AboutTwain:SamuelLanghorneClemens(November30,1835—April21,1910),betterknownbythepennameMarkTwain,wasanAmericanhumorist,satirist,writer,andlecturer.TwainismostnotedforhisnovelsAdven-turesofHuckleberryFinn,whichhassincebeencalledtheGreatAmeric-anNovel,andTheAdventuresofTomSawyer.Heisalsoknownforhisquotations.Duringhislifetime,Clemensbecameafriendtopresidents,artists,leadingindustrialists,andEuropeanroyalty.Clemensenjoyedimmensepublicpopularity,andhiskeenwitandincisivesatireearnedhimpraisefrombothcriticsandpeers.AmericanauthorWilliamFaulknercalledTwain"thefatherofAmericanliterature."Source:Wikipedia2
PrefaceMostoftheadventuresrecordedinthisbookreallyoccurred;oneortwowereexperiencesofmyown,therestthoseofboyswhowereschool-matesofmine.HuckFinnisdrawnfromlife;TomSawyeralso,butnotfromanindividual—heisacombinationofthecharacteristicsofthreeboyswhomIknew,andthereforebelongstothecompositeorderofar-chitecture.TheoddsuperstitionstoucheduponwereallprevalentamongchildrenandslavesintheWestattheperiodofthisstory—thatistosay,thirtyorfortyyearsago.Althoughmybookisintendedmainlyfortheentertainmentofboysandgirls,Ihopeitwillnotbeshunnedbymenandwomenonthatac-count,forpartofmyplanhasbeentotrytopleasantlyremindadultsofwhattheyoncewerethemselves,andofhowtheyfeltandthoughtandtalked,andwhatqueerenterprisestheysometimesengagedin.TheAuthor.Hartford,1876.3
Chapter1"Tom!"Noanswer."Tom!"Noanswer."What'sgonewiththatboy,Iwonder?YouTom!"Noanswer.Theoldladypulledherspectaclesdownandlookedoverthemabouttheroom;thensheputthemupandlookedoutunderthem.Sheseldomorneverlookedthroughthemforsosmallathingasaboy;theywereherstatepair,theprideofherheart,andwerebuiltfor"style,"notser-vice—shecouldhaveseenthroughapairofstove-lidsjustaswell.Shelookedperplexedforamoment,andthensaid,notfiercely,butstillloudenoughforthefurnituretohear:"Well,IlayifIgetholdofyouI'll—"Shedidnotfinish,forbythistimeshewasbendingdownandpunch-ingunderthebedwiththebroom,andsosheneededbreathtopunctu-atethepuncheswith.Sheresurrectednothingbutthecat."Ineverdidseethebeatofthatboy!"Shewenttotheopendoorandstoodinitandlookedoutamongthetomatovinesand"jimpson"weedsthatconstitutedthegarden.NoTom.Soshelifteduphervoiceatananglecalculatedfordistanceandshouted:"Y-o-u-uTom!"Therewasaslightnoisebehindherandsheturnedjustintimetoseizeasmallboybytheslackofhisroundaboutandarresthisflight."There!Imight'a'thoughtofthatcloset.Whatyoubeendoinginthere?""Nothing."4
"Nothing!Lookatyourhands.Andlookatyourmouth.Whatisthattruck?""Idon'tknow,aunt.""Well,Iknow.It'sjam—that'swhatitis.FortytimesI'vesaidifyoudidn'tletthatjamaloneI'dskinyou.Handmethatswitch."Theswitchhoveredintheair—theperilwasdesperate—"My!Lookbehindyou,aunt!"Theoldladywhirledround,andsnatchedherskirtsoutofdanger.Theladfledontheinstant,scrambledupthehighboard-fence,anddis-appearedoverit.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.Sparetherodandspoilthechild,astheGoodBooksays.I'malayingupsinandsufferingforusboth,Iknow.He'sfulloftheOldScratch,butlaws-a-me!he'smyowndeadsister'sboy,poorthing,andIain'tgotthehearttolashhim,some-how.EverytimeIlethimoff,myconsciencedoeshurtmeso,andeverytimeIhithimmyoldheartmostbreaks.Well-a-well,manthatisbornofwomanisoffewdaysandfulloftrouble,astheScripturesays,andIreckonit'sso.He'llplayhookeythisevening[*],andI'lljustbeobligedtomakehimwork,to-morrow,topunishhim.It'smightyhardtomakehimworkSaturdays,whenalltheboysishavingholiday,buthehatesworkmorethanhehatesanythingelse,andI'vegottodosomeofmydutybyhim,orI'llbetheruinationofthechild."Tomdidplayhookey,andhehadaverygoodtime.HegotbackhomebarelyinseasontohelpJim,thesmallcoloredboy,sawnext-day'swoodandsplitthekindlingsbeforesupper—atleasthewasthereintimetotellhisadventurestoJimwhileJimdidthree-fourthsofthework.Tom'syoungerbrother(orratherhalf-brother)Sidwasalreadythroughwith5
hispartofthework(pickingupchips),forhewasaquietboy,andhadnoadventurous,troublesomeways.WhileTomwaseatinghissupper,andstealingsugarasopportunityoffered,AuntPollyaskedhimquestionsthatwerefullofguile,andverydeep—forshewantedtotraphimintodamagingrevealments.Likemanyothersimple-heartedsouls,itwasherpetvanitytobelieveshewasendowedwithatalentfordarkandmysteriousdiplomacy,andshelovedtocontemplatehermosttransparentdevicesasmarvelsoflowcunning.Saidshe:"Tom,itwasmiddlingwarminschool,warn'tit?""Yes'm.""Powerfulwarm,warn'tit?""Yes'm.""Didn'tyouwanttogoina-swimming,Tom?"AbitofascareshotthroughTom—atouchofuncomfortablesuspi-cion.HesearchedAuntPolly'sface,butittoldhimnothing.Sohesaid:"No'm—well,notverymuch."TheoldladyreachedoutherhandandfeltTom'sshirt,andsaid:"Butyouain'ttoowarmnow,though."Anditflatteredhertoreflectthatshehaddiscoveredthattheshirtwasdrywithoutanybodyknowingthatthatwaswhatshehadinhermind.Butinspiteofher,Tomknewwherethewindlay,now.Soheforestalledwhatmightbethenextmove:"Someofuspumpedonourheads—mine'sdampyet.See?"AuntPollywasvexedtothinkshehadoverlookedthatbitofcircum-stantialevidence,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:6
"Well,now,ifIdidn'tthinkyousewedhiscollarwithwhitethread,butit'sblack.""Why,Ididsewitwithwhite!Tom!"ButTomdidnotwaitfortherest.Ashewentoutatthedoorhesaid:"Siddy,I'lllickyouforthat."InasafeplaceTomexaminedtwolargeneedleswhichwerethrustin-tothelapelsofhisjacket,andhadthreadboundaboutthem—oneneedlecarriedwhitethreadandtheotherblack.Hesaid:"She'dnevernoticedifithadn'tbeenforSid.Confoundit!sometimesshesewsitwithwhite,andsometimesshesewsitwithblack.Iwishtogeeminyshe'dsticktooneort'other—Ican'tkeeptherunof'em.ButIbetyouI'lllamSidforthat.I'lllearnhim!"HewasnottheModelBoyofthevillage.Heknewthemodelboyverywellthough—andloathedhim.Withintwominutes,orevenless,hehadforgottenallhistroubles.Notbecausehistroubleswereonewhitlessheavyandbittertohimthanaman'saretoaman,butbecauseanewandpowerfulinterestborethemdownanddrovethemoutofhismindforthetime—justasmen'smis-fortunesareforgottenintheexcitementofnewenterprises.Thisnewin-terestwasavaluednoveltyinwhistling,whichhehadjustacquiredfromanegro,andhewassufferingtopractiseitundisturbed.Itcon-sistedinapeculiarbird-liketurn,asortofliquidwarble,producedbytouchingthetonguetotheroofofthemouthatshortintervalsinthemidstofthemusic—thereaderprobablyremembershowtodoit,ifhehaseverbeenaboy.Diligenceandattentionsoongavehimtheknackofit,andhestrodedownthestreetwithhismouthfullofharmonyandhissoulfullofgratitude.Hefeltmuchasanastronomerfeelswhohasdis-coveredanewplanet—nodoubt,asfarasstrong,deep,unalloyedpleasureisconcerned,theadvantagewaswiththeboy,nottheastronomer.Thesummereveningswerelong.Itwasnotdark,yet.PresentlyTomcheckedhiswhistle.Astrangerwasbeforehim—aboyashadelargerthanhimself.Anew-comerofanyageoreithersexwasanimpressivecuriosityinthepoorlittleshabbyvillageofSt.Petersburg.Thisboywaswelldressed,too—welldressedonaweek-day.Thiswassimplyastounding.Hiscapwasadaintything,hisclosebuttonedblueclothroundaboutwasnewandnatty,andsowerehispantaloons.Hehadshoeson—anditwasonlyFriday.Heevenworeanecktie,abrightbit7
ofribbon.HehadacitifiedairabouthimthatateintoTom'svitals.ThemoreTomstaredatthesplendidmarvel,thehigherheturneduphisnoseathisfineryandtheshabbierandshabbierhisownoutfitseemedtohimtogrow.Neitherboyspoke.Ifonemoved,theothermoved—butonlysidewise,inacircle;theykeptfacetofaceandeyetoeyeallthetime.FinallyTomsaid:"Icanlickyou!""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?""Ifyousaymuch,Iwill.""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?Oh,whatahat!""Youcanlumpthathatifyoudon'tlikeit.Idareyoutoknockitoff—andanybodythat'lltakeadarewillsuckeggs.""You'realiar!""You'reanother.""You'reafightingliaranddasn'ttakeitup."8
"Aw—takeawalk!""Say—ifyougivememuchmoreofyoursassI'lltakeandbouncearockoff'nyourhead.""Oh,ofcourseyouwill.""WellIwill.""Wellwhydon'tyoudoitthen?Whatdoyoukeepsayingyouwillfor?Whydon'tyoudoit?It'sbecauseyou'reafraid.""Iain'tafraid.""Youare.""Iain't.""Youare."Anotherpause,andmoreeyingandsidlingaroundeachother.Presentlytheywereshouldertoshoulder.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."9
"Well,yousaidyou'ddoit—whydon'tyoudoit?""Byjingo!fortwocentsIwilldoit."Thenewboytooktwobroadcoppersoutofhispocketandheldthemoutwithderision.Tomstruckthemtotheground.Inaninstantbothboyswererollingandtumblinginthedirt,grippedtogetherlikecats;andforthespaceofaminutetheytuggedandtoreateachother'shairandclothes,punchedandscratchedeachother'snose,andcoveredthemselveswithdustandglory.Presentlytheconfusiontookform,andthroughthefogofbattleTomappeared,seatedastridethenewboy,andpoundinghimwithhisfists."Holler'nuff!"saidhe.Theboyonlystruggledtofreehimself.Hewascrying—mainlyfromrage."Holler'nuff!"—andthepoundingwenton.Atlastthestrangergotoutasmothered"'Nuff!"andTomlethimupandsaid:"Nowthat'lllearnyou.Betterlookoutwhoyou'refoolingwithnexttime."Thenewboywentoffbrushingthedustfromhisclothes,sobbing,snuffling,andoccasionallylookingbackandshakinghisheadandthreateningwhathewoulddotoTomthe"nexttimehecaughthimout."TowhichTomrespondedwithjeers,andstartedoffinhighfeather,andassoonashisbackwasturnedthenewboysnatchedupastone,threwitandhithimbetweentheshouldersandthenturnedtailandranlikeanantelope.Tomchasedthetraitorhome,andthusfoundoutwherehelived.Hethenheldapositionatthegateforsometime,daringtheen-emytocomeoutside,buttheenemyonlymadefacesathimthroughthewindowanddeclined.Atlasttheenemy'smotherappeared,andcalledTomabad,vicious,vulgarchild,andorderedhimaway.Sohewentaway;buthesaidhe"'lowed"to"lay"forthatboy.Hegothomeprettylatethatnight,andwhenheclimbedcautiouslyinatthewindow,heuncoveredanambuscade,inthepersonofhisaunt;andwhenshesawthestatehisclotheswereinherresolutiontoturnhisSaturdayholidayintocaptivityathardlaborbecameadamantineinitsfirmness.10
Chapter2Saturdaymorningwascome,andallthesummerworldwasbrightandfresh,andbrimmingwithlife.Therewasasongineveryheart;andiftheheartwasyoungthemusicissuedatthelips.Therewascheerineveryfaceandaspringineverystep.Thelocust-treeswereinbloomandthefragranceoftheblossomsfilledtheair.CardiffHill,beyondthevillageandaboveit,wasgreenwithvegetationanditlayjustfarenoughawaytoseemaDelectableLand,dreamy,reposeful,andinviting.Tomappearedonthesidewalkwithabucketofwhitewashandalong-handledbrush.Hesurveyedthefence,andallgladnesslefthimandadeepmelancholysettleddownuponhisspirit.Thirtyyardsofboardfenceninefeethigh.Lifetohimseemedhollow,andexistencebutaburden.Sighing,hedippedhisbrushandpasseditalongthetopmostplank;repeatedtheoperation;diditagain;comparedtheinsignificantwhitewashedstreakwiththefar-reachingcontinentofunwhitewashedfence,andsatdownonatree-boxdiscouraged.Jimcameskippingoutatthegatewithatinpail,andsingingBuffaloGals.BringingwaterfromthetownpumphadalwaysbeenhatefulworkinTom'seyes,before,butnowitdidnotstrikehimso.Herememberedthattherewascompanyatthepump.White,mulatto,andnegroboysandgirlswerealwaystherewaitingtheirturns,resting,tradingplaythings,quarrelling,fighting,sky-larking.Andherememberedthatalthoughthepumpwasonlyahun-dredandfiftyyardsoff,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'."11
"Oh,neveryoumindwhatshesaid,Jim.That'sthewayshealwaystalks.Gimmethebucket—Iwon'tbegoneonlyaaminute.Shewon'teverknow.""Oh,Idasn't,MarsTom.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.Hegotouthisworldlywealthandex-aminedit—bitsoftoys,marbles,andtrash;enoughtobuyanexchangeofwork,maybe,butnothalfenoughtobuysomuchashalfanhourofpurefreedom.Sohereturnedhisstraitenedmeanstohispocket,andgaveuptheideaoftryingtobuytheboys.Atthisdarkandhopelessmo-mentaninspirationburstuponhim!Nothinglessthanagreat,magnifi-centinspiration.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,12
leanedfarovertostarboardandroundedtoponderouslyandwithla-boriouspompandcircumstance—forhewaspersonatingtheBigMis-souri,andconsideredhimselftobedrawingninefeetofwater.Hewasboatandcaptainandengine-bellscombined,sohehadtoimaginehim-selfstandingonhisownhurricane-deckgivingtheordersandexecutingthem:"Stopher,sir!Ting-a-ling-ling!"Theheadwayranalmostout,andhedrewupslowlytowardthesidewalk."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!Stopthelabboard!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,asbe-fore.Benrangedupalongsideofhim.Tom'smouthwateredfortheapple,buthestucktohiswork.Bensaid:"Hello,oldchap,yougottowork,hey?"Tomwheeledsuddenlyandsaid:"Why,it'syou,Ben!Iwarn'tnoticing.""Say—I'mgoingina-swimming,Iam.Don'tyouwishyoucould?Butofcourseyou'ddrutherwork—wouldn'tyou?Courseyouwould!"Tomcontemplatedtheboyabit,andsaid:"Whatdoyoucallwork?""Why,ain'tthatwork?"Tomresumedhiswhitewashing,andansweredcarelessly:13
"Well,maybeitis,andmaybeitain't.AllIknow,is,itsuitsTomSawyer.""Ohcome,now,youdon'tmeantoletonthatyoulikeit?"Thebrushcontinuedtomove."Likeit?Well,Idon'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—well,Jimwantedtodoit,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!"Tomgaveupthebrushwithreluctanceinhisface,butalacrityinhisheart.AndwhilethelatesteamerBigMissouriworkedandsweatedinthesun,theretiredartistsatonabarrelintheshadecloseby,dangledhislegs,munchedhisapple,andplannedtheslaughterofmoreinno-cents.Therewasnolackofmaterial;boyshappenedalongeverylittlewhile;theycametojeer,butremainedtowhitewash.BythetimeBenwasfaggedout,TomhadtradedthenextchancetoBillyFisherforakite,ingoodrepair;andwhenheplayedout,JohnnyMillerboughtinfora14
deadratandastringtoswingitwith—andsoon,andsoon,hourafterhour.Andwhenthemiddleoftheafternooncame,frombeingapoorpoverty-strickenboyinthemorning,Tomwasliterallyrollinginwealth.Hehadbesidesthethingsbeforementioned,twelvemarbles,partofajews-harp,apieceofbluebottle-glasstolookthrough,aspoolcannon,akeythatwouldn'tunlockanything,afragmentofchalk,aglassstopperofadecanter,atinsoldier,acoupleoftadpoles,sixfire-crackers,akittenwithonlyoneeye,abrassdoorknob,adog-collar—butnodog—thehandleofaknife,fourpiecesoforange-peel,andadilapidatedoldwin-dowsash.Hehadhadanice,good,idletimeallthewhile—plentyofcompany—andthefencehadthreecoatsofwhitewashonit!Ifhehadn'trunoutofwhitewashhewouldhavebankruptedeveryboyinthevillage.Tomsaidtohimselfthatitwasnotsuchahollowworld,afterall.Hehaddiscoveredagreatlawofhumanaction,withoutknowingit—namely,thatinordertomakeamanoraboycovetathing,itisonlyne-cessarytomakethethingdifficulttoattain.Ifhehadbeenagreatandwisephilosopher,likethewriterofthisbook,hewouldnowhavecom-prehendedthatWorkconsistsofwhateverabodyisobligedtodo,andthatPlayconsistsofwhateverabodyisnotobligedtodo.Andthiswouldhelphimtounderstandwhyconstructingartificialflowersorper-formingonatread-milliswork,whilerollingten-pinsorclimbingMontBlancisonlyamusement.TherearewealthygentlemeninEnglandwhodrivefour-horsepassenger-coachestwentyorthirtymilesonadailyline,inthesummer,becausetheprivilegecoststhemconsiderablemoney;butiftheywereofferedwagesfortheservice,thatwouldturnitintoworkandthentheywouldresign.Theboymusedawhileoverthesubstantialchangewhichhadtakenplaceinhisworldlycircumstances,andthenwendedtowardheadquar-terstoreport.15
Chapter3TompresentedhimselfbeforeAuntPolly,whowassittingbyanopenwindowinapleasantrearwardapartment,whichwasbedroom,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;andshewouldhavebeencontenttofindtwentypercent.ofTom'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.16
Thenheskippedout,andsawSidjuststartinguptheoutsidestairwaythatledtothebackroomsonthesecondfloor.Clodswerehandyandtheairwasfulloftheminatwinkling.TheyragedaroundSidlikeahail-storm;andbeforeAuntPollycouldcollecthersurprisedfacultiesandsallytotherescue,sixorsevenclodshadtakenpersonaleffect,andTomwasoverthefenceandgone.Therewasagate,butasageneralthinghewastoocrowdedfortimetomakeuseofit.Hissoulwasatpeace,nowthathehadsettledwithSidforcallingattentiontohisblackthreadandgettinghimintotrouble.Tomskirtedtheblock,andcameroundintoamuddyalleythatledbythebackofhisaunt'scowstable.Hepresentlygotsafelybeyondthereachofcaptureandpunishment,andhastenedtowardthepublicsquareofthevillage,wheretwo"military"companiesofboyshadmetforconflict,accordingtopreviousappointment.TomwasGeneralofoneofthesearmies,JoeHarper(abosomfriend)Generaloftheother.Thesetwogreatcommandersdidnotcondescendtofightinperson—thatbe-ingbettersuitedtothestillsmallerfry—butsattogetheronanemin-enceandconductedthefieldoperationsbyordersdeliveredthroughaides-de-camp.Tom'sarmywonagreatvictory,afteralongandhard-foughtbattle.Thenthedeadwerecounted,prisonersexchanged,thetermsofthenextdisagreementagreedupon,andthedayfortheneces-sarybattleappointed;afterwhichthearmiesfellintolineandmarchedaway,andTomturnedhomewardalone.AshewaspassingbythehousewhereJeffThatcherlived,hesawanewgirlinthegarden—alovelylittleblue-eyedcreaturewithyellowhairplaitedintotwolong-tails,whitesummerfrockandembroideredpantalettes.Thefresh-crownedherofellwithoutfiringashot.AcertainAmyLawrencevanishedoutofhisheartandleftnotevenamemoryofherselfbehind.Hehadthoughthelovedhertodistraction;hehadre-gardedhispassionasadoration;andbeholditwasonlyapoorlittleevanescentpartiality.Hehadbeenmonthswinningher;shehadcon-fessedhardlyaweekago;hehadbeenthehappiestandtheproudestboyintheworldonlysevenshortdays,andhereinoneinstantoftimeshehadgoneoutofhisheartlikeacasualstrangerwhosevisitisdone.Heworshippedthisnewangelwithfurtiveeye,tillhesawthatshehaddiscoveredhim;thenhepretendedhedidnotknowshewaspresent,andbeganto"showoff"inallsortsofabsurdboyishways,inor-dertowinheradmiration.Hekeptupthisgrotesquefoolishnessforsometime;butby-and-by,whilehewasinthemidstofsomedangerousgymnasticperformances,heglancedasideandsawthatthelittlegirlwas17
wendingherwaytowardthehouse.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,"showingoff,"asbefore;butthegirlneverexhibitedherselfagain,thoughTomcomfortedhimselfalittlewiththehopethatshehadbeennearsomewindow,meantime,andbeenawareofhisattentions.Finallyhestrodehomereluctantly,withhispoorheadfullofvisions.Allthroughsupperhisspiritsweresohighthathisauntwondered"whathadgotintothechild."HetookagoodscoldingaboutcloddingSid,anddidnotseemtominditintheleast.Hetriedtostealsugarun-derhisaunt'sverynose,andgothisknucklesrappedforit.Hesaid:"Aunt,youdon'twhackSidwhenhetakesit.""Well,Siddon'ttormentabodythewayyoudo.You'dbealwaysintothatsugarifIwarn'twatchingyou."Presentlyshesteppedintothekitchen,andSid,happyinhisim-munity,reachedforthesugar-bowl—asortofgloryingoverTomwhichwaswellnighunbearable.ButSid'sfingersslippedandthebowldroppedandbroke.Tomwasinecstasies.Insuchecstasiesthatheevencontrolledhistongueandwassilent.Hesaidtohimselfthathewouldnotspeakaword,evenwhenhisauntcamein,butwouldsitperfectlystilltillsheaskedwhodidthemischief;andthenhewouldtell,andtherewouldbenothingsogoodintheworldastoseethatpetmodel"catchit."Hewassobrimfulofexultationthathecouldhardlyholdhim-selfwhentheoldladycamebackandstoodabovethewreckdischarging18
lightningsofwrathfromoverherspectacles.Hesaidtohimself,"Nowit'scoming!"Andthenextinstanthewassprawlingonthefloor!Thepo-tentpalmwasupliftedtostrikeagainwhenTomcriedout:"Holdon,now,what'eryoubeltingmefor?—Sidbrokeit!"AuntPollypaused,perplexed,andTomlookedforhealingpity.Butwhenshegothertongueagain,sheonlysaid:"Umf!Well,youdidn'tgetalickamiss,Ireckon.YoubeenintosomeotheraudaciousmischiefwhenIwasn'taround,likeenough."Thenherconsciencereproachedher,andsheyearnedtosaysomethingkindandloving;butshejudgedthatthiswouldbeconstruedintoaconfessionthatshehadbeeninthewrong,anddisciplineforbadethat.Soshekeptsilence,andwentaboutheraffairswithatroubledheart.Tomsulkedinacornerandexaltedhiswoes.Heknewthatinherhearthisauntwasonherkneestohim,andhewasmoroselygratifiedbytheconsciousnessofit.Hewouldhangoutnosignals,hewouldtakeno-ticeofnone.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,hegotupandmovedincloudsanddarknessoutatonedoorasshebroughtsongandsunshineinattheother.Hewanderedfarfromtheaccustomedhauntsofboys,andsoughtdes-olateplacesthatwereinharmonywithhisspirit.Alograftintheriverinvitedhim,andheseatedhimselfonitsouteredgeandcontemplated19
thedrearyvastnessofthestream,wishing,thewhile,thathecouldonlybedrowned,allatonceandunconsciously,withoutundergoingtheun-comfortableroutinedevisedbynature.Thenhethoughtofhisflower.Hegotitout,rumpledandwilted,anditmightilyincreasedhisdismalfelicity.Hewonderedifshewouldpityhimifsheknew?Wouldshecry,andwishthatshehadarighttoputherarmsaroundhisneckandcom-forthim?Orwouldsheturncoldlyawaylikeallthehollowworld?Thispicturebroughtsuchanagonyofpleasurablesufferingthatheworkeditoverandoveragaininhismindandsetitupinnewandvariedlights,tillheworeitthreadbare.Atlastheroseupsighinganddepartedinthedarkness.Abouthalf-pastnineorteno'clockhecamealongthedesertedstreettowheretheAdoredUnknownlived;hepausedamoment;nosoundfelluponhislisteningear;acandlewascastingadullglowuponthecurtainofasecond-storywindow.Wasthesacredpresencethere?Heclimbedthefence,threadedhisstealthywaythroughtheplants,tillhestoodun-derthatwindow;helookedupatitlong,andwithemotion;thenhelaidhimdownonthegroundunderit,disposinghimselfuponhisback,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.Notlongafter,asTom,allundressedforbed,wassurveyinghisdrenchedgarmentsbythelightofatallowdip,Sidwokeup;butifhehadanydimideaofmakingany"referencestoallusions,"hethoughtbetterofitandheldhispeace,fortherewasdangerinTom'seye.Tomturnedinwithouttheaddedvexationofprayers,andSidmadementalnoteoftheomission.20
Chapter4Thesunroseuponatranquilworld,andbeameddownuponthepeace-fulvillagelikeabenediction.Breakfastover,AuntPollyhadfamilywor-ship:itbeganwithaprayerbuiltfromthegroundupofsolidcoursesofScripturalquotations,weldedtogetherwithathinmortaroforiginality;andfromthesummitofthisshedeliveredagrimchapteroftheMosaicLaw,asfromSinai.ThenTomgirdeduphisloins,sotospeak,andwenttoworkto"gethisverses."Sidhadlearnedhislessondaysbefore.Tombentallhisener-giestothememorizingoffiveverses,andhechosepartoftheSermonontheMount,becausehecouldfindnoversesthatwereshorter.AttheendofhalfanhourTomhadavaguegeneralideaofhislesson,butnomore,forhismindwastraversingthewholefieldofhumanthought,andhishandswerebusywithdistractingrecreations.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—Oh,Idon'tknowwhatitis!""Shall!"21
"Oh,shall!fortheyshall—fortheyshall—a—a—shallmourn—a—a—blessedaretheythatshall—theythat—a—theythatshallmourn,fortheyshall—a—shallWhat?Whydon'tyoutellme,Mary?—whatdoyouwanttobesomeanfor?""Oh,Tom,youpoorthick-headedthing,I'mnotteasingyou.Iwouldn'tdothat.Youmustgoandlearnitagain.Don'tyoubediscour-aged,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"—andunderthedoublepressureofcuri-osityandprospectivegainhediditwithsuchspiritthatheaccom-plishedashiningsuccess.Marygavehimabrand-new"Barlow"knifeworthtwelveandahalfcents;andtheconvulsionofdelightthatswepthissystemshookhimtohisfoundations.True,theknifewouldnotcutanything,butitwasa"sure-enough"Barlow,andtherewasinconceiv-ablegrandeurinthat—thoughwheretheWesternboysevergottheideathatsuchaweaponcouldpossiblybecounterfeitedtoitsinjuryisanimposingmysteryandwillalwaysremainso,perhaps.Tomcontrivedtoscarifythecupboardwithit,andwasarrangingtobeginonthebur-eau,whenhewascalledofftodressforSunday-school.Marygavehimatinbasinofwaterandapieceofsoap,andhewentoutsidethedoorandsetthebasinonalittlebenchthere;thenhedippedthesoapinthewaterandlaiditdown;turneduphissleeves;pouredoutthewaterontheground,gently,andthenenteredthekitchenandbegantowipehisfacediligentlyonthetowelbehindthedoor.ButMaryre-movedthetowelandsaid:"Nowain'tyouashamed,Tom.Youmustn'tbesobad.Waterwon'thurtyou."Tomwasatrifledisconcerted.Thebasinwasrefilled,andthistimehestoodoveritalittlewhile,gatheringresolution;tookinabigbreathandbegan.Whenheenteredthekitchenpresently,withbotheyesshutandgropingforthetowelwithhishands,anhonorabletestimonyofsudsandwaterwasdrippingfromhisface.Butwhenheemergedfromthetowel,hewasnotyetsatisfactory,forthecleanterritorystoppedshortathischinandhisjaws,likeamask;belowandbeyondthislinetherewasadarkexpanseofunirrigatedsoilthatspreaddownwardinfrontand22
backwardaroundhisneck.Marytookhiminhand,andwhenshewasdonewithhimhewasamanandabrother,withoutdistinctionofcolor,andhissaturatedhairwasneatlybrushed,anditsshortcurlswroughtintoadaintyandsymmetricalgeneraleffect.[Heprivatelysmoothedoutthecurls,withlaboranddifficulty,andplasteredhishairclosedowntohishead;forheheldcurlstobeeffeminate,andhisownfilledhislifewithbitterness.]ThenMarygotoutasuitofhisclothingthathadbeenusedonlyonSundaysduringtwoyears—theyweresimplycalledhis"otherclothes"—andsobythatweknowthesizeofhiswardrobe.Thegirl"puthimtorights"afterhehaddressedhimself;shebuttonedhisneatroundaboutuptohischin,turnedhisvastshirtcollardownoverhisshoulders,brushedhimoffandcrownedhimwithhisspeckledstrawhat.Henowlookedexceedinglyimprovedanduncomfortable.Hewasfullyasuncomfortableashelooked;fortherewasarestraintaboutwholeclothesandcleanlinessthatgalledhim.HehopedthatMarywouldforgethisshoes,butthehopewasblighted;shecoatedthemthor-oughlywithtallow,aswasthecustom,andbroughtthemout.Helosthistemperandsaidhewasalwaysbeingmadetodoeverythinghedidn'twanttodo.ButMarysaid,persuasively:"Please,Tom—that'sagoodboy."Sohegotintotheshoessnarling.Marywassoonready,andthethreechildrensetoutforSunday-school—aplacethatTomhatedwithhiswholeheart;butSidandMarywerefondofit.Sabbath-schoolhourswerefromninetohalf-pastten;andthenchurchservice.Twoofthechildrenalwaysremainedforthesermonvoluntarily,andtheotheralwaysremainedtoo—forstrongerreasons.Thechurch'shigh-backed,uncushionedpewswouldseataboutthreehundredper-sons;theedificewasbutasmall,plainaffair,withasortofpineboardtree-boxontopofitforasteeple.AtthedoorTomdroppedbackastepandaccostedaSunday-dressedcomrade:"Say,Billy,gotayallerticket?""Yes.""What'llyoutakeforher?""What'llyougive?""Pieceoflickrishandafish-hook.""Lesssee'em."Tomexhibited.Theyweresatisfactory,andthepropertychangedhands.ThenTomtradedacoupleofwhitealleysforthreeredtickets,23
andsomesmalltrifleorotherforacoupleofblueones.Hewaylaidotherboysastheycame,andwentonbuyingticketsofvariouscolorstenorfifteenminuteslonger.Heenteredthechurch,now,withaswarmofcleanandnoisyboysandgirls,proceededtohisseatandstartedaquar-relwiththefirstboythatcamehandy.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;fortenyellowticketsthesuperintendentgaveaveryplainlyboundBible(worthfortycentsinthoseeasytimes)tothepupil.Howmanyofmyreaderswouldhavetheindustryandapplica-tiontomemorizetwothousandverses,evenforaDoreBible?AndyetMaryhadacquiredtwoBiblesinthisway—itwasthepatientworkoftwoyears—andaboyofGermanparentagehadwonfourorfive.Heoncerecitedthreethousandverseswithoutstopping;butthestrainuponhismentalfacultieswastoogreat,andhewaslittlebetterthananidiotfromthatdayforth—agrievousmisfortunefortheschool,forongreatoccasions,beforecompany,thesuperintendent(asTomexpressedit)hadalwaysmadethisboycomeoutand"spreadhimself."Onlytheolderpu-pilsmanagedtokeeptheirticketsandsticktotheirtediousworklongenoughtogetaBible,andsothedeliveryofoneoftheseprizeswasarareandnoteworthycircumstance;thesuccessfulpupilwassogreatandconspicuousforthatdaythatonthespoteveryscholar'sheartwasfiredwithafreshambitionthatoftenlastedacoupleofweeks.ItispossiblethatTom'smentalstomachhadneverreallyhungeredforoneofthoseprizes,butunquestionablyhisentirebeinghadformanyadaylongedforthegloryandtheeclatthatcamewithit.Induecoursethesuperintendentstoodupinfrontofthepulpit,withaclosedhymn-bookinhishandandhisforefingerinsertedbetweenitsleaves,andcommandedattention.WhenaSunday-schoolsuperintend-entmakeshiscustomarylittlespeech,ahymn-bookinthehandisasne-cessaryasistheinevitablesheetofmusicinthehandofasingerwhostandsforwardontheplatformandsingsasoloataconcert—though24
why,isamystery:forneitherthehymn-booknorthesheetofmusiciseverreferredtobythesufferer.Thissuperintendentwasaslimcreatureofthirty-five,withasandygoateeandshortsandyhair;heworeastiffstanding-collarwhoseupperedgealmostreachedhisearsandwhosesharppointscurvedforwardabreastthecornersofhismouth—afencethatcompelledastraightlookoutahead,andaturningofthewholebodywhenasideviewwasrequired;hischinwasproppedonaspreadingcravatwhichwasasbroadandaslongasabank-note,andhadfringedends;hisboottoeswereturnedsharplyup,inthefashionoftheday,likesleigh-runners—aneffectpatientlyandlaboriouslyproducedbytheyoungmenbysittingwiththeirtoespressedagainstawallforhoursto-gether.Mr.Walterswasveryearnestofmien,andverysincereandhon-estatheart;andheheldsacredthingsandplacesinsuchreverence,andsoseparatedthemfromworldlymatters,thatunconsciouslytohimselfhisSunday-schoolvoicehadacquiredapeculiarintonationwhichwaswhollyabsentonweek-days.Hebeganafterthisfashion:"Now,children,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,accom-paniedbyaveryfeebleandagedman;afine,portly,middle-agedgen-tlemanwithiron-grayhair;andadignifiedladywhowasdoubtlessthelatter'swife.Theladywasleadingachild.Tomhadbeenrestlessandfullofchafingsandrepinings;conscience-smitten,too—hecouldnotmeetAmyLawrence'seye,hecouldnotbrookherlovinggaze.Butwhenhesawthissmallnew-comerhissoulwasallablazewithblissinamoment.25
Thenextmomenthewas"showingoff"withallhismight—cuffingboys,pullinghair,makingfaces—inaword,usingeveryartthatseemedlikelytofascinateagirlandwinherapplause.Hisexaltationhadbutonealloy—thememoryofhishumiliationinthisangel'sgarden—andthatrecordinsandwasfastwashingout,underthewavesofhappi-nessthatweresweepingoveritnow.Thevisitorsweregiventhehighestseatofhonor,andassoonasMr.Walters'speechwasfinished,heintroducedthemtotheschool.Themiddle-agedmanturnedouttobeaprodigiouspersonage—nolessaonethanthecountyjudge—altogetherthemostaugustcreationthesechildrenhadeverlookedupon—andtheywonderedwhatkindofma-terialhewasmadeof—andtheyhalfwantedtohearhimroar,andwerehalfafraidhemight,too.HewasfromConstantinople,twelvemilesaway—sohehadtravelled,andseentheworld—theseveryeyeshadlookeduponthecountycourt-house—whichwassaidtohaveatinroof.Theawewhichthesereflectionsinspiredwasattestedbytheim-pressivesilenceandtheranksofstaringeyes.ThiswasthegreatJudgeThatcher,brotheroftheirownlawyer.JeffThatcherimmediatelywentforward,tobefamiliarwiththegreatmanandbeenviedbytheschool.Itwouldhavebeenmusictohissoultohearthewhisperings:"Lookathim,Jim!He'sagoingupthere.Say—look!he'sagoingtoshakehandswithhim—heisshakinghandswithhim!Byjings,don'tyouwishyouwasJeff?"Mr.Waltersfellto"showingoff,"withallsortsofofficialbustlingsandactivities,givingorders,deliveringjudgments,dischargingdirectionshere,there,everywherethathecouldfindatarget.Thelibrarian"showedoff"—runninghitherandthitherwithhisarmsfullofbooksandmakingadealofthesplutterandfussthatinsectauthoritydelightsin.Theyoungladyteachers"showedoff"—bendingsweetlyoverpupilsthatwerelatelybeingboxed,liftingprettywarningfingersatbadlittleboysandpattinggoodoneslovingly.Theyounggentlementeachers"showedoff"withsmallscoldingsandotherlittledisplaysofauthorityandfineattentiontodiscipline—andmostoftheteachers,ofbothsexes,foundbusinessupatthelibrary,bythepulpit;anditwasbusinessthatfrequentlyhadtobedoneoveragaintwoorthreetimes(withmuchseemingvexation).Thelittlegirls"showedoff"invariousways,andthelittleboys"showedoff"withsuchdiligencethattheairwasthickwithpaperwadsandthemurmurofscufflings.Andaboveitallthegreatmansatandbeamedamajesticjudicialsmileuponallthehouse,andwarmedhimselfinthesunofhisowngrandeur—forhewas"showingoff,"too.26
TherewasonlyonethingwantingtomakeMr.Walters'ecstasycom-plete,andthatwasachancetodeliveraBible-prizeandexhibitaprodigy.Severalpupilshadafewyellowtickets,butnonehadenough—hehadbeenaroundamongthestarpupilsinquiring.Hewouldhavegivenworlds,now,tohavethatGermanladbackagainwithasoundmind.Andnowatthismoment,whenhopewasdead,TomSawyercameforwardwithnineyellowtickets,nineredtickets,andtenblueones,anddemandedaBible.Thiswasathunderboltoutofaclearsky.Walterswasnotexpectinganapplicationfromthissourceforthenexttenyears.Buttherewasnogettingaroundit—herewerethecertifiedchecks,andtheyweregoodfortheirface.TomwasthereforeelevatedtoaplacewiththeJudgeandtheotherelect,andthegreatnewswasannouncedfromheadquarters.Itwasthemoststunningsurpriseofthedecade,andsoprofoundwasthesensationthatitliftedthenewherouptothejudicialone'saltitude,andtheschoolhadtwomarvelstogazeuponinplaceofone.Theboyswerealleatenupwithenvy—butthosethatsufferedthebitterestpangswerethosewhoperceivedtoolatethattheythemselveshadcontributedtothishatedsplendorbytradingticketstoTomforthewealthhehadamassedinsellingwhitewashingprivileges.Thesedes-pisedthemselves,asbeingthedupesofawilyfraud,aguilefulsnakeinthegrass.TheprizewasdeliveredtoTomwithasmucheffusionasthesuperin-tendentcouldpumpupunderthecircumstances;butitlackedsomewhatofthetruegush,forthepoorfellow'sinstincttaughthimthattherewasamysteryherethatcouldnotwellbearthelight,perhaps;itwassimplypreposterousthatthisboyhadwarehousedtwothousandsheavesofScripturalwisdomonhispremises—adozenwouldstrainhiscapacity,withoutadoubt.AmyLawrencewasproudandglad,andshetriedtomakeTomseeitinherface—buthewouldn'tlook.Shewondered;thenshewasjustagraintroubled;nextadimsuspicioncameandwent—cameagain;shewatched;afurtiveglancetoldherworlds—andthenherheartbroke,andshewasjealous,andangry,andthetearscameandshehatedevery-body.Tommostofall(shethought).TomwasintroducedtotheJudge;buthistonguewastied,hisbreathwouldhardlycome,hisheartquaked—partlybecauseoftheawfulgreatnessoftheman,butmainlybecausehewasherparent.Hewouldhavelikedtofalldownandworshiphim,ifitwereinthedark.The27
JudgeputhishandonTom'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,manlylittlefellow.Twothousandversesisagreatmany—very,verygreatmany.Andyounev-ercanbesorryforthetroubleyoutooktolearnthem;forknowledgeisworthmorethananythingthereisintheworld;it'swhatmakesgreatmenandgoodmen;you'llbeagreatmanandagoodmanyourself,someday,Thomas,andthenyou'lllookbackandsay,It'sallowingtothepreciousSunday-schoolprivilegesofmyboyhood—it'sallowingtomydearteachersthattaughtmetolearn—it'sallowingtothegoodsu-perintendent,whoencouragedme,andwatchedoverme,andgavemeabeautifulBible—asplendidelegantBible—tokeepandhaveitallformyown,always—it'sallowingtorightbringingup!Thatiswhatyouwillsay,Thomas—andyouwouldn'ttakeanymoneyforthosetwothousandverses—noindeedyouwouldn't.Andnowyouwouldn'tmindtellingmeandthisladysomeofthethingsyou'velearned—no,Iknowyouwouldn't—forweareproudoflittleboysthatlearn.Now,nodoubtyouknowthenamesofallthetwelvedisciples.Won'tyoutellusthenamesofthefirsttwothatwereappointed?"Tomwastuggingatabutton-holeandlookingsheepish.Heblushed,now,andhiseyesfell.Mr.Walters'heartsankwithinhim.Hesaidtohimself,itisnotpossiblethattheboycananswerthesimplestquestion—whydidtheJudgeaskhim?Yethefeltobligedtospeakupandsay:"Answerthegentleman,Thomas—don'tbeafraid."Tomstillhungfire."NowIknowyou'lltellme,"saidthelady."Thenamesofthefirsttwodiscipleswere—""DavidandGoliah!"28
Letusdrawthecurtainofcharityovertherestofthescene.29
Chapter5Abouthalf-pasttenthecrackedbellofthesmallchurchbegantoring,andpresentlythepeoplebegantogatherforthemorningsermon.TheSunday-schoolchildrendistributedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoc-cupiedpewswiththeirparents,soastobeundersupervision.AuntPollycame,andTomandSidandMarysatwithher—Tombeingplacednexttheaisle,inorderthathemightbeasfarawayfromtheopenwindowandtheseductiveoutsidesummerscenesaspossible.Thecrowdfileduptheaisles:theagedandneedypostmaster,whohadseenbetterdays;themayorandhiswife—fortheyhadamayorthere,amongotherunnecessaries;thejusticeofthepeace;thewidowDouglass,fair,smart,andforty,agenerous,good-heartedsoulandwell-to-do,herhillmansiontheonlypalaceinthetown,andthemosthospitableandmuchthemostlavishinthematteroffestivitiesthatSt.Petersburgcouldboast;thebentandvenerableMajorandMrs.Ward;lawyerRiverson,thenewnotablefromadistance;nextthebelleofthevillage,followedbyatroopoflawn-cladandribbon-deckedyoungheart-breakers;thenalltheyoungclerksintowninabody—fortheyhadstoodinthevestibulesuckingtheircane-heads,acirclingwallofoiledandsimperingad-mirers,tillthelastgirlhadruntheirgantlet;andlastofallcametheModelBoy,WillieMufferson,takingasheedfulcareofhismotherasifshewerecutglass.Healwaysbroughthismothertochurch,andwastheprideofallthematrons.Theboysallhatedhim,hewassogood.Andbe-sides,hehadbeen"thrownuptothem"somuch.Hiswhitehandkerchiefwashangingoutofhispocketbehind,asusualonSundays—accident-ally.Tomhadnohandkerchief,andhelookeduponboyswhohadassnobs.Thecongregationbeingfullyassembled,now,thebellrangoncemore,towarnlaggardsandstragglers,andthenasolemnhushfelluponthechurchwhichwasonlybrokenbythetitteringandwhisperingofthechoirinthegallery.Thechoiralwaystitteredandwhisperedallthroughservice.Therewasonceachurchchoirthatwasnotill-bred,butIhave30
forgottenwhereitwas,now.Itwasagreatmanyyearsago,andIcanscarcelyrememberanythingaboutit,butIthinkitwasinsomeforeigncountry.Theministergaveoutthehymn,andreaditthroughwitharelish,inapeculiarstylewhichwasmuchadmiredinthatpartofthecountry.Hisvoicebeganonamediumkeyandclimbedsteadilyuptillitreachedacertainpoint,whereitborewithstrongemphasisuponthetopmostwordandthenplungeddownasiffromaspring-board:ShallIbecar-ri-edtoetheskies,onflow'rybedsofease,Whilstothersfighttowintheprize,andsailthro'bloodyseas?Hewasregardedasawonderfulreader.Atchurch"sociables"hewasalwayscalledupontoreadpoetry;andwhenhewasthrough,theladieswouldliftuptheirhandsandletthemfallhelplesslyintheirlaps,and"wall"theireyes,andshaketheirheads,asmuchastosay,"Wordscan-notexpressit;itistoobeautiful,toobeautifulforthismortalearth."Afterthehymnhadbeensung,theRev.Mr.Spragueturnedhimselfintoabulletin-board,andreadoff"notices"ofmeetingsandsocietiesandthingstillitseemedthatthelistwouldstretchouttothecrackofdoom—aqueercustomwhichisstillkeptupinAmerica,evenincities,awayhereinthisageofabundantnewspapers.Often,thelessthereistojustifyatraditionalcustom,theharderitistogetridofit.Andnowtheministerprayed.Agood,generousprayeritwas,andwentintodetails:itpleadedforthechurch,andthelittlechildrenofthechurch;fortheotherchurchesofthevillage;forthevillageitself;forthecounty;fortheState;fortheStateofficers;fortheUnitedStates;forthechurchesoftheUnitedStates;forCongress;forthePresident;fortheof-ficersoftheGovernment;forpoorsailors,tossedbystormyseas;fortheoppressedmillionsgroaningundertheheelofEuropeanmonarchiesandOrientaldespotisms;forsuchashavethelightandthegoodtidings,andyethavenoteyestoseenorearstohearwithal;fortheheatheninthefarislandsofthesea;andclosedwithasupplicationthatthewordshewasabouttospeakmightfindgraceandfavor,andbeasseedsowninfertileground,yieldingintimeagratefulharvestofgood.Amen.Therewasarustlingofdresses,andthestandingcongregationsatdown.Theboywhosehistorythisbookrelatesdidnotenjoytheprayer,heonlyenduredit—ifheevendidthatmuch.Hewasrestiveallthroughit;hekepttallyofthedetailsoftheprayer,unconsciously—forhewasnotlistening,butheknewthegroundofold,andtheclergyman's31
regularrouteoverit—andwhenalittletrifleofnewmatterwasinter-larded,hiseardetecteditandhiswholenatureresentedit;heconsideredadditionsunfair,andscoundrelly.Inthemidstoftheprayeraflyhadlitonthebackofthepewinfrontofhimandtorturedhisspiritbycalmlyrubbingitshandstogether,embracingitsheadwithitsarms,andpolish-ingitsovigorouslythatitseemedtoalmostpartcompanywiththebody,andtheslenderthreadofaneckwasexposedtoview;scrapingitswingswithitshindlegsandsmoothingthemtoitsbodyasiftheyhadbeencoat-tails;goingthroughitswholetoiletastranquillyasifitknewitwasperfectlysafe.Asindeeditwas;forassorelyasTom'shandsitchedtograbforittheydidnotdare—hebelievedhissoulwouldbeinstantlydestroyedifhedidsuchathingwhiletheprayerwasgoingon.Butwiththeclosingsentencehishandbegantocurveandstealforward;andtheinstantthe"Amen"wasouttheflywasaprisonerofwar.Hisauntdetec-tedtheactandmadehimletitgo.Theministergaveouthistextanddronedalongmonotonouslythroughanargumentthatwassoprosythatmanyaheadbyandbybegantonod—andyetitwasanargumentthatdealtinlimitlessfireandbrimstoneandthinnedthepredestinedelectdowntoacompanysosmallastobehardlyworththesaving.Tomcountedthepagesoftheser-mon;afterchurchhealwaysknewhowmanypagestherehadbeen,butheseldomknewanythingelseaboutthediscourse.However,thistimehewasreallyinterestedforalittlewhile.Theministermadeagrandandmovingpictureoftheassemblingtogetheroftheworld'shostsatthemil-lenniumwhenthelionandthelambshouldliedowntogetherandalittlechildshouldleadthem.Butthepathos,thelesson,themoralofthegreatspectaclewerelostupontheboy;heonlythoughtoftheconspicu-ousnessoftheprincipalcharacterbeforetheon-lookingnations;hisfacelitwiththethought,andhesaidtohimselfthathewishedhecouldbethatchild,ifitwasatamelion.Nowhelapsedintosufferingagain,asthedryargumentwasre-sumed.Presentlyhebethoughthimofatreasurehehadandgotitout.Itwasalargeblackbeetlewithformidablejaws—a"pinchbug,"hecalledit.Itwasinapercussion-capbox.Thefirstthingthebeetledidwastotakehimbythefinger.Anaturalfillipfollowed,thebeetlewentflounderingintotheaisleandlitonitsback,andthehurtfingerwentin-totheboy'smouth.Thebeetlelaythereworkingitshelplesslegs,unabletoturnover.Tomeyedit,andlongedforit;butitwassafeoutofhisreach.Otherpeopleuninterestedinthesermonfoundreliefinthebeetle,andtheyeyedittoo.Presentlyavagrantpoodledogcameidlingalong,32
sadatheart,lazywiththesummersoftnessandthequiet,wearyofcap-tivity,sighingforchange.Hespiedthebeetle;thedroopingtailliftedandwagged.Hesurveyedtheprize;walkedaroundit;smeltatitfromasafedistance;walkedarounditagain;grewbolder,andtookaclosersmell;thenliftedhislipandmadeagingerlysnatchatit,justmissingit;madeanother,andanother;begantoenjoythediversion;subsidedtohisstomachwiththebeetlebetweenhispaws,andcontinuedhisexperi-ments;grewwearyatlast,andthenindifferentandabsent-minded.Hisheadnodded,andlittlebylittlehischindescendedandtouchedtheen-emy,whoseizedit.Therewasasharpyelp,aflirtofthepoodle'shead,andthebeetlefellacoupleofyardsaway,andlitonitsbackoncemore.Theneighboringspectatorsshookwithagentleinwardjoy,severalfaceswentbehindfansandhandkerchiefs,andTomwasentirelyhappy.Thedoglookedfoolish,andprobablyfeltso;buttherewasresentmentinhisheart,too,andacravingforrevenge.Sohewenttothebeetleandbeganawaryattackonitagain;jumpingatitfromeverypointofacircle,light-ingwithhisfore-pawswithinaninchofthecreature,makingevenclosersnatchesatitwithhisteeth,andjerkinghisheadtillhisearsflappedagain.Buthegrewtiredoncemore,afterawhile;triedtoamusehimselfwithaflybutfoundnorelief;followedanantaround,withhisnoseclosetothefloor,andquicklyweariedofthat;yawned,sighed,forgotthebeetleentirely,andsatdownonit.Thentherewasawildyelpofagonyandthepoodlewentsailinguptheaisle;theyelpscontinued,andsodidthedog;hecrossedthehouseinfrontofthealtar;heflewdowntheotheraisle;hecrossedbeforethedoors;heclamoredupthehome-stretch;hisanguishgrewwithhisprogress,tillpresentlyhewasbutawoollycometmovinginitsorbitwiththegleamandthespeedoflight.Atlastthefranticsufferersheeredfromitscourse,andsprangintoitsmaster'slap;heflungitoutofthewindow,andthevoiceofdistressquicklythinnedawayanddiedinthedistance.Bythistimethewholechurchwasred-facedandsuffocatingwithsup-pressedlaughter,andthesermonhadcometoadeadstandstill.Thedis-coursewasresumedpresently,butitwentlameandhalting,allpossibil-ityofimpressivenessbeingatanend;foreventhegravestsentimentswereconstantlybeingreceivedwithasmotheredburstofunholymirth,undercoverofsomeremotepew-back,asifthepoorparsonhadsaidararelyfacetiousthing.Itwasagenuinerelieftothewholecongregationwhentheordealwasoverandthebenedictionpronounced.TomSawyerwenthomequitecheerful,thinkingtohimselfthattherewassomesatisfactionaboutdivineservicewhentherewasabitof33
varietyinit.Hehadbutonemarringthought;hewaswillingthatthedogshouldplaywithhispinchbug,buthedidnotthinkitwasuprightinhimtocarryitoff.34
Chapter6MondaymorningfoundTomSawyermiserable.Mondaymorningal-waysfoundhimso—becauseitbegananotherweek'sslowsufferinginschool.Hegenerallybeganthatdaywithwishinghehadhadnointer-veningholiday,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,andthenherememberedhearingthedoctortellaboutacertainthingthatlaidupapatientfortwoorthreeweeksandthreatenedtomakehimloseafinger.Sotheboyeagerlydrewhissoretoefromunderthesheetandhelditupforinspection.Butnowhedidnotknowthenecessarysymptoms.However,itseemedwellworthwhiletochanceit,sohefelltogroaningwithconsiderablespirit.ButSidsleptonunconscious.Tomgroanedlouder,andfanciedthathebegantofeelpaininthetoe.NoresultfromSid.Tomwaspantingwithhisexertionsbythistime.Hetookarestandthenswelledhimselfupandfetchedasuccessionofadmirablegroans.Sidsnoredon.Tomwasaggravated.Hesaid,"Sid,Sid!"andshookhim.Thiscourseworkedwell,andTombegantogroanagain.Sidyawned,stretched,then35
broughthimselfuponhiselbowwithasnort,andbegantostareatTom.Tomwentongroaning.Sidsaid:"Tom!Say,Tom!"[Noresponse.]"Here,Tom!Tom!Whatisthematter,Tom?"Andheshookhimandlookedinhisfaceanxiously.Tommoanedout:"Oh,don't,Sid.Don'tjoggleme.""Why,what'sthematter,Tom?Imustcallauntie.""No—nevermind.It'llbeoverbyandby,maybe.Don'tcallanybody.""ButImust!Don'tgroanso,Tom,it'sawful.Howlongyoubeenthisway?""Hours.Ouch!Oh,don'tstirso,Sid,you'llkillme.""Tom,whydidn'tyouwakemesooner?Oh,Tom,Don't!Itmakesmyfleshcrawltohearyou.Tom,whatisthematter?""Iforgiveyoueverything,Sid.[Groan.]Everythingyou'veeverdonetome.WhenI'mgone—""Oh,Tom,youain'tdying,areyou?Don't,Tom—oh,don't.Maybe—""Iforgiveeverybody,Sid.[Groan.]Tell'emso,Sid.AndSid,yougivemywindow-sashandmycatwithoneeyetothatnewgirlthat'scometotown,andtellher—"ButSidhadsnatchedhisclothesandgone.Tomwassufferinginreal-ity,now,sohandsomelywashisimaginationworking,andsohisgroanshadgatheredquiteagenuinetone.Sidflewdown-stairsandsaid:"Oh,AuntPolly,come!Tom'sdying!""Dying!""Yes'm.Don'twait—comequick!""Rubbage!Idon'tbelieveit!"Butshefledup-stairs,nevertheless,withSidandMaryatherheels.Andherfacegrewwhite,too,andherliptrembled.Whenshereachedthebedsideshegaspedout:"You,Tom!Tom,what'sthematterwithyou?""Oh,auntie,I'm—""What'sthematterwithyou—whatisthematterwithyou,child?"36
"Oh,auntie,mysoretoe'smortified!"Theoldladysankdownintoachairandlaughedalittle,thencriedalittle,thendidbothtogether.Thisrestoredherandshesaid:"Tom,whataturnyoudidgiveme.Nowyoushutupthatnonsenseandclimboutofthis."Thegroansceasedandthepainvanishedfromthetoe.Theboyfeltalittlefoolish,andhesaid:"AuntPolly,itseemedmortified,andithurtsoInevermindedmytoothatall.""Yourtooth,indeed!What'sthematterwithyourtooth?""Oneofthem'sloose,anditachesperfectlyawful.""There,there,now,don'tbeginthatgroaningagain.Openyourmouth.Well—yourtoothisloose,butyou'renotgoingtodieaboutthat.Mary,getmeasilkthread,andachunkoffireoutofthekitchen."Tomsaid:"Oh,please,auntie,don'tpullitout.Itdon'thurtanymore.IwishImayneverstirifitdoes.Pleasedon't,auntie.Idon'twanttostayhomefromschool.""Oh,youdon't,don'tyou?Soallthisrowwasbecauseyouthoughtyou'dgettostayhomefromschoolandgoa-fishing?Tom,Tom,Iloveyouso,andyouseemtotryeverywayyoucantobreakmyoldheartwithyouroutrageousness."Bythistimethedentalinstrumentswereready.TheoldladymadeoneendofthesilkthreadfasttoTom'stoothwithaloopandtiedtheothertothebedpost.Thensheseizedthechunkoffireandsuddenlythrustitalmostintotheboy'sface.Thetoothhungdanglingbythebedpost,now.Butalltrialsbringtheircompensations.AsTomwendedtoschoolafterbreakfast,hewastheenvyofeveryboyhemetbecausethegapinhisupperrowofteethenabledhimtoexpectorateinanewandadmir-ableway.Hegatheredquiteafollowingofladsinterestedintheexhibi-tion;andonethathadcuthisfingerandhadbeenacentreoffascinationandhomageuptothistime,nowfoundhimselfsuddenlywithoutanad-herent,andshornofhisglory.Hisheartwasheavy,andhesaidwithadisdainwhichhedidnotfeelthatitwasn'tanythingtospitlikeTomSawyer;butanotherboysaid,"Sourgrapes!"andhewanderedawayadismantledhero.37
ShortlyTomcameuponthejuvenilepariahofthevillage,HuckleberryFinn,sonofthetowndrunkard.Huckleberrywascordiallyhatedanddreadedbyallthemothersofthetown,becausehewasidleandlawlessandvulgarandbad—andbecausealltheirchildrenadmiredhimso,anddelightedinhisforbiddensociety,andwishedtheydaredtobelikehim.Tomwasliketherestoftherespectableboys,inthatheenviedHuckleberryhisgaudyoutcastcondition,andwasunderstrictordersnottoplaywithhim.Soheplayedwithhimeverytimehegotachance.Huckleberrywasalwaysdressedinthecast-offclothesoffull-grownmen,andtheywereinperennialbloomandflutteringwithrags.Hishatwasavastruinwithawidecrescentloppedoutofitsbrim;hiscoat,whenheworeone,hungnearlytohisheelsandhadtherearwardbut-tonsfardowntheback;butonesuspendersupportedhistrousers;theseatofthetrousersbaggedlowandcontainednothing,thefringedlegsdraggedinthedirtwhennotrolledup.Huckleberrycameandwent,athisownfreewill.Hesleptondoor-stepsinfineweatherandinemptyhogsheadsinwet;hedidnothavetogotoschoolortochurch,orcallanybeingmasterorobeyanybody;hecouldgofishingorswimmingwhenandwherehechose,andstayaslongasitsuitedhim;nobodyforbadehimtofight;hecouldsitupaslateashepleased;hewasalwaysthefirstboythatwentbarefootinthespringandthelasttoresumeleatherinthefall;heneverhadtowash,norputoncleanclothes;hecouldswearwonderfully.Inaword,everythingthatgoestomakelifepreciousthatboyhad.Sothoughteveryharassed,hampered,respectableboyinSt.Petersburg.Tomhailedtheromanticoutcast:"Hello,Huckleberry!""Helloyourself,andseehowyoulikeit.""What'sthatyougot?""Deadcat.""Lemmeseehim,Huck.My,he'sprettystiff.Where'dyougethim?""Boughthimoff'naboy.""Whatdidyougive?""IgiveablueticketandabladderthatIgotattheslaughter-house.""Where'dyougettheblueticket?""Boughtitoff'nBenRogerstwoweeksagoforahoop-stick.""Say—whatisdeadcatsgoodfor,Huck?"38
"Goodfor?Curewartswith.""No!Isthatso?Iknowsomethingthat'sbetter.""Ibetyoudon't.Whatisit?""Why,spunk-water.""Spunk-water!Iwouldn'tgiveadernforspunk-water.""Youwouldn't,wouldn'tyou?D'youevertryit?""No,Ihain't.ButBobTannerdid.""Whotoldyouso!""Why,hetoldJeffThatcher,andJefftoldJohnnyBaker,andJohnnytoldJimHollis,andJimtoldBenRogers,andBentoldanigger,andtheniggertoldme.Therenow!""Well,whatofit?They'llalllie.Leastwaysallbutthenigger.Idon'tknowhim.ButIneverseeaniggerthatwouldn'tlie.Shucks!NowyoutellmehowBobTannerdoneit,Huck.""Why,hetookanddippedhishandinarottenstumpwheretherain-waterwas.""Inthedaytime?""Certainly.""Withhisfacetothestump?""Yes.LeastIreckonso.""Didhesayanything?""Idon'treckonhedid.Idon'tknow.""Aha!Talkabouttryingtocurewartswithspunk-watersuchablamefoolwayasthat!Why,thatain'ta-goingtodoanygood.Yougottogoallbyyourself,tothemiddleofthewoods,whereyouknowthere'saspunk-waterstump,andjustasit'smidnightyoubackupagainstthestumpandjamyourhandinandsay:'Barley-corn,barley-corn,injun-mealshorts,Spunk-water,spunk-water,swallerthesewarts,'andthenwalkawayquick,elevensteps,withyoureyesshut,andthenturnaroundthreetimesandwalkhomewithoutspeakingtoanybody.Becauseifyouspeakthecharm'sbusted.""Well,thatsoundslikeagoodway;butthatain'tthewayBobTannerdone.""No,sir,youcanbethedidn't,becuzhe'sthewartiestboyinthistown;andhewouldn'thaveawartonhimifhe'dknowedhowtoworkspunk-39
water.I'vetookoffthousandsofwartsoffofmyhandsthatway,Huck.IplaywithfrogssomuchthatI'vealwaysgotconsiderablemanywarts.SometimesItake'emoffwithabean.""Yes,bean'sgood.I'vedonethat.""Haveyou?What'syourway?""Youtakeandsplitthebean,andcutthewartsoastogetsomeblood,andthenyouputthebloodononepieceofthebeanandtakeanddigaholeandburyit'boutmidnightatthecrossroadsinthedarkofthemoon,andthenyouburnuptherestofthebean.Youseethatpiecethat'sgotthebloodonitwillkeepdrawinganddrawing,tryingtofetchtheotherpiecetoit,andsothathelpsthebloodtodrawthewart,andprettysoonoffshecomes.""Yes,that'sit,Huck—that'sit;thoughwhenyou'reburyingitifyousay'Downbean;offwart;comenomoretobotherme!'it'sbetter.That'sthewayJoeHarperdoes,andhe'sbeennearlytoCoonvilleandmosteverywheres.Butsay—howdoyoucure'emwithdeadcats?""Why,youtakeyourcatandgoandgetinthegraveyard'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.""Well,Ireckonit'sso,then.Becuztheysayshe'sawitch.""Say!Why,Tom,Iknowsheis.Shewitchedpap.Papsayssohisownself.Hecomealongoneday,andheseeshewasa-witchinghim,sohetookuparock,andifshehadn'tdodged,he'dagother.Well,thatverynightherolledoff'nashedwher'hewasalayindrunk,andbrokehisarm.""Why,that'sawful.Howdidheknowshewasa-witchinghim?""Lord,papcantell,easy.Papsayswhentheykeeplookingatyourightstiddy,they'rea-witchingyou.Speciallyiftheymumble.Becuzwhentheymumblethey'resayingtheLord'sPrayerbackards.""Say,Hucky,whenyougoingtotrythecat?""To-night.Ireckonthey'llcomeafteroldHossWilliamsto-night."40
"ButtheyburiedhimSaturday.Didn'ttheygethimSaturdaynight?""Why,howyoutalk!Howcouldtheircharmsworktillmidnight?—andthenit'sSunday.Devilsdon'tslosharoundmuchofaSunday,Idon'treckon.""Ineverthoughtofthat.That'sso.Lemmegowithyou?""Ofcourse—ifyouain'tafeard.""Afeard!'Tain'tlikely.Willyoumeow?""Yes—andyoumeowback,ifyougetachance.Lasttime,youkep'mea-meowingaroundtilloldHayswenttothrowingrocksatmeandsays'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.""Oh,anybodycanrunatickdownthatdon'tbelongtothem.I'msatis-fiedwithit.It'sagoodenoughtickforme.""Sho,there'sticksaplenty.Icouldhaveathousandof'emifIwantedto.""Well,whydon'tyou?Becuzyouknowmightywellyoucan't.Thisisaprettyearlytick,Ireckon.It'sthefirstoneI'veseenthisyear.""Say,Huck—I'llgiveyoumytoothforhim.""Lessseeit."Tomgotoutabitofpaperandcarefullyunrolledit.Huckleberryvieweditwistfully.Thetemptationwasverystrong.Atlasthesaid:"Isitgenuwyne?"Tomliftedhislipandshowedthevacancy."Well,allright,"saidHuckleberry,"it'satrade."Tomenclosedthetickinthepercussion-capboxthathadlatelybeenthepinchbug'sprison,andtheboysseparated,eachfeelingwealthierthanbefore.41
WhenTomreachedthelittleisolatedframeschoolhouse,hestrodeinbriskly,withthemannerofonewhohadcomewithallhonestspeed.Hehunghishatonapegandflunghimselfintohisseatwithbusiness-likealacrity.Themaster,thronedonhighinhisgreatsplint-bottomarm-chair,wasdozing,lulledbythedrowsyhumofstudy.Theinterruptionrousedhim."ThomasSawyer!"Tomknewthatwhenhisnamewaspronouncedinfull,itmeanttrouble."Sir!""Comeuphere.Now,sir,whyareyoulateagain,asusual?"Tomwasabouttotakerefugeinalie,whenhesawtwolongtailsofyellowhairhangingdownabackthatherecognizedbytheelectricsym-pathyoflove;andbythatformwastheonlyvacantplaceonthegirls'sideoftheschool-house.Heinstantlysaid:"IstoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn!"Themaster'spulsestoodstill,andhestaredhelplessly.Thebuzzofstudyceased.Thepupilswonderedifthisfoolhardyboyhadlosthismind.Themastersaid:"You—youdidwhat?""StoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn."Therewasnomistakingthewords."ThomasSawyer,thisisthemostastoundingconfessionIhaveeverlistenedto.Nomereferulewillanswerforthisoffence.Takeoffyourjacket."Themaster'sarmperformeduntilitwastiredandthestockofswitchesnotablydiminished.Thentheorderfollowed:"Now,sir,goandsitwiththegirls!Andletthisbeawarningtoyou."Thetitterthatrippledaroundtheroomappearedtoabashtheboy,butinrealitythatresultwascausedrathermorebyhisworshipfulaweofhisunknownidolandthedreadpleasurethatlayinhishighgoodfortune.Hesatdownupontheendofthepinebenchandthegirlhitchedherselfawayfromhimwithatossofherhead.Nudgesandwinksandwhisperstraversedtheroom,butTomsatstill,withhisarmsuponthelong,lowdeskbeforehim,andseemedtostudyhisbook.Byandbyattentionceasedfromhim,andtheaccustomedschoolmur-murroseuponthedullaironcemore.Presentlytheboybegantosteal42
furtiveglancesatthegirl.Sheobservedit,"madeamouth"athimandgavehimthebackofherheadforthespaceofaminute.Whenshecau-tiouslyfacedaroundagain,apeachlaybeforeher.Shethrustitaway.Tomgentlyputitback.Shethrustitawayagain,butwithlessanimosity.Tompatientlyreturnedittoitsplace.Thensheletitremain.Tomscrawledonhisslate,"Pleasetakeit—Igotmore."Thegirlglancedatthewords,butmadenosign.Nowtheboybegantodrawsomethingontheslate,hidinghisworkwithhislefthand.Foratimethegirlrefusedtonotice;butherhumancuriositypresentlybegantomanifestitselfbyhardlyperceptiblesigns.Theboyworkedon,apparentlyunconscious.Thegirlmadeasortofnoncommittalattempttosee,buttheboydidnotbetraythathewasawareofit.Atlastshegaveinandhesitatinglywhispered:"Letmeseeit."Tompartlyuncoveredadismalcaricatureofahousewithtwogableendstoitandacorkscrewofsmokeissuingfromthechimney.Thenthegirl'sinterestbegantofastenitselfupontheworkandsheforgoteverythingelse.Whenitwasfinished,shegazedamoment,thenwhispered:"It'snice—makeaman."Theartisterectedamaninthefrontyard,thatresembledaderrick.Hecouldhavesteppedoverthehouse;butthegirlwasnothypercritical;shewassatisfiedwiththemonster,andwhispered:"It'sabeautifulman—nowmakemecomingalong."Tomdrewanhour-glasswithafullmoonandstrawlimbstoitandarmedthespreadingfingerswithaportentousfan.Thegirlsaid:"It'seversonice—IwishIcoulddraw.""It'seasy,"whisperedTom,"I'lllearnyou.""Oh,willyou?When?""Atnoon.Doyougohometodinner?""I'llstayifyouwill.""Good—that'sawhack.What'syourname?""BeckyThatcher.What'syours?Oh,Iknow.It'sThomasSawyer.""That'sthenametheylickmeby.I'mTomwhenI'mgood.YoucallmeTom,willyou?""Yes."43
NowTombegantoscrawlsomethingontheslate,hidingthewordsfromthegirl.Butshewasnotbackwardthistime.Shebeggedtosee.Tomsaid:"Oh,itain'tanything.""Yesitis.""Noitain't.Youdon'twanttosee.""YesIdo,indeedIdo.Pleaseletme.""You'lltell.""NoIwon't—deedanddeedanddoubledeedwon't.""Youwon'ttellanybodyatall?Ever,aslongasyoulive?""No,Iwon'tevertellanybody.Nowletme.""Oh,youdon'twanttosee!""Nowthatyoutreatmeso,Iwillsee."Andsheputhersmallhanduponhisandalittlescuffleensued,Tompretendingtoresistinearnestbutlettinghishandslipbydegreestillthesewordswererevealed:"IloveYou.""Oh,youbadthing!"Andshehithishandasmartrap,butreddenedandlookedpleased,nevertheless.Justatthisjuncturetheboyfeltaslow,fatefulgripclosingonhisear,andasteadyliftingimpulse.Inthatvisehewasborneacrossthehouseanddepositedinhisownseat,underapepperingfireofgigglesfromthewholeschool.Thenthemasterstoodoverhimduringafewawfulmo-ments,andfinallymovedawaytohisthronewithoutsayingaword.ButalthoughTom'seartingled,hisheartwasjubilant.AstheschoolquieteddownTommadeanhonestefforttostudy,buttheturmoilwithinhimwastoogreat.Inturnhetookhisplaceinthereadingclassandmadeabotchofit;theninthegeographyclassandturnedlakesintomountains,mountainsintorivers,andriversintocon-tinents,tillchaoswascomeagain;theninthespellingclass,andgot"turneddown,"byasuccessionofmerebabywords,tillhebroughtupatthefootandyieldedupthepewtermedalwhichhehadwornwithos-tentationformonths.44
Chapter7TheharderTomtriedtofastenhismindonhisbook,themorehisideaswandered.Soatlast,withasighandayawn,hegaveitup.Itseemedtohimthatthenoonrecesswouldnevercome.Theairwasutterlydead.Therewasnotabreathstirring.Itwasthesleepiestofsleepydays.Thedrowsingmurmurofthefiveandtwentystudyingscholarssoothedthesoullikethespellthatisinthemurmurofbees.Awayoffintheflamingsunshine,CardiffHilllifteditssoftgreensidesthroughashimmeringveilofheat,tintedwiththepurpleofdistance;afewbirdsfloatedonlazywinghighintheair;nootherlivingthingwasvisiblebutsomecows,andtheywereasleep.Tom'sheartachedtobefree,orelsetohavesomethingofinteresttodotopassthedrearytime.Hishandwanderedintohispocketandhisfacelitupwithaglowofgratitudethatwaspray-er,thoughhedidnotknowit.Thenfurtivelythepercussion-capboxcameout.Hereleasedthetickandputhimonthelongflatdesk.Thecreatureprobablyglowedwithagratitudethatamountedtoprayer,too,atthismoment,butitwaspremature:forwhenhestartedthankfullytotraveloff,Tomturnedhimasidewithapinandmadehimtakeanewdirection.Tom'sbosomfriendsatnexthim,sufferingjustasTomhadbeen,andnowhewasdeeplyandgratefullyinterestedinthisentertainmentinaninstant.ThisbosomfriendwasJoeHarper.Thetwoboyswereswornfriendsalltheweek,andembattledenemiesonSaturdays.Joetookapinoutofhislapelandbegantoassistinexercisingtheprisoner.Thesportgrewininterestmomently.SoonTomsaidthattheywereinterferingwitheachother,andneithergettingthefullestbenefitofthetick.SoheputJoe'sslateonthedeskanddrewalinedownthemiddleofitfromtoptobottom."Now,"saidhe,"aslongasheisonyoursideyoucanstirhimupandI'lllethimalone;butifyoulethimgetawayandgetonmyside,you'retoleavehimaloneaslongasIcankeephimfromcrossingover.""Allright,goahead;starthimup."45
ThetickescapedfromTom,presently,andcrossedtheequator.Joeharassedhimawhile,andthenhegotawayandcrossedbackagain.Thischangeofbaseoccurredoften.Whileoneboywasworryingthetickwithabsorbinginterest,theotherwouldlookonwithinterestasstrong,thetwoheadsbowedtogetherovertheslate,andthetwosoulsdeadtoallthingselse.AtlastluckseemedtosettleandabidewithJoe.Theticktriedthis,that,andtheothercourse,andgotasexcitedandasanxiousastheboysthemselves,buttimeandagainjustashewouldhavevictoryinhisverygrasp,sotospeak,andTom'sfingerswouldbetwitchingtobe-gin,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,andyousha'n'ttouchhim.""Well,I'lljustbetIwill,though.He'smytickandI'lldowhatIblamepleasewithhim,ordie!"AtremendouswhackcamedownonTom'sshoulders,anditsduplic-ateonJoe's;andforthespaceoftwominutesthedustcontinuedtoflyfromthetwojacketsandthewholeschooltoenjoyit.Theboyshadbeentooabsorbedtonoticethehushthathadstolenupontheschoolawhilebeforewhenthemastercametiptoeingdowntheroomandstoodoverthem.Hehadcontemplatedagoodpartoftheperformancebeforehecontributedhisbitofvarietytoit.Whenschoolbrokeupatnoon,TomflewtoBeckyThatcher,andwhisperedinherear:"Putonyourbonnetandletonyou'regoinghome;andwhenyougettothecorner,givetherestof'emtheslip,andturndownthroughthe46
laneandcomeback.I'llgotheotherwayandcomeitover'emthesameway."Sotheonewentoffwithonegroupofscholars,andtheotherwithan-other.Inalittlewhilethetwometatthebottomofthelane,andwhentheyreachedtheschooltheyhaditalltothemselves.Thentheysatto-gether,withaslatebeforethem,andTomgaveBeckythepencilandheldherhandinhis,guidingit,andsocreatedanothersurprisinghouse.Whentheinterestinartbegantowane,thetwofelltotalking.Tomwasswimminginbliss.Hesaid:"Doyouloverats?""No!Ihatethem!""Well,Ido,too—liveones.ButImeandeadones,toswingroundyourheadwithastring.""No,Idon'tcareforratsmuch,anyway.WhatIlikeischewing-gum.""Oh,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'mgo-ingtobeaclowninacircuswhenIgrowup.""Oh,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."47
"Kiss?Whatdoyoukissfor?""Why,that,youknow,isto—well,theyalwaysdothat.""Everybody?""Why,yes,everybodythat'sinlovewitheachother.DoyourememberwhatIwroteontheslate?""Ye—yes.""Whatwasit?""Isha'n'ttellyou.""ShallItellyou?""Ye—yes—butsomeothertime.""No,now.""No,notnow—to-morrow.""Oh,no,now.Please,Becky—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,indeed,indeedIwon't.Now,Becky."Heturnedhisfaceaway.Shebenttimidlyaroundtillherbreathstirredhiscurlsandwhispered,"I—love—you!"Thenshesprangawayandranaroundandaroundthedesksandbenches,withTomafterher,andtookrefugeinacorneratlast,withherlittlewhiteaprontoherface.Tomclaspedheraboutherneckandpleaded:"Now,Becky,it'salldone—alloverbutthekiss.Don'tyoubeafraidofthat—itain'tanythingatall.Please,Becky."Andhetuggedatherap-ronandthehands.Byandbyshegaveup,andletherhandsdrop;herface,allglowingwiththestruggle,cameupandsubmitted.Tomkissedtheredlipsandsaid:48
"Nowit'salldone,Becky.Andalwaysafterthis,youknow,youain'tevertoloveanybodybutme,andyouain'tevertomarryanybodybutme,everneverandforever.Willyou?""No,I'llneverloveanybodybutyou,Tom,andI'llnevermarryany-bodybutyou—andyouain'ttoevermarryanybodybutme,either.""Certainly.Ofcourse.That'spartofit.Andalwayscomingtoschoolorwhenwe'regoinghome,you'retowalkwithme,whenthereain'tany-bodylooking—andyouchoosemeandIchooseyouatparties,becausethat'sthewayyoudowhenyou'reengaged.""It'ssonice.Ineverheardofitbefore.""Oh,it'seversogay!Why,meandAmyLawrence—"ThebigeyestoldTomhisblunderandhestopped,confused."Oh,Tom!ThenIain'tthefirstyou'veeverbeenengagedto!"Thechildbegantocry.Tomsaid:"Oh,don'tcry,Becky,Idon'tcareforheranymore.""Yes,youdo,Tom—youknowyoudo."Tomtriedtoputhisarmaboutherneck,butshepushedhimawayandturnedherfacetothewall,andwentoncrying.Tomtriedagain,withsoothingwordsinhismouth,andwasrepulsedagain.Thenhispridewasup,andhestrodeawayandwentoutside.Hestoodabout,restlessanduneasy,forawhile,glancingatthedoor,everynowandthen,hopingshewouldrepentandcometofindhim.Butshedidnot.Thenhebegantofeelbadlyandfearthathewasinthewrong.Itwasahardstrugglewithhimtomakenewadvances,now,buthenervedhim-selftoitandentered.Shewasstillstandingbackthereinthecorner,sob-bing,withherfacetothewall.Tom'sheartsmotehim.Hewenttoherandstoodamoment,notknowingexactlyhowtoproceed.Thenhesaidhesitatingly:"Becky,I—Idon'tcareforanybodybutyou."Noreply—butsobs."Becky"—pleadingly."Becky,won'tyousaysomething?"Moresobs.Tomgotouthischiefestjewel,abrassknobfromthetopofanand-iron,andpasseditaroundhersothatshecouldseeit,andsaid:"Please,Becky,won'tyoutakeit?"49
Shestruckittothefloor.ThenTommarchedoutofthehouseandoverthehillsandfaraway,toreturntoschoolnomorethatday.PresentlyBeckybegantosuspect.Sherantothedoor;hewasnotinsight;sheflewaroundtotheplay-yard;hewasnotthere.Thenshecalled:"Tom!Comeback,Tom!"Shelistenedintently,buttherewasnoanswer.Shehadnocompan-ionsbutsilenceandloneliness.Soshesatdowntocryagainandupbraidherself;andbythistimethescholarsbegantogatheragain,andshehadtohidehergriefsandstillherbrokenheartandtakeupthecrossofalong,dreary,achingafternoon,withnoneamongthestrangersabouthertoexchangesorrowswith.50
Chapter8Tomdodgedhitherandthitherthroughlanesuntilhewaswelloutofthetrackofreturningscholars,andthenfellintoamoodyjog.Hecrossedasmall"branch"twoorthreetimes,becauseofaprevailingju-venilesuperstitionthattocrosswaterbaffledpursuit.HalfanhourlaterhewasdisappearingbehindtheDouglasmansiononthesummitofCardiffHill,andtheschool-housewashardlydistinguishableawayoffinthevalleybehindhim.Heenteredadensewood,pickedhispathlesswaytothecentreofit,andsatdownonamossyspotunderaspreadingoak.Therewasnotevenazephyrstirring;thedeadnoondayheathadevenstilledthesongsofthebirds;naturelayinatrancethatwasbrokenbynosoundbuttheoccasionalfar-offhammeringofawoodpecker,andthisseemedtorenderthepervadingsilenceandsenseoflonelinessthemoreprofound.Theboy'ssoulwassteepedinmelancholy;hisfeelingswereinhappyaccordwithhissurroundings.Hesatlongwithhisel-bowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands,meditating.Itseemedtohimthatlifewasbutatrouble,atbest,andhemorethanhalfenviedJimmyHodges,solatelyreleased;itmustbeverypeaceful,hethought,tolieandslumberanddreamforeverandever,withthewindwhisper-ingthroughthetreesandcaressingthegrassandtheflowersoverthegrave,andnothingtobotherandgrieveabout,everanymore.IfheonlyhadacleanSunday-schoolrecordhecouldbewillingtogo,andbedonewithitall.Nowastothisgirl.Whathadhedone?Nothing.Hehadmeantthebestintheworld,andbeentreatedlikeadog—likeaverydog.Shewouldbesorrysomeday—maybewhenitwastoolate.Ah,ifhecouldonlydietemporarily!Buttheelasticheartofyouthcannotbecompressedintoonecon-strainedshapelongatatime.Tompresentlybegantodriftinsensiblybackintotheconcernsofthislifeagain.Whatifheturnedhisback,now,anddisappearedmysteriously?Whatifhewentaway—eversofaraway,intounknowncountriesbeyondtheseas—andnevercamebackanymore!Howwouldshefeelthen!Theideaofbeingaclownrecurred51
tohimnow,onlytofillhimwithdisgust.Forfrivolityandjokesandspottedtightswereanoffense,whentheyintrudedthemselvesuponaspiritthatwasexaltedintothevagueaugustrealmoftheromantic.No,hewouldbeasoldier,andreturnafterlongyears,allwar-wornandil-lustrious.No—betterstill,hewouldjointheIndians,andhuntbuffaloesandgoonthewarpathinthemountainrangesandthetracklessgreatplainsoftheFarWest,andawayinthefuturecomebackagreatchief,bristlingwithfeathers,hideouswithpaint,andpranceintoSunday-school,somedrowsysummermorning,withablood-curdlingwar-whoop,andseartheeyeballsofallhiscompanionswithunappeasableenvy.Butno,therewassomethinggaudiereventhanthis.Hewouldbeapirate!Thatwasit!Nowhisfuturelayplainbeforehim,andglowingwithunimaginablesplendor.Howhisnamewouldfilltheworld,andmakepeopleshudder!Howgloriouslyhewouldgoplowingthedancingseas,inhislong,low,black-hulledracer,theSpiritoftheStorm,withhisgrislyflagflyingatthefore!Andatthezenithofhisfame,howhewouldsuddenlyappearattheoldvillageandstalkintochurch,brownandweather-beaten,inhisblackvelvetdoubletandtrunks,hisgreatjack-boots,hiscrimsonsash,hisbeltbristlingwithhorse-pistols,hiscrime-rustedcutlassathisside,hisslouchhatwithwavingplumes,hisblackflagunfurled,withtheskullandcrossbonesonit,andhearwithswellingecstasythewhisperings,"It'sTomSawyerthePirate!—theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain!"Yes,itwassettled;hiscareerwasdetermined.Hewouldrunawayfromhomeandenteruponit.Hewouldstarttheverynextmorning.Thereforehemustnowbegintogetready.Hewouldcollecthisre-sourcestogether.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.Ifyouburiedamarble52
withcertainnecessaryincantations,andleftitaloneafortnight,andthenopenedtheplacewiththeincantationhehadjustused,youwouldfindthatallthemarblesyouhadeverlosthadgatheredthemselvestogetherthere,meantime,nomatterhowwidelytheyhadbeenseparated.Butnow,thisthinghadactuallyandunquestionablyfailed.Tom'swholestructureoffaithwasshakentoitsfoundations.Hehadmanyatimeheardofthisthingsucceedingbutneverofitsfailingbefore.Itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadtrieditseveraltimesbefore,himself,butcouldneverfindthehiding-placesafterward.Hepuzzledoverthemattersometime,andfinallydecidedthatsomewitchhadinterferedandbrokenthecharm.Hethoughthewouldsatisfyhimselfonthatpoint;sohesearchedaroundtillhefoundasmallsandyspotwithalittlefunnel-shapedde-pressioninit.Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisde-pressionandcalled—"Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!Doodle-bug,doodle-bug,tellmewhatIwanttoknow!"Thesandbegantowork,andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright."Hedasn'ttell!Soitwasawitchthatdoneit.Ijustknowedit."Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches,sohegaveupdiscouraged.Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway,andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit.Buthecouldnotfindit.Nowhewentbacktohistreasure-houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway;thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway,saying:"Brother,gofindyourbrother!"Hewatchedwhereitstopped,andwentthereandlooked.Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar;sohetriedtwicemore.Thelastrepeti-tionwassuccessful.Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother.Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest.Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers,turnedasus-penderintoabelt,rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog,disclos-ingarudebowandarrow,alathswordandatintrumpet,andinamo-menthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway,barelegged,withflut-teringshirt.Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm,blewanansweringblast,andthenbegantotiptoeandlookwarilyout,thiswayandthat.Hesaidcautiously—toanimaginarycompany:53
"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:"Now,ifyou'vegotthehang,goitlively!"Sothey"wentitlively,"pantingandperspiringwiththework.ByandbyTomshouted:"Fall!fall!Whydon'tyoufall?""Isha'n't!Whydon'tyoufallyourself?You'regettingtheworstofit.""Why,thatain'tanything.Ican'tfall;thatain'tthewayitisinthebook.Thebooksays,'Thenwithoneback-handedstrokeheslewpoorGuyofGuisborne.'You'retoturnaroundandletmehityouintheback."Therewasnogettingaroundtheauthorities,soJoeturned,receivedthewhackandfell."Now,"saidJoe,gettingup,"yougottoletmekillyou.That'sfair.""Why,Ican'tdothat,itain'tinthebook.""Well,it'sblamedmean—that'sall.""Well,say,Joe,youcanbeFriarTuckorMuchthemiller'sson,andlammewithaquarter-staff;orI'llbetheSheriffofNottinghamandyoubeRobinHoodalittlewhileandkillme."Thiswassatisfactory,andsotheseadventureswerecarriedout.ThenTombecameRobinHoodagain,andwasallowedbythetreacherousnuntobleedhisstrengthawaythroughhisneglectedwound.AndatlastJoe,representingawholetribeofweepingoutlaws,draggedhimsadlyforth,gavehisbowintohisfeeblehands,andTomsaid,"Wherethisar-rowfalls,thereburypoorRobinHoodunderthegreenwoodtree."Then54
heshotthearrowandfellbackandwouldhavedied,buthelitonanettleandspranguptoogailyforacorpse.Theboysdressedthemselves,hidtheiraccoutrements,andwentoffgrievingthattherewerenooutlawsanymore,andwonderingwhatmoderncivilizationcouldclaimtohavedonetocompensatefortheirloss.TheysaidtheywouldratherbeoutlawsayearinSherwoodForestthanPresidentoftheUnitedStatesforever.55
Chapter9Athalf-pastnine,thatnight,TomandSidweresenttobed,asusual.Theysaidtheirprayers,andSidwassoonasleep.Tomlayawakeandwaited,inrestlessimpatience.Whenitseemedtohimthatitmustbenearlydaylight,heheardtheclockstriketen!Thiswasdespair.Hewouldhavetossedandfidgeted,ashisnervesdemanded,buthewasafraidhemightwakeSid.Sohelaystill,andstaredupintothedark.Everythingwasdismallystill.Byandby,outofthestillness,little,scarcelypreceptiblenoisesbegantoemphasizethemselves.Thetickingoftheclockbegantobringitselfintonotice.Oldbeamsbegantocrackmysteriously.Thestairscreakedfaintly.Evidentlyspiritswereabroad.Ameasured,muffledsnoreissuedfromAuntPolly'schamber.Andnowthetiresomechirpingofacricketthatnohumaningenuitycouldlocate,began.Nexttheghastlytickingofadeathwatchinthewallatthebed'sheadmadeTomshudder—itmeantthatsomebody'sdayswerenumbered.Thenthehowlofafar-offdogroseonthenightair,andwasansweredbyafainterhowlfromaremoterdistance.Tomwasinanagony.Atlasthewassatisfiedthattimehadceasedandeternitybegun;hebegantodoze,inspiteofhimself;theclockchimedeleven,buthedidnothearit.Andthentherecame,minglingwithhishalf-formeddreams,amostmelancholycaterwauling.Theraisingofaneighboringwindowdisturbedhim.Acryof"Scat!youdevil!"andthecrashofanemptybottleagainstthebackofhisaunt'swoodshedbroughthimwideawake,andasingleminutelaterhewasdressedandoutofthewindowandcreepingalongtheroofofthe"ell"onallfours.He"meow'd"withcau-tiononceortwice,ashewent;thenjumpedtotheroofofthewoodshedandthencetotheground.HuckleberryFinnwasthere,withhisdeadcat.Theboysmovedoffanddisappearedinthegloom.Attheendofhalfanhourtheywerewadingthroughthetallgrassofthegraveyard.Itwasagraveyardoftheold-fashionedWesternkind.Itwasonahill,aboutamileandahalffromthevillage.Ithadacrazyboardfencearoundit,whichleanedinwardinplaces,andoutwardtherestofthe56
time,butstooduprightnowhere.Grassandweedsgrewrankoverthewholecemetery.Alltheoldgravesweresunkenin,therewasnotatombstoneontheplace;round-topped,worm-eatenboardsstaggeredoverthegraves,leaningforsupportandfindingnone."Sacredtothememoryof"So-and-Sohadbeenpaintedonthemonce,butitcouldnolongerhavebeenread,onthemostofthem,now,eveniftherehadbeenlight.Afaintwindmoanedthroughthetrees,andTomfeareditmightbethespiritsofthedead,complainingatbeingdisturbed.Theboystalkedlittle,andonlyundertheirbreath,forthetimeandtheplaceandtheper-vadingsolemnityandsilenceoppressedtheirspirits.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.Every-bodycallshimHoss.""Abodycan'tbetoopartic'larhowtheytalk'boutthese-yerdeadpeople,Tom."Thiswasadamper,andconversationdiedagain.PresentlyTomseizedhiscomrade'sarmandsaid:"Sh!""Whatisit,Tom?"Andthetwoclungtogetherwithbeatinghearts."Sh!There'tisagain!Didn'tyouhearit?"57
"I—""There!Nowyouhearit.""Lord,Tom,they'recoming!They'recoming,sure.What'llwedo?""Idono.Thinkthey'llseeus?""Oh,Tom,theycanseeinthedark,sameascats.IwishtIhadn'tcome.""Oh,don'tbeafeard.Idon'tbelievethey'llbotherus.Weain'tdoinganyharm.Ifwekeepperfectlystill,maybetheywon'tnoticeusatall.""I'lltryto,Tom,but,Lord,I'mallofashiver.""Listen!"Theboysbenttheirheadstogetherandscarcelybreathed.Amuffledsoundofvoicesfloatedupfromthefarendofthegraveyard."Look!Seethere!"whisperedTom."Whatisit?""It'sdevil-fire.Oh,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'tsharpenoughtono-ticeus.Drunk,thesameasusual,likely—blamedoldrip!""Allright,I'llkeepstill.Nowthey'restuck.Can'tfindit.Heretheycomeagain.Nowthey'rehot.Coldagain.Hotagain.Redhot!They'rep'intedright,thistime.Say,Huck,Iknowanothero'themvoices;it'sIn-junJoe.""That'sso—thatmurderin'half-breed!I'ddruthertheywasdevilsadernsight.Whatkintheybeupto?"58
Thewhisperdiedwhollyout,now,forthethreemenhadreachedthegraveandstoodwithinafewfeetoftheboys'hiding-place."Hereitis,"saidthethirdvoice;andtheownerofitheldthelanternupandrevealedthefaceofyoungDoctorRobinson.PotterandInjunJoewerecarryingahandbarrowwitharopeandacoupleofshovelsonit.Theycastdowntheirloadandbegantoopenthegrave.Thedoctorputthelanternattheheadofthegraveandcameandsatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheelmtrees.Hewassoclosetheboyscouldhavetouchedhim."Hurry,men!"hesaid,inalowvoice;"themoonmightcomeoutatanymoment."Theygrowledaresponseandwentondigging.Forsometimetherewasnonoisebutthegratingsoundofthespadesdischargingtheirfreightofmouldandgravel.Itwasverymonotonous.Finallyaspadestruckuponthecoffinwithadullwoodyaccent,andwithinanotherminuteortwothemenhadhoisteditoutontheground.Theypriedoffthelidwiththeirshovels,gotoutthebodyanddumpeditrudelyontheground.Themoondriftedfrombehindthecloudsandexposedthepal-lidface.Thebarrowwasgotreadyandthecorpseplacedonit,coveredwithablanket,andboundtoitsplacewiththerope.Pottertookoutalargespring-knifeandcutoffthedanglingendoftheropeandthensaid:"Nowthecussedthing'sready,Sawbones,andyou'lljustoutwithan-otherfive,orhereshestays.""That'sthetalk!"saidInjunJoe."Lookhere,whatdoesthismean?"saidthedoctor."Yourequiredyourpayinadvance,andI'vepaidyou.""Yes,andyoudonemorethanthat,"saidInjunJoe,approachingthedoctor,whowasnowstanding."Fiveyearsagoyoudrovemeawayfromyourfather'skitchenonenight,whenIcometoaskforsomethingtoeat,andyousaidIwarn'tthereforanygood;andwhenIsworeI'dgetevenwithyouifittookahundredyears,yourfatherhadmejailedforavag-rant.DidyouthinkI'dforget?TheInjunbloodain'tinmefornothing.AndnowI'vegotyou,andyougottosettle,youknow!"Hewasthreateningthedoctor,withhisfistinhisface,bythistime.Thedoctorstruckoutsuddenlyandstretchedtheruffianontheground.Potterdroppedhisknife,andexclaimed:"Here,now,don'tyouhitmypard!"andthenextmomenthehadgrappledwiththedoctorandthetwowerestrugglingwithmightand59
main,tramplingthegrassandtearingthegroundwiththeirheels.InjunJoesprangtohisfeet,hiseyesflamingwithpassion,snatchedupPotter'sknife,andwentcreeping,catlikeandstooping,roundandroundaboutthecombatants,seekinganopportunity.Allatoncethedoctorflunghimselffree,seizedtheheavyheadboardofWilliams'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'tre-collectanythingofit,hardly.Tellme,Joe—honest,now,oldfeller—didIdoit?Joe,Inevermeantto—'ponmysoulandhonor,Inevermeantto,Joe.Tellmehowitwas,Joe.Oh,it'sawful—andhimsoyoungandpromising.""Why,youtwowasscuffling,andhefetchedyouonewiththehead-boardandyoufellflat;andthenupyoucome,allreelingandstaggeringlike,andsnatchedtheknifeandjammeditintohim,justashefetchedyouanotherawfulclip—andhereyou'velaid,asdeadasawedgetilnow."60
"Oh,Ididn'tknowwhatIwasa-doing.IwishImaydiethisminuteifIdid.Itwasallonaccountofthewhiskeyandtheexcitement,Ireckon.Ineverusedaweeponinmylifebefore,Joe.I'vefought,butneverwithweepons.They'llallsaythat.Joe,don'ttell!Sayyouwon'ttell,Joe—that'sagoodfeller.Ialwayslikedyou,Joe,andstoodupforyou,too.Don'tyouremember?Youwon'ttell,willyou,Joe?"Andthepoorcreaturedroppedonhiskneesbeforethestolidmurderer,andclaspedhisappealinghands."No,you'vealwaysbeenfairandsquarewithme,MuffPotter,andIwon'tgobackonyou.There,now,that'sasfairasamancansay.""Oh,Joe,you'reanangel.I'llblessyouforthisthelongestdayIlive."AndPotterbegantocry."Come,now,that'senoughofthat.Thisain'tanytimeforblubbering.YoubeoffyonderwayandI'llgothis.Move,now,anddon'tleaveanytracksbehindyou."Potterstartedonatrotthatquicklyincreasedtoarun.Thehalf-breedstoodlookingafterhim.Hemuttered:"Ifhe'sasmuchstunnedwiththelickandfuddledwiththerumashehadthelookofbeing,hewon'tthinkoftheknifetillhe'sgonesofarhe'llbeafraidtocomebackafterittosuchaplacebyhimself—chicken-heart!"Twoorthreeminuteslaterthemurderedman,theblanketedcorpse,thelidlesscoffin,andtheopengravewereundernoinspectionbutthemoon's.Thestillnesswascompleteagain,too.61
Chapter10Thetwoboysflewonandon,towardthevillage,speechlesswithhorror.Theyglancedbackwardovertheirshouldersfromtimetotime,appre-hensively,asiftheyfearedtheymightbefollowed.Everystumpthatstartedupintheirpathseemedamanandanenemy,andmadethemcatchtheirbreath;andastheyspedbysomeoutlyingcottagesthatlaynearthevillage,thebarkingofthearousedwatch-dogsseemedtogivewingstotheirfeet."Ifwecanonlygettotheoldtannerybeforewebreakdown!"whisperedTom,inshortcatchesbetweenbreaths."Ican'tstanditmuchlonger."Huckleberry'shardpantingswerehisonlyreply,andtheboysfixedtheireyesonthegoaloftheirhopesandbenttotheirworktowinit.Theygainedsteadilyonit,andatlast,breasttobreast,theyburstthroughtheopendoorandfellgratefulandexhaustedintheshelteringshadowsbeyond.Byandbytheirpulsessloweddown,andTomwhispered:"Huckleberry,whatdoyoureckon'llcomeofthis?""IfDoctorRobinsondies,Ireckonhanging'llcomeofit.""Doyouthough?""Why,Iknowit,Tom."Tomthoughtawhile,thenhesaid:"Who'lltell?We?""Whatareyoutalkingabout?S'posesomethinghappenedandInjunJoedidn'thang?Why,he'dkillussometimeorother,justasdeadsureaswe'realayinghere.""That'sjustwhatIwasthinkingtomyself,Huck.""Ifanybodytells,letMuffPotterdoit,ifhe'sfoolenough.He'sgener-allydrunkenough."62
Tomsaidnothing—wentonthinking.Presentlyhewhispered:"Huck,MuffPotterdon'tknowit.Howcanhetell?""What'sthereasonhedon'tknowit?""Becausehe'djustgotthatwhackwhenInjunJoedoneit.D'youreck-onhecouldseeanything?D'youreckonheknowedanything?""Byhokey,that'sso,Tom!""Andbesides,look-a-here—maybethatwhackdoneforhim!""No,'taintlikely,Tom.Hehadliquorinhim;Icouldseethat;andbe-sides,healwayshas.Well,whenpap'sfull,youmighttakeandbelthimovertheheadwithachurchandyoucouldn'tphasehim.Hesaysso,hisownself.Soit'sthesamewithMuffPotter,ofcourse.Butifamanwasdeadsober,Ireckonmaybethatwhackmightfetchhim;Idono."Afteranotherreflectivesilence,Tomsaid:"Hucky,yousureyoucankeepmum?""Tom,wegottokeepmum.Youknowthat.ThatInjundevilwouldn'tmakeanymoreofdrowndingusthanacoupleofcats,ifwewastosqueak'boutthisandtheydidn'thanghim.Now,look-a-here,Tom,lesstakeandsweartooneanother—that'swhatwegottodo—sweartokeepmum.""I'magreed.It'sthebestthing.Wouldyoujustholdhandsandswearthatwe—""Ohno,thatwouldn'tdoforthis.That'sgoodenoughforlittlerub-bishycommonthings—speciallywithgals,cuztheygobackonyouanyway,andblabiftheygetinahuff—butthereorterbewriting'boutabigthinglikethis.Andblood."Tom'swholebeingapplaudedthisidea.Itwasdeep,anddark,andawful;thehour,thecircumstances,thesurroundings,wereinkeepingwithit.Hepickedupacleanpineshinglethatlayinthemoonlight,tookalittlefragmentof"redkeel"outofhispocket,gotthemoononhiswork,andpainfullyscrawledtheselines,emphasizingeachslowdown-strokebyclampinghistonguebetweenhisteeth,andlettingupthepres-sureontheup-strokes."HuckFinnandTomSawyerswearstheywillkeepmumaboutThisandThey63
wishTheymayDropdowndeadinTheirTracksifTheyeverTellandRot.HuckleberrywasfilledwithadmirationofTom'sfacilityinwriting,andthesublimityofhislanguage.Heatoncetookapinfromhislapelandwasgoingtoprickhisflesh,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,withsomedismalceremoniesandincantations,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!""Oh,lordy,I'mthankful!"whisperedTom."Iknowhisvoice.It'sBullHarbison."*64
[*IfMr.HarbisonownedaslavenamedBull,Tomwouldhavespokenofhimas"Harbison'sBull,"butasonoradogofthatnamewas"BullHarbison."]"Oh,that'sgood—Itellyou,Tom,Iwasmostscaredtodeath;I'dabetanythingitwasastraydog."Thedoghowledagain.Theboys'heartssankoncemore."Oh,my!thatain'tnoBullHarbison!"whisperedHuckleberry."Do,Tom!"Tom,quakingwithfear,yielded,andputhiseyetothecrack.Hiswhisperwashardlyaudiblewhenhesaid:"Oh,Huck,it'sastraydog!""Quick,Tom,quick!Whodoeshemean?""Huck,hemustmeanusboth—we'rerighttogether.""Oh,Tom,Ireckonwe'regoners.Ireckonthereain'tnomistake'boutwhereI'llgoto.Ibeensowicked.""Dadfetchit!Thiscomesofplayinghookeyanddoingeverythingafeller'stoldnottodo.Imightabeengood,likeSid,ifI'datried—butno,Iwouldn't,ofcourse.ButifeverIgetoffthistime,IlayI'lljustwallerinSunday-schools!"AndTombegantosnufflealittle."Youbad!"andHuckleberrybegantosnuffletoo."Consoundit,TomSawyer,you'rejustoldpie,'longsideo'whatIam.Oh,lordy,lordy,lordy,IwishtIonlyhadhalfyourchance."Tomchokedoffandwhispered:"Look,Hucky,look!He'sgothisbacktous!"Huckylooked,withjoyinhisheart."Well,hehas,byjingoes!Didhebefore?""Yes,hedid.ButI,likeafool,neverthought.Oh,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,hejust65
liftsthingswhenhesnores.Besides,Ireckonheain'tevercomingbacktothistownanymore."Thespiritofadventureroseintheboys'soulsoncemore."Hucky,doyoudas'ttogoifIlead?""Idon'tliketo,much.Tom,s'poseit'sInjunJoe!"Tomquailed.Butpresentlythetemptationroseupstrongagainandtheboysagreedtotry,withtheunderstandingthattheywouldtaketotheirheelsifthesnoringstopped.Sotheywenttiptoeingstealthilydown,theonebehindtheother.Whentheyhadgottowithinfivestepsofthesnorer,Tomsteppedonastick,anditbrokewithasharpsnap.Themanmoaned,writhedalittle,andhisfacecameintothemoonlight.ItwasMuffPotter.Theboys'heartshadstoodstill,andtheirhopestoo,whenthemanmoved,buttheirfearspassedawaynow.Theytiptoedout,throughthebrokenweather-boarding,andstoppedatalittledis-tancetoexchangeapartingword.Thatlong,lugubrioushowlroseonthenightairagain!Theyturnedandsawthestrangedogstandingwith-inafewfeetofwherePotterwaslying,andfacingPotter,withhisnosepointingheavenward."Oh,geeminy,it'shim!"exclaimedbothboys,inabreath."Say,Tom—theysayastraydogcomehowlingaroundJohnnyMiller'shouse,'boutmidnight,asmuchastwoweeksago;andawhip-poorwillcomeinandlitonthebanistersandsung,theverysameeven-ing;andthereain'tanybodydeadthereyet.""Well,Iknowthat.Andsupposethereain't.Didn'tGracieMillerfallinthekitchenfireandburnherselfterribletheverynextSaturday?""Yes,butsheain'tdead.Andwhat'smore,she'sgettingbetter,too.""Allright,youwaitandsee.She'sagoner,justasdeadsureasMuffPotter'sagoner.That'swhattheniggerssay,andtheyknowallaboutthesekindofthings,Huck."Thentheyseparated,cogitating.WhenTomcreptinathisbedroomwindowthenightwasalmostspent.Heundressedwithexcessivecau-tion,andfellasleepcongratulatinghimselfthatnobodyknewofhises-capade.Hewasnotawarethatthegently-snoringSidwasawake,andhadbeensoforanhour.WhenTomawoke,Sidwasdressedandgone.Therewasalatelookinthelight,alatesenseintheatmosphere.Hewasstartled.Whyhadhenotbeencalled—persecutedtillhewasup,asusual?Thethoughtfilledhimwithbodings.Withinfiveminuteshewasdressedanddown-stairs,66
feelingsoreanddrowsy.Thefamilywerestillattable,buttheyhadfin-ishedbreakfast.Therewasnovoiceofrebuke;buttherewereavertedeyes;therewasasilenceandanairofsolemnitythatstruckachilltotheculprit'sheart.Hesatdownandtriedtoseemgay,butitwasup-hillwork;itrousednosmile,noresponse,andhelapsedintosilenceandlethisheartsinkdowntothedepths.Afterbreakfasthisaunttookhimaside,andTomalmostbrightenedinthehopethathewasgoingtobeflogged;butitwasnotso.Hisauntweptoverhimandaskedhimhowhecouldgoandbreakheroldheartso;andfinallytoldhimtogoon,andruinhimselfandbringhergrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave,foritwasnouseforhertotryanymore.Thiswasworsethanathousandwhippings,andTom'sheartwassorernowthanhisbody.Hecried,hepleadedforforgiveness,promisedtore-formoverandoveragain,andthenreceivedhisdismissal,feelingthathehadwonbutanimperfectforgivenessandestablishedbutafeebleconfidence.HeleftthepresencetoomiserabletoevenfeelrevengefultowardSid;andsothelatter'spromptretreatthroughthebackgatewasunnecessary.Hemopedtoschoolgloomyandsad,andtookhisflogging,alongwithJoeHarper,forplayinghookeythedaybefore,withtheairofonewhoseheartwasbusywithheavierwoesandwhollydeadtotrifles.Thenhebetookhimselftohisseat,restedhiselbowsonhisdeskandhisjawsinhishands,andstaredatthewallwiththestonystareofsufferingthathasreachedthelimitandcannofurthergo.Hiselbowwaspressingagainstsomehardsubstance.Afteralongtimeheslowlyandsadlychangedhisposition,andtookupthisobjectwithasigh.Itwasinapaper.Heun-rolledit.Along,lingering,colossalsighfollowed,andhisheartbroke.Itwashisbrassandironknob!Thisfinalfeatherbrokethecamel'sback.67
Chapter11Closeuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews.Noneedoftheasyetundreamed-oftelegraph;thetaleflewfrommantoman,fromgrouptogroup,fromhousetohouse,withlittlelessthantelegraphicspeed.Ofcoursetheschoolmastergaveholidayforthatafternoon;thetownwouldhavethoughtstrangelyofhimifhehadnot.Agoryknifehadbeenfoundclosetothemurderedman,andithadbeenrecognizedbysomebodyasbelongingtoMuffPotter—sothestoryran.AnditwassaidthatabelatedcitizenhadcomeuponPotterwashinghimselfinthe"branch"aboutoneortwoo'clockinthemorning,andthatPotterhadatoncesneakedoff—suspiciouscircumstances,es-peciallythewashingwhichwasnotahabitwithPotter.Itwasalsosaidthatthetownhadbeenransackedforthis"murderer"(thepublicarenotslowinthematterofsiftingevidenceandarrivingataverdict),butthathecouldnotbefound.Horsemenhaddeparteddownalltheroadsineverydirection,andtheSheriff"wasconfident"thathewouldbecap-turedbeforenight.Allthetownwasdriftingtowardthegraveyard.Tom'sheartbreakvanishedandhejoinedtheprocession,notbecausehewouldnotathou-sandtimesrathergoanywhereelse,butbecauseanawful,unaccount-ablefascinationdrewhimon.Arrivedatthedreadfulplace,hewormedhissmallbodythroughthecrowdandsawthedismalspectacle.Itseemedtohimanagesincehewastherebefore.Somebodypinchedhisarm.Heturned,andhiseyesmetHuckleberry's.Thenbothlookedelse-whereatonce,andwonderedifanybodyhadnoticedanythingintheirmutualglance.Buteverybodywastalking,andintentuponthegrislyspectaclebeforethem."Poorfellow!""Pooryoungfellow!""Thisoughttobealessontograverobbers!""MuffPotter'llhangforthisiftheycatchhim!"Thiswasthedriftofremark;andtheministersaid,"Itwasajudgment;Hishandishere."68
NowTomshiveredfromheadtoheel;forhiseyefelluponthestolidfaceofInjunJoe.Atthismomentthecrowdbegantoswayandstruggle,andvoicesshouted,"It'shim!it'shim!he'scominghimself!""Who?Who?"fromtwentyvoices."MuffPotter!""Hallo,he'sstopped!—Lookout,he'sturning!Don'tlethimgetaway!"PeopleinthebranchesofthetreesoverTom'sheadsaidhewasn'ttry-ingtogetaway—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:"Oh,InjunJoe,youpromisedmeyou'dnever—""Isthatyourknife?"anditwasthrustbeforehimbytheSheriff.Potterwouldhavefalleniftheyhadnotcaughthimandeasedhimtotheground.Thenhesaid:"Somethingtoldme'tifIdidn'tcomebackandget—"Heshuddered;thenwavedhisnervelesshandwithavanquishedgestureandsaid,"Tell'em,Joe,tell'em—itain'tanyuseanymore."ThenHuckleberryandTomstooddumbandstaring,andheardthestony-heartedliarreeloffhisserenestatement,theyexpectingeverymo-mentthattheclearskywoulddeliverGod'slightningsuponhishead,andwonderingtoseehowlongthestrokewasdelayed.Andwhenhehadfinishedandstillstoodaliveandwhole,theirwaveringimpulsetobreaktheiroathandsavethepoorbetrayedprisoner'slifefadedandvanishedaway,forplainlythismiscreanthadsoldhimselftoSatananditwouldbefataltomeddlewiththepropertyofsuchapowerasthat.69
"Whydidn'tyouleave?Whatdidyouwanttocomeherefor?"some-bodysaid."Icouldn'thelpit—Icouldn'thelpit,"Pottermoaned."Iwantedtorunaway,butIcouldn'tseemtocomeanywherebuthere."Andhefelltosobbingagain.InjunJoerepeatedhisstatement,justascalmly,afewminutesafter-wardontheinquest,underoath;andtheboys,seeingthatthelightningswerestillwithheld,wereconfirmedintheirbeliefthatJoehadsoldhim-selftothedevil.Hewasnowbecome,tothem,themostbalefullyinter-estingobjecttheyhadeverlookedupon,andtheycouldnottaketheirfascinatedeyesfromhisface.Theyinwardlyresolvedtowatchhimnights,whenopportunityshouldoffer,inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisdreadmaster.InjunJoehelpedtoraisethebodyofthemurderedmanandputitinawagonforremoval;anditwaswhisperedthroughtheshudderingcrowdthatthewoundbledalittle!Theboysthoughtthatthishappycir-cumstancewouldturnsuspicionintherightdirection;buttheyweredis-appointed,formorethanonevillagerremarked:"ItwaswithinthreefeetofMuffPotterwhenitdoneit."Tom'sfearfulsecretandgnawingconsciencedisturbedhissleepforasmuchasaweekafterthis;andatbreakfastonemorningSidsaid:"Tom,youpitcharoundandtalkinyoursleepsomuchthatyoukeepmeawakehalfthetime."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.Idreamaboutitmosteverynightmy-self.SometimesIdreamit'smethatdoneit."70
Marysaidshehadbeenaffectedmuchthesameway.Sidseemedsat-isfied.Tomgotoutofthepresenceasquickasheplausiblycould,andafterthathecomplainedoftoothacheforaweek,andtieduphisjawseverynight.HeneverknewthatSidlaynightlywatching,andfre-quentlyslippedthebandagefreeandthenleanedonhiselbowlisteningagoodwhileatatime,andafterwardslippedthebandagebacktoitsplaceagain.Tom'sdistressofmindworeoffgraduallyandthetoothachegrewirksomeandwasdiscarded.IfSidreallymanagedtomakeany-thingoutofTom'sdisjointedmutterings,hekeptittohimself.ItseemedtoTomthathisschoolmatesneverwouldgetdoneholdinginquestsondeadcats,andthuskeepinghistroublepresenttohismind.SidnoticedthatTomneverwascoroneratoneoftheseinquiries,thoughithadbeenhishabittotaketheleadinallnewenterprises;henoticed,too,thatTomneveractedasawitness—andthatwasstrange;andSiddidnotoverlookthefactthatTomevenshowedamarkedaversiontotheseinquests,andalwaysavoidedthemwhenhecould.Sidmarvelled,butsaidnothing.However,eveninquestswentoutofvogueatlast,andceasedtotortureTom'sconscience.Everydayortwo,duringthistimeofsorrow,Tomwatchedhisoppor-tunityandwenttothelittlegratedjail-windowandsmuggledsuchsmallcomfortsthroughtothe"murderer"ashecouldgetholdof.Thejailwasatriflinglittlebrickdenthatstoodinamarshattheedgeofthevillage,andnoguardswereaffordedforit;indeed,itwasseldomoccupied.TheseofferingsgreatlyhelpedtoeaseTom'sconscience.Thevillagershadastrongdesiretotar-and-featherInjunJoeandridehimonarail,forbody-snatching,butsoformidablewashischaracterthatnobodycouldbefoundwhowaswillingtotaketheleadinthemat-ter,soitwasdropped.Hehadbeencarefultobeginbothofhisinquest-statementswiththefight,withoutconfessingthegrave-robberythatpre-cededit;thereforeitwasdeemedwisestnottotrythecaseinthecourtsatpresent.71
Chapter12OneofthereasonswhyTom'smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas,thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestit-selfabout.BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool.Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays,andtriedto"whistleherdownthewind,"butfailed.Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather'shouse,nights,andfeelingverymiserable.Shewasill.Whatifsheshoulddie!Therewasdistractioninthethought.Henolongertookaninterestinwar,noreveninpiracy.Thecharmoflifewasgone;therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft.Heputhishoopaway,andhisbat;therewasnojoyinthemanymore.Hisauntwasconcerned.Shebegantotryallmannerofremediesonhim.Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhoareinfatuatedwithpatentmedicinesandallnew-fangledmethodsofproducinghealthormendingit.Shewasaninveterateexperimenterinthesethings.Whensomethingfreshinthislinecameoutshewasinafever,rightaway,totryit;notonherself,forshewasneverailing,butonanybodyelsethatcamehandy.Shewasasubscriberforallthe"Health"periodicalsandphrenologicalfrauds;andthesolemnignorancetheywereinflatedwithwasbreathtohernostrils.Allthe"rot"theycontainedaboutventilation,andhowtogotobed,andhowtogetup,andwhattoeat,andwhattodrink,andhowmuchexercisetotake,andwhatframeofmindtokeepone'sselfin,andwhatsortofclothingtowear,wasallgospeltoher,andsheneverobservedthatherhealth-journalsofthecurrentmonthcustom-arilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore.Shewasassimple-heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong,andsoshewasaneasyvictim.Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines,andthusarmedwithdeath,wentaboutonherpalehorse,metaphoricallyspeaking,with"hellfollowingafter."ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGileadindisguise,tothesufferingneighbors.Thewatertreatmentwasnew,now,andTom'slowconditionwasawindfalltoher.Shehadhimoutatday-lighteverymorning,stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhim72
withadelugeofcoldwater;thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile,andsobroughthimto;thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhimawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand"theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores"—asTomsaid.Yetnotwithstandingallthis,theboygrewmoreandmoremelancholyandpaleanddejected.Sheaddedhotbaths,sitzbaths,showerbaths,andplunges.Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse.Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblister-plasters.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,butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesen-timentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit.Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief,andfinallyhitponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain-killer.Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance,andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher.IfithadbeenSid,shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight;butsinceitwasTom,shewatchedthebottleclandestinely.Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish,butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting-roomfloorwithit.OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt'syellowcatcamealong,purring,eyingtheteaspoonavariciously,andbeggingforataste.Tomsaid:"Don'taskforitunlessyouwantit,Peter."ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit."Youbettermakesure."Peterwassure.73
"Nowyou'veaskedforit,andI'llgiveittoyou,becausethereain'tanythingmeanaboutme;butifyoufindyoudon'tlikeit,youmustn'tblameanybodybutyourownself."Peterwasagreeable.SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain-killer.Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair,andthende-liveredawar-whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom,bangingagainstfurniture,upsettingflower-pots,andmakinggeneralhavoc.Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround,inafrenzyofenjoyment,withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoiceproclaiminghisunappeas-ablehappiness.Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath.AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets,deliverafinalmightyhurrah,andsailthroughtheopenwindow,carryingtherestoftheflower-potswithhim.Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment,peeringoverherglasses;Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter."Tom,whatonearthailsthatcat?""Idon'tknow,aunt,"gaspedtheboy."Why,Ineverseeanythinglikeit.Whatdidmakehimactso?""DeedIdon'tknow,AuntPolly;catsalwaysactsowhenthey'rehav-ingagoodtime.""Theydo,dothey?"TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive."Yes'm.Thatis,Ibelievetheydo.""Youdo?""Yes'm."Theoldladywasbendingdown,Tomwatching,withinterestemphas-izedbyanxiety.Toolatehedivinedher"drift."Thehandleofthetelltaleteaspoonwasvisibleunderthebed-valance.AuntPollytookit,helditup.Tomwinced,anddroppedhiseyes.AuntPollyraisedhimbytheusualhandle—hisear—andcrackedhisheadsoundlywithherthimble."Now,sir,whatdidyouwanttotreatthatpoordumbbeastso,for?""Idoneitoutofpityforhim—becausehehadn'tanyaunt.""Hadn'tanyaunt!—younumskull.Whathasthatgottodowithit?""Heaps.Becauseifhe'dhadoneshe'daburnthimoutherself!She'daroastedhisbowelsoutofhim'thoutanymorefeelingthanifhewasahuman!"74
AuntPollyfeltasuddenpangofremorse.Thiswasputtingthethinginanewlight;whatwascrueltytoacatmightbecrueltytoaboy,too.Shebegantosoften;shefeltsorry.Hereyeswateredalittle,andsheputherhandonTom'sheadandsaidgently:"Iwasmeaningforthebest,Tom.And,Tom,itdiddoyougood."Tomlookedupinherfacewithjustaperceptibletwinklepeepingthroughhisgravity."Iknowyouwasmeaningforthebest,aunty,andsowasIwithPeter.Itdonehimgood,too.Ineverseehimgetaroundsosince—""Oh,go'longwithyou,Tom,beforeyouaggravatemeagain.Andyoutryandseeifyoucan'tbeagoodboy,foronce,andyouneedn'ttakeanymoremedicine."Tomreachedschoolaheadoftime.Itwasnoticedthatthisstrangethinghadbeenoccurringeverydaylatterly.Andnow,asusualoflate,hehungaboutthegateoftheschoolyardinsteadofplayingwithhiscomrades.Hewassick,hesaid,andhelookedit.Hetriedtoseemtobelookingeverywherebutwhitherhereallywaslooking—downtheroad.PresentlyJeffThatcherhoveinsight,andTom'sfacelighted;hegazedamoment,andthenturnedsorrowfullyaway.WhenJeffarrived,Tomac-costedhim;and"ledup"warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky,butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait.Tomwatchedandwatched,hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight,andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone.Atlastfrocksceasedtoap-pear,andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps;heenteredtheemptyschoolhouseandsatdowntosuffer.Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate,andTom'sheartgaveagreatbound.Thenextinstanthewasout,and"goingon"likeanIndian;yelling,laughing,chasingboys,jump-ingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb,throwinghandsprings,stand-ingonhishead—doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof,andkeepingafurtiveeyeout,allthewhile,toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoti-cing.Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall;sheneverlooked.Coulditbepossiblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere?Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity;camewar-whoopingaround,snatchedaboy'scap,hurledittotheroofoftheschoolhouse,brokethroughagroupofboys,tumblingthemineverydirection,andfellsprawling,himself,underBecky'snose,almostupsettingher—andsheturned,withhernoseintheair,andheheardhersay:"Mf!somepeoplethinkthey'remightysmart—alwaysshowingoff!"75
Tom'scheeksburned.Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff,crushedandcrestfallen.76
Chapter13Tom'smindwasmadeupnow.Hewasgloomyanddesperate.Hewasaforsaken,friendlessboy,hesaid;nobodylovedhim;whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto,perhapstheywouldbesorry;hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong,buttheywouldnotlethim;sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim,letitbeso;andletthemblamehimfortheconsequences—whyshouldn'tthey?Whatrighthadthefriend-lesstocomplain?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,begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoes-capefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn;andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim.ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom,andhadcometohunthimupforthatpurpose.Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout;itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo;ifshefeltthatway,therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb;hehopedshewouldbehappy,andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie.Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong,theymadeanewcompacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeath77
relievedthemoftheirtroubles.Thentheybegantolaytheirplans.Joewasforbeingahermit,andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave,anddying,sometime,ofcoldandwantandgrief;butafterlisteningtoTom,hecon-cededthatthereweresomeconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime,andsoheconsentedtobeapirate.ThreemilesbelowSt.Petersburg,atapointwheretheMississippiRiverwasatrifleoveramilewide,therewasalong,narrow,woodedis-land,withashallowbarattheheadofit,andthisofferedwellasaren-dezvous.Itwasnotinhabited;itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore,abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest.SoJackson'sIslandwaschosen.Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracieswasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem.ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn,andhejoinedthempromptly,forallcareerswereonetohim;hewasindiffer-ent.Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriver-banktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour—whichwasmidnight.Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture.Eachwouldbringhooksandlines,andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway—asbecameoutlaws.Andbeforetheaf-ternoonwasdone,theyhadallmanagedtoenjoythesweetgloryofspreadingthefactthatprettysoonthetownwould"hearsomething."Allwhogotthisvaguehintwerecautionedto"bemumandwait."AboutmidnightTomarrivedwithaboiledhamandafewtrifles,andstoppedinadenseundergrowthonasmallbluffoverlookingthemeeting-place.Itwasstarlight,andverystill.Themightyriverlaylikeanoceanatrest.Tomlistenedamoment,butnosounddisturbedthequiet.Thenhegavealow,distinctwhistle.Itwasansweredfromunderthebluff.Tomwhistledtwicemore;thesesignalswereansweredinthesameway.Thenaguardedvoicesaid:"Whogoesthere?""TomSawyer,theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain.Nameyournames.""HuckFinntheRed-Handed,andJoeHarpertheTerroroftheSeas."Tomhadfurnishedthesetitles,fromhisfavoriteliterature."'Tiswell.Givethecountersign."Twohoarsewhispersdeliveredthesameawfulwordsimultaneouslytothebroodingnight:"Blood!"78
ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit,tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort.Therewasaneasy,comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff,butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate.TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon,andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere.FinntheRed-Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf-curedleaftobacco,andhadalsobroughtafewcorn-cobstomakepipeswith.Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor"chewed"buthimself.TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire.Thatwasawisethought;matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday.Theysawafiresmoulder-inguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove,andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk.Theymadeanimposingad-ventureofit,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,steady-y-y-y!""Steadyitis,sir!""Lethergooffapoint!""Pointitis,sir!"Astheboyssteadilyandmonotonouslydrovetherafttowardmid-streamitwasnodoubtunderstoodthattheseordersweregivenonlyfor"style,"andwerenotintendedtomeananythinginparticular."Whatsail'sshecarrying?""Courses,tops'ls,andflying-jib,sir.""Sendther'yalsup!Layoutaloft,there,halfadozenofye—foretopmaststuns'l!Lively,now!""Aye-aye,sir!"79
"Shakeoutthatmaintogalans'l!Sheetsandbraces!Nowmyhearties!""Aye-aye,sir!""Hellum-a-lee—hardaport!Standbytomeetherwhenshecomes!Port,port!Now,men!Withawill!Stead-y-y-y!""Steadyitis,sir!"Theraftdrewbeyondthemiddleoftheriver;theboyspointedherheadright,andthenlayontheiroars.Theriverwasnothigh,sotherewasnotmorethanatwoorthreemilecurrent.Hardlyawordwassaidduringthenextthree-quartersofanhour.Nowtheraftwaspassingbe-forethedistanttown.Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay,peacefullysleeping,beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar-gemmedwater,unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening.TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms,"lookinghislast"uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings,andwishing"she"couldseehimnow,abroadonthewildsea,facingperilanddeathwithdaunt-lessheart,goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips.ItwasbutasmallstrainonhisimaginationtoremoveJackson'sIslandbeyondeye-shotofthevillage,andsohe"lookedhislast"withabrokenandsatisfiedheart.Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast,too;andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland.Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime,andmadeshifttoavertit.Abouttwoo'clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland,andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight.Partofthelittleraft'sbe-longingsconsistedofanoldsail,andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions;buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather,asbecameoutlaws.Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest,andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying-panforsupper,anduseduphalfofthecorn"pone"stocktheyhadbrought.Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwild,freewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland,farfromthehauntsofmen,andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntociviliz-ation.Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtree-trunksoftheirforesttemple,anduponthevarnishedfo-liageandfestooningvines.Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone,andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured,theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthegrass,filledwithcontentment.Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace,butthey80
wouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp-fire."Ain'titgay?"saidJoe."It'snuts!"saidTom."Whatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeus?""Say?Well,they'djustdietobehere—hey,Hucky!""Ireckonso,"saidHuckleberry;"anyways,I'msuited.Idon'twantnothingbetter'nthis.Idon'tevergetenoughtoeat,gen'ally—andheretheycan'tcomeandpickatafellerandbullyraghimso.""It'sjustthelifeforme,"saidTom."Youdon'thavetogetup,morn-ings,andyoudon'thavetogotoschool,andwash,andallthatblamefoolishness.Youseeapiratedon'thavetodoanything,Joe,whenhe'sashore,butahermithehastobeprayingconsiderable,andthenhedon'thaveanyfun,anyway,allbyhimselfthatway.""Ohyes,that'sso,"saidJoe,"butIhadn'tthoughtmuchaboutit,youknow.I'dagooddealratherbeapirate,nowthatI'vetriedit.""Yousee,"saidTom,"peopledon'tgomuchonhermits,nowadays,liketheyusedtoinoldtimes,butapirate'salwaysrespected.Andahermit'sgottosleeponthehardestplacehecanfind,andputsackclothandashesonhishead,andstandoutintherain,and—""Whatdoesheputsackclothandashesonhisheadfor?"inquiredHuck."Idono.Butthey'vegottodoit.Hermitsalwaysdo.You'dhavetodothatifyouwasahermit.""Dern'difIwould,"saidHuck."Well,whatwouldyoudo?""Idono.ButIwouldn'tdothat.""Why,Huck,you'dhaveto.How'dyougetaroundit?""Why,Ijustwouldn'tstandit.I'drunaway.""Runaway!Well,youwouldbeaniceoldslouchofahermit.You'dbeadisgrace."TheRed-Handedmadenoresponse,beingbetteremployed.Hehadfinishedgougingoutacob,andnowhefittedaweedstemtoit,loadeditwithtobacco,andwaspressingacoaltothechargeandblowingacloudoffragrantsmoke—hewasinthefullbloomofluxuriouscontentment.Theotherpiratesenviedhimthismajesticvice,andsecretlyresolvedtoacquireitshortly.PresentlyHucksaid:81
"Whatdoespirateshavetodo?"Tomsaid:"Oh,theyhavejustabullytime—takeshipsandburnthem,andgetthemoneyandburyitinawfulplacesintheirislandwherethere'sghostsandthingstowatchit,andkilleverybodyintheships—make'emwalkaplank.""Andtheycarrythewomentotheisland,"saidJoe;"theydon'tkillthewomen.""No,"assentedTom,"theydon'tkillthewomen—they'retoonoble.Andthewomen'salwaysbeautiful,too."Anddon'ttheywearthebulliestclothes!Ohno!Allgoldandsilveranddi'monds,"saidJoe,withenthusiasm."Who?"saidHuck."Why,thepirates."Huckscannedhisownclothingforlornly."IreckonIain'tdressedfittenforapirate,"saidhe,witharegretfulpathosinhisvoice;"butIain'tgotnonebutthese."Buttheotherboystoldhimthefineclotheswouldcomefastenough,aftertheyshouldhavebeguntheiradventures.Theymadehimunder-standthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith,thoughitwascustom-aryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe.Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs.ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed-Handed,andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience-freeandtheweary.TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep.Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly,andlyingdown,sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud;intruth,theyhadamindnottosaythematall,buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat,lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthunderboltfromheaven.Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep—butanin-trudercame,now,thatwouldnot"down."Itwasconscience.Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway;andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat,andthentherealtorturecame.Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpur-loinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes;butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities;itseemedtothem,intheend,thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattaking82
sweetmeatswasonly"hooking,"whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing—andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible.Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness,theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing.Thenconsciencegrantedatruce,andthesecuriouslyincon-sistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep.83
Chapter14WhenTomawokeinthemorning,hewonderedwherehewas.Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround.Thenhecomprehended.Itwasthecoolgraydawn,andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods.Notaleafstirred;notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature'smeditation.Beadeddewdropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses.Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire,andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair.JoeandHuckstillslept.Now,farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled;anotheranswered;presentlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard.Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened,andasgraduallysoundsmultipliedandlifemanifesteditself.ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy.Alittlegreenwormcamecrawl-ingoveradewyleaf,liftingtwo-thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand"sniffingaround,"thenproceedingagain—forhewasmeas-uring,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,forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagra-tions,andhehadpractiseduponitssimplicitymorethanonce.A84
tumblebugcamenext,heavingsturdilyatitsball,andTomtouchedthecreature,toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead.Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythistime.Acatbird,theNorthernmock-er,litinatreeoverTom'shead,andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoyment;thenashrilljaysweptdown,aflashofblueflame,andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy'sreach,cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity;agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe"fox"kindcameskurry-ingalong,sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys,forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot.AllNaturewaswideawakeandstir-ring,now;longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefo-liagefarandnear,andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene.Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout,andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtum-blingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesandbar.Theyfeltnolongingforthelittlevillagesleepinginthedistancebeyondthemajesticwasteofwater.Avagrantcurrentoraslightriseintheriverhadcarriedofftheirraft,butthisonlygratifiedthem,sinceitsgoingwassomethinglikeburningthebridgebetweenthemandcivilization.Theycamebacktocampwonderfullyrefreshed,glad-hearted,andravenous;andtheysoonhadthecamp-fireblazingupagain.Huckfoundaspringofclearcoldwatercloseby,andtheboysmadecupsofbroadoakorhickoryleaves,andfeltthatwater,sweetenedwithsuchawildwoodcharmasthat,wouldbeagoodenoughsubstituteforcoffee.WhileJoewasslicingbaconforbreakfast,TomandHuckaskedhimtoholdonaminute;theysteppedtoapromisingnookintheriver-bankandthrewintheirlines;almostimmediatelytheyhadreward.Joehadnothadtimetogetimpatientbeforetheywerebackagainwithsomehandsomebass,acoupleofsun-perchandasmallcatfish—provisionsenoughforquiteafamily.Theyfriedthefishwiththebacon,andwereastonished;fornofishhadeverseemedsodeliciousbefore.Theydidnotknowthatthequickerafresh-waterfishisonthefireafterheiscaughtthebetterheis;andtheyreflectedlittleuponwhatasauceopen-airsleeping,open-airexercise,bathing,andalargeingredientofhungermake,too.Theylayaroundintheshade,afterbreakfast,whileHuckhadasmoke,andthenwentoffthroughthewoodsonanexploringexpedition.Theytrampedgaylyalong,overdecayinglogs,throughtangledunder-brush,amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest,hungfromtheircrownsto85
thegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape-vines.Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers.Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwith,butnothingtobeas-tonishedat.Theydiscoveredthattheislandwasaboutthreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide,andthattheshoreitlayclosesttowasonlyseparatedfromitbyanarrowchannelhardlytwohundredyardswide.Theytookaswimabouteveryhour,soitwascloseuponthemiddleoftheafternoonwhentheygotbacktocamp.Theyweretoohungrytostoptofish,buttheyfaredsumptuouslyuponcoldham,andthenthrewthemselvesdownintheshadetotalk.Butthetalksoonbegantodrag,andthendied.Thestillness,thesolemnitythatbroodedinthewoods,andthesenseofloneliness,begantotelluponthespiritsoftheboys.Theyfelltothinking.Asortofundefinedlongingcreptuponthem.Thistookdimshape,presently—itwasbuddinghomesickness.EvenFinntheRed-Handedwasdreamingofhisdoorstepsandemptyhogsheads.Buttheywereallashamedoftheirweakness,andnonewasbraveenoughtospeakhisthought.Forsometime,now,theboyshadbeendullyconsciousofapeculiarsoundinthedistance,justasonesometimesisofthetickingofaclockwhichhetakesnodistinctnoteof.Butnowthismysterioussoundbe-camemorepronounced,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.Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwiththestreamintheneigh-borhoodoftheferryboat,buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemen86
inthemweredoing.Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat'sside,andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud,thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain."Iknownow!"exclaimedTom;"somebody'sdrownded!""That'sit!"saidHuck;"theydonethatlastsummer,whenBillTurnergotdrownded;theyshootacannonoverthewater,andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop.Yes,andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksil-verin'emandset'emafloat,andwhereverthere'sanybodythat'sdrownded,they'llfloatrightthereandstop.""Yes,I'veheardaboutthat,"saidJoe."Iwonderwhatmakesthebreaddothat.""Oh,itain'tthebread,somuch,"saidTom;"Ireckonit'smostlywhattheysayoveritbeforetheystartitout.""Buttheydon'tsayanythingoverit,"saidHuck."I'veseen'emandtheydon't.""Well,that'sfunny,"saidTom."Butmaybetheysayittothemselves.Ofcoursetheydo.Anybodymightknowthat."TheotherboysagreedthattherewasreasoninwhatTomsaid,be-causeanignorantlumpofbread,uninstructedbyanincantation,couldnotbeexpectedtoactveryintelligentlywhensetuponanerrandofsuchgravity."Byjings,IwishIwasoverthere,now,"saidJoe."Idotoo"saidHuck"I'dgiveheapstoknowwhoitis."Theboysstilllistenedandwatched.PresentlyarevealingthoughtflashedthroughTom'smind,andheexclaimed:"Boys,Iknowwho'sdrownded—it'sus!"Theyfeltlikeheroesinaninstant.Herewasagorgeoustriumph;theyweremissed;theyweremourned;heartswerebreakingontheiraccount;tearswerebeingshed;accusingmemoriesofunkindnesstothesepoorlostladswererisingup,andunavailingregretsandremorsewerebeingindulged;andbestofall,thedepartedwerethetalkofthewholetown,andtheenvyofalltheboys,asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywascon-cerned.Thiswasfine.Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate,afterall.Astwilightdrewon,theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusi-nessandtheskiffsdisappeared.Thepiratesreturnedtocamp.Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandtheillustrioustroubletheyweremaking.Theycaughtfish,cookedsupperandateit,andthen87
felltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem;andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon—fromtheirpointofview.Butwhentheshad-owsofnightclosedthemin,theygraduallyceasedtotalk,andsatgazingintothefire,withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere.Theex-citementwasgone,now,andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere.Misgivingscame;theygrewtroubledandunhappy;asighortwoescaped,unawares.ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaroundabout"feeler"astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization—notrightnow,but—Tomwitheredhimwithderision!Huck,beinguncommittedasyet,joinedinwithTom,andthewavererquickly"explained,"andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken-heartedhomesick-nessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould.Mutinywaseffectuallylaidtorestforthemoment.Asthenightdeepened,Huckbegantonod,andpresentlytosnore.Joefollowednext.Tomlayuponhiselbowmotionless,forsometime,watchingthetwointently.Atlasthegotupcautiously,onhisknees,andwentsearchingamongthegrassandtheflickeringreflectionsflungbythecamp-fire.Hepickedupandinspectedseverallargesemi-cylindersofthethinwhitebarkofasycamore,andfinallychosetwowhichseemedtosuithim.Thenhekneltbythefireandpainfullywrotesomethinguponeachofthesewithhis"redkeel";oneherolledupandputinhisjacketpocket,andtheotherheputinJoe'shatandremovedittoalittledistancefromtheowner.Andhealsoputintothehatcertainschoolboytreasuresofalmostinestimablevalue—amongthemalumpofchalk,anIndia-rubberball,threefishhooks,andoneofthatkindofmarblesknownasa"sure'noughcrystal."Thenhetiptoedhiswaycau-tiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing,andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesandbar.88
Chapter15AfewminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar,wadingto-wardtheIllinoisshore.Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalf-wayover;thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading,now,sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards.Heswamquar-teringupstream,butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected.However,hereachedtheshorefinally,anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout.Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket,foundhispieceofbarksafe,andthenstruckthroughthewoods,followingtheshore,withstreaminggarments.Shortlybeforeteno'clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage,andsawtheferry-boatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank.Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars.Hecreptdownthebank,watchingwithallhiseyes,slippedintothewater,swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid"yawl"dutyattheboat'sstern.Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited,panting.Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto"castoff."Aminuteortwolatertheskiff'sheadwasstandinghighup,againsttheboat'sswell,andthevoyagewasbegun.Tomfelthappyinhissuc-cess,forheknewitwastheboat'slasttripforthenight.Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped,andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk,landingfiftyyardsdown-stream,outofdangerofpossiblestragglers.Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys,andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt'sbackfence.Heclimbedover,approachedthe"ell,"andlookedinatthesitting-roomwindow,foralightwasburningthere.TheresatAuntPolly,Sid,Mary,andJoeHarper'smother,groupedtogether,talk-ing.Theywerebythebed,andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor.Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch;thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack;hecontinuedpushingcautiously,andquakingeverytimeitcreaked,tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees;soheputhisheadthroughandbegan,warily.89
"Whatmakesthecandleblowso?"saidAuntPolly.Tomhurriedup."Why,thatdoor'sopen,Ibelieve.Why,ofcourseitis.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!OnlylastSaturdaymyJoebustedafirecrackerrightundermynoseandIknockedhimsprawling.LittledidIknowthen,howsoon—Oh,ifitwastodooveragainI'dhughimandblesshimforit.""Yes,yes,yes,Iknowjusthowyoufeel,Mrs.Harper,Iknowjustex-actlyhowyoufeel.Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon,myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain-killer,andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown.AndGodforgiveme,IcrackedTom'sheadwithmythimble,poorboy,poordeadboy.Buthe'soutofallhistroublesnow.AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach—"Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady,andshebrokeentirelydown.Tomwassnuffling,now,himself—andmoreinpityofhimselfthananybodyelse.HecouldhearMarycrying,andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime.Hebegantohaveanobleropinionof90
himselfthaneverbefore.Still,hewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt'sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy—andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature,too,butheresistedandlaystill.Hewentonlistening,andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwascon-jecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim;thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed;next,certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould"hearsomething"soon;thewise-headshad"putthisandthattogether"anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow,presently;buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound,lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage—andthenhopeperished;theymustbedrowned,elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner.Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmidchannel,sincetheboys,beinggoodswimmers,wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore.ThiswasWednesdaynight.IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday,allhopewouldbegivenover,andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning.Tomshuddered.Mrs.Harpergaveasobbinggood-nightandturnedtogo.Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother'sarmsandhadagood,consolingcry,andthenparted.AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont,inhergood-nighttoSidandMary.SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart.AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly,soappeal-ingly,andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtrem-blingvoice,thathewaswelteringintearsagain,longbeforeshewasthrough.Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed,forshekeptmakingbroken-heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime,tossingunrestfully,andturningover.Butatlastshewasstill,onlymoaningalittleinhersleep.Nowtheboystoleout,rosegraduallybythebedside,shadedthecandle-lightwithhishand,andstoodregardingher.Hisheartwasfullofpityforher.Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaceditbythecandle.Butsomethingoccurredtohim,andhelingeredconsidering.Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought;heputthebarkhastilyinhispock-et.Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips,andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit,latchingthedoorbehindhim.91
Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding,foundnobodyatlargethere,andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat,forheknewshewastenant-lessexceptthattherewasawatchman,whoalwaysturnedinandsleptlikeagravenimage.Heuntiedtheskiffatthestern,slippedintoit,andwassoonrowingcautiouslyupstream.Whenhehadpulledamileabovethevillage,hestartedquarteringacrossandbenthimselfstoutlytohiswork.Hehitthelandingontheothersideneatly,forthiswasafamiliarbitofworktohim.Hewasmovedtocapturetheskiff,arguingthatitmightbeconsideredashipandthereforelegitimatepreyforapirate,butheknewathoroughsearchwouldbemadeforitandthatmightendinrevelations.Sohesteppedashoreandenteredthewoods.Hesatdownandtookalongrest,torturinghimselfmeanwhiletokeepawake,andthenstartedwarilydownthehome-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)hisadven-tures.Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone.ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon,andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore.92
Chapter16Afterdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar.Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand,andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands.Some-timestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole.Theywereper-fectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut.Theyhadafamousfried-eggfeastthatnight,andanotheronFridaymorning.Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar,andchasedeachotherroundandround,sheddingclothesastheywent,untiltheywerenaked,andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwa-terofthebar,againstthestiffcurrent,whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun.Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother'sfaceswiththeirpalms,graduallyapproachingeachother,withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingsprays,andfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor,andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing,sputter-ing,laughing,andgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime.Whentheywerewellexhausted,theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry,hotsand,andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit,andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperform-anceoncemore.Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh-colored"tights"veryfairly;sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus—withthreeclownsinit,fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor.Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed"knucks"and"ring-taw"and"keeps"tillthatamusementgrewstale.ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim,butTomwouldnotventure,becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle,andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotec-tionofthismysteriouscharm.Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit,andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest.93
Theygraduallywanderedapart,droppedintothe"dumps,"andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewiderivertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun.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?"Butitrousedonlyfaintenthusiasm,whichfadedout,withnoreply.Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions;buttheyfailed,too.Itwasdis-couragingwork.Joesatpokingupthesandwithastickandlookingverygloomy.Finallyhesaid:"Oh,boys,let'sgiveitup.Iwanttogohome.It'ssolonesome.""Ohno,Joe,you'llfeelbetterbyandby,"saidTom."Justthinkofthefishingthat'shere.""Idon'tcareforfishing.Iwanttogohome.""But,Joe,thereain'tsuchanotherswimming-placeanywhere.""Swimming'snogood.Idon'tseemtocareforit,somehow,whenthereain'tanybodytosayIsha'n'tgoin.Imeantogohome.""Oh,shucks!Baby!Youwanttoseeyourmother,Ireckon.""Yes,Idowanttoseemymother—andyouwould,too,ifyouhadone.Iain'tanymorebabythanyouare."AndJoesnuffledalittle."Well,we'llletthecry-babygohometohismother,won'twe,Huck?Poorthing—doesitwanttoseeitsmother?Andsoitshall.Youlikeithere,don'tyou,Huck?We'llstay,won'twe?"Hucksaid,"Y-e-s"—withoutanyheartinit."I'llneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive,"saidJoe,rising."Therenow!"Andhemovedmoodilyawayandbegantodresshimself.94
"Whocares!"saidTom."Nobodywantsyouto.Go'longhomeandgetlaughedat.Oh,you'reanicepirate.Huckandmeain'tcry-babies.We'llstay,won'twe,Huck?Lethimgoifhewantsto.Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim,per'aps."ButTomwasuneasy,nevertheless,andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosul-lenlyonwithhisdressing.AndthenitwasdiscomfortingtoseeHuckeyingJoe'spreparationssowistfully,andkeepingupsuchanominoussilence.Presently,withoutapartingword,JoebegantowadeofftowardtheIllinoisshore.Tom'sheartbegantosink.HeglancedatHuck.Huckcouldnotbearthelook,anddroppedhiseyes.Thenhesaid:"Iwanttogo,too,Tom.Itwasgettingsolonesomeanyway,andnowit'llbeworse.Let'susgo,too,Tom.""Iwon't!Youcanallgo,ifyouwantto.Imeantostay.""Tom,Ibettergo.""Well,go'long—who'shenderingyou."Huckbegantopickuphisscatteredclothes.Hesaid:"Tom,Iwishtyou'dcome,too.Nowyouthinkitover.We'llwaitforyouwhenwegettoshore.""Well,you'llwaitablamelongtime,that'sall."Huckstartedsorrowfullyaway,andTomstoodlookingafterhim,withastrongdesiretuggingathishearttoyieldhisprideandgoalongtoo.Hehopedtheboyswouldstop,buttheystillwadedslowlyon.ItsuddenlydawnedonTomthatitwasbecomeverylonelyandstill.Hemadeonefinalstrugglewithhispride,andthendartedafterhiscom-rades,yelling:"Wait!Wait!Iwanttotellyousomething!"Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround.Whenhegottowheretheywere,hebeganunfoldinghissecret,andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe"point"hewasdrivingat,andthentheysetupawar-whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas"splendid!"andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst,theywouldn'thavestartedaway.Hemadeaplausibleex-cuse;buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime,andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction.Theladscamegaylybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill,chatteringallthetimeaboutTom'sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit.Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner,Tomsaidhewantedto95
learntosmoke,now.Joecaughtattheideaandsaidhewouldliketotry,too.SoHuckmadepipesandfilledthem.Thesenoviceshadneversmokedanythingbeforebutcigarsmadeofgrape-vine,andthey"bit"thetongue,andwerenotconsideredmanlyanyway.Nowtheystretchedthemselvesoutontheirelbowsandbegantopuff,charily,andwithslenderconfidence.Thesmokehadanunpleasanttaste,andtheygaggedalittle,butTomsaid:"Why,it'sjustaseasy!IfI'daknowedthiswasall,I'dalearntlongago.""SowouldI,"saidJoe."It'sjustnothing.""Why,manyatimeI'velookedatpeoplesmoking,andthoughtwellIwishIcoulddothat;butIneverthoughtIcould,"saidTom."That'sjustthewaywithme,hain'tit,Huck?You'veheardmetalkjustthatway—haven'tyou,Huck?I'llleaveittoHuckifIhaven't.""Yes—heapsoftimes,"saidHuck."Well,Ihavetoo,"saidTom;"oh,hundredsoftimes.Oncedownbytheslaughter-house.Don'tyouremember,Huck?BobTannerwasthere,andJohnnyMiller,andJeffThatcher,whenIsaidit.Don'tyouremem-ber,Huck,'boutmesayingthat?""Yes,that'sso,"saidHuck."ThatwasthedayafterIlostawhitealley.No,'twasthedaybefore.""There—Itoldyouso,"saidTom."Huckrecollectsit.""IbleeveIcouldsmokethispipeallday,"saidJoe."Idon'tfeelsick.""NeitherdoI,"saidTom."Icouldsmokeitallday.ButIbetyouJeffThatchercouldn't.""JeffThatcher!Why,he'dkeeloverjustwithtwodraws.Justlethimtryitonce.He'dsee!""Ibethewould.AndJohnnyMiller—IwishcouldseeJohnnyMillertackleitonce.""Oh,don'tI!"saidJoe."Why,IbetyouJohnnyMillercouldn'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,96
'Yes,Igotmyoldpipe,andanotherone,butmytobackerain'tverygood.'AndI'llsay,'Oh,that'sallright,ifit'sstrongenough.'Andthenyou'lloutwiththepipes,andwe'lllightupjustasca'm,andthenjustsee'emlook!""Byjings,that'llbegay,Tom!IwishitwasNow!""SodoI!Andwhenwetell'emwelearnedwhenwewasoffpirating,won'ttheywishthey'dbeenalong?""Oh,Ireckonnot!I'lljustbettheywill!"Sothetalkranon.Butpresentlyitbegantoflagatrifle,andgrowdis-jointed.Thesilenceswidened;theexpectorationmarvellouslyincreased.Everyporeinsidetheboys'cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain;theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopre-ventaninundation;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.Thenhefounditlone-some,andwenttofindhiscomrades.Theywerewideapartinthewoods,bothverypale,bothfastasleep.Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit.Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight.Theyhadahumblelook,andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopre-paretheirs,theysaidno,theywerenotfeelingverywell—somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem.AboutmidnightJoeawoke,andcalledtheboys.Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething.Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire,thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreathlessatmospherewasstifling.Theysatstill,intentandwaiting.Thesolemnhushcontinued.Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblack-nessofdarkness.Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyre-vealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished.Byandbyanother97
came,alittlestronger.Thenanother.Thenafaintmoancamesighingthroughthebranchesoftheforestandtheboysfeltafleetingbreathupontheircheeks,andshudderedwiththefancythattheSpiritoftheNighthadgoneby.Therewasapause.Nowaweirdflashturnednightintodayandshowedeverylittlegrass-blade,separateanddistinct,thatgrewabouttheirfeet.Anditshowedthreewhite,startledfaces,too.Adeeppealofthunderwentrollingandtumblingdowntheheavensandlostitselfinsullenrumblingsinthedistance.Asweepofchillyairpassedby,rustlingalltheleavesandsnowingtheflakyashesbroadcastaboutthefire.Anotherfierceglarelituptheforestandaninstantcrashfollowedthatseemedtorendthetree-topsrightovertheboys'heads.Theyclungtogetherinterror,inthethickgloomthatfollowed.Afewbigrain-dropsfellpatteringupontheleaves."Quick!boys,goforthetent!"exclaimedTom.Theysprangaway,stumblingoverrootsandamongvinesinthedark,notwoplunginginthesamedirection.Afuriousblastroaredthroughthetrees,makingeverythingsingasitwent.Oneblindingflashafteran-othercame,andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder.Andnowadrench-ingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground.Theboyscriedouttoeachother,buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder-blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly.However,onebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent,cold,scared,andstreamingwithwater;buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor.Theycouldnottalk,theoldsailflappedsofuriously,eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem.Thetempestrosehigherandhigher,andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast.Theboysseizedeachothers'handsandfled,withmanytumblingsandbruises,totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriver-bank.Nowthebattlewasatitshighest.Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies,everythingbelowstoodoutinclean-cutandshadowlessdis-tinctness:thebendingtrees,thebillowyriver,whitewithfoam,thedriv-ingsprayofspume-flakes,thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheoth-erside,glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud-rackandtheslantingveilofrain.Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth;andtheunflaggingthunder-pealscamenowinear-splittingexplosivebursts,keenandsharp,andunspeakablyappalling.Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces,burnitup,drownittothetree-tops,98
blowitaway,anddeafeneverycreatureinit,allatoneandthesamemo-ment.Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin.Butatlastthebattlewasdone,andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings,andpeaceresumedhersway.Theboyswentbacktocamp,agooddealawed;buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor,becausethegreatsycamore,theshelteroftheirbeds,wasaruin,now,blastedbythelightnings,andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened.Everythingincampwasdrenched,thecamp-fireaswell;fortheywerebutheedlesslads,liketheirgeneration,andhadmadenoprovisionagainstrain.Herewasmatterfordismay,fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled.Theywereeloquentintheirdistress;buttheypresentlydis-coveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainst(whereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground),thatahandbreadthorsoofithadescapedwetting;sotheypa-tientlywroughtuntil,withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs,theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain.Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnace,andwereglad-heartedoncemore.Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast,andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmid-nightadventureuntilmorning,fortherewasnotadryspottosleepon,anywherearound.Asthesunbegantostealinupontheboys,drowsinesscameoverthem,andtheywentoutonthesandbarandlaydowntosleep.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,andkilledandscalpedeachotherbythousands.Itwasagoryday.Consequentlyitwasanextremelysatisfactoryone.99
Theyassembledincamptowardsupper-time,hungryandhappy;butnowadifficultyarose—hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace,andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace.Therewasnootherpro-cessthatevertheyhadheardof.Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates.However,therewasnootherway;sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed,indueform.Andbehold,theyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery,fortheyhadgainedsomething;theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife;theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable.Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort.No,theypractisedcautiously,aftersupper,withrightfairsuccess,andsotheyspentajubilantevening.TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations.Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag,sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent.100
Chapter17ButtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon.TheHarpers,andAuntPolly'sfamily,werebeingputintomourning,withgreatgriefandmanytears.Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage,althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough,inallconscience.Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair,andtalkedlittle;buttheysighedoften.TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren.Theyhadnoheartintheirsports,andgraduallygavethemup.IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschoolhouseyard,andfeelingverymelancholy.Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther.Shesoliloquized:"Oh,ifIonlyhadabrassandiron-knobagain!ButIhaven'tgotany-thingnowtorememberhimby."Andshechokedbackalittlesob.Presentlyshestopped,andsaidtoherself:"Itwasrighthere.Oh,ifitwastodooveragain,Iwouldn'tsaythat—Iwouldn'tsayitforthewholeworld.Buthe'sgonenow;I'llnever,nev-er,neverseehimanymore."Thisthoughtbrokeherdown,andshewanderedaway,withtearsrollingdownhercheeks.Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls—play-matesofTom'sandJoe's—cameby,andstoodlookingoverthepalingfenceandtalkinginreverenttonesofhowTomdidso-and-sothelasttimetheysawhim,andhowJoesaidthisandthatsmalltrifle(pregnantwithawfulprophecy,astheycouldeasilyseenow!)—andeachspeakerpointedouttheexactspotwherethelostladsstoodatthetime,andthenaddedsomethinglike"andIwasa-standingjustso—justasIamnow,andasifyouwashim—Iwasascloseasthat—andhesmiled,justthisway—andthensomethingseemedtogoalloverme,like—awful,youknow—andIneverthoughtwhatitmeant,ofcourse,butIcanseenow!"101
Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife,andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction,andofferedevidences,moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness;andwhenitwasultimatelydecidedwhodidseethedepartedlast,andexchangedthelastwordswiththem,theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortofsacredimportance,andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest.Onepoorchap,whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer,saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance:"Well,TomSawyerhelickedmeonce."Butthatbidforglorywasafailure.Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat,andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch.Thegrouploiteredaway,stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes,inawedvoices.WhentheSunday-schoolhourwasfinished,thenextmorning,thebellbegantotoll,insteadofringingintheusualway.ItwasaverystillSab-bath,andthemournfulsoundseemedinkeepingwiththemusinghushthatlayuponnature.Thevillagersbegantogather,loiteringamomentinthevestibuletoconverseinwhispersaboutthesadevent.Buttherewasnowhisperinginthehouse;onlythefunerealrustlingofdressesasthewomengatheredtotheirseatsdisturbedthesilencethere.Nonecouldrememberwhenthelittlechurchhadbeensofullbefore.Therewasfinallyawaitingpause,anexpectantdumbness,andthenAuntPollyentered,followedbySidandMary,andtheybytheHarperfamily,allindeepblack,andthewholecongregation,theoldministeraswell,rosereverentlyandstooduntilthemournerswereseatedinthefrontpew.Therewasanothercommuningsilence,brokenatintervalsbymuffledsobs,andthentheministerspreadhishandsabroadandprayed.Amovinghymnwassung,andthetextfollowed:"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife."Astheserviceproceeded,theclergymandrewsuchpicturesofthegraces,thewinningways,andtherarepromiseofthelostladsthateverysoulthere,thinkingherecognizedthesepictures,feltapanginremem-beringthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothemalwaysbefore,andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys.Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted,too,whichillustratedtheirsweet,generousnatures,andthepeoplecouldeasilysee,now,hownobleandbeautifulthoseepisodeswere,andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities,welldeservingofthecowhide.Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved,asthepathetictalewenton,tillatlastthewhole102
companybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs,thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings,andcry-inginthepulpit.Therewasarustleinthegallery,whichnobodynoticed;amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked;theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief,andstoodtransfixed!Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister's,andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarch-inguptheaisle,Tominthelead,Joenext,andHuck,aruinofdroopingrags,sneakingsheepishlyintherear!Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon!AuntPolly,Mary,andtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirre-storedones,smotheredthemwithkissesandpouredoutthanksgivings,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.103
Chapter18ThatwasTom'sgreatsecret—theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbroth-erpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals.TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog,atduskonSaturday,landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage;theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight,andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinval-idedbenches.Atbreakfast,Mondaymorning,AuntPollyandMarywereverylov-ingtoTom,andveryattentivetohiswants.Therewasanunusualamountoftalk.InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid:"Well,Idon'tsayitwasn'tafinejoke,Tom,tokeepeverybodysuffer-ing'mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime,butitisapityyoucouldbesohard-heartedastoletmesufferso.Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral,youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn'tdead,butonlyrunoff.""Yes,youcouldhavedonethat,Tom,"saidMary;"andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit.""Wouldyou,Tom?"saidAuntPolly,herfacelightingwistfully."Say,now,wouldyou,ifyou'dthoughtofit?""I—well,Idon'tknow.'Twould'a'spoiledeverything.""Tom,Ihopedyoulovedmethatmuch,"saidAuntPolly,withagrievedtonethatdiscomfortedtheboy."Itwouldhavebeensomethingifyou'dcaredenoughtothinkofit,evenifyoudidn'tdoit.""Now,auntie,thatain'tanyharm,"pleadedMary;"it'sonlyTom'sgiddyway—heisalwaysinsucharushthatheneverthinksofanything.""More'sthepity.Sidwouldhavethought.AndSidwouldhavecomeanddoneit,too.Tom,you'lllookback,someday,whenit'stoolate,and104
wishyou'dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle.""Now,auntie,youknowIdocareforyou,"saidTom."I'dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit.""IwishnowI'dthought,"saidTom,witharepentanttone;"butIdreamtaboutyou,anyway.That'ssomething,ain'tit?""Itain'tmuch—acatdoesthatmuch—butit'sbetterthannothing.Whatdidyoudream?""Why,WednesdaynightIdreamtthatyouwassittingovertherebythebed,andSidwassittingbythewoodbox,andMarynexttohim.""Well,sowedid.Sowealwaysdo.I'mgladyourdreamscouldtakeeventhatmuchtroubleaboutus.""AndIdreamtthatJoeHarper'smotherwashere.""Why,shewashere!Didyoudreamanymore?""Oh,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,'Why,Ibelievethatthatdoor—'""Goon,Tom!""Justletmestudyamoment—justamoment.Oh,yes—yousaidyoubelievedthedoorwasopen.""AsI'msittinghere,Idid!Didn'tI,Mary!Goon!""Andthen—andthen—wellIwon'tbecertain,butitseemslikeasifyoumadeSidgoand—and—""Well?Well?WhatdidImakehimdo,Tom?WhatdidImakehimdo?""Youmadehim—you—Oh,youmadehimshutit.""Well,fortheland'ssake!Ineverheardthebeatofthatinallmydays!Don'ttellmethereain'tanythingindreams,anymore.SerenyHarper105
shallknowofthisbeforeI'manhourolder.I'dliketoseehergetaroundthiswithherrubbage'boutsuperstition.Goon,Tom!""Oh,it'sallgettingjustasbrightasday,now.NextyousaidIwarn'tbad,onlymischeevousandharum-scarum,andnotanymorerespons-iblethan—than—Ithinkitwasacolt,orsomething.""Andsoitwas!Well,goodnessgracious!Goon,Tom!""Andthenyoubegantocry.""SoIdid.SoIdid.Notthefirsttime,neither.Andthen—""ThenMrs.Harpershebegantocry,andsaidJoewasjustthesame,andshewishedshehadn'twhippedhimfortakingcreamwhenshe'dthroweditoutherownself—""Tom!Thesperritwasuponyou!Youwasaprophesying—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!Theremust'a'beenanangelthere.Therewasanangelthere,somewheres!""AndMrs.HarpertoldaboutJoescaringherwithafirecracker,andyoutoldaboutPeterandthePainkiller—""JustastrueasIlive!""Andthentherewasawholelotoftalk'boutdraggingtheriverforus,and'bouthavingthefuneralSunday,andthenyouandoldMissHarperhuggedandcried,andshewent.""Ithappenedjustso!Ithappenedjustso,assureasI'ma-sittingintheseverytracks.Tom,youcouldn'ttolditmorelikeifyou'd'a'seenit!Andthenwhat?Goon,Tom!""ThenIthoughtyouprayedforme—andIcouldseeyouandheareverywordyousaid.Andyouwenttobed,andIwassosorrythatItookandwroteonapieceofsycamorebark,'Weain'tdead—weareonlyoffbeingpirates,'andputitonthetablebythecandle;andthenyou106
lookedsogood,layingthereasleep,thatIthoughtIwentandleanedoverandkissedyouonthelips.""Didyou,Tom,didyou!Ijustforgiveyoueverythingforthat!"Andsheseizedtheboyinacrushingembracethatmadehimfeelliketheguiltiestofvillains."Itwasverykind,eventhoughitwasonlya—dream,"Sidsolilo-quizedjustaudibly."Shutup,Sid!Abodydoesjustthesameinadreamashe'ddoifhewasawake.Here'sabigMilumappleI'vebeensavingforyou,Tom,ifyouwaseverfoundagain—nowgo'longtoschool.I'mthankfultothegoodGodandFatherofusallI'vegotyouback,that'slong-sufferingandmercifultothemthatbelieveonHimandkeepHisword,thoughgood-nessknowsI'munworthyofit,butifonlytheworthyonesgotHisbless-ingsandhadHishandtohelpthemovertheroughplaces,there'sfewenoughwouldsmilehereoreverenterintoHisrestwhenthelongnightcomes.Go'longSid,Mary,Tom—takeyourselvesoff—you'vehende-redmelongenough."Thechildrenleftforschool,andtheoldladytocallonMrs.HarperandvanquishherrealismwithTom'smarvellousdream.Sidhadbetterjudgmentthantoutterthethoughtthatwasinhismindasheleftthehouse.Itwasthis:"Prettythin—aslongadreamasthat,withoutanymistakesinit!"WhataheroTomwasbecome,now!Hedidnotgoskippingandpran-cing,butmovedwithadignifiedswaggerasbecameapiratewhofeltthatthepubliceyewasonhim.Andindeeditwas;hetriednottoseemtoseethelooksorheartheremarksashepassedalong,buttheywerefoodanddrinktohim.Smallerboysthanhimselfflockedathisheels,asproudtobeseenwithhim,andtoleratedbyhim,asifhehadbeenthedrummerattheheadofaprocessionortheelephantleadingamenagerieintotown.Boysofhisownsizepretendednottoknowhehadbeenawayatall;buttheywereconsumingwithenvy,nevertheless.Theywouldhavegivenanythingtohavethatswarthysuntannedskinofhis,andhisglitteringnotoriety;andTomwouldnothavepartedwitheitherforacircus.AtschoolthechildrenmadesomuchofhimandofJoe,anddeliveredsucheloquentadmirationfromtheireyes,thatthetwoheroeswerenotlonginbecominginsufferably"stuck-up."Theybegantotelltheiradven-turestohungrylisteners—buttheyonlybegan;itwasnotathinglikelytohaveanend,withimaginationsliketheirstofurnishmaterial.And107
finally,whentheygotouttheirpipesandwentserenelypuffingaround,theverysummitofglorywasreached.TomdecidedthathecouldbeindependentofBeckyThatchernow.Glorywassufficient.Hewouldliveforglory.Nowthathewasdistin-guished,maybeshewouldbewantingto"makeup."Well,lether—sheshouldseethathecouldbeasindifferentassomeotherpeople.Presentlyshearrived.Tompretendednottoseeher.Hemovedawayandjoinedagroupofboysandgirlsandbegantotalk.Soonheobservedthatshewastrippinggaylybackandforthwithflushedfaceanddancingeyes,pre-tendingtobebusychasingschoolmates,andscreamingwithlaughterwhenshemadeacapture;buthenoticedthatshealwaysmadehercap-turesinhisvicinity,andthatsheseemedtocastaconsciouseyeinhisdirectionatsuchtimes,too.Itgratifiedalltheviciousvanitythatwasinhim;andso,insteadofwinninghim,itonly"sethimup"themoreandmadehimthemorediligenttoavoidbetrayingthatheknewshewasabout.Presentlyshegaveoverskylarking,andmovedirresolutelyabout,sighingonceortwiceandglancingfurtivelyandwistfullytowardTom.ThensheobservedthatnowTomwastalkingmoreparticularlytoAmyLawrencethantoanyoneelse.Shefeltasharppangandgrewdisturbedanduneasyatonce.Shetriedtogoaway,butherfeetweretreacherous,andcarriedhertothegroupinstead.ShesaidtoagirlalmostatTom'sel-bow—withshamvivacity:"Why,MaryAustin!youbadgirl,whydidn'tyoucometoSunday-school?""Ididcome—didn'tyouseeme?""Why,no!Didyou?Wheredidyousit?""IwasinMissPeters'class,whereIalwaysgo.Isawyou.""Didyou?Why,it'sfunnyIdidn'tseeyou.Iwantedtotellyouaboutthepicnic.""Oh,that'sjolly.Who'sgoingtogiveit?""Myma'sgoingtoletmehaveone.""Oh,goody;Ihopeshe'llletmecome.""Well,shewill.Thepicnic'sforme.She'llletanybodycomethatIwant,andIwantyou.""That'seversonice.Whenisitgoingtobe?""Byandby.Maybeaboutvacation.""Oh,won'titbefun!Yougoingtohaveallthegirlsandboys?"108
"Yes,everyonethat'sfriendstome—orwantstobe";andsheglancedeversofurtivelyatTom,buthetalkedrightalongtoAmyLawrenceabouttheterriblestormontheisland,andhowthelightningtorethegreatsycamoretree"alltoflinders"whilehewas"standingwithinthreefeetofit.""Oh,mayIcome?"saidGraceMiller."Yes.""Andme?"saidSallyRogers."Yes.""Andme,too?"saidSusyHarper."AndJoe?""Yes."Andsoon,withclappingofjoyfulhandstillallthegrouphadbeggedforinvitationsbutTomandAmy.ThenTomturnedcoollyaway,stilltalking,andtookAmywithhim.Becky'slipstrembledandthetearscametohereyes;shehidthesesignswithaforcedgayetyandwentonchattering,butthelifehadgoneoutofthepicnic,now,andoutofeverythingelse;shegotawayassoonasshecouldandhidherselfandhadwhathersexcall"agoodcry."Thenshesatmoody,withwoundedpride,tillthebellrang.Sherousedup,now,withavindictivecastinhereye,andgaveherplaitedtailsashakeandsaidsheknewwhatshe'ddo.AtrecessTomcontinuedhisflirtationwithAmywithjubilantself-sat-isfaction.AndhekeptdriftingabouttofindBeckyandlacerateherwiththeperformance.Atlasthespiedher,buttherewasasuddenfallingofhismercury.Shewassittingcosilyonalittlebenchbehindtheschool-houselookingatapicture-bookwithAlfredTemple—andsoabsorbedwerethey,andtheirheadssoclosetogetheroverthebook,thattheydidnotseemtobeconsciousofanythingintheworldbesides.Jealousyranred-hotthroughTom'sveins.HebegantohatehimselfforthrowingawaythechanceBeckyhadofferedforareconciliation.Hecalledhimselfafool,andallthehardnameshecouldthinkof.Hewantedtocrywithvexation.Amychattedhappilyalong,astheywalked,forherheartwassinging,butTom'stonguehadlostitsfunction.HedidnothearwhatAmywassaying,andwhenevershepausedexpectantlyhecouldonlystammeranawkwardassent,whichwasasoftenmisplacedasother-wise.Hekeptdriftingtotherearoftheschoolhouse,againandagain,tosearhiseyeballswiththehatefulspectaclethere.Hecouldnothelpit.Anditmaddenedhimtosee,ashethoughthesaw,thatBeckyThatcherneveroncesuspectedthathewaseveninthelandoftheliving.Butshe109
didsee,nevertheless;andsheknewshewaswinningherfight,too,andwasgladtoseehimsufferasshehadsuffered.Amy'shappyprattlebecameintolerable.Tomhintedatthingshehadtoattendto;thingsthatmustbedone;andtimewasfleeting.Butinvain—thegirlchirpedon.Tomthought,"Oh,hangher,ain'tIevergoingtogetridofher?"Atlasthemustbeattendingtothosethings—andshesaidartlesslythatshewouldbe"around"whenschoolletout.Andhehastenedaway,hatingherforit."Anyotherboy!"Tomthought,gratinghisteeth."AnyboyinthewholetownbutthatSaintLouissmartythatthinkshedressessofineandisaristocracy!Oh,allright,Ilickedyouthefirstdayyoueversawthistown,mister,andI'lllickyouagain!YoujustwaittillIcatchyouout!I'lljusttakeand—"Andhewentthroughthemotionsofthrashinganimaginaryboy—pummellingtheair,andkickingandgouging."Oh,youdo,doyou?Youholler'nough,doyou?Now,then,letthatlearnyou!"Andsotheimagin-aryfloggingwasfinishedtohissatisfaction.Tomfledhomeatnoon.HisconsciencecouldnotendureanymoreofAmy'sgratefulhappiness,andhisjealousycouldbearnomoreoftheotherdistress.BeckyresumedherpictureinspectionswithAlfred,butastheminutesdraggedalongandnoTomcametosuffer,hertriumphbegantocloudandshelostinterest;gravityandabsent-mindednessfol-lowed,andthenmelancholy;twoorthreetimessheprickedupherearatafootstep,butitwasafalsehope;noTomcame.Atlastshegrewen-tirelymiserableandwishedshehadn'tcarrieditsofar.WhenpoorAl-fred,seeingthathewaslosingher,hedidnotknowhow,keptexclaim-ing:"Oh,here'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.Hewishedtherewassomewaytogetthatboy110
intotroublewithoutmuchrisktohimself.Tom'sspelling-bookfellunderhiseye.Herewashisopportunity.Hegratefullyopenedtothelessonfortheafternoonandpouredinkuponthepage.Becky,glancinginatawindowbehindhimatthemoment,sawtheact,andmovedon,withoutdiscoveringherself.Shestartedhomeward,now,intendingtofindTomandtellhim;Tomwouldbethankfulandtheirtroubleswouldbehealed.Beforeshewashalfwayhome,however,shehadchangedhermind.ThethoughtofTom'streatmentofherwhenshewastalkingaboutherpicniccamescorchingbackandfilledherwithshame.Sheresolvedtolethimgetwhippedonthedamagedspelling-book'saccount,andtohatehimforever,intothebargain.111
Chapter19Tomarrivedathomeinadrearymood,andthefirstthinghisauntsaidtohimshowedhimthathehadbroughthissorrowstoanunpromisingmarket:"Tom,I'veanotiontoskinyoualive!""Auntie,whathaveIdone?""Well,you'vedoneenough.HereIgoovertoSerenyHarper,likeanoldsofty,expectingI'mgoingtomakeherbelieveallthatrubbageaboutthatdream,whenloandbeholdyoushe'dfoundoutfromJoethatyouwasoverhereandheardallthetalkwehadthatnight.Tom,Idon'tknowwhatistobecomeofaboythatwillactlikethat.ItmakesmefeelsobadtothinkyoucouldletmegotoSerenyHarperandmakesuchafoolofmyselfandneversayaword."Thiswasanewaspectofthething.HissmartnessofthemorninghadseemedtoTomagoodjokebefore,andveryingenious.Itmerelylookedmeanandshabbynow.Hehunghisheadandcouldnotthinkofany-thingtosayforamoment.Thenhesaid:"Auntie,IwishIhadn'tdoneit—butIdidn'tthink.""Oh,child,youneverthink.Youneverthinkofanythingbutyourownselfishness.YoucouldthinktocomeallthewayoverherefromJackson'sIslandinthenighttolaughatourtroubles,andyoucouldthinktofoolmewithalieaboutadream;butyoucouldn'teverthinktopityusandsaveusfromsorrow.""Auntie,Iknownowitwasmean,butIdidn'tmeantobemean.Ididn't,honest.Andbesides,Ididn'tcomeoverheretolaughatyouthatnight.""Whatdidyoucomefor,then?""Itwastotellyounottobeuneasyaboutus,becausewehadn'tgotdrownded."112
"Tom,Tom,IwouldbethethankfullestsoulinthisworldifIcouldbe-lieveyoueverhadasgoodathoughtasthat,butyouknowyouneverdid—andIknowit,Tom.""Indeedand'deedIdid,auntie—IwishImayneverstirifIdidn't.""Oh,Tom,don'tlie—don'tdoit.Itonlymakesthingsahundredtimesworse.""Itain'talie,auntie;it'sthetruth.Iwantedtokeepyoufromgrieving—thatwasallthatmademecome.""I'dgivethewholeworldtobelievethat—itwouldcoverupapowerofsins,Tom.I'd'mostbegladyou'drunoffandactedsobad.Butitain'treasonable;because,whydidn'tyoutellme,child?""Why,yousee,whenyougottotalkingaboutthefuneral,Ijustgotallfulloftheideaofourcomingandhidinginthechurch,andIcouldn'tsomehowbeartospoilit.SoIjustputthebarkbackinmypocketandkeptmum.""Whatbark?""ThebarkIhadwroteontotellyouwe'dgonepirating.Iwish,now,you'dwakedupwhenIkissedyou—Ido,honest."Thehardlinesinhisaunt'sfacerelaxedandasuddentendernessdawnedinhereyes."Didyoukissme,Tom?""Why,yes,Idid.""Areyousureyoudid,Tom?""Why,yes,Idid,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'ssuchacomfortcomefromit.IhopetheLord113
—IknowtheLordwillforgivehim,becauseitwassuchgood-hearted-nessinhimtotellit.ButIdon'twanttofindoutit'salie.Iwon'tlook."Sheputthejacketaway,andstoodbymusingaminute.Twicesheputoutherhandtotakethegarmentagain,andtwicesherefrained.Oncemoresheventured,andthistimeshefortifiedherselfwiththethought:"It'sagoodlie—it'sagoodlie—Iwon'tletitgrieveme."Soshesoughtthejacketpocket.AmomentlatershewasreadingTom'spieceofbarkthroughflowingtearsandsaying:"Icouldforgivetheboy,now,ifhe'dcommittedamillionsins!"114
Chapter20TherewassomethingaboutAuntPolly'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?"un-tiltherighttimetosayithadgoneby.Sohesaidnothing.Buthewasinafinerage,nevertheless.Hemopedintotheschoolyardwishingshewereaboy,andimagininghowhewouldtrounceherifshewere.Hepresentlyencounteredheranddeliveredastingingremarkashepassed.Shehurledoneinreturn,andtheangrybreachwascomplete.ItseemedtoBecky,inherhotresentment,thatshecouldhardlywaitforschoolto"takein,"shewassoimpatienttoseeTomfloggedfortheinjuredspelling-book.IfshehadhadanylingeringnotionofexposingAlfredTemple,Tom'soffensiveflinghaddrivenitentirelyaway.Poorgirl,shedidnotknowhowfastshewasnearingtroubleherself.Themaster,Mr.Dobbins,hadreachedmiddleagewithanunsatisfiedambition.Thedarlingofhisdesireswas,tobeadoctor,butpovertyhaddecreedthatheshouldbenothinghigherthanavillageschoolmaster.Everydayhetookamysteriousbookoutofhisdeskandabsorbedhim-selfinitattimeswhennoclasseswerereciting.Hekeptthatbookunderlockandkey.Therewasnotanurchininschoolbutwasperishingtohaveaglimpseofit,butthechancenevercame.Everyboyandgirlhada115
theoryaboutthenatureofthatbook;butnotwotheorieswerealike,andtherewasnowayofgettingatthefactsinthecase.Now,asBeckywaspassingbythedesk,whichstoodnearthedoor,shenoticedthatthekeywasinthelock!Itwasapreciousmoment.Sheglancedaround;foundherselfalone,andthenextinstantshehadthebookinherhands.Thetitle-page—ProfessorSomebody'sAnatomy—carriednoinformationtohermind;soshebegantoturntheleaves.Shecameatonceuponahandsomelyengravedandcoloredfrontispiece—ahumanfigure,starknaked.AtthatmomentashadowfellonthepageandTomSawyersteppedinatthedoorandcaughtaglimpseofthepicture.Beckysnatchedatthebooktocloseit,andhadthehardlucktotearthepic-turedpagehalfdownthemiddle.Shethrustthevolumeintothedesk,turnedthekey,andburstoutcryingwithshameandvexation."TomSawyer,youarejustasmeanasyoucanbe,tosneakuponapersonandlookatwhatthey'relookingat.""HowcouldIknowyouwaslookingatanything?""Yououghttobeashamedofyourself,TomSawyer;youknowyou'regoingtotellonme,andoh,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-skinnedandchicken-hearted.Well,ofcourseIain'tgoingtotelloldDobbinsonthislittlefool,becausethere'sotherwaysofgettingevenonher,thatain'tsomean;butwhatofit?OldDobbinswillaskwhoitwastorehisbook.Nobody'llanswer.Thenhe'lldojustthewayhealwaysdoes—askfirstoneandthent'other,andwhenhecomestotherightgirlhe'llknowit,withoutanytelling.Girls'facesalwaystellonthem.Theyain'tgotanybackbone.She'llgetlicked.Well,it'sakindofatightplaceforBeckyThatcher,becausethereain'tanywayoutofit."Tomconnedthethingamomentlonger,andthenadded:"Allright,though;she'dliketoseemeinjustsuchafix—lethersweatitout!"116
Tomjoinedthemobofskylarkingscholarsoutside.Inafewmomentsthemasterarrivedandschool"tookin."Tomdidnotfeelastrongin-terestinhisstudies.Everytimehestoleaglanceatthegirls'sideoftheroomBecky'sfacetroubledhim.Consideringallthings,hedidnotwanttopityher,andyetitwasallhecoulddotohelpit.Hecouldgetupnoexultationthatwasreallyworthythename.Presentlythespelling-bookdiscoverywasmade,andTom'smindwasentirelyfullofhisownmat-tersforawhileafterthat.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.Mostofthepu-pilsglanceduplanguidly,butthereweretwoamongthemthatwatchedhismovementswithintenteyes.Mr.Dobbinsfingeredhisbookabsentlyforawhile,thentookitoutandsettledhimselfinhischairtoread!TomshotaglanceatBecky.Hehadseenahuntedandhelplessrabbitlookasshedid,withagunlevelledatitshead.Instantlyheforgothisquarrelwithher.Quick—somethingmustbedone!doneinaflash,too!Buttheveryimminenceoftheemergencyparalyzedhisinvention.Good!—hehadaninspiration!Hewouldrunandsnatchthebook,springthroughthedoorandfly.Buthisresolutionshookforonelittleinstant,andthechancewaslost—themasteropenedthevolume.IfTomonlyhadthewastedopportunitybackagain!Toolate.TherewasnohelpforBeckynow,hesaid.Thenextmomentthemasterfacedtheschool.Everyeyesankunderhisgaze.Therewasthatinitwhichsmoteeventheinnocent117
withfear.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.Tomwastrem-blingfromheadtofootwithexcitementandasenseofthehopelessnessofthesituation."RebeccaThatcher"[Tomglancedatherface—itwaswhitewithter-ror]—"didyoutear—no,lookmeintheface"[herhandsroseinap-peal]—"didyoutearthisbook?"AthoughtshotlikelightningthroughTom'sbrain.Hesprangtohisfeetandshouted—"Idoneit!"Theschoolstaredinperplexityatthisincrediblefolly.Tomstoodamoment,togatherhisdismemberedfaculties;andwhenhesteppedfor-wardtogotohispunishmentthesurprise,thegratitude,theadorationthatshoneuponhimoutofpoorBecky'seyesseemedpayenoughforahundredfloggings.Inspiredbythesplendorofhisownact,hetookwithoutanoutcrythemostmercilessflayingthatevenMr.Dobbinshadeveradministered;andalsoreceivedwithindifferencetheaddedcrueltyofacommandtoremaintwohoursafterschoolshouldbedismissed—forheknewwhowouldwaitforhimoutsidetillhiscaptivitywasdone,andnotcountthetedioustimeasloss,either.TomwenttobedthatnightplanningvengeanceagainstAlfredTemple;forwithshameandrepentanceBeckyhadtoldhimall,notfor-gettingherowntreachery;buteventhelongingforvengeancehadto118
giveway,soon,topleasantermusings,andhefellasleepatlastwithBecky'slatestwordslingeringdreamilyinhisear—"Tom,howcouldyoubesonoble!"119
Chapter21Vacationwasapproaching.Theschoolmaster,alwayssevere,grewsevererandmoreexactingthanever,forhewantedtheschooltomakeagoodshowingon"Examination"day.Hisrodandhisferulewereseldomidlenow—atleastamongthesmallerpupils.Onlythebiggestboys,andyoungladiesofeighteenandtwenty,escapedlashing.Mr.Dobbins'lash-ingswereveryvigorousones,too;foralthoughhecarried,underhiswig,aperfectlybaldandshinyhead,hehadonlyreachedmiddleage,andtherewasnosignoffeeblenessinhismuscle.Asthegreatdayap-proached,allthetyrannythatwasinhimcametothesurface;heseemedtotakeavindictivepleasureinpunishingtheleastshortcomings.Theconsequencewas,thatthesmallerboysspenttheirdaysinterrorandsufferingandtheirnightsinplottingrevenge.Theythrewawaynoop-portunitytodothemasteramischief.Buthekeptaheadallthetime.Theretributionthatfollowedeveryvengefulsuccesswassosweepingandmajesticthattheboysalwaysretiredfromthefieldbadlyworsted.Atlasttheyconspiredtogetherandhituponaplanthatpromisedadazzlingvictory.Theysworeinthesign-painter'sboy,toldhimthescheme,andaskedhishelp.Hehadhisownreasonsforbeingdelighted,forthemasterboardedinhisfather'sfamilyandhadgiventheboyamplecausetohatehim.Themaster'swifewouldgoonavisittothecountryinafewdays,andtherewouldbenothingtointerferewiththeplan;themasteralwayspreparedhimselfforgreatoccasionsbygettingprettywellfuddled,andthesign-painter'sboysaidthatwhenthedominiehadreachedtheproperconditiononExaminationEveninghewould"managethething"whilehenappedinhischair;thenhewouldhavehimawakenedattherighttimeandhurriedawaytoschool.Inthefulnessoftimetheinterestingoccasionarrived.Ateightintheeveningtheschoolhousewasbrilliantlylighted,andadornedwithwreathsandfestoonsoffoliageandflowers.Themastersatthronedinhisgreatchairuponaraisedplatform,withhisblackboardbehindhim.Hewaslookingtolerablymellow.Threerowsofbenchesoneachsideandsixrowsin120
frontofhimwereoccupiedbythedignitariesofthetownandbythepar-entsofthepupils.Tohisleft,backoftherowsofcitizens,wasaspacioustemporaryplatformuponwhichwereseatedthescholarswhoweretotakepartintheexercisesoftheevening;rowsofsmallboys,washedanddressedtoanintolerablestateofdiscomfort;rowsofgawkybigboys;snowbanksofgirlsandyoungladiescladinlawnandmuslinandcon-spicuouslyconsciousoftheirbarearms,theirgrandmothers'ancienttrinkets,theirbitsofpinkandblueribbonandtheflowersintheirhair.Alltherestofthehousewasfilledwithnon-participatingscholars.Theexercisesbegan.Averylittleboystoodupandsheepishlyrecited,"You'dscarceexpectoneofmyagetospeakinpubliconthestage,"etc.—accompanyinghimselfwiththepainfullyexactandspasmodicges-tureswhichamachinemighthaveused—supposingthemachinetobeatrifleoutoforder.Buthegotthroughsafely,thoughcruellyscared,andgotafineroundofapplausewhenhemadehismanufacturedbowandretired.Alittleshamefacedgirllisped,"Maryhadalittlelamb,"etc.,per-formedacompassion-inspiringcurtsy,gothermeedofapplause,andsatdownflushedandhappy.TomSawyersteppedforwardwithconceitedconfidenceandsoaredintotheunquenchableandindestructible"Givemelibertyorgivemedeath"speech,withfinefuryandfranticgesticulation,andbrokedowninthemiddleofit.Aghastlystage-frightseizedhim,hislegsquakedun-derhimandhewasliketochoke.True,hehadthemanifestsympathyofthehousebuthehadthehouse'ssilence,too,whichwasevenworsethanitssympathy.Themasterfrowned,andthiscompletedthedisaster.Tomstruggledawhileandthenretired,utterlydefeated.Therewasaweakat-temptatapplause,butitdiedearly."TheBoyStoodontheBurningDeck"followed;also"TheAssyrianCameDown,"andotherdeclamatorygems.Thentherewerereadingex-ercises,andaspellingfight.ThemeagreLatinclassrecitedwithhonor.Theprimefeatureoftheeveningwasinorder,now—original"compositions"bytheyoungladies.Eachinherturnsteppedforwardtotheedgeoftheplatform,clearedherthroat,helduphermanuscript(tiedwithdaintyribbon),andproceededtoread,withlaboredattentionto"expression"andpunctuation.Thethemeswerethesamethathadbeenilluminateduponsimilaroccasionsbytheirmothersbeforethem,theirgrandmothers,anddoubtlessalltheirancestorsinthefemalelineclearbacktotheCrusades."Friendship"wasone;"MemoriesofOtherDays";121
"ReligioninHistory";"DreamLand";"TheAdvantagesofCulture";"FormsofPoliticalGovernmentComparedandContrasted";"Melancholy";"FilialLove";"HeartLongings,"etc.,etc.Aprevalentfeatureinthesecompositionswasanursedandpettedmelancholy;anotherwasawastefulandopulentgushof"finelanguage";anotherwasatendencytoluginbytheearsparticularlyprizedwordsandphrasesuntiltheywerewornentirelyout;andapeculiaritythatconspicuouslymarkedandmarredthemwastheinveterateandintoler-ablesermonthatwaggeditscrippledtailattheendofeachandeveryoneofthem.Nomatterwhatthesubjectmightbe,abrain-rackingeffortwasmadetosquirmitintosomeaspectorotherthatthemoralandreli-giousmindcouldcontemplatewithedification.Theglaringinsincerityofthesesermonswasnotsufficienttocompassthebanishmentofthefash-ionfromtheschools,anditisnotsufficientto-day;itneverwillbesuffi-cientwhiletheworldstands,perhaps.Thereisnoschoolinallourlandwheretheyoungladiesdonotfeelobligedtoclosetheircompositionswithasermon;andyouwillfindthatthesermonofthemostfrivolousandtheleastreligiousgirlintheschoolisalwaysthelongestandthemostrelentlesslypious.Butenoughofthis.Homelytruthisunpalatable.Letusreturntothe"Examination."Thefirstcompositionthatwasreadwasoneentitled"Isthis,then,Life?"Perhapsthereadercanendureanextractfromit:"Inthecommonwalksoflife,withwhatdelightfulemotionsdoestheyouthfulmindlookforwardtosomeanticipatedsceneoffestivity!Ima-ginationisbusysketchingrose-tintedpicturesofjoy.Infancy,thevolup-tuousvotaryoffashionseesherselfamidthefestivethrong,'theob-servedofallobservers.'Hergracefulform,arrayedinsnowyrobes,iswhirlingthroughthemazesofthejoyousdance;hereyeisbrightest,herstepislightestinthegayassembly."Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby,andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld,ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams.Howfairy-likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision!Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast.Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior,allisvanity,theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul,nowgratesharshlyuponherear;theball-roomhaslostitscharms;andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart,sheturnsawaywiththecon-victionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul!"Andsoforthandsoon.Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading,accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof122
"Howsweet!""Howeloquent!""Sotrue!"etc.,andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic.Thenaroseaslim,melancholygirl,whosefacehadthe"interesting"pale-nessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion,andreada"poem."Twostanzasofitwilldo:"AMissouriMaiden'sFarewelltoAlabama"Alabama,good-bye!Ilovetheewell!ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow!Sad,yes,sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell,Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow!ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods;HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa'sstream;HavelistenedtoTallassee'swarringfloods,AndwooedonCoosa'ssideAurora'sbeam."YetshameInottobearano'er-fullheart,Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes;'TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart,'TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs.WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState,WhosevalesIleave—whosespiresfadefastfrommeAndcoldmustbemineeyes,andheart,andtete,When,dearAlabama!theyturncoldonthee!"Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat"tete"meant,butthepoemwasverysatisfactory,nevertheless.Nextappearedadark-complexioned,black-eyed,black-hairedyounglady,whopausedanimpressivemo-ment,assumedatragicexpression,andbegantoreadinameasured,sol-emntone:"AVision"Darkandtempestuouswasnight.Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered;butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear;whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven,seem-ingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin!Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes,andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene.123
"Atsuchatime,sodark,sodreary,forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed;butinsteadthereof,"'Mydearestfriend,mycounsellor,mycomforterandguide—Myjoyingrief,mysecondblissinjoy,'cametomyside.Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy'sEdenbytheromanticandyoung,aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntran-scendentloveliness.Sosoftwasherstep,itfailedtomakeevenasound,andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch,asotherun-obtrusivebeauties,shewouldhaveglidedawayun-perceived—un-sought.Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures,likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember,asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout,andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented."Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon-Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize.Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinestef-fortoftheevening.Themayorofthevillage,indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit,madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost"eloquent"thinghehadeverlistenedto,andthatDanielWeb-sterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit.Itmayberemarked,inpassing,thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword"beauteous"wasover-fondled,andhumanexperiencereferredtoas"life'spage,"wasuptotheusualaverage.Nowthemaster,mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality,puthischairaside,turnedhisbacktotheaudience,andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard,toexercisethegeographyclassupon.Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand,andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse.Heknewwhatthematterwas,andsethimselftorightit.Hespongedoutlinesandremadethem;butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever,andthetitteringwasmorepronounced.Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork,now,asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth.Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim;heima-ginedhewassucceeding,andyetthetitteringcontinued;itevenmani-festlyincreased.Andwellitmight.Therewasagarretabove,piercedwithascuttleoverhishead;anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat,suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring;shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing;assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring,sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair.Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher—thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher'shead—down,down,alittlelower,andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws,clungto124
it,andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession!Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster'sbaldpate—forthesign-painter'sboyhadgildedit!Thatbrokeupthemeeting.Theboyswereavenged.Vacationhadcome.NOTE:—Thepretended"compositions"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled"ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady"—buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern,andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe.125
Chapter22TomjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance,beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir"regalia."Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking,chewing,andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember.Nowhefoundoutanewthing—namely,thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything.Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear;thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwith-drawingfromtheorder.FourthofJulywascoming;buthesoongavethatup—gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty-eighthours—andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer,justiceofthepeace,whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuner-al,sincehewassohighanofficial.DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge'sconditionandhungryfornewsofit.Some-timeshishopesranhigh—sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelooking-glass.ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating.Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend—andthenconvalescent.Tomwasdisgusted;andfeltasenseofinjury,too.Hehandedinhisresignationatonce—andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied.Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain.Thefuneralwasafinething.TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy.Tomwasafreeboyagain,however—therewassomethinginthat.Hecoulddrinkandswear,now—butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto.Thesimplefactthathecould,tookthedesireaway,andthecharmofit.Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbegin-ningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands.Heattemptedadiary—butnothinghappenedduringthreedays,andsoheabandonedit.126
Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown,andmadeasensation.TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays.EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure,foritrainedhard,therewasnoprocessioninconsequence,andthegreatestmanintheworld(asTomsupposed),Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenat-or,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.Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown-town,amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature.Therehadbeena"revival,"andeverybodyhad"gotreligion,"notonlytheadults,buteventheboysandgirls.Tomwentabout,hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface,butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere.HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament,andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle.HesoughtBenRogers,andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts.HehuntedupJimHollis,whocalledhisat-tentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning.Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression;andwhen,indesperation,heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation,hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost,foreverandforever.Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm,withdrivingrain,awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning.Hecoveredhishead127
withthebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom;forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim.Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheex-tremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult.Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery,butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself.Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject.Theboy'sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful,andreform.Hissecondwastowait—fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms.Thenextdaythedoctorswereback;Tomhadrelapsed.Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage.Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared,remem-beringhowlonelywashisestate,howcompanionlessandforlornhewas.HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder,inthepresenceofhervictim,abird.HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon.Poorlads!they—likeTom—hadsufferedarelapse.128
Chapter23Atlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred—andvigorously:themurdertrialcameoninthecourt.Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately.Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit.Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart,forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas"feelers";hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowingany-thingaboutthemurder,butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip.Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime.HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim.Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile;todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer.Moreover,hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet."Huck,haveyouevertoldanybodyabout—that?""'Boutwhat?""Youknowwhat.""Oh—'courseIhaven't.""Neveraword?""Neverasolitaryword,sohelpme.Whatmakesyouask?""Well,Iwasafeard.""Why,TomSawyer,wewouldn'tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout.Youknowthat."Tomfeltmorecomfortable.Afterapause:"Huck,theycouldn'tanybodygetyoutotell,couldthey?""Getmetotell?Why,ifIwantedthathalf-breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell.Theyain'tnodifferentway.""Well,that'sallright,then.Ireckonwe'resafeaslongaswekeepmum.Butlet'sswearagain,anyway.It'smoresurer.""I'magreed."Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities.129
"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;butthenhehain'teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody.Justfishesalittle,togetmoneytogetdrunkon—andloafsaroundconsiderable;butlord,wealldothat—leastwaysmostofus—preachersandsuchlike.Buthe'skindofgood—hegivemehalfafish,once,whentherewarn'tenoughfortwo;andlotsoftimeshe'skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck.""Well,he'smendedkitesforme,Huck,andknittedhooksontomyline.Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere.""My!wecouldn'tgethimout,Tom.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.Asthetwi-lightdrewon,theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail,perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties.Butnothinghappened;thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthisluck-lesscaptive.Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore—wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches.Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards.Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore—itcutdeeperthanever,thistime.TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid:"You'vebeenmightygoodtome,boys—better'nanybodyelseinthistown.AndIdon'tforgetit,Idon't.OftenIsaystomyself,saysI,'Iusedtomendalltheboys'kitesandthings,andshow'emwherethegood130
fishin'placeswas,andbefriend'emwhatIcould,andnowthey'veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe'sintrouble;butTomdon't,andHuckdon't—theydon'tforgethim,saysI,'andIdon'tforgetthem.'Well,boys,Idoneanawfulthing—drunkandcrazyatthetime—that'stheonlywayIac-countforit—andnowIgottoswingforit,andit'sright.Right,andbest,too,Ireckon—hopeso,anyway.Well,wewon'ttalkaboutthat.Idon'twanttomakeyoufeelbad;you'vebefriendedme.ButwhatIwanttosay,is,don'tyouevergetdrunk—thenyouwon'tevergethere.Standalitterfurderwest—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,andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhor-rors.Thenextdayandthedayafter,hehungaboutthecourt-room,drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin,butforcinghimselftostayout.Huckwashavingthesameexperience.Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother.Eachwanderedaway,fromtimetotime,butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently.Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom,butinvariablyhearddistressingnews—thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelent-lesslyaroundpoorPotter.AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe'sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken,andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury'sverdictwouldbe.Tomwasoutlate,thatnight,andcametobedthroughthewindow.Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement.Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep.Allthevillageflockedtothecourt-housethenextmorning,forthiswastobethegreatday.Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience.Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces;shortlyafterward,Potter,paleandhaggard,timidandhopeless,wasbroughtin,withchainsuponhim,andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim;nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe,stolidasever.Therewasanotherpause,andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffpro-claimedtheopeningofthecourt.Theusualwhisperingsamongthelaw-yersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed.Thesedetailsandac-companyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating.131
NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook,atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered,andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway.Aftersomefur-therquestioning,counselfortheprosecutionsaid:"Takethewitness."Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment,butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid:"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim."Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse.Counselfortheprosecutionsaid:"Takethewitness.""Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim,"Potter'slawyerreplied.AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter'spossession."Takethewitness."CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim.Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance.Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient'slifewithoutaneffort?SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter'sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder.Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross-questioned.Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegrave-yarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses,butnoneofthemwerecross-ex-aminedbyPotter'slawyer.Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench.Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid:"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion,wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime,beyondallpossibilityofquestion,upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar.Werestourcasehere."AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro,whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt-room.Manymenweremoved,andmanywomen'scompassiontestifieditselfintears.Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid:"Yourhonor,inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial,weforeshad-owedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileun-dertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedby132
drink.Wehavechangedourmind.Weshallnotofferthatplea."[Thentotheclerk:]"CallThomasSawyer!"Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse,notevenex-ceptingPotter's.EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand.Theboylookedwildenough,forhewasbadlyscared.Theoathwasadministered."ThomasSawyer,wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune,aboutthehourofmidnight?"TomglancedatInjunJoe'sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim.Theaudiencelistenedbreathless,butthewordsrefusedtocome.Afterafewmoments,however,theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback,andman-agedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear:"Inthegraveyard!""Alittlebitlouder,please.Don'tbeafraid.Youwere—""Inthegraveyard."AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe'sface."WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams'grave?""Yes,sir.""Speakup—justatriflelouder.Hownearwereyou?""NearasIamtoyou.""Wereyouhidden,ornot?""Iwashid.""Where?""Behindtheelmsthat'sontheedgeofthegrave."InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart."Anyonewithyou?""Yes,sir.Iwenttherewith—""Wait—waitamoment.Nevermindmentioningyourcompanion'sname.Wewillproducehimatthepropertime.Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou."Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused."Speakout,myboy—don'tbediffident.Thetruthisalwaysrespect-able.Whatdidyoutakethere?""Onlya—a—deadcat."Therewasarippleofmirth,whichthecourtchecked.133
"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat.Now,myboy,telluseverythingthatoccurred—tellitinyourownway—don'tskipany-thing,anddon'tbeafraid."Tombegan—hesitatinglyatfirst,butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily;inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice;everyeyefixeditselfuponhim;withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords,takingnonoteoftime,raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale.Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid:"—andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell,InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand—"Crash!Quickaslightningthehalf-breedsprangforawindow,torehiswaythroughallopposers,andwasgone!134
Chapter24Tomwasaglitteringherooncemore—thepetoftheold,theenvyoftheyoung.Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint,forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim.ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident,yet,ifheescapedhanging.Asusual,thefickle,unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore.Butthatsortofconductistotheworld'scredit;thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit.Tom'sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim,buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror.InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams,andal-wayswithdoominhiseye.Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall.PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror,forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial,andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout,yet,notwithstandingInjunJoe'sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt.Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy,butwhatofthat?SinceTom'sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer'shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedis-malestandmostformidableofoaths,Huck'sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell-nighobliterated.DailyMuffPotter'sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken;butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue.HalfthetimeTomwasafraidInjunJoewouldneverbecaptured;theotherhalfhewasafraidhewouldbe.Hefeltsurehenevercoulddrawasafebreathagainuntilthatmanwasdeadandhehadseenthecorpse.Rewardshadbeenoffered,thecountryhadbeenscoured,butnoInjunJoewasfound.Oneofthoseomniscientandawe-inspiringmarvels,ade-tective,cameupfromSt.Louis,mousedaround,shookhishead,lookedwise,andmadethatsortofastoundingsuccesswhichmembersofthatcraftusuallyachieve.Thatistosay,he"foundaclew."Butyoucan't135
hanga"clew"formurder,andsoafterthatdetectivehadgotthroughandgonehome,Tomfeltjustasinsecureashewasbefore.Theslowdaysdriftedon,andeachleftbehinditaslightlylightenedweightofapprehension.136
Chapter25Therecomesatimeineveryrightly-constructedboy'slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure.ThisdesiresuddenlycameuponTomoneday.HesalliedouttofindJoeHarper,butfailedofsuccess.NexthesoughtBenRogers;hehadgonefishing.PresentlyhestumbleduponHuckFinntheRed-Handed.Huckwouldanswer.Tomtookhimtoaprivateplaceandopenedthemattertohimconfidentially.Huckwaswilling.Huckwasalwayswillingtotakeahandinanyenterprisethatofferedentertainmentandrequirednocapit-al,forhehadatroublesomesuperabundanceofthatsortoftimewhichisnotmoney."Where'llwedig?"saidHuck."Oh,mostanywhere.""Why,isithidallaround?""No,indeeditain't.It'shidinmightyparticularplaces,Huck—some-timesonislands,sometimesinrottenchestsundertheendofalimbofanolddeadtree,justwheretheshadowfallsatmidnight;butmostlyun-derthefloorinha'ntedhouses.""Whohidesit?""Why,robbers,ofcourse—who'dyoureckon?Sunday-schoolsup'rintendents?""Idon'tknow.If'twasmineIwouldn'thideit;I'dspenditandhaveagoodtime.""SowouldI.Butrobbersdon'tdothatway.Theyalwayshideitandleaveitthere.""Don'ttheycomeafteritanymore?""No,theythinktheywill,buttheygenerallyforgetthemarks,orelsetheydie.Anyway,itlaystherealongtimeandgetsrusty;andbyandbysomebodyfindsanoldyellowpaperthattellshowtofindthemarks—apaperthat'sgottobecipheredoveraboutaweekbecauseit'smostlysignsandhy'roglyphics.""HyroQwhich?"137
"Hy'roglyphics—picturesandthings,youknow,thatdon'tseemtomeananything.""Haveyougotoneofthempapers,Tom?""No.""Wellthen,howyougoingtofindthemarks?""Idon'twantanymarks.Theyalwaysburyitunderaha'ntedhouseoronanisland,orunderadeadtreethat'sgotonelimbstickingout.Well,we'vetriedJackson'sIslandalittle,andwecantryitagainsometime;andthere'stheoldha'ntedhouseuptheStill-Housebranch,andthere'slotsofdeadlimbtrees—deadloadsof'em.""Isitunderallofthem?""Howyoutalk!No!""Thenhowyougoingtoknowwhichonetogofor?""Goforallof'em!""Why,Tom,it'lltakeallsummer.""Well,whatofthat?Supposeyoufindabrasspotwithahundreddol-larsinit,allrustyandgray,orrottenchestfullofdi'monds.How'sthat?"Huck'seyesglowed."That'sbully.Plentybullyenoughforme.Justyougimmethehun-dreddollarsandIdon'twantnodi'monds.""Allright.ButIbetyouIain'tgoingtothrowoffondi'monds.Someof'em'sworthtwentydollarsapiece—thereain'tany,hardly,but'sworthsixbitsoradollar.""No!Isthatso?""Cert'nly—anybody'lltellyouso.Hain'tyoueverseenone,Huck?""NotasIremember.""Oh,kingshaveslathersofthem.""Well,Idon'knownokings,Tom.""Ireckonyoudon't.ButifyouwastogotoEuropeyou'dseearaftof'emhoppingaround.""Dotheyhop?""Hop?—yourgranny!No!""Well,whatdidyousaytheydid,for?""Shucks,Ionlymeantyou'dsee'em—nothopping,ofcourse—whatdotheywanttohopfor?—butImeanyou'djustsee'em—scattered138
around,youknow,inakindofageneralway.LikethatoldhumpbackedRichard.""Richard?What'shisothername?""Hedidn'thaveanyothername.Kingsdon'thaveanybutagivenname.""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,andthrewthemselvesdownintheshadeofaneighboringelmtorestandhaveasmoke."Ilikethis,"saidTom."SodoI.""Say,Huck,ifwefindatreasurehere,whatyougoingtodowithyourshare?""Well,I'llhavepieandaglassofsodaeveryday,andI'llgotoeverycircusthatcomesalong.IbetI'llhaveagaytime.""Well,ain'tyougoingtosaveanyofit?""Saveit?Whatfor?""Why,soastohavesomethingtoliveon,byandby.""Oh,thatain'tanyuse.Papwouldcomebacktothish-yertownsomedayandgethisclawsonitifIdidn'thurryup,andItellyouhe'dcleanitoutprettyquick.Whatyougoingtodowithyourn,Tom?""I'mgoingtobuyanewdrum,andasure-'noughsword,andarednecktieandabullpup,andgetmarried.""Married!""That'sit.""Tom,you—why,youain'tinyourrightmind.""Wait—you'llsee."139
"Well,that'sthefoolishestthingyoucoulddo.Lookatpapandmymother.Fight!Why,theyusedtofightallthetime.Iremember,mightywell.""Thatain'tanything.ThegirlI'mgoingtomarrywon'tfight.""Tom,Ireckonthey'reallalike.They'llallcombabody.Nowyoubet-terthink'boutthisawhile.Itellyouyoubetter.What'sthenameofthegal?""Itain'tagalatall—it'sagirl.""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.Theytoiledanotherhalf-hour.Stillnoresult.Hucksaid:"Dotheyalwaysburyitasdeepasthis?""Sometimes—notalways.Notgenerally.Ireckonwehaven'tgottherightplace."Sotheychoseanewspotandbeganagain.Thelabordraggedalittle,butstilltheymadeprogress.Theypeggedawayinsilenceforsometime.FinallyHuckleanedonhisshovel,swabbedthebeadeddropsfromhisbrowwithhissleeve,andsaid:"Whereyougoingtodignext,afterwegetthisone?""Ireckonmaybewe'lltackletheoldtreethat'soveryonderonCardiffHillbackofthewidow's.""Ireckonthat'llbeagoodone.Butwon'tthewidowtakeitawayfromus,Tom?It'sonherland.""Shetakeitaway!Maybeshe'dliketotryitonce.Whoeverfindsoneofthesehidtreasures,itbelongstohim.Itdon'tmakeanydifferencewhoselandit'son."Thatwassatisfactory.Theworkwenton.ByandbyHucksaid:"Blameit,wemustbeinthewrongplaceagain.Whatdoyouthink?""Itismightycurious,Huck.Idon'tunderstandit.Sometimeswitchesinterfere.Ireckonmaybethat'swhat'sthetroublenow."140
"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.""Well,I'llcomearoundandmaowto-night.""Allright.Let'shidethetoolsinthebushes."Theboysweretherethatnight,abouttheappointedtime.Theysatintheshadowwaiting.Itwasalonelyplace,andanhourmadesolemnbyoldtraditions.Spiritswhisperedintherustlingleaves,ghostslurkedinthemurkynooks,thedeepbayingofahoundfloatedupoutofthedis-tance,anowlansweredwithhissepulchralnote.Theboysweresubduedbythesesolemnities,andtalkedlittle.Byandbytheyjudgedthattwelvehadcome;theymarkedwheretheshadowfell,andbegantodig.Theirhopescommencedtorise.Theirinterestgrewstronger,andtheirin-dustrykeptpacewithit.Theholedeepenedandstilldeepened,buteverytimetheirheartsjumpedtohearthepickstrikeuponsomething,theyonlysufferedanewdisappointment.Itwasonlyastoneorachunk.AtlastTomsaid:"Itain'tanyuse,Huck,we'rewrongagain.""Well,butwecan'tbewrong.Wespottedtheshaddertoadot.""Iknowit,butthenthere'sanotherthing.""What'sthat?"."Why,weonlyguessedatthetime.Likeenoughitwastoolateortooearly."Huckdroppedhisshovel."That'sit,"saidhe."That'stheverytrouble.Wegottogivethisoneup.Wecan'tevertelltherighttime,andbesidesthiskindofthing'stooaw-ful,herethistimeofnightwithwitchesandghostsa-flutteringaroundso.Ifeelasifsomething'sbehindmeallthetime;andI'mafeardtoturnaround,becuzmaybethere'sothersinfronta-waitingforachance.Ibeencreepingallover,eversinceIgothere."141
"Well,I'vebeenprettymuchso,too,Huck.Theymostalwaysputinadeadmanwhentheyburyatreasureunderatree,tolookoutforit.""Lordy!""Yes,theydo.I'vealwaysheardthat.""Tom,Idon'tliketofoolaroundmuchwherethere'sdeadpeople.Abody'sboundtogetintotroublewith'em,sure.""Idon'tliketostir'emup,either.S'posethisoneherewastostickhisskulloutandsaysomething!""Don'tTom!It'sawful.""Well,itjustis.Huck,Idon'tfeelcomfortableabit.""Say,Tom,let'sgivethisplaceup,andtrysomewhereselse.""Allright,Ireckonwebetter.""What'llitbe?"Tomconsideredawhile;andthensaid:"Theha'ntedhouse.That'sit!""Blameit,Idon'tlikeha'ntedhouses,Tom.Why,they'readernsightworse'ndeadpeople.Deadpeoplemighttalk,maybe,buttheydon'tcomeslidingaroundinashroud,whenyouain'tnoticing,andpeepoveryourshoulderallofasuddenandgrittheirteeth,thewayaghostdoes.Icouldn'tstandsuchathingasthat,Tom—nobodycould.""Yes,but,Huck,ghostsdon'ttravelaroundonlyatnight.Theywon'thenderusfromdiggingthereinthedaytime.""Well,that'sso.Butyouknowmightywellpeopledon'tgoaboutthatha'ntedhouseinthedaynorthenight.""Well,that'smostlybecausetheydon'tliketogowhereaman'sbeenmurdered,anyway—butnothing'severbeenseenaroundthathouseexceptinthenight—justsomebluelightsslippingbythewindows—noregularghosts.""Well,whereyouseeoneofthembluelightsflickeringaround,Tom,youcanbetthere'saghostmightyclosebehindit.Itstandstoreason.Becuzyouknowthattheydon'tanybodybutghostsuse'em.""Yes,that'sso.Butanywaytheydon'tcomearoundinthedaytime,sowhat'stheuseofourbeingafeard?""Well,allright.We'lltackletheha'ntedhouseifyousayso—butIreckonit'stakingchances."142
Theyhadstarteddownthehillbythistime.Thereinthemiddleofthemoonlitvalleybelowthemstoodthe"ha'nted"house,utterlyisolated,itsfencesgonelongago,rankweedssmotheringtheverydoorsteps,thechimneycrumbledtoruin,thewindow-sashesvacant,acorneroftheroofcavedin.Theboysgazedawhile,halfexpectingtoseeabluelightflitpastawindow;thentalkinginalowtone,asbefittedthetimeandthecircumstances,theystruckfarofftotheright,togivethehauntedhouseawideberth,andtooktheirwayhomewardthroughthewoodsthatad-ornedtherearwardsideofCardiffHill.143
Chapter26Aboutnoonthenextdaytheboysarrivedatthedeadtree;theyhadcomefortheirtools.Tomwasimpatienttogotothehauntedhouse;Huckwasmeasurablyso,also—butsuddenlysaid:"Lookyhere,Tom,doyouknowwhatdayitis?"Tommentallyranoverthedaysoftheweek,andthenquicklyliftedhiseyeswithastartledlookinthem—"My!Ineveroncethoughtofit,Huck!""Well,Ididn'tneither,butallatonceitpoppedontomethatitwasFriday.""Blameit,abodycan'tbetoocareful,Huck.Wemight'a'gotintoanawfulscrape,tacklingsuchathingonaFriday.""Might!Bettersaywewould!There'ssomeluckydays,maybe,butFri-dayain't.""Anyfoolknowsthat.Idon'treckonyouwasthefirstthatfounditout,Huck.""Well,IneversaidIwas,didI?AndFridayain'tall,neither.Ihadarottenbaddreamlastnight—dreamptaboutrats.""No!Suresignoftrouble.Didtheyfight?""No.""Well,that'sgood,Huck.Whentheydon'tfightit'sonlyasignthatthere'stroublearound,youknow.Allwegottodoistolookmightysharpandkeepoutofit.We'lldropthisthingforto-day,andplay.DoyouknowRobinHood,Huck?""No.Who'sRobinHood?""Why,hewasoneofthegreatestmenthatwaseverinEngland—andthebest.Hewasarobber.""Cracky,IwishtIwas.Whodidherob?"144
"Onlysheriffsandbishopsandrichpeopleandkings,andsuchlike.Butheneverbotheredthepoor.Heloved'em.Healwaysdividedupwith'emperfectlysquare.""Well,hemust'a'beenabrick.""Ibetyouhewas,Huck.Oh,hewasthenoblestmanthateverwas.Theyain'tanysuchmennow,Icantellyou.HecouldlickanymaninEngland,withonehandtiedbehindhim;andhecouldtakehisyewbowandplugaten-centpieceeverytime,amileandahalf.""What'sayewbow?""Idon'tknow.It'ssomekindofabow,ofcourse.Andifhehitthatdimeonlyontheedgehewouldsetdownandcry—andcurse.Butwe'llplayRobinHood—it'snobbyfun.I'lllearnyou.""I'magreed."SotheyplayedRobinHoodalltheafternoon,nowandthencastingayearningeyedownuponthehauntedhouseandpassingaremarkaboutthemorrow'sprospectsandpossibilitiesthere.AsthesunbegantosinkintothewesttheytooktheirwayhomewardathwartthelongshadowsofthetreesandsoonwereburiedfromsightintheforestsofCardiffHill.OnSaturday,shortlyafternoon,theboyswereatthedeadtreeagain.Theyhadasmokeandachatintheshade,andthendugalittleintheirlasthole,notwithgreathope,butmerelybecauseTomsaidthereweresomanycaseswherepeoplehadgivenupatreasureaftergettingdownwithinsixinchesofit,andthensomebodyelsehadcomealongandturneditupwithasinglethrustofashovel.Thethingfailedthistime,however,sotheboysshoulderedtheirtoolsandwentawayfeelingthattheyhadnottrifledwithfortune,buthadfulfilledalltherequirementsthatbelongtothebusinessoftreasure-hunting.Whentheyreachedthehauntedhousetherewassomethingsoweirdandgrislyaboutthedeadsilencethatreignedthereunderthebakingsun,andsomethingsodepressingaboutthelonelinessanddesolationoftheplace,thattheywereafraid,foramoment,toventurein.Thentheycrepttothedoorandtookatremblingpeep.Theysawaweed-grown,floorlessroom,unplastered,anancientfireplace,vacantwindows,aru-inousstaircase;andhere,there,andeverywherehungraggedandaban-donedcobwebs.Theypresentlyentered,softly,withquickenedpulses,talkinginwhispers,earsalerttocatchtheslightestsound,andmusclestenseandreadyforinstantretreat.145
Inalittlewhilefamiliaritymodifiedtheirfearsandtheygavetheplaceacriticalandinterestedexamination,ratheradmiringtheirownbold-ness,andwonderingatit,too.Nexttheywantedtolookup-stairs.Thiswassomethinglikecuttingoffretreat,buttheygottodaringeachother,andofcoursetherecouldbebutoneresult—theythrewtheirtoolsintoacornerandmadetheascent.Uptherewerethesamesignsofdecay.Inonecornertheyfoundaclosetthatpromisedmystery,butthepromisewasafraud—therewasnothinginit.Theircouragewasupnowandwellinhand.Theywereabouttogodownandbeginworkwhen—"Sh!"saidTom."Whatisit?"whisperedHuck,blanchingwithfright."Sh!…There!…Hearit?""Yes!…Oh,my!Let'srun!""Keepstill!Don'tyoubudge!They'recomingrighttowardthedoor."Theboysstretchedthemselvesuponthefloorwiththeireyestoknot-holesintheplanking,andlaywaiting,inamiseryoffear."They'vestopped….No—coming….Heretheyare.Don'twhisperanotherword,Huck.Mygoodness,IwishIwasoutofthis!"Twomenentered.Eachboysaidtohimself:"There'stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat'sbeenabouttownonceortwicelately—neversawt'othermanbefore.""T'other"wasaragged,unkemptcreature,withnothingverypleasantinhisface.TheSpaniardwaswrappedinaserape;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."146
"That'sdifferent.Awayuptheriverso,andnotanotherhouseabout.'Twon'teverbeknownthatwetried,anyway,longaswedidn'tsucceed.""Well,what'smoredangerousthancominghereinthedaytime!—anybodywouldsuspicionusthatsawus.""Iknowthat.Buttherewarn'tanyotherplaceashandyafterthatfoolofajob.Iwanttoquitthisshanty.Iwantedtoyesterday,onlyitwarn'tanyusetryingtostiroutofhere,withthoseinfernalboysplayingoverthereonthehillrightinfullview.""Thoseinfernalboys"quakedagainundertheinspirationofthisre-mark,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.Hiscomradestirredhimonceortwiceandhebecamequiet.Presentlythewatcherbegantonod;hisheaddroopedlowerandlower,bothmenbegantosnorenow.Theboysdrewalong,gratefulbreath.Tomwhispered:"Now'sourchance—come!"Hucksaid:"Ican't—I'ddieiftheywastowake."Tomurged—Huckheldback.AtlastTomroseslowlyandsoftly,andstartedalone.Butthefirststephemadewrungsuchahideouscreakfromthecrazyfloorthathesankdownalmostdeadwithfright.Henev-ermadeasecondattempt.Theboyslaytherecountingthedraggingmo-mentstillitseemedtothemthattimemustbedoneandeternitygrowinggray;andthentheyweregratefultonotethatatlastthesunwassetting.147
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?""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.Hesubtractedfromittwentyorthirtydollarsforhim-selfandasmuchforInjunJoe,andpassedthebagtothelatter,whowasonhiskneesinthecorner,now,diggingwithhisbowie-knife.Theboysforgotalltheirfears,alltheirmiseriesinaninstant.Withgloatingeyestheywatchedeverymovement.Luck!—thesplendorofitwasbeyondallimagination!Sixhundreddollarswasmoneyenoughtomakehalfadozenboysrich!Herewastreasure-huntingunderthehap-piestauspices—therewouldnotbeanybothersomeuncertaintyastowheretodig.Theynudgedeachothereverymoment—eloquentnudgesandeasilyunderstood,fortheysimplymeant—"Oh,butain'tyougladnowwe'rehere!"Joe'sknifestruckuponsomething."Hello!"saidhe."Whatisit?"saidhiscomrade."Half-rottenplank—no,it'sabox,Ibelieve.Here—bearahandandwe'llseewhatit'sherefor.Nevermind,I'vebrokeahole."Hereachedhishandinanddrewitout—"Man,it'smoney!"148
Thetwomenexaminedthehandfulofcoins.Theyweregold.Theboysabovewereasexcitedasthemselves,andasdelighted.Joe'scomradesaid:"We'llmakequickworkofthis.There'sanoldrustypickoveramongsttheweedsinthecornertheothersideofthefireplace—Isawitaminuteago."Heranandbroughttheboys'pickandshovel.InjunJoetookthepick,lookeditovercritically,shookhishead,mutteredsomethingtohimself,andthenbegantouseit.Theboxwassoonunearthed.Itwasnotverylarge;itwasironboundandhadbeenverystrongbeforetheslowyearshadinjuredit.Themencontemplatedthetreasureawhileinblissfulsilence."Pard,there'sthousandsofdollarshere,"saidInjunJoe."'TwasalwayssaidthatMurrel'sgangusedtobearoundhereonesummer,"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?Haveyouheardany-body?—seenanybody?What!buryitagainandleavethemtocomeandseethegrounddisturbed?Notexactly—notexactly.We'lltakeittomyden.""Why,ofcourse!Mighthavethoughtofthatbefore.YoumeanNum-berOne?""No—NumberTwo—underthecross.Theotherplaceisbad—toocommon.""Allright.It'snearlydarkenoughtostart."149
InjunJoegotupandwentaboutfromwindowtowindowcautiouslypeepingout.Presentlyhesaid:"Whocouldhavebroughtthosetoolshere?Doyoureckontheycanbeup-stairs?"Theboys'breathforsookthem.InjunJoeputhishandonhisknife,hal-tedamoment,undecided,andthenturnedtowardthestairway.Theboysthoughtofthecloset,buttheirstrengthwasgone.Thestepscamecreakingupthestairs—theintolerabledistressofthesituationwokethestrickenresolutionofthelads—theywereabouttospringforthecloset,whentherewasacrashofrottentimbersandInjunJoelandedonthegroundamidthedebrisoftheruinedstairway.Hegatheredhimselfupcursing,andhiscomradesaid:"Nowwhat'stheuseofallthat?Ifit'sanybody,andthey'reupthere,letthemstaythere—whocares?Iftheywanttojumpdown,now,andgetintotrouble,whoobjects?Itwillbedarkinfifteenminutes—andthenletthemfollowusiftheywantto.I'mwilling.Inmyopinion,who-everhovethosethingsinherecaughtasightofusandtookusforghostsordevilsorsomething.I'llbetthey'rerunningyet."Joegrumbledawhile;thenheagreedwithhisfriendthatwhatday-lightwasleftoughttobeeconomizedingettingthingsreadyforleaving.Shortlyafterwardtheyslippedoutofthehouseinthedeepeningtwi-light,andmovedtowardtheriverwiththeirpreciousbox.TomandHuckroseup,weakbutvastlyrelieved,andstaredafterthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogsofthehouse.Follow?Notthey.Theywerecontenttoreachgroundagainwithoutbrokennecks,andtakethetownwardtrackoverthehill.Theydidnottalkmuch.Theyweretoomuchabsorbedinhatingthemselves—hatingtheillluckthatmadethemtakethespadeandthepickthere.Butforthat,InjunJoenev-erwouldhavesuspected.Hewouldhavehiddenthesilverwiththegoldtowaittheretillhis"revenge"wassatisfied,andthenhewouldhavehadthemisfortunetofindthatmoneyturnupmissing.Bitter,bitterluckthatthetoolswereeverbroughtthere!TheyresolvedtokeepalookoutforthatSpaniardwhenheshouldcometotownspyingoutforchancestodohisrevengefuljob,andfollowhimto"NumberTwo,"whereverthatmightbe.ThenaghastlythoughtoccurredtoTom."Revenge?Whatifhemeansus,Huck!""Oh,don't!"saidHuck,nearlyfainting.150
Theytalkeditallover,andastheyenteredtowntheyagreedtobelievethathemightpossiblymeansomebodyelse—atleastthathemightatleastmeannobodybutTom,sinceonlyTomhadtestified.Very,verysmallcomfortitwastoTomtobealoneindanger!Com-panywouldbeapalpableimprovement,hethought.151
Chapter27TheadventureofthedaymightilytormentedTom'sdreamsthatnight.Fourtimeshehadhishandsonthatrichtreasureandfourtimesitwastedtonothingnessinhisfingersassleepforsookhimandwakeful-nessbroughtbackthehardrealityofhismisfortune.Ashelayintheearlymorningrecallingtheincidentsofhisgreatadventure,henoticedthattheyseemedcuriouslysubduedandfaraway—somewhatasiftheyhadhappenedinanotherworld,orinatimelonggoneby.Thenitoccurredtohimthatthegreatadventureitselfmustbeadream!Therewasoneverystrongargumentinfavorofthisidea—namely,thatthequantityofcoinhehadseenwastoovasttobereal.Hehadneverseenasmuchasfiftydollarsinonemassbefore,andhewaslikeallboysofhisageandstationinlife,inthatheimaginedthatallreferencesto"hundreds"and"thousands"weremerefancifulformsofspeech,andthatnosuchsumsreallyexistedintheworld.Heneverhadsupposedforamomentthatsolargeasumasahundreddollarswastobefoundinac-tualmoneyinanyone'spossession.Ifhisnotionsofhiddentreasurehadbeenanalyzed,theywouldhavebeenfoundtoconsistofahandfulofrealdimesandabushelofvague,splendid,ungraspabledollars.Buttheincidentsofhisadventuregrewsensiblysharperandclearerundertheattritionofthinkingthemover,andsohepresentlyfoundhimselfleaningtotheimpressionthatthethingmightnothavebeenadream,afterall.Thisuncertaintymustbesweptaway.HewouldsnatchahurriedbreakfastandgoandfindHuck.Huckwassittingonthegun-waleofaflatboat,listlesslydanglinghisfeetinthewaterandlookingverymelancholy.TomconcludedtoletHuckleaduptothesubject.Ifhedidnotdoit,thentheadventurewouldbeprovedtohavebeenonlyadream."Hello,Huck!""Hello,yourself."Silence,foraminute.152
"Tom,ifwe'd'a'lefttheblametoolsatthedeadtree,we'd'a'gotthemoney.Oh,ain'titawful!""'Tain'tadream,then,'tain'tadream!SomehowImostwishitwas.Dog'difIdon't,Huck.""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'thaveonlyonechanceforsuchapile—andthatone'slost.I'dfeelmightyshakyifIwastoseehim,anyway.""Well,so'dI;butI'dliketoseehim,anyway—andtrackhimout—tohisNumberTwo.""NumberTwo—yes,that'sit.Ibeenthinking'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!""Oh,that'sthetrick!Theyain'tonlytwotaverns.Wecanfindoutquick.""Youstayhere,Huck,tillIcome."Tomwasoffatonce.HedidnotcaretohaveHuck'scompanyinpub-licplaces.Hewasgonehalfanhour.Hefoundthatinthebesttavern,No.2hadlongbeenoccupiedbyayounglawyer,andwasstillsooccu-pied.Inthelessostentatioushouse,No.2wasamystery.Thetavern-keeper'syoungsonsaiditwaskeptlockedallthetime,andheneversawanybodygointoitorcomeoutofitexceptatnight;hedidnotknowanyparticularreasonforthisstateofthings;hadhadsomelittlecuriosity,butitwasratherfeeble;hadmadethemostofthemysterybyentertain-inghimselfwiththeideathatthatroomwas"ha'nted";hadnoticedthattherewasalightintherethenightbefore."That'swhatI'vefoundout,Huck.Ireckonthat'stheveryNo.2we'reafter."153
"Ireckonitis,Tom.Nowwhatyougoingtodo?""Lemmethink."Tomthoughtalongtime.Thenhesaid:"I'lltellyou.ThebackdoorofthatNo.2isthedoorthatcomesoutintothatlittleclosealleybetweenthetavernandtheoldrattletrapofabrickstore.Nowyougetholdofallthedoor-keysyoucanfind,andI'llnipallofauntie's,andthefirstdarknightwe'llgothereandtry'em.Andmindyou,keepalookoutforInjunJoe,becausehesaidhewasgoingtodropintotownandspyaroundoncemoreforachancetogethisrevenge.Ifyouseehim,youjustfollowhim;andifhedon'tgotothatNo.2,thatain'ttheplace.""Lordy,Idon'twanttofollerhimbymyself!""Why,it'llbenight,sure.Hemightn'teverseeyou—andifhedid,maybehe'dneverthinkanything.""Well,ifit'sprettydarkIreckonI'lltrackhim.Idono—Idono.I'lltry.""YoubetI'llfollowhim,ifit'sdark,Huck.Why,hemight'a'foundouthecouldn'tgethisrevenge,andbegoingrightafterthatmoney.""It'sso,Tom,it'sso.I'llfollerhim;Iwill,byjingoes!""Nowyou'retalking!Don'tyoueverweaken,Huck,andIwon't."154
Chapter28ThatnightTomandHuckwerereadyfortheiradventure.Theyhungabouttheneighborhoodofthetavernuntilafternine,onewatchingthealleyatadistanceandtheotherthetaverndoor.Nobodyenteredtheal-leyorleftit;nobodyresemblingtheSpaniardenteredorleftthetaverndoor.Thenightpromisedtobeafairone;soTomwenthomewiththeunderstandingthatifaconsiderabledegreeofdarknesscameon,Huckwastocomeand"maow,"whereuponhewouldslipoutandtrythekeys.Butthenightremainedclear,andHuckclosedhiswatchandre-tiredtobedinanemptysugarhogsheadabouttwelve.Tuesdaytheboyshadthesameillluck.AlsoWednesday.ButThursdaynightpromisedbetter.Tomslippedoutingoodseasonwithhisaunt'soldtinlantern,andalargetoweltoblindfolditwith.HehidthelanterninHuck'ssugarhogsheadandthewatchbegan.Anhourbeforemidnightthetavernclosedupanditslights(theonlyonesthereabouts)wereputout.NoSpaniardhadbeenseen.Nobodyhadenteredorleftthealley.Everythingwasauspicious.Theblacknessofdarknessreigned,theper-fectstillnesswasinterruptedonlybyoccasionalmutteringsofdistantthunder.Tomgothislantern,lititinthehogshead,wrappeditcloselyinthetowel,andthetwoadventurerscreptinthegloomtowardthetavern.HuckstoodsentryandTomfelthiswayintothealley.ThentherewasaseasonofwaitinganxietythatweigheduponHuck'sspiritslikeamoun-tain.Hebegantowishhecouldseeaflashfromthelantern—itwouldfrightenhim,butitwouldatleasttellhimthatTomwasaliveyet.ItseemedhourssinceTomhaddisappeared.Surelyhemusthavefainted;maybehewasdead;maybehishearthadburstunderterrorandexcite-ment.InhisuneasinessHuckfoundhimselfdrawingcloserandclosertothealley;fearingallsortsofdreadfulthings,andmomentarilyexpectingsomecatastrophetohappenthatwouldtakeawayhisbreath.Therewasnotmuchtotakeaway,forheseemedonlyabletoinhaleitby155
thimblefuls,andhisheartwouldsoonwearitselfout,thewayitwasbeating.SuddenlytherewasaflashoflightandTomcametearingbyhim:."Run!"saidhe;"run,foryourlife!"Heneedn'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,greatCaesar'sghost!""What!—what'dyousee,Tom?""Huck,ImoststeppedontoInjunJoe'shand!""No!""Yes!Hewaslyingthere,soundasleeponthefloor,withhisoldpatchonhiseyeandhisarmsspreadout.""Lordy,whatdidyoudo?Didhewakeup?""No,neverbudged.Drunk,Ireckon.Ijustgrabbedthattowelandstarted!""I'dnever'a'thoughtofthetowel,Ibet!""Well,Iwould.MyauntwouldmakememightysickifIlostit.""Say,Tom,didyouseethatbox?""Huck,Ididn'twaittolookaround.Ididn'tseethebox,Ididn'tseethecross.Ididn'tseeanythingbutabottleandatincuponthefloorbyIn-junJoe;yes,Isawtwobarrelsandlotsmorebottlesintheroom.Don'tyousee,now,what'sthematterwiththatha'ntedroom?""How?""Why,it'sha'ntedwithwhiskey!MaybealltheTemperanceTavernshavegotaha'ntedroom,hey,Huck?""Well,Ireckonmaybethat'sso.Who'd'a'thoughtsuchathing?Butsay,Tom,now'samightygoodtimetogetthatbox,ifInjunJoe'sdrunk.""Itis,that!Youtryit!"156
Huckshuddered."Well,no—Ireckonnot.""AndIreckonnot,Huck.OnlyonebottlealongsideofInjunJoeain'tenough.Ifthere'dbeenthree,he'dbedrunkenoughandI'ddoit."Therewasalongpauseforreflection,andthenTomsaid:"Lookyhere,Huck,lessnottrythatthinganymoretillweknowInjunJoe'snotinthere.It'stooscary.Now,ifwewatcheverynight,we'llbedeadsuretoseehimgoout,sometimeorother,andthenwe'llsnatchthatboxquicker'nlightning.""Well,I'magreed.I'llwatchthewholenightlong,andI'lldoiteverynight,too,ifyou'lldotheotherpartofthejob.""Allright,Iwill.AllyougottodoistotrotupHooperStreetablockandmaow—andifI'masleep,youthrowsomegravelatthewindowandthat'llfetchme.""Agreed,andgoodaswheat!""Now,Huck,thestorm'sover,andI'llgohome.It'llbegintobeday-lightinacoupleofhours.Yougobackandwatchthatlong,willyou?""IsaidIwould,Tom,andIwill.I'llha'ntthattaverneverynightforayear!I'llsleepalldayandI'llstandwatchallnight.""That'sallright.Now,whereyougoingtosleep?""InBenRogers'hayloft.Heletsme,andsodoeshispap'sniggerman,UncleJake.ItotewaterforUncleJakewheneverhewantsmeto,andanytimeIaskhimhegivesmealittlesomethingtoeatifhecanspareit.That'samightygoodnigger,Tom.Helikesme,becuzIdon'teveractasifIwasabovehim.SometimeI'vesetrightdownandeatwithhim.Butyouneedn'ttellthat.Abody'sgottodothingswhenhe'sawfulhungryhewouldn'twanttodoasasteadything.""Well,ifIdon'twantyouinthedaytime,I'llletyousleep.Iwon'tcomebotheringaround.Anytimeyouseesomething'sup,inthenight,justskiprightaroundandmaow."157
Chapter29ThefirstthingTomheardonFridaymorningwasagladpieceofnews—JudgeThatcher'sfamilyhadcomebacktotownthenightbefore.BothInjunJoeandthetreasuresunkintosecondaryimportanceforamoment,andBeckytookthechiefplaceintheboy'sinterest.Hesawherandtheyhadanexhaustinggoodtimeplaying"hi-spy"and"gully-keeper"withacrowdoftheirschoolmates.Thedaywascompletedandcrownedinapeculiarlysatisfactoryway:Beckyteasedhermothertoappointthenextdayforthelong-promisedandlong-delayedpicnic,andsheconsented.Thechild'sdelightwasboundless;andTom'snotmoremoderate.Theinvitationsweresentoutbeforesunset,andstraightwaytheyoungfolksofthevillagewerethrownintoafeverofpreparationandpleasurableanticipation.Tom'sexcitementenabledhimtokeepawakeuntilaprettylatehour,andhehadgoodhopesofhearingHuck's"maow,"andofhav-inghistreasuretoastonishBeckyandthepicnickerswith,nextday;buthewasdisappointed.Nosignalcamethatnight.Morningcame,eventu-ally,andbytenoreleveno'clockagiddyandrollickingcompanyweregatheredatJudgeThatcher's,andeverythingwasreadyforastart.Itwasnotthecustomforelderlypeopletomarthepicnicswiththeirpresence.Thechildrenwereconsideredsafeenoughunderthewingsofafewyoungladiesofeighteenandafewyounggentlemenoftwenty-threeorthereabouts.Theoldsteamferryboatwascharteredfortheoccasion;presentlythegaythrongfiledupthemainstreetladenwithprovision-baskets.Sidwassickandhadtomissthefun;Maryremainedathometoentertainhim.ThelastthingMrs.ThatchersaidtoBecky,was:"You'llnotgetbacktilllate.Perhapsyou'dbetterstayallnightwithsomeofthegirlsthatliveneartheferry-landing,child.""ThenI'llstaywithSusyHarper,mamma.""Verywell.Andmindandbehaveyourselfanddon'tbeanytrouble."Presently,astheytrippedalong,TomsaidtoBecky:158
"Say—I'lltellyouwhatwe'lldo.'SteadofgoingtoJoeHarper'swe'llclimbrightupthehillandstopattheWidowDouglas'.She'llhaveice-cream!Shehasitmosteveryday—deadloadsofit.Andshe'llbeawfulgladtohaveus.""Oh,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'splendidhospitalitywasatemptingbait.ItandTom'spersuasionspresentlycarriedtheday.Soitwasdecidedtosaynothinganybodyaboutthenight'sprogramme.PresentlyitoccurredtoTomthatmaybeHuckmightcomethisverynightandgivethesignal.Thethoughttookadealofthespiritoutofhisanticipations.StillhecouldnotbeartogiveupthefunatWidowDouglas'.Andwhyshouldhegiveitup,hereasoned—thesignaldidnotcomethenightbefore,sowhyshoulditbeanymorelikelytocometo-night?Thesurefunoftheeveningoutweighedtheuncertaintreasure;and,boylike,hedeterminedtoyieldtothestrongerinclinationandnotallowhimselftothinkoftheboxofmoneyanothertimethatday.Threemilesbelowtowntheferryboatstoppedatthemouthofawoodyhollowandtiedup.Thecrowdswarmedashoreandsoontheforestdistancesandcraggyheightsechoedfarandnearwithshoutingsandlaughter.Allthedifferentwaysofgettinghotandtiredweregonethroughwith,andby-and-bytheroversstraggledbacktocampfortifiedwithresponsibleappetites,andthenthedestructionofthegoodthingsbegan.Afterthefeasttherewasarefreshingseasonofrestandchatintheshadeofspreadingoaks.By-and-bysomebodyshouted:"Who'sreadyforthecave?"Everybodywas.Bundlesofcandleswereprocured,andstraightwaytherewasageneralscamperupthehill.Themouthofthecavewasupthehillside—anopeningshapedlikealetterA.Itsmassiveoakendoorstoodunbarred.Withinwasasmallchamber,chillyasanice-house,andwalledbyNaturewithsolidlimestonethatwasdewywithacoldsweat.159
Itwasromanticandmysterioustostandhereinthedeepgloomandlookoutuponthegreenvalleyshininginthesun.Buttheimpressivenessofthesituationquicklyworeoff,andtherompingbeganagain.Themo-mentacandlewaslightedtherewasageneralrushupontheownerofit;astruggleandagallantdefencefollowed,butthecandlewassoonknockeddownorblownout,andthentherewasagladclamoroflaughterandanewchase.Butallthingshaveanend.By-and-bythepro-cessionwentfilingdownthesteepdescentofthemainavenue,theflick-eringrankoflightsdimlyrevealingtheloftywallsofrockalmosttotheirpointofjunctionsixtyfeetoverhead.Thismainavenuewasnotmorethaneightortenfeetwide.Everyfewstepsotherloftyandstillnarrowercrevicesbranchedfromitoneitherhand—forMcDougal'scavewasbutavastlabyrinthofcrookedaislesthatranintoeachotherandoutagainandlednowhere.Itwassaidthatonemightwanderdaysandnightsto-getherthroughitsintricatetangleofriftsandchasms,andneverfindtheendofthecave;andthathemightgodown,anddown,andstilldown,intotheearth,anditwasjustthesame—labyrinthunderlabyrinth,andnoendtoanyofthem.Noman"knew"thecave.Thatwasanimpossiblething.Mostoftheyoungmenknewaportionofit,anditwasnotcus-tomarytoventuremuchbeyondthisknownportion.TomSawyerknewasmuchofthecaveasanyone.Theprocessionmovedalongthemainavenuesomethree-quartersofamile,andthengroupsandcouplesbegantoslipasideintobranchaven-ues,flyalongthedismalcorridors,andtakeeachotherbysurpriseatpointswherethecorridorsjoinedagain.Partieswereabletoeludeeachotherforthespaceofhalfanhourwithoutgoingbeyondthe"known"ground.By-and-by,onegroupafteranothercamestragglingbacktothemouthofthecave,panting,hilarious,smearedfromheadtofootwithtallowdrippings,daubedwithclay,andentirelydelightedwiththesuccessoftheday.Thentheywereastonishedtofindthattheyhadbeentakingnonoteoftimeandthatnightwasaboutathand.Theclangingbellhadbeencallingforhalfanhour.However,thissortofclosetotheday'sad-ventureswasromanticandthereforesatisfactory.Whentheferryboatwithherwildfreightpushedintothestream,nobodycaredsixpenceforthewastedtimebutthecaptainofthecraft.Huckwasalreadyuponhiswatchwhentheferryboat'slightswentglintingpastthewharf.Heheardnonoiseonboard,fortheyoungpeoplewereassubduedandstillaspeopleusuallyarewhoarenearlytiredtodeath.Hewonderedwhatboatitwas,andwhyshedidnotstop160
atthewharf—andthenhedroppedheroutofhismindandputhisat-tentionuponhisbusiness.Thenightwasgrowingcloudyanddark.Teno'clockcame,andthenoiseofvehiclesceased,scatteredlightsbegantowinkout,allstragglingfoot-passengersdisappeared,thevillagebetookitselftoitsslumbersandleftthesmallwatcheralonewiththesilenceandtheghosts.Eleveno'clockcame,andthetavernlightswereputout;dark-nesseverywhere,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,thenturnedtotheleftupacross-street.Theywentstraightahead,then,untiltheycametothepaththatledupCardiffHill;thistheytook.TheypassedbytheoldWelshman'shouse,half-wayupthehill,withouthesitating,andstillclimbedupward.Good,thoughtHuck,theywillburyitintheoldquarry.Buttheyneverstoppedatthequarry.Theypassedon,upthesummit.Theyplungedintothenarrowpathbetweenthetallsumachbushes,andwereatoncehiddeninthegloom.Huckclosedupandshortenedhisdistance,now,fortheywouldneverbeabletoseehim.Hetrottedalongawhile;thenslackenedhispace,fearinghewasgainingtoofast;movedonapiece,thenstoppedaltogether;listened;nosound;none,savethatheseemedtohearthebeatingofhisownheart.Thehoot-ingofanowlcameoverthehill—ominoussound!Butnofootsteps.Heavens,waseverythinglost!Hewasabouttospringwithwingedfeet,whenamanclearedhisthroatnotfourfeetfromhim!Huck'sheartshotintohisthroat,butheswalloweditagain;andthenhestoodthereshak-ingasifadozenagueshadtakenchargeofhimatonce,andsoweakthathethoughthemustsurelyfalltotheground.Heknewwherehewas.HeknewhewaswithinfivestepsofthestileleadingintoWidowDouglas'grounds.Verywell,hethought,letthemburyitthere;itwon'tbehardtofind.161
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'sremarkandIn-junJoe'snext—whichwas—"Becausethebushisinyourway.Now—thisway—nowyousee,don'tyou?""Yes.Well,thereiscompanythere,Ireckon.Bettergiveitup.""Giveitup,andIjustleavingthiscountryforever!Giveitupandmaybeneverhaveanotherchance.Itellyouagain,asI'vetoldyoube-fore,Idon'tcareforherswag—youmayhaveit.Butherhusbandwasroughonme—manytimeshewasroughonme—andmainlyhewasthejusticeofthepeacethatjuggedmeforavagrant.Andthatain'tall.Itain'tamillionthpartofit!Hehadmehorsewhipped!—horsewhippedinfrontofthejail,likeanigger!—withallthetownlookingon!Horse-whipped!—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,ifshedoes.Myfriend,you'llhelpmeinthisthing—formysake—that'swhyyou'rehere—Imightn'tbeablealone.Ifyouflinch,I'llkillyou.Doyouunderstandthat?AndifIhavetokillyou,I'llkillher—andthenIreck-onnobody'lleverknowmuchaboutwhodonethisbusiness.""Well,ifit'sgottobedone,let'sgetatit.Thequickerthebetter—I'mallinashiver."162
"Doitnow?Andcompanythere?Lookhere—I'llgetsuspiciousofyou,firstthingyouknow.No—we'llwaittillthelightsareout—there'snohurry."Huckfeltthatasilencewasgoingtoensue—athingstillmoreawfulthananyamountofmurderoustalk;soheheldhisbreathandsteppedgingerlyback;plantedhisfootcarefullyandfirmly,afterbalancing,one-legged,inaprecariouswayandalmosttopplingover,firstononesideandthenontheother.Hetookanotherstepback,withthesameelabora-tionandthesamerisks;thenanotherandanother,and—atwigsnappedunderhisfoot!Hisbreathstoppedandhelistened.Therewasnosound—thestillnesswasperfect.Hisgratitudewasmeasureless.Nowheturnedinhistracks,betweenthewallsofsumachbushes—turnedhimselfascarefullyasifhewereaship—andthensteppedquicklybutcautiouslyalong.Whenheemergedatthequarryhefeltse-cure,andsohepickeduphisnimbleheelsandflew.Down,downhesped,tillhereachedtheWelshman's.Hebangedatthedoor,andpresentlytheheadsoftheoldmanandhistwostalwartsonswerethrustfromwindows."What'stherowthere?Who'sbanging?Whatdoyouwant?""Letmein—quick!I'lltelleverything.""Why,whoareyou?""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.""ByGeorge,hehasgotsomethingtotell,orhewouldn'tactso!"ex-claimedtheoldman;"outwithitandnobodyhere'llevertell,lad."Threeminuteslatertheoldmanandhissons,wellarmed,wereupthehill,andjustenteringthesumachpathontiptoe,theirweaponsintheirhands.Huckaccompaniedthemnofurther.Hehidbehindagreatbowlderandfelltolistening.Therewasalagging,anxioussilence,andthenallofasuddentherewasanexplosionoffirearmsandacry.Huckwaitedfornoparticulars.Hesprangawayandspeddownthehillasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.163
Chapter30AstheearliestsuspicionofdawnappearedonSundaymorning,HuckcamegropingupthehillandrappedgentlyattheoldWelshman'sdoor.Theinmateswereasleep,butitwasasleepthatwassetonahair-trigger,onaccountoftheexcitingepisodeofthenight.Acallcamefromawin-dow:"Who'sthere!"Huck'sscaredvoiceansweredinalowtone:"Pleaseletmein!It'sonlyHuckFinn!""It'sanamethatcanopenthisdoornightorday,lad!—andwelcome!"Thesewerestrangewordstothevagabondboy'sears,andthepleas-antesthehadeverheard.Hecouldnotrecollectthattheclosingwordhadeverbeenappliedinhiscasebefore.Thedoorwasquicklyunlocked,andheentered.Huckwasgivenaseatandtheoldmanandhisbraceoftallsonsspeedilydressedthemselves."Now,myboy,Ihopeyou'regoodandhungry,becausebreakfastwillbereadyassoonasthesun'sup,andwe'llhaveapipinghotone,too—makeyourselfeasyaboutthat!Iandtheboyshopedyou'dturnupandstopherelastnight.""Iwasawfulscared,"saidHuck,"andIrun.Itookoutwhenthepistolswentoff,andIdidn'tstopforthreemile.I'vecomenowbecuzIwantedtoknowaboutit,youknow;andIcomebeforedaylightbecuzIdidn'twanttorunacrossthemdevils,eveniftheywasdead.""Well,poorchap,youdolookasifyou'dhadahardnightofit—butthere'sabedhereforyouwhenyou'vehadyourbreakfast.No,theyain'tdead,lad—wearesorryenoughforthat.Youseeweknewrightwheretoputourhandsonthem,byyourdescription;sowecreptalongontip-toetillwegotwithinfifteenfeetofthem—darkasacellarthatsumachpathwas—andjustthenIfoundIwasgoingtosneeze.Itwasthemean-estkindofluck!Itriedtokeepitback,butnouse—'twasboundtocome,anditdidcome!Iwasintheleadwithmypistolraised,andwhen164
thesneezestartedthosescoundrelsa-rustlingtogetoutofthepath,Isungout,'Fireboys!'andblazedawayattheplacewheretherustlingwas.Sodidtheboys.Buttheywereoffinajiffy,thosevillains,andweafterthem,downthroughthewoods.Ijudgewenevertouchedthem.Theyfiredashotapieceastheystarted,buttheirbulletswhizzedbyanddidn'tdousanyharm.Assoonaswelostthesoundoftheirfeetwequitchasing,andwentdownandstirreduptheconstables.Theygotapossetogether,andwentofftoguardtheriverbank,andassoonasitislightthesheriffandagangaregoingtobeatupthewoods.Myboyswillbewiththempresently.Iwishwehadsomesortofdescriptionofthoseras-cals—'twouldhelpagooddeal.Butyoucouldn'tseewhattheywerelike,inthedark,lad,Isuppose?""Ohyes;Isawthemdown-townandfolleredthem.""Splendid!Describethem—describethem,myboy!""One'stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat'sbenaroundhereonceortwice,andt'other'samean-looking,ragged—""That'senough,lad,weknowthemen!Happenedontheminthewoodsbackofthewidow'soneday,andtheyslunkaway.Offwithyou,boys,andtellthesheriff—getyourbreakfastto-morrowmorning!"TheWelshman'ssonsdepartedatonce.AstheywereleavingtheroomHucksprangupandexclaimed:"Oh,pleasedon'ttellanybodyitwasmethatblowedonthem!Oh,please!""Allrightifyousayit,Huck,butyououghttohavethecreditofwhatyoudid.""Ohno,no!Pleasedon'ttell!"Whentheyoungmenweregone,theoldWelshmansaid:"Theywon'ttell—andIwon't.Butwhydon'tyouwantitknown?"Huckwouldnotexplain,furtherthantosaythathealreadyknewtoomuchaboutoneofthosemenandwouldnothavethemanknowthatheknewanythingagainsthimforthewholeworld—hewouldbekilledforknowingit,sure.Theoldmanpromisedsecrecyoncemore,andsaid:"Howdidyoucometofollowthesefellows,lad?Weretheylookingsuspicious?"Huckwassilentwhileheframedadulycautiousreply.Thenhesaid:165
"Well,yousee,I'makindofahardlot,—leasteverybodysaysso,andIdon'tseenothingaginit—andsometimesIcan'tsleepmuch,onac-countofthinkingaboutitandsortoftryingtostrikeoutanewwayofdoing.Thatwasthewayofitlastnight.Icouldn'tsleep,andsoIcomealongup-street'boutmidnight,a-turningitallover,andwhenIgottothatoldshacklybrickstorebytheTemperanceTavern,Ibackedupaginthewalltohaveanotherthink.Well,justthenalongcomesthesetwochapsslippingalongclosebyme,withsomethingundertheirarm,andIreckonedthey'dstoleit.Onewasa-smoking,andt'otheronewantedalight;sotheystoppedrightbeforemeandthecigarslituptheirfacesandIseethatthebigonewasthedeafanddumbSpaniard,byhiswhitewhiskersandthepatchonhiseye,andt'otheronewasarusty,ragged-lookingdevil.""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.PresentlytheWelshmansaid:"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!"TheWelshmanalmostjumpedoutofhischair.Inamomenthesaid:166
"It'sallplainenough,now.WhenyoutalkedaboutnotchingearsandslittingnosesIjudgedthatthatwasyourownembellishment,becausewhitemendon'ttakethatsortofrevenge.ButanInjun!That'sadifferentmatteraltogether."Duringbreakfastthetalkwenton,andinthecourseofittheoldmansaidthatthelastthingwhichheandhissonshaddone,beforegoingtobed,wastogetalanternandexaminethestileanditsvicinityformarksofblood.Theyfoundnone,butcapturedabulkybundleof—"Ofwhat?"IfthewordshadbeenlightningtheycouldnothaveleapedwithamorestunningsuddennessfromHuck'sblanchedlips.Hiseyeswerestaringwide,now,andhisbreathsuspended—waitingfortheanswer.TheWelshmanstarted—staredinreturn—threeseconds—fiveseconds—ten—thenreplied:"Ofburglar'stools.Why,what'sthematterwithyou?"Hucksankback,pantinggently,butdeeply,unutterablygrateful.TheWelshmaneyedhimgravely,curiously—andpresentlysaid:"Yes,burglar'stools.Thatappearstorelieveyouagooddeal.Butwhatdidgiveyouthatturn?Whatwereyouexpectingwe'dfound?"Huckwasinacloseplace—theinquiringeyewasuponhim—hewouldhavegivenanythingformaterialforaplausibleanswer—noth-ingsuggesteditself—theinquiringeyewasboringdeeperanddeeper—asenselessreplyoffered—therewasnotimetoweighit,soataven-tureheutteredit—feebly:"Sunday-schoolbooks,maybe."PoorHuckwastoodistressedtosmile,buttheoldmanlaughedloudandjoyously,shookupthedetailsofhisanatomyfromheadtofoot,andendedbysayingthatsuchalaughwasmoneyina-man'spocket,becauseitcutdownthedoctor'sbilllikeeverything.Thenheadded:"Pooroldchap,you'rewhiteandjaded—youain'twellabit—nowonderyou'realittleflightyandoffyourbalance.Butyou'llcomeoutofit.Restandsleepwillfetchyououtallright,Ihope."Huckwasirritatedtothinkhehadbeensuchagooseandbetrayedsuchasuspiciousexcitement,forhehaddroppedtheideathattheparcelbroughtfromthetavernwasthetreasure,assoonashehadheardthetalkatthewidow'sstile.Hehadonlythoughtitwasnotthetreasure,however—hehadnotknownthatitwasn't—andsothesuggestionofacapturedbundlewastoomuchforhisself-possession.Butonthewhole167
hefeltgladthelittleepisodehadhappened,fornowheknewbeyondallquestionthatthatbundlewasnotthebundle,andsohismindwasatrestandexceedinglycomfortable.Infact,everythingseemedtobedrift-ingjustintherightdirection,now;thetreasuremustbestillinNo.2,themenwouldbecapturedandjailedthatday,andheandTomcouldseizethegoldthatnightwithoutanytroubleoranyfearofinterruption.Justasbreakfastwascompletedtherewasaknockatthedoor.Huckjumpedforahiding-place,forhehadnomindtobeconnectedevenre-motelywiththelateevent.TheWelshmanadmittedseveralladiesandgentlemen,amongthemtheWidowDouglas,andnoticedthatgroupsofcitizenswereclimbingupthehill—tostareatthestile.Sothenewshadspread.TheWelshmanhadtotellthestoryofthenighttothevisitors.Thewidow'sgratitudeforherpreservationwasoutspoken."Don'tsayawordaboutit,madam.There'sanotherthatyou'remorebeholdentothanyouaretomeandmyboys,maybe,buthedon'tallowmetotellhisname.Wewouldn'thavebeentherebutforhim."Ofcoursethisexcitedacuriositysovastthatitalmostbelittledthemainmatter—buttheWelshmanallowedittoeatintothevitalsofhisvisitors,andthroughthembetransmittedtothewholetown,forhere-fusedtopartwithhissecret.Whenallelsehadbeenlearned,thewidowsaid:"Iwenttosleepreadinginbedandsleptstraightthroughallthatnoise.Whydidn'tyoucomeandwakeme?""Wejudgeditwarn'tworthwhile.Thosefellowswarn'tlikelytocomeagain—theyhadn'tanytoolslefttoworkwith,andwhatwastheuseofwakingyouupandscaringyoutodeath?Mythreenegromenstoodguardatyourhousealltherestofthenight.They'vejustcomeback."Morevisitorscame,andthestoryhadtobetoldandretoldforacoupleofhoursmore.TherewasnoSabbath-schoolduringday-schoolvacation,butevery-bodywasearlyatchurch.Thestirringeventwaswellcanvassed.Newscamethatnotasignofthetwovillainshadbeenyetdiscovered.Whenthesermonwasfinished,JudgeThatcher'swifedroppedalongsideofMrs.Harperasshemoveddowntheaislewiththecrowdandsaid:"IsmyBeckygoingtosleepallday?Ijustexpectedshewouldbetiredtodeath.""YourBecky?""Yes,"withastartledlook—"didn'tshestaywithyoulastnight?"168
"Why,no."Mrs.Thatcherturnedpale,andsankintoapew,justasAuntPolly,talkingbrisklywithafriend,passedby.AuntPollysaid:"Good-morning,Mrs.Thatcher.Good-morning,Mrs.Harper.I'vegotaboythat'sturnedupmissing.IreckonmyTomstayedatyourhouselastnight—oneofyou.Andnowhe'safraidtocometochurch.I'vegottosettlewithhim."Mrs.Thatchershookherheadfeeblyandturnedpalerthanever."Hedidn'tstaywithus,"saidMrs.Harper,beginningtolookuneasy.AmarkedanxietycameintoAuntPolly'sface."JoeHarper,haveyouseenmyTomthismorning?""No'm.""Whendidyouseehimlast?"Joetriedtoremember,butwasnotsurehecouldsay.Thepeoplehadstoppedmovingoutofchurch.Whisperspassedalong,andabodingun-easinesstookpossessionofeverycountenance.Childrenwereanxiouslyquestioned,andyoungteachers.TheyallsaidtheyhadnotnoticedwhetherTomandBeckywereonboardtheferryboatonthehomewardtrip;itwasdark;noonethoughtofinquiringifanyonewasmissing.Oneyoungmanfinallyblurtedouthisfearthattheywerestillinthecave!Mrs.Thatcherswoonedaway.AuntPollyfelltocryingandwringingherhands.Thealarmsweptfromliptolip,fromgrouptogroup,fromstreettostreet,andwithinfiveminutesthebellswerewildlyclangingandthewholetownwasup!TheCardiffHillepisodesankintoinstantinsignific-ance,theburglarswereforgotten,horsesweresaddled,skiffsweremanned,theferryboatorderedout,andbeforethehorrorwashalfanhourold,twohundredmenwerepouringdownhighroadandriverto-wardthecave.Allthelongafternoonthevillageseemedemptyanddead.Manywo-menvisitedAuntPollyandMrs.Thatcherandtriedtocomfortthem.Theycriedwiththem,too,andthatwasstillbetterthanwords.Allthetediousnightthetownwaitedfornews;butwhenthemorningdawnedatlast,allthewordthatcamewas,"Sendmorecandles—andsendfood."Mrs.Thatcherwasalmostcrazed;andAuntPolly,also.JudgeThatchersentmessagesofhopeandencouragementfromthecave,buttheyconveyednorealcheer.169
TheoldWelshmancamehometowarddaylight,spatteredwithcandle-grease,smearedwithclay,andalmostwornout.HefoundHuckstillinthebedthathadbeenprovidedforhim,anddeliriouswithfever.Thephysicianswereallatthecave,sotheWidowDouglascameandtookchargeofthepatient.Shesaidshewoulddoherbestbyhim,be-cause,whetherhewasgood,bad,orindifferent,hewastheLord's,andnothingthatwastheLord'swasathingtobeneglected.TheWelshmansaidHuckhadgoodspotsinhim,andthewidowsaid:"Youcandependonit.That'stheLord'smark.Hedon'tleaveitoff.Heneverdoes.Putsitsomewhereoneverycreaturethatcomesfromhishands."Earlyintheforenoonpartiesofjadedmenbegantostraggleintothevillage,butthestrongestofthecitizenscontinuedsearching.Allthenewsthatcouldbegainedwasthatremotenessesofthecavernwerebe-ingransackedthathadneverbeenvisitedbefore;thateverycornerandcrevicewasgoingtobethoroughlysearched;thatwhereveronewanderedthroughthemazeofpassages,lightsweretobeseenflittinghitherandthitherinthedistance,andshoutingsandpistol-shotssenttheirhollowreverberationstotheeardownthesombreaisles.Inoneplace,farfromthesectionusuallytraversedbytourists,thenames"Becky&Tom"hadbeenfoundtracedupontherockywallwithcandle-smoke,andnearathandagrease-soiledbitofribbon.Mrs.Thatcherre-cognizedtheribbonandcriedoverit.Shesaiditwasthelastrelicsheshouldeverhaveofherchild;andthatnoothermemorialofhercouldeverbesoprecious,becausethisonepartedlatestfromthelivingbodybeforetheawfuldeathcame.Somesaidthatnowandthen,inthecave,afar-awayspeckoflightwouldglimmer,andthenagloriousshoutwouldburstforthandascoreofmengotroopingdowntheechoingaisle—andthenasickeningdisappointmentalwaysfollowed;thechildrenwerenotthere;itwasonlyasearcher'slight.Threedreadfuldaysandnightsdraggedtheirtedioushoursalong,andthevillagesankintoahopelessstupor.Noonehadheartforany-thing.Theaccidentaldiscovery,justmade,thattheproprietoroftheTemperanceTavernkeptliquoronhispremises,scarcelyflutteredthepublicpulse,tremendousasthefactwas.Inalucidinterval,Huckfeeblyleduptothesubjectoftaverns,andfinallyasked—dimlydreadingtheworst—ifanythinghadbeendiscoveredattheTemperanceTavernsincehehadbeenill."Yes,"saidthewidow.170
Huckstartedupinbed,wild-eyed:"What?Whatwasit?""Liquor!—andtheplacehasbeenshutup.Liedown,child—whataturnyoudidgiveme!""Onlytellmejustonething—onlyjustone—please!WasitTomSawyerthatfoundit?"Thewidowburstintotears."Hush,hush,child,hush!I'vetoldyoube-fore,youmustnottalk.Youarevery,verysick!"Thennothingbutliquorhadbeenfound;therewouldhavebeenagreatpowwowifithadbeenthegold.Sothetreasurewasgoneforever—goneforever!Butwhatcouldshebecryingabout?Curiousthatsheshouldcry.ThesethoughtsworkedtheirdimwaythroughHuck'smind,andun-derthewearinesstheygavehimhefellasleep.Thewidowsaidtoherself:"There—he'sasleep,poorwreck.TomSawyerfindit!Pitybutsome-bodycouldfindTomSawyer!Ah,thereain'tmanyleft,now,that'sgothopeenough,orstrengthenough,either,togoonsearching."171
Chapter31NowtoreturntoTomandBecky'sshareinthepicnic.Theytrippedalongthemurkyaisleswiththerestofthecompany,visitingthefamiliarwondersofthecave—wondersdubbedwithratheroverdescriptivenames,suchas"TheDrawing-Room,""TheCathedral,""Aladdin'sPalace,"andsoon.Presentlythehide-and-seekfrolickingbegan,andTomandBeckyengagedinitwithzealuntiltheexertionbegantogrowatriflewearisome;thentheywandereddownasinuousavenueholdingtheircandlesaloftandreadingthetangledweb-workofnames,dates,post-officeaddresses,andmottoeswithwhichtherockywallshadbeenfrescoed(incandle-smoke).Stilldriftingalongandtalking,theyscarcelynoticedthattheywerenowinapartofthecavewhosewallswerenotfrescoed.Theysmokedtheirownnamesunderanoverhangingshelfandmovedon.Presentlytheycametoaplacewherealittlestreamofwater,tricklingoveraledgeandcarryingalimestonesedimentwithit,had,intheslow-draggingages,formedalacedandruffledNiagaraingleamingandimperishablestone.TomsqueezedhissmallbodybehinditinordertoilluminateitforBecky'sgratification.Hefoundthatitcurtainedasortofsteepnaturalstairwaywhichwasenclosedbetweennarrowwalls,andatoncetheambitiontobeadiscovererseizedhim.Beckyrespondedtohiscall,andtheymadeasmoke-markforfutureguidance,andstartedupontheirquest.Theywoundthiswayandthat,fardownintothesecretdepthsofthecave,madeanothermark,andbranchedoffinsearchofnoveltiestotelltheupperworldabout.Inoneplacetheyfoundaspa-ciouscavern,fromwhoseceilingdependedamultitudeofshiningstalac-titesofthelengthandcircumferenceofaman'sleg;theywalkedallaboutit,wonderingandadmiring,andpresentlyleftitbyoneofthenu-merouspassagesthatopenedintoit.Thisshortlybroughtthemtoabe-witchingspring,whosebasinwasincrustedwithafrostworkofglitter-ingcrystals;itwasinthemidstofacavernwhosewallsweresupportedbymanyfantasticpillarswhichhadbeenformedbythejoiningofgreatstalactitesandstalagmitestogether,theresultoftheceaselesswater-drip172
ofcenturies.Undertheroofvastknotsofbatshadpackedthemselvesto-gether,thousandsinabunch;thelightsdisturbedthecreaturesandtheycameflockingdownbyhundreds,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.Iftheyputourcandlesoutitwillbeanawfulfix.Let'strysomeotherway,soasnottogothroughthere.""Well.ButIhopewewon'tgetlost.Itwouldbesoawful!"andthegirlshudderedatthethoughtofthedreadfulpossibilities.Theystartedthroughacorridor,andtraverseditinsilencealongway,glancingateachnewopening,toseeiftherewasanythingfamiliaraboutthelookofit;buttheywereallstrange.EverytimeTommadeanexam-ination,Beckywouldwatchhisfaceforanencouragingsign,andhewouldsaycheerily:"Oh,it'sallright.Thisain'ttheone,butwe'llcometoitrightaway!"Buthefeltlessandlesshopefulwitheachfailure,andpresentlybegantoturnoffintodivergingavenuesatsheerrandom,indesperatehopeoffindingtheonethatwaswanted.Hestillsaiditwas"allright,"buttherewassuchaleadendreadathisheartthatthewordshadlosttheirring173
andsoundedjustasifhehadsaid,"Allislost!"Beckyclungtohissideinananguishoffear,andtriedhardtokeepbackthetears,buttheywouldcome.Atlastshesaid:"Oh,Tom,nevermindthebats,let'sgobackthatway!Weseemtogetworseandworseoffallthetime.""Listen!"saidhe.Profoundsilence;silencesodeepthateventheirbreathingswerecon-spicuousinthehush.Tomshouted.Thecallwentechoingdowntheemptyaislesanddiedoutinthedistanceinafaintsoundthatresembledarippleofmockinglaughter."Oh,don'tdoitagain,Tom,itistoohorrid,"saidBecky."Itishorrid,butIbetter,Becky;theymighthearus,youknow,"andheshoutedagain.The"might"wasevenachillierhorrorthantheghostlylaughter,itsoconfessedaperishinghope.Thechildrenstoodstillandlistened;buttherewasnoresult.Tomturneduponthebacktrackatonce,andhurriedhissteps.Itwasbutalittlewhilebeforeacertainindecisioninhisman-nerrevealedanotherfearfulfacttoBecky—hecouldnotfindhiswayback!"Oh,Tom,youdidn'tmakeanymarks!""Becky,Iwassuchafool!Suchafool!Ineverthoughtwemightwanttocomeback!No—Ican'tfindtheway.It'sallmixedup.""Tom,Tom,we'relost!we'relost!Wenevercangetoutofthisawfulplace!Oh,whydidweeverleavetheothers!"ShesanktothegroundandburstintosuchafrenzyofcryingthatTomwasappalledwiththeideathatshemightdie,orloseherreason.Hesatdownbyherandputhisarmsaroundher;sheburiedherfaceinhisbos-om,sheclungtohim,shepouredoutherterrors,herunavailingregrets,andthefarechoesturnedthemalltojeeringlaughter.Tombeggedhertopluckuphopeagain,andshesaidshecouldnot.Hefelltoblamingandabusinghimselfforgettingherintothismiserablesituation;thishadabettereffect.Shesaidshewouldtrytohopeagain,shewouldgetupandfollowwhereverhemightleadifonlyhewouldnottalklikethatanymore.Forhewasnomoretoblamethanshe,shesaid.Sotheymovedonagain—aimlessly—simplyatrandom—alltheycoulddowastomove,keepmoving.Foralittlewhile,hopemadeashowofreviving—notwithanyreasontobackit,butonlybecauseitis174
itsnaturetorevivewhenthespringhasnotbeentakenoutofitbyageandfamiliaritywithfailure.By-and-byTomtookBecky'scandleandblewitout.Thiseconomymeantsomuch!Wordswerenotneeded.Beckyunderstood,andherhopediedagain.SheknewthatTomhadawholecandleandthreeorfourpiecesinhispockets—yethemusteconomize.By-and-by,fatiguebegantoassertitsclaims;thechildrentriedtopayattention,foritwasdreadfultothinkofsittingdownwhentimewasgrowntobesoprecious,moving,insomedirection,inanydirection,wasatleastprogressandmightbearfruit;buttositdownwastoinvitedeathandshortenitspursuit.AtlastBecky'sfraillimbsrefusedtocarryherfarther.Shesatdown.Tomrestedwithher,andtheytalkedofhome,andthefriendsthere,andthecomfortablebedsand,aboveall,thelight!Beckycried,andTomtriedtothinkofsomewayofcomfortingher,butallhisencouragementsweregrownthreadbarewithuse,andsoundedlikesarcasms.FatigueboresoheavilyuponBeckythatshedrowsedofftosleep.Tomwasgrateful.Hesatlookingintoherdrawnfaceandsawitgrowsmoothandnaturalun-dertheinfluenceofpleasantdreams;andby-and-byasmiledawnedandrestedthere.Thepeacefulfacereflectedsomewhatofpeaceandhealingintohisownspirit,andhisthoughtswanderedawaytobygonetimesanddreamymemories.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.Theyfoundonepresently,andTomsaiditwastimetorestagain.Bothwerecruellytired,yetBecky175
saidshethoughtshecouldgoalittlefarther.ShewassurprisedtohearTomdissent.Shecouldnotunderstandit.Theysatdown,andTomfastenedhiscandletothewallinfrontofthemwithsomeclay.Thoughtwassoonbusy;nothingwassaidforsometime.ThenBeckybrokethesilence:"Tom,Iamsohungry!"Tomtooksomethingoutofhispocket."Doyourememberthis?"saidhe.Beckyalmostsmiled."It'sourwedding-cake,Tom.""Yes—Iwishitwasasbigasabarrel,forit'sallwe'vegot.""Isaveditfromthepicnicforustodreamon,Tom,thewaygrown-uppeopledowithwedding-cake—butit'llbeour—"Shedroppedthesentencewhereitwas.TomdividedthecakeandBeckyatewithgoodappetite,whileTomnibbledathismoiety.Therewasabundanceofcoldwatertofinishthefeastwith.By-and-byBeckysuggestedthattheymoveonagain.Tomwