenhegavehisbrushanothergentlesweepandsurveyedtheresult,asbefore.Benrangedupalongsideofhim.Tom’smouthwateredfortheapple,buthestucktohiswork.Bensaid:“Hello,oldchap,yougottowork,hey?”Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid:“Whyit’syouBen!Iwarn’tnoticing.”“Say––I’mgoinginaswimming,Iam.Don’tyouwishyoucould?Butofcourseyou’ddrutherwork––wouldn’tyou?Courseyouwould!”Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit,andsaid:“Whatdoyoucallwork?”“Whyain’tthatwork?”Tomresumedhiswhitewashing,andansweredcarelessly:“Well,maybeitis,andmaybeitaint.AllIknow,is,itsuitsTomSawyer.”“Ohcome,now,youdon’tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit?”Thebrushcontinuedtomove.
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer21“Likeit?WellIdon’tseewhyIoughtn’ttolikeit.Doesaboygetachancetowhitewashafenceeveryday?”Thatputthethinginanewlight.Benstoppednibblinghisapple.Tomswepthisbrushdaintilybackandforth––steppedbacktonotetheeffect––addedatouchhereandthere––criticisedtheeffectagain––Benwatchingeverymoveandgettingmoreandmoreinterested,moreandmoreabsorbed.Presentlyhesaid:“Say,Tom,letmewhitewashalittle.”Tomconsidered,wasabouttoconsent;buthealteredhismind:“No––no––Ireckonitwouldn’thardlydo,Ben.Yousee,AuntPolly’sawfulparticularaboutthisfence––righthereonthestreet,youknow––butifitwasthebackfenceIwouldn’tmindandshewouldn’t.Yes,she’sawfulparticularaboutthisfence;it’sgottobedoneverycareful;Ireckonthereain’toneboyinathousand,maybetwothousand,thatcandoitthewayit’sgottobedone.”“No––isthatso?Ohcome,now––lemmejusttry.Onlyjustalittle––I’dletyou,ifyouwasme,Tom.”“Ben,I’dliketo,honestinjun;butAuntPolly––wellJimwantedtodoit,butshewouldn’tlethim;Sidwantedtodoit,andshewouldn’tletSid.Nowdon’tyouseehowI’mfixed?Ifyouwastotacklethisfenceandanythingwastohappentoit––”“Oh,shucks,I’llbejustascareful.Nowlemmetry.Say––I’llgiveyouthecoreofmyapple.”“Well,here––.No,Ben,nowdon’t.I’mafeard––”“I’llgiveyouallofit!”Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisfacebutalacrityinhisheart.Andwhilethelatesteamer“BigMissouri”workedandsweatedinthesun,theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby,dangledhislegs,munchedhisapple,andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinnocents.*Therewasnolackofmaterial;boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile;theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash.*BythetimeBenwasfaggedout,TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite,ingoodrepair;andwhenheplayedout,JohnnyMillerboughtinforadeadratandastringtoswingitwith––andsoon,andsoon,hourafterhour.Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame,frombeingapoorpoverty-strickenboyinthemorn-ing,Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth.Hehadbesidethethingsbeforementioned,twelvemarbles,partofajews-harp,*apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,aspoolcannon,*akeythatwouldn’t
22TheAdventuresofTomSawyerunlockanything,afragmentofchalk,aglassstopperofadecanter,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,akittenwithonlyoneeye,abrassdoor-knob,adog-collar––butnodog––thehandleofaknife,fourpiecesoforange-peel,andadilapidatedoldwindow-sash.Hehadhadanice,good,idletimeallthewhile––plentyofcom-pany––andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit!Ifhehadn’trunoutofwhitewash,hewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage.Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld,afterall.Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction,withoutknowingit––namely,thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing,itisonlynecessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain.Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher,likethewriterofthisbook,hewouldnowhavecomprehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo,andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo.Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorperformingonatreadmilliswork,whilerollingten-pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement.TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour-horsepassenger-coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline,inthesummer,becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney;butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice,thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign.Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances,andthenwendedtowardhead-quarterstoreport.
CHAPTERIIITompresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbed-room,breakfast-room,dining-room,andlibrary,combined.Thebalmysummerair,therestfulquiet,theodoroftheflowers,andthedrowsingmurmurofthebeeshadhadtheireffect,andshewasnoddingoverherknitting––forshehadnocompanybutthecat,anditwasasleepinherlap.Herspectacleswereproppeduponhergrayheadforsafety.ShehadthoughtthatofcourseTomhaddesertedlongago,andshewonderedatseeinghimplacehimselfinherpoweragaininthisintrepidway.Hesaid:“Mayn’tIgoandplaynow,aunt?”“What,a’ready?Howmuchhaveyoudone?”“It’salldone,aunt.”“Tom,don’tlietome––Ican’tbearit.”“Iain’t,aunt;itisalldone.”AuntPollyplacedsmalltrustinsuchevidence.Shewentouttoseeforherself;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercentofTom’sstatementtrue.Whenshefoundtheentirefencewhitewashed,andnotonlywhitewashedbutelaboratelycoatedandrecoated,andevenastreakaddedtotheground,herastonishmentwasalmostunspeakable.Shesaid:“Well,Inever!There’snogettingroundit,youcanworkwhenyou’reamindto,Tom.”Andthenshedilutedthecomplimentbyadding,“Butit’spowerfulseldomyou’reamindto,I’mboundtosay.Well,go’longandplay;butmindyougetbacksometimeinaweek,orI’lltanyou.”Shewassoovercomebythesplendorofhisachievementthatshetookhimintotheclosetandselectedachoiceappleanddeliveredittohim,alongwithanimprovinglectureupontheaddedvalueandflavoratreattooktoitselfwhenitcamewithoutsinthroughvirtuouseffort.Andwhilesheclosedwithahappyscripturalflourish,he“hooked”adoughnut.Thenheskippedout,andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor.Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling.Theyragedaround
24TheAdventuresofTomSawyerSidlikeahail-storm;andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersur-prisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue,sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect,andTomwasoverthefenceandgone.Therewasagate,butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit.Hissoulwasatpeace,nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble.Tomskirtedtheblock,andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt’scow-stable.Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment,andhastedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage,wheretwo“military”companiesofboyshadmetforconflict,accordingtopreviousappointment.TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies,JoeHarper(abosomfriend,)Generaloftheother.Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcon-descendtofightinperson––thatbeingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry––butsattogetheronaneminenceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides-de-camp.Tom’sarmywonagreatvictory,afteralongandhard-foughtbattle.Thenthedeadwerecounted,prisonersexchanged,thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreeduponandthedayforthenecessarybattleappointed;afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway,andTomturnedhomewardalone.AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived,hesawanewgirlinthegarden––alovelylittleblue-eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolongtails,whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes.Thefresh-crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot.AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind.Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction,hehadregardedhispassionasadoration;andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality.Hehadbeenmonthswinningher;shehadconfessedhardlyaweekago;hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays,andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone.Heworshipedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye,tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim;thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent,andbeganto“showoff”inallsortsofabsurdboyishways,inordertowinheradmiration.Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolish-nessforsometime;butbyandby,whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances,heglancedasideandsawthat
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer25thelittlegirlwaswendingherwaytowardthehouse.Tomcameuptothefenceandleanedonit,grieving,andhopingshewouldtarryyetawhilelonger.Shehaltedamomentonthestepsandthenmovedtowardthedoor.Tomheavedagreatsighassheputherfootonthethreshold.Buthisfacelitup,rightaway,forshetossedapansyoverthefenceamomentbeforeshedisappeared.Theboyranaroundandstoppedwithinafootortwooftheflower,andthenshadedhiseyeswithhishandandbegantolookdownstreetasifhehaddiscoveredsomethingofinterestgoingoninthatdirection.Presentlyhepickedupastrawandbegantryingtobalanceitonhisnose,withhisheadtiltedfarback;andashemovedfromsidetoside,inhisefforts,heedgednearerandnearertowardthepansy;finallyhisbarefootresteduponit,hisplianttoescloseduponit,andhehoppedawaywiththetreasureanddisappearedroundthecorner.Butonlyforaminute––onlywhilehecouldbuttontheflowerinsidehisjacket,nexthisheart––ornexthisstomach,possibly,forhewasnotmuchpostedinanatomy,andnothypercritical,anyway.Hereturned,now,andhungaboutthefencetillnightfall,“show-ingoff,”asbefore;butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain,thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow,meantime,andbeenawareofhisattentions.Finallyherodehomereluctantly,withhispoorheadfullofvisions.Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered“whathadgotintothechild.”Hetookagoodscoldingaboutclod-dingSid,anddidnotseemtominditintheleast.Hetriedtostealsugarunderhisaunt’sverynose,andgothisknucklesrappedforit.Hesaid:“Aunt,youdon’twhackSidwhenhetakesit.”“Well,Siddon’ttormentabodythewayyoudo.You’dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn’twatchingyou.”Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen,andSid,happyinhisimmunity,reachedforthesugar-bowl––asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswell-nighunbearable.ButSid’sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke.Tomwasinecstasies.Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent.Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword,evenwhenhisauntcamein,butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief;andthenhewouldtell,andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastosee
26TheAdventuresofTomSawyerthatpetmodel“catchit.”Hewassobrim-fullofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhimselfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarginglightningsofwrathfromoverherspec-tacles.Hesaidtohimself,“Nowit’scoming!”Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor!ThepotentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout:“Holdon,now,what’eryoubeltingmefor?––Sidbrokeit!”AuntPollypaused,perplexed,andTomlookedforhealingpity.Butwhenshegothertongueagain,sheonlysaid:“Umf!Well,youdidn’tgetalickamiss,Ireckon.YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn’taround,likeenough.”Thenherconsciencereproachedher,andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving;butshejudgedthatthiswouldbecon-struedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong,anddiscip-lineforbadethat.Soshekeptsilence,andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart.Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes.Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim,andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit.Hewouldhangoutnosignals,hewouldtakenoticeofnone.Heknewthatayearningglancefelluponhim,nowandthen,throughafilmoftears,butherefusedrecognitionofit.Hepicturedhimselflyingsickuntodeathandhisauntbendingoverhimbeseechingonelittleforgivingword,buthewouldturnhisfacetothewall,anddiewiththatwordunsaid.Ah,howwouldshefeelthen?Andhepicturedhimselfbroughthomefromtheriver,dead,withhiscurlsallwet,andhissoreheartatrest.Howshewouldthrowherselfuponhim,andhowhertearswouldfalllikerain,andherlipsprayGodtogiveherbackherboyandshewouldnever,neverabusehimanymore!Buthewouldlietherecoldandwhiteandmakenosign––apoorlittlesufferer,whosegriefswereatanend.Hesoworkeduponhisfeelingswiththepathosofthesedreams,thathehadtokeepswallowing,hewassoliketochoke;andhiseyesswaminablurofwater,whichoverflowedwhenhewinked,andrandownandtrickledfromtheendofhisnose.Andsuchaluxurytohimwasthispettingofhissorrows,thathecouldnotbeartohaveanyworldlycheerinessoranygratingdelightintrudeuponit;itwastoosacredforsuchcontact;andso,presently,whenhiscousinMarydancedin,allalivewiththejoyofseeinghomeagainafteranage-longvisitofoneweektothecountry,hegotupandmoved
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer27incloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother.Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdesolateplaces*thatwereinharmonywithhisspirit.Alograftintheriverinvitedhim,andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcon-templatedthedrearyvastnessofthestream,wishing,thewhile,thathecouldonlybedrowned,allatonceandunconsciously,withoutundergoingtheuncomfortableroutinedevisedbynature.Thenhethoughtofhisflower.Hegotitout,rumpledandwilted,anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity.Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew?Wouldshecry,andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcomforthim?Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld?Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights,tillheworeitthreadbare.Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness.Abouthalfpastnineorteno’clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived;hepausedamoment;nosoundfelluponhislisteningear;acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond-storywindow.Wasthesacredpresencethere?Heclimbedthefence,threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants,tillhestoodunderthatwindow;helookedupatitlong,andwithemotion;thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit,dispos-inghimselfuponhisback,withhishandsclaspeduponhisbreastandholdinghispoorwiltedflower.Andthushewoulddie––outinthecoldworld,withnoshelteroverhishomelesshead,nofriendlyhandtowipethedeath-dampsfromhisbrow,nolovingfacetobendpityinglyoverhimwhenthegreatagonycame.Andthusshewouldseehimwhenshelookedoutuponthegladmorning,andoh!wouldshedroponelittletearuponhispoor,lifelessform,wouldsheheaveonelittlesightoseeabrightyounglifesorudelyblighted,sountimelycutdown?Thewindowwentup,amaid-servant’sdiscordantvoiceprofanedtheholycalm,andadelugeofwaterdrenchedthepronemartyr’sremains!Thestranglingherosprangupwitharelievingsnort.Therewasawhizasofamissileintheair,mingledwiththemurmurofacurse,asoundasofshiveringglassfollowed,andasmall,vagueformwentoverthefenceandshotawayinthegloom.
28TheAdventuresofTomSawyerNotlongafter,asTom,allundressedforbed,wassurveyinghisdrenchedgarmentsbythelightofatallowdip,Sidwokeup;butifhehadanydimideaofmakingany“referencestoallusions,”hethoughtbetterofitandheldhispeace,fortherewasdangerinTom’seye.Tomturnedinwithouttheaddedvexationofprayers,andSidmadementalnoteoftheomission.
CHAPTERIVThesunroseuponatranquilworld,andbeameddownuponthepeacefulvillagelikeabenediction.Breakfastover,AuntPollyhadfamilyworship;itbeganwithaprayerbuiltfromthegroundupofsolidcoursesofScripturalquotations,weldedtogetherwithathinmortaroforiginality;andfromthesummitofthisshedeliveredagrimchapteroftheMosaicLaw,asfromSinai.ThenTomgirdeduphisloins,sotospeak,andwenttoworkto“gethisverses.”Sidhadlearnedhislessondaysbefore.Tombentallhisenergiestothememorizingoffiveverses,andhechosepartoftheSermonontheMount,becausehecouldfindnoversesthatwereshorter.AttheendofhalfanhourTomhadavaguegeneralideaofhislesson,butnomore,forhismindwastraversingthewholefieldofhumanthought,andhishandswerebusywithdistractingrecre-ations.Marytookhisbooktohearhimrecite,andhetriedtofindhiswaythroughthefog:“Blessedarethe*––a––a––”“Poor”––“Yes––poor;blessedarethepoor––a––a––”“Inspirit––”“Inspirit;blessedarethepoorinspirit,forthey––they––”“Theirs––”“Fortheirs.Blessedarethepoorinspirit,fortheirsisthekingdomofheaven.Blessedaretheythatmourn,forthey––they––”“Sh––”“Forthey––a––”“S,H,A––”“FortheyS,H––OhIdon’tknowwhatitis!”“Shall!”“Oh,shall!fortheyshall––fortheyshall––a––a––shallmourn––a––a––blessedaretheythatshall––theythat––a––theythatshallmourn,fortheyshall––a––shallwhat?Whydon’tyoutellmeMary?––whatdoyouwanttobesomeanfor?”“Oh,Tom,youpoorthick-headedthing,I’mnotteasingyou.Iwouldn’tdothat.Youmustgoandlearnitagain.Don’tyoube
30TheAdventuresofTomSawyerdiscouraged,Tom,you’llmanageit––andifyoudo,I’llgiveyousomethingeversonice.There,now,that’sagoodboy.”“Allright!Whatisit,Mary,tellmewhatitis.”“Neveryoumind,Tom.YouknowifIsayit’snice,itisnice.”“Youbetyouthat’sso,Mary.Allright,I’lltackleitagain.”Andhedid“tackleitagain”––andunderthedoublepressureofcuriosityandprospectivegain,hediditwithsuchspiritthatheaccomplishedashiningsuccess.Marygavehimabran-new“Barlow”knifeworthtwelveandahalfcents;andtheconvulsionofdelightthatswepthissystemshookhimtohisfoundations.True,theknifewouldnotcutanything,butitwasa“sure-enough”Barlow,andtherewasinconceivablegrandeurinthat––thoughwherethewesternboysevergottheideathatsuchaweaponcouldpossiblybecounterfeitedtoitsinjury,isanimposingmysteryandwillalwaysremainso,perhaps.Tomcontrivedtoscarifythecupboardwithit,andwasarrangingtobeginonthebureau,whenhewascalledofftodressforSunday-School.Marygavehimatinbasinofwaterandapieceofsoap,andhewentoutsidethedoorandsetthebasinonalittlebenchthere;thenhedippedthesoapinthewaterandlaiditdown;turneduphissleeves;pouredoutthewaterontheground,gently,andthenenteredthekitchenandbegantowipehisfacediligentlyonthetowelbehindthedoor.ButMaryremovedthetowelandsaid:“Nowain’tyouashamed,Tom.Youmustn’tbesobad.Waterwon’thurtyou.”Tomwasatrifledisconcerted.Thebasinwasrefilled,andthistimehestoodoveritalittlewhile,gatheringresolution;tookinabigbreathandbegan.Whenheenteredthekitchenpresently,withbotheyesshutandgropingforthetowelwithhishands,anhonorabletestimonyofsudsandwaterwasdrippingfromhisface.Butwhenheemergedfromthetowel,hewasnotyetsatisfactory,forthecleanterritorystoppedshortathischinandhisjaws,likeamask;belowandbeyondthislinetherewasadarkexpanseofunirrigatedsoilthatspreaddownwardinfrontandbackwardaroundhisneck.Marytookhiminhand,andwhenshewasdonewithhimhewasamanandabrother,*withoutdistinctionofcolor,andhissaturatedhairwasneatlybrushed,anditsshortcurlswroughtintoadaintyandsym-metricalgeneraleffect.[Heprivatelysmoothedoutthecurls,withlaboranddifficulty,andplasteredhishairclosedowntohishead;
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer31forheheldcurlstobeeffeminate,andhisownfilledhislifewithbitterness.]ThenMarygotoutasuitofhisclothingthathadbeenusedonlyonSundaysduringtwoyears––theyweresimplycalledhis“otherclothes”––andsobythatweknowthesizeofhiswardrobe.Thegirl“puthimtorights”afterhehaddressedhimself;shebut-tonedhisneatroundaboutuptohischin,turnedhisvastshirtcollardownoverhisshoulders,brushedhimoffandcrownedhimwithhisspeckledstrawhat.Henowlookedexceedinglyimprovedanduncomfortable.Hewasfullyasuncomfortableashelooked;fortherewasarestraintaboutwholeclothesandcleanlinessthatgalledhim.HehopedthatMarywouldforgethisshoes,butthehopewasblighted;shecoatedthemthoroughlywithtallow,aswasthecustom,andbroughtthemout.Helosthistemperandsaidhewasalwaysbeingmadetodoeverythinghedidn’twanttodo.ButMarysaid,persuasively:“Please,Tom––that’sagoodboy.”Sohegotintotheshoessnarling.Marywassoonready,andthethreechildrensetoutforSunday-school––aplacethatTomhatedwithhiswholeheart;butSidandMarywerefondofit.Sabbath-schoolhourswerefromninetohalfpastten;andthenchurchservice.Twoofthechildrenalwaysremainedfortheser-monvoluntarily,andtheotheralwaysremainedtoo––forstrongerreasons.Thechurch’shigh-backed,uncushionedpewswouldseataboutthreehundredpersons;theedificewasbutasmall,plainaffair,withasortofpineboardtree-box*ontopofitforasteeple.AtthedoorTomdroppedbackastepandaccostedaSunday-dressedcomrade:“Say,Billy,gotayallerticket?”“Yes.”“What’llyoutakeforher?”“What’llyougive?”“Pieceoflickrishandafish-hook.”“Lesssee’em.”Tomexhibited.Theyweresatisfactory,andthepropertychangedhands.ThenTomtradedacoupleofwhitealleysforthreeredtickets,andsomesmalltrifleorotherforacoupleofblueones.Hewaylaidotherboysastheycame,andwentonbuyingticketsofvariouscolorstenorfifteenminuteslonger.Heenteredthechurch,now,withaswarmofcleanandnoisyboysandgirls,proceededtohis
32TheAdventuresofTomSawyerseatandstartedaquarrelwiththefirstboythatcamehandy.Theteacher,agrave,elderlyman,interfered;thenturnedhisbackamomentandTompulledaboy’shairinthenextbench,andwasabsorbedinhisbookwhentheboyturnedaround;stuckapininanotherboy,presently,inordertohearhimsay“Ouch!”andgotanewreprimandfromhisteacher.Tom’swholeclasswereofapattern––restless,noisy,andtroublesome.Whentheycametorecitetheirlessons,notoneofthemknewhisversesperfectly,buthadtobepromptedallalong.However,theyworriedthrough,andeachgothisreward––insmallbluetickets,eachwithapassageofScriptureonit;eachblueticketwaspayfortwoversesoftherecitation.Tenblueticketsequalledaredone,andcouldbeexchangedforit;tenredticketsequalledayellowone:fortenyellowticketstheSuperintendantgaveaveryplainlyboundBible,(worthfortycentsinthoseeasytimes,)tothepupil.Howmanyofmyreaderswouldhavetheindustryandapplicationtomemorizetwothousandverses,evenforaDoréBible?*AndyetMaryhadacquiredtwoBiblesinthisway––itwasthepatientworkoftwoyears––andaboyofGermanparentagehadwonfourorfive.Heoncerecitedthreethousandverseswithoutstopping;butthestrainuponhismentalfacultieswastoogreat,andhewaslittlebetterthananidiotfromthatdayforth––agrievousmisfortunefortheschool,forongreatoccasions,beforecompany,theSuperintendent(asTomexpressedit)hadalwaysmadethisboycomeoutand“spreadhimself.”Onlytheolderpupilsman-agedtokeeptheirticketsandsticktotheirtediousworklongenoughtogetaBible,andsothedeliveryofoneoftheseprizeswasarareandnoteworthycircumstance;thesuccessfulpupilwassogreatandconspicuousforthatdaythatonthespoteveryscholar’sheartwasfiredwithafreshambitionthatoftenlastedacoupleofweeks.ItispossiblethatTom’smentalstomachhadneverreallyhungeredforoneofthoseprizes,butunquestionablyhisentirebeinghadformanyadaylongedforthegloryandtheeclatthatcamewithit.InduecoursetheSuperintendentstoodupinfrontofthepulpit,withaclosedhymnbookinhishandandhisforefingerinsertedbetweenitsleaves,andcommandedattention.WhenaSunday-schoolSuperintendentmakeshiscustomarylittlespeech,ahymn-bookinthehandisasnecessaryasistheinevitablesheetofmusicinthehandofasingerwhostandsforwardontheplatformandsingsasoloataconcert––thoughwhy,isamystery:forneitherthe
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer33hymn-booknorthesheetofmusiciseverreferredtobythesufferer.ThisSuperintendentwasaslimcreatureofthirty-five,withasandygoateeandshortsandyhair;heworeastiffstanding-collarwhoseupperedgealmostreachedhisearsandwhosesharppointscurvedforwardabreastthecornersofhismouth––afencethatcompelledastraightlookoutahead,andaturningofthewholebodywhenasideviewwasrequired;hischinwasproppedonaspreadingcravatwhichwasasbroadandaslongasabanknote,andhadfringedends;hisboottoeswereturnedsharplyup,inthefashionoftheday,likesleigh-runners––aneffectpatientlyandlaboriouslyproducedbytheyoungmenbysittingwiththeirtoespressedagainstawallforhourstogether.Mr.Walterswasveryearnestofmien,andverysincereandhonestatheart;andheheldsacredthingsandplacesinsuchrever-ence,andsoseparatedthemfromworldlymatters,thatunconsciouslytohimselfhisSunday-schoolvoicehadacquiredapeculiarinton-ationwhichwaswhollyabsentonweek-days.Hebeganafterthisfashion:“Nowchildren,Iwantyoualltositupjustasstraightandprettyasyoucanandgivemeallyourattentionforaminuteortwo.There––thatisit.Thatisthewaygoodlittleboysandgirlsshoulddo.Iseeonelittlegirlwhoislookingoutofthewindow––IamafraidshethinksIamouttheresomewhere––perhapsupinoneofthetreesmakingaspeechtothelittlebirds.[Applausivetitter.]Iwanttotellyouhowgooditmakesmefeeltoseesomanybright,cleanlittlefacesassembledinaplacelikethis,learningtodorightandbegood.”Andsoforthandsoon.Itisnotnecessarytosetdowntherestoftheoration.Itwasofapatternwhichdoesnotvary,andsoitisfamiliartousall.Thelatterthirdofthespeechwasmarredbytheresumptionoffightsandotherrecreationsamongcertainofthebadboys,andbyfidgetingsandwhisperingsthatextendedfarandwide,washingeventothebasesofisolatedandincorruptiblerockslikeSidandMary.Butnoweverysoundceasedsuddenly,withthesubsidenceofMr.Walters’voice,andtheconclusionofthespeechwasreceivedwithaburstofsilentgratitude.Agoodpartofthewhisperinghadbeenoccasionedbyaneventwhichwasmoreorlessrare––theentranceofvisitors;lawyerThatcher,accompaniedbyaveryfeebleandagedman;afine,portly,middle-agedgentlemanwithiron-grayhair;andadignifiedladywho
34TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwasdoubtlessthelatter’swife.Theladywasleadingachild.Tomhadbeenrestlessandfullofchafingsandrepinings;conscience-smitten,too––hecouldnotmeetAmyLawrence’seye,hecouldnotbrookherlovinggaze.Butwhenhesawthissmallnew-comerhissoulwasallablazewithblissinamoment.Thenextmomenthewas“showingoff”withallhismight––cuffingboys,pullinghair,makingfaces––inaword,usingeveryartthatseemedlikelytofascinateagirlandwinherapplause.Hisexaltationhadbutonealloy––thememoryofhishumiliationinthisangel’sgarden––andthatrecordinsandwasfastwashingout,underthewavesofhappinessthatweresweepingoveritnow.Thevisitorsweregiventhehighestseatofhonor,andassoonasMr.Walters’sspeechwasfinished,heintroducedthemtotheschool.Themiddle-agedmanturnedouttobeaprodigiouspersonage––nolessaonethanthecountyjudge––altogetherthemostaugustcre-ationthesechildrenhadeverlookedupon––andtheywonderedwhatkindofmaterialhewasmadeof––andtheyhalfwantedtohearhimroar,andwerehalfafraidhemight,too.HewasfromConstantinople,twelvemilesaway––sohehadtraveled,andseentheworld––theseveryeyeshadlookeduponthecountycourthouse––whichwassaidtohaveatinroof.Theawewhichthesereflectionsinspiredwasattestedbytheimpressivesilenceandtheranksofstaringeyes.ThiswasthegreatJudgeThatcher,brotheroftheirownlawyer.JeffThatcherimmediatelywentforward,tobefamiliarwiththegreatmanandbeenviedbytheschool.Itwouldhavebeenmusictohissoultohearthewhisperings:“Lookathim,Jim!He’sagoingupthere.Say––look!he’sagoingtoshakehandswithhim––heisshakinghandswithhim!Byjings,don’tyouwishyouwasJeff?”Mr.Waltersfellto“showingoff,”withallsortsofofficialbust-lingsandactivitiesgivingorders,deliveringjudgments,dischargingdirectionshere,there,everywherethathecouldfindatarget.Thelibrarian“showedoff”––runninghitherandthitherwithhisarmsfullofbooksandmakingadealofthesplutterandfussthatinsectauthoritydelightsin.Theyoungladyteachers“showedoff”––bendingsweetlyoverpupilsthatwerelatelybeingboxed,liftingprettywarningfingersatbadlittleboysandpattinggoodoneslovingly.Theyounggentlementeachers“showedoff”withsmallscoldingsandotherlittledisplaysofauthorityandfineattentionto
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer35discipline––andmostoftheteachers,ofbothsexes,foundbusinessupatthelibrary,bythepulpit;anditwasbusinessthatfrequentlyhadtobedoneoveragaintwoorthreetimes,(withmuchseemingvexation.)Thelittlegirls“showedoff”invariousways,andthelittleboys“showedoff”withsuchdiligencethattheairwasthickwithpaperwadsandthemurmurofscufflings.Andaboveitallthegreatmansatandbeamedamajesticjudicialsmileuponallthehouse,andwarmedhimselfinthesunofhisowngrandeur––forhewas“showingoff,”too.Therewasonlyonethingwanting,tomakeMr.Walters’secstasycomplete,andthatwasachancetodeliveraBible-prizeandexhibitaprodigy.Severalpupilshadafewyellowtickets,butnonehadenough––hehadbeenaroundamongthestarpupilsinquiring.Hewouldhavegivenworlds,now,tohavethatGermanladbackagainwithasoundmind.Andnowatthismoment,whenhopewasdead,TomSawyercameforwardwithnineyellowtickets,nineredtickets,andtenblueones,anddemandedaBible.Thiswasathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Walterswasnotexpectinganapplicationfromthissourceforthenexttenyears.Buttherewasnogettingaroundit––herewerethecertifiedchecks,andtheyweregoodfortheirface.*Tomwasthere-foreelevatedtoaplacewiththeJudgeandtheotherelect,andthegreatnewswasannouncedfromhead-quarters.Itwasthemoststunningsurpriseofthedecade,andsoprofoundwasthesensationthatitliftedthenewherouptothejudicialone’saltitude,andtheschoolhadtwomarvelstogazeuponinplaceofone.Theboyswerealleatenupwithenvy––butthosethatsufferedthebitterestpangswerethosewhoperceivedtoolatethattheythemselveshadcontrib-utedtothishatedsplendorbytradingticketstoTomforthewealthhehadamassedinsellingwhitewashingprivileges.Thesedespisedthemselves,asbeingthedupesofawilyfraud,aguilefulsnakeinthegrass.TheprizewasdeliveredtoTomwithasmucheffusionastheSuperintendentcouldpumpupunderthecircumstances;butitlackedsomewhatofthetruegush,forthepoorfellow’sinstincttaughthimthattherewasamysteryherethatcouldnotwellbearthelight,perhaps;itwassimplypreposterousthatthisboyhadwarehousedtwothousandsheavesofScripturalwisdomonhispremises––adozenwouldstrainhiscapacity,withoutadoubt.
36TheAdventuresofTomSawyerAmyLawrencewasproudandglad,andshetriedtomakeTomseeitinherface––buthewouldn’tlook.Shewondered;thenshewasjustagraintroubled;nextadimsuspicioncameandwent––cameagain;shewatched;afurtiveglancetoldherworlds––andthenherheartbroke,andshewasjealous,andangry,andthetearscameandshehatedeverybody:Tommostofall,(shethought.)TomwasintroducedtotheJudge;buthistonguewastied,hisbreathwouldhardlycome,hisheartquaked––partlybecauseoftheawfulgreatnessoftheman,butmainlybecausehewasherparent.Hewouldhavelikedtofalldownandworshiphim,ifitwereinthedark.TheJudgeputhishandonTom’sheadandcalledhimafinelittleman,andaskedhimwhathisnamewas.Theboystammered,gasped,andgotitout:“Tom.”“Oh,no,notTom––itis––”“Thomas.”“Ah,that’sit.Ithoughttherewasmoretoit,maybe.That’sverywell.Butyou’veanotheroneIdaresay,andyou’lltellittome,won’tyou?”“Tellthegentlemanyourothername,Thomas,”saidWalters,“andsaysir.––Youmustn’tforgetyourmanners.”“ThomasSawyer––sir.”“That’sit!That’sagoodboy.Fineboy.Fine,manlylittlefel-low.Twothousandversesisagreatmany––very,verygreatmany.Andyounevercanbesorryforthetroubleyoutooktolearnthem;forknowledgeisworthmorethananythingthereisintheworld;it’swhatmakesgreatmenandgoodmen;you’llbeagreatmanandagoodmanyourself,someday,Thomas,andthenyou’lllookbackandsay,It’sallowingtothepreciousSunday-schoolprivilegesofmyboyhood––it’sallowingtomydearteachersthattaughtmetolearn––it’sallowingtothegoodSuperintendent,whoencouragedme,andwatchedoverme,andgavemeabeauti-fulBible––asplendidelegantBible,tokeepandhaveitallformyown,always––it’sallowingtorightbringingup!Thatiswhatyouwillsay,Thomas––andyouwouldn’ttakeanymoneyforthosetwothousandverses––noindeedyouwouldn’t.Andnowyouwouldn’tmindtellingmeandthisladysomeofthethingsyou’velearned––no,Iknowyouwouldn’t––forweareproudoflittleboysthatlearn.Nownodoubtyouknowthenamesofallthetwelve
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer37disciples.Won’tyoutellusthenamesofthefirsttwothatwereappointed?”Tomwastuggingatabuttonholeandlookingsheepish.Heblushed,now,andhiseyesfell.Mr.Walters’heartsankwithinhim.Hesaidtohimself,itisnotpossiblethattheboycananswerthesimplestquestion––whydidtheJudgeaskhim?Yethefeltobligedtospeakupandsay;“Answerthegentleman,Thomas––don’tbeafraid.”Tomstillhungfire.“NowIknowyou’lltellme,”saidthelady.“Thenamesofthefirsttwodiscipleswere––”“DavidandGoliah!”Letusdrawthecurtainofcharityovertherestofthescene.
CHAPTERVAbouthalf-pasttenthecrackedbellofthesmallchurchbegantoring,andpresentlythepeoplebegantogatherforthemorningser-mon.TheSunday-schoolchildrendistributedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoccupiedpewswiththeirparents,soastobeundersuper-vision.AuntPollycame,andTomandSidandMarysatwithher––Tombeingplacednexttheaisle,inorderthathemightbeasfarawayfromtheopenwindowandtheseductiveoutsidesummerscenesaspossible.Thecrowdfileduptheaisles:theagedandneedypost-master,whohadseenbetterdays;themayorandhiswife––fortheyhadamayorthere,amongotherunnecessaries;thejusticeofthepeace;thewidowDouglass,fair,smartandforty,agenerous,good-heartedsoulandwell-to-do,herhillmansiontheonlypalaceinthetown,andthemosthospitableandmuchthemostlavishinthematteroffestivitiesthatSt.Petersburgcouldboast;thebentandvenerableMajorandMrs.Ward;lawyerRiverson,thenewnotablefromadistance;nextthebelleofthevillage,followedbyatroopoflawn-cladandribbon-deckedyoungheart-breakers;thenalltheyoungclerksintowninabody––fortheyhadstoodinthevestibulesuckingtheircane-heads,acirclingwallofoiledandsimperingadmirers,tillthelastgirlhadruntheirgauntlet;andlastofallcametheModelBoy,WillieMufferson,takingasheedfulcareofhismotherasifshewerecutglass.Healwaysbroughthismothertochurch,andwastheprideofallthematrons.Theboysallhatedhim,hewassogood.Andbesides,hehadbeen“thrownuptothem”somuch.Hiswhitehandkerchiefwashangingoutofhispocketbehind,asusualonSundays––accidentally.Tomhadnohandkerchief,andhelookeduponboyswhohad,assnobs.Thecongregationbeingfullyassembled,now,thebellrangoncemore,towarnlaggardsandstragglers,andthenasolemnhushfelluponthechurchwhichwasonlybrokenbythetitteringandwhis-peringofthechoirinthegallery.Thechoiralwaystitteredandwhisperedallthroughservice.Therewasonceachurchchoirthatwasnotill-bred,butIhaveforgottenwhereitwas,now.Itwasagreatmanyyearsago,andIcanscarcelyrememberanythingaboutit,butIthinkitwasinsomeforeigncountry.
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer39Theministergaveoutthehymn,andreaditthroughwitharelish,inapeculiarstylewhichwasmuchadmiredinthatpartofthecoun-try.Hisvoicebeganonamediumkeyandclimbedsteadilyuptillitreachedacertainpoint,whereitborewithstrongemphasisuponthetopmostwordandthenplungeddownasiffromaspring-board:bedsShallIbecar-ri-edtotheskies,onflow’ryofease,blood-Whilstothersfighttowintheprize,andsailthro’-yseas?Hewasregardedasawonderfulreader.Atchurch“sociables”hewasalwayscalledupontoreadpoetry;andwhenhewasthrough,theladieswouldliftuptheirhandsandletthemfallhelplesslyintheirlaps,and“wall”theireyes,andshaketheirheads,asmuchastosay,“Wordscannotexpressit;itistoobeautiful,toobeautifulforthismortalearth.”Afterthehymnhadbeensung,theRev.Mr.Spragueturnedhimselfintoabulletinboard,andreadoff“notices”ofmeetingsandsocietiesandthingstillitseemedthatthelistwouldstretchouttothecrackofdoom––aqueercustomwhichisstillkeptupinAmerica,evenincities,awayhereinthisageofabundantnews-papers.Often,thelessthereistojustifyatraditionalcustom,theharderitistogetridofit.Andnowtheministerprayed.Agood,generousprayer,itwas,andwentintodetails:itpleadedforthechurch,andthelittlechil-drenofthechurch;fortheotherchurchesofthevillage;forthevillageitself;forthecountry;fortheState;fortheStateofficers;fortheUnitedStates;forthechurchesoftheUnitedStates;forCongress;forthePresident;fortheofficersoftheGovernment;forpoorsailors,tossedbystormyseas;fortheoppressedmillionsgroan-ingundertheheelofEuropeanmonarchiesandOrientaldespotisms;forsuchashavethelightandthegoodtidings,andyethavenoteyestoseenorearstohearwithal;fortheheatheninthefarislandsofthesea;andclosedwithasupplicationthatthewordshewasabouttospeakmightfindgraceandfavor,andbeasseedsowninfertileground,yieldingintimeagratefulharvestofgood.Amen.
40TheAdventuresofTomSawyerTherewasarustlingofdresses,andthestandingcongregationsatdown.Theboywhosehistorythisbookrelatesdidnotenjoytheprayer,heonlyenduredit––ifheevendidthatmuch.Hewasrestiveallthroughit;hekepttallyofthedetailsoftheprayer,unconsciously––forhewasnotlistening,butheknewthegroundofold,andtheclergyman’sregularrouteoverit––andwhenalittletrifleofnewmatterwasinterlarded,hiseardetecteditandhiswholenatureresentedit;heconsideredadditionsunfair,andscoundrelly.Inthemidstoftheprayeraflyhadlitonthebackofthepewinfrontofhimandtorturedhisspiritbycalmlyrubbingitshandstogether,embracingitsheadwithitsarms,andpolishingitsovigorouslythatitseemedtoalmostpartcompanywiththebody,andtheslenderthreadofaneckwasexposedtoview;scrapingitswingswithitshindlegsandsmoothingthemtoitsbodyasiftheyhadbeencoattails;goingthroughitswholetoiletastranquillyasifitknewitwasper-fectlysafe.Asindeeditwas;forassorelyasTom’shandsitchedtograbforittheydidnotdare––hebelievedhissoulwouldbeinstantlydestroyedifhedidsuchathingwhiletheprayerwasgoingon.Butwiththeclosingsentencehishandbegantocurveandstealforward;andtheinstantthe“Amen”wasouttheflywasaprisonerofwar.Hisauntdetectedtheactandmadehimletitgo.Theministergaveouthistextanddronedalongmonotonouslythroughanargumentthatwassoprosythatmanyaheadbyandbybegantonod––andyetitwasanargumentthatdealtinlimitlessfireandbrimstoneandthinnedthepredestinedelectdowntoacompanysosmallastobehardlyworththesaving.Tomcountedthepagesofthesermon;afterchurchhealwaysknewhowmanypagestherehadbeen,butheseldomknewanythingelseaboutthediscourse.How-ever,thistimehewasreallyinterestedforalittlewhile.Theministermadeagrandandmovingpictureoftheassemblingtogetheroftheworld’shostsatthemillenniumwhenthelionandthelambshouldliedowntogetherandalittlechildshouldleadthem.Butthepathos,thelesson,themoralofthegreatspectaclewerelostupontheboy;heonlythoughtoftheconspicuousnessoftheprincipalcharacterbeforetheon-lookingnations;hisfacelitwiththethought,andhesaidtohimselfthathewishedhecouldbethatchild,ifitwasatamelion.Nowhelapsedintosufferingagain,asthedryargumentwasresumed.Presentlyhebethoughthimofatreasurehehadandgotit
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer41out.Itwasalargeblackbeetlewithformidablejaws––a“pinch-bug,”hecalledit.Itwasinapercussion-capbox.Thefirstthingthebeetledidwastotakehimbythefinger.Anaturalfillipfollowed,thebeetlewentflounderingintotheaisleandlitonitsback,andthehurtfingerwentintotheboy’smouth.Thebeetlelaythereworkingitshelplesslegs,unabletoturnover.Tomeyedit,andlongedforit;butitwassafeoutofhisreach.Otherpeopleuninterestedinthesermon,foundreliefinthebeetle,andtheyeyedittoo.Presentlyavagrantpoodledogcameidlingalong,sadatheart,lazywiththesummersoftnessandthequiet,wearyofcaptivity,sighingforchange.Hespiedthebeetle;thedroopingtailliftedandwagged.Hesurveyedtheprize;walkedaroundit;smeltatitfromasafedis-tance;walkedarounditagain;grewbolder,andtookaclosersmell;thenliftedhislipandmadeagingerlysnatchatit,justmissingit;madeanother,andanother;begantoenjoythediversion;subsidedtohisstomachwiththebeetlebetweenhispaws,andcontinuedhisexperiments;grewwearyatlast,andthenindifferentandabsent-minded.Hisheadnodded,andlittlebylittlehischindescendedandtouchedtheenemy,whoseizedit.Therewasasharpyelp,aflirtofthepoodle’shead,andthebeetlefellacoupleofyardsaway,andlitonitsbackoncemore.Theneighboringspectatorsshookwithagentleinwardjoy,severalfaceswentbehindfansandhandkerchiefs,andTomwasentirelyhappy.Thedoglookedfoolish,andprobablyfeltso;buttherewasresentmentinhisheart,too,andacravingforrevenge.Sohewenttothebeetleandbeganawaryattackonitagain;jumpingatitfromeverypointofacircle,lightingwithhisforepawswithinaninchofthecreature,makingevenclosersnatchesatitwithhisteeth,andjerkinghisheadtillhisearsflappedagain.Buthegrewtiredoncemore,afterawhile;triedtoamusehimselfwithaflybutfoundnorelief;followedanantaround,withhisnoseclosetothefloor,andquicklyweariedofthat;yawned,sighed,forgotthebeetleentirely,andsatdownonit!Thentherewasawildyelpofagonyandthepoodlewentsailinguptheaisle;theyelpscontinued,andsodidthedog;hecrossedthehouseinfrontofthealtar;heflewdowntheotheraisle;hecrossedbeforethedoors;heclamoredupthehome-stretch;hisanguishgrewwithhispro-gress,tillpresentlyhewasbutawoollycometmovinginitsorbitwiththegleamandthespeedoflight.Atlastthefranticsufferersheeredfromitscourse,andsprangintoitsmaster’slap;heflungit
42TheAdventuresofTomSawyeroutofthewindow,andthevoiceofdistressquicklythinnedawayanddiedinthedistance.Bythistimethewholechurchwasred-facedandsuffocatingwithsuppressedlaughter,andthesermonhadcometoadeadstand-still.Thediscoursewasresumedpresently,butitwentlameandhalting,allpossibilityofimpressivenessbeingatanend;foreventhegravestsentimentswereconstantlybeingreceivedwithasmotheredburstofunholymirth,undercoverofsomeremotepew-back,asifthepoorparsonhadsaidararelyfacetiousthing.Itwasagenuinerelieftothewholecongregationwhentheordealwasoverandthebenedictionpronounced.TomSawyerwenthomequitecheerful,thinkingtohimselfthattherewassomesatisfactionaboutdivineservicewhentherewasabitofvarietyinit.Hehadbutonemarringthought;hewaswillingthatthedogshouldplaywithhispinch-bug,buthedidnotthinkitwasuprightinhimtocarryitoff.
CHAPTERVIMondaymorningfoundTomSawyermiserable.Mondaymorningalwaysfoundhimso––becauseitbegananotherweek’sslowsuffer-inginschool.Hegenerallybeganthatdaywithwishinghehadhadnointerveningholiday,itmadethegoingintocaptivityandfettersagainsomuchmoreodious.Tomlaythinking.Presentlyitoccurredtohimthathewishedhewassick;thenhecouldstayhomefromschool.Herewasavaguepossibility.Hecanvassedhissystem.Noailmentwasfound,andheinvestigatedagain.Thistimehethoughthecoulddetectcolickysymptoms,andhebegantoencouragethemwithconsiderablehope.Buttheysoongrewfeeble,andpresentlydiedwhollyaway.Hereflectedfurther.Suddenlyhediscoveredsomething.Oneofhisupperfrontteethwasloose.Thiswaslucky;hewasabouttobegintogroan,asa“starter,”ashecalledit,whenitoccurredtohimthatifhecameintocourtwiththatargument,hisauntwouldpullitout,andthatwouldhurt.Sohethoughthewouldholdthetoothinreserveforthepresent,andseekfurther.Nothingofferedforsomelittletime,andthenherememberedhearingthedoctortellaboutacertainthingthatlaidupapatientfortwoorthreeweeksandthreat-enedtomakehimloseafinger.Sotheboyeagerlydrewhissoretoefromunderthesheetandhelditupforinspection.Butnowhedidnotknowthenecessarysymptoms.However,itseemedwellworthwhiletochanceit,sohefelltogroaningwithconsiderablespirit.ButSidsleptonunconscious.Tomgroanedlouder,andfanciedthathebegantofeelpaininthetoe.NoresultfromSid.Tomwaspantingwithhisexertionsbythistime.Hetookarestandthenswelledhimselfupandfetchedasuccessionofadmirablegroans.Sidsnoredon.Tomwasaggravated.Hesaid,“Sid,Sid!”andshookhim.Thiscourseworkedwell,andTombegantogroanagain.Sidyawned,stretched,thenbroughthimselfuponhiselbowwithasnort,andbegantostareatTom.Tomwentongroaning.Sidsaid:
44TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Tom!Say,Tom!”[Noresponse.]“HereTom!Tom!Whatisthematter,Tom?”Andheshookhimandlookedinhisfaceanxiously.Tommoanedout:“Odon’t,Sid.Don’tjoggleme.”“Whywhat’sthematterTom?Imustcallauntie.”“No––nevermind.It’llbeoverbyandby,maybe.Don’tcallanybody.”“ButImust!Don’tgroanso,Tom,it’sawful.Howlongyoubeenthisway?”“Hours.Ouch!Odon’tstirso,Sid,you’llkillme.”“Tom,whydidn’tyouwakemesooner?O,Tom,don’t!Itmakesmyfleshcrawltohearyou.Tom,whatisthematter?”“Iforgiveyoueverything,Sid.[Groan.]Everythingyou’veeverdonetome.WhenI’mgone––”“O,Tom,youain’tdyingareyou?Don’t,Tom––O,don’t.Maybe––”“Iforgiveeverybody,Sid.[Groan.]Tell’emso,Sid.AndSid,yougivemywindow-sashandmycatwithoneeyetothatnewgirlthat’scometotown,andtellher––”ButSidhadsnatchedhisclothesandgone.Tomwassufferinginreality,now,sohandsomelywashisimaginationworking,andsohisgroanshadgatheredquiteagenuinetone.Sidflewdownstairsandsaid:“O,AuntPolly,come!Tom’sdying!”“Dying!”“Yes’m.Don’twait––comequick!”“Rubbage!Idon’tbelieveit!”Butshefledupstairs,nevertheless,withSidandMaryatherheels.Andherfacegrewwhite,too,andherliptrembled.Whenshereachedthebedsideshegaspedout:“YouTom!Tom,what’sthematterwithyou?”“O,auntie,I’m––”“What’sthematterwithyou––whatisthematterwithyou,child?”“Oauntie,mysoretoe’smortified!”Theoldladysankdownintoachairandlaughedalittle,thencriedalittle,thendidbothtogether.Thisrestoredherandshesaid:“Tom,whataturnyoudidgiveme.Nowyoushutupthatnonsenseandclimboutofthis.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer45Thegroansceasedandthepainvanishedfromthetoe.Theboyfeltalittlefoolish,andhesaid:“AuntPollyitseemedmortified,andithurtsoInevermindedmytoothatall.”“Yourtooth,indeed!What’sthematterwithyourtooth?”“Oneofthem’sloose,anditachesperfectlyawful.”“There,there,now,don’tbeginthatgroaningagain.Openyourmouth.Well––yourtoothisloose,butyou’renotgoingtodieaboutthat.Marygetmeasilkthread,andachunkoffireoutofthekitchen.”Tomsaid:“O,pleaseauntie,don’tpullitout.Itdon’thurtanymore.IwishImayneverstirifitdoes.Pleasedon’t,auntie.Idon’twanttostayhomefromschool.”“Oh,youdon’t,don’tyou?Soallthisrowwasbecauseyouthoughtyou’dgettostayhomefromschoolandgoafishing?Tom,Tom,Iloveyouso,andyouseemtotryeverywayyoucantobreakmyoldheartwithyouroutrageousness.”Bythistimethedentalinstrumentswereready.TheoldladymadeoneendofthesilkthreadfasttoTom’stoothwithaloopandtiedtheothertothebed-post.Thensheseizedthechunkoffireandsuddenlythrustitalmostintotheboy’sface.Thetoothhungdanglingbythebedpost,now.Butalltrialsbringtheircompensations.AsTomwendedtoschoolafterbreakfast,hewastheenvyofeveryboyhemetbecausethegapinhisupperrowofteethenabledhimtoexpectorateinanewandadmirableway.Hegatheredquiteafollowingofladsinterestedintheexhibition;andonethathadcuthisfingerandhadbeenacentreoffascinationandhomageuptothistime,nowfoundhimselfsud-denlywithoutanadherent,andshornofhisglory.Hisheartwasheavy,andhesaidwithadisdainwhichhedidnotfeel,thatitwasn’tanythingtospitlikeTomSawyer;butanotherboysaid“Sourgrapes!”andhewanderedawayadismantledhero.ShortlyTomcameuponthejuvenilepariahofthevillage,HuckleberryFinn,sonofthetowndrunkard.Huckleberrywascor-diallyhatedanddreadedbyallthemothersofthetown,becausehewasidle,andlawless,andvulgarandbad––andbecausealltheirchildrenadmiredhimso,anddelightedinhisforbiddensociety,andwishedtheydaredtobelikehim.Tomwasliketherestoftherespectableboys,inthatheenviedHuckleberryhisgaudyoutcast
46TheAdventuresofTomSawyercondition,andwasunderstrictordersnottoplaywithhim.Soheplayedwithhimeverytimehegotachance.Huckleberrywasalwaysdressedinthecast-offclothesoffull-grownmen,andtheywereinperennialbloomandflutteringwithrags.Hishatwasavastruinwithawidecrescentloppedoutofitsbrim;hiscoat,whenheworeone,hungnearlytohisheelsandhadtherearwardbuttonsfardowntheback;butonesuspendersupportedhistrousers;theseatofthetrousersbaggedlowandcontainednothing;thefringedlegsdraggedinthedirtwhennotrolledup.Huckleberrycameandwent,athisownfreewill.Hesleptondoor-stepsinfineweatherandinemptyhogsheadsinwet;hedidnothavetogotoschoolortochurch,orcallanybeingmasterorobeyanybody;hecouldgofishingorswimmingwhenandwherehechose,andstayaslongasitsuitedhim;nobodyforbadehimtofight;hecouldsitupaslateashepleased;hewasalwaysthefirstboythatwentbarefootinthespringandthelasttoresumeleatherinthefall;heneverhadtowash,norputoncleanclothes;hecouldswearwonderfully.Inaword,everythingthatgoestomakelifeprecious,thatboyhad.Sothoughteveryharassed,hampered,respectableboyinSt.Petersburg.Tomhailedtheromanticoutcast:“Hello,Huckleberry!”“Helloyourself,andseehowyoulikeit.”“What’sthatyougot?”“Deadcat.”“LemmeseehimHuck.My,he’sprettystiff.Where’dyougethim?”“Boughthimoff’naboy.”“Whatdidyougive?”“IgiveablueticketandabladderthatIgotattheslaughterhouse.”“Where’dyougettheblueticket?”“Boughtitoff’nBenRogerstwoweeksagoforahoop-stick.”“Say––whatisdeadcatsgoodfor,Huck?”“Goodfor?Curewartswith.”“No!Isthatso?Iknowsomethingthat’sbetter.”“Ibetyoudon’t.Whatisit?”“Why,spunk-water.”“Spunk-water!Iwouldn’tgiveadernforspunk-water.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer47“Youwouldn’twouldn’tyou?D’youevertryit?”“No,Ihain’t.ButBobTannerdid.”“Whotoldyouso!”“WhyhetoldJeffThatcher,andJefftoldJohnnyBaker,andJohnnytoldJimHollis,andJimtoldBenRogers,andBentoldanigger,andtheniggertoldme.Therenow!”“Well,whatofit?They’llalllie.Leastwaysallbutthenigger.Idon’tknowhim.ButIneverseeaniggerthatwouldn’tlie.Shucks!NowyoutellmehowBobTannerdoneit,Huck.”“Whyhetookanddippedhishandinarottenstumpwheretherainwaterwas.”“Inthedaytime?”“Certainly.”“Withhisfacetothestump?”“Yes.LeastIreckonso.”“Didhesayanything?”“Idon’treckonhedid.Idon’tknow.”“Aha!Talkabouttryingtocurewartswithspunk-watersuchablamefoolwayasthat!Whythatain’tagoingtodoanygood.Yougottogoallbyyourself,tothemiddleofthewoods,whereyouknowthere’saspunk-waterstump,andjustasit’smidnightyoubackupagainstthestumpandjamyourhandinandsay:Barley-corn,Barley-corn,injun-mealshorts,Spunk-water,spunk-water,swallerthesewarts.andthenwalkawayquick,elevensteps,withyoureyesshut,andthenturnaroundthreetimesandwalkhomewithoutspeakingtoanybody.Becauseifyouspeakthecharm’sbusted.”“Wellthatsoundslikeagoodway;butthatain’tthewayBobTannerdone.”“No,sir,youcanbethedidn’t,becuzhe’sthewartiestboyinthistown;andhewouldn’thaveawartonhimifhe’dknowedhowtoworkspunk-water.I’vetookoffthousandsofwartsoffofmyhandsthatwayHuck.IplaywithfrogssomuchthatI’vealwaysgotconsiderablemanywarts.SometimesItake’emoffwithabean.”“Yes,bean’sgood.I’vedonethat.”“Haveyou?What’syourway?”“Youtakeandsplitthebean,andcutthewartsoastogetsomeblood,andthenyouputthebloodononepieceofthebeanandtake
48TheAdventuresofTomSawyeranddigaholeandburyit’boutmidnightatthecross-roadsinthedarkofthemoon,andthenyouburnuptherestofthebean.Youseethatpiecethat’sgotthebloodonitwillkeepdrawinganddrawing,tryingtofetchtheotherpiecetoit,andsothathelpsthebloodtodrawthewart,andprettysoonoffshecomes.”“Yesthat’sitHuck––that’sit;thoughwhenyou’reburyingitifyousay‘Downbean;offwart;comenomoretobotherme!’it’sbetter.That’sthewayJoeHarperdoes,andhe’sbeennearlytoCoonvilleandmosteverywheres.Butsay––howdoyoucure’emwithdeadcats?”“Whyyoutakeyourcatandgoandgetinthegraveyard’longaboutmidnightwhensomebodythatwaswickedhasbeenburied;andwhenit’smidnightadevilwillcome,ormaybetwoorthree,butyoucan’tsee’em,youcanonlyhearsomethinglikethewind,ormaybehear’emtalk;andwhenthey’retakingthatfelleraway,youheaveyourcatafter’emandsay‘Devilfollowcorpse,catfollowdevil,wartsfollowcat,I’mdonewithye!’That’llfetchanywart.”“Soundsright.D’youevertryit,Huck?”“No,butoldmotherHopkinstoldme.”“WellIreckonit’sso,then.Becuztheysayshe’sawitch.”“Say!WhyTomIknowsheis.Shewitchedpap.Papsayssohisownself.Hecomealongoneday,andheseeshewasawitchinghim,sohetookuparock,andifshehadn’tdodged,he’dagother.Wellthatverynightherolledoff’nashedwher’hewasalayindrunk,andbrokehisarm.”“Whythat’sawful.Howdidheknowshewasawitchinghim?”“Lord,papcantell,easy.Papsayswhentheykeeplookingatyourightstiddy,they’reawitchingyou.Speciallyiftheymumble.Becuzwhentheymumblethey’resayingtheLord’sPrayerback-ards.”“Say,Hucky,whenyougoingtotrythecat?”“To-night.Ireckonthey’llcomeafteroldHossWilliamsto-night.”“ButtheyburiedhimSaturday.Didn’ttheygethimSaturdaynight?”“Whyhowyoutalk!Howcouldtheircharmsworktillmid-night?––andthenit’sSunday.Devilsdon’tslosharoundmuchofaSunday,Idon’treckon.”“Ineverthoughtofthat.That’sso,Lemmegowithyou?”“Ofcourse––ifyouain’tafeard.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer49“Afeard!’Tain’tlikely.Willyoumeow?”“Yes––andyoumeowback,ifyougetachance.Lasttime,youkep’meameowingaroundtilloldHayswenttothrowingrocksatmeandsays‘Dernthatcat!’andsoIhoveabrickthroughhiswindow––butdon’tyoutell.”“Iwon’t.Icouldn’tmeowthatnight,becuzauntiewaswatchingme,butI’llmeowthistime.Say––what’sthat?”“Nothingbutatick.”“Where’dyougethim?”“Outinthewoods.”“What’llyoutakeforhim?”“Idon’tknow.Idon’twanttosellhim.”“Allright.It’samightysmalltick,anyway.”“O,anybodycanrunatickdownthatdon’tbelongtothem.I’msatisfiedwithit.It’sagoodenoughtickforme.”“Sho,there’sticksaplenty.Icouldhaveathousandof’emifIwantedto.”“Wellwhydon’tyou?Becuzyouknowmightywellyoucan’t.Thisisaprettyearlytick,Ireckon.It’sthefirstoneI’veseenthisyear.”“SayHuck––I’llgiveyoumytoothforhim.”“Lessseeit.”Tomgotoutabitofpaperandcarefullyunrolledit.Huckleberryvieweditwistfully.Thetemptationwasverystrong.Atlasthesaid:“Isitgenuwyne?”Tomliftedhislipandshowedthevacancy.“Well,allright,”saidHuckleberry,“it’satrade.”Tomenclosedthetickinthepercussion-capboxthathadlatelybeenthepinch-bug’sprison,andtheboysseparated,eachfeelingwealthierthanbefore.WhenTomreachedthelittleisolatedframeSchool-house,hestrodeinbriskly,withthemannerofonewhohadcomewithallhonestspeed.Hehunghishatonapegandflunghimselfintohisseatwithbusiness-likealacrity.Themaster,thronedonhighinhisgreatsplint-bottomarm-chair,wasdozing,lulledbythedrowsyhumofstudy.Theinterruptionrousedhim.“ThomasSawyer!”Tomknewthatwhenhisnamewaspronouncedinfull,itmeanttrouble.
50TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Sir!”“Comeuphere.Nowsir,whyareyoulateagain,asusual?”Tomwasabouttotakerefugeinalie,whenhesawtwolongtailsofyellowhairhangingdownabackthatherecognizedbytheelectricsympathyoflove;*andbythatformwastheonlyvacantplaceonthegirl’ssideoftheschool-house.Heinstantlysaid:“IstoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn!”Themaster’spulsestoodstill,andhestaredhelplessly.Thebuzzofstudyceased.Thepupilswonderedifthisfool-hardyboyhadlosthismind.Themastersaid:“You––youdidwhat?”“StoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn.”Therewasnomistakingthewords.“ThomasSawyer,thisisthemostastoundingconfessionIhaveeverlistenedto.Nomereferulewillanswerforthisoffence.Takeoffyourjacket.”Themaster’sarmperformeduntilitwastiredandthestockofswitchesnotablydiminished.Thentheorderfollowed:“Nowsir,goandsitwiththegirls!Andletthisbeawarningtoyou.”Thetitterthatrippledaroundtheroomappearedtoabashtheboy,butinrealitythatresultwascausedrathermorebyhisworshipfulaweofhisunknownidolandthedreadpleasurethatlayinhishighgoodfortune.Hesatdownupontheendofthepinebenchandthegirlhitchedherselfawayfromhimwithatossofherhead.Nudgesandwinksandwhisperstraversedtheroom,butTomsatstill,withhisarmsuponthelong,lowdeskbeforehim,andseemedtostudyhisbook.Byandbyattentionceasedfromhim,andtheaccustomedschoolmurmurroseuponthedullaironcemore.Presentlytheboybegantostealfurtiveglancesatthegirl.Sheobservedit,“madeamouth”athimandgavehimthebackofherheadforthespaceofaminute.Whenshecautiouslyfacedaroundagain,apeachlaybeforeher.Shethrustitaway.Tomgentlyputitback.Shethrustitaway,again,butwithlessanimosity.Tompatientlyreturnedittoitsplace.Thensheletitremain.Tomscrawledonhisslate,“Pleasetakeit––Igotmore.”Thegirlglancedatthewords,butmadenosign.Nowtheboybegantodrawsomethingontheslate,hidinghisworkwithhislefthand.Foratimethegirlrefusedtonotice;butherhuman
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer51curiositypresentlybegantomanifestitselfbyhardlyperceptiblesigns.Theboyworkedon,apparentlyunconcious.Thegirlmadeasortofnon-committalattempttosee,buttheboydidnotbetraythathewasawareofit.Atlastshegaveinandhesitatinglywhispered:“Letmeseeit.”Tompartlyuncoveredadismalcaricatureofahousewithtwogableendstoitandacork-screwofsmokeissuingfromthechimney.Thenthegirl’sinterestbegantofastenitselfupontheworkandsheforgoteverythingelse.Whenitwasfinished,shegazedamoment,thenwhispered:“It’snice––makeaman.”Theartisterectedamaninthefrontyard,thatresembledader-rick.Hecouldhavesteppedoverthehouse;butthegirlwasnothypercritical;shewassatisfiedwiththemonster,andwhispered:“It’sabeautifulman––nowmakemecomingalong.”Tomdrewanhour-glasswithafullmoonandstrawlimbstoitandarmedthespreadingfingerswithaportentousfan.Thegirlsaid:“It’seversonice––IwishIcoulddraw.”“It’seasy,”whisperedTom,“I’lllearnyou.”“O,willyou?When?”“Atnoon.Doyougohometodinner?”“I’llstayifyouwill.”“Good,––that’sawhack.What’syourname?”“BeckyThatcher.What’syours?Oh,Iknow.It’sThomasSawyer.”
52TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“That’sthenametheylickmeby.I’mTomwhenI’mgood.YoucallmeTom,willyou?”“Yes.”NowTombegantoscrawlsomethingontheslate,hidingthewordsfromthegirl.Butshewasnotbackwardthistime.Shebeggedtosee.Tomsaid:“Ohitain’tanything.”“Yesitis.”“Noitain’t.Youdon’twanttosee.”“YesIdo,indeedIdo.Pleaseletme.”“You’lltell.”“NoIwon’t––deedanddeedanddoubledeedIwon’t.”“Youwon’ttellanybodyatall?Ever,aslongasyoulive?”“NoIwon’tevertellanybody.Nowletme.”“Oh,youdon’twanttosee!”“Nowthatyoutreatmeso,Iwillsee.”Andsheputhersmallhanduponhisandalittlescuffleensued,Tompretendingtoresistinearnestbutlettinghishandslipbydegreestillthesewordswererevealed:“Iloveyou.”“O,youbadthing!”Andshehithishandasmartrapbutreddenedandlookedpleased,nevertheless.Justatthisjuncturetheboyfeltaslow,fatefulgripclosingonhisear,andasteadyliftingimpulse.Inthatvisehewasborneacrossthehouseanddepositedinhisownseat,underapepperingfireofgig-glesfromthewholeschool.Thenthemasterstoodoverhimduringafewawfulmoments,andfinallymovedawaytohisthronewithoutsayingaword.ButalthoughTom’seartingled,hisheartwasjubilant.AstheschoolquieteddownTommadeanhonestefforttostudy,buttheturmoilwithinhimwastoogreat.Inturnhetookhisplaceinthereadingclassandmadeabotchofit;theninthegeographyclassandturnedlakesintomountains,mountainsintorivers,andriversintocontinents,tillchaoswascomeagain;*theninthespellingclass,andgot“turneddown,”byasuccessionofmerebabywordstillhebroughtupatthefootandyieldedupthepewtermedalwhichhehadwornwithostentationformonths.
CHAPTERVIITheharderTomtriedtofastenhismindonhisbook,themorehisideaswandered.Soatlast,withasighandayawn,hegaveitup.Itseemedtohimthatthenoonrecesswouldnevercome.Theairwasutterlydead.Therewasnotabreathstirring.Itwasthesleepiestofsleepydays.Thedrowsingmurmurofthefiveandtwentystudyingscholars,soothedthesoullikethespellthatisinthemurmurofbees.Awayoffintheflamingsunshine,CardiffHilllifteditssoftgreensidesthroughashimmeringveilofheat,tintedwiththepurpleofdistance;afewbirdsfloatedonlazywinghighintheair;nootherlivingthingwasvisiblebutsomecows,andtheywereasleep.Tom’sheartachedtobefree,orelsetohavesomethingofinteresttodotopassthedrearytime.Hishandwanderedintohispocketandhisfacelitupwithaglowofgratitudethatwasprayer,thoughhedidnotknowit.Thenfurtivelythepercussion-capboxcameout.Hereleasedthetickandputhimonthelongflatdesk.Thecreatureprobablyglowedwithagratitudethatamountedtoprayer,too,atthismoment,butitwaspremature:forwhenhestartedthankfullytotraveloff,Tomturnedhimasidewithapinandmadehimtakeanewdirection.Tom’sbosomfriendsatnexthim,sufferingjustasTomhadbeen,andnowhewasdeeplyandgratefullyinterestedinthisentertain-mentinaninstant.ThisbosomfriendwasJoeHarper.Thetwoboyswereswornfriendsalltheweek,andembattledenemiesonSaturdays.Joetookapinoutofhislappelandbegantoassistinexercisingtheprisoner.Thesportgrewininterestmomently.SoonTomsaidthattheywereinterferingwitheachother,andneithergettingthefullestbenefitofthetick.SoheputJoe’sslateonthedeskanddrewalinedownthemiddleofitfromtoptobottom.“Now,”saidhe,“aslongasheisonyoursideyoucanstirhimupandI’lllethimalone;butifyoulethimgetawayandgetonmyside,you’retoleavehimaloneaslongasIcankeephimfromcrossingover.”“Allright,goahead;starthimup.”ThetickescapedfromTom,presently,andcrossedtheequator.Joeharassedhimawhile,andthenhegotawayandcrossedback
54TheAdventuresofTomSawyeragain.Thischangeofbaseoccurredoften.Whileoneboywasworry-ingthetickwithabsorbinginterest,theotherwouldlookonwithinterestasstrong,thetwoheadsbowedtogetherovertheslate,andthetwosoulsdeadtoallthingselse.AtlastluckseemedtosettleandabidewithJoe.Theticktriedthis,that,andtheothercourse,andgotasexcitedandasanxiousastheboysthemselves,buttimeandagainjustashewouldhavevictoryinhisverygrasp,sotospeak,andTom’sfingerswouldbetwitchingtobegin,Joe’spinwoulddeftlyheadhimoff,andkeeppossession.AtlastTomcouldstanditnolonger.Thetemptationwastoostrong.Sohereachedoutandlentahandwithhispin.Joewasangryinamoment.Saidhe:“Tom,youlethimalone.”“Ionlyjustwanttostirhimupalittle,Joe.”“No,sir,itain’tfair;youjustlethimalone.”“Blameit,Iain’tgoingtostirhimmuch.”“Lethimalone,Itellyou!”“Iwon’t!”“Youshall––he’sonmysideoftheline.”“Lookhere,JoeHarper,whoseisthattick?”“Idon’tcarewhosetickheis––he’sonmysideoftheline,andyoushan’ttouchhim.”“WellI’lljustbetIwill,though.He’smytickandI’lldowhatIblamepleasewithhim,ordie!”AtremendouswhackcamedownonTom’sshoulders,anditsduplicateonJoe’s;andforthespaceoftwominutesthedustcon-tinuedtoflyfromthetwojacketsandthewholeschooltoenjoyit.Theboyshadbeentooabsorbedtonoticethehushthathadstolenupontheschoolawhilebeforewhenthemastercametip-toeingdowntheroomandstoodoverthem.Hehadcontemplatedagoodpartoftheperformancebeforehecontributedhisbitofvarietytoit.Whenschoolbrokeupatnoon,TomflewtoBeckyThatcher,andwhisperedinherear:“Putonyourbonnetandletonyou’regoinghome;andwhenyougettothecorner,givetherestof’emtheslip,andturndownthroughthelaneandcomeback.I’llgotheotherwayandcomeitover’emthesameway.”Sotheonewentoffwithonegroupofscholars,andtheotherwithanother.Inalittlewhilethetwometatthebottomofthelane,andwhentheyreachedtheschooltheyhaditalltothemselves.Then
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer55theysattogether,withaslatebeforethem,andTomgaveBeckythepencilandheldherhandinhis,guidingit,andsocreatedanothersurprisinghouse.Whentheinterestinartbegantowane,thetwofelltotalking.Tomwasswimminginbliss.Hesaid:“Doyouloverats?”“No!Ihatethem!”“Well,Idotoo––liveones.ButImeandeadones,toswingroundyourheadwithastring.”“No,Idon’tcareforratsmuch,anyway.WhatIlikeischewing-gum.”“O,Ishouldsayso!IwishIhadsomenow.”“Doyou?I’vegotsome.I’llletyouchewitawhile,butyoumustgiveitbacktome.”Thatwasagreeable,sotheycheweditturnabout,anddangledtheirlegsagainstthebenchinexcessofcontentment.“Wasyoueveratacircus?”saidTom.“Yes,andmypa’sgoingtotakemeagainsometime,ifI’mgood.”“Ibeentothecircusthreeorfourtimes––lotsoftimes.Churchain’tshuckstoacircus.There’sthingsgoingonatacircusallthetime.I’mgoingtobeaclowninacircuswhenIgrowup.”“O,areyou!Thatwillbenice.They’resolovely,allspottedup.”“Yes,that’sso.Andtheygetslathersofmoney––mostadollaraday,BenRogerssays.Say,Becky,wasyoueverengaged?”“What’sthat?”“Why,engagedtobemarried.”“No.”“Wouldyouliketo?”“Ireckonso.Idon’tknow.Whatisitlike?”“Like?Whyitain’tlikeanything.Youonlyjusttellaboyyouwon’teverhaveanybodybuthim,evereverever,andthenyoukissandthat’sall.Anybodycandoit.”“Kiss?Whatdoyoukissfor?”“Whythat,youknow,isto––well,theyalwaysdothat.”“Everybody?”“Whyyes,everybodythat’sinlovewitheachother.DoyourememberwhatIwroteontheslate?”“Ye––yes.”“Whatwasit?”“Ishan’ttellyou.”
56TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“ShallItellyou?”“Ye––yes––butsomeothertime.”“No,now.”“No,notnow––to-morrow.”“O,no,now.PleaseBecky––I’llwhisperit,I’llwhisperiteversoeasy.”Beckyhesitating,Tomtooksilenceforconsent,andpassedhisarmaboutherwaistandwhisperedthetaleeversosoftly,withhismouthclosetoherear.Andthenheadded:“Nowyouwhisperittome––justthesame.”Sheresisted,forawhile,andthensaid:“Youturnyourfaceawaysoyoucan’tsee,andthenIwill.Butyoumustn’tevertellanybody––willyou,Tom?Nowyouwon’t,willyou?”“No,indeedindeedIwon’t.NowBecky.”Heturnedhisfaceaway.Shebenttimidlyaroundtillherbreathstirredhiscurlsandwhispered,“I––love––you!”Thenshesprangawayandranaroundandaroundthedesksandbenches,withTomafterher,andtookrefugeinacorneratlast,withherlittlewhiteaprontoherface.Tomclaspedheraboutherneckandpleaded:“NowBecky,it’salldone––alloverbutthekiss.Don’tyoubeafraidofthat––itain’tanythingatall.Please,Becky.”––Andhetuggedatherapronandthehands.Byandbyshegaveup,andletherhandsdrop;herface,allglowingwiththestruggle,cameupandsubmitted.Tomkissedtheredlipsandsaid:“Nowit’salldone,Becky.Andalwaysafterthis,youknow,youain’tevertoloveanybodybutme,andyouain’tevertomarryanybodybutme,neverneverandforever.Willyou?”“No,I’llneverloveanybodybutyou,Tom,andI’llnevermarryanybodybutyou––andyouain’ttoevermarryanybodybutme,either.”“Certainly.Ofcourse.That’spartofit.Andalwayscomingtoschoolorwhenwe’regoinghome,you’retowalkwithme,whenthereain’tanybodylooking––andyouchoosemeandIchooseyouatparties,becausethat’sthewayyoudowhenyou’reengaged.”“It’ssonice.Ineverheardofitbefore.”“Ohit’seversogay!WhymeandAmyLawrence”––
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer57ThebigeyestoldTomhisblunderandhestopped,confused.“O,Tom!ThenIain’tthefirstyou’veeverbeenengagedto!”Thechildbegantocry.Tomsaid:“Odon’tcry,Becky,Idon’tcareforheranymore.”“Yesyoudo,Tom,––youknowyoudo.”Tomtriedtoputhisarmaboutherneck,butshepushedhimawayandturnedherfacetothewall,andwentoncrying.Tomtriedagain,withsoothingwordsinhismouth,andwasrepulsedagain.Thenhispridewasup,andhestrodeawayandwentoutside.Hestoodabout,restlessanduneasy,forawhile,glancingatthedoor,everynowandthen,hopingshewouldrepentandcometofindhim.Butshedidnot.Thenhebegantofeelbadlyandfearthathewasinthewrong.Itwasahardstrugglewithhimtomakenewadvances,now,buthenervedhimselftoitandentered.Shewasstillstandingbackthereinthecorner,sobbing,withherfacetothewall.Tom’sheartsmotehim.Hewenttoherandstoodamoment,notknowingexactlyhowtoproceed.Thenhesaidhesitatingly:“Becky,I––Idon’tcareforanybodybutyou.”Noreply––butsobs.“Becky,”––pleadingly.“Becky,won’tyousaysomething?”Moresobs.Tomgotouthischiefestjewel,abrassknobfromthetopofanandiron,andpasseditaroundhersothatshecouldseeit,andsaid:“Please,Becky,won’tyoutakeit?”Shestruckittothefloor.ThenTommarchedoutofthehouseandoverthehillsandfaraway,*toreturntoschoolnomorethatday.PresentlyBeckybegantosuspect.Sherantothedoor;hewasnotinsight;sheflewaroundtotheplay-yard;hewasnotthere.Thenshecalled:“Tom!ComebackTom!”Shelistenedintently,buttherewasnoanswer.Shehadnocom-panionsbutsilenceandloneliness.Soshesatdowntocryagainandupbraidherself;andbythistimethescholarsbegantogatheragain,andshehadtohidehergriefsandstillherbrokenheartandtakeupthecrossofalong,dreary,achingafternoon,withnoneamongthestrangersabouthertoexchangesorrowswith.
CHAPTERVIIITomdodgedhitherandthitherthroughlanesuntilhewaswelloutofthetrackofreturningscholars,andthenfellintoamoodyjog.Hecrossedasmall“branch”twoorthreetimes,becauseofaprevailingjuvenilesuperstitionthattocrosswaterbaffledpursuit.HalfanhourlaterhewasdisappearingbehindtheDouglasmansiononthesum-mitofCardiffHill,andtheschool-housewashardlydistinguishableawayoffinthevalleybehindhim.Heenteredadensewood,pickedhispathlesswaytothecentreofit,andsatdownonamossyspotunderaspreadingoak.Therewasnotevenazephyrstirring;thedeadnoondayheathadevenstilledthesongsofthebirds;naturelayinatrancethatwasbrokenbynosoundbuttheoccasionalfar-offhammeringofawoodpecker,andthisseemedtorenderthepervad-ingsilenceandsenseoflonelinessthemoreprofound.Theboy’ssoulwassteepedinmelancholy;hisfeelingswereinhappyaccordwithhissurroundings.Hesatlongwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands,meditating.Itseemedtohimthatlifewasbutatrouble,atbest,andhemorethanhalfenviedJimmyHodges,solatelyreleased;itmustbeverypeaceful,hethought,tolieandslum-beranddreamforeverandever,withthewindwhisperingthroughthetreesandcaressingthegrassandtheflowersoverthegrave,andnothingtobotherandgrieveabout,everanymore.IfheonlyhadacleanSunday-schoolrecordhecouldbewillingtogo,andbedonewithitall.Nowastothisgirl.Whathadhedone?Nothing.Hehadmeantthebestintheworld,andbeentreatedlikeadog––likeaverydog.Shewouldbesorrysomeday––maybewhenitwastoolate.Ah,ifhecouldonlydietemporarily!Buttheelasticheartofyouthcannotbecompressedintooneconstrainedshapelongatatime.Tompresentlybegantodriftinsensiblybackintotheconcernsofthislifeagain.Whatifheturnedhisback,now,anddisappearedmysteriously?Whatifhewentaway––eversofaraway,intounknowncountriesbeyondtheseas––andnevercomebackanymore!Howwouldshefeelthen!Theideaofbeingaclownrecurredtohimnow,onlytofillhimwithdisgust.Forfrivolityandjokesandspottedtightswereanoffense,whentheyintrudedthemselvesuponaspiritthatwasexaltedintothevague
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer59augustrealmoftheromantic.No,hewouldbeasoldier,andreturnafterlongyears,allwar-wornandillustrious.No––betterstill,hewouldjointheIndians,andhuntbuffaloesandgoonthewar-pathinthemountainrangesandthetracklessgreatplainsoftheFarWest,andawayinthefuturecomebackagreatchief,bristlingwithfea-thers,hideouswithpaint,andpranceintoSunday-school,somedrowsysummermorning,withablood-curdlingwar-whoop,andseartheeye-ballsofallhiscompanionswithunappeasableenvy.Butno,therewassomethinggaudiereventhanthis.Hewouldbeapirate!Thatwasit!Nowhisfuturelayplainbeforehim,andglowingwithunimaginablesplendor.Howhisnamewouldfilltheworld,andmakepeopleshudder!Howgloriouslyhewouldgoplowingthedan-cingseas,inhislong,low,black-hulledracer,the“SpiritoftheStorm,”withhisgrislyflagflyingatthefore!Andatthezenithofhisfame,howhewouldsuddenlyappearattheoldvillageandstalkintochurch,brownandweather-beaten,inhisblackvelvetdoubletandtrunks,hisgreatjack-boots,hiscrimsonsash,hisbeltbristlingwithhorse-pistols,hiscrime-rustedcutlassathisside,hisslouchhatwithwavingplumes,hisblackflagunfurled,withtheskullandcross-bonesonit,andhearwithswellingecstasythewhisperings,“It’sTomSawyerthePirate!––theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain!”*Yes,itwassettled;hiscareerwasdetermined.Hewouldrunawayfromhomeandenteruponit.Hewouldstarttheverynextmorning.Thereforehemustnowbegintogetready.Hewouldcollecthisresourcestogether.HewenttoarottenlognearathandandbegantodigunderoneendofitwithhisBarlowknife.Hesoonstruckwoodthatsoundedhollow.Heputhishandthereandutteredthisincantationimpressively:“Whathasn’tcomehere,come!What’shere,stayhere!”Thenhescrapedawaythedirt,andexposedapineshingle.Hetookitupanddisclosedashapelylittletreasure-housewhosebottomandsideswereofshingles.Initlayamarble.Tom’sastonishmentwasboundless!Hescratchedhisheadwithaperplexedair,andsaid:“Well,thatbeatsanything?”Thenhetossedthemarbleawaypettishly,andstoodcogitating.Thetruthwas,thatasuperstitionofhishadfailed,here,whichheandallhiscomradeshadalwayslookeduponasinfallible.Ifyouburiedamarblewithcertainnecessaryincantations,andleftitaloneafortnight,andthenopenedtheplacewiththeincantation
60TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhehadjustused,youwouldfindthatallthemarblesyouhadeverlosthadgatheredthemselvestogetherthere,meantime,nomatterhowwidelytheyhadbeenseparated.Butnow,thisthinghadactuallyandunquestionablyfailed.Tom’swholestructureoffaithwasshakentoitsfoundations.Hehadmanyatimeheardofthisthingsucceeding,butneverofitsfailingbefore.Itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadtrieditseveraltimesbefore,himself,butcouldneverfindthehidingplacesafterwards.Hepuzzledoverthemattersometime,andfinallydecidedthatsomewitchhadinterferedandbrokenthecharm.Hethoughthewouldsatisfyhimselfonthatpoint;sohesearchedaroundtillhefoundasmallsandyspotwithalittlefunnel-shapeddepressioninit.Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisdepressionandcalled:“Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!Doodle-bug,doodle-bugtellmewhatIwanttoknow!”Thesandbegantowork,andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright.“Hedasn’ttell!Soitwasawitchthatdoneit.Ijustknowedit.”Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches,sohegaveupdiscouraged.Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway,andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit.Buthecouldnotfindit.Nowhewentbacktohistreasure-houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway;thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway,saying:“Brothergofindyourbrother!”Hewatchedwhereitstopped,andwentthereandlooked.Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar;sohetriedtwicemore.Thelastrepetitionwassuccessful.Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother.Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest.Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers,turnedasuspenderintoabelt,rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog,disclosingarudebowandarrow,alathswordandatintrumpet,andinamomenthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway,barelegged,withflutteringshirt.Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm,blewanansweringblast,andthenbegantotip-toeandlookwarilyout,thiswayandthat.Hesaidcautiously––toanimaginarycompany:
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer61“Hold,mymerrymen!KeephidtillIblow.”NowappearedJoeHarper,asairilycladandelaboratelyarmedasTom.Tomcalled:“Hold!WhocomeshereintoSherwoodForestwithoutmypass?”“GuyofGuisbornewantsnoman’spass.Whoartthouthat––that––”“Darestoholdsuchlanguage,”saidTom,prompting––fortheytalked“bythebook,”frommemory.*“Whoartthouthatdarestoholdsuchlanguage?”“I,indeed!IamRobinHood,asthycaitiffcarcasesoonshallknow.”“Thenartthouindeedthatfamousoutlaw?RightgladlywillIdisputewiththeethepassesofthemerrywood.Haveatthee!”Theytooktheirlathswords,dumpedtheirothertrapsontheground,struckafencingattitude,foottofoot,andbeganagrave,carefulcombat,“twoupandtwodown.”PresentlyTomsaid:“Nowifyou’vegotthehang,goitlively!”Sothey“wentitlively,”pantingandperspiringwiththework.ByandbyTomshouted:“Fall!fall!Whydon’tyoufall?”“Ishan’t!Whydon’tyoufallyourself?You’regettingtheworstofit.”“Whythatain’tanything.Ican’tfall;thatain’tthewayitisinthebook.Thebooksays‘Thenwithoneback-handedstrokeheslewpoorGuyofGuisborne.’You’retoturnaroundandletmehityouintheback.”Therewasnogettingaroundtheauthorities,soJoeturned,receivedthewhackandfell.“Now,”saidJoe,gettingup,“Yougottoletmekillyou.That’sfair.”“WhyIcan’tdothat,itain’tinthebook.”“Wellit’sblamedmean,––that’sall.”“Well,say,Joe,youcanbeFriarTuckorMuchthemiller’ssonandlammewithaquarter-staff;orI’llbetheSheriffofNottinghamandyoubeRobinHoodalittlewhileandkillme.”Thiswassatisfactory,andsotheseadventureswerecarriedout.ThenTombecameRobinHoodagain,andwasallowedbythetreacherousnuntobleedhisstrengthawaythroughhisneglectedwound.AndatlastJoe,representingawholetribeofweepingout-laws,draggedhimsadlyforth,gavehisbowintohisfeeblehands,
62TheAdventuresofTomSawyerandTomsaid,“Wherethisarrowfalls,thereburypoorRobinHoodunderthegreenwoodtree.”Thenheshotthearrowandfellbackandwouldhavediedbuthelitonanettleandspranguptoogailyforacorpse.Theboysdressedthemselves,hidtheiraccoutrements,andwentoffgrievingthattherewerenooutlawsanymore,andwonderingwhatmoderncivilizationcouldclaimtohavedonetocompensatefortheirloss.TheysaidtheywouldratherbeoutlawsayearinSherwoodForestthanPresidentoftheUnitedStatesforever.
CHAPTERIXAthalfpastnine,thatnight,TomandSidweresenttobed,asusual.Theysaidtheirprayers,andSidwassoonasleep.Tomlayawakeandwaited,inrestlessimpatience.Whenitseemedtohimthatitmustbenearlydaylight,heheardtheclockstriketen!Thiswasdespair.Hewouldhavetossedandfidgeted,ashisnervesdemanded,buthewasafraidhemightwakeSid.Sohelaystill,andstaredupintothedark.Everythingwasdismallystill.Byandby,outofthestillness,little,scarcelyperceptiblenoisesbegantoemphasizethem-selves.Thetickingoftheclockbegantobringitselfintonotice.Oldbeamsbegantocrackmysteriously.Thestairscreakedfaintly.Evi-dentlyspiritswereabroad.Ameasured,muffledsnoreissuedfromAuntPolly’schamber.Andnowthetiresomechirpingofacricketthatnohumaningenuitycouldlocate,began.Nexttheghastlytick-ingofadeath-watchinthewallatthebed’sheadmadeTomshud-der––itmeantthatsomebody’sdayswerenumbered.Thenthehowlofafar-offdogroseonthenightair,andwasansweredbyafainterhowlfromaremoterdistance.Tomwasinanagony.Atlasthewassatisfiedthattimehadceasedandeternitybegun;hebegantodoze,inspiteofhimself;theclockchimedelevenbuthedidnothearit.Andthentherecameminglingwithhishalf-formeddreams,amostmelancholycaterwauling.Theraisingofaneighboringwindowdis-turbedhim.Acryof“Scat!youdevil!”andthecrashofanemptybottleagainstthebackofhisaunt’swoodshedbroughthimwideawake,andasingleminutelaterhewasdressedandoutofthewindowandcreepingalongtheroofofthe“ell”onallfours.He“meow’d”withcautiononceortwice,ashewent;thenjumpedtotheroofofthewoodshedandthencetotheground.HuckleberryFinnwasthere,withhisdeadcat.Theboysmovedoffanddisap-pearedinthegloom.Attheendofhalfanhourtheywerewadingthroughthetallgrassofthegraveyard.Itwasagraveyardoftheold-fashionedwesternkind.Itwasonahill,aboutamileandahalffromthevillage.Ithadacrazyboardfencearoundit,whichleanedinwardinplaces,andoutwardtherestofthetime,butstooduprightnowhere.Grassandweedsgrewrankoverthewholecemetery.Alltheoldgravesweresunkenin,therewas
64TheAdventuresofTomSawyernotatombstoneontheplace;round-topped,worm-eatenboardsstaggeredoverthegraves,leaningforsupportandfindingnone.“Sacredtothememoryof”So-and-Sohadbeenpaintedonthemonce,butitcouldnolongerhavebeenread,onthemostofthem,now,eveniftherehadbeenlight.Afaintwindmoanedthroughthetrees,andTomfeareditmightbethespiritsofthedead,complainingatbeingdisturbed.Theboystalkedlittle,andonlyundertheirbreath,forthetimeandtheplaceandthepervadingsolemnityandsilenceoppressedtheirspirits.Theyfoundthesharpnewheaptheywereseeking,andensconcedthemselveswithintheprotectionofthreegreatelmsthatgrewinabunchwithinafewfeetofthegrave.Thentheywaitedinsilenceforwhatseemedalongtime.Thehootingofadistantowlwasallthesoundthattroubledthedeadstillness.Tom’sreflectionsgrewoppressive.Hemustforcesometalk.Sohesaidinawhisper:“Hucky,doyoubelievethedeadpeoplelikeitforustobehere?”Huckleberrywhispered:“IwishtIknowed.It’sawfulsolemnlike,ain’tit?”“Ibetitis.”Therewasaconsiderablepause,whiletheboyscanvassedthismatterinwardly.ThenTomwhispered:“Say,Hucky––doyoureckonHossWilliamshearsustalking?”“O’coursehedoes.Leasthissperritdoes.”Tom,afterapause:“IwishI’dsaidMisterWilliams.ButInevermeantanyharm.EverybodycallshimHoss.”“Abodycan’tbetoopartic’larhowtheytalk’boutthese-yerdeadpeople,Tom.”Thiswasadamper,andconversationdiedagain.PresentlyTomseizedhiscomrade’sarmandsaid:“Sh!”“Whatisit,Tom?”Andthetwoclungtogetherwithbeatinghearts.“Sh!There’tisagain!Didn’tyouhearit?”“I––”“There!Nowyouhearit.”“Lord,Tomthey’recoming!They’recoming,sure.What’llwedo?”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer65“Idono.Thinkthey’llseeus?”“O,Tom,theycanseeinthedark,sameascats.IwishtIhadn’tcome.”“O,don’tbeafeard.Idon’tbelievethey’llbotherus.Weain’tdoinganyharm.Ifwekeepperfectlystill,maybetheywon’tnoticeusatall.”“I’lltryto,Tom,butLordI’mallofashiver.”“Listen!”Theboysbenttheirheadstogetherandscarcelybreathed.Amuffledsoundofvoicesfloatedupfromthefarendofthegraveyard.“Look!Seethere!”whisperedTom.“Whatisit?”“It’sdevil-fire.*O,Tom,thisisawful.”Somevaguefiguresapproachedthroughthegloom,swinginganold-fashionedtinlanternthatfreckledthegroundwithinnumerablelittlespanglesoflight.PresentlyHuckleberrywhisperedwithashudder:“It’sthedevilssureenough.Threeof’em!Lordy,Tom,we’regoners!Canyoupray?”“I’lltry,butdon’tyoubeafeard.Theyain’tgoingtohurtus.NowIlaymedowntosleep,I––”“Sh!”“Whatisit,Huck?”“They’rehumans!Oneof’emis,anyway.Oneof’em’soldMuffPotter’svoice.”“No––tain’tso,isit?”“IbetIknowit.Don’tyoustirnorbudge.Heain’tsharpenoughtonoticeus.Drunk,sameasusual,likely––blamedoldrip!”“Allright,I’llkeepstill.Nowthey’restuck.Can’tfindit.Heretheycomeagain.Nowthey’rehot.Coldagain.Hotagain.Redhot!They’rep’intedright,thistime.SayHuck,Iknowanothero’themvoices;it’sInjunJoe.”“That’sso––thatmurderin’half-breed!I’ddruthertheywasdevilsadernsight.Whatkintheybeupto?”Thewhispersdiedwhollyout,now,forthethreemenhadreachedthegraveandstoodwithinafewfeetoftheboys’hiding-place.”“Hereitis,”saidthethirdvoice;andtheownerofitheldthelanternupandrevealedthefaceofyoungDr.Robinson.PotterandInjunJoewerecarryingahandbarrowwitharopeandacoupleofshovelsonit.Theycastdowntheirloadandbegantoopen
66TheAdventuresofTomSawyerthegrave.Thedoctorputthelanternattheheadofthegraveandcameandsatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheelmtrees.Hewassoclosetheboyscouldhavetouchedhim.“Hurry,men!”hesaidinalowvoice;“themoonmightcomeoutatanymoment.”Theygrowledaresponseandwentondigging.Forsometimetherewasnonoisebutthegratingsoundofthespadesdischargingtheirfreightofmouldandgravel.Itwasverymonotonous.Finallyaspadestruckuponthecoffinwithadullwoodyaccent,andwithinanotherminuteortwothemenhadhoisteditoutontheground.Theypriedoffthelidwiththeirshovels,gotoutthebodyanddumpeditrudelyontheground.Themoondriftedfrombehindthecloudsandexposedthepallidface.Thebarrowwasgotreadyandthecorpseplacedonit,coveredwithablanket,andboundtoitsplacewiththerope.Pottertookoutalargespring-knifeandcutoffthedanglingendoftheropeandthensaid:“Nowthecussedthing’sready,Sawbones,andyou’lljustoutwithanotherfive,orhereshestays.”“That’sthetalk!”saidInjunJoe.“Lookhere,whatdoesthismean?”saidthedoctor.“Yourequiredyourpayinadvance,andI’vepaidyou.”“Yes,andyoudonemorethanthat,”saidInjunJoe,approachingthedoctor,whowasnowstanding.“Fiveyearsagoyoudrovemeawayfromyourfather’skitchenonenight,whenIcometoaskforsomethingtoeat,andyousaidIwarn’tthereforanygood;andwhenIsworeI’dgetevenwithyouifittookahundredyears,yourfatherhadmejailedforavagrant.DidyouthinkI’dforget?TheInjunbloodain’tinmefornothing.AndnowI’vegotyou,andyougottosettle,youknow!”Hewasthreateningthedoctor,withhisfistinhisface,bythistime.Thedoctorstruckoutsuddenlyandstretchedtheruffianontheground.Potterdroppedhisknife,andexclaimed:“Here,now,don’tyouhitmypard!”andthenextmomenthehadgrappledwiththedoctorandthetwowerestrugglingwithmightandmain,tramplingthegrassandtearingthegroundwiththeirheels.InjunJoesprangtohisfeet,hiseyesflamingwithpassion,snatchedupPotter’sknife,andwentcreeping,catlikeandstooping,roundandroundaboutthecombatants,seekinganopportunity.Allatoncethedoctorflunghimselffree,seizedtheheavyheadboardof
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer67Williams’graveandfelledPottertotheearthwithit––andinthesameinstantthehalf-breedsawhischanceanddrovetheknifetothehiltintheyoungman’sbreast.HereeledandfellpartlyuponPotter,floodinghimwithhisblood,andinthesamemomentthecloudsblottedoutthedreadfulspectacleandthetwofrightenedboyswentspeedingawayinthedark.Presently,whenthemoonemergedagain,InjunJoewasstandingoverthetwoforms,contemplatingthem.Thedoctormurmuredinarticulately,gavealonggasportwoandwasstill.Thehalf-breedmuttered:“Thatscoreissettled––damnyou.”Thenherobbedthebody.AfterwhichheputthefatalknifeinPotter’sopenrighthand,andsatdownonthedismantledcoffin.Three––four––fiveminutespassed,andthenPotterbegantostirandmoan.Hishandclosedupontheknife;heraisedit,glancedatit,andletitfall,withashudder.Thenhesatup,pushingthebodyfromhim,andgazedatit,andthenaroundhim,confusedly.HiseyesmetJoe’s.“Lord,howisthis,Joe?”hesaid.“It’sadirtybusiness,”saidJoe,withoutmoving.“Whatdidyoudoitfor?”“I!Ineverdoneit!”“Lookhere!Thatkindoftalkwon’twash.”Pottertrembledandgrewwhite.“IthoughtI’dgotsober.I’dnobusinesstodrinkto-night.Butit’sinmyheadyet––worse’nwhenwestartedhere.I’mallinamuddle;can’trecollectanythingofithardly.Tellme,Joe––honest,now,oldfeller––didIdoit?Joe,Inevermeantto––’ponmysoulandhonorInevermeantto,Joe.TellmehowitwasJoe.O,it’sawful––andhimsoyoungandpromising.”“Whyyoutwowasscuffling,andhefetchedyouonewiththehead-boardandyoufellflat;andthenupyoucome,allreelingandstaggering,like,andsnatchedtheknifeandjammeditintohim,justashefetchedyouanotherawfulclip––andhereyou’velaid,asdeadasawedgetillnow.”“O,Ididn’tknowwhatIwasadoing.IwishImaydiethisminuteifIdid.Itwasallonaccountofthewhisky;andtheexcitement,Ireckon.Ineverusedaweeponinmylifebefore,Joe.I’vefought,butneverwithweepons.They’llallsaythat.Joe,don’ttell!Sayyou
68TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwon’ttell,Joe––that’sagoodfeller.IalwayslikedyouJoe,andstoodupforyou,too.Don’tyouremember?Youwon’ttell,willyouJoe?”Andthepoorcreaturedroppedonhiskneesbeforethestolidmurderer,andclaspedhisappealinghands.“No,you’vealwaysbeenfairandsquarewithme,MuffPotter,andIwon’tgobackonyou.––There,now,that’sasfairasamancansay.”“O,Joe,you’reanangel.I’llblessyouforthisthelongestdayIlive.”AndPotterbegantocry.“Come,now,that’senoughofthat.Thisain’tanytimeforblub-bering.YoubeoffyonderwayandI’llgothis.Move,now,anddon’tleaveanytracksbehindyou.”Potterstartedonatrotthatquicklyincreasedtoarun.Thehalf-breedstoodlookingafterhim.Hemuttered:“Ifhe’sasmuchstunnedwiththelickandfuddledwiththerumashehadthelookofbeing,hewon’tthinkoftheknifetillhe’sgonesofarhe’llbeafraidtocomebackafterittosuchaplacebyhimself––chicken-heart!”Twoorthreeminuteslaterthemurderedman,theblanketedcorpse,thelidlesscoffinandtheopengravewereundernoinspectionbutthemoon’s.Thestillnesswascompleteagain,too.
CHAPTERXThetwoboysflewonandon,towardthevillage,speechlesswithhorror.Theyglancedbackwardovertheirshouldersfromtimetotime,apprehensively,asiftheyfearedtheymightbefollowed.Everystumpthatstartedupintheirpathseemedamanandanenemy,andmadethemcatchtheirbreath;andastheyspedbysomeoutlyingcottagesthatlaynearthevillage,thebarkingofthearousedwatch-dogsseemedtogivewingstotheirfeet.“Ifwecanonlygettotheoldtannery,beforewebreakdown!”whisperedTom,inshortcatchesbetweenbreaths,“Ican’tstanditmuchlonger.”Huckleberry’shardpantingswerehisonlyreply,andtheboysfixedtheireyesonthegoaloftheirhopesandbenttotheirworktowinit.Theygainedsteadilyonit,andatlast,breasttobreasttheyburstthroughtheopendoorandfellgratefulandexhaustedintheshelteringshadowsbeyond.Byandbytheirpulsessloweddown,andTomwhispered:“Huckleberry,whatdoyoureckon’llcomeofthis?”“IfDr.Robinsondies,Ireckonhanging’llcomeofit.”“Doyouthough?”“WhyIknowit,Tom.”Tomthoughtawhile,thenhesaid:“Who’lltell?We?”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?S’posesomethinghappenedandInjunJoedidn’thang?Whyhe’dkillussometimeorother,justasdeadsureaswe’realayinghere.”“That’sjustwhatIwasthinkingtomyself,Huck.”“Ifanybodytells,letMuffPotterdoit,ifhe’sfoolenough.He’sgenerallydrunkenough.”Tomsaidnothing––wentonthinking.Presentlyhewhispered:“Huck,MuffPotterdon’tknowit.Howcanhetell?”“What’sthereasonhedon’tknowit?”“Becausehe’djustgotthatwhackwhenInjunJoedoneit.D’youreckonhecouldseeanything?D’youreckonheknowedanything?”“Byhokey,that’ssoTom!”“Andbesides,look-a-here––maybethatwhackdoneforhim!”
70TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“No,’taintlikelyTom.Hehadliquorinhim;Icouldseethat;andbesides,healwayshas.Wellwhenpap’sfull,youmighttakeandbelthimovertheheadwithachurchandyoucouldn’tphasehim.Hesaysso,hisownself.Soit’sthesamewithMuffPotter,ofcourse.Butifamanwasdeadsober,Ireckonmaybethatwhackmightfetchhim;Idono.”Afteranotherreflectivesilence,Tomsaid:“Hucky,yousureyoucankeepmum?”“Tom,wegottokeepmum.Youknowthat.ThatInjundevilwouldn’tmakeanymoreofdrowndingusthanacoupleofcats,ifwewastosqueak’boutthisandtheydidn’thanghim.Nowlook-a-here,Tom,lesstakeandsweartooneanother––that’swhatwegottodo––sweartokeepmum.”“I’magreed.It’sthebestthing.Wouldyoujustholdhandsandswearthatwe––”“O,no,thatwouldn’tdoforthis.That’sgoodenoughforlittlerubbishycommonthings––speciallywithgals,cuztheygobackonyouanyway,andblabiftheygetinahuff––butthereorterbewriting’boutabigthinglikethis.Andblood.”Tom’swholebeingapplaudedthisidea.Itwasdeep,anddark,andawful;thehour,thecircumstances,thesurroundings,wereinkeepingwithit.Hepickedupacleanpineshinglethatlayinthemoonlight,tookalittlefragmentof“redkeel”*outofhispocket,gotthemoononhiswork,andpainfullyscrawledtheselines,emphasizingeachslowdown-strokebyclampinghistonguebetweenhisteeth,andlettingupthepressureontheup-strokes:
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer71HuckleberrywasfilledwithadmirationofTom’sfacilityinwriting,andthesublimityofhislanguage.Heatoncetookapinfromhislappelandwasgoingtoprickhisflesh,butTomsaid:“Holdon!Don’tdothat.Apin’sbrass.Itmighthaveverdigreaseonit.”“What’sverdigrease?”“It’sp’ison.That’swhatitis.Youjustswallersomeofitonce––you’llsee.”SoTomunwoundthethreadfromoneofhisneedles,andeachboyprickedtheballofhisthumbandsqueezedoutadropofblood.Intime,aftermanysqueezes,Tommanagedtosignhisinitials,usingtheballofhislittlefingerforapen.ThenheshowedHuckleberryhowtomakeanHandanF,andtheoathwascomplete.Theyburiedtheshingleclosetothewall,withsomedismalceremoniesandincan-tations,andthefettersthatboundtheirtongueswereconsideredtobelockedandthekeythrownaway.Afigurecreptstealthilythroughabreakintheotherendoftheruinedbuilding,now,buttheydidnotnoticeit.“Tom,”whisperedHuckleberry,“doesthiskeepusfromevertelling––always?”“Ofcourseitdoes.Itdon’tmakeanydifferencewhathappens,wegottokeepmum.We’ddropdowndead––don’tyouknowthat?”“Yes,Ireckonthat’sso.”Theycontinuedtowhisperforsomelittletime.Presentlyadogsetupalong,lugubrioushowljustoutside––withintenfeetofthem.Theboysclaspedeachothersuddenly,inanagonyoffright.“Whichofusdoeshemean?”gaspedHuckleberry.“Idono––peepthroughthecrack.Quick!”“No,you,Tom!”“Ican’t––Ican’tdoit,Huck!”“Please,Tom.There’tisagain!”“O,lordy,I’mthankful!”whisperedTom.“Iknowhisvoice.It’s1BullHarbison.”“O,that’sgood––Itellyou,Tom,Iwasmostscaredtodeath;I’dabetanythingitwasastraydog.”1IfMr.HarbisonhadownedaslavenamedBull,Tomwouldhavespokenofhimas“Harbison’sBull,”butasonoradogofthatnamewas“BullHarbison.”
72TheAdventuresofTomSawyerThedoghowledagain.Theboys’heartssankoncemore.“O,my!thatain’tnoBullHarbison!”whisperedHuckleberry.“Do,Tom!”Tom,quakingwithfear,yielded,andputhiseyetothecrack.Hiswhisperwashardlyaudiblewhenhesaid:“O,Huck,it’sastraydog!”“Quick,Tom,quick!Whodoeshemean?”“Huck,hemustmeanusboth––we’rerighttogether.”“O,Tom,Ireckonwe’regoners.Ireckonthereain’tnomistake’boutwhereI’llgoto.Ibeensowicked.”“Dadfetchit!Thiscomesofplayinghookeyanddoingevery-thingafeller’stoldnottodo.Imightabeengood,likeSid,ifI’datried––butno,Iwouldn’t,ofcourse.ButifeverIgetoffthistime,IlayI’lljustwallerinSunday-schools!”AndTombegantosnufflealittle.“Youbad!”andHuckleberrybegantosnuffletoo.“Consoundit,TomSawyer,you’rejustoldpie,’longsideo’whatIam.O,lordy,lordy,lordy,IwishtIonlyhadhalfyourchance.”Tomchokedoffandwhispered:“Look,Hucky,look!He’sgothisbacktous!”Huckylooked,withjoyinhisheart.“Wellhehas,byjingoes!Didhebefore?”“Yes,hedid.ButI,likeafool,neverthought.O,thisisbully,youknow.Nowwhocanhemean?”Thehowlingstopped.Tomprickeduphisears.“Sh!What’sthat?”hewhispered.“Soundslike––likehogsgrunting.No––it’ssomebodysnoring,Tom.”“Thatisit?Where’boutsisit,Huck?”“Ibleeveit’sdownat’totherend.Soundsso,anyway.Papusedtosleepthere,sometimes,’longwiththehogs,butlawsblessyou,hejustliftsthingswhenhesnores.Besides,Ireckonheain’tevercomingbacktothistownanymore.”Thespiritofadventureroseintheboys’soulsoncemore.“Hucky,doyoudas’ttogoifIlead?”“Idon’tliketo,much.Tom,s’poseit’sInjunJoe!”Tomquailed.Butpresentlythetemptationroseupstrongagainandtheboysagreedtotry,withtheunderstandingthattheywouldtaketotheirheelsifthesnoringstopped.Sotheywenttip-toeing
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer73stealthilydown,theonebehindtheother.Whentheyhadgottowithinfivestepsofthesnorer,Tomsteppedonastick,anditbrokewithasharpsnap.Themanmoaned,writhedalittle,andhisfacecameintothemoonlight.ItwasMuffPotter.Theboys’heartshadstoodstill,andtheirhopestoo,whenthemanmoved,buttheirfearspassedawaynow.Theytip-toedout,throughthebrokenweather-boarding,andstoppedatalittledistancetoexchangeapartingword.Thatlong,lugubrioushowlroseonthenightairagain!TheyturnedandsawthestrangedogstandingwithinafewfeetofwherePotterwaslying,andfacingPotter,withhisnosepointingheavenward.“O,geeminyit’shim!”exclaimedbothboys,inabreath.“Say,Tom––theysayastraydogcomehowlingaroundJohnnyMiller’shouse,’boutmidnight,asmuchastwoweeksago;andawhippoorwillcomeinandlitonthebannistersandsung,theverysameevening;andthereain’tanybodydeadthereyet.”“WellIknowthat.Andsupposethereain’t.Didn’tGracieMillerfallinthekitchenfireandburnherselfterribletheverynextSaturday?”“Yes,butsheain’tdead.Andwhat’smore,she’sgettingbetter,too.”“Allright,youwaitandsee.She’sagoner,justasdeadsureasMuffPotter’sagoner.That’swhattheniggerssay,andtheyknowallaboutthesekindofthings,Huck.”Thentheyseparated,cogitating.WhenTomcreptinathisbed-roomwindow,thenightwasalmostspent.Heundressedwithexces-sivecaution,andfellasleepcongratulatinghimselfthatnobodyknewofhisescapade.Hewasnotawarethatthegently-snoringSidwasawake,andhadbeensoforanhour.WhenTomawoke,Sidwasdressedandgone.Therewasalatelookinthelight,alatesenseintheatmosphere.Hewasstartled.Whyhadhenotbeencalled––persecutedtillhewasup,asusual?Thethoughtfilledhimwithbodings.Withinfiveminuteshewasdressedanddownstairs,feelingsoreanddrowsy.Thefamilywerestillattable,buttheyhadfinishedbreakfast.Therewasnovoiceofrebuke;buttherewereavertedeyes;therewasasilenceandanairofsolemnitythatstruckachilltotheculprit’sheart.Hesatdownandtriedtoseemgay,butitwasup-hillwork;itrousednosmile,noresponse,andhelapsedintosilenceandlethisheartsinkdowntothedepths.
74TheAdventuresofTomSawyerAfterbreakfasthisaunttookhimaside,andTomalmostbright-enedinthehopethathewasgoingtobeflogged;butitwasnotso.Hisauntweptoverhimandaskedhimhowhecouldgoandbreakheroldheartso;andfinallytoldhimtogoon,andruinhimselfandbringhergreyhairswithsorrowtothegrave,foritwasnouseforhertotryanymore.Thiswasworsethanathousandwhippings,andTom’sheartwassorernowthanhisbody.Hecried,hepleadedforforgiveness,promisedreformoverandoveragainandthenreceivedhisdismissal,feelingthathehadwonbutanimperfectforgivenessandestablishedbutafeebleconfidence.HeleftthepresencetoomiserabletoevenfeelrevengefultowardSid;andsothelatter’spromptretreatthroughthebackgatewasunnecessary.Hemopedtoschoolgloomyandsad,andtookhisflog-ging,alongwithJoeHarper,forplayinghookythedaybefore,withtheairofonewhoseheartwasbusywithheavierwoesandwhollydeadtotrifles.Thenhebetookhimselftohisseat,restedhiselbowsonhisdeskandhisjawsinhishandsandstaredatthewallwiththestonystareofsufferingthathasreachedthelimitandcannofurthergo.Hiselbowwaspressingagainstsomehardsubstance.Afteralongtimeheslowlyandsadlychangedhisposition,andtookupthisobjectwithasigh.Itwasinapaper.Heunrolledit.Along,lingering,colossalsighfollowed,andhisheartbroke.Itwashisbrassandironknob!Thisfinalfeatherbrokethecamel’sback.
CHAPTERXICloseuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelec-trifiedwiththeghastlynews.Noneedoftheasyetundreamed-oftelegraph;thetaleflewfrommantoman,fromgrouptogroup,fromhousetohouse,withlittlelessthantelegraphicspeed.Ofcoursetheschoolmastergaveholidayforthatafternoon;thetownwouldhavethoughtstrangelyofhimifhehadnot.Agoryknifehadbeenfoundclosetothemurderedman,andithadbeenrecognizedbysomebodyasbelongingtoMuffPotter––sothestoryran.AnditwassaidthatabelatedcitizenhadcomeuponPotterwashinghimselfinthe“branch”aboutoneortwoo’clockinthemorning,andthatPotterhadatoncesneakedoff––suspiciouscircumstances,especiallythewashing,whichwasnotahabitwithPotter.Itwasalsosaidthatthetownhadbeenransackedforthis“murderer,”(thepublicarenotslowinthematterofsiftingevidenceandarrivingataverdict),butthathecouldnotbefound.Horsemenhaddeparteddownalltheroadsineverydirection,andtheSheriff“wasconfident”thathewouldbecapturedbeforenight.Allthetownwasdriftingtowardthegraveyard.Tom’sheart-breakvanishedandhejoinedtheprocession,notbecausehewouldnotathousandtimesrathergoanywhereelse,butbecauseanawful,unaccountablefascinationdrewhimon.Arrivedatthedreadfulplace,hewormedhissmallbodythroughthecrowdandsawthedismalspectacle.Itseemedtohimanagesincehewastherebefore.Some-bodypinchedhisarm.Heturned,andhiseyesmetHuckleberry’s.Thenbothlookedelsewhereatonce,andwonderedifanybodyhadnoticedanythingintheirmutualglance.Buteverybodywastalking,andintentuponthegrislyspectaclebeforethem.“Poorfellow!”“Pooryoungfellow!”“Thisoughttobealessontograve-robbers!”“MuffPotter’llhangforthisiftheycatchhim!”Thiswasthedriftofremark;andtheministersaid,“Itwasajudgment;Hishandishere.”NowTomshiveredfromheadtoheel;forhiseyefelluponthestolidfaceofInjunJoe.Atthismomentthecrowdbegantoswayandstruggle,andvoicesshouted,“It’shim!it’shim!he’scominghimself!”
76TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Who?Who?”fromtwentyvoices.“MuffPotter!”“Hallo,he’sstopped!––Lookout,he’sturning!Don’tlethimgetaway!”PeopleinthebranchesofthetreesoverTom’shead,saidhewasn’ttryingtogetaway––heonlylookeddoubtfulandperplexed.“Infernalimpudence!”saidabystander;“wantedtocomeandtakeaquietlookathiswork,Ireckon––didn’texpectanycompany.”Thecrowdfellapart,now,andtheSheriffcamethrough,ostenta-tiouslyleadingPotterbythearm.Thepoorfellow’sfacewashaggard,andhiseyesshowedthefearthatwasuponhim.Whenhestoodbeforethemurderedman,heshookaswithapalsy,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandburstintotears.“Ididn’tdoit,friends,”hesobbed;“’ponmywordandhonorIneverdoneit.”“Who’saccusedyou?”shoutedavoice.Thisshotseemedtocarryhome.Potterliftedhisfaceandlookedaroundhimwithapathetichopelessnessinhiseyes.HesawInjunJoe,andexclaimed:“O,InjunJoe,youpromisedmeyou’dnever––”“Isthatyourknife?”anditwasthrustbeforehimbytheSheriff.Potterwouldhavefalleniftheyhadnotcaughthimandeasedhimtotheground.Thenhesaid:“Somethingtoldme’tifIdidn’tcomebackandget––”Heshud-dered;thenwavedhisnervelesshandwithavanquishedgestureandsaid,“Tell’em,Joe,tell’em––itain’tanyuseanymore.”ThenHuckleberryandTomstooddumbandstaring,andheardthestony-heartedliarreeloffhisserenestatement,theyexpectingeverymomentthattheclearskywoulddeliverGod’slightningsuponhishead,andwonderingtoseehowlongthestrokewasdelayed.Andwhenhehadfinishedandstillstoodaliveandwhole,theirwaveringimpulsetobreaktheiroathandsavethepoorbetrayedprisoner’slifefadedandvanishedaway,forplainlythismiscreanthadsoldhimselftoSatananditwouldbefataltomeddlewiththepropertyofsuchapowerasthat.“Whydidn’tyouleave?Whatdidyouwanttocomeherefor?”somebodysaid.“Icouldn’thelpit––Icouldn’thelpit,”Pottermoaned.“Iwanted
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer77torunaway,butIcouldn’tseemtocomeanywherebuthere.”Andhefelltosobbingagain.InjunJoerepeatedhisstatement,justascalmly,afewminutesafterwardontheinquest,underoath;andtheboys,seeingthatthelightningswerestillwithheld,wereconfirmedintheirbeliefthatJoehadsoldhimselftothedevil.Hewasnowbecome,tothem,themostbalefullyinterestingobjecttheyhadeverlookedupon,andtheycouldnottaketheirfascinatedeyesfromhisface.Theyinwardlyresolvedtowatchhim,nights,whenopportunityshouldoffer,inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisdreadmaster.InjunJoehelpedtoraisethebodyofthemurderedmanandputitinawagonforremoval;anditwaswhisperedthroughtheshudder-ingcrowdthatthewoundbledalittle!*Theboysthoughtthatthishappycircumstancewouldturnsuspicionintherightdirection;buttheyweredisappointed,formorethanonevillagerremarked:“ItwaswithinthreefeetofMuffPotterwhenitdoneit.”Tom’sfearfulsecretandgnawingconsciencedisturbedhissleepforasmuchasaweekafterthis;andatbreakfastonemorningSidsaid:“Tom,youpitcharoundandtalkinyoursleepsomuchthatyoukeepmeawakeabouthalfthetime.”Tomblanchedanddroppedhiseyes.“It’sabadsign,”saidAuntPolly,gravely.“Whatyougotonyourmind,Tom?”“Nothing.Nothing’tIknowof.”Buttheboy’shandshooksothathespilledhiscoffee.“Andyoudotalksuchstuff,”Sidsaid.“Lastnightyousaid‘it’sblood,it’sblood,that’swhatitis!’Yousaidthatoverandover.Andyousaid,‘Don’ttormentmeso––I’lltell!’Tellwhat?Whatisityou’lltell?”EverythingwasswimmingbeforeTom.Thereisnotellingwhatmighthavehappened,now,butluckilytheconcernpassedoutofAuntPolly’sfaceandshecametoTom’sreliefwithoutknowingit.Shesaid:“Sho!It’sthatdreadfulmurder.Idreamaboutitmosteverynightmyself.SometimesIdreamit’smethatdoneit.”Marysaidshehadbeenaffectedmuchthesameway.Sidseemedsatisfied.Tomgotoutofthepresenceasquickasheplausiblycould,andafterthathecomplainedoftoothacheforaweek,andtieduphis
78TheAdventuresofTomSawyerjawseverynight.HeneverknewthatSidlaynightlywatching,andfrequentlyslippedthebandagefreeandthenleanedonhiselbowlisteningagoodwhileatatime,andafterwardslippedthebandagebacktoitsplaceagain.Tom’sdistressofmindworeoffgraduallyandthetoothachegrewirksomeandwasdiscarded.IfSidreallymanagedtomakeanythingoutofTom’sdisjointedmutterings,hekeptittohimself.ItseemedtoTomthathisschoolmatesneverwouldgetdoneholdinginquestsondeadcats,andthuskeepinghistroublepresenttohismind.SidnoticedthatTomneverwascoroneratoneoftheseinquiries,thoughithadbeenhishabittotaketheleadinallnewenterprises;henoticed,too,thatTomneveractedasawitness,––andthatwasstrange;andSiddidnotoverlookthefactthatTomevenshowedamarkedaversiontotheseinquests,andalwaysavoidedthemwhenhecould.Sidmarveled,butsaidnothing.However,eveninquestswentoutofvogueatlast,andceasedtotortureTom’sconscience.Everydayortwo,duringthistimeofsorrow,Tomwatchedhisopportunityandwenttothelittlegratedjail-windowandsmuggledsuchsmallcomfortsthroughtothe“murderer”ashecouldgetholdof.Thejailwasatriflinglittlebrickdenthatstoodinamarshattheedgeofthevillage,andnoguardswereaffordedforit;indeeditwasseldomoccupied.TheseofferingsgreatlyhelpedtoeaseTom’sconscience.Thevillagershadastrongdesiretotar-and-featherInjunJoeandridehimonarail,forbody-snatching,butsoformidablewashischaracterthatnobodycouldbefoundwhowaswillingtotaketheleadinthematter,soitwasdropped.Hehadbeencarefultobeginbothofhisinquest-statementswiththefight,withoutconfessingthegrave-robberythatprecededit;thereforeitwasdeemedwisestnottotrythecaseinthecourtsatpresent.
CHAPTERXIIOneofthereasonswhyTom’smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas,thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout.BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool.Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays,andtriedto“whistleherdownthewind,”*butfailed.Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather’shouse,nights,andfeelingverymiserable.Shewasill.Whatifsheshoulddie!Therewasdistractioninthethought.Henolongertookaninterestinwar,noreveninpiracy.Thecharmoflifewasgone;therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft.Heputhishoopaway,andhisbat;therewasnojoyinthemanymore.Hisauntwascon-cerned.Shebegantotryallmannerofremediesonhim.Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhoareinfatuatedwithpatentmedicinesandallnew-fangledmethodsofproducinghealthormendingit.Shewasaninveterateexperimenterinthesethings.Whensomethingfreshinthislinecameoutshewasinafever,rightaway,totryit;notonherself,forshewasneverailing,butonanybodyelsethatcamehandy.Shewasasubscriberforallthe“Health”periodicalsandphreno-logicalfrauds;andthesolemnignorancetheywereinflatedwithwasbreathtohernostrils.Allthe“rot”theycontainedaboutventilation,andhowtogotobed,andhowtogetup,andwhattoeat,andwhattodrink,andhowmuchexercisetotake,andwhatframeofmindtokeepone’sselfin,andwhatsortofclothingtowear,wasallgospeltoher,andsheneverobservedthatherhealth-journalsofthecurrentmonthcustomarilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore.Shewasassimple-heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong,andsoshewasaneasyvictim.Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines,andthusarmedwithdeath,wentaboutonherpalehorse,metaphoricallyspeaking,with“hellfollowingafter.”*ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGilead*indisguise,tothesufferingneighbors.Thewatertreatmentwasnew,now,andTom’slowconditionwasawindfalltoher.Shehadhimoutatdaylighteverymorning,stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhimwithadelugeofcoldwater;thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile,andsobroughthimto;thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhim
80TheAdventuresofTomSawyerawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand“theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores”––asTomsaid.Yetnotwithstandingallthis,theboygrewmoreandmoremelan-cholyandpaleanddejected.Sheaddedhotbaths,sitzbaths,showerbathsandplunges.Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse.Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblisterplasters.Shecalculatedhiscapacityasshewouldajug’s,andfilledhimupeverydaywithquackcure-alls.Tomhadbecomeindifferenttopersecutionbythistime.Thisphasefilledtheoldlady’sheartwithconsternation.Thisindifferencemustbebrokenupatanycost.NowsheheardofPain-killerforthefirsttime.Sheorderedalotatonce.Shetasteditandwasfilledwithgratitude.Itwassimplyfireinaliquidform.Shedroppedthewatertreatmentandeverythingelse,andpinnedherfaithtoPain-killer.ShegaveTomatea-spoonfulandwatchedwiththedeepestanxietyfortheresult.Hertroubleswereinstantlyatrest,hersoulatpeaceagain;forthe“indifference”wasbrokenup.Theboycouldnothaveshownawilder,heartierinterest,ifshehadbuiltafireunderhim.Tomfeltthatitwastimetowakeup;thissortoflifemightberomanticenough,inhisblightedcondition,butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesentimentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit.Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief,andfinallyhituponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain-killer.Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance,andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher.IfithadbeenSid,shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight;butsinceitwasTom,shewatchedthebottleclandestinely.Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish,butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting-roomfloorwithit.OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt’syellowcatcamealong,purring,eyeingtheteaspoonavariciously,andbeggingforataste.Tomsaid:“Don’taskforitunlessyouwantit,Peter.”ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit.“Youbettermakesure.”Peterwassure.“Nowyou’veaskedforit,andI’llgiveittoyou,becausethereain’tanythingmeanaboutme;butifyoufindyoudon’tlikeit,youmusn’tblameanybodybutyourownself.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer81Peterwasagreeable.SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain-killer.Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair,andthendeliveredawar-whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom,bangingagainstfurniture,upsettingflowerpotsandmakinggeneralhavoc.Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround,inafrenzyofenjoyment,withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoicepro-claiminghisunappeasablehappiness.Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath.AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets,deliverafinalmightyhurrah,andsailthroughtheopenwindow,carryingtherestoftheflower-potswithhim.Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment,peeringoverherglasses;Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter.“Tom,whatonearthailsthatcat?”“Idon’tknow,aunt,”gaspedtheboy.“WhyIneverseeanythinglikeit.Whatdidmakehimactso?”“DeedIdon’tknowAuntPolly;catsalwaysactsowhenthey’rehavingagoodtime.”“Theydo,dothey?”TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive.“Yes’m.Thatis,Ibelievetheydo.”“Youdo?”“Yes’m.”Theoldladywasbendingdown,Tomwatching,withinterestemphasizedbyanxiety.Toolatehedivinedher“drift.”Thehandleofthetell-taletea-spoonwasvisibleunderthebed-valance.AuntPollytookit,helditup.Tomwinced,anddroppedhiseyes.AuntPollyraisedhimbytheusualhandle––hisear––andcrackedhisheadsoundlywithherthimble.“Now,sir,whatdidyouwanttotreatthatpoordumbbeastso,for?”“Idoneitoutofpityforhim––becausehehadn’tanyaunt.”“Hadn’tanyaunt!––younumscull.Whathasthatgottodowithit?”“Heaps.Becauseifhe’dahadoneshe’daburnthimoutherself!She’daroastedhisbowelsoutofhim’thoutanymorefeelingthanifhewasahuman!”AuntPollyfeltasuddenpangofremorse.Thiswasputtingthethinginanewlight;whatwascrueltytoacatmightbecrueltytoa
82TheAdventuresofTomSawyerboy,too.Shebegantosoften;shefeltsorry.Hereyeswateredalittle,andsheputherhandonTom’sheadandsaidgently:“Iwasmeaningforthebest,Tom.AndTom,itdiddoyougood.”Tomlookedupinherfacewithjustaperceptibletwinklepeepingthroughhisgravity:“Iknowyouwasmeaningforthebest,aunty,andsowasIwithPeter.Itdonehimgood,too.Ineverseehimgetaroundsosince––”“O,go’longwithyou,Tom,beforeyouaggravatemeagain.Andyoutryandseeifyoucan’tbeagoodboy,foronce,andyouneedn’ttakeanymoremedicine.”Tomreachedschoolaheadoftime.Itwasnoticedthatthisstrangethinghadbeenoccurringeverydaylatterly.Andnow,asusualoflate,hehungaboutthegateoftheschool-yardinsteadofplayingwithhiscomrades.Hewassick,hesaid,andhelookedit.Hetriedtoseemtobelookingeverywherebutwhitherhereallywaslooking––downtheroad.PresentlyJeffThatcherhoveinsight,andTom’sfacelighted;hegazedamoment,andthenturnedsorrowfullyaway.WhenJeffarrived,Tomaccostedhim,and“ledup”warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky,butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait.Tomwatchedandwatched,hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight,andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone.Atlastfrocksceasedtoappear,andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps;heenteredtheemptyschool-houseandsatdowntosuffer.Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate,andTom’sheartgaveagreatbound.Thenextinstanthewasout,and“goingon”likeanIndian;yelling,laughing,chasingboys,jumpingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb,throwinghand-springs,standingonhishead––doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof,andkeepingafurtiveeyeout,allthewhile,toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoticing.Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall;sheneverlooked.Coulditbeposssblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere?Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity;camewar-whoopingaround,snatchedaboy’scap,hurledittotheroofoftheschool-house,brokethroughagroupofboys,tumblingthemineverydirection,andfellsprawling,himself,underBecky’snose,almostupsettingher––andsheturned,withhernoseintheair,andheheardhersay.“Mf!somepeoplethinkthey’remightysmart––alwaysshowingoff!”Tom’scheeksburned.Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff,crushedandcrestfallen.
CHAPTERXIIITom’smindwasmadeupnow.Hewasgloomyanddesperate.Hewasaforsaken,friendlessboy,hesaid;nobodylovedhim;whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto,perhapstheywouldbesorry;hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong,buttheywouldnotlethim;sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim,letitbeso;andletthemblamehimfortheconsequences––whyshouldn’tthey?Whatrighthadthefriendlesstocomplain?Yes,theyhadforcedhimtoitatlast:hewouldleadalifeofcrime.Therewasnochoice.BythistimehewasfardownMeadowLane,andthebellforschoolto“takeup”tinkledfaintlyuponhisear.Hesobbed,now,tothinkheshouldnever,neverhearthatoldfamiliarsoundanymore––itwasveryhard,butitwasforcedonhim;sincehewasdrivenoutintothecoldworld,hemustsubmit––butheforgavethem.Thenthesobscamethickandfast.Justatthispointhemethissoul’ssworncomrade,JoeHarper––hard-eyed,andwithevidentlyagreatanddismalpurposeinhisheart.Plainlyherewere“twosoulswithbutasinglethought.”*Tom,wipinghiseyeswithhissleeve,begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoescapefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn;andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim.ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom,andhadcometohunthimupforthatpur-pose.Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout;itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo;ifshefeltthatway,therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb;hehopedshewouldbehappy,andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie.Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong,theymadeanewcom-pacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeathrelievedthemoftheirtroubles.Thentheybegantolaytheirplans.Joewasforbeingahermit,andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave,anddying,sometime,ofcold,andwant,andgrief;butafterlisteningtoTom,heconcededthatthereweresome
84TheAdventuresofTomSawyerconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime,andsoheconsentedtobeapirate.ThreemilesbelowSt.Petersburg,atapointwheretheMississippiriverwasatrifleoveramilewide,therewasalong,narrow,woodedisland,withashallowbarattheheadofit,andthisofferedwellasarendezvous.Itwasnotinhabited;itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore,abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest.SoJackson’sIslandwaschosen.Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracies,wasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem.ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn,andhejoinedthempromptly,forallcareerswereonetohim;hewasindifferent.Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriverbanktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour––whichwasmidnight.Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture.Eachwouldbringhooksandlines,andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway––asbecameoutlaws.Andbeforetheafternoonwasdone,theyhadallmanagedtoenjoythesweetgloryofspreadingthefactthatprettysoonthetownwould“hearsomething.”Allwhogotthisvaguehintwerecautionedto“bemumandwait.”AboutmidnightTomarrivedwithaboiledhamandafewtrifles,andstoppedinadenseundergrowthonasmallbluffover-lookingthemeeting-place.Itwasstarlight,andverystill.Themightyriverlaylikeanoceanatrest.Tomlistenedamoment,butnosounddisturbedthequiet.Thenhegavealow,distinctwhistle.Itwasansweredfromunderthebluff.Tomwhistledtwicemore;thesesignalswereansweredinthesameway.Thenaguardedvoicesaid:“Whogoesthere?”“TomSawyer,theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain.Nameyournames.”“HuckFinntheRed-Handed,andJoeHarpertheTerroroftheSeas.”Tomhadfurnishedthesetitles,fromhisfavoriteliterature.“’Tiswell.Givethecountersign.”Twohoarsewhispersdeliveredthesameawfulwordsimul-taneouslytothebroodingnight:“Blood!”ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit,tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort.Therewasaneasy,comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff,
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer85butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate.TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon,andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere.FinntheRed-Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf-curedleaftobacco,andhadalsobroughtafewcorn-cobstomakepipeswith.Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor“chewed”buthimself.TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire.Thatwasawisethought;matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday.Theysawafiresmoulderinguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove,andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk.Theymadeanimposingadventureofit,saying“Hist!”everynowandthen,andsuddenlyhaltingwithfingeronlip;movingwithhandsonimaginarydagger-hilts;andgivingordersindismalwhispersthatif“thefoe”stirred,to“lethimhaveittothehilt,”because“deadmentellnotales.”Theyknewwellenoughthattheraftsmenwerealldownatthevillagelayinginstoresorhavingaspree,butstillthatwasnoexcusefortheirconductingthisthinginanunpiraticalway.Theyshovedoff,presently,Tomincommand,HuckattheafteroarandJoeattheforward.Tomstoodamidships,gloomy-browed,andwithfoldedarms,andgavehisordersinalow,sternwhisper:“Luff,andbringhertothewind!”“Aye-aye,sir!”“Steady,stead-y-y-y!”“Steadyitis,sir!”“Lethergooffapoint!”“Pointitis,sir!”Astheboyssteadilyandmonotonouslydrovetherafttowardmid-streamitwasnodoubtunderstoodthattheseordersweregivenonlyfor“style,”andwerenotintendedtomeananythinginparticular.“Whatsail’sshecarrying?”“Course,tops’lsandflying-jib,sir.”“Sendther’yalsup!Layoutaloft,there,halfadozenofye,––fore-topmast-stuns’l!Lively,now!”“Aye-aye,sir!”“Shakeoutthatmaintogalans’l!Sheetsandbraces!Now,myhearties!”“Aye-aye,sir!”
86TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Hellum-a-lee––hardaport!Standbytomeetherwhenshecomes!Port,port!Now,men!Withawill!Stead-y-y-y!”“Steadyitis,sir!”Theraftdrewbeyondthemiddleoftheriver;theboyspointedherheadright,andthenlayontheiroars.Theriverwasnothigh,sotherewasnotmorethanatwoorthree-milecurrent.Hardlyawordwassaidduringthenextthree-quartersofanhour.Nowtheraftwaspassingbeforethedistanttown.Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay,peacefullysleeping,beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar-gemmedwater,unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening.TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms,“lookinghislast”uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings,andwishing“she”couldseehimnow,abroadonthewildsea,facingperilanddeathwithdauntlessheart,goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips.Itwasbutasmallstrainonhisimagin-ationtoremoveJackson’sIslandbeyondeye-shotofthevillage,andsohe“lookedhislast”withabrokenandsatisfiedheart.Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast,too;andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland.Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime,andmadeshifttoavertit.Abouttwoo’clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland,andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight.Partofthelittleraft’sbelongingsconsistedofanoldsail,andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions;buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather,asbecameoutlaws.Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest,andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying-panforsupper,anduseduphalfofthecorn“pone”*stocktheyhadbrought.Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwildfreewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland,farfromthehauntsofmen,andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntocivilization.Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtreetrunksoftheirforesttemple,anduponthevarnishedfoliageandfestooningvines.Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone,andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured,theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthe
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer87grass,filledwithcontentment.Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace,buttheywouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp-fire.“Ain’titgay?”saidJoe.“It’snuts!”saidTom.“Whatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeus?”“Say?Wellthey’djustdietobehere––heyHucky!”“Ireckonso,”saidHuckleberry;“anywaysI’msuited.Idontwantnothingbetter’nthis.Idon’tevergetenoughtoeat,gen’ally––andheretheycan’tcomeandpickatafellerandbullyraghimso.”“It’sjustthelifeforme,”saidTom.“Youdon’thavetogetup,mornings,andyoudon’thavetogotoschool,andwash,andallthatblamefoolishness.Youseeapiratedon’thavetodoanything,Joe,whenhe’sashore,butahermithehastobeprayingconsiderable,andthenhedon’thaveanyfun,anyway,allbyhimselfthatway.”“Oyes,that’sso,”saidJoe,“butIhadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit,youknow.I’dagooddealratherbeapirate,nowthatI’vetriedit.”“Yousee,”saidTom,“peopledon’tgomuchonhermits,now-a-days,liketheyusedtoinoldtimes,butapirate’salwaysrespected.Andahermit’sgottosleeponthehardestplacehecanfind,andputsack-clothandashesonhishead,andstandoutintherain,and––”“Whatdoesheputsack-clothandashesonhisheadfor?”inquiredHuck.“Idono.Butthey’vegottodoit.Hermitsalwaysdo.You’dhavetodothatifyouwasahermit.”“Dern’difIwould,”saidHuck.“Wellwhatwouldyoudo?”“Idono.ButIwouldn’tdothat.”“WhyHuck,you’dhaveto.How’dyougetaroundit?”“WhyIjustwouldn’tstandit.I’drunaway.”“Runaway!Wellyouwouldbeaniceoldslouchofahermit.You’dbeadisgrace.”TheRed-Handedmadenoresponse,beingbetteremployed.Hehadfinishedgougingoutacob,andnowhefittedaweedstemtoit,loadeditwithtobacco,andwaspressingacoaltothechargeandblowingacloudoffragrantsmoke––hewasinthefullbloomofluxuriouscontentment.Theotherpiratesenviedhimthismajesticvice,andsecretlyresolvedtoacquireitshortly.PresentlyHucksaid:
88TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Whatdoespirateshavetodo?”Tomsaid:“Ohtheyhavejustabullytime––takeships,andburnthem,andgetthemoneyandburyitinawfulplacesintheirislandwherethere’sghostsandthingstowatchit,andkilleverybodyintheships––make’emwalkaplank.”“Andtheycarrythewomentotheisland,”saidJoe;“theydon’tkillthewomen.”“No,”assentedTom,“theydon’tkillthewomen––they’retoonoble.Andthewomen’salwaysbeautiful,too.”“Anddon’ttheywearthebulliestclothes!Oh,no!Allgoldandsilveranddi’monds,”saidJoe,withenthusiasm.“Who?”saidHuck.“Whythepirates.”Huckscannedhisownclothingforlornly.“Ireckon’Iain’tdressedfittenforapirate,”saidhe,witharegretfulpathosinhisvoice;“butIain’tgotnonebutthese.”Buttheotherboystoldhimthefineclotheswouldcomefastenough,aftertheyshouldhavebeguntheiradventures.Theymadehimunderstandthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith,thoughitwascustomaryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe.Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs.ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed-Handed,andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience-freeandtheweary.TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep.Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly,andlyingdown,sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud;intruththeyhadamindnottosaythematall,buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat,lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthun-derboltfromHeaven.Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep––butanintrudercame,now,thatwouldnot“down.”Itwasconscience.Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway;andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat,andthentherealtorturecame.Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpurloinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes;butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities;itseemedtothem,intheend,thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattakingsweetmeatswasonly
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer89“hooking,”whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing––andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible.Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness,theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing.Thenconsciencegrantedatruce,andthesecuriouslyinconsistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep.
CHAPTERXIVWhenTomawokeinthemorning,hewonderedwherehewas.Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround.Thenhecompre-hended.Itwasthecoolgraydawn,andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods.Notaleafstirred;notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature’smeditation.Beadeddew-dropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses.Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire,andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair.JoeandHuckstillslept.Now,farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled;anotheranswered;pres-entlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard.Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened,andasgraduallysoundsmulti-pliedandlifemanifesteditself.ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy.Alittlegreenwormcamecrawlingoveradewyleaf,liftingtwo-thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand“sniffingaround,”thenproceedingagain––forhewasmeasuring,Tomsaid;andwhenthewormapproachedhim,ofitsownaccord,hesatasstillasastone,withhishopesrisingandfalling,byturns,asthecreaturestillcametowardhimorseemedinclinedtogoelsewhere;andwhenatlastitconsideredapainfulmomentwithitscurvedbodyintheairandthencamedecisivelydownuponTom’slegandbeganajourneyoverhim,hiswholeheartwasglad––forthatmeantthathewasgoingtohaveanewsuitofclothes––withouttheshadowofadoubtagaudypiraticaluniform.Nowaprocessionofantsappeared,fromnowhereinparticular,andwentabouttheirlabors;onestruggledmanfullybywithadeadspiderfivetimesasbigasitselfinitsarms,andluggeditstraightupatree-trunk.Abrownspottedlady-bugclimbedthedizzyheightofagrassblade,andTombentdownclosetoitandsaid,“Lady-bug,lady-bug,flyawayhome,yourhouseisonfire,yourchildren’salone,”andshetookwingandwentofftoseeaboutit––whichdidnotsurprisetheboy,forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagrationsandhehadpracticeduponitssim-plicitymorethanonce.Atumble-bugcamenext,heavingsturdilyatitsball,andTomtouchedthecreature,toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead.Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythis
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer91time.Acat-bird,thenorthernmocker,litinatreeoverTom’shead,andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoy-ment;thenashrilljaysweptdown,aflashofblueflame,andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy’sreach,cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity;agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe“fox”kindcameskurryingalong,sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys,forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot.AllNaturewaswideawakeandstirring,now;longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefoliagefarandnear,andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene.Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout,andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtumblingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesand-bar.Theyfeltnolongingforthelittlevillagesleepinginthedistancebeyondthemajesticwasteofwater.Avagrantcurrentoraslightriseintheriverhadcarriedofftheirraft,butthisonlygratifiedthem,sinceitsgoingwassomethinglikeburningthebridgebetweenthemandcivilization.Theycamebacktocampwonderfullyrefreshed,glad-hearted,andravenous;andtheysoonhadthecamp-fireblazingupagain.Huckfoundaspringofclearcoldwatercloseby,andtheboysmadecupsofbroadoakorhickoryleaves,andfeltthatwater,sweetenedwithsuchawild-woodcharmasthat,wouldbeagoodenoughsubstituteforcoffee.WhileJoewasslicingbaconforbreakfast,TomandHuckaskedhimtoholdonaminute;theysteppedtoapromis-ingnookintheriverbankandthrewintheirlines;almostimmedi-atelytheyhadreward.Joehadnothadtimetogetimpatientbeforetheywerebackagainwithsomehandsomebass,acoupleofsun-perchandasmallcatfish––provisionsenoughforquiteafamily.Theyfriedthefishwiththebaconandwereastonished;fornofishhadeverseemedsodeliciousbefore.Theydidnotknowthatthequickerafreshwaterfishisonthefireafterheiscaughtthebetterheis;andtheyreflectedlittleuponwhatasauceopenairsleeping,openairexercise,bathing,andalargeingredientofhungermakes,too.Theylayaroundintheshade,afterbreakfast,whileHuckhadasmoke,andthenwentoffthroughthewoodsonanexploringexped-ition.Theytrampedgailyalong,overdecayinglogs,throughtangledunderbrush,amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest,hungfromtheir
92TheAdventuresofTomSawyercrownstothegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape-vines.Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers.Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwithbutnothingtobeastonishedat.Theydiscoveredthattheislandwasaboutthreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide,andthattheshoreitlayclosesttowasonlyseparatedfromitbyanarrowchannelhardlytwohundredyardswide.Theytookaswimabouteveryhour,soitwascloseuponthemiddleoftheafternoonwhentheygotbacktocamp.Theyweretoohungrytostoptofish,buttheyfaredsumptuouslyuponcoldham,andthenthrewthemselvesdownintheshadetotalk.Butthetalksoonbegantodrag,andthendied.Thestillness,thesolemnitythatbroodedinthewoods,andthesenseofloneliness,begantotelluponthespiritsoftheboys.Theyfelltothinking.Asortofundefinedlongingcreptuponthem.Thistookdimshape,presently––itwasbuddinghome-sickness.EvenFinntheRed-Handedwasdreamingofhisdoor-stepsandemptyhogsheads.Buttheywereallashamedoftheirweakness,andnonewasbraveenoughtospeakhisthought.Forsometime,now,theboyshadbeendullyconsciousofapecu-liarsoundinthedistance,justasonesometimesisofthetickingofaclockwhichhetakesnodistinctnoteof.Butnowthismysterioussoundbecamemorepronounced,andforcedarecognition.Theboysstarted,glancedateachother,andtheneachassumedalisteningattitude.Therewasalongsilence,profoundandunbroken;thenadeep,sullenboomcamefloatingdownoutofthedistance.“Whatisit!”exclaimedJoe,underhisbreath.“Iwonder,”saidTominawhisper.“Tain’tthunder,”saidHuckleberry,inanawedtone,“becuzthunder––”“Hark!”saidTom.“Listen––don’ttalk.”Theywaitedatimethatseemedanage,andthenthesamemuffledboomtroubledthesolemnhush.“Let’sgoandsee.”Theysprangtotheirfeetandhurriedtotheshoretowardthetown.Theypartedthebushesonthebankandpeeredoutoverthewater.Thelittlesteamferryboatwasaboutamilebelowthevillage,driftingwiththecurrent.Herbroaddeckseemedcrowdedwithpeople.Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwith
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer93thestreamintheneighborhoodoftheferryboat,buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemeninthemweredoing.Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat’sside,andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud,thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain.“Iknownow!”exclaimedTom;“somebody’sdrownded!”“That’sit!”saidHuck;“theydonethatlastsummer,whenBillTurnergotdrownded;theyshootacannonoverthewater,*andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop.Yes,andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksilverin’em*andset’emafloat,andwhereverthere’sanybodythat’sdrownded,they’llfloatrightthereandstop.”“Yes,I’veheardaboutthat,”saidJoe.“Iwonderwhatmakesthebreaddothat.”“Ohitain’tthebread,somuch,”saidTom;“Ireckonit’smostlywhattheysayoveritbeforetheystartitout.”“Buttheydon’tsayanythingoverit,”saidHuck.“I’veseen’emandtheydon’t.”“Wellthat’sfunny,”saidTom.“Butmaybetheysayittothem-selves.Ofcoursetheydo.Anybodymightknowthat.”TheotherboysagreedthattherewasreasoninwhatTomsaid,becauseanignorantlumpofbread,uninstructedbyanincantation,couldnotbeexpectedtoactveryintelligentlywhensentuponanerrandofsuchgravity.“ByjingsIwishIwasoverthere,now,”saidJoe.“Idotoo,”saidHuck.“I’dgiveheapstoknowwhoitis.”Theboysstilllistenedandwatched.PresentlyarevealingthoughtflashedthroughTom’smind,andheexclaimed:“Boys,Iknowwho’sdrownded––it’sus!”Theyfeltlikeheroesinaninstant.Herewasagorgeoustriumph;theyweremissed;theyweremourned;heartswerebreakingontheiraccount;tearswerebeingshed;accusingmemoriesofunkindnessestothesepoorlostladswererisingup,andunavailingregretsandremorsewerebeingindulged;andbestofall,thedepartedwerethetalkofthewholetown,andtheenvyofalltheboys,asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywasconcerned.Thiswasfine.Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate,afterall.Astwilightdrewon,theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusinessandtheskiffsdisappeared.Thepiratesreturnedtocamp.Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandthe
94TheAdventuresofTomSawyerillustrioustroubletheyweremaking.Theycaughtfish,cookedsup-perandateit,andthenfelltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem;andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon––fromtheirpointofview.Butwhentheshadowsofnightclosedthemin,theygraduallyceasedtotalk,andsatgazingintothefire,withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere.Theexcitementwasgone,now,andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere.Misgivingscame;theygrewtroubledandunhappy;asighortwoescaped,unawares.ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaround-about“feeler”astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization––notrightnow,but––Tomwitheredhimwithderision!Huck,beinguncommitted,asyet,joinedinwithTom,andthewavererquickly“explained,”andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken-heartedhome-sicknessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould.Mutinywaseffectuallylaidtorestforthemoment.Asthenightdeepened,Huckbegantonod,andpresentlytosnore.Joefollowednext.Tomlayuponhiselbowmotionless,forsometime,watchingthetwointently.Atlasthegotupcautiously,onhisknees,andwentsearchingamongthegrassandtheflickeringreflectionsflungbythecamp-fire.Hepickedupandinspectedsev-erallargesemi-cylindersofthethinwhitebarkofasycamore,andfinallychosetwowhichseemedtosuithim.Thenhekneltbythefireandpainfullywrotesomethinguponeachofthesewithhis“redkeel;”oneherolledupandputinhisjacketpocket,andtheotherheputinJoe’shatandremovedittoalittledistancefromtheowner.Andhealsoputintothehatcertainschool-boytreasuresofalmostinestimablevalue––amongthemalumpofchalk,anIndiarubberball,threefish-hooks,andoneofthatkindofmarblesknownasa“sure’noughcrystal.”Thenhetip-toedhiswaycautiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing,andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesand-bar.
CHAPTERXVAfewminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar,wadingtowardtheIllinoisshore.Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalfwayover;thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading,now,sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards.Heswamquarteringupstream,butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected.However,hereachedtheshorefinally,anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout.Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket,foundhispieceofbarksafe,andthenstruckthroughthewoods,followingtheshore,withstreaminggarments.Shortlybeforeteno’clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage,andsawtheferryboatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank.Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars.Hecreptdownthebank,watchingwithallhiseyes,slippedintothewater,swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid“yawl”dutyattheboat’sstern.Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited,panting.Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto“castoff.”Aminuteortwolatertheskiff’sheadwasstandinghighup,againsttheboat’sswell,andthevoyagewasbegun.Tomfelthappyinhissuccess,forheknewitwastheboat’slasttripforthenight.Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped,andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk,landingfiftyyardsdownstream,outofdangerofpossiblestragglers.Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys,andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt’sbackfence.Heclimbedover,approachedthe“ell”andlookedinatthesitting-roomwindow,foralightwasburningthere.TheresatAuntPolly,Sid,Mary,andJoeHarper’smother,groupedtogether,talking.Theywerebythebed,andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor.Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch;thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack;hecontinuedpushingcautiously,andquakingeverytimeitcreaked,tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees;andsoheputhisheadthroughandbegan,warily.“Whatmakesthecandleblowso?”saidAuntPolly.Tomhurried
96TheAdventuresofTomSawyerup.“Whythatdoor’sopen,Ibelieve.Whyofcourseitis.Noendofstrangethingsnow.Go’longandshutit,Sid.”Tomdisappearedunderthebedjustintime.Helayand“breathed”himselfforatime,andthencrepttowherehecouldalmosttouchhisaunt’sfoot.“ButasIwassaying,”saidAuntPolly,“hewarn’tbad,sotosay––onlymischeevous.Onlyjustgiddy,andharum-scarum,youknow.Hewarn’tanymoreresponsiblethanacolt.Henevermeantanyharm,andhewasthebest-heartedboythateverwas”––andshebegantocry.“ItwasjustsowithmyJoe––alwaysfullofhisdevilment,anduptoeverykindofmischief,buthewasjustasunselfishandkindashecouldbe––andlawsblessme,tothinkIwentandwhippedhimfortakingthatcream,neveroncerecollectingthatIthroweditoutmyselfbecauseitwassour,andInevertoseehimagaininthisworld,never,never,never,poorabusedboy!”AndMrs.Harpersobbedasifherheartwouldbreak.“IhopeTom’sbetteroffwhereheis,”saidSid,“butifhe’dbeenbetterinsomeways––”“Sid!”Tomfelttheglareoftheoldlady’seye,thoughhecouldnotseeit.“NotawordagainstmyTom,nowthathe’sgone!God’lltakecareofhim––neveryoutroubleyourself,sir!Oh,Mrs.Harper,Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup!Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup!Hewassuchacomforttome,althoughhetormentedmyoldheartoutofme,’most.”“TheLordgivethandtheLordhathtakenaway,––BlessedbethenameoftheLord!Butit’ssohard––Oh,it’ssohard!OnlylastSaturdaymyJoebustedafire-crackerrightundermynoseandIknockedhimsprawling.LittledidIknowthen,howsoon––O,ifitwastodooveragainI’dhughimandblesshimforit.”“Yes,yes,yes,Iknowjusthowyoufeel,Mrs.Harper,Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel.Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon,myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain-Killer,andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown.AndGodforgiveme,IcrackedTom’sheadwithmythimble,poorboy,poordeadboy.Buthe’soutofallhistroublesnow.AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach––”Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady,andshebrokeentirelydown.Tomwassnuffling,now,himself––andmoreinpityof
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer97himselfthananybodyelse.HecouldhearMarycrying,andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime.Hebegantohaveanobleropinionofhimselfthaneverbefore.Stillhewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt’sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy––andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature,too,butheresistedandlaystill.Hewentonlistening,andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwasconjecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim;thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed;next,certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould“hearsomething”soon;thewise-headshad“putthisandthattogether”anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow,presently;buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound,lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage,––andthenhopeperished;theymustbedrowned,elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner.Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmid-channel,sincetheboys,beinggoodswimmers,wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore.ThiswasWednesdaynight.IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday,allhopewouldbegivenover,andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning.Tomshuddered.Mrs.Harpergaveasobbinggood-nightandturnedtogo.Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother’sarmsandhadagood,consolingcry,andthenparted.AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont,inhergood-nighttoSidandMary.SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart.AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly,soappealingly,andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtremblingvoice,thathewaswelteringintearsagain,longbeforeshewasthrough.Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed,forshekeptmakingbroken-heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime,tossingunrestfully,andturningover.Butatlastshewasstill,onlymoaningalittleinhersleep.Nowtheboystoleout,rosegraduallybythebedside,shadedthecandle-lightwithhishand,andstoodregardingher.Hisheartwasfullofpityforher.Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaced
98TheAdventuresofTomSawyeritbythecandle.Butsomethingoccurredtohim,andhelingeredconsidering.Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought;heputthebarkhastilyinhispocket.Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips,andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit,latchingthedoorbehindhim.Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding,foundnobodyatlargethere,andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat,forheknewshewastenantlessexceptthattherewasawatchman,whoalwaysturnedinandsleptlikeagravenimage.Heuntiedtheskiffatthestern,slippedintoit,andwassoonrowingcautiouslyupstream.Whenhehadpulledamileabovethevillage,hestartedquarteringacrossandbenthimselfstoutlytohiswork.Hehitthelandingontheothersideneatly,forthiswasafamiliarbitofworktohim.Hewasmovedtocapturetheskiff,arguingthatitmightbeconsideredashipandthereforelegitimatepreyforapirate,butheknewathoroughsearchwouldbemadeforitandthatmightendinrevelations.Sohesteppedashoreandenteredthewood.Hesatdownandtookalongrest,torturinghimselfmeantimetokeepawake,andthenstartedwearilydownthehome-stretch.Thenightwasfarspent.Itwasbroaddaylightbeforehefoundhimselffairlyabreasttheislandbar.Herestedagainuntilthesunwaswellupandgildingthegreatriverwithitssplendor,andthenheplungedintothestream.Alittlelaterhepaused,dripping,uponthethresholdofthecamp,andheardJoesay:“No,Tom’strue-blue,Huck,andhe’llcomeback.Hewon’tdesert.Heknowsthatwouldbeadisgracetoapirate,andTom’stooproudforthatsortofthing.He’suptosomethingorother.NowIwonderwhat?”“Well,thethingsisours,anyway,ain’tthey?”“Prettynear,butnotyet,Huck.Thewritingsaystheyareifheain’tbackheretobreakfast.”“Whichheis!”exclaimedTom,withfinedramaticeffect,steppinggrandlyintocamp.Asumptuousbreakfastofbaconandfishwasshortlyprovided,andastheboyssettoworkuponit,Tomrecounted(andadorned)hisadventures.Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone.ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon,andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore.
CHAPTERXVIAfterdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar.Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand,andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands.Sometimestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole.TheywereperfectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut.Theyhadafamousfried-eggfeastthatnight,andanotheronFridaymorning.Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar,andchasedeachotherroundandround,sheddingclothesastheywent,untiltheywerenaked,andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwaterofthebar,againstthestiffcurrent,whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun.Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother’sfaceswiththeirpalms,graduallyapproachingeachother,withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingspraysandfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor,andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing,sputtering,laughingandgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime.Whentheywerewellexhausted,theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry,hotsand,andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit,andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperformanceoncemore.Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh-colored“tights”veryfairly;sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus––withthreeclownsinit,fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor.Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed“knucks”and“ring-taw”and“keeps”*tillthatamusementgrewstale.ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim,butTomwouldnotventure,becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle,andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotectionofthismysteriouscharm.Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit,andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest.Theygraduallywanderedapart,droppedintothe“dumps,”andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewideriver
100TheAdventuresofTomSawyertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun.Tomfoundhimselfwriting“Becky”inthesandwithhisbigtoe;hescratcheditout,andwasangrywithhimselfforhisweakness.Buthewroteitagain,nevertheless;hecouldnothelpit.Heeraseditoncemoreandthentookhimselfoutoftemptationbydrivingtheotherboystogetherandjoiningthem.ButJoe’sspiritshadgonedownalmostbeyondresurrection.Hewassohomesickthathecouldhardlyendurethemiseryofit.Thetearslayverynearthesurface.Huckwasmelancholy,too.Tomwasdown-hearted,buttriedhardnottoshowit.Hehadasecretwhichhewasnotreadytotell,yet,butifthismutinousdepressionwasnotbrokenupsoon,hewouldhavetobringitout.Hesaid,withagreatshowofcheerfulness:“Ibetthere’sbeenpiratesonthisislandbefore,boys.We’llexploreitagain.They’vehidtreasuresheresomewhere.How’dyoufeeltolightonarottenchestfullofgoldandsilver––hey?”Butitrousedonlyafaintenthusiasm,whichfadedout,withnoreply.Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions;buttheyfailed,too.Itwasdiscouragingwork.Joesatpokingupthesandwithastickandlookingverygloomy.Finallyhesaid:“O,boys,let’sgiveitup.Iwanttogohome.It’ssolonesome.”“Oh,no,Joe,you’llfeelbetterbyandby,”saidTom.“Justthinkofthefishingthat’shere.”“Idon’tcareforfishing.Iwanttogohome.”“ButJoe,thereain’tsuchanotherswimmingplaceanywhere.”“Swimming’snogood.Idon’tseemtocareforit,somehow,whenthereain’tanybodytosayIshan’tgoin.Imeantogohome.”“O,shucks!Baby!Youwanttoseeyourmother,Ireckon.”“Yes,Idowanttoseemymother––andyouwouldtoo,ifyouhadone.Iain’tanymorebabythanyouare.”AndJoesnuffledalittle.“Well,we’llletthecry-babygohometohismother,won’tweHuck?Poorthing––doesitwanttoseeitsmother?Andsoitshall.Youlikeithere,don’tyouHuck?We’llstay,won’twe?”Hucksaid“Y-e-s”––withoutanyheartinit.“I’llneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive,”saidJoe,rising.“Therenow!”Andhemovedmoodilyawayandbegantodresshimself.“Whocares!”saidTom.“Nobodywantsyouto.Go’longhomeandgetlaughedat.O,you’reanicepirate.Huckandmeain’t
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer101cry-babies.We’llstay,won’tweHuck?Lethimgoifhewantsto.Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim,per’aps.”ButTomwasuneasy,nevertheless,andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosullenlyonwithhisdressing.AndthenitwasdiscomfortingtoseeHuckeyeingJoe’spreparationssowistfully,andkeepingupsuchanominoussilence.Presently,withoutapartingword,JoebegantowadeofftowardtheIllinoisshore.Tom’sheartbegantosink.HeglancedatHuck.Huckcouldnotbearthelook,anddroppedhiseyes.Thenhesaid:“Iwanttogo,too,Tom.Itwasgettingsolonesomeanyway,andnowit’llbeworse.Let’susgotoo,Tom.”“Iwon’t!Youcanallgo,ifyouwantto.Imeantostay.”“Tom,Ibettergo.”“Wellgo’long––who’shenderingyou.”Huckbegantopickuphisscatteredclothes.Hesaid:“Tom,Iwishtyou’dcometoo.Nowyouthinkitover.We’llwaitforyouwhenwegettoshore.”“Wellyou’llwaitablamelongtime,that’sall.”Huckstartedsorrowfullyaway,andTomstoodlookingafterhim,withastrongdesiretuggingathishearttoyieldhisprideandgoalongtoo.Hehopedtheboyswouldstop,buttheystillwadedslowlyon.ItsuddenlydawnedonTomthatitwasbecomeverylonelyandstill.Hemadeonefinalstrugglewithhispride,andthendartedafterhiscomrades,yelling:“Wait!Wait!Iwanttotellyousomething!”Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround.Whenhegottowheretheywere,hebeganunfoldinghissecret,andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe“point”hewasdrivingat,andthentheysetupawar-whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas“splendid!”andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst,theywouldn’thavestartedaway.Hemadeaplausibleexcuse;buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime,andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction.Theladscamegailybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill,chatteringallthetimeaboutTom’sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit.Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner,Tomsaidhewantedtolearntosmoke,now.Joecaughtattheideaandsaidhewouldliketotry,too.SoHuckmadepipesandfilledthem.
102TheAdventuresofTomSawyerThesenoviceshadneversmokedanythingbeforebutcigarsmadeofgrape-vineandthey“bit”thetongueandwerenotconsideredmanly,anyway.Nowtheystretchedthemselvesoutontheirelbowsandbegantopuff,charily,andwithslenderconfidence.Thesmokehadanunpleasanttaste,andtheygaggedalittle,butTomsaid:“Whyit’sjustaseasy!IfI’daknowedthiswasall,I’dalearntlongago.”“SowouldI,”saidJoe.“It’sjustnothing.”“WhymanyatimeI’velookedatpeoplesmoking,andthoughtwellIwishIcoulddothat;butIneverthoughtIcould,”saidTom.“That’sjustthewaywithme,hain’titHuck?You’veheardmetalkjustthatway––haven’tyouHuck?I’llleaveittoHuckifIhaven’t.”“Yes––heapsoftimes,”saidHuck.“WellIhavetoo,”saidTom;“O,hundredsoftimes.Oncedownbytheslaughter-house.Don’tyouremember,Huck?BobTannerwasthere,andJohnnyMiller,andJeffThatcher,whenIsaidit.Don’tyourememberHuck,’boutmesayingthat?”“Yes,that’sso,”saidHuck.“ThatwasthedayafterIlostawhitealley.No,’twasthedaybefore.”“There––Itoldyouso,”saidTom.“Huckrecollectsit.”“IbleeveIcouldsmokethispipeallday,”saidJoe.“Idon’tfeelsick.”“NeitherdoI,”saidTom.“Icouldsmokeitallday.ButIbetyouJeffThatchercouldn’t.”“JeffThatcher!Whyhe’dkeeloverjustwithtwodraws.Justlethimtryitonce.He’dsee!”“Ibethewould.AndJohnnyMiller––IwishIcouldseeJohnnyMillertackleitonce.”“O,dontI!”saidJoe.“WhyIbetyouJohnnyMillercouldn’tanymoredothisthannothing.Justonelittlesnifterwouldfetchhim.”“’Deeditwould,Joe.Say––Iwishtheboyscouldseeusnow.”“SodoI.”“Say––boys,don’tsayanythingaboutit,andsometimewhenthey’rearound,I’llcomeuptoyouandsay‘Joe,gotapipe?Iwantasmoke.’Andyou’llsay,kindofcarelesslike,asifitwarn’tanything,you’llsay,‘Yes,Igotmyoldpipe,andanotherone,butmytobackerain’tverygood.’AndI’llsay,‘Oh,that’sallright,ifit’sstrong
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer103enough.’Andthenyou’lloutwiththepipes,andwe’lllightupjustasca’m,andthenjustsee’emlook!”“Byjingsthat’llbegay,Tom!Iwishitwasnow!”“SodoI!Andwhenwetell’emwelearnedwhenwewasoffpirating,won’ttheywishthey’dbeenalong?”“O,Ireckonnot!I’lljustbettheywill!”Sothetalkranon.Butpresentlyitbegantoflagatrifle,andgrowdisjointed.Thesilenceswidened;theexpectorationmarvelouslyincreased.Everyporeinsidetheboys’cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain;theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopreventaninundation;littleoverflowingsdowntheirthroatsoccurredinspiteofalltheycoulddo,andsuddenretchingsfollowedeverytime.Bothboyswerelookingverypaleandmiserable,now.Joe’spipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingers.Tom’sfollowed.Bothfountainsweregoingfuriouslyandbothpumpsbailingwithmightandmain.Joesaidfeebly:“I’velostmyknife.IreckonIbettergoandfindit.”Tomsaid,withquiveringlipsandhaltingutterance:“I’llhelpyou.YougooverthatwayandI’llhuntaroundbythespring.No,youneedn’tcome,Huck––wecanfindit.”SoHucksatdownagain,andwaitedanhour.Thenhefounditlonesome,andwenttofindhiscomrades.Theywerewideapartinthewoods,bothverypale,bothfastasleep.Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit.Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight.Theyhadahum-blelook,andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopreparetheirs,theysaidno,theywerenotfeelingverywell––somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem.AboutmidnightJoeawoke,andcalledtheboys.Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething.Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire,thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreath-lessatmospherewasstifling.Theysatstill,intentandwaiting.Thesolemnhushcontinued.Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblacknessofdarkness.*Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyrevealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished.Byandbyanothercame,alittlestronger.Thenanother.Thenafaintmoancamesighingthroughthebranchesoftheforestandtheboysfeltafleetingbreathupontheircheeks,and
104TheAdventuresofTomSawyershudderedwiththefancythattheSpiritoftheNighthadgoneby.Therewasapause.Nowaweirdflashturnednightintodayandshowedeverylittlegrass-blade,separateanddistinct,thatgrewabouttheirfeet.Anditshowedthreewhite,startledfaces,too.Adeeppealofthunderwentrollingandtumblingdowntheheavensandlostitselfinsullenrumblingsinthedistance.Asweepofchillyairpassedby,rustlingalltheleavesandsnowingtheflakyashesbroadcastaboutthefire.Anotherfierceglarelituptheforestandaninstantcrashfollowedthatseemedtorendthetree-topsrightovertheboys’heads.Theyclungtogetherinterror,inthethickgloomthatfollowed.Afewbigraindropsfellpatteringupontheleaves.“Quick!boys,goforthetent!”exclaimedTom.Theysprangaway,stumblingoverrootsandamongvinesinthedark,notwoplunginginthesamedirection.Afuriousblastroaredthroughthetrees,makingeverythingsingasitwent.Oneblindingflashafteranothercame,andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder.Andnowadrenchingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground.Theboyscriedouttoeachother,buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder-blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly.Howeveronebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent,cold,scared,andstreamingwithwater;buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor.Theycouldnottalk,theoldsailflappedsofuriously,eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem.Thetempestrosehigherandhigher,andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast.Theboysseizedeachothers’handsandfled,withmanytumblingsandbruises,totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriverbank.Nowthebattlewasatitshighest.Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies,every-thingbelowstoodoutinclean-cutandshadowlessdistinctness:thebendingtrees,thebillowyriver,whitewithfoam,thedrivingsprayofspume-flakes,thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheotherside,glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud-rackandtheslantingveilofrain.Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth;andtheunflaggingthunder-pealscamenowinear-splittingexplosivebursts,keenandsharp,andunspeakablyappalling.Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces,burnitup,drownittothetreetops,blowitaway,anddeafeneverycreaturein
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer105it,allatoneandthesamemoment.Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin.Butatlastthebattlewasdone,andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings,andpeaceresumedhersway.Theboyswentbacktocamp,agooddealawed;buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor,becausethegreatsycamore,theshelteroftheirbeds,wasaruin,now,blastedbythelightnings,andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened.Everythingincampwasdrenched,thecamp-fireaswell;fortheywerebutheedlesslads,liketheirgeneration,andhadmadenoprovi-sionagainstrain.Herewasmatterfordismay,fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled.Theywereeloquentintheirdistress;buttheypresentlydiscoveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainst,(whereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground,)thatahand-breadthorsoofithadescapedwetting;sotheypatientlywroughtuntil,withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs,theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain.Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnaceandwereglad-heartedoncemore.Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast,andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmidnightadventureuntilmorning,fortherewasnotadryspottosleepon,anywherearound.Asthesunbegantostealinupontheboys,drowsinesscameoverthemandtheywentoutonthesand-barandlaydowntosleep.Theygotscorchedoutbyandby,anddrearilysetaboutgettingbreakfast.Afterthemealtheyfeltrusty,andstiff-jointed,andalittlehomesickoncemore.Tomsawthesigns,andfelltocheeringupthepiratesaswellashecould.Buttheycarednothingformarbles,orcircus,orswimming,oranything.Heremindedthemoftheimposingsecret,andraisedarayofcheer.Whileitlasted,hegottheminterestedinanewdevice.Thiswastoknockoffbeingpirates,forawhile,andbeIndiansforachange.Theywereattractedbythisidea;soitwasnotlongbeforetheywerestripped,andstripedfromheadtoheelwithblackmud,likesomanyzebras,––allofthemchiefs,ofcourse––andthentheywenttearingthroughthewoodstoattackanEnglishsettlement.Byandbytheyseparatedintothreehostiletribes,anddarteduponeachotherfromambushwithdreadfulwar-whoops,andkilledand
106TheAdventuresofTomSawyerscalpedeachotherbythousands.Itwasagoryday.Consequentlyitwasanextremelysatisfactoryone.Theyassembledincamptowardsuppertime,hungryandhappy;butnowadifficultyarose––hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace,andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace.Therewasnootherprocessthatevertheyhadheardof.Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates.However,therewasnootherway;sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed,indueform.Andbeholdtheyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery,fortheyhadgainedsomething;theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife;theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable.Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort.No,theypracticedcautiously,aftersupper,withrightfairsuccess,andsotheyspentajubilantevening.TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations.Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag,sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent.
CHAPTERXVIIButtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon.TheHarpers,andAuntPolly’sfamily,werebeingputintomourning,withgreatgriefandmanytears.Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage,althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough,inallconscience.Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair,andtalkedlittle;buttheysighedoften.TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren.Theyhadnoheartintheirsports,andgraduallygavethemup.IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschool-houseyard,andfeelingverymelancholy.Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther.Shesoliloquised:“Oh,ifIonlyhadhisbrassandiron-knobagain!ButIhaven’tgotanythingnowtorememberhimby.”Andshechokedbackalittlesob.Presentlyshestopped,andsaidtoherself:“Itwasrighthere.O,ifitwastodooveragain,Iwouldn’tsaythat––Iwouldn’tsayitforthewholeworld.Buthe’sgonenow;I’llneverneverneverseehimanymore.”Thisthoughtbrokeherdownandshewanderedaway,withthetearsrollingdownhercheeks.Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls,––playmatesofTom’sandJoe’s––cameby,andstoodlookingoverthepalingfenceandtalkinginreverenttonesofhowTomdidso-and-so,thelasttimetheysawhim,andhowJoesaidthisandthatsmalltrifle(pregnantwithawfulprophecy,astheycouldeasilyseenow!)––andeachspeakerpointedouttheexactspotwherethelostladsstoodatthetime,andthenaddedsomethinglike“andIwasastandingjustso––justasIamnow,andasifyouwashim––Iwasascloseasthat––andhesmiled,justthisway––andthensomethingseemedtogoalloverme,like,––awful,youknow––andIneverthoughtwhatitmeant,ofcourse,butIcanseenow!”Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife,andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction,andofferedevidences,moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness;andwhenitwasultim-atelydecidedwhodidseethedepartedlast,andexchangedthelastwordswiththem,theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortof
108TheAdventuresofTomSawyersacredimportance,andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest.Onepoorchap,whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer,saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance:“Well,TomSawyerhelickedmeonce.”Butthatbidforglorywasafailure.Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat,andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch.Thegrouploiteredaway,stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes,inawedvoices.WhentheSunday-schoolhourwasfinished,thenextmorning,thebellbegantotoll,insteadofringingintheusualway.ItwasaverystillSabbath,andthemournfulsoundseemedinkeepingwiththemusinghushthatlayuponnature.Thevillagersbegantogather,loiteringamomentinthevestibuletoconverseinwhispersaboutthesadevent.Buttherewasnowhisperinginthehouse;onlythefunerealrustlingofdressesasthewomengatheredtotheirseats,disturbedthesilencethere.Nonecouldrememberwhenthelittlechurchhadbeensofullbefore.Therewasfinallyawaitingpause,anexpectantdumbness,andthenAuntPollyentered,followedbySidandMary,andtheybytheHarperfamily,allindeepblack,andthewholecongregation,theoldministeraswell,rosereverentlyandstood,untilthemournerswereseatedinthefrontpew.Therewasanothercommuningsilence,brokenatintervalsbymuffledsobs,andthentheministerspreadhishandsabroadandprayed.Amovinghymnwassung,andthetextfollowed:“IamtheResurrectionandtheLife.”Astheserviceproceeded,theclergymandrewsuchpicturesofthegraces,thewinningwaysandtherarepromiseofthelostlads,thateverysoulthere,thinkingherecognizedthesepictures,feltapanginrememberingthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothem,alwaysbefore,andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys.Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted,too,whichillustratedtheirsweet,generousnatures,andthepeoplecouldeasilysee,now,hownobleandbeauti-fulthoseepisodeswere,andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities,welldeservingofthecowhide.Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved,asthepathetictalewenton,tillatlastthewholecompanybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs,thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings,andcryinginthepulpit.
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer109Therewasarustleinthegallery,whichnobodynoticed;amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked;theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief,andstoodtransfixed!Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister’s,andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarchinguptheaisle,Tominthelead,Joenext,andHuck,aruinofdroopingrags,sneakingsheepishlyintherear!Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon!AuntPolly,MaryandtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirrestoredones,smotheredthemwithkissesandpouredoutthanks-givings,whilepoorHuckstoodabashedanduncomfortable,notknowingexactlywhattodoorwheretohidefromsomanyunwelcomingeyes.Hewavered,andstartedtoslinkaway,butTomseizedhimandsaid:“AuntPolly,itain’tfair.Somebody’sgottobegladtoseeHuck.”“Andsotheyshall.I’mgladtoseehim,poormotherlessthing!”AndthelovingattentionsAuntPollylavisheduponhimweretheonethingcapableofmakinghimmoreuncomfortablethanhewasbefore.Suddenlytheministershoutedatthetopofhisvoice:“PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow––Sing!––andputyourheartsinit!”Andtheydid.OldHundredswelledupwithatriumphantburst,andwhileitshooktheraftersTomSawyerthePiratelookedaroundupontheenvyingjuvenilesabouthimandconfessedinhisheartthatthiswastheproudestmomentofhislife.Asthe“sold”congregationtroopedouttheysaidtheywouldalmostbewillingtobemaderidiculousagaintohearOldHundredsunglikethatoncemore.Tomgotmorecuffsandkissesthatday––accordingtoAuntPolly’svaryingmoods––thanhehadearnedbeforeinayear;andhehardlyknewwhichexpressedthemostgratefulnesstoGodandaffectionforhimself.
CHAPTERXVIIIThatwasTom’sgreatsecret––theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbrotherpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals.TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog,atduskonSaturday,landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage;theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight,andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinvalidedbenches.Atbreakfast,Mondaymorning,AuntPollyandMarywereverylovingtoTom,andveryattentivetohiswants.Therewasanunusualamountoftalk.InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid:“Well,Idon’tsayitwasn’tafinejoke,Tom,tokeepeverybodysuffering’mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime,butitisapityyoucouldbesohard-heartedastoletmesufferso.Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral,youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn’tdead,butonlyrunoff.”“Yes,youcouldhavedonethat,Tom,”saidMary;“andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit.”“WouldyouTom?”saidAuntPolly,herfacelightingwistfully.“Say,now,wouldyou,ifyou’dthoughtofit?”“I––wellIdon’tknow.’Twouldaspoiledeverything.”“Tom,Ihopedyoulovedmethatmuch,”saidAuntPolly,withagrievedtonethatdiscomfortedtheboy.“Itwouldbeensomethingifyou’dcaredenoughtothinkofit,evenifyoudidn’tdoit.”“Nowauntie,thatain’tanyharm,”pleadedMary;“it’sonlyTom’sgiddyway––heisalwaysinsucharushthatheneverthinksofanything.”“More’sthepity.Sidwouldhavethought.AndSidwouldhavecomeanddoneit,too.Tom,you’lllookback,someday,whenit’stoolate,andwishyou’dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle.”“Nowauntie,youknowIdocareforyou,”saidTom.“I’dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit.”“IwishnowI’dthought,”saidTom,witharepentanttone;“butIdreamedaboutyou,anyway.That’ssomething,ain’tit?”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer111“Itain’tmuch––acatdoesthatmuch––butit’sbetterthannothing.Whatdidyoudream?”“WhyWednesdaynightIdreamtthatyouwassittingovertherebythebed,andSidwassittingbythewood-box,andMarynexttohim.”“Well,sowedid.Sowealwaysdo.I’mgladyourdreamscouldtakeeventhatmuchtroubleaboutus.”“AndIdreamtthatJoeHarper’smotherwashere.”“Why,shewashere!Didyoudreamanymore?”“O,lots.Butit’ssodim,now.”“Well,trytorecollect––can’tyou?”“Somehowitseemstomethatthewind––thewindblowedthe––the––”“Tryharder,Tom!Thewinddidblowsomething.Come!”Tompressedhisfingersonhisforeheadananxiousminute,andthensaid:“I’vegotitnow!I’vegotitnow!Itblowedthecandle!”“Mercyonus!Goon,Tom––goon!”“Anditseemstomethatyousaid,‘WhyIbelievethatthatdoor––’”“Goon,Tom!”“Justletmestudyamoment––justamoment.Oh,yes––yousaidyoubelievedthedoorwasopen.”“AsI’masittinghere,Idid!Didn’tI,Mary!Goon!”“Andthen––andthen––wellIwon’tbecertain,butitseemslikeasifyoumadeSidgoand––and––”“Well?Well?WhatdidImakehimdo,Tom?WhatdidImakehimdo?”“Youmadehim––you––O,youmadehimshutit.”“Wellfortheland’ssake!Ineverheardthebeatofthatinallmydays!Don’ttellmethereain’tanythingindreams,anymore.SerenyHarpershallknowofthisbeforeI’manhourolder.I’dliketoseehergetaroundthiswithherrubbage’boutsuperstition.Goon,Tom!”“Oh,it’sallgettingjustasbrightasday,now.NextyousaidIwarn’tbad,onlymischeevousandharum-scarum,andnotanymoreresponsiblethan––than––Ithinkitwasacolt,orsomething.”“Andsoitwas!Well,goodnessgracious!Goon,Tom!”“Andthenyoubegantocry.”“SoIdid.SoIdid.Notthefirsttime,neither.Andthen––”
112TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“ThenMrs.Harpershebegantocry,andsaidJoewasjustthesameandshewishedshehadn’twhippedhimfortakingcreamwhenshe’dthroweditoutherownself––”“Tom!Thesperritwasuponyou!Youwasaprophecying––that’swhatyouwasdoing!Landalive,goon,Tom!”“ThenSidhesaid––hesaid––”“Idon’tthinkIsaidanything,”saidSid.“Yesyoudid,Sid,”saidMary.“ShutyourheadsandletTomgoon!Whatdidhesay,Tom?”“Hesaid––IthinkhesaidhehopedIwasbetteroffwhereIwasgoneto,butifI’dbeenbettersometimes––”“There,d’youhearthat!Itwashisverywords!”“Andyoushuthimupsharp.”“IlayIdid!Theremustabeenanangelthere.Therewasanangelthere,somewheres!”“AndMrs.HarpertoldaboutJoesearingherwithafire-cracker,andyoutoldaboutPeterandthePain-killer––”“JustastrueasIlive!”“Andthentherewasawholelotoftalk’boutdraggingtheriverforus,and’bouthavingthefuneralSunday,andthenyouandoldMissHarperhuggedandcried,andshewent.”“Ithappenedjustso!Ithappenedjustso,assureasI’masittingintheseverytracks.Tomyoucouldn’ttolditmorelike,ifyou’daseenit!Andthenwhat?Goon,Tom?”“ThenIthoughtyouprayedforme––andIcouldseeyouandheareverywordyousaid.Andyouwenttobed,andIwassosorry,thatItookandwroteonapieceofsycamorebark,‘Weain’tdead––weareonlyoffbeingpirates,’andputitonthetablebythecandle;andthenyoulookedsogood,layingthereasleep,thatIthoughtIwentandleanedoverandkissedyouonthelips.”“Didyou,Tom,didyou!Ijustforgiveyoueverythingforthat!”Andsheseizedtheboyinacrushingembracethatmadehimfeelliketheguiltiestofvillains.“Itwasverykind,eventhoughitwasonlya––dream,”Sidsolilo-quisedjustaudibly.“ShutupSid!Abodydoesjustthesameinadreamashe’ddoifhewasawake.Here’sabigMilumapple*I’vebeensavingforyouTom,ifyouwaseverfoundagain––nowgo’longtoschool.I’mthankfultothegoodGodandFatherofusallI’vegotyouback,
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer113that’slong-sufferingandmercifultothemthatbelieveonHimandkeepHisword,thoughgoodnessknowsI’munworthyofit,butifonlytheworthyonesgotHisblessingsandhadHishandtohelpthemovertheroughplaces,there’sfewenoughwouldsmilehereoreverenterintoHisrestwhenthelongnightcomes.Go’longSid,Mary,Tom––takeyourselvesoff––you’vehenderedmelongenough.”Thechildrenleftforschool,andtheoldladytocallonMrs.HarperandvanquishherrealismwithTom’smarvelousdream.Sidhadbetterjudgmentthantoutterthethoughtthatwasinhismindasheleftthehouse.Itwasthis:“Prettythin––aslongadreamasthat,withoutanymistakesinit!”WhataheroTomwasbecome,now!Hedidnotgoskippingandprancing,butmovedwithadignifiedswaggerasbecameapiratewhofeltthatthepubliceyewasonhim.Andindeeditwas;hetriednottoseemtoseethelooksorheartheremarksashepassedalong,buttheywerefoodanddrinktohim.Smallerboysthanhimselfflockedathisheels,asproudtobeseenwithhim,andtoleratedbyhim,asifhehadbeenthedrummerattheheadofaprocessionortheelephantleadingamenagerieintotown.Boysofhisownsizepretendednottoknowhehadbeenawayatall;buttheywereconsumingwithenvy,nevertheless.Theywouldhavegivenanythingtohavethatswarthysun-tannedskinofhis,andhisglitteringnotoriety;andTomwouldnothavepartedwitheitherforacircus.AtschoolthechildrenmadesomuchofhimandofJoe,anddeliveredsucheloquentadmirationfromtheireyes,thatthetwoheroeswerenotlonginbecominginsufferably“stuck-up.”Theybegantotelltheiradventurestohungrylisteners––buttheyonlybegan;itwasnotathinglikelytohaveanend,withimaginationsliketheirstofurnishmaterial.Andfinally,whentheygotouttheirpipesandwentserenelypuffingaround,theverysummitofglorywasreached.TomdecidedthathecouldbeindependentofBeckyThatchernow.Glorywassufficient.Hewouldliveforglory.Nowthathewasdistinguished,maybeshewouldbewantingto“makeup.”Well,lether––sheshouldseethathecouldbeasindifferentassomeotherpeople.Presentlyshearrived.Tompretendednottoseeher.Hemovedawayandjoinedagroupofboysandgirlsandbegantotalk.Soonheobservedthatshewastrippinggaylybackandforthwith
114TheAdventuresofTomSawyerflushedfaceanddancingeyes,pretendingtobebusychasingschool-mates,andscreamingwithlaughterwhenshemadeacapture;buthenoticedthatshealwaysmadehercapturesinhisvicinity,andthatsheseemedtocastaconsciouseyeinhisdirectionatsuchtimes,too.Itgratifiedalltheviciousvanitythatwasinhim;andso,insteadofwinninghimitonly“sethimup”themoreandmadehimthemorediligenttoavoidbetrayingthatheknewshewasabout.Presentlyshegaveoverskylarking,andmovedirresolutelyabout,sighingonceortwiceandglancingfurtivelyandwistfullytowardTom.ThensheobservedthatnowTomwastalkingmoreparticularlytoAmyLawrencethantoanyoneelse.Shefeltasharppangandgrewdisturbedanduneasyatonce.Shetriedtogoaway,butherfeetweretreacherous,andcarriedhertothegroupinstead.ShesaidtoagirlalmostatTom’selbow––withshamvivacity:“WhyMaryAustin!youbadgirl,whydidn’tyoucometoSunday-school?”“Ididcome––didn’tyouseeme?”“Whyno!Didyou?Wheredidyousit?“IwasinMissPeter’sclass,whereIalwaysgo.Isawyou.”“Didyou?Whyit’sfunnyIdidn’tseeyou.Iwantedtotellyouaboutthepic-nic.”“O,that’sjolly.Who’sgoingtogiveit?”“Myma’sgoingtoletmehaveone.”“O,goody;Ihopeshe’llletmecome.”“Wellshewill.Thepic-nic’sforme.She’llletanybodycomethatIwant,andIwantyou.”“That’seversonice.Whenisitgoingtobe?”“Byandby.Maybeaboutvacation.”“O,won’titbefun!Yougoingtohaveallthegirlsandboys?”“Yes,everyonethat’sfriendstome––orwantstobe;”andsheglancedeversofurtivelyatTom,buthetalkedrightalongtoAmyLawrenceabouttheterriblestormontheisland,andhowthelight-ningtorethegreatsycamoretree“alltoflinders”whilehewas“standingwithinthreefeetofit.”“O,mayIcome?”saidGracieMiller.“Yes.”“Andme?”saidSallyRogers.“Yes.”“Andme,too?”saidSusyHarper.“AndJoe?”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer115“Yes.”Andsoon,withclappingofjoyfulhandstillallthegrouphadbeggedforinvitationsbutTomandAmy.ThenTomturnedcoollyaway,stilltalking,andtookAmywithhim.Becky’slipstrembledandthetearscametohereyes;shehidthesesignswithaforcedgayetyandwentonchattering,butthelifehadgoneoutofthepic-nic,now,andoutofeverythingelse;shegotawayassoonasshecouldandhidherselfandhadwhathersexcall“agoodcry.”Thenshesatmoody,withwoundedpridetillthebellrang.Sherousedup,now,withavindictivecastinhereye,andgaveherplaitedtailsashakeandsaidsheknewwhatshe’ddo.AtrecessTomcontinuedhisflirtationwithAmywithjubilantself-satisfaction.AndhekeptdriftingabouttofindBeckyandlacer-ateherwiththeperformance.Atlasthespiedher,buttherewasasuddenfallingofhismercury.Shewassittingcosilyonalittlebenchbehindtheschool-houselookingatapicturebookwithAlfredTemple––andsoabsorbedwerethey,andtheirheadssoclosetogetheroverthebookthattheydidnotseemtobeconsciousofanythingintheworldbesides.JealousyranredhotthroughTom’sveins.HebegantohatehimselfforthrowingawaythechanceBeckyhadofferedforareconciliation.Hecalledhimselfafool,andallthehardnameshecouldthinkof.Hewantedtocrywithvexation.Amychattedhappilyalong,astheywalked,forherheartwassinging,butTom’stonguehadlostitsfunction.HedidnothearwhatAmywassaying,andwhenevershepausedexpectantlyhecouldonlystammeranawkwardassent,whichwasasoftenmisplacedasotherwise.Hekeptdriftingtotherearoftheschool-house,againandagain,tosearhiseye-ballswiththehatefulspectaclethere.Hecouldnothelpit.Anditmaddenedhimtosee,ashethoughthesaw,thatBeckyThatcherneveroncesuspectedthathewaseveninthelandoftheliving.Butshedidsee,nevertheless;andsheknewshewaswinningherfight,too,andwasgladtoseehimsufferasshehadsuffered.Amy’shappyprattlebecameintolerable.Tomhintedatthingshehadtoattendto;thingsthatmustbedone;andtimewasfleeting.Butinvain––thegirlchirpedon.Tomthought,“Ohangher,ain’tIevergoingtogetridofher?”Atlasthemustbeattendingtothosethings––andshesaidartlesslythatshewouldbe“around”whenschoolletout.Andhehastenedaway,hatingherforit.“Anyotherboy!”Tomthought,gratinghisteeth.“Anyboyinthe
116TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwholetownbutthatSaintLouissmartythatthinkshedressessofineandisaristocracy!O,allright,Ilickedyouthefirstdayyoueversawthistown,mister,andI’lllickyouagain!YoujustwaittillIcatchyouout!I’lljusttakeand––”Andhewentthroughthemotionsofthrashinganimaginaryboy––pummelingtheair,andkickingandgouging.“Oh,youdo,doyou?Youholler’nough,doyou?Now,then,letthatlearnyou!”Andsotheimaginaryfloggingwasfinishedtohissatisfaction.Tomfledhomeatnoon.HisconsciencecouldnotendureanymoreofAmy’sgratefulhappiness,andhisjealousycouldbearnomoreoftheotherdistress.Beckyresumedherpicture-inspectionswithAlfred,butastheminutesdraggedalongandnoTomcametosuffer,hertriumphbegantocloudandshelostinterest;gravityandabsent-mindednessfollowed,andthenmelancholy;twoorthreetimessheprickedupherearatafootstep,butitwasafalsehope;noTomcame.Atlastshegrewentirelymiserableandwishedshehadn’tcarrieditsofar.WhenpoorAlfred,seeingthathewaslosingher,hedidnotknowhow,andkeptexclaiming:“Ohere’sajollyone!lookatthis!”shelostpatienceatlast,andsaid,“Oh,don’tbotherme!Idon’tcareforthem!”andburstintotears,andgotupandwalkedaway.Alfreddroppedalongsideandwasgoingtotrytocomforther,butshesaid:“Goawayandleavemealone,can’tyou!Ihateyou!”Sotheboyhalted,wonderingwhathecouldhavedone––forshehadsaidshewouldlookatpicturesallthroughthenooning––andshewalkedon,crying.ThenAlfredwentmusingintothedesertedschool-house.Hewashumiliatedandangry.Heeasilyguessedhiswaytothetruth––thegirlhadsimplymadeaconvenienceofhimtoventherspiteuponTomSawyer.HewasfarfromhatingTomthelesswhenthisthoughtoccurredtohim.Hewishedtherewassomewaytogetthatboyintotroublewithoutmuchrisktohimself.Tom’sspellingbookfellunderhiseye.Herewashisopportunity.Hegratefullyopenedtothelessonfortheafternoonandpouredinkuponthepage.Becky,glancinginatawindowbehindhimatthemoment,sawtheact,andmovedon,withoutdiscoveringherself.Shestartedhomeward,now,intendingtofindTomandtellhim;Tomwouldbethankfulandtheirtroubleswouldbehealed.Beforeshewashalfway
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer117home,however,shehadchangedhermind.ThethoughtofTom’streatmentofherwhenshewastalkingaboutherpic-niccamescorchingbackandfilledherwithshame.Sheresolvedtolethimgetwhippedonthedamagedspelling-book’saccount,andtohatehimforever,intothebargain.
CHAPTERXIXTomarrivedathomeinadrearymood,andthefirstthinghisauntsaidtohimshowedhimthathehadbroughthissorrowstoanunpromisingmarket:“Tom,I’veanotiontoskinyoualive!”“Auntie,whathaveIdone?”“Well,you’vedoneenough.HereIgoovertoSerenyHarper,likeanoldsofty,expectingI’mgoingtomakeherbelieveallthatrubbageaboutthatdream,whenloandbeholdyoushe’dfoundoutfromJoethatyouwasoverhereandheardallthetalkwehadthatnight.TomIdon’tknowwhatistobecomeofaboythatwillactlikethat.ItmakesmefeelsobadtothinkyoucouldletmegotoSerenyHarperandmakesuchafoolofmyselfandneversayaword.”Thiswasanewaspectofthething.HissmartnessofthemorninghadseemedtoTomagoodjokebefore,andveryingenious.Itmerelylookedmeanandshabbynow.Hehunghisheadandcouldnotthinkofanythingtosayforamoment.Thenhesaid:“Auntie,IwishIhadn’tdoneit––butIdidn’tthink.”“O,childyouneverthink.Youneverthinkofanythingbutyourownselfishness.YoucouldthinktocomeallthewayoverherefromJackson’sislandinthenighttolaughatourtroubles,andyoucouldthinktofoolmewithalieaboutadream;butyoucouldn’teverthinktopityusandsaveusfromsorrow.”“Auntie,Iknownowitwasmean,butIdidn’tmeantobemean.Ididn’t,honest.AndbesidesIdidn’tcomeoverheretolaughatyouthatnight.”“Whatdidyoucomefor,then?”“Itwastotellyounottobeuneasyaboutus,becausewehadn’tgotdrowned.”“Tom,Tom,IwouldbethethankfullestsoulinthisworldifIcouldbelieveyoueverhadasgoodathoughtasthat,butyouknowyouneverdid––andIknowit,Tom.”“Indeedand’deedIdid,auntie––IwishImayneverstirifIdidn’t.”“O,Tom,don’tlie––don’tdoit.Itonlymakesthingsahundredtimesworse.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer119“Itain’talie,auntie,it’sthetruth.Iwantedtokeepyoufromgrieving––thatwasallthatmademecome.”“I’dgivethewholeworldtobelievethat––itwouldcoverupapowerofsinsTom.I’d’mostbegladyou’drunoffandactedsobad.Butitain’treasonable;because,whydidn’tyoutellme,child?”“Why,yousee,auntie,whenyougottotalkingaboutthefuneral,Ijustgotallfulloftheideaofourcomingandhidinginthechurch,andIcouldn’tsomehowbeartospoilit.SoIjustputthebarkbackinmypocketandkeptmum.”“Whatbark?”“ThebarkIhadwroteontotellyouwe’dgonepirating.Iwish,now,you’dwakedupwhenIkissedyou––Ido,honest.”Thehardlinesinhisaunt’sfacerelaxedandasuddentendernessdawnedinhereyes.“Didyoukissme,Tom?”“WhyyesIdid.”“Areyousureyoudid,Tom?”“WhyyesIdid,auntie––certainsure.”“Whatdidyoukissmefor,Tom?”“BecauseIlovedyouso,andyoulaidtheremoaningandIwassosorry.”Thewordssoundedliketruth.Theoldladycouldnothideatremorinhervoicewhenshesaid:“Kissmeagain,Tom!––andbeoffwithyoutoschool,now,anddon’tbothermeanymore.”Themomenthewasgone,sherantoaclosetandgotouttheruinofajacketwhichTomhadgonepiratingin.Thenshestopped,withitinherhand,andsaidtoherself:“No,Idon’tdare.Poorboy,Ireckonhe’sliedaboutit––butit’sablessed,blessedlie,there’ssuchcomfortcomefromit.IhopetheLord––IknowtheLordwillforgivehim,becauseitwassuchgood-heartednessinhimtotellit.ButIdon’twanttofindoutit’salie.Iwon’tlook.”Sheputthejacketaway,andstoodbymusingaminute.Twicesheputoutherhandtotakethegarmentagain,andtwicesherefrained.Oncemoresheventured,andthistimeshefortifiedherselfwiththethought:“It’sagoodlie––it’sagoodlie––Iwon’tletitgrieveme.”Soshesoughtthejacketpocket.AmomentlatershewasreadingTom’spieceofbarkthroughflowingtearsandsaying:“Icouldforgivetheboy,now,ifhe’dcommittedamillionsins!”
CHAPTERXXTherewassomethingaboutAuntPolly’smanner,whenshekissedTom,thatsweptawayhislowspiritsandmadehimlight-heartedandhappyagain.HestartedtoschoolandhadtheluckofcominguponBeckyThatcherattheheadofMeadowLane.Hismoodalwaysdeterminedhismanner.Withoutamoment’shesitationherantoherandsaid:“Iactedmightymeanto-day,Becky,andI’msosorry.Iwon’tever,everdothatwayagain,aslongaseverIlive––pleasemakeup,won’tyou?”Thegirlstoppedandlookedhimscornfullyintheface:“I’llthankyoutokeepyourselftoyourself,Mr.ThomasSawyer.I’llneverspeaktoyouagain.”Shetossedherheadandpassedon.Tomwassostunnedthathehadnotevenpresenceofmindenoughtosay“Whocares,MissSmarty?”untiltherighttimetosayithadgoneby.Sohesaidnothing.Buthewasinafinerage,nevertheless.Hemopedintotheschool-yardwishingshewereaboy,andimagininghowhewouldtrounceherifshewere.Hepresentlyencounteredheranddeliveredastingingremarkashepassed.Shehurledoneinreturn,andtheangrybreachwascomplete.ItseemedtoBecky,inherhotresentment,thatshecouldhardlywaitforschoolto“takein,”shewassoimpatienttoseeTomfloggedfortheinjuredspelling-book.IfshehadhadanylingeringnotionofexposingAlfredTemple,Tom’soffensiveflinghaddrivenitentirelyaway.Poorgirl,shedidnotknowhowfastshewasnearingtroubleherself.Themaster,Mr.Dobbins,hadreachedmiddleagewithanunsatisfiedambition.Thedarlingofhisdesireswas,tobeadoctor,butpovertyhaddecreedthatheshouldbenothinghigherthanavillageschoolmaster.Everydayhetookamysteriousbookoutofhisdeskandabsorbedhimselfinitattimeswhennoclasseswererecit-ing.Hekeptthatbookunderlockandkey.Therewasnotanurchininschoolbutwasperishingtohaveaglimpseofit,butthechancenevercame.Everyboyandgirlhadatheoryaboutthenatureofthatbook;butnotwotheorieswerealike,andtherewasnowayofgettingatthefactsinthecase.Now,asBeckywaspassingbythedesk,which
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer121stoodnearthedoor,shenoticedthatthekeywasinthelock!Itwasapreciousmoment.Sheglancedaround;foundherselfalone,andthenextinstantshehadthebookinherhands.Thetitle-page––Professorsomebody’s“Anatomy”––carriednoinformationtohermind;soshebegantoturntheleaves.Shecameatonceuponahandsomelyengravedandcoloredfrontispiece––ahumanfigure,starknaked.AtthatmomentashadowfellonthepageandTomSawyersteppedinatthedoor,andcaughtaglimpseofthepicture.Beckysnatchedatthebooktocloseit,andhadthehardlucktotearthepicturedpagehalfdownthemiddle.Shethrustthevolumeintothedesk,turnedthekey,andburstoutcryingwithshameandvexation.“TomSawyer,youarejustasmeanasyoucanbe,tosneakuponapersonandlookatwhatthey’relookingat.”“HowcouldIknowyouwaslookingatanything?”“YououghttobeashamedofyourselfTomSawyer;youknowyou’regoingtotellonme,andO,whatshallIdo,whatshallIdo!I’llbewhipped,andIneverwaswhippedinschool.”Thenshestampedherlittlefootandsaid:“Besomeanifyouwantto!Iknowsomethingthat’sgoingtohappen.Youjustwaitandyou’llsee!Hateful,hateful,hateful!”––andsheflungoutofthehousewithanewexplosionofcrying.Tomstoodstill,ratherflusteredbythisonslaught.Presentlyhesaidtohimself:“Whatacuriouskindofafoolagirlis.Neverbeenlickedinschool!Shucks.What’salicking!That’sjustlikeagirl––they’resothin-skinnedandchickenhearted.Well,ofcourseIain’tgoingtotelloldDobbinsonthislittlefool,becausethere’sotherwaysofgettingevenonher,thatain’tsomean;butwhatofit?OldDobbinswillaskwhoitwastorehisbook.Nobody’llanswer.Thenhe’lldojustthewayhealwaysdoes––askfirstoneandthent’other,andwhenhecomestotherightgirlhe’llknowit,withoutanytelling.Girl’sfacesalwaystellonthem.Theyain’tgotanyback-bone.She’llgetlicked.Well,it’sakindofatightplaceforBeckyThatcher,becausethereain’tanywayoutofit.”Tomconnedthethingamomentlongerandthenadded:“Allright,though;she’dliketoseemeinjustsuchafix––lethersweatitout!”Tomjoinedthemobofskylarkingscholarsoutside.Inafewmomentsthemasterarrivedandschool“tookin.”Tomdidnotfeel
122TheAdventuresofTomSawyerastronginterestinhisstudies.Everytimehestoleaglanceatthegirls’sideoftheroomBecky’sfacetroubledhim.Consideringallthings,hedidnotwanttopityher,andyetitwasallhecoulddotohelpit.Hecouldgetupnoexultationthatwasreallyworthythename.Presentlythespelling-bookdiscoverywasmade,andTom’smindwasentirelyfullofhisownmattersforawhileafterthat.Beckyrousedupfromherlethargyofdistressandshowedgoodinterestintheproceedings.ShedidnotexpectthatTomcouldgetoutofhistroublebydenyingthathespilttheinkonthebookhimself;andshewasright.ThedenialonlyseemedtomakethethingworseforTom.Beckysupposedshewouldbegladofthat,andshetriedtobelieveshewasgladofit,butshefoundshewasnotcertain.Whentheworstcametotheworst,shehadanimpulsetogetupandtellonAlfredTemple,butshemadeaneffortandforcedherselftokeepstill––because,saidshetoherself,“he’lltellaboutmetearingthepicturesure.Iwouldn’tsayaword,nottosavehislife!”Tomtookhiswhippingandwentbacktohisseatnotatallbroken-hearted,forhethoughtitwaspossiblethathehadunknowinglyupsettheinkonthespelling-bookhimself,insomeskylarkingbout––hehaddenieditforform’ssakeandbecauseitwascustom,andhadstucktothedenialfromprinciple.Awholehourdriftedby,themastersatnoddinginhisthrone,theairwasdrowsywiththehumofstudy.Byandby,Mr.Dobbinsstraightenedhimselfup,yawned,thenunlockedhisdesk,andreachedforhisbook,butseemedundecidedwhethertotakeitoutorleaveit.Mostofthepupilsglanceduplanguidly,butthereweretwoamongthemthatwatchedhismovementswithintenteyes.Mr.Dobbinsfingeredhisbookabsentlyforawhile,thentookitoutandsettledhimselfinhischairtoread!TomshotaglanceatBecky.Hehadseenahuntedandhelplessrabbitlookasshedid,withagunleveledatitshead.Instantlyheforgothisquarrelwithher.Quick––somethingmustbedone!doneinaflash,too!Buttheveryimminenceoftheemergencyparalyzedhisinvention.Good!––hehadaninspiration!Hewouldrunandsnatchthebook,springthroughthedoorandfly.Buthisresolutionshookforonelittleinstant,andthechancewaslost––themasteropenedthevolume.IfTomonlyhadthewastedopportunitybackagain!Toolate.TherewasnohelpforBeckynow,hesaid.Thenextmomentthemasterfacedtheschool.Everyeye
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer123sunkunderhisgaze.Therewasthatinitwhichsmoteeventheinnocentwithfear.Therewassilencewhileonemightcountten,themasterwasgatheringhiswrath.Thenhespoke:“Whotorethisbook?”Therewasnotasound.Onecouldhaveheardapindrop.Thestillnesscontinued;themastersearchedfaceafterfaceforsignsofguilt.“BenjaminRogers,didyoutearthisbook?”Adenial.Anotherpause.“JosephHarper,didyou?”Anotherdenial.Tom’suneasinessgrewmoreandmoreintenseundertheslowtortureoftheseproceedings.Themasterscannedtheranksofboys––consideredawhile,thenturnedtothegirls:“AmyLawrence?”Ashakeofthehead.“GracieMiller?”Thesamesign.“SusanHarper,didyoudothis?”Anothernegative.ThenextgirlwasBeckyThatcher.Tomwastremblingfromheadtofootwithexcitementandasenseofthehopelessnessofthesituation.“RebeccaThatcher,”[Tomglancedatherface––itwaswhitewithterror,]––“didyoutear––no,lookmeintheface”––[herhandsroseinappeal]––“didyoutearthisbook?”AthoughtshotlikelightningthroughTom’sbrain.Hesprangtohisfeetandshouted––“Idoneit!”Theschoolstaredinperplexityatthisincrediblefolly.Tomstoodamoment,togatherhisdismemberedfaculties;andwhenhesteppedforwardtogotohispunishmentthesurprise,thegratitude,theadorationthatshoneuponhimoutofpoorBecky’seyesseemedpayenoughforahundredfloggings.Inspiredbythesplendorofhisownact,hetookwithoutanoutcrythemostmercilessflayingthatevenMr.Dobbinshadeveradministered;andalsoreceivedwithindifferencetheaddedcrueltyofacommandtoremaintwohoursafterschoolshouldbedismissed––forheknewwhowouldwaitforhimoutsidetillhiscaptivitywasdone,andnotcountthetedioustimeasloss,either.TomwenttobedthatnightplanningvengeanceagainstAlfredTemple;forwithshameandrepentanceBeckyhadtoldhimall,not
124TheAdventuresofTomSawyerforgettingherowntreachery;buteventhelongingforvengeancehadtogiveway,soon,topleasantermusings,andhefellasleepatlast,withBecky’slatestwordslingeringdreamilyinhisear––“Tom,howcouldyoubesonoble!”
CHAPTERXXIVacationwasapproaching.Theschoolmaster,alwayssevere,grewsevererandmoreexactingthanever,forhewantedtheschooltomakeagoodshowingon“Examination”day.Hisrodandhisferulewereseldomidlenow––atleastamongthesmallerpupils.Onlythebiggestboys,andyoungladiesofeighteenandtwentyescapedlashing.Mr.Dobbins’slashingswereveryvigorousones,too;foralthoughhecarried,underhiswig,aperfectlybaldandshinyhead,hehadonlyreachedmiddleageandtherewasnosignoffeeblenessinhismuscle.Asthegreatdayapproached,allthetyrannythatwasinhimcametothesurface;heseemedtotakeavindictivepleasureinpunishingtheleastshortcomings.Theconsequencewas,thatthesmallerboysspenttheirdaysinterrorandsufferingandtheirnightsinplottingrevenge.Theythrewawaynoopportunitytodothemasteramischief.Buthekeptaheadallthetime.Theretributionthatfollowedeveryvengefulsuccesswassosweepingandmajesticthattheboysalwaysretiredfromthefieldbadlyworsted.Atlasttheyconspiredtogetherandhituponaplanthatpromisedadazzlingvictory.Theyswore-inthesign-painter’sboy,toldhimthescheme,andaskedhishelp.Hehadhisownreasonsforbeingdelighted,forthemasterboardedinhisfather’sfamilyandhadgiventheboyamplecausetohatehim.Themaster’swifewouldgoonavisittothecountryinafewdays,andtherewouldbenothingtointerferewiththeplan;themasteralwayspreparedhimselfforgreatoccasionsbygettingprettywellfuddled,andthesign-painter’sboysaidthatwhenthedominiehadreachedtheproperconditiononExaminationEveninghewould“managethething”whilehenappedinhischair;thenhewouldhavehimawakenedattherighttimeandhurriedawaytoschool.Inthefullnessoftimetheinterestingoccasionarrived.Ateightintheeveningtheschoolhousewasbrilliantlylighted,andadornedwithwreathsandfestoonsoffoliageandflowers.Themastersatthronedinhisgreatchairuponaraisedplatform,withhisblack-boardbehindhim.Hewaslookingtolerablymellow.Threerowsofbenchesoneachsideandsixrowsinfrontofhimwereoccupiedbythedignitariesofthetownandbytheparentsofthepupils.Tohis
126TheAdventuresofTomSawyerleft,backoftherowsofcitizens,wasaspacioustemporaryplatformuponwhichwereseatedthescholarswhoweretotakepartintheexercisesoftheevening;rowsofsmallboys,washedanddressedtoanintolerablestateofdiscomfort;rowsofgawkybigboys;snow-banksofgirlsandyoungladiescladinlawnandmuslinandconspiciouslyconsciousoftheirbarearms,theirgrandmothers’ancienttrinkets,theirbitsofpinkandblueribbonandtheflowersintheirhair.Alltherestofthehousewasfilledwithnon-participatingscholars.Theexercisesbegan.*Averylittleboystoodupandsheepishlyrecited,“You’dscarceexpectoneofmyagetospeakinpubliconthestage,etc.”––accompanyinghimselfwiththepainfullyexactandspasmodicgestureswhichamachinemighthaveused––supposingthemachinetobeatrifleoutoforder.Buthegotthroughsafely,thoughcruellyscared,andgotafineroundofapplausewhenhemadehismanufacturedbowandretired.Alittleshame-facedgirllisped“Maryhadalittlelamb,etc.,”performedacompassion-inspiringcurtsy,gothermeedofapplause,andsatdownflushedandhappy.TomSawyersteppedforwardwithconceitedconfidenceandsoaredintotheunquenchableandindestructible“Givemelibertyorgivemedeath”speech,withfinefuryandfranticgesticulation,andbrokedowninthemiddleofit.Aghastlystage-frightseizedhim,hislegsquakedunderhimandhewasliketochoke.True,hehadthemanifestsympathyofthehouse––buthehadthehouse’ssilence,too,whichwasevenworsethanitssympathy.Themasterfrowned,andthiscompletedthedisaster.Tomstruggledawhileandthenretired,utterlydefeated.Therewasaweakattemptatapplause,butitdiedearly.“TheBoystoodontheBurningDeck”followed;also“TheAssyrianCameDown,”*andotherdeclamatorygems.Thentherewerereadingexercises,andaspellingfight.ThemeagerLatinclassrecitedwithhonor.Theprimefeatureoftheeveningwasinorder,now––original“compositions”bytheyoungladies.Eachinherturnsteppedforwardtotheedgeoftheplatform,clearedherthroat,helduphermanuscript(tiedwithdaintyribbon),andproceededtoread,withlaboredattentionto“expression”andpunctuation.Thethemeswerethesamethathadbeenilluminateduponsimilaroccasionsbytheirmothersbeforethem,theirgrandmothers,anddoubtless
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer127alltheirancestorsinthefemalelineclearbacktotheCrusades.“Friendship”wasone;“MemoriesofOtherDays;”“ReligioninHistory;”“DreamLand;”“TheAdvantagesofCulture;”“FormsofPoliticalGovernmentComparedandContrasted;”“Melancholy;”“FilialLove;”“HeartLongings,”etc.,etc.Aprevalentfeatureinthesecompositionswasanursedandpettedmelancholy;anotherwasawastefulandopulentgushof“finelanguage;”anotherwasatendencytoluginbytheearsparticularlyprizedwordsandphrasesuntiltheywerewornentirelyout;andapeculiaritythatconspicuouslymarkedandmarredthemwastheinveterateandintolerablesermonthatwaggeditscrippledtailattheendofeachandeveryoneofthem.Nomatterwhatthesubjectmightbe,abrain-rackingeffortwasmadetosquirmitintosomeaspectorotherthatthemoralandreligiousmindcouldcontemplatewithedification.Theglaringinsincerityofthesesermonswasnotsufficienttocompassthebanishmentofthefashionfromtheschools,anditisnotsufficientto-day;itneverwillbesufficientwhiletheworldstands,perhaps.Thereisnoschoolinallourlandwheretheyoungladiesdonotfeelobligedtoclosetheircompositionswithasermon;andyouwillfindthatthesermonofthemostfrivolousandleastreligiousgirlintheschoolisalwaysthelongestandthemostrelentlesslypious.Butenoughofthis.Homelytruthisunpalatable.Letusreturntothe“Examination.”Thefirstcompositionthatwasreadwasoneentitled“Isthis,then,Life?”Perhapsthereadercanendureanextractfromit:“Inthecommonwalksoflife,withwhatdelightfulemotionsdoestheyouthfulmindlookforwardtosomeanticipatedsceneoffestivity!Imaginationisbusysketchingrose-tintedpicturesofjoy.Infancy,thevoluptuousvotaryoffashionseesherselfamidthefestivethrong,‘theobservedofallobservers.’Hergracefulform,arrayedinsnowyrobes,iswhirlingthroughthemazesofthejoyousdance;hereyeisbrightest,herstepislightestinthegayassembly.“Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby,andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheelysianworld,ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams.Howfairy-likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision!eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast.Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior,allisvanity:theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul,nowgratesharshlyuponherear;theball-roomhaslostitscharms;andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart,sheturns
128TheAdventuresofTomSawyerawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul!”Andsoforthandsoon.Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading,accompaniedbywhisperedejacula-tionsof“Howsweet!”“Howeloquent!”“Sotrue!”etc.,andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic.Thenaroseaslim,melancholygirl,whosefacehadthe“interest-ing”palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion,andreada“poem.”Twostanzasofitwilldo:amissourimaiden’sfarewelltoalabamaAlabama;good-bye!Ilovetheewell!ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow!Sad,yes,sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell,Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow!ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods;HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa’sstream;HavelistenedtoTallassee’swarringfloods,AndwooedonCoosa’ssideAurora’sbeam.YetshameInottobearano’er-fullheart,Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes;’TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart,’TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs.WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState,WhosevalesIleave––whosespiresfadefastfromme:Andcoldmustbemineeyes,andheart,andtête,When,dearAlabama!theyturncoldonthee!Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat“tête”meant,butthepoemwasverysatisfactory,nevertheless.Nextappearedadarkcomplexioned,blackeyed,blackhairedyounglady,whopausedanimpressivemoment,assumedatragicexpressionandbegantoreadinameasured,solemntone.avisionDarkandtempestuouswasnight.Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered;butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythundercon-stantlyvibratedupontheear;whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven,seemingtoscornthepower
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer129exertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin!Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes,andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene.Atsuchatime,sodark,sodreary,forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed;butinsteadthereof,“Mydearestfriend,mycounsellor,mycomforterandguide––Myjoyingrief,mysecondblissinjoy,”cametomyside.Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy’sEdenbytheromanticandyoung,aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness.Sosoftwasherstep,itfailedtomakeevenasound,andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch,asotherunobtrusivebeauties,shewouldhaveglidedawayunperceived––unsought.Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures,likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember,asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout,andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented.Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon-Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize.Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening.Themayorofthevillage,indeliver-ingtheprizetotheauthorofit,madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost“eloquent”thinghehadeverlistenedto,andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit.Itmayberemarked,inpassing,thatthenumberofcomposi-tionsinwhichtheword“beauteous”wasover-fondled,andhumanexperiencereferredtoas“life’spage,”wasuptotheusualaverage.Nowthemaster,mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality,puthischairaside,turnedhisbacktotheaudience,andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard,toexercisethegeographyclassupon.Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand,andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse.Heknewwhatthematterwasandsethimselftorightit.Hespongedoutlinesandre-madethem;butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever,andthetitteringwasmorepronounced.Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork,now,asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth.Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim;heimaginedhewassucceeding,andyetthetitteringcontinued;itevenmanifestlyincreased.Andwellitmight.Therewasagarretabove,piercedwithascuttleoverhishead;anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat,suspendedaroundthe
130TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhaunchesbyastring;shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing;assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring,sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair.Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher––thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher’shead––down,down,alittlelower,andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws,clungtoitandwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession!Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster’sbaldpate––forthesign-painter’sboyhadgildedit!Thatbrokeupthemeeting.Theboyswereavenged.Vacationhadcome.Note.––Thepretended“compositions”quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled“ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady”*––buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschool-girlpatternandhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe.
CHAPTERXXIITomjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance,beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir“regalia.”Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking,chewingandprofanityaslongasheremainedamember.Nowhefoundoutanewthing––namely,thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything.Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear;thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder.FourthofJulywascoming;buthesoongavethatup––gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty-eighthours––andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer,justiceofthepeace,whowasapparentlyonhisdeath-bedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral,sincehewassohighanofficial.DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge’sconditionandhungryfornewsofit.Sometimeshishopesranhigh––sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpracticebeforethelooking-glass.ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating.Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend––andthenconvalescent.Tomwasdisgusted;andfeltasenseofinjury,too.Hehandedinhisresignationatonce––andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied.Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain.Thefuneralwasafinething.TheCadetsparadedinastylecalcu-latedtokillthelatememberwithenvy.Tomwasafreeboyagain,however––therewassomethinginthat.Hecoulddrinkandswear,now––butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto.Thesimplefactthathecould,tookthedesireaway,andthecharmofit.Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands.Heattemptedadiary––butnothinghappenedduringthreedays,andsoheabandonedit.Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown,andmadeasensation.TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays.EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure,foritrained
132TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhard,therewasnoprocessioninconsequence,andthegreatestmanintheworld(asTomsupposed)Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenator,*provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment––forhewasnottwenty-fivefeethigh,norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit.Acircuscame.Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting––admission,threepinsforboys,twoforgirls––andthencircusingwasabandoned.Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame––andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever.Thereweresomeboys-and-girls’parties,buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder.BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation––sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere.Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery.Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain.Thencamethemeasles.DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner,deadtotheworldanditshappenings.Hewasveryill,hewasinterestedinnothing.Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydowntown,amelan-cholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature.Therehadbeena“revival,”andeverybodyhad“gotreligion,”notonlytheadults,buteventheboysandgirls.Tomwentabout,hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface,butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere.HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament,andturned,sadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle.HesoughtBenRogers,andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts.HehuntedupJimHollis,whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning.Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression;andwhen,indesperation,heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithascripturalquotation,hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost,foreverandforever.Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm,withdrivingrain,awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning.Hecoveredhisheadwiththebed-clothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom;forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbub
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer133wasabouthim.Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult.Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammuni-tiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery,butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself.Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject.Theboy’sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful,andreform.Hissecondwastowait––fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms.Thenextdaythedoctorswereback;Tomhadrelapsed.Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage.Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared,rememberinghowlonelywashisestate,howcompanionlessandforlornhewas.HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder,inthepresenceofhervictim,abird.HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon.Poorlads!they––likeTom––hadsufferedarelapse.
CHAPTERXXIIIAtlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred––andvigorously:themurdertrialcameoninthecourt.Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately.Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit.Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart,forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas“feelers;”hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder,butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip.Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime.HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim.Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile;todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer.Moreover,hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet.“Huck,haveyouevertoldanybodyabout––that?”“’Boutwhat?”“Youknowwhat.”“Oh––’courseIhaven’t.”“Neveraword?”“Neverasolitaryword,sohelpme.Whatmakesyouask?”“Well,Iwasafeard.”“WhyTomSawyer,wewouldn’tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout.Youknowthat.”Tomfeltmorecomfortable.Afterapause:“Huck,theycouldn’tanybodygetyoutotell,couldthey?”“Getmetotell?WhyifIwantedthathalf-breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell.Theyain’tnodifferentway.”“Well,that’sallright,then.Ireckonwe’resafeaslongaswekeepmum.Butlet’sswearagain,anyway.It’smoresurer.”“I’magreed.”Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities.“Whatisthetalkaround,Huck?I’veheardapowerofit.”“Talk?Well,it’sjustMuffPotter,MuffPotter,MuffPotterallthetime.Itkeepsmeinasweat,constant,so’sIwanttohidesom’ers.”“That’sjustthesamewaytheygoonroundme.Ireckonhe’sagoner.Don’tyoufeelsorryforhim,sometimes?”“Mostalways––mostalways.Heain’tnoaccount;butthenhe
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer135hain’teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody.Justfishesalittle,togetmoneytogetdrunkon––andloafsaroundconsiderable;butlordwealldothat––leastwaysmostofus,––preachersandsuchlike.Buthe’skindofgood––hegivemehalfafish,once,whentherewarn’tenoughfortwo;andlotsoftimeshe’skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck.”“Well,he’smendedkitesforme,Huck,andknittedhooksontomyline.Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere.”“My!wecouldn’tgethimoutTom.Andbesides,’twouldn’tdoanygood;they’dketchhimagain.”“Yes––sotheywould.ButIhatetohear’emabusehimsolikethedickenswhenheneverdone––that.”“Idotoo,Tom.Lord,Ihear’emsayhe’sthebloodiestlookingvillaininthiscountry,andtheywonderhewasn’teverhungbefore.”“Yes,theytalklikethat,allthetime.I’veheard’emsaythatifhewastogetfreethey’dlynchhim.”“Andthey’ddoit,too.”Theboyshadalongtalk,butitbroughtthemlittlecomfort.Asthetwilightdrewon,theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail,perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties.Butnothinghappened;thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive.Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore––wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches.Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards.Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore––itcutdeeperthanever,thistime.TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid:“You’vebeenmightygoodtome,boys––better’nanybodyelseinthistown.AndIdon’tforgetit,Idon’t.OftenIsaystomyself,saysI,‘Iusedtomendalltheboys’kitesandthings,andshow’emwherethegoodfishin’placeswas,andbefriend’emwhatIcould,andnowthey’veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe’sintrouble;butTomdon’t,andHuckdon’t––theydon’tforgethim,’saysI,‘andIdon’tforgetthem.’Well,boys,Idoneanawfulthing––drunkandcrazyatthetime––that’stheonlywayIaccountforit––andnowIgottoswingforit,andit’sright.Right,andbest,tooIreckon––hopeso,anyway.Well,wewon’ttalkaboutthat.Idon’twanttomakeyoufeelbad;
136TheAdventuresofTomSawyeryou’vebefriendedme.ButwhatIwanttosay,is,don’tyouevergetdrunk––thenyouwon’tevergethere.Standalittlefurderwest––so––that’sit;it’saprimecomforttoseefacesthat’sfriendlywhenabody’sinsuchamuckoftrouble,andtheredon’tnonecomeherebutyourn.Goodfriendlyfaces––goodfriendlyfaces.Gitupononeanother’sbacksandletmetouch’em.That’sit.Shakehands––yourn’llcomethroughthebars,butmine’stoobig.Littlehands,andweak––butthey’vehelpedMuffPotterapower,andthey’dhelphimmoreiftheycould.”Tomwenthomemiserable,andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors.Thenextdayandthedayafter,hehungaboutthecourtroom,drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin,butforcinghimselftostayout.Huckwashavingthesameexperience.Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother.Eachwanderedaway,fromtimetotime,butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently.Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom,butinvariablyhearddistressingnews––thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter.AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe’sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken,andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury’sverdictwouldbe.Tomwasoutlate,thatnight,andcametobedthroughthewin-dow.Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement.Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep.Allthevillageflockedtothecourthousethenextmorning,forthiswastobethegreatday.Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience.Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces;shortlyafterward,Potter,paleandhaggard,timidandhopeless,wasbroughtin,withchainsuponhim,andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim;nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe,stolidasever.Therewasanotherpause,andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt.Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed.Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating.NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook,atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered,andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway.Aftersomefurtherquestioning,counselfortheprosecutionsaid––
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer137“Takethewitness.”Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment,butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid––“Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim.”Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse.Counselfortheprosecutionsaid:“Takethewitness.”“Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim,”Potter’slawyerreplied.AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter’spossession.“Takethewitness.”CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim.Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance.Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient’slifewithoutaneffort?SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter’sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder.Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross-questioned.Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowell,wasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses,butnoneofthemwerecross-examinedbyPotter’slawyer.Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench.Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid:“Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion,wehavefastenedthisawfulcrimebeyondallpossibilityofquestion,upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar.Werestourcasehere.”AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro,whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourtroom.Manymenweremoved,andmanywomen’scompassiontestifieditselfintears.Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid:“Yourhonor,inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial,weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink.Wehavechangedourmind.Weshallnotofferthatplea.”[Thentotheclerk]:“CallThomasSawyer!”Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse,notevenexceptingPotter’s.EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand.
138TheAdventuresofTomSawyerTheboylookedwildenough,forhewasbadlyscared.Theoathwasadministered.“ThomasSawyer,wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune,aboutthehourofmidnight?”TomglancedatInjunJoe’sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim.Theaudiencelistenedbreathless,butthewordsrefusedtocome.Afterafewmoments,however,theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback,andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear:“Inthegraveyard!”“Alittlebitlouder,please.Don’tbeafraid.Youwere––”“Inthegraveyard.”AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe’sface.“WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams’sgrave?”“Yes,sir.”“Speakup––justatriflelouder.Hownearwereyou?”“NearasIamtoyou.”“Wereyouhidden,ornot?”“Iwashid.”“Where?”“Behindtheelmsthat’sontheedgeofthegrave.”InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart.“Anyonewithyou?”“Yes,sir.Iwenttherewith––”“Wait––waitamoment.Nevermindmentioningyourcompan-ion’sname.Wewillproducehimatthepropertime.Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou.”Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused.“Speakoutmyboy––don’tbediffident.Thetruthisalwaysrespectable.Whatdidyoutakethere?”“Onlya––a––deadcat.”Therewasarippleofmirth,whichthecourtchecked.“Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat.Nowmyboy,telluseverythingthatoccurred––tellitinyourownway––don’tskipanything,anddon’tbeafraid.”Tombegan––hesitatinglyatfirst,butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily;inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice;everyeyefixeditselfuponhim;withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords,
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer139takingnonoteoftime,raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale.Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid––“––andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell,InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand––”Crash!Quickaslightningthehalf-breedsprangforawindow,torehiswaythroughallopposers,andwasgone!
CHAPTERXXIVTomwasaglitteringherooncemore––thepetoftheold,theenvyoftheyoung.Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint,forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim.ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident,yet,ifheescapedhanging.Asusual,thefickle,unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore.Butthatsortofconductistotheworld’scredit;thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit.Tom’sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim,buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror.InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams,andalwayswithdoominhiseye.Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall.PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror,forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial,andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout,yet,notwithstand-ingInjunJoe’sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt.Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy,butwhatofthat?SinceTom’sharrassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer’shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths,Huck’sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswellnighobliterated.DailyMuffPotter’sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken;butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue.HalfthetimeTomwasafraidInjunJoewouldneverbecaptured;theotherhalfhewasafraidhewouldbe.Hefeltsurehenevercoulddrawasafebreathagainuntilthatmanwasdeadandhehadseenthecorpse.Rewardshadbeenoffered,thecountryhadbeenscoured,butnoInjunJoewasfound.Oneofthoseomniscientandawe-inspiringmar-vels,adetective,cameupfromStLouis,mousedaround,shookhishead,lookedwise,andmadethatsortofastoundingsuccesswhichmembersofthatcraftusuallyachieve.Thatistosayhe“foundaclew.”Butyoucan’thanga“clew”formurderandsoafterthatdetectivehadgotthroughandgonehome,Tomfeltjustasinsecureashewasbefore.Theslowdaysdriftedon,andeachleftbehinditaslightlylightenedweightofapprehension.
CHAPTERXXVTherecomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy’slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure.ThisdesiresuddenlycameuponTomoneday.HesalliedouttofindJoeHarper,butfailedofsuccess.NexthesoughtBenRogers;hehadgonefishing.PresentlyhestumbleduponHuckFinntheRed-Handed.Huckwouldanswer.Tomtookhimtoaprivateplaceandopenedthemattertohimconfidentially.Huckwaswilling.Huckwasalwayswillingtotakeahandinanyenterprisethatofferedentertainmentandrequirednocapital,forhehadatroublesomesuperabundanceofthatsortoftimewhichisnotmoney.“Where’llwedig?”saidHuck.“O,mostanywhere.”“Why,isithidallaround?”“Noindeeditain’t.It’shidinmightyparticularplaces,Huck––sometimesonislands,sometimesinrottenchestsundertheendofalimbofanolddeadtree,justwheretheshadowfallsatmidnight;butmostlyunderthefloorinha’ntedhouses.”“Whohidesit?”“Whyrobbers,ofcourse––who’dyoureckon?Sunday-schoolsup’rintendents?”“Idon’tknow.If’twasmineIwouldn’thideit;I’dspenditandhaveagoodtime.”“SowouldI.Butrobbersdon’tdothatway.Theyalwayshideitandleaveitthere.”“Don’ttheycomeafteritanymore?”“No,theythinktheywill,buttheygenerallyforgetthemarks,orelsetheydie.Anywayitlaystherealongtimeandgetsrusty;andbyandbysomebodyfindsanoldyellowpaperthattellshowtofindthemarks––apaperthat’sgottobecipheredoveraboutaweekbecauseit’smostlysignsandhy’roglyphics.”“Hyro––which?”“Hy’rogliphics––picturesandthings,youknow,thatdon’tseemtomeananything.”“Haveyougotoneofthempapers,Tom?”“No.”
142TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Wellthen,howyougoingtofindthemarks?”“Idon’twantanymarks.Theyalwaysburyitunderaha’ntedhouseoronanisland,orunderadeadtreethat’sgotonelimbstickingout.Well,we’vetriedJackson’sIslandalittle,andwecantryitagainsometime;andthere’stheoldha’ntedhouseuptheStill-Housebranch,andthere’slotsofdead-limbtrees––deadloadsof’em.”“Isitunderallofthem?”“Howyoutalk!No!”“Thenhowyougoingtoknowwhichonetogofor?”“Goforallof’em!”“WhyTom,it’lltakeallsummer.”“Well,whatofthat?Supposeyoufindabrasspotwithahundreddollarsinit,allrustyandgay,orarottenchestfullofdi’monds.How’sthat?”Huck’seyesglowed.“That’sbully.Plentybullyenoughforme.JustyougimmethehundreddollarsandIdon’twantnodi’monds.”“Allright.ButIbetyouIain’tgoingtothrowoffondi’monds.Someof’em’sworthtwentydollarsapiece––thereain’tany,hardly,but’sworthsixbitsoradollar.”“No!Isthatso?”“Cert’nly––anybody’lltellyouso.Hain’tyoueverseenone,Huck?”“NotasIremember.”“O,kingshaveslathersofthem.”“Well,Idon’tknownokings,Tom.”“Ireckonyoudon’t.ButifyouwastogotoEuropeyou’dseearaftof’emhoppingaround.”“Dotheyhop?”“Hop?––yourgranny!No!”“Wellwhatdidyousaytheydid,for?”“Shucks,Ionlymeantyou’dsee’em––nothopping,ofcourse––whatdotheywanttohopfor?––butImeanyou’djustsee’em––scatteredaround,youknow,inakindofageneralway.Likethatoldhump-backedRichard.”“Richard?What’shisothername?”“Hedidn’thaveanyothername.Kingsdon’thaveanybutagivenname.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer143“No?”“Buttheydon’t.”“Well,iftheylikeit,Tom,allright;butIdon’twanttobeakingandhaveonlyjustagivenname,likeanigger.Butsay––whereyougoingtodigfirst?”“Well,Idon’tknow.S’posewetacklethatolddead-limbtreeonthehillt’othersideofStill-Housebranch?”“I’magreed.”Sotheygotacrippledpickandashovel,andsetoutontheirthree-miletramp.Theyarrivedhotandpanting,andthrewthem-selvesdownintheshadeofaneighboringelmtorestandhaveasmoke.“Ilikethis,”saidTom.“SodoI.”“Say,Huck,ifwefindatreasurehere,whatyougoingtodowithyourshare?”“WellI’llhavepieandaglassofsodaeveryday,andI’llgotoeverycircusthatcomesalong.IbetI’llhaveagaytime.”“Wellain’tyougoingtosaveanyofit?”“Saveit?Whatfor?”“Whysoastohavesomethingtoliveon,byandby.”“O,thatain’tanyuse.Papwouldcomebacktothish-yertownsomedayandgethisclawsonitifIdidn’thurryup,andItellyouhe’dcleanitoutprettyquick.Whatyougoingtodowithyourn,Tom?”“I’mgoingtobuyanewdrum,andasure-’noughsword,andaredneck-tieandabullpup,andgetmarried.”“Married!”“That’sit.”“Tom,you––whyyouain’tinyourrightmind.”“Wait––you’llsee.”“Wellthat’sthefoolishestthingyoucoulddo.Lookatpapandmymother.Fight!Whytheyusedtofightallthetime.Iremember,mightywell.”“Thatain’tanything.ThegirlI’mgoingtomarrywon’tfight.”“Tom,Ireckonthey’reallalike.They’llallcombabody.Nowyoubetterthink’boutthisawhile.Itellyouyoubetter.What’sthenameofthegal?”“Itain’tagalatall––it’sagirl.”
144TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“It’sallthesame,Ireckon;somesaysgal,somesaysgirl––both’sright,likeenough.Anyway,what’shername,Tom?”“I’lltellyousometime––notnow.”“Allright––that’lldo.OnlyifyougetmarriedI’llbemorelonesomerthanever.”“Noyouwon’t.You’llcomeandlivewithme.Nowstiroutofthisandwe’llgotodigging.”Theyworkedandsweatedforhalfanhour.Noresult.Theytoiledanotherhalfhour.Stillnoresult.Hucksaid:“Dotheyalwaysburyitasdeepasthis?”“Sometimes––notalways.Notgenerally.Ireckonwehaven’tgottherightplace.”Sotheychoseanewspotandbeganagain.Thelabordraggedalittle,butstilltheymadeprogress.Theypeggedawayinsilenceforsometime.FinallyHuckleanedonhisshovel,swabbedthebeadeddropsfromhisbrowwithhissleeve,andsaid:“Whereyougoingtodignext,afterwegetthisone?”“Ireckonmaybewe’lltackletheoldtreethat’soveryonderonCardiffHillbackofthewidow’s.”“Ireckonthat’llbeagoodone.Butwon’tthewidowtakeitawayfromusTom?It’sonherland.”“Shetakeitaway!Maybeshe’dliketotryitonce.Whoeverfindsoneofthesehidtreasures,itbelongstohim.Itdon’tmakeanydifferencewhoselandit’son.”Thatwassatisfactory.Theworkwenton.ByandbyHucksaid––“Blameit,wemustbeinthewrongplaceagain.Whatdoyouthink?”“ItismightycuriousHuck.Idon’tunderstandit.Sometimeswitchesinterfere.Ireckonmaybethat’swhat’sthetroublenow.”“Shucks,witchesain’tgotnopowerinthedaytime.”“Well,that’sso.Ididn’tthinkofthat.Oh,Iknowwhatthematteris!Whatablamedlotoffoolsweare!Yougottofindoutwheretheshadowofthelimbfallsatmidnight,andthat’swhereyoudig!”“Thenconsoundit,we’vefooledawayallthisworkfornothing.Nowhangitall,wegottocomebackinthenight.It’sanawfullongway.Canyougetout?”“IbetIwill.We’vegottodoitto-night,too,becauseifsomebodyseestheseholesthey’llknowinaminutewhat’shereandthey’llgoforit.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer145“Well,I’llcomearoundandmeowtonight.”“Allright.Let’shidethetoolsinthebushes.”Theboysweretherethatnight,abouttheappointedtime.Theysatintheshadowwaiting.Itwasalonelyplace,andanhourmadesolemnbyoldtraditions.Spiritswhisperedintherustlingleaves,ghostslurkedinthemurkynooks,thedeepbayingofahoundfloatedupoutofthedistance,anowlansweredwithhissepulchralnote.Theboysweresubduedbythesesolemnities,andtalkedlittle.Byandbytheyjudgedthattwelvehadcome;theymarkedwheretheshadowfell,andbegantodig.Theirhopescommencedtorise.Theirinterestgrewstronger,andtheirindustrykeptpacewithit.Theholedeepenedandstilldeepened,buteverytimetheirheartsjumpedtohearthepickstrikeuponsomething,theyonlysufferedanewdisappointment.Itwasonlyastoneorachunk.AtlastTomsaid:––“Itain’tanyuse,Huck,we’rewrongagain.”“Wellbutwecan’tbewrong.Wespottedtheshaddertoadot.”“Iknowit,butthenthere’sanotherthing.”“What’sthat?”“Whyweonlyguessedatthetime.Likeenoughitwastoolateortooearly.”Huckdroppedhisshovel.“That’sit,”saidhe.“That’stheverytrouble.Wegottogivethisoneup.Wecan’tevertelltherighttime,andbesidesthiskindofthing’stooawful,herethistimeofnightwithwitchesandghostsaflutteringaroundso.Ifeelasifsomething’sbehindmeallthetime;andI’mafeardtoturnaround,becuzmaybethere’sothersinfronta-waitingforachance.Ibeencreepingallover,eversinceIgothere.”“Well,I’vebeenprettymuchso,too,Huck.Theymostalwaysputinadeadmanwhentheyburyatreasureunderatree,tolookoutforit.”“Lordy!”“Yes,theydo.I’vealwaysheardthat.”“TomIdon’tliketofoolaroundmuchwherethere’sdeadpeople.Abody’sboundtogetintotroublewith’em,sure.”“Idon’tliketostir’emup,either.S’posethisoneherewastostickhisskulloutandsaysomething!”“Don’t,Tom!It’sawful.”“Wellitjustis.Huck,Idon’tfeelcomfortableabit.”“Say,Tom,let’sgivethisplaceup,andtrysomewhereselse.”
146TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Allright,Ireckonwebetter.”“What’llitbe?”Tomconsideredawhile;andthensaid––“Theha’ntedhouse.That’sit!”“Blameit,Idon’tlikeha’ntedhousesTom.Whythey’readernsightworse’ndeadpeople.Deadpeoplemighttalk,maybe,buttheydon’tcomeslidingaroundinashroud,whenyouain’tnoticing,andpeepoveryourshoulderallofasuddenandgrittheirteeth,thewayaghostdoes.Icouldn’tstandsuchathingasthat,Tom––nobodycould.”“Yes,butHuck,ghostsdon’ttravelaroundonlyatnight.Theywon’thenderusfromdiggingthereinthedaytime.”“Wellthat’sso.Butyouknowmightywellpeopledon’tgoaboutthatha’ntedhouseinthedaynorthenight.”“Well,that’smostlybecausetheydon’tliketogowhereaman’sbeenmurdered,anyway––butnothing’severbeenseenaroundthathouseexceptinthenight––justsomebluelightsslippingbythewindows––noregularghosts.”“Wellwhereyouseeoneofthembluelightsflickeringaround,Tom,youcanbetthere’saghostmightyclosebehindit.Itstandstoreason.Becuzyouknowthattheydon’tanybodybutghostsuse’em.”“Yes,that’sso.Butanywaytheydon’tcomearoundinthedaytime,sowhat’stheuseofourbeingafeared?”“Well,allright.We’lltackletheha’ntedhouseifyousayso––butIreckonit’stakingchances.”Theyhadstarteddownthehillbythistime.Thereinthemiddleofthemoonlitvalleybelowthemstoodthe“ha’nted”house,utterlyisolated,itsfencesgonelongago,rankweedssmotheringtheverydoorsteps,thechimneycrumbledtoruin,thewindow-sashesvacant,acorneroftheroofcavedin.Theboysgazedawhile,halfexpectingtoseeabluelightflitpastawindow;thentalkinginalowtone,asbefittedthetimeandthecircumstances,theystruckfarofftotheright,togivethehauntedhouseawideberth,andtooktheirwayhomewardthroughthewoodsthatadornedtherearwardsideofCardiffHill.
CHAPTERXXVIAboutnoonthenextdaytheboysarrivedatthedeadtree;theyhadcomefortheirtools.Tomwasimpatienttogotothehauntedhouse;Huckwasmeasurablyso,also––butsuddenlysaid––“Lookyhere,Tom,doyouknowwhatdayitis?”Tommentallyranoverthedaysoftheweek,andthenquicklyliftedhiseyeswithastartledlookinthem––“My!Ineveroncethoughtofit,Huck!”“WellIdidn’tneither,butallatonceitpoppedontomethatitwasFriday.”“Blameit,abodycan’tbetoocareful,Huck.Wemightagotintoanawfulscrape,tacklingsuchathingonaFriday.”“Might!Bettersaywewould!There’ssomeluckydays,maybe,butFridayain’t.”“Anyfoolknowsthat.Idon’treckonyouwasthefirstthatfounditout,Huck.”“Well,IneversaidIwas,didI?AndFridayain’tall,neither.Ihadarottenbaddreamlastnight––dreamptaboutrats.”“No!Suresignoftrouble.Didtheyfight?”“No.”“Wellthat’sgood,Huck.Whentheydon’tfightit’sonlyasignthatthere’stroublearound,youknow.Allwegottodoistolookmightysharpandkeepoutofit.We’lldropthisthingfortoday,andplay.DoyouknowRobinHood,Huck?”“No.Who’sRobinHood?”“WhyhewasoneofthegreatestmenthatwaseverinEngland––andthebest.Hewasarobber.”“Cracky,IwishtIwas.Whodidherob?”“Onlysheriffsandbishopsandrichpeopleandkings,andsuchlike.Butheneverbotheredthepoor.Heloved’em.Healwaysdividedupwith’emperfectlysquare.”“Well,hemust’a’beenabrick.”“Ibetyouhewas,Huck.Oh,hewasthenoblestmanthateverwas.Theyain’tanysuchmennow,Icantellyou.HecouldlickanymaninEngland,withonehandtiedbehindhim;andhecouldtakehisyewbowandplugatencentpieceeverytime,amileandahalf.”
148TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“What’sayewbow?”“Idon’tknow.It’ssomekindofabow,ofcourse.Andifhehitthatdimeonlyontheedgehewouldsetdownandcry––andcurse.Butwe’llplayRobinHood––it’snoblefun.I’lllearnyou.”“I’magreed.”SotheyplayedRobinHoodalltheafternoon,nowandthencast-ingayearningeyedownuponthehauntedhouseandpassingaremarkaboutthemorrow’sprospectsandpossibilitiesthere.AsthesunbegantosinkintothewesttheytooktheirwayhomewardathwartthelongshadowsofthetreesandsoonwereburiedfromsightintheforestsofCardiffHill.OnSaturday,shortlyafternoon,theboyswereatthedeadtreeagain.Theyhadasmokeandachatintheshade,andthendugalittleintheirlasthole,notwithgreathope,butmerelybecauseTomsaidthereweresomanycaseswherepeoplehadgivenupatreasureaftergettingdownwithinsixinchesofit,andthensomebodyelsehadcomealongandturneditupwithasinglethrustofashovel.Thethingfailedthistime,however,sotheboysshoulderedtheirtoolsandwentawayfeelingthattheyhadnottrifledwithfortunebuthadfulfilledalltherequirementsthatbelongtothebusinessoftreasure-hunting.Whentheyreachedthehauntedhousetherewassomethingsoweirdandgrislyaboutthedeadsilencethatreignedthereunderthebakingsun,andsomethingsodepressingaboutthelonelinessanddesolationoftheplace,thattheywereafraid,foramoment,toven-turein.Thentheycrepttothedoorandtookatremblingpeep.Theysawaweed-grown,floorlessroom,unplastered,anancientfireplace,vacantwindows,aruinousstaircase;andhere,there,andeverywhere,hungraggedandabandonedcobwebs.Theypresentlyentered,softly,withquickenedpulses,talkinginwhispers,earsalerttocatchtheslightestsound,andmusclestenseandreadyforinstantretreat.Inalittlewhilefamiliaritymodifiedtheirfearsandtheygavetheplaceacriticalandinterestedexamination,ratheradmiringtheirownboldness,andwonderingatit,too.Nexttheywantedtolookupstairs.Thiswassomethinglikecuttingoffretreat,buttheygottodaringeachother,andofcoursetherecouldbebutoneresult––theythrewtheirtoolsintoacornerandmadetheascent.Uptherewerethesamesignsofdecay.Inonecornertheyfoundaclosetthatpromisedmystery,butthepromisewasafraud––therewasnothing
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer149init.Theircouragewasupnowandwellinhand.Theywereabouttogodownandbeginworkwhen––“Sh!”saidTom.“Whatisit?”whisperedHuck,blanchingwithfright.“Sh!.....There!.....Hearit?”“Yes!.....O,my!Let’srun!”“Keepstill!Don’tyoubudge!They’recomingrighttowardthedoor.”Theboysstretchedthemselvesuponthefloorwiththeireyestoknotholesintheplanking,andlaywaiting,inamiseryoffear.“They’vestopped......No––coming......Heretheyare.Don’twhisperanotherword,Huck.Mygoodness,IwishIwasoutofthis!”Twomenentered.Eachboysaidtohimself:“There’stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat’sbeenabouttownonceortwicelately––neversawt’othermanbefore.”“T’other”wasaragged,unkemptcreature,withnothingverypleasantinhisface.TheSpaniardwaswrappedinasarape;hehadbushywhitewhiskers;longwhitehairflowedfromunderhissombrero,andheworegreengoggles.Whentheycamein,“t’other”wastalkinginalowvoice;theysatdownontheground,facingthedoor,withtheirbackstothewall,andthespeakercontinuedhisremarks.Hismannerbecamelessguardedandhiswordsmoredistinctasheproceeded:“No,”saidhe,“I’vethoughtitallover,andIdon’tlikeit.It’sdangerous.”“Dangerous!”gruntedthe“deafanddumb”Spaniard,––tothevastsurpriseoftheboys.“Milksop!”Thisvoicemadetheboysgaspandquake.ItwasInjunJoe’s!Therewassilenceforsometime.ThenJoesaid:“What’sanymoredangerousthanthatjobupyonder––butnothing’scomeofit.”“That’sdifferent.Awayuptheriverso,andnotanotherhouseabout.’Twon’teverbeknownthatwetried,anyway,longaswedidn’tsucceed.”“Well,what’smoredangerousthancominghereinthedaytime!––anybodywouldsuspicionusthatsawus.”“Iknowthat.Buttherewarn’tanyotherplaceashandyafterthatfoolofajob.Iwanttoquitthisshanty.Iwantedtoyesterday,onlyit
150TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwarn’tanyusetryingtostiroutofhere,withthoseinfernalboysplayingoverthereonthehillrightinfullview.”“Thoseinfernalboys”quakedagainundertheinspirationofthisremark,andthoughthowluckyitwasthattheyhadremembereditwasFridayandconcludedtowaitaday.Theywishedintheirheartstheyhadwaitedayear.Thetwomengotoutsomefoodandmadealuncheon.Afteralongandthoughtfulsilence,InjunJoesaid:“Lookhere,lad––yougobackuptheriverwhereyoubelong.Waittheretillyouhearfromme.I’lltakethechancesondroppingintothistownjustoncemore,foralook.We’lldothat‘dangerous’jobafterI’vespiedaroundalittleandthinkthingslookwellforit.ThenforTexas!We’lllegittogether!”Thiswassatisfactory.Bothmenpresentlyfelltoyawning,andInjunJoesaid:“I’mdeadforsleep!It’syourturntowatch.”Hecurleddownintheweedsandsoonbegantosnore.Hiscom-radestirredhimonceortwiceandhebecamequiet.Presentlythewatcherbegantonod;hisheaddroopedlowerandlower,bothmenbegantosnorenow.Theboysdrewalong,gratefulbreath.Tomwhispered––“Now’sourchance––come!”Hucksaid:“Ican’t––I’ddieiftheywastowake.”Tomurged––Huckheldback.AtlastTomroseslowlyandsoftly,andstartedalone.Butthefirststephemadewrungsuchahideouscreakfromthecrazyfloorthathesankdownalmostdeadwithfright.Henevermadeasecondattempt.Theboyslaytherecountingthedraggingmomentstillitseemedtothemthattimemustbedoneandeternitygrowinggray;andthentheyweregratefultonotethatatlastthesunwassetting.Nowonesnoreceased.InjunJoesatup,staredaround––smiledgrimlyuponhiscomrade,whoseheadwasdroopinguponhisknees––stirredhimupwithhisfootandsaid––“Here!You’reawatchman,ain’tyou!Allright,though––nothing’shappened.”“My!haveIbeenasleep?”“Oh,partly,partly.Nearlytimeforustobemoving,pard.What’llwedowithwhatlittleswagwe’vegotleft?”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer151“Idon’tknow––leaveithereaswe’vealwaysdone,Ireckon.Nousetotakeitawaytillwestartsouth.Sixhundredandfiftyinsilver’ssomethingtocarry.”“Well––allright––itwon’tmattertocomehereoncemore.”“No––butI’dsaycomeinthenightasweusedtodo––it’sbetter.”“Yes;butlookhere;itmaybeagoodwhilebeforeIgettherightchanceatthatjob;accidentsmighthappen;’tain’tinsuchaverygoodplace;we’lljustregularlyburyit––andburyitdeep.”“Goodidea,”saidthecomrade,whowalkedacrosstheroom,kneltdown,raisedoneoftherearwardhearthstonesandtookoutabagthatjingledpleasantly.HesubtractedfromittwentyorthirtydollarsforhimselfandasmuchforInjunJoeandpassedthebagtothelatter,whowasonhiskneesinthecorner,now,diggingwithhisbowieknife.Theboysforgotalltheirfears,alltheirmiseriesinaninstant.Withgloatingeyestheywatchedeverymovement.Luck!––thesplendorofitwasbeyondallimagination!Sixhundreddollarswasmoneyenoughtomakehalfadozenboysrich!Herewastreasure-huntingunderthehappiestauspices––therewouldnotbeanyboth-ersomeuncertaintyastowheretodig.Theynudgedeachothereverymoment––eloquentnudgesandeasilyunderstood,fortheysimplymeant––“O,butain’tyougladnowwe’rehere!”Joe’sknifestruckuponsomething.“Hello!”saidhe.“Whatisit?”saidhiscomrade.“Half-rottenplank––noit’sabox,Ibelieve.Here––bearahandandwe’llseewhatit’sherefor.Nevermind,I’vebrokeahole.”Hereachedhishandinanddrewitout––“Man,it’smoney!”Thetwomenexaminedthehandfulofcoins.Theyweregold.Theboysabovewereasexcitedasthemselves,andasdelighted.Joe’scomradesaid––“We’llmakequickworkofthis.There’sanoldrustypickoveramongsttheweedsinthecornertheothersideofthefire-place––Isawitaminuteago.”Heranandbroughttheboys’pickandshovel.InjunJoetookthepick,lookeditovercritically,shookhishead,mutteredsomethingtohimself,andthenbegantouseit.Theboxwassoonunearthed.Itwasnotverylarge;itwasironboundandhadbeenverystrong
152TheAdventuresofTomSawyerbeforetheslowyearshadinjuredit.Themencontemplatedthetreasureawhileinblissfulsilence.“Pard,there’sthousandsofdollarshere,”saidInjunJoe.“’TwasalwayssaidthatMurrel’sgang*usedaroundhereonesummer,”thestrangerobserved.“Iknowit,”saidInjunJoe;“andthislookslikeit,Ishouldsay.”“Nowyouwon’tneedtodothatjob.”Thehalf-breedfrowned.Saidhe––“Youdon’tknowme.Leastyoudon’tknowallaboutthatthing.’Tain’trobberyaltogether––it’srevenge!”andawickedlightflamedinhiseyes.“I’llneedyourhelpinit.Whenit’sfinished––thenTexas.GohometoyourNanceandyourkids,andstandbytillyouhearfromme.”“Well––ifyousayso,what’llwedowiththis––buryitagain?”“Yes.[Ravishingdelightoverhead.]No!bythegreatSachem,no![Profounddistressoverhead.]I’dnearlyforgot.Thatpickhadfreshearthonit![Theboysweresickwithterrorinamoment.]Whatbusinesshasapickandashovelhere?Whatbusinesswithfreshearthonthem?Whobroughtthemhere––andwherearetheygone?Haveyouheardanybody?––seenanybody?What!buryitagainandleavethemtocomeandseethegrounddisturbed?Notexactly––notexactly.We’lltakeittomyden.”“Whyofcourse!Mighthavethoughtofthatbefore.YoumeanNumberOne?”“No––NumberTwo––underthecross.Theotherplaceisbad––toocommon.”“Allright.It’snearlydarkenoughtostart.”InjunJoegotupandwentaboutfromwindowtowindowcautiouslypeepingout.Presentlyhesaid:“Whocouldhavebroughtthosetoolshere?Doyoureckontheycanbeupstairs?”Theboys’breathforsookthem.InjunJoeputhishandonhisknife,haltedamoment,undecided,andthenturnedtowardthestairway.Theboysthoughtofthecloset,buttheirstrengthwasgone.Thestepscamecreakingupthestairs––theintolerabledistressofthesituationwokethestrickenresolutionofthelads––theywereabouttospringforthecloset,whentherewasacrashofrottentimbersandInjunJoelandedonthegroundamidthedébrisoftheruinedstairway.Hegatheredhimselfupcursing,andhiscomradesaid:
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer153“Nowwhat’stheuseofallthat?Ifit’sanybody,andthey’reupthere,letthemstaythere––whocares?Iftheywanttojumpdown,now,andgetintotrouble,whoobjects?Itwillbedarkinfifteenminutes––andthenletthemfollowusiftheywantto.I’mwilling.Inmyopinion,whoeverhovethosethingsinherecaughtasightofusandtookusforghostsordevilsorsomething.I’llbetthey’rerunningyet.”Joegrumbledawhile;thenheagreedwithhisfriendthatwhatdaylightwasleftoughttobeeconomizedingettingthingsreadyforleaving.Shortlyafterwardtheyslippedoutofthehouseinthedeepeningtwilight,andmovedtowardtheriverwiththeirpreciousbox.TomandHuckroseup,weakbutvastlyrelieved,andstaredafterthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogsofthehouse.Follow?Notthey.Theywerecontenttoreachgroundagainwithoutbrokennecks,andtakethetownwardtrackoverthehill.Theydidnottalkmuch.Theyweretoomuchabsorbedinhatingthemselves––hatingtheillluckthatmadethemtakethespadeandthepickthere.Butforthat,InjunJoeneverwouldhavesuspected.Hewouldhavehiddenthesilverwiththegoldtowaittheretillhis“revenge”wassatisfied,andthenhewouldhavehadthemisfortunetofindthatmoneyturnupmissing.Bitter,bitterluckthatthetoolswereeverbroughtthere!TheyresolvedtokeepalookoutforthatSpaniardwhenheshouldcometotownspyingoutforchancestodohisrevengefuljob,andfollowhimto“NumberTwo,”whereverthatmightbe.ThenaghastlythoughtoccurredtoTom:“Revenge?Whatifhemeansus,Huck!”“O,don’t!”saidHuck,nearlyfainting.Theytalkeditallover,andastheyenteredtowntheyagreedtobelievethathemightpossiblymeansomebodyelse––atleastthathemightatleastmeannobodybutTom,sinceonlyTomhadtestified.Very,verysmallcomfortitwastoTomtobealoneindanger!Companywouldbeapalpableimprovement,hethought.
CHAPTERXXVIITheadventureofthedaymightilytormentedTom’sdreamsthatnight.Fourtimeshehadhishandsonthatrichtreasureandfourtimesitwastedtonothingnessinhisfingersassleepforsookhimandwakefulnessbroughtbackthehardrealityofhismisfortune.Ashelayintheearlymorningrecallingtheincidentsofhisgreatadventure,henoticedthattheyseemedcuriouslysubduedandfaraway––somewhatasiftheyhadhappenedinanotherworld,orinatimelonggoneby.Thenitoccurredtohimthatthegreatadventureitselfmustbeadream!Therewasoneverystrongargumentinfavorofthisidea––namely,thatthequantityofcoinhehadseenwastoovasttobereal.Hehadneverseenasmuchasfiftydollarsinonemassbefore,andhewaslikeallboysofhisageandstationinlife,inthatheimaginedthatallreferencesto“hundreds”and“thousands”weremerefanci-fulformsofspeech,andthatnosuchsumsreallyexistedintheworld.Heneverhadsupposedforamomentthatsolargeasumasahundreddollarswastobefoundinactualmoneyinanyone’sposses-sion.Ifhisnotionsofhiddentreasurehadbeenanalyzed,theywouldhavebeenfoundtoconsistofahandfulofrealdimesandabushelofvague,splendid,ungraspabledollars.Buttheincidentsofhisadventuregrewsensiblysharperandclearerundertheattritionofthinkingthemover,andsohepresentlyfoundhimselfleaningtotheimpressionthatthethingmightnothavebeenadream,afterall.Thisuncertaintymustbesweptaway.HewouldsnatchahurriedbreakfastandgoandfindHuck.Huckwassittingonthegunwaleofaflatboat,listlesslydanglinghisfeetinthewaterandlookingverymelancholy.TomconcludedtoletHuckleaduptothesubject.Ifhedidnotdoit,thentheadventurewouldbeprovedtohavebeenonlyadream.“Hello,Huck!”“Hello,yourself.”Silence,foraminute.“Tom,ifwe’dalefttheblametoolsatthedeadtree,we’d’a’gotthemoney.O,ain’titawful!”“’Tain’tadream,then,’tain’tadream!SomehowImostwishitwas.Dog’difIdon’t,Huck.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer155“Whatain’tadream?”“Oh,thatthingyesterday.Ibeenhalfthinkingitwas.”“Dream!Ifthemstairshadn’tbrokedownyou’d’a’seenhowmuchdreamitwas!I’vehaddreamsenoughallnight––withthatpatch-eyedSpanishdevilgoingformeallthrough’em––rothim!”“No,notrothim.Findhim!Trackthemoney!”“Tom,we’llneverfindhim.Afellerdon’thaveonlyoncechanceforsuchapile––andthatone’slost.I’dfeelmightyshakyifIwastoseehim,anyway.”“Well,so’dI;butI’dliketoseehim,anyway––andtrackhimout––tohisNumberTwo.”“NumberTwo––yes,that’sit.Ibenthinking’boutthat.ButIcan’tmakenothingoutofit.Whatdoyoureckonitis?”“Idono.It’stoodeep.Say,Huck––maybeit’sthenumberofahouse!”“Goody!.....No,Tom,thatain’tit.Ifitis,itain’tinthisone-horsetown.Theyain’tnonumbershere.”“Well,that’sso.Lemmethinkaminute.Here––it’sthenumberofaroom––inatavern,youknow!”“O,that’sthetrick!Theyain’tonlytwotaverns.Wecanfindoutquick.”“Youstayhere,Huck,tillIcome.”Tomwasoffatonce.HedidnotcaretohaveHuck’scompanyinpublicplaces.Hewasgonehalfanhour.Hefoundthatinthebesttavern,No.2hadlongbeenoccupiedbyayounglawyer,andwasstillsooccupied.InthelessostentatioushouseNo.2wasamystery.Thetavern-keeper’syoungsonsaiditwaskeptlockedallthetime,andheneversawanybodygointoitorcomeoutofitexceptatnight;hedidnotknowanyparticularreasonforthisstateofthings;hadhadsomelittlecuriosity,butitwasratherfeeble;hadmadethemostofthemysterybyentertaininghimselfwiththeideathatthatroomwas“ha’nted;”hadnoticedthattherewasalightintherethenightbefore.“That’swhatI’vefoundout,Huck.Ireckonthat’stheveryNo.2we’reafter.”“Ireckonitis,Tom.Nowwhatyougoingtodo?”“Lemmethink.”Tomthoughtalongtime.Thenhesaid:“I’lltellyou.ThebackdoorofthatNo.2isthedoorthatcomes
156TheAdventuresofTomSawyeroutintothatlittleclosealleybetweenthetavernandtheoldrattle-trapofabrickstore.Nowyougetholdofallthedoor-keysyoucanfind,andI’llnipallofAuntie’sandthefirstdarknightwe’llgothereandtry’em.AndmindyoukeepalookoutforInjunJoe,becausehesaidhewasgoingtodropintotownandspyaroundoncemoreforachancetogethisrevenge.Ifyouseehim,youjustfollowhim;andifhedon’tgotothatNo.2,thatain’ttheplace.”“LordyIdon’twanttofollerhimbymyself!”“Whyit’llbenight,sure.Hemightn’teverseeyou––andifhedid,maybehe’dneverthinkanything.”“Well,ifit’sprettydarkIreckonI’lltrackhim.Idono––Idono.I’lltry.”“YoubetI’llfollowhim,ifit’sdark,Huck.Whyhemight’a’foundouthecouldn’tgethisrevenge,andbegoingrightafterthatmoney.”“It’sso,Tom,it’sso.I’llfollerhim;Iwill,byjingoes!”“Nowyou’retalking!Don’tyoueverweaken,Huck,andIwon’t.”
CHAPTERXXVIIIThatnightTomandHuckwerereadyfortheiradventure.Theyhungabouttheneighborhoodofthetavernuntilafternine,onewatchingthealleyatadistanceandtheotherthetaverndoor.Nobodyenteredthealleyorleftit;nobodyresemblingtheSpaniardenteredorleftthetaverndoor.Thenightpromisedtobeafairone;soTomwenthomewiththeunderstandingthatifaconsiderabledegreeofdarknesscameon,Huckwastocomeand“meow,”where-uponhewouldslipoutandtrythekeys.Butthenightremainedclear,andHuckclosedhiswatchandretiredtobedinanemptysugarhogsheadabouttwelve.Tuesdaytheboyshadthesameillluck.AlsoWednesday.ButThursdaynightpromisedbetter.Tomslippedoutingoodseasonwithhisaunt’soldtinlantern,andalargetoweltoblindfolditwith.HehidthelanterninHuck’ssugarhogsheadandthewatchbegan.Anhourbeforemidnightthetavernclosedupanditslights(theonlyonesthereabouts)wereputout.NoSpaniardhadbeenseen.Nobodyhadenteredorleftthealley.Everythingwasauspicious.Theblacknessofdarknessreigned,theperfectstillnesswasinterruptedonlybyoccasionalmutteringsofdistantthunder.Tomgothislantern,lititinthehogshead,wrappeditcloselyinthetowel,andthetwoadventurerscreptinthegloomtowardthetavern.HuckstoodsentryandTomfelthiswayintothealley.ThentherewasaseasonofwaitinganxietythatweigheduponHuck’sspiritslikeamountain.Hebegantowishhecouldseeaflashfromthelantern––itwouldfrightenhim,butitwouldatleasttellhimthatTomwasaliveyet.ItseemedhourssinceTomhaddisappeared.Surelyhemusthavefainted;maybehewasdead;maybehishearthadburstunderterrorandexcitement.InhisuneasinessHuckfoundhimselfdrawingcloserandclosertothealley;fearingallsortsofdreadfulthings,andmomentarilyexpectingsomecatastrophetohappenthatwouldtakeawayhisbreath.Therewasnotmuchtotakeaway,forheseemedonlyabletoinhaleitbythimblefuls,andhisheartwouldsoonwearitselfout,thewayitwasbeating.SuddenlytherewasaflashoflightandTomcametearingbyhim:“Run!”saidhe;“run,foryourlife!”
158TheAdventuresofTomSawyerHeneedn’thaverepeatedit;oncewasenough;Huckwasmakingthirtyorfortymilesanhourbeforetherepetitionwasuttered.Theboysneverstoppedtilltheyreachedtheshedofadesertedslaughter-houseatthelowerendofthevillage.Justastheygotwithinitsshelterthestormburstandtherainpoureddown.AssoonasTomgothisbreathhesaid:“Huck,itwasawful!Itriedtwoofthekeys,justassoftasIcould;buttheyseemedtomakesuchapowerofracketthatIcouldn’thardlygetmybreathIwassoscared.Theywouldn’tturninthelock,either.Well,withoutnoticingwhatIwasdoing,Itookholdoftheknob,andopencomesthedoor!Itwarn’tlocked!Ihoppedin,andshookoffthetowel,and,greatCæsar’sghost!”“What!––what’dyousee,Tom!”“Huck,ImoststeppedontoInjunJoe’shand!”“No!”“Yes!Hewaslayingthere,soundasleeponthefloor,withhisoldpatchonhiseyeandhisarmsspreadout.”“Lordy,whatdidyoudo?Didhewakeup?”“No,neverbudged.Drunk,Ireckon.Ijustgrabbedthattowelandstarted!”“I’dnever’a’thoughtofthetowel,Ibet!”“Well,Iwould.MyauntwouldmakememightysickifIlostit.”“Say,Tom,didyouseethatbox?”“HuckIdidn’twaittolookaround.Ididn’tseethebox,Ididn’tseethecross.Ididn’tseeanythingbutabottleandatincuponthefloorbyInjunJoe;yes,andIsawtwobarrelsandlotsmorebottlesintheroom.Don’tyousee,now,what’sthematterwiththatha’ntedroom?”“How?”“Whyit’sha’ntedwithwhisky!MaybealltheTemperanceTavernshavegotaha’ntedroom,heyHuck?”“WellIreckonmaybethat’sso.Who’d’a’thoughtsuchathing?Butsay,Tom,now’samightygoodtimetogetthatbox,ifInjunJoe’sdrunk.”“Itis,that!Youtryit!”Huckshuddered.“Well,no––Ireckonnot.”“AndIreckonnot,Huck.OnlyonebottlealongsideofInjun
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer159Joeain’tenough.Ifthere’dbeenthree,he’dbedrunkenoughandI’ddoit.”Therewasalongpauseforreflection,andthenTomsaid:“Lookyhere,Huck,lessnottrythatthinganymoretillweknowInjunJoe’snotinthere.It’stooscary.Nowifwewatcheverynight,we’llbedeadsuretoseehimgoout,sometimeorother,andthenwe’llsnatchthatboxquicker’nlightning.”“Well,I’magreed.I’llwatchthewholenightlong,andI’lldoiteverynight,too,ifyou’lldotheotherpartofthejob.”“Allright,Iwill.AllyougottodoistotrotupHooperstreetablockandmeow––andifI’masleep,youthrowsomegravelatthewindowandthat’llfetchme.”“Agreed,andgoodaswheat!”“NowHuck,thestorm’sover,andI’llgohome.It’llbegintobedaylightinacoupleofhours.Yougobackandwatchthatlong,willyou?”“IsaidIwould,Tom,andIwill.I’llha’ntthattaverneverynightforayear!I’llsleepalldayandI’llstandwatchallnight.”“That’sallright.Nowwhereyougoingtosleep?”“InBenRogers’shayloft.Helet’sme,andsodoeshispap’sniggerman,UncleJake.ItotewaterforUncleJakewheneverhewantsmeto,andanytimeIaskhimhegivesmealittlesomethingtoeatifhecanspareit.That’samightygoodnigger,Tom.Helikesme,becuzIdon’teveractasifIwasabovehim.SometimesI’vesetrightdownandeatwithhim.Butyouneedn’ttellthat.Abody’sgottodothingswhenhe’sawfulhungryhewouldn’twanttodoasasteadything.”“Well,ifIdon’twantyouinthedaytime,I’llletyousleep.Iwon’tcomebotheringaround.Anytimeyouseesomething’sup,inthenight,justskiprightaroundandmeow.”
CHAPTERXXIXThefirstthingTomheardonFridaymorningwasagladpieceofnews––JudgeThatcher’sfamilyhadcomebacktotownthenightbefore.BothInjunJoeandthetreasuresunkintosecondaryimport-anceforamoment,andBeckytookthechiefplaceintheboy’sinterest.Hesawherandtheyhadanexhaustinggoodtimeplaying“hi-spy”and“gully-keeper”withacrowdoftheirschoolmates.Thedaywascompletedandcrownedinapeculiarlysatisfactoryway:Beckyteasedhermothertoappointthenextdayforthelong-promisedandlong-delayedpic-nic,andsheconsented.Thechild’sdelightwasboundless;andTom’snotmoremoderate.Theinvita-tionsweresentoutbeforesunset,andstraightwaytheyoungfolksofthevillagewerethrownintoafeverofpreparationandpleasur-ableanticipation.Tom’sexcitementenabledhimtokeepawakeuntilaprettylatehour,andhehadgoodhopesofhearingHuck’s“meow,”andofhavinghistreasuretoastonishBeckyandthepic-nickerswith,nextday;buthewasdisappointed.Nosignalcamethatnight.Morningcame,eventually,andbytenoreleveno’clockagiddyandrollickingcompanyweregatheredatJudgeThatcher’s,andevery-thingwasreadyforastart.Itwasnotthecustomforelderlypeopletomarpic-nicswiththeirpresence.Thechildrenwereconsideredsafeenoughunderthewingsofafewyoungladiesofeighteenandafewyounggentlemenoftwenty-threeorthereabouts.Theoldsteamferry-boatwascharteredfortheoccasion;presentlythegaythrongfiledupthemainstreetladenwithprovisionbaskets.Sidwassickandhadtomissthefun;Maryremainedathometoentertainhim.ThelastthingMrs.ThatchersaidtoBecky,was––“You’llnotgetbacktilllate.Perhapsyou’dbetterstayallnightwithsomeofthegirlsthatliveneartheferrylanding,child.”“ThenI’llstaywithSusyHarper,mamma.”“Verywell.Andmindandbehaveyourselfanddon’tbeanytrouble.”Presently,astheytrippedalong,TomsaidtoBecky:“Say––I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo.’SteadofgoingtoJoeHarper’swe’llclimbrightupthehillandstopattheWidowDouglas’s.She’ll
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer161haveicecream!Shehasitmosteveryday––deadloadsofit.Andshe’llbeawfulgladtohaveus.”“O,thatwillbefun!”ThenBeckyreflectedamomentandsaid:“Butwhatwillmammasay?”“How’llsheeverknow?”Thegirlturnedtheideaoverinhermind,andsaidreluctantly:“Ireckonit’swrong––but––”“Butshucks!Yourmotherwon’tknow,andsowhat’stheharm?Allshewantsisthatyou’llbesafe;andIbetyoushe’d’a’saidgothereifshe’d’a’thoughtofit.Iknowshewould!”ThewidowDouglas’ssplendidhospitalitywasatemptingbait.ItandTom’spersuasionspresentlycarriedtheday.Soitwasdecidedtosaynothingtoanybodyaboutthenight’sprogramme.PresentlyitoccurredtoTomthatmaybeHuckmightcomethisverynightandgivethesignal.Thethoughttookadealofthespiritoutofhisanticipations.StillhecouldnotbeartogiveupthefunatWidowDouglas’s.Andwhyshouldhegiveitup,hereasoned––thesignaldidnotcomethenightbefore,sowhyshoulditbeanymorelikelytocometo-night?Thesurefunoftheeveningoutweighedtheuncertaintreasure;andboylike,hedeterminedtoyieldtothestrongerinclinationandnotallowhimselftothinkoftheboxofmoneyanothertimethatday.Threemilesbelowtowntheferry-boatstoppedatthemouthofawoodyhollowandtiedup.Thecrowdswarmedashoreandsoontheforestdistancesandcraggyheightsechoedfarandnearwithshoutingsandlaughter.Allthedifferentwaysofgettinghotandtiredweregonethroughwith,andbyandbytheroversstraggledbacktocampfortifiedwithresponsibleappetites,andthenthedestructionofthegoodthingsbegan.Afterthefeasttherewasarefreshingseasonofrestandchatintheshadeofspreadingoaks.Byandbysomebodyshouted––“Who’sreadyforthecave?”Everybodywas.Bundlesofcandleswereprocured,andstraightwaytherewasageneralscamperupthehill.Themouthofthecavewasupthehillside––anopeningshapedlikealetterA.It’smassiveoakendoorstoodunbarred.Withinwasasmallchamber,chillyasanice-house,andwalledbyNaturewithsolidlimestonethatwasdewywithacoldsweat.Itwasromanticandmysterioustostandhereinthe
162TheAdventuresofTomSawyerdeepgloomandlookoutuponthegreenvalleyshininginthesun.Buttheimpressivenessofthesituationquicklyworeoff,andtherompingbeganagain.Themomentacandlewaslightedtherewasageneralrushupontheownerofit;astruggleandagallantdefensefollowed,butthecandlewassoonknockeddownorblownout,andthentherewasagladclamoroflaughterandanewchase.Butallthingshaveanend.Byandbytheprocessionwentfilingdownthesteepdescentofthemainavenue,theflickeringrankoflightsdimlyrevealingtheloftywallsofrockalmosttotheirpointofjunctionsixtyfeetoverhead.Thismainavenuewasnotmorethaneightortenfeetwide.Everyfewstepsotherloftyandstillnarrowercrevicesbranchedfromitoneitherhand––forMcDougal’scavewasbutavastlabyrinthofcrookedislesthatranintoeachotherandoutagainandlednowhere.Itwassaidthatonemightwanderdaysandnightstogetherthroughitsintricatetangleofriftsandchasms,andneverfindtheendofthecave;andthathemightgodown,anddown,andstilldown,intotheearth,anditwasjustthesame––labyrinthunderneathlabyrinth,andnoendtoanyofthem.Noman“knew”thecave.Thatwasanimpossiblething.Mostoftheyoungmenknewaportionofit,anditwasnotcustomarytoventuremuchbeyondthisknownportion.TomSawyerknewasmuchofthecaveasanyone.Theprocessionmovedalongthemainavenuesomethree-quartersofamile,andthengroupsandcouplesbegantoslipasideintobranchavenues,flyalongthedismalcorridors,andtakeeachotherbysurpriseatpointswherethecorridorsjoinedagain.Partieswereabletoeludeeachotherforthespaceofhalfanhourwithoutgoingbeyondthe“known”ground.Byandby,onegroupafteranothercamestragglingbacktothemouthofthecave,panting,hilarious,smearedfromheadtofootwithtallowdrippings,daubedwithclay,andentirelydelightedwiththesuccessoftheday.Thentheywereastonishedtofindthattheyhadbeentakingnonoteoftimeandthatnightwasaboutathand.Theclangingbellhadbeencallingforhalfanhour.However,thissortofclosetotheday’sadventureswasromanticandthereforesatisfactory.Whentheferry-boatwithherwildfreightpushedintothestream,nobodycaredsixpenceforthewastedtimebutthecaptainofthecraft.Huckwasalreadyuponhiswatchwhentheferry-boat’slights
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer163wentglintingpastthewharf.Heheardnonoiseonboard,fortheyoungpeoplewereassubduedandstillaspeopleusuallyarewhoarenearlytiredtodeath.Hewonderedwhatboatitwas,andwhyshedidnotstopatthewharf––andthenhedroppedheroutofhismindandputhisattentionuponhisbusiness.Thenightwasgrowingcloudyanddark.Teno’clockcame,andthenoiseofvehiclesceased,scatteredlightsbegantowinkout,allstragglingfootpassengersdisappeared,thevillagebetookitselftoitsslumbersandleftthesmallwatcheralonewiththesilenceandtheghosts.Eleveno’clockcame,andthetavernlightswereputout;darknesseverywhere,now.Huckwaitedwhatseemedawearylongtime,butnothinghappened.Hisfaithwasweakening.Wasthereanyuse?Wastherereallyanyuse?Whynotgiveitupandturnin?Anoisefelluponhisear.Hewasallattentioninaninstant.Thealleydoorclosedsoftly.Hesprangtothecornerofthebrickstore.Thenextmomenttwomenbrushedbyhim,andoneseemedtohavesomethingunderhisarm.Itmustbethatbox!Sotheyweregoingtoremovethetreasure.WhycallTomnow?Itwouldbeabsurd––themenwouldgetawaywiththeboxandneverbefoundagain.No,hewouldsticktotheirwakeandfollowthem;hewouldtrusttothedarknessforsecurityfromdiscovery.Socommuningwithhimself,Hucksteppedoutandglidedalongbehindthemen,cat-like,withbarefeet,allowingthemtokeepjustfarenoughaheadnottobeinvisible.Theymoveduptheriverstreetthreeblocks,thenturnedtotheleftupacrossstreet.Theywentstraightahead,then,untiltheycametothepaththatledupCardiffHill;thistheytook.TheypassedbytheoldWelchman’shouse,halfwayupthehillwithouthesitating,andstillclimbedupward.Good,thoughtHuck,theywillburyitintheoldquarry.Buttheyneverstoppedatthequarry.Theypassedon,upthesummit.Theyplungedintothenarrowpathbetweenthetallsumachbushes,andwereatoncehiddeninthegloom.Huckclosedupandshortenedhisdistance,now,fortheywouldneverbeabletoseehim.Hetrottedalongawhile;thenslackenedhispace,fearinghewasgainingtoofast;movedonapiece,thenstoppedaltogether;listened;nosound;none,savethatheseemedtohearthebeatingofhisownheart.Thehootingofanowlcamefromoverthehill––ominoussound!Butnofootsteps.Heavens,waseverythinglost!Hewasabouttospringwithwingedfeet,whenamancleared
164TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhisthroatnotfourfeetfromhim!Huck’sheartshotintohisthroat,butheswalloweditagain;andthenhestoodthereshakingasifadozenagueshadtakenchargeofhimatonce,andsoweakthathethoughthemustsurelyfalltotheground.Heknewwherehewas.HeknewhewaswithinfivestepsofthestileleadingintoWidowDouglas’sgrounds.Verywell,hethought,letthemburyitthere;itwon’tbehardtofind.Nowtherewasavoice––averylowvoice––InjunJoe’s:“Damnher,maybeshe’sgotcompany––there’slights,lateasitis.”“Ican’tseeany.”Thiswasthatstranger’svoice––thestrangerofthehauntedhouse.AdeadlychillwenttoHuck’sheart––this,then,wasthe“revenge”job!Histhoughtwas,tofly.ThenherememberedthattheWidowDouglashadbeenkindtohimmorethanonce,andmaybethesemenweregoingtomurderher.Hewishedhedaredventuretowarnher;butheknewhedidn’tdare––theymightcomeandcatchhim.Hethoughtallthisandmoreinthemomentthatelapsedbetweenthestranger’sremarkandInjunJoe’snext––whichwas––“Becausethebushisinyourway.Now––thisway––nowyousee,don’tyou?”“Yes.Wellthereiscompanythere,Ireckon.Bettergiveitup.”“Giveitup,andIjustleavingthiscountryforever!Giveitupandmaybeneverhaveanotherchance.Itellyouagain,asI’vetoldyoubefore,Idon’tcareforherswag––youmayhaveit.Butherhusbandwasroughonme––manytimeshewasroughonme––andmainlyhewasthejusticeofthepeacethatjuggedmeforavagrant.Andthatain’tall.Itain’tamillionthpartofit!Hehadmehorsewhipped!––horsewhippedinfrontofthejail,likeanigger!––withallthetownlookingon!Horsewhipped!––doyouunderstand?Hetookadvantageofmeanddied.ButI’lltakeitoutofher.”“Oh,don’tkillher!Don’tdothat!”“Kill?Whosaidanythingaboutkilling?Iwouldkillhimifhewashere;butnother.Whenyouwanttogetrevengeonawomanyoudon’tkillher––bosh!yougoforherlooks.Youslithernostrils––younotchherearslikeasow!”“ByGod,that’s––”“Keepyouropiniontoyourself!Itwillbesafestforyou.I’lltiehertothebed.Ifshebleedstodeath,isthatmyfault?I’llnotcry,if
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer165shedoes.Myfriend,you’llhelpinthisthing––formysake––that’swhyyou’rehere––Imightn’tbeablealone.Ifyouflinch,I’llkillyou.Doyouunderstandthat?AndifIhavetokillyou,I’llkillher––andthenIreckonnobody’lleverknowmuchaboutwhodonethisbusiness.”“Well,ifit’sgottobedone,let’sgetatit.Thequickerthebetter––I’mallinashiver.”“Doitnow?Andcompanythere?Lookhere––I’llgetsuspiciousofyou,firstthingyouknow.No––we’llwaittillthelightsareout––there’snohurry.”Huckfeltthatasilencewasgoingtoensue––athingstillmoreawfulthananyamountofmurderoustalk;soheheldhisbreathandsteppedgingerlyback;plantedhisfootcarefullyandfirmly,afterbalancing,one-legged,inaprecariouswayandalmosttopplingover,firstononesideandthenontheother.Hetookanotherstepback,withthesameelaborationandthesamerisks;thenanotherandanother,and––atwigsnappedunderhisfoot!Hisbreathstoppedandhelistened.Therewasnosound––thestillnesswasperfect.Hisgratitudewasmeasureless.Nowheturnedinhistracks,betweenthewallsofsumachbushes––turnedhimselfascarefullyasifhewereaship––andthensteppedquicklybutcautiouslyalong.Whenheemergedatthequarryhefeltsecure,andsohepickeduphisnimbleheelsandflew.Down,downhesped,tillhereachedtheWelchman’s.Hebangedatthedoor,andpresentlytheheadsoftheoldmanandhistwostalwartsonswerethrustfromwindows.“What’stherowthere?Who’sbanging?Whatdoyouwant?”“Letmein––quick!I’lltelleverything.”“Whywhoareyou?”“HuckleberryFinn––quick,letmein!”“HuckleberryFinn,indeed!Itain’tanametoopenmanydoors,Ijudge!Butlethimin,lads,andlet’sseewhat’sthetrouble.”“Pleasedon’tevertellItoldyou,”wereHuck’sfirstwordswhenhegotin.“Pleasedon’t––I’dbekilled,sure––buttheWidow’sbeengoodfriendstomesometimes,andIwanttotell––Iwilltellifyou’llpromiseyouwon’teversayitwasme.”“ByGeorgehehasgotsomethingtotell,orhewouldn’tactso!”exclaimedtheoldman;“outwithitandnobodyhere’llevertell,lad.”
166TheAdventuresofTomSawyerThreeminuteslatertheoldmanandhissons,wellarmed,wereupthehill,andjustenteringthesumachpathontip-toe,theirweaponsintheirhands.Huckaccompaniedthemnofurther.Hehidbehindagreatbowlderandfelltolistening.Therewasalagging,anxioussilence,andthenallofasuddentherewasanexplosionoffirearmsandacry.Huckwaitedfornoparticulars.Hesprangawayandspeddownthehillasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.
CHAPTERXXXAstheearliestsuspicionofdawnappearedonSundaymorning,HuckcamegropingupthehillandrappedgentlyattheoldWelchman’sdoor.Theinmateswereasleepbutitwasasleepthatwassetonahair-trigger,onaccountoftheexcitingepisodeofthenight.Acallcamefromawindow––“Who’sthere!”Huck’sscaredvoiceansweredinalowtone:“Pleaseletmein!It’sonlyHuckFinn!”“It’sanamethatcanopenthisdoornightorday,lad!––andwelcome!”Thesewerestrangewordstothevagabondboy’sears,andthepleasantesthehadeverheard.Hecouldnotrecollectthattheclosingwordhadeverbeenappliedinhiscasebefore.Thedoorwasquicklyunlocked,andheentered.Huckwasgivenaseatandtheoldmanandhisbraceoftallsonsspeedilydressedthemselves.“NowmyboyIhopeyou’regoodandhungry,becausebreakfastwillbereadyassoonasthesun’sup,andwe’llhaveapipinghotone,too––makeyourselfeasyaboutthat!Iandtheboyshopedyou’dturnupandstopherelastnight.”“Iwasawfulscared,”saidHuck,“andIrun.Itookoutwhenthepistolswentoff,andIdidn’tstopforthreemile.I’vecomenowbecuzIwantedtoknowaboutit,youknow;andIcomebeforedaylightbecuzIdidn’twanttorunacrostthemdevils,eveniftheywasdead.”“Well,poorchap,youdolookasifyou’dhadahardnightofit––butthere’sabedhereforyouwhenyou’vehadyourbreakfast.No,theyain’tdead,lad––wearesorryenoughforthat.Youseeweknewrightwheretoputourhandsonthem,byyourdescription;sowecreptalongontip-toetillwegotwithinfifteenfeetofthem––darkasacellarthatsumachpathwas––andjustthenIfoundIwasgoingtosneeze.Itwasthemeanestkindofluck!Itriedtokeepitback,butnouse––’twasboundtocome,anditdidcome!Iwasintheleadwithmypistolraised,andwhenthesneezestartedthosescoundrelsa-rustlingtogetoutofthepath,Isungout,‘Fire,boys!’andblazedawayattheplacewheretherustlingwas.Sodidtheboys.Butthey
168TheAdventuresofTomSawyerwereoffinajiffy,thosevillains,andweafterthem,downthroughthewoods.Ijudgewenevertouchedthem.Theyfiredashotapieceastheystarted,buttheirbulletswhizzedbyanddidn’tdousanyharm.Assoonaswelostthesoundoftheirfeetwequitchasing,andwentdownandstirreduptheconstables.Theygotapossetogether,andwentofftoguardtheriverbank,andassoonasitislightthesheriffandagangaregoingtobeatupthewoods.Myboyswillbewiththempresently.Iwishwehadsomesortofdescriptionofthoserascals––t’wouldhelpagooddeal.Butyoucould’ntseewhattheywerelike,inthedark,lad,Isuppose?”“O,yes,Isawthemdowntownandfolleredthem.”“Splendid!Describethem––describethem,myboy!”“One’stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat’sbenaroundhereonceortwice,andt’other’sameanlookingragged––”“That’senough,lad,weknowthemen!Happenedontheminthewoodsbackofthewidow’soneday,andtheyslunkaway.Offwithyou,boys,andtellthesheriff––getyourbreakfastto-morrowmorning!”TheWelchman’ssonsdepartedatonce.AstheywereleavingtheroomHucksprangupandexclaimed:“Oh,pleasedon’ttellanybodyitwasmethatblowedonthem!Oh,please!”“Allrightifyousayit,Huck,butyououghttohavethecreditofwhatyoudid.”“Oh,no,no!Pleasedon’ttell!”Whentheyoungmenweregone,theoldWelchmansaid––“Theywon’ttell––andIwon’t.Butwhydon’tyouwantitknown?”Huckwouldnotexplain,furtherthantosaythathealreadyknewtoomuchaboutoneofthosemenandwouldnothavethemanknowthatheknewanythingagainsthimforthewholeworld––hewouldbekilledforknowingit,sure.Theoldmanpromisedsecrecyoncemore,andsaid:“Howdidyoucometofollowthesefellows,lad?Weretheylookingsuspicious?”Huckwassilentwhileheframedadulycautiousreply.Thenhesaid:“Well,yousee,I’makindofahardlot,––leasteverybodysaysso,andIdon’tseenothingaginit––andsometimesIcan’tsleepmuch,onaccountsofthinkingaboutitandsortoftryingtostrikeoutanew
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer169wayofdoing.Thatwasthewayofitlastnight.Icouldn’tsleep,andsoIcomealongupstreet’boutmidnight,a-turningitallover,andwhenIgottothatoldshacklybrickstorebytheTemperanceTavern,Ibackedupaginthewalltohaveanotherthink.Well,justthenalongcomesthesetwochapsslippingalongclosebyme,withsomethingundertheirarmandIreckonedthey’dstoleit.Onewasa-smoking,andt’otheronewantedalight;sotheystoppedrightbeforemeandthecigarslituptheirfacesandIseethatthebigonewasthedeafanddumbSpaniard,byhiswhitewhiskersandthepatchonhiseye,andt’otheronewasarusty,raggedlookingdevil.”“Couldyouseetheragsbythelightofthecigars?”ThisstaggeredHuckforamoment.Thenhesaid:“Well,Idon’tknow––butsomehowitseemsasifIdid.”“Thentheywenton,andyou––”“Follered’em––yes.Thatwasit.Iwantedtoseewhatwasup––theysneakedalongso.Idogged’emtothewidder’sstile,andstoodinthedarkandheardtheraggedonebegforthewidder,andtheSpaniardswearhe’dspileherlooksjustasItoldyouandyourtwo––”“What!Thedeafanddumbmansaidallthat!”Huckhadmadeanotherterriblemistake!HewastryinghisbesttokeeptheoldmanfromgettingthefaintesthintofwhotheSpaniardmightbe,andyethistongueseemeddeterminedtogethimintotroubleinspiteofallhecoulddo.Hemadeseveraleffortstocreepoutofhisscrape,buttheoldman’seyewasuponhimandhemadeblunderafterblunder.PresentlytheWelchmansaid:“Myboy,don’tbeafraidofme.Iwouldn’thurtahairofyourheadforalltheworld.No––I’dprotectyou––I’dprotectyou.ThisSpaniardisnotdeafanddumb;you’veletthatslipwithoutintendingit;youcan’tcoverthatupnow.YouknowsomethingaboutthatSpaniardthatyouwanttokeepdark.Nowtrustme––tellmewhatitis,andtrustme––Iwon’tbetrayyou.”Hucklookedintotheoldman’shonesteyesamoment,thenbentoverandwhisperedinhisear––“’Tain’taSpaniard––it’sInjunJoe!”TheWelchmanalmostjumpedoutofhischair.Inamomenthesaid:“It’sallplainenough,now.Whenyoutalkedaboutnotchingears
170TheAdventuresofTomSawyerandslittingnosesIjudgedthatthatwasyourownembellishment,becausewhitemendon’ttakethatsortofrevenge.ButanInjun!That’sadifferentmatteraltogether.”Duringbreakfastthetalkwenton,andinthecourseofittheoldmansaidthatthelastthingwhichheandhissonshaddone,beforegoingtobed,wastogetalanternandexaminethestileanditsvicinityformarksofblood.Theyfoundnone,butcapturedabulkybundleof––“Ofwhat?”IfthewordshadbeenlightningtheycouldnothaveleapedwithamorestunningsuddennessfromHuck’sblanchedlips.Hiseyeswerestaringwide,now,andhisbreathsuspended––waitingfortheanswer.TheWelchmanstarted––staredinreturn––threeseconds––fiveseconds––ten––thenreplied––“Ofburglar’stools.Whywhat’sthematterwithyou?”Hucksankback,pantinggently,butdeeply,unutterablygrateful.TheWelchmaneyedhimgravely,curiously––andpresentlysaid––“Yes,burglar’stools.Thatappearstorelieveyouagooddeal.Butwhatdidgiveyouthatturn?Whatwereyouexpectingwe’dfound?”Huckwasinacloseplace––theinquiringeyewasuponhim––hewouldhavegivenanythingformaterialforaplausibleanswer––nothingsuggesteditself––theinquiringeyewasboringdeeperanddeeper––asenselessreplyoffered––therewasnotimetoweighit,soataventureheutteredit––feebly:“Sunday-schoolbooks,maybe.”PoorHuckwastoodistressedtosmile,buttheoldmanlaughedloudandjoyously,shookupthedetailsofhisanatomyfromheadtofoot,andendedbysayingthatsuchalaughwasmoneyinaman’spocket,becauseitcutdownthedoctor’sbillslikeeverything.Thenheadded:“Pooroldchap,you’rewhiteandjaded––youain’twellabit––nowonderyou’realittleflightyandoffyourbalance.Butyou’llcomeoutofit.Restandsleepwillfetchyououtallright,Ihope.”Huckwasirritatedtothinkhehadbeensuchagooseandbetrayedsuchasuspiciousexcitement,forhehaddroppedtheideathattheparcelbroughtfromthetavernwasthetreasure,assoonashehadheardthetalkatthewidow’sstile.Hehadonlythoughtitwasnotthetreasure,however––hehadnotknownthatitwasn’t––andsothesug-gestionofacapturedbundlewastoomuchforhisself-possession.
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer171Butonthewholehefeltgladthelittleepisodehadhappened,fornowheknewbeyondallquestionthatthatbundlewasnotthebun-dle,andsohismindwasatrestandexceedinglycomfortable.Infacteverythingseemedtobedriftingjustintherightdirection,now;thetreasuremustbestillinNo.2,themenwouldbecapturedandjailedthatday,andheandTomcouldseizethegoldthatnightwithoutanytroubleoranyfearofinterruption.Justasbreakfastwascompletedtherewasaknockatthedoor.Huckjumpedforahidingplace,forhehadnomindtobeconnectedevenremotelywiththelateevent.TheWelchmanadmittedseveralladiesandgentlemen,amongthemtheWidowDouglas,andnoticedthatgroupsofcitzenswereclimbingupthehill––tostareatthestile.Sothenewshadspread.TheWelchmanhadtotellthestoryofthenighttothevisitors.Thewidow’sgratitudeforherpreservationwasoutspoken.“Don’tsayawordaboutitmadam.There’sanotherthatyou’remorebeholdentothanyouaretomeandmyboys,maybe,buthedon’tallowmetotellhisname.Wewouldn’thavebeentherebutforhim.”Ofcoursethisexcitedacuriositysovastthatitalmostbelittledthemainmatter––buttheWelchmanallowedittoeatintothevitalsofhisvisitors,andthroughthembetransmittedtothewholetown,forherefusedtopartwithhissecret.Whenallelsehadbeenlearned,thewidowsaid:“Iwenttosleepreadinginbedandsleptstraightthroughallthatnoise.Whydidn’tyoucomeandwakeme?”“Wejudgeditwarn’tworthwhile.Thosefellowswarn’tlikelytocomeagain––theyhadn’tanytoolslefttoworkwith,andwhatwastheuseofwakingyouupandscaringyoutodeath?Mythreenegromenstoodguardatyourhousealltherestofthenight.They’vejustcomeback.”Morevisitorscame,andthestoryhadtobetoldandre-toldforacoupleofhoursmore.TherewasnoSabbath-schoolduringday-schoolvacation,buteverybodywasearlyatchurch.Thestirringeventwaswellcan-vassed.Newscamethatnotasignofthetwovillainshadbeenyetdiscovered.Whenthesermonwasfinished,JudgeThatcher’swifedroppedalongsideofMrs.Harperasshemoveddowntheaislewiththecrowdandsaid:
172TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“IsmyBeckygoingtosleepallday?Ijustexpectedshewouldbetiredtodeath.”“YourBecky?”“Yes,”withastartledlook,––“didn’tshestaywithyoulastnight?”“Why,no.”Mrs.Thatcherturnedpale,andsankintoapew,justasAuntPolly,talkingbrisklywithafriend,passedby.AuntPollysaid:“Goodmorning,Mrs.Thatcher.GoodmorningMrs.Harper.I’vegotaboythat’sturnedupmissing.IreckonmyTomstaidatyourhouselastnight––oneofyou.Andnowhe’safraidtocometochurch.I’vegottosettlewithhim.”Mrs.Thatchershookherheadfeeblyandturnedpalerthanever.“Hedidn’tstaywithus,”saidMrs.Harper,beginningtolookuneasy.AmarkedanxietycameintoAuntPolly’sface.“JoeHarper,haveyouseenmyTomthismorning?”“No’m.”“Whendidyouseehimlast?”Joetriedtoremember,butwasnotsurehecouldsay.Thepeoplehadstoppedmovingoutofchurch.Whisperspassedalong,andabodinguneasinesstookpossessionofeverycountenance.Childrenwereanxiouslyquestioned,andyoungteachers.TheyallsaidtheyhadnotnoticedwhetherTomandBeckywereonboardtheferry-boatonthehomewardtrip;itwasdark;noonethoughtofinquiringifanyonewasmissing.Oneyoungmanfinallyblurtedouthisfearthattheywerestillinthecave!Mrs.Thatcherswoonedaway.AuntPollyfelltocryingandwringingherhands.Thealarmsweptfromliptolip,fromgrouptogroup,fromstreettostreet,andwithinfiveminutesthebellswerewildlyclangingandthewholetownwasup!TheCardiffHillepisodesankintoinstantinsignificance,theburglarswereforgotten,horsesweresaddled,skiffsweremanned,theferry-boatorderedout,andbeforethehorrorwashalfanhourold,twohundredmenwerepouringdownhigh-roadandrivertowardthecave.Allthelongafternoonthevillageseemedemptyanddead.ManywomenvisitedAuntPollyandMrs.Thatcherandtriedtocomfortthem.Theycriedwiththem,too,andthatwasstillbetterthanwords.Allthetediousnightthetownwaitedfornews;butwhenthemorningdawnedatlast,allthewordthatcamewas,“Sendmorecandles––andsendfood.”Mrs.Thatcherwasalmostcrazed;andAuntPolly
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer173also.JudgeThatchersentmessagesofhopeandencouragementfromthecave,buttheyconveyednorealcheer.TheoldWelchmancamehometowarddaylight,spatteredwithcandlegrease,smearedwithclay,andalmostwornout.HefoundHuckstillinthebedthathadbeenprovidedforhim,anddeliriouswithfever.Thephysicianswereallatthecave,sotheWidowDouglascameandtookchargeofthepatient.Shesaidshewoulddoherbestbyhim,because,whetherhewasgood,bad,orindifferent,hewastheLord’s,andnothingthatwastheLord’swasathingtobeneg-lected.TheWelchmansaidHuckhadgoodspotsinhim,andthewidowsaid––“Youcandependonit.That’stheLord’smark.Hedon’tleaveitoff.Heneverdoes.Putsitsomewhereoneverycreaturethatcomesfromhishands.”Earlyintheforenoonpartiesofjadedmenbegantostraggleintothevillage,butthestrongestofthecitizenscontinuedsearching.Allthenewsthatcouldbegainedwasthatremotenessesofthecavernwerebeingransackedthathadneverbeenvisitedbefore;thateverycornerandcrevicewasgoingtobethoroughlysearched;thatwher-everonewanderedthroughthemazeofpassages,lightsweretobeseenflittinghitherandthitherinthedistance,andshoutingsandpistolshotssenttheirhollowreverberationstotheeardownthesombreaisles.Inoneplace,farfromthesectionusuallytraversedbytourists,thenames“Becky&Tom”hadbeenfoundtracedupontherockywallwithcandlesmoke,andnearathandagrease-soiledbitofribbon.Mrs.Thatcherrecognizedtheribbonandcriedoverit.Shesaiditwasthelastrelicsheshouldeverhaveofherchild;andthatnoothermemorialofhercouldeverbesoprecious,becausethisonepartedlatestfromthelivingbodybeforetheawfuldeathcame.Somesaidthatnowandthen,inthecave,afar-awayspeckoflightwouldglimmer,andthenagloriousshoutwouldburstforthandascoreofmengotroopingdowntheechoingaisle––andthenasicken-ingdisappointmentalwaysfollowed;thechildrenwerenotthere;itwasonlyasearcher’slight.Threedreadfuldaysandnightsdraggedtheirtedioushoursalong,andthevillagesankintoahopelessstupor.Noonehadheartforanything.Theaccidentaldiscovery,justmade,thattheproprietoroftheTemperanceTavernkeptliquoronhispremises,scarcelyflutteredthepublicpulse,tremendousasthefactwas.Inalucid
174TheAdventuresofTomSawyerinterval,Huckfeeblyleduptothesubjectoftaverns,andfinallyasked––dimlydreadingtheworst––ifanythinghadbeendiscoveredattheTemperanceTavernsincehehadbeenill?“Yes,”saidthewidow.Huckstartedupinbed,wild-eyed:“What!Whatwasit?”“Liquor!––andtheplacehasbeenshutup.Liedown,child––whataturnyoudidgiveme!”“Onlytellmejustonething––onlyjustone––please!WasitTomSawyerthatfoundit?”Thewidowburstintotears.“Hush,hush,child,hush!I’vetoldyoubefore,youmustnottalk.Youarevery,verysick!”Thennothingbutliquorhadbeenfound;therewouldhavebeenagreatpow-wowifithadbeenthegold.Sothetreasurewasgonefor-ever––goneforever!Butwhatcouldshebecryingabout?Curiousthatsheshouldcry.ThesethoughtsworkedtheirdimwaythroughHuck’smind,andunderthewearinesstheygavehimhefellasleep.Thewidowsaidtoherself:“There––he’sasleep,poorwreck.TomSawyerfindit!PitybutsomebodycouldfindTomSawyer!Ah,thereain’tmanyleft,now,that’sgothopeenough,orstrengthenough,either,togoonsearching.”
CHAPTERXXXINowtoreturntoTomandBecky’sshareinthepic-nic.Theytrippedalongthemurkyaisleswiththerestofthecompany,visitingthefamiliarwondersofthecave––wondersdubbedwithratherover-descriptivenames,suchas“TheDrawing-Room,”“TheCathedral,”“Aladdin’sPalace,”andsoon.Presentlythehide-and-seekfrolick-ingbegan,andTomandBeckyengagedinitwithzealuntiltheexertionbegantogrowatriflewearisome;thentheywandereddownasinuousavenueholdingtheircandlesaloftandreadingthetangledweb-workofnames,dates,post-officeaddressesandmottoeswithwhichtherockywallshadbeenfrescoed(incandlesmoke.)Stilldriftingalongandtalking,theyscarcelynoticedthattheywerenowinapartofthecavewhosewallswerenotfrescoed.Theysmokedtheirownnamesunderanoverhangingshelfandmovedon.Presentlytheycametoaplacewherealittlestreamofwater,tricklingoveraledgeandcarryingalimestonesedimentwithit,had,intheslow-draggingages,formedalacedandruffledNiagaraingleamingandimperishablestone.TomsqueezedhissmallbodybehinditinordertoilluminateitforBecky’sgratification.Hefoundthatitcurtainedasortofsteepnaturalstairwaywhichwasenclosedbetweennarrowwalls,andatoncetheambitiontobeadiscovererseizedhim.Beckyrespondedtohiscall,andtheymadeasmoke-markforfutureguid-ance,andstartedupontheirquest.Theywoundthiswayandthat,fardownintothesecretdepthsofthecave,madeanothermark,andbranchedoffinsearchofnoveltiestotelltheupperworldabout.Inoneplacetheyfoundaspaciouscavern,fromwhoseceilingdependedamultitudeofshiningstalactitesofthelengthandcircum-ferenceofaman’sleg;theywalkedallaboutit,wonderingandadmiring,andpresentlyleftitbyoneofthenumerouspassagesthatopenedintoit.Thisshortlybroughtthemtoabewitchingspring,whosebasinwasencrustedwithafrostworkofglitteringcrystals;itwasinthemidstofacavernwhosewallsweresupportedbymanyfantasticpillarswhichhadbeenformedbythejoiningofgreatstalactitesandstalagmitestogether,theresultoftheceaselesswater-dripofcenturies.Undertheroofvastknotsofbatshadpackedthemselvestogether,thousandsinabunch;thelightsdisturbedthe
176TheAdventuresofTomSawyercreaturesandtheycameflockingdownbyhundreds,squeakinganddartingfuriouslyatthecandles.Tomknewtheirwaysandthedangerofthissortofconduct.HeseizedBecky’shandandhurriedherintothefirstcorridorthatoffered;andnonetoosoon,forabatstruckBecky’slightoutwithitswingwhileshewaspassingoutofthecavern.Thebatschasedthechildrenagooddistance;butthefugitivesplungedintoeverynewpassagethatoffered,andatlastgotridoftheperilousthings.Tomfoundasubterraneanlake,shortly,whichstretcheditsdimlengthawayuntilitsshapewaslostintheshadows.Hewantedtoexploreitsborders,butconcludedthatitwouldbebesttositdownandrestawhile,first.Now,forthefirsttime,thedeepstillnessoftheplacelaidaclammyhanduponthespiritsofthechildren.Beckysaid––“Why,Ididn’tnotice,butitseemseversolongsinceIheardanyoftheothers.”“Cometothink,Becky,weareawaydownbelowthem––andIdon’tknowhowfarawaynorth,orsouth,oreast,orwhicheveritis.Wecouldn’thearthemhere.”Beckygrewapprehensive.“Iwonderhowlongwe’vebeendownhere,Tom.Webetterstartback.”“Yes,Ireckonwebetter.P’rapswebetter.”“Canyoufindtheway,Tom?It’sallamixed-upcrookednesstome.”“IreckonIcouldfindit––butthenthebats.Iftheyputbothourcandlesoutitwillbeanawfulfix.Let’strysomeotherway,soasnottogothroughthere.”“Well.ButIhopewewon’tgetlost.Itwouldbesoawful!”andthegirlshudderedatthethoughtofthedreadfulpossibilities.Theystartedthroughacorridor,andtraverseditinsilencealongway,glancingateachnewopening,toseeiftherewasanythingfamiliaraboutthelookofit;buttheywereallstrange.EverytimeTommadeanexamination,Beckywouldwatchhisfaceforanencouragingsign,andhewouldsaycheerily––“Oh,it’sallright.Thisain’ttheone,butwe’llcometoitrightaway!”Buthefeltlessandlesshopefulwitheachfailure,andpresentlybegantoturnoffintodivergingavenuesatsheerrandom,indesper-atehopeoffindingtheonethatwaswanted.Hestillsaiditwas“all
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer177right,”buttherewassuchaleadendreadathisheart,thatthewordshadlosttheirringandsoundedjustasifhehadsaid,“Allislost!”Beckyclungtohissideinananguishoffear,andtriedhardtokeepbackthetears,buttheywouldcome.Atlastshesaid:“O,Tom,nevermindthebats,let’sgobackthatway!Weseemtogetworseandworseoffallthetime.”Tomstopped.“Listen!”saidhe.Profoundsilence;silencesodeepthateventheirbreathingswereconspicuousinthehush.Tomshouted.Thecallwentechoingdowntheemptyaislesanddiedoutinthedistanceinafaintsoundthatresembledarippleofmockinglaughter.“Oh,don’tdoitagain,Tom,itistoohorrid,”saidBecky.“Itishorrid,butIbetter,Becky;theymighthearus,youknow”andheshoutedagain.The“might”wasevenachillierhorrorthantheghostlylaughter,itsoconfessedaperishinghope.Thechildrenstoodstillandlis-tened;buttherewasnoresult.Tomturneduponthebacktrackatonce,andhurriedhissteps.ItwasbutalittlewhilebeforeacertainindecisioninhismannerrevealedanotherfearfulfacttoBecky––hecouldnotfindhiswayback!“O,Tom,youdidn’tmakeanymarks!”“BeckyIwassuchafool!Suchafool!Ineverthoughtwemightwanttocomeback!No––Ican’tfindtheway.It’sallmixedup.”“Tom,Tom,we’relost!we’relost!Wenevercangetoutofthisawfulplace!O,whydidweeverleavetheothers!”ShesanktothegroundandburstintosuchafrenzyofcryingthatTomwasappalledwiththeideathatshemightdie,orloseherreason.Hesatdownbyherandputhisarmsaroundher;sheburiedherfaceinhisbosom,sheclungtohim,shepouredoutherterrors,herunavailingregrets,andthefarechoesturnedthemalltojeeringlaughter.Tombeggedhertopluckuphopeagain,andshesaidshecouldnot.Hefelltoblamingandabusinghimselfforgettingherintothismiserablesituation;thishadabettereffect.Shesaidshewouldtrytohopeagain,shewouldgetupandfollowwhereverhemightleadifonlyhewouldnottalklikethatanymore.Forhewasnomoretoblamethanshe,shesaid.Sotheymovedon,again––aimlessly––simplyatrandom––alltheycoulddowastomove,keepmoving.Foralittlewhile,hopemadea
178TheAdventuresofTomSawyershowofreviving––notwithanyreasontobackit,butonlybecauseitisitsnaturetorevivewhenthespringhasnotbeentakenoutofitbyageandfamiliaritywithfailure.ByandbyTomtookBecky’scandleandblewitout.Thiseconomymeantsomuch!Wordswerenotneeded.Beckyunderstood,andherhopediedagain.SheknewthatTomhadawholecandleandthreeorfourpiecesinhispockets––yethemusteconomise.Byandby,fatiguebegantoassertitsclaims;thechildrentriedtopaynoattention,foritwasdreadfultothinkofsittingdownwhentimewasgrowntobesoprecious;moving,insomedirection,inanydirection,wasatleastprogressandmightbearfruit;buttositdownwastoinvitedeathandshortenitspursuit.AtlastBecky’sfraillimbsrefusedtocarryherfarther.Shesatdown.Tomrestedwithher,andtheytalkedofhome,andthefriendsthere,andthecomfortablebedsandaboveall,thelight!Beckycried,andTomtriedtothinkofsomewayofcomfortingher,butallhisencouragementsweregrownthreadbarewithuse,andsoundedlikesarcasms.FatigueboresoheavilyuponBeckythatshedrowsedofftosleep.Tomwasgrateful.Hesatlookingintoherdrawnfaceandsawitgrowsmoothandnaturalundertheinfluenceofpleasantdreams;andbyandbyasmiledawnedandrestedthere.Thepeacefulfacereflectedsomewhatofpeaceandhealingintohisownspirit,andhisthoughtswanderedawaytoby-gonetimesanddreamymemories.Whilehewasdeepinhismusings,Beckywokeupwithabreezylittlelaugh––butitwasstrickendeaduponherlips,andagroanfollowedit.“Oh,howcouldIsleep!IwishInever,neverhadwaked!No!No,Idon’t,Tom!Don’tlookso!Iwon’tsayitagain.”“I’mgladyou’veslept,Becky;you’llfeelrested,now,andwe’llfindthewayout.”“Wecantry,Tom;butI’veseensuchabeautifulcountryinmydream.Ireckonwearegoingthere.”“Maybenot,maybenot.Cheerup,Becky,andlet’sgoontrying.”Theyroseupandwanderedalong,handinhandandhopeless.Theytriedtoestimatehowlongtheyhadbeeninthecave,butalltheyknewwasthatitseemeddaysandweeks,andyetitwasplainthatthiscouldnotbe,fortheircandleswerenotgoneyet.Alongtimeafterthis––theycouldnottellhowlong––Tomsaidtheymustgosoftlyandlistenfordrippingwater––theymustfindaspring.
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer179Theyfoundonepresently,andTomsaiditwastimetorestagain.Bothwerecruellytired,yetBeckysaidshethoughtshecouldgoonalittlefarther.ShewassurprisedtohearTomdissent.Shecouldnotunderstandit.Theysatdown,andTomfastenedhiscandletothewallinfrontofthemwithsomeclay.Thoughtwassoonbusy;nothingwassaidforsometime.ThenBeckybrokethesilence:“Tom,Iamsohungry!”Tomtooksomethingoutofhispocket.“Doyourememberthis?”saidhe.Beckyalmostsmiled.“It’sourweddingcake,Tom.”“Yes––Iwishitwasasbigasabarrel,forit’sallwe’vegot.”“Isaveditfromthepic-nicforustodreamon,Tom,thewaygrown-uppeopledowithweddingcake––butit’llbeour––”Shedroppedthesentencewhereitwas.TomdividedthecakeandBeckyatewithgoodappetite,whileTomnibbledathismoiety.Therewasabundanceofcoldwatertofinishthefeastwith.ByandbyBeckysuggestedthattheymoveonagain.Tomwassilentamoment.Thenhesaid:“Becky,canyoubearitifItellyousomething?”Becky’sfacepaled,butshethoughtshecould.“Wellthen,Becky,wemuststayhere,wherethere’swatertodrink.Thatlittlepieceisourlastcandle!”Beckygaveloosetotearsandwailings.Tomdidwhathecouldtocomfortherbutwithlittleeffect.AtlengthBeckysaid:“Tom!”“Well,Becky?”“They’llmissusandhuntforus!”“Yes,theywill!Certainlytheywill!”“Maybethey’rehuntingforusnow,Tom.”“WhyIreckonmaybetheyare.Ihopetheyare.”“Whenwouldtheymissus,Tom?”“Whentheygetbacktotheboat,Ireckon.”“Tom,itmightbedark,then––wouldtheynoticewehadn’tcome?”“Idon’tknow.Butanyway,yourmotherwouldmissyouassoonastheygothome.”AfrightenedlookinBecky’sfacebroughtTomtohissensesandhesawthathehadmadeablunder.Beckywasnottohavegonehome
180TheAdventuresofTomSawyerthatnight!Thechildrenbecamesilentandthoughtful.InamomentanewburstofgrieffromBeckyshowedTomthatthethinginhismindhadstruckhersalso––thattheSabbathmorningmightbehalfspentbeforeMrs.ThatcherdiscoveredthatBeckywasnotatMrs.Harper’s.Thechildrenfastenedtheireyesupontheirbitofcandleandwatcheditmeltslowlyandpitilesslyaway;sawthehalfinchofwickstandaloneatlast;sawthefeebleflameriseandfall,climbthethincolumnofsmoke,lingeratitstopamoment,andthen––thehorrorofutterdarknessreigned!HowlongafterwarditwasthatBeckycametoaslowconscious-nessthatshewascryinginTom’sarms,neithercouldtell.Allthattheyknewwas,thatafterwhatseemedamightystretchoftime,bothawokeoutofadeadstuporofsleepandresumedtheirmiseriesoncemore.TomsaiditmightbeSunday,now––maybeMonday.HetriedtogetBeckytotalk,buthersorrowsweretoooppressive,allherhopesweregone.Tomsaidthattheymusthavebeenmissedlongago,andnodoubtthesearchwasgoingon.Hewouldshoutandmaybesomeonewouldcome.Hetriedit;butinthedarknessthedistantechoessoundedsohideouslythathetrieditnomore.Thehourswastedaway,andhungercametotormentthecaptivesagain.AportionofTom’shalfofthecakewasleft;theydividedandateit.Buttheyseemedhungrierthanbefore.Thepoormorseloffoodonlywhetteddesire.ByandbyTomsaid:“Sh!Didyouhearthat?”Bothheldtheirbreathandlistened.Therewasasoundlikethefaintest,far-offshout.InstantlyTomansweredit,andleadingBeckybythehand,startedgropingdownthecorridorinitsdirec-tion.Presentlyhelistenedagain;againthesoundwasheard,andapparentlyalittlenearer.“It’sthem!”saidTom;“they’recoming!ComealongBecky––we’reallrightnow!”Thejoyoftheprisonerswasalmostoverwhelming.Theirspeedwasslow,however,becausepitfallsweresomewhatcommon,andhadtobeguardedagainst.Theyshortlycametooneandhadtostop.Itmightbethreefeetdeep,itmightbeahundred––therewasnopassingitatanyrate.Tomgotdownonhisbreastandreachedasfardownashecould.Nobottom.Theymuststaythereandwaituntil
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer181thesearcherscame.Theylistened;evidentlythedistantshoutingsweregrowingmoredistant!amomentortwomoreandtheyhadgonealtogether.Theheart-sinkingmiseryofit!Tomwhoopeduntilhewashoarse,butitwasofnouse.HetalkedhopefullytoBecky;butanageofanxiouswaitingpassedandnosoundscameagain.Thechildrengropedtheirwaybacktothespring.Thewearytimedraggedon;theysleptagain,andawokefamishedandwoe-stricken.TombelieveditmustbeTuesdaybythistime.Nowanideastruckhim.Thereweresomesidepassagesnearathand.Itwouldbebettertoexploresomeofthesethanbeartheweightoftheheavytimeinidleness.Hetookakite-linefromhispocket,tiedittoaprojection,andheandBeckystarted,Tominthelead,unwindingthelineashegropedalong.Attheendoftwentystepsthecorridorendedina“jumping-offplace.”Tomgotdownonhiskneesandfeltbelow,andthenasfararoundthecornerashecouldreachwithhishandsconveniently;hemadeanefforttostretchyetalittlefurthertotheright,andatthatmoment,nottwentyyardsaway,ahumanhand,holdingacandle,appearedfrombehindarock!Tomliftedupagloriousshout,andinstantlythathandwasfollowedbythebodyitbelongedto––InjunJoe’s!Tomwasparalyzed;hecouldnotmove.Hewasvastlygratifiedthenextmoment,toseethe“Spaniard”taketohisheelsandgethimselfoutofsight.Tomwon-deredthatJoehadnotrecognizedhisvoiceandcomeoverandkilledhimfortestifyingincourt.Buttheechoesmusthavedisguisedthevoice.Withoutdoubt,thatwasit,hereasoned.Tom’sfrightweak-enedeverymuscleinhisbody.Hesaidtohimselfthatifhehadstrengthenoughtogetbacktothespringhewouldstaythere,andnothingshouldtempthimtoruntheriskofmeetingInjunJoeagain.HewascarefultokeepfromBeckywhatitwashehadseen.Hetoldherhehadonlyshouted“forluck.”Buthungerandwretchednessrisesuperiortofearsinthelongrun.Anothertediouswaitatthespringandanotherlongsleepbroughtchanges.Thechildrenawoketorturedwitharaginghunger.TombelievedthatitmustbeWednesdayorThursdayorevenFridayorSaturday,now,andthatthesearchhadbeengivenover.Heproposedtoexploreanotherpassage.HefeltwillingtoriskInjunJoeandallotherterrors.ButBeckywasveryweak.Shehadsunkintoadrearyapathyandwouldnotberoused.Shesaidshewouldwait,now,whereshewas,anddie––itwouldnotbelong.ShetoldTomto
182TheAdventuresofTomSawyergowiththekite-lineandexploreifhechose;butsheimploredhimtocomebackeverylittlewhileandspeaktoher;andshemadehimpromisethatwhentheawfultimecame,hewouldstaybyherandholdherhanduntilallwasover.Tomkissedher,withachokingsensationinhisthroat,andmadeashowofbeingconfidentoffindingthesearchersoranescapefromthecave;thenhetookthekite-lineinhishandandwentgropingdownoneofthepassagesonhishandsandknees,distressedwithhungerandsickwithbodingsofcomingdoom.
CHAPTERXXXIITuesdayafternooncame,andwanedtothetwilight.ThevillageofSt.Petersburgstillmourned.Thelostchildrenhadnotbeenfound.Publicprayershadbeenofferedupforthem,andmanyandmanyaprivateprayerthathadthepetitioner’swholeheartinit;butstillnogoodnewscamefromthecave.Themajorityofthesearchershadgivenupthequestandgonebacktotheirdailyavocations,sayingthatitwasplainthechildrencouldneverbefound.Mrs.Thatcherwasveryill,andagreatpartofthetimedelirious.Peoplesaiditwasheartbreakingtohearhercallherchild,andraiseherheadandlistenawholeminuteatatime,thenlayitwearilydownagainwithamoan.AuntPollyhaddroopedintoasettledmelancholy,andhergrayhairhadgrownalmostwhite.ThevillagewenttoitsrestonTuesdaynight,sadandforlorn.Awayinthemiddleofthenightawildpealburstfromthevillagebells,andinamomentthestreetswereswarmingwithfrantichalf-cladpeople,whoshouted,“Turnout!turnout!they’refound!they’refound!”Tinpansandhornswereaddedtothedin,thepopu-lationmasseditselfandmovedtowardtheriver,metthechildrencominginanopencarriagedrawnbyshoutingcitizens,throngedaroundit,joineditshomewardmarch,andsweptmagnificentlyupthemainstreetroaringhuzzahafterhuzzah!Thevillagewasilluminated;nobodywenttobedagain;itwasthegreatestnightthelittletownhadeverseen.DuringthefirsthalfhouraprocessionofvillagersfiledthroughJudgeThatcher’shouse,seizedthesavedonesandkissedthem,squeezedMrs.Thatcher’shand,triedtospeakbutcouldn’t––anddriftedoutrainingtearsallovertheplace.AuntPolly’shappinesswascomplete,andMrs.Thatcher’snearlyso.Itwouldbecomplete,however,assoonasthemessengerdis-patchedwiththegreatnewstothecaveshouldgetthewordtoherhusband.Tomlayuponasofawithaneagerauditoryabouthimandtoldthehistoryofthewonderfuladventure,puttinginmanystrikingadditionstoadornitwithal;andclosedwithadescriptionofhowheleftBeckyandwentonanexploringexpedition;howhefollowedtwoavenuesasfarashiskite-linewouldreach;howhefollowedathirdto
184TheAdventuresofTomSawyerthefulleststretchofthekite-line,andwasabouttoturnbackwhenheglimpsedafar-offspeckthatlookedlikedaylight;droppedthelineandgropedtowardit,pushedhisheadandshouldersthroughasmallholeandsawthebroadMississippirollingby!Andifithadonlyhappenedtobenighthewouldnothaveseenthatspeckofdaylightandwouldnothaveexploredthatpassageanymore!HetoldhowhewentbackforBeckyandbrokethegoodnewsandshetoldhimnottofretherwithsuchstuff,forshewastired,andknewshewasgoingtodie,andwantedto.Hedescribedhowhelaboredwithherandconvincedher;andhowshealmostdiedforjoywhenshehadgropedtowheresheactuallysawthebluespeckofdaylight;howhepushedhiswayoutattheholeandthenhelpedherout;howtheysatthereandcriedforgladness;howsomemencamealonginaskiffandTomhailedthemandtoldthemtheirsituationandtheirfam-ishedcondition;howthemendidn’tbelievethewildtaleatfirst,“because,”saidthey,“youarefivemilesdowntheriverbelowthevalleythecaveisin”––thentookthemaboard,rowedtoahouse,gavethemsupper,madethemresttilltwoorthreehoursafterdarkandthenbroughtthemhome.Beforeday-dawn,JudgeThatcherandthehandfulofsearcherswithhimweretrackedout,inthecave,bythetwineclewstheyhadstrungbehindthem,andinformedofthegreatnews.Threedaysandnightsoftoilandhungerinthecavewerenottobeshakenoffatonce,asTomandBeckysoondiscovered.TheywerebedriddenallofWednesdayandThursday,andseemedtogrowmoreandmoretiredandworn,allthetime.Tomgotabout,alittle,onThursday,wasdowntownFriday,andnearlyaswholeaseverSaturday;butBeckydidnotleaveherroomuntilSunday,andthenshelookedasifshehadpassedthroughawastingillness.TomlearnedofHuck’ssicknessandwenttoseehimonFriday,butcouldnotbeadmittedtothebedroom;neithercouldheonSaturdayorSunday.Hewasadmitteddailyafterthat,butwaswarnedtokeepstillabouthisadventureandintroducenoexcitingtopic.ThewidowDouglasstaidbytoseethatheobeyed.AthomeTomlearnedoftheCardiffHillevent;alsothatthe“raggedman’s”bodyhadeventuallybeenfoundintheriverneartheferrylanding;hehadbeendrownedwhiletryingtoescape,perhaps.AboutafortnightafterTom’srescuefromthecave,hestartedofftovisitHuck,whohadgrownplentystrongenough,now,tohear
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer185excitingtalk,andTomhadsomethatwouldinteresthim,hethought.JudgeThatcher’shousewasonTom’sway,andhestoppedtoseeBecky.TheJudgeandsomefriendssetTomtotalking,andsomeoneaskedhimironicallyifhewouldn’tliketogotothecaveagain.Tomsaidhethoughthewouldn’tmindit.TheJudgesaid:“Well,thereareothersjustlikeyou,Tom,I’venottheleastdoubt.Butwehavetakencareofthat.Nobodywillgetlostinthatcaveanymore.”“Why?”“BecauseIhaditsbigdoorsheathedwithboilerirontwoweeksago,andtriple-locked––andI’vegotthekeys.”Tomturnedaswhiteasasheet.“What’sthematter,boy!Here,run,somebody!Fetchaglassofwater!”ThewaterwasbroughtandthrownintoTom’sface.“Ah,nowyou’reallright.Whatwasthematterwithyou,Tom?”“Oh,Judge,InjunJoe’sinthecave!”
CHAPTERXXXIIIWithinafewminutesthenewshadspread,andadozenskiff-loadsofmenwereontheirwaytoMcDougal’scave,andtheferry-boat,wellfilledwithpassengers,soonfollowed.TomSawyerwasintheskiffthatboreJudgeThatcher.Whenthecavedoorwasunlocked,asorrowfulsightpresenteditselfinthedimtwilightoftheplace.InjunJoelaystretchedupontheground,dead,withhisfaceclosetothecrackofthedoor,asifhislongingeyeshadbeenfixed,tothelatestmoment,uponthelightandthecheerofthefreeworldoutside.Tomwastouched,forheknewbyhisownexperiencehowthiswretchhadsuffered.Hispitywasmoved,butneverthelesshefeltanaboundingsenseofreliefandsecurity,now,whichrevealedtohiminadegreewhichhehadnotfullyappreciatedbeforehowvastaweightofdreadhadbeenlyinguponhimsincethedayheliftedhisvoiceagainstthisbloody-mindedoutcast.InjunJoe’sbowieknifelaycloseby,itsbladebrokenintwo.Thegreatfoundation-beamofthedoorhadbeenchippedandhackedthrough,withtediouslabor;uselesslabor,too,itwas,forthenativerockformedasilloutsideit,anduponthatstubbornmaterialtheknifehadwroughtnoeffect;theonlydamagedonewastotheknifeitself.Butiftherehadbeennostonyobstructiontherethelaborwouldhavebeenuselessstill,forifthebeamhadbeenwhollycutawayInjunJoecouldnothavesqueezedhisbodyunderthedoor,andheknewit.Sohehadonlyhackedthatplaceinordertobedoingsomething––inordertopassthewearytime––inordertoemployhistorturedfaculties.Ordinarilyonecouldfindhalfadozenbitsofcandlestuckaroundinthecrevicesofthisvestibule,lefttherebytourists;buttherewerenonenow.Theprisonerhadsearchedthemoutandeatenthem.Hehadalsocontrivedtocatchafewbats,andthese,also,hehadeaten,leavingonlytheirclaws.Thepoorunfortunatehadstarvedtodeath.Inoneplacenearathand,astalagmitehadbeenslowlygrowingupfromthegroundforages,buildedbythewater-dripfromastalactiteoverhead.Thecaptivehadbrokenoffthestalagmite,anduponthestumphadplacedastone,whereinhehadscoopedashallowhollowtocatchtheprecious
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer187dropthatfellonceineverythreeminuteswiththedrearyregularityofaclock-tick––adessertspoonfulonceinfourandtwentyhours.ThatdropwasfallingwhenthePyramidswerenew;whenTroyfell;whenthefoundationsofRomewerelaid;whenChristwascrucified;whentheConquerorcreatedtheBritishempire;whenColumbussailed;whenthemassacreatLexingtonwas“news.”Itisfallingnow;itwillstillbefallingwhenallthesethingsshallhavesunkdowntheafternoonofhistory,andthetwilightoftradition,andbeenswallowedupinthethicknightofoblivion.Haseverythingapur-poseandamission?Didthisdropfallpatientlyduringfivethousandyearstobereadyforthisflittinghumaninsect’sneed?andhasitanotherimportantobjecttoaccomplishtenthousandyearstocome?Nomatter.Itismanyandmanyayearsincethehaplesshalf-breedscoopedoutthestonetocatchthepricelessdrops,buttothisdaythetouriststareslongestatthatpatheticstoneandthatslowdrop-pingwaterwhenhecomestoseethewondersofMcDougal’scave.InjunJoe’scupstandsfirstinthelistofthecavern’smarvels;even“Aladdin’sPalace”cannotrivalit.InjunJoewasburiednearthemouthofthecave;andpeopleflockedthereinboatsandwagonsfromthetownsandfromallthefarmsandhamletsforsevenmilesaround;theybroughttheirchild-ren,andallsortsofprovisions,andconfessedthattheyhadhadalmostassatisfactoryatimeatthefuneralastheycouldhavehadatthehanging.Thisfuneralstoppedthefurthergrowthofonething––thepetitiontothegovernorforInjunJoe’spardon.Thepetitionhadbeenlargelysigned;manytearfulandeloquentmeetingshadbeenheld,andacommitteeofsappywomenbeenappointedtogoindeepmourningandwailaroundthegovernor,andimplorehimtobeamercifulassandtramplehisdutyunderfoot.InjunJoewasbelievedtohavekilledfivecitizensofthevillage,butwhatofthat?IfhehadbeenSatanhimselftherewouldhavebeenplentyofweaklingsreadytoscribbletheirnamestoapardon-petition,anddripatearonitfromtheirpermanentlyimpairedandleakywater-works.ThemorningafterthefuneralTomtookHucktoaprivateplacetohaveanimportanttalk.HuckhadlearnedallaboutTom’sadventurefromtheWelchmanandtheWidowDouglas,bythistime,butTomsaidhereckonedtherewasonethingtheyhadnottoldhim;thatthingwaswhathewantedtotalkaboutnow.Huck’sfacesaddened.Hesaid:
188TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Iknowwhatitis.YougotintoNo.2andneverfoundanythingbutwhisky.Nobodytoldmeitwasyou;butIjustknoweditmust’a’benyou,soonasIheard’boutthatwhiskybusiness;andIknowedyouhadn’tgotthemoneybecuzyou’d’a’gotatmesomewayorotherandtoldmeevenifyouwasmumtoeverybodyelse.Tom,something’salwaystoldmewe’dnevergetholtofthatswag.”“WhyHuck,Inevertoldonthattavern-keeper.YouknowhistavernwasallrighttheSaturdayIwenttothepic-nic.Don’tyourememberyouwastowatchtherethatnight?”“Oh,yes!Whyitseems’boutayearago.ItwasthatverynightthatIfolleredInjunJoetothewidder’s.”“Youfollowedhim?”“Yes––butyoukeepmum.IreckonInjunJoe’sleftfriendsbehindhim,andIdon’twant’emsouringonmeanddoingmemeantricks.Ifithadn’tbenformehe’dbedowninTexasnow,allright.”ThenHucktoldhisentireadventureinconfidencetoTom,whohadonlyheardoftheWelchmen’spartofitbefore.“Well,”saidHuck,presently,comingbacktothemainquestion,“whoevernippedthewhiskyinNo.2,nippedthemoneytoo,Ireckon––anywaysit’sagonerforus,Tom.”“Huck,thatmoneywasn’teverinNo.2!”“What!”Hucksearchedhiscomrade’sfacekeenly.“Tom,haveyougotonthetrackofthatmoneyagain?”“Huck,it’sinthecave!”Huck’seyesblazed.“Sayitagain,Tom!”“Themoney’sinthecave!”“Tom,––honestinjun,now––isitfun,orearnest?”“Earnest,Huck––justasearnestaseverIwasinmylife.Willyougointherewithmeandhelpgetitout?”“IbetIwill!Iwillifit’swherewecanblazeourwaytoitandnotgetlost.”“Huck,wecandothatwithouttheleastlittlebitoftroubleintheworld.”“Goodaswheat!Whatmakesyouthinkthemoney’s––”“Huck,youjustwaittillwegetinthere.Ifwedon’tfinditI’llagreetogiveyoumydrumandeverythingI’vegotintheworld.Iwill,byjings.”“Allright––it’sawhiz.Whendoyousay?”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer189“Rightnow,ifyousayit.Areyoustrongenough?”“Isitfarinthecave?Ibenonmypinsalittle,threeorfourdays,now,butIcan’twalkmore’namile,Tom––leastIdon’tthinkIcould.”“It’saboutfivemileintotherethewayanybodybutmewouldgo,Huck,butthere’samightyshortcutthattheydon’tanybodybutmeknowabout.Huck,I’lltakeyourighttoitinaskiff.I’llfloattheskiffdownthere,andI’llpullitbackagainallbymyself.Youneedn’teverturnyourhandover.”“Lessstartrightoff,Tom.”“Allright.Wewantsomebreadandmeat,andourpipes,andalittlebagortwo,andtwoorthreekite-strings,andsomeofthesenewfangledthingstheycalllucifermatches.*Itellyoumany’sthetimeIwishedIhadsomewhenIwasintherebefore.”Atrifleafternoontheboysborrowedasmallskifffromacitizenwhowasabsent,andgotunderwayatonce.Whentheywereseveralmilesbelow“CaveHollow,”Tomsaid:“Nowyouseethisbluffherelooksallalikeallthewaydownfromthecavehollow––nohouses,nowood-yards,bushesallalike.Butdoyouseethatwhiteplaceupyonderwherethere’sbeenalandslide?Wellthat’soneofmymarks.We’llgetashore,now.”Theylanded.“NowHuck,wherewe’rea-standingyoucouldtouchthatholeIgotoutofwithafishing-pole.Seeifyoucanfindit.”Hucksearchedalltheplaceabout,andfoundnothing.Tomproudlymarchedintoathickclumpofsumachbushesandsaid––“Hereyouare!Lookatit,Huck;it’sthesnuggestholeinthiscountry.Youjustkeepmumaboutit.AllalongI’vebeenwantingtobearobber,butIknewI’dgottohaveathinglikethis,andwheretorunacrossitwasthebother.We’vegotitnow,andwe’llkeepitquiet,onlywe’llletJoeHarperandBenRogersin––becauseofcoursethere’sgottobeaGang,orelsetherewouldn’tbeanystyleaboutit.TomSawyer’sGang––itsoundssplendid,don’tit,Huck?”“Well,itjustdoes,Tom.Andwho’llwerob?”“Oh,mostanybody.Waylaypeople––that’smostlytheway.”“Andkillthem?”“No––notalways.Hivetheminthecavetilltheyraisearansom.”“What’saransom?”
190TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Money.Youmakethemraisealltheycan,off’ntheirfriends;andafteryou’vekeptthemayear,ifitain’traisedthenyoukillthem.That’sthegeneralway.Onlyyoudon’tkillthewomen.Youshutupthewomen,butyoudon’tkillthem.They’realwaysbeautifulandrich,andawfullyscared.Youtaketheirwatchesandthings,butyoualwaystakeyourhatoffandtalkpolite.Theyain’tanybodyaspoliteasrobbers––you’llseethatinanybook.Wellthewomengettolovingyou,andafterthey’vebeeninthecaveaweekortwoweekstheystopcryingandafterthatyoucouldn’tgetthemtoleave.Ifyoudrovethemoutthey’dturnrightaroundandcomeback.It’ssoinallthebooks.”“Whyit’srealbully,Tom.Ib’lieveit’sbetter’ntobeapirate.”“Yes,it’sbetterinsomeways,becauseit’sclosetohomeandcircusesandallthat.”Bythistimeeverythingwasreadyandtheboysenteredthehole,Tominthelead.Theytoiledtheirwaytothefartherendofthetunnel,thenmadetheirsplicedkite-stringsfastandmovedon.AfewstepsbroughtthemtothespringandTomfeltashudderquiverallthroughhim.HeshowedHuckthefragmentofcandle-wickperchedonalumpofclayagainstthewall,anddescribedhowheandBeckyhadwatchedtheflamestruggleandexpire.Theboysbegantoquietdowntowhispers,now,forthestillnessandgloomoftheplaceoppressedtheirspirits.Theywenton,andpresentlyenteredandfollowedTom’sothercorridoruntiltheyreachedthe“jumping-offplace.”Thecandlesrevealedthefactthatitwasnotreallyaprecipice,butonlyasteepclayhilltwentyorthirtyfeethigh.Tomwhispered––“NowI’llshowyousomething,Huck.”Heheldhiscandlealoftandsaid––“Lookasfararoundthecornerasyoucan.Doyouseethat?There––onthebigrockoveryonder––donewithcandlesmoke.”“Tom,it’sacross!”“Nowwhere’syourNumberTwo?‘Underthecross,’hey?Rightyonder’swhereIsawInjunJoepokeuphiscandle,Huck!”Huckstaredatthemysticsignawhile,andthensaidwithashakyvoice––“Tom,lessgitoutofhere!”“What!andleavethetreasure?”“Yes––leaveit.InjunJoe’sghostisroundaboutthere,certain.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer191“Noitain’t,Huck,noitain’t.Itwouldha’nttheplacewherehedied––awayoutatthemouthofthecave––fivemilefromhere.”“No,Tom,itwouldn’t.Itwouldhangroundthemoney.Iknowthewaysofghosts,andsodoyou.”TombegantofearthatHuckwasright.Misgivingsgatheredinhismind.Butpresentlyanideaoccurredtohim––“Lookyhere,Huck,whatfoolswe’remakingofourselves!InjunJoe’sghostain’tagoingtocomearoundwherethere’sacross!”Thepointwaswelltaken.Ithaditseffect.“TomIdidn’tthinkofthat.Butthat’sso.It’sluckforus,thatcrossis.Ireckonwe’llclimbdownthereandhaveahuntforthatbox.”Tomwentfirst,cuttingrudestepsintheclayhillashedescended.Huckfollowed.Fouravenuesopenedoutofthesmallcavernwhichthegreatrockstoodin.Theboysexaminedthreeofthemwithnoresult.Theyfoundasmallrecessintheonenearestthebaseoftherock,withapalletofblanketsspreaddowninit;alsoanoldsuspender,somebaconrhind,andthewellgnawedbonesoftwoorthreefowls.Buttherewasnomoneybox.Theladssearchedandre-searchedthisplace,butinvain.Tomsaid:“Hesaidunderthecross.Well,thiscomesnearesttobeingunderthecross.Itcan’tbeundertherockitself,becausethatsetssolidontheground.”Theysearchedeverywhereoncemore,andthensatdowndiscour-aged.Huckcouldsuggestnothing.ByandbyTomsaid:“Lookyhere,Huck,there’sfoot-printsandsomecandlegreaseontheclayaboutonesideofthisrock,butnotontheothersides.Nowwhat’sthatfor?Ibetyouthemoneyisundertherock.I’mgoingtodigintheclay.”“Thatain’tnobadnotion,Tom!”saidHuckwithanimation.Tom’s“realBarlow”wasoutatonce,andhehadnotdugfourinchesbeforehestruckwood.“Hey,Huck!––youhearthat?”Huckbegantodigandscratchnow.Someboardsweresoonuncoveredandremoved.Theyhadconcealedanaturalchasmwhichledundertherock.Tomgotintothisandheldhiscandleasfarundertherockashecould,butsaidhecouldnotseetotheendoftherift.Heproposedtoexplore.Hestoopedandpassedunder;thenarrowwaydescendedgradually.Hefolloweditswindingcourse,
192TheAdventuresofTomSawyerfirsttotheright,thentotheleft,Huckathisheels.Tomturnedashortcurve,byandby,andexclaimed––“Mygoodness,Huck,lookyhere!”Itwasthetreasurebox,sureenough,occupyingasnuglittlecav-ern,alongwithanemptypowderkeg,acoupleofgunsinleathercases,twoorthreepairsofoldmoccasins,aleatherbelt,andsomeotherrubbishwellsoakedwiththewater-drip.“Gotitatlast!”saidHuck,plowingamongthetarnishedcoinswithhishand.“My,butwe’rerich,Tom!”“Huck,Ialwaysreckonedwe’dgetit.It’sjusttoogoodtobelieve,butwehavegotit,sure!Say––let’snotfoolaroundhere.Let’ssnakeitout.LemmeseeifIcanliftthebox.”Itweighedaboutfiftypounds.Tomcouldliftit,afteranawkwardfashion,butcouldnotcarryitconveniently.“Ithoughtso,”hesaid;“theycarrieditlikeitwasheavy,thatdayattheha’ntedhouse.Inoticedthat.IreckonIwasrighttothinkoffetchingthelittlebagsalong.”Themoneywassooninthebagsandtheboystookituptothecross-rock.“Nowlessfetchthegunsandthings,”saidHuck.“No,Huck––leavethemthere.They’rejustthetrickstohavewhenwegotorobbing.We’llkeepthemthereallthetime,andwe’llholdourorgiesthere,too.It’sanawfulsnugplacefororgies.”“What’sorgies?”“Idono.Butrobbersalwayshaveorgies,andofcoursewe’vegottohavethem,too.Comealong,Huck,we’vebeeninherealongtime.It’sgettinglate,Ireckon.I’mhungry,too.We’lleatandsmokewhenwegettotheskiff.”Theypresentlyemergedintotheclumpofsumachbushes,lookedwarilyout,foundthecoastclear,andweresoonlunchingandsmok-ingintheskiff.Asthesundippedtowardthehorizontheypushedoutandgotunderway.Tomskimmeduptheshorethroughthelongtwilight,chattingcheerilywithHuck,andlandedshortlyafterdark.“NowHuck,”saidTom,“we’llhidethemoneyintheloftofthewidow’swood-shed,andI’llcomeupinthemorningandwe’llcountitanddivide,andthenwe’llhuntupaplaceoutinthewoodsforitwhereitwillbesafe.JustyoulayquiethereandwatchthestufftillIrunandhookBennyTaylor’slittlewagon;Iwon’tbegoneaminute.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer193Hedisappeared,andpresentlyreturnedwiththewagon,putthetwosmallsacksintoit,threwsomeoldragsontopofthem,andstartedoff,dragginghiscargobehindhim.WhentheboysreachedtheWelchman’shouse,theystoppedtorest.Justastheywereabouttomoveon,theWelchmansteppedoutandsaid:“Hallo,who’sthat?”“HuckandTomSawyer.”“Good!Comealongwithme,boys,youarekeepingeverybodywaiting.Here––hurryup,trotahead––I’llhaulthewagonforyou.Why,it’snotaslightasitmightbe.Gotbricksinit?––oroldmetal?”“Oldmetal,”saidTom.“Ijudgedso;theboysinthistownwilltakemoretroubleandfoolawaymoretime,huntingupsixbit’sworthofoldirontoselltothefoundrythantheywouldtomaketwicethemoneyatregularwork.Butthat’shumannature––hurryalong,hurryalong!”Theboyswantedtoknowwhatthehurrywasabout.“Nevermind;you’llsee,whenwegettotheWidowDouglas’s.”Hucksaidwithsomeapprehension––forhewaslongusedtobeingfalselyaccused––“Mr.Jones,wehaven’tbeendoingnothing.”TheWelchmanlaughed.“Well,Idon’tknow,Huck,myboy.Idon’tknowaboutthat.Ain’tyouandthewidowgoodfriends?”“Yes.Well,she’sbengoodfriendstome,anyways.”“Allright,then.Whatdoyouwanttobeafraidfor?”ThisquestionwasnotentirelyansweredinHuck’sslowmindbeforehefoundhimselfpushed,alongwithTom,intoMrs.Douglas’sdrawing-room.Mr.Jonesleftthewagonnearthedoorandfollowed.Theplacewasgrandlylighted,andeverybodythatwasofanyconsequenceinthevillagewasthere.TheThatcherswerethere,theHarpers,theRogerses,AuntPolly,Sid,Mary,theminister,theeditor,andagreatmanymore,andalldressedintheirbest.Thewidowreceivedtheboysasheartilyasanyonecouldwellreceivetwosuchlookingbeings.Theywerecoveredwithclayandcandlegrease.AuntPollyblushedcrimsonwithhumiliation,andfrownedandshookherheadatTom.Nobodysufferedhalfasmuchasthetwoboysdid,however.Mr.Jonessaid:“Tomwasn’tathome,yet,soIgavehimup;butIstumbledon
194TheAdventuresofTomSawyerhimandHuckrightatmydoor,andsoIjustbroughtthemalonginahurry.”“Andyoudidjustright,”saidthewidow:––“Comewithme,boys.”Shetookthemtoabedchamberandsaid:“Nowwashanddressyourselves.Herearetwonewsuitsofclothes––shirts,socks,everythingcomplete.They’reHuck’s––no,nothanks,Huck––Mr.JonesboughtoneandItheother.Butthey’llfitbothofyou.Getintothem.We’llwait––comedownwhenyouareslickedupenough.”Thensheleft.
CHAPTERXXXIVHucksaid:“Tom,wecanslope,ifwecanfindarope.Thewindowain’thighfromtheground.”“Shucks,whatdoyouwanttoslopefor?”“WellIain’tusedtothatkindofacrowd.Ican’tstandit.Iain’tgoingdownthere,Tom.”“O,bother!Itain’tanything.Idon’tminditabit.I’lltakecareofyou.”Sidappeared.“Tom,”saidhe,“Auntiehasbeenwaitingforyoualltheafter-noon.MarygotyourSundayclothesready,andeverybody’sbeenfrettingaboutyou.Say––ain’tthisgreaseandclay,onyourclothes?”“NowMr.Siddy,youjist’tendtoyourownbusiness.What’sallthisblow-outabout,anyway?”“It’soneofthewidow’spartiesthatshe’salwayshaving.ThistimeitsfortheWelchmanandhissons,onaccountofthatscrapetheyhelpedheroutoftheothernight.Andsay––Icantellyousomething,ifyouwanttoknow.”“Well,what?”“WhyoldMr.Jonesisgoingtotrytospringsomethingonthepeoplehereto-night,butIoverheardhimtellauntieto-dayaboutit,asasecret,butIreckonit’snotmuchofasecretnow.Everybodyknows––thewidow,too,forallshetriestoletonshedon’t.Mr.JoneswasboundHuckshouldbehere––couldn’tgetalongwithhisgrandsecretwithoutHuck,youknow!”“Secretaboutwhat,Sid?”“AboutHucktrackingtherobberstothewidow’s.IreckonMr.Joneswasgoingtomakeagrandtimeoverhissurprise,butIbetyouitwilldropprettyflat.”Sidchuckledinaverycontentedandsatisfiedway.“Sid,wasityouthattold?”“O,nevermindwhoitwas.Somebodytold––that’senough.”“Sid,there’sonlyonepersoninthistownmeanenoughtodothat,andthat’syou.IfyouhadbeeninHuck’splaceyou’d’a’sneakeddownthehillandnevertoldanybodyontherobbers.Youcan’tdoanybutmeanthings,andyoucan’tbeartoseeanybody
196TheAdventuresofTomSawyerpraisedfordoinggoodones.There––nothanks,asthewidowsays”––andTomcuffedSid’searsandhelpedhimtothedoorwithseveralkicks.“Nowgoandtellauntieifyoudare––andto-morrowyou’llcatchit!”Someminuteslaterthewidow’sguestswereatthesuppertable,andadozenchildrenwereproppedupatlittlesidetablesinthesameroom,afterthefashionofthatcountryandthatday.AtthepropertimeMr.Jonesmadehislittlespeech,inwhichhethankedthewidowforthehonorshewasdoinghimselfandhissons,butsaidthattherewasanotherpersonwhosemodesty––Andsoforthandsoon.HesprunghissecretaboutHuck’sshareintheadventureinthefinestdramaticmannerhewasmasterof,butthesurpriseitoccasionedwaslargelycounterfeitandnotasclamor-ousandeffusiveasitmighthavebeenunderhappiercircumstances.However,thewidowmadeaprettyfairshowofastonishment,andheapedsomanycomplimentsandsomuchgratitudeuponHuckthathealmostforgotthenearlyintolerablediscomfortofhisnewclothesintheentirelyintolerablediscomfortofbeingsetupasatargetforeverybody’sgazeandeverybody’slaudations.ThewidowsaidshemeanttogiveHuckahomeunderherroofandhavehimeducated;andthatwhenshecouldsparethemoneyshewouldstarthiminbusinessinamodestway.Tom’schancewascome.Hesaid:“Huckdon’tneedit.Huck’srich!”Nothingbutaheavystrainuponthegoodmannersofthecompanykeptbackthedueandpropercomplimentarylaughatthispleasantjoke.Butthesilencewasalittleawkward.Tombrokeit––“Huck’sgotmoney.Maybeyoudon’tbelieveit,buthe’sgotlotsofit.Oh,youneedn’tsmile––IreckonIcanshowyou.Youjustwaitaminute.”Tomranoutofdoors.Thecompanylookedateachotherwithaperplexedinterest––andinquiringlyatHuck,whowastongue-tied.“Sid,whatailsTom?”saidAuntPolly.“He––well,thereain’teveranymakingofthatboyout.Inever––”Tomentered,strugglingwiththeweightofhissacks,andAuntPollydidnotfinishhersentence.Tompouredthemassofyellowcoinuponthetableandsaid––“There––whatdidItellyou?Halfofit’sHuck’sandhalfofit’smine!”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer197Thespectacletookthegeneralbreathaway.Allgazed,nobodyspokeforamoment.Thentherewasaunanimouscallforanexplan-ation.Tomsaidhecouldfurnishit,andhedid.Thetalewaslong,butbrimfullofinterest.Therewasscarcelyaninterruptionfromanyonetobreakthecharmofitsflow.Whenhehadfinished,Mr.Jonessaid––“IthoughtIhadfixedupalittlesurpriseforthisoccasion,butitdon’tamounttoanythingnow.Thisonemakesitsingmightysmall,I’mwillingtoallow.”Themoneywascounted.Thesumamountedtoalittleovertwelvethousanddollars.Itwasmorethananyonepresenthadeverseenatonetimebefore,thoughseveralpersonsweretherewhowereworthconsiderablymorethanthatinproperty.
CHAPTERXXXVThereadermayrestsatisfiedthatTom’sandHuck’swindfallmadeamightystirinthepoorlittlevillageofSt.Petersburg.Sovastasum,allinactualcash,seemednexttoincredible.Itwastalkedabout,gloatedover,glorified,untilthereasonofmanyoftheciti-zenstotteredunderthestrainoftheunhealthyexcitement.Every“haunted”houseinSt.Petersburgandtheneighboringvillageswasdissected,plankbyplank,anditsfoundationsdugupandransackedforhiddentreasure––andnotbyboys,butmen––prettygrave,unromanticmen,too,someofthem.WhereverTomandHuckappearedtheywerecourted,admired,staredat.Theboyswerenotabletorememberthattheirremarkshadpossessedweightbefore;butnowtheirsayingsweretreasuredandrepeated;everythingtheydidseemedsomehowtoberegardedasremarkable;theyhadevidentlylostthepowerofdoingandsayingcommonplacethings;moreover,theirpasthistorywasrakedupanddiscoveredtobearmarksofconspicuousoriginality.Thevillagepaperpublishedbiographicalsketchesoftheboys.TheWidowDouglasputHuck’smoneyoutatsixpercent.,andJudgeThatcherdidthesamewithTom’satAuntPolly’srequest.Eachladhadanincome,now,thatwassimplyprodigious––adollarforeveryweek-dayintheyearandhalfoftheSundays.Itwasjustwhattheministergot––no,itwaswhathewaspromised––hegener-allycouldn’tcollectit.Adollarandaquarteraweekwouldboard,lodgeandschoolaboyinthoseoldsimpledays––andclothehimandwashhim,too,forthatmatter.JudgeThatcherhadconceivedagreatopinionofTom.Hesaidthatnocommonplaceboywouldeverhavegothisdaughteroutofthecave.WhenBeckytoldherfather;instrictconfidence,howTomhadtakenherwhippingatschool,theJudgewasvisiblymoved;andwhenshepleadedgraceforthemightyliewhichTomhadtoldinordertoshiftthatwhippingfromhershoulderstohisown,theJudgesaidwithafineoutburstthatitwasanoble,agenerous,amagnani-mouslie––aliethatwasworthytoholdupitsheadandmarchdownthroughhistorybreasttobreastwithGeorgeWashington’slaudedTruthaboutthehatchet!Beckythoughtherfatherhadneverlooked
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer199sotallandsosuperbaswhenhewalkedthefloorandstampedhisfootandsaidthat.ShewentstraightoffandtoldTomaboutit.JudgeThatcherhopedtoseeTomagreatlawyeroragreatsoldiersomeday.HesaidhemeanttolooktoitthatTomshouldbeadmit-tedtotheNationalmilitaryacademyandafterwardstrainedinthebestlawschoolinthecountry,inorderthathemightbereadyforeithercareerorboth.HuckFinn’swealthandthefactthathewasnowundertheWidowDouglas’sprotection,introducedhimintosociety––no,draggedhimintoit,hurledhimintoit––andhissufferingswerealmostmorethanhecouldbear.Thewidow’sservantskepthimcleanandneat,combedandbrushed,andtheybeddedhimnightlyinunsympatheticsheetsthathadnotonelittlespotorstainwhichhecouldpresstohisheartandknowforafriend.Hehadtoeatwithknifeandfork;hehadtousenapkin,cupandplate;hehadtolearnhisbook,hehadtogotochurch;hehadtotalksoproperlythatspeechwasbecomeinsipidinhismouth;whithersoeverheturned,thebarsandshacklesofcivilizationshuthiminandboundhimhandandfoot.Hebravelyborehismiseriesthreeweeks,andthenonedayturnedupmissing.Forforty-eighthoursthewidowhuntedforhimevery-whereingreatdistress.Thepublicwereprofoundlyconcerned;theysearchedhighandlow,theydraggedtheriverforhisbody.EarlythethirdmorningTomSawyerwiselywentpokingamongsomeoldemptyhogsheadsdownbehindtheabandonedslaughter-house,andinoneofthemhefoundtherefugee.Huckhadsleptthere;hehadjustbreakfasteduponsomestolenoddsandendsoffood,andwaslyingoff,now,incomfortwithhispipe.Hewasunkempt,uncombed,andcladinthesameoldruinofragsthathadmadehimpicturesqueinthedayswhenhewasfreeandhappy.Tomroutedhimout,toldhimthetroublehehadbeencausing,andurgedhimtogohome.Huck’sfacelostitstranquilcontent,andtookamelancholycast.Hesaid:“Don’ttalkaboutit,Tom.I’vetriedit,anditdon’twork;itdon’twork,Tom.Itain’tforme;Iain’tusedtoit.Thewidder’sgoodtome,andfriendly;butIcan’tstandthemways.Shemakesmegitupjustatthesametimeeverymorning;shemakesmewash,theycombmealltothunder;shewon’tletmesleepinthewood-shed;Igottowearthemblamedclothesthatjustsmothersme,Tom;theydon’tseemtoanyairgitthrough’em,somehow;andthey’resorotten
200TheAdventuresofTomSawyernicethatIcan’tsetdown,norlaydown,norrollaroundanywher’s;Ihain’tslidonacellar-doorfor––well,it’pearstobeyears;Igottogotochurchandsweatandsweat––Ihatethemornerysermons!Ican’tketchaflyinthere,Ican’tchaw,IgottowearshoesallSunday.Thewiddereatsbyabell;shegoestobedbyabell;shegitsupbyabell––everything’ssoawfulreg’larabodycan’tstandit.”“Well,everybodydoesthatway,Huck.”“Tom,itdon’tmakenodifference.Iain’teverybody,andIcan’tstandit.It’sawfultobetiedupso.Andgrubcomestooeasy––Idon’ttakenointerestinvittles,thatway.Igottoask,togoa-fishing;Igottoask,togoina-swimming––dern’difIhain’tgottoasktodoeverything.Well,I’dgottotalksoniceitwasn’tnocomfort––I’dgottogoupintheatticandripoutawhile,everyday,togitatasteinmymouth,orI’dadied,Tom.Thewidderwouldn’tletmesmoke;shewouldn’tletmeyell,shewouldn’tletmegape,norstretch,norscratch,beforefolks––”[Thenwithaspasmofspecialirritationandinjury],––“Anddadfetchit,sheprayedallthetime!Ineverseesuchawoman!Ihadtoshove,Tom––Ijusthadto.Andbesides,thatschool’sgoingtoopen,andI’dahadtogotoit––well,Iwouldn’tstandthat,Tom.Lookyhere,Tom,beingrichain’twhatit’scrackeduptobe.It’sjustworryandworry,andsweatandsweat,anda-wishingyouwasdeadallthetime.Nowtheseclothessuitsme,andthisbar’lsuitsme,andIain’tevergoingtoshake’emanymore.Tom,Iwouldn’tevergotintoallthistroubleifithadn’t’a’beenforthatmoney;nowyoujusttakemysheerofitalongwithyour’n,andgimmeaten-centersometimes––notmanytimes,becuzIdon’tgiveadernforathing’thoutit’stollablehardtogit––andyougoandbegoffformewiththewidder.”“Oh,Huck,youknowIcan’tdothat.’Taintfair;andbesidesifyou’lltrythisthingjustawhilelongeryou’llcometolikeit.”“Likeit!Yes––thewayI’dlikeahotstoveifIwastosetonitlongenough.No,Tom,Iwon’tberich,andIwon’tliveinthemcussedsmotheryhouses.Ilikethewoods,andtheriver,andhogsheads,andI’llstickto’em,too.Blameitall!justaswe’dgotguns,andacave,andalljustfixedtorob,herethisdernfoolishnesshasgottocomeupandspileitall!”Tomsawhisopportunity––“Lookyhere,Huck,beingrichain’tgoingtokeepmebackfromturningrobber.”
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer201“No!Oh,good-licks,areyouinrealdead-woodearnest,Tom?”“JustasdeadearnestasI’masittinghere.ButHuck,wecan’tletyouintothegangifyouain’trespectable,youknow.”Huck’sjoywasquenched.“Can’tletmein,Tom?Didn’tyouletmegoforapirate?”“Yes,butthat’sdifferent.Arobberismorehigh-tonedthanwhatapirateis––asageneralthing.Inmostcountriesthey’reawfulhighupinthenobility––dukesandsuch.”“NowTom,hain’tyoualwaysbenfriendlytome?Youwouldn’tshetmeout,wouldyou,Tom?Youwouldn’tdothat,now,wouldyou,Tom?”“Huck,Iwouldn’twantto,andIdon’twantto––butwhatwouldpeoplesay?Whythey’dsay,‘Mph!TomSawyer’sGang!prettylowcharactersinit!’They’dmeanyou,Huck.Youwouldn’tlikethat,andIwouldn’t.”Huckwassilentforsometime,engagedinamentalstruggle.Finallyhesaid:“Well,I’llgobacktothewidderforamonthandtackleitandseeifIcancometostandit,ifyou’llletmeb’longtothegang,Tom.”“Allright,Huck,it’sawhiz!Comealong,oldchap,andI’llaskthewidowtoletuponyoualittle,Huck.”“WillyouTom––nowwillyou?That’sgood.Ifshe’llletuponsomeoftheroughestthings,I’llsmokeprivateandcussprivate,andcrowdthroughorbust.Whenyougoingtostartthegangandturnrobbers?”“Oh,rightoff.We’llgettheboystogetherandhavetheinitiationto-night,maybe.”“Havethewhich?”“Havetheinitiation.”“What’sthat?”“It’stosweartostandbyoneanother,andnevertellthegang’ssecrets,evenifyou’rechoppedalltoflinders,andkillanybodyandallhisfamilythathurtsoneofthegang.”“That’sgay––that’smightygay,Tom,Itellyou.”“WellIbetitis.Andallthatswearing’sgottobedoneatmidnight,inthelonesomest,awfulestplaceyoucanfind––aha’ntedhouseisthebest,butthey’reallrippedupnow.”“Well,midnight’sgood,anyway,Tom.”
202TheAdventuresofTomSawyer“Yes,soitis.Andyou’vegottoswearonacoffin,andsignitwithblood.”“Nowthat’ssomethinglike!Whyit’samilliontimesbullierthanpirating.I’llsticktothewiddertillIrot,Tom;andifIgittobeareg’larripperofarobber,andeverybodytalking’boutit,Ireckonshe’llbeproudshesnakedmeinoutofthewet.”
CONCLUSIONSoendeththischronicle.Itbeingstrictlyahistoryofaboy,itmuststophere;thestorycouldnotgomuchfurtherwithoutbecomingthehistoryofaman.Whenonewritesanovelaboutgrownpeople,heknowsexactlywheretostop––thatis,withamarriage;butwhenhewritesofjuveniles,hemuststopwherehebestcan.Mostofthecharactersthatperforminthisbookstilllive,andareprosperousandhappy.Somedayitmayseemworthwhiletotakeupthestoryoftheyoungeronesagainandseewhatsortofmenandwomentheyturnedouttobe;thereforeitwillbewisestnottorevealanyofthatpartoftheirlivesatpresent.theend
EXPLANATORYNOTESForfullernotes,especiallywithregardtobiographicalandfolkloriccontexts,thereadershouldconsulttheexplanatorynotesprovidedbyGerberinJohnGerber,PaulBaender,andTerryFirkins,TheAdventuresofTomSawyer,TomSawyerAbroad,TomSawyer,Detective(BerkeleyandLosAngeles:UniversityofCaliforniaPress,1980).Asacknowledgedbelow,onseveraloccasionswhenmyownknowledgeandresearchskillsfailed,IwasabletorelyonGerber’sexcellentscholarship.11“jimpson”weeds:usuallyJimsonweed,whichisacorruptionofJames-townweed;theDaturastramoniumisacommon,poisonousweed,alsoknownasthorn-apple,devil’sapple,andstinkweed;itistall,andhaslarge,trumpet-shapedflowers.roundabout:ashortjacket.12Sparetherodandspilethechild:thefamiliarphrasederivesfromProverbs13:24:‘Hethatsparethhisrodhatethhisson:buthethatlovethhimchastenethhimbetimes.’theOldScratch:aeuphemisticreferencetotheDevil;‘Scratch’isusuallythoughttooriginatewiththeOldNorseskratte,meaningwizardormonster.manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays:anotherfamiliarphrasefromtheOldTestament(Job14:1).15anybodythat’lltakeadarewillsuckeggs:apersonwhowillsuckeggsis,proverbially,alow,andperhapsespeciallyagraspingperson;thephraseisalsoassociatedwith‘thieving’animalssuchasweaselsandcuckoos.18DelectableLand:avariationonthe‘DelectableMountains’ofBunyan’sPilgrim’sProgress(1678).19marvel...alley...taw:alltypesofmarble;OEDsuggeststhatanalleyismade‘ofrealmarbleoralabaster’.21theslaughterofmoreinnocents:thephraseisbiblical(seeMatthew2:16).theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash:aplayfulallusiontoGold-smith’s‘TheDesertedVillage’(1770),apoemthatcelebrates,andlam-entsthepassingof,anidyllicvillage.Itis‘fools’whocometothechurchtojeeratthepreacher,butwhoremaintopray.jews-harp:arudimentarymetal,musicalinstrumentthatisputinthemouthandstruckwithafinger.spoolcannon:asimplecontraptionwhichfiresobjectsbystretchingandthenreleasingelasticthroughaspool.27wanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdesolateplaces:thisinstanceof‘finewriting’asironiccondescensionprobablyachieves
ExplanatoryNotes205someofitsresonancefromanallusiontotheverseintheOldTestamentinwhichJobwisheshehadnotbeenborn,orhaddiedatbirth,sothathewouldhavebeen‘atrest,withkingsandcounsellorsoftheearth,whichbuiltdesolateplacesforthemselves’(Job3:13).29Blessedarethe:TomattemptstocitetheBeatitudes,orthedeclarationsofblessednesswithwhich,asthenarratorindicates,ChristbeganhisSermonontheMount(Matthew5:3–11).30amanandabrother:Twainherereproducestheanti-slaverymottoinwhichtheAfrican-Americanmanasksforhisfreedomonthegrounds,‘AmInotamanandabrother?’ThephrasewasusedonacameomadebytheEnglishpotterJosiahWedgwood(1730–95);thecameopicturesaslavewhokneelsinchains.Twainplayswiththephraseagainonp.69,whenTomandHuckruninfearfromthesceneofmurder:‘Everystumpthatstartedupintheirpathseemedamanandanenemy.’31tree-box:awoodenframethatwouldhavebeenusedtoprotectayoungtree.32evenforaDoréBible:GustaveDoré(1832–83)wasaFrenchillustratorandcaricaturistwhowaswellknownforhisfineillustrationsoftheBible.35goodfortheirface:worththevaluethatismarkeduponthem(face-value).Thephrasemayhavehadrenewedfamiliarityinthisperiodas,duringtheCivilWar,theConfederacyhadissuedcurrencythatwassubjecttorapidandsustaineddevaluation––thatwasnot‘goodforitsface’.50theelectricsympathyoflove:thephrase‘electricsympathy’isquitefamil-iarinthenineteenthcentury(itisusedbyPoeandHawthorne,amongothers).Itprobablyderivesfrompseudo-science,andespeciallyMesmer-ism;FranzAntonMesmer(1734–1815)proposedthatpeople’swell-beingandbehaviour(andespeciallytheirresponsestoeachother)werecontrolledbytheflowofmagneticenergies.52tillchaoswascomeagain:whenShakespeare’sOthellofindsthathisdoubtsofhiswife’sfidelityreturn,hefeelsthat‘chaosiscomeagain’.57overthehillsandfaraway:afamiliarlinefromGay’sTheBeggar’sOpera(1728).59theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain:TomhasclearlyreadNedBuntline’sTheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain(1847),and,asGerbernotes,TwainhasclearlyreadtheShillaberstoryinwhichboysplayatbeingcharactersfromTheBlackAvenger.Latergamesindicateafamili-aritywithBuntline’sRoversoftheBloodyHand!(1847);seeGerber,pp.481,485.61“bythebook,”frommemory:thebook,asidentifiedbyAlanGribbenandnotedbyGerber(pp.481–2)wasJosephCundall’sRobinHoodandHisMerryForesters(1841).65devil-fire:alsoknownaswillo’thewisp,Jack-a-lantern,andignisfatuus.Thisisabluish-green,flittinglightwhichiscausedbythespontaneouscombustionofnaturalgas.Devil-firewasmostlikelytobeseenover
206ExplanatoryNotesmarshyground,anditwassupposedtoleadpeopleastray(henceignisfatuus,or‘foolishfire’,and,ashere,theassociationwithmalevolence).70“redkeel”:keelisaochreous,rediron-orethatwasoftenusedformarkingsheep,stone,timber,andsoon.77thewoundbledalittle:asGerbernotes(p.484),thereisatraditionalbelief,datingbackatleasttotheBible(Genesis4:10),thatthefurtherbleedingfromawoundindicatesthatthemurdererisnearathand.79“whistleherdownthewind”:TwainquotesfromShakespeare’sOthello,iii.iii.262,whereOthelloobservesthatifhiswifeshouldprove‘haggard’(i.e.unfaithful),thenhewill‘whistleheroffandletherdownthewind’.Thevocabularyandphrasingaredrawnfromfalconry:a‘haggard’isawild,mature,andhenceuntrainablehawk;ahawkthathasbeensentwiththewind,ratherthanagainstit,ismuchlesslikelytoreturntothefalconer.wentaboutonherpalehorse...“hellfollowingafter”:TwainusesthefamiliarphrasederivedfromtheBible(Revelation6:8):‘AndIlooked,andbeholdapalehorse:andhisnamethatsatonhimwasDeath,andHellfollowedwithhim.’balmofGilead:anotherwell-knownbiblicalphrase(seeJeremiah8:22).83“twosoulswithbutasinglethought”:thereference,asnotedbyGerber(p.485),istoBellinghausen’splay,IngomartheBarbarian,whichTwainhadburlesquedinearliersketches.86corn“pone”:breadmadewithcorn(‘pone’isaNativeAmericanwordforbread).93shootacannonoverthewater:asGerbernotes(p.486),itwasacommonbeliefthattheconcussiveeffectofthecannonwouldbreakthegallblad-derofacorpse,andcauseittorise;TwainrepeatstheincidentinchaptereightofHuckleberryFinn.putquicksilverin’em:asHuckhimselfexplains,itwasthoughtthatthemercury-filledbreadwouldfloatabovethelocationofadrownedbody.99“knucks”and“ring-taw”and“keeps”:asGerbernotes(p.486),theseareallgamesofmarbles.In‘knucks’,theshootermustkeephisorherknucklesontheground;in‘ring-taw’,theshootermustaimtoknockmarblesoutofacircle;‘keeps’isanygameinwhichtheplayersmaykeepthemarblesthattheyhavewon.103theblacknessofdarkness:theallusionistoJude13.Itisthosewhogo‘thewayofCain...towhomisreservedtheblacknessofdarknessforever’.Thephrasehasaliterarycurrencyintheperiod;CarlyleusesitinSartorResartus(1833),asdoesMelvilleinMoby-Dick(1851).112Milumapple:Gerber(p.487)notesthatthe‘Milam’applewasapopular,medium-sizeddessertapple.126Theexercisesbegan:theschooleveningofferswell-knownrecitationpieces,beginningwithapoembytheAmericanDavidEverett(1769–
ExplanatoryNotes2071813),‘LinesWrittenforaSchoolDeclamation’,whichendswiththephrase,‘Talloaksfromlittleacornsgrow’.‘Maryhadalittlelamb’isbyAmericanwriterSarahJosephaHale(1788–1879),andwaspublishedinPoemsforOurChildren(1830).‘Givemelibertyorgivemedeath’isfromPatrickHenry’sfamousspeechof1775totheVirginiaConvention.“TheBoy...”followed;also“TheAssyrianCameDown”:‘Theboystoodontheburningdeck’isthefirstlineof‘Casabianca’,afamouspoembyEnglishwriterFeliciaHemans(1793–1835).‘TheAssyriancamedown’isfromthefirstlineofByron’s‘TheDestructionofSennacherib’(1815).130“ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady”:Gerber(p.488)givesthesourceasMaryAnnHarrisGay’sThePastor’sStoryandOtherPieces(1871).132Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenator:ThomasHartBentonrepre-sentedMissouriintheUnitedStatesSenatefrom1821to1851.152Murrel’sgang:JohnA.Murrell(1804–44)wasawell-knownoutlaw;TwainwritesabouthiminLifeontheMississippi(1883).189lucifermatches:‘lucifer’doesnot,inthiscase,alludetotherebelliousangelofChristianmythologybutrefersmoredirectlytotheword’setymo-logicalderivation‘light-bearing’,alsoanattributeofthemorningstar.TheLucifermatch,inventedin1830,isawoodenmatchwhichistippedwithanignitablesubstance.
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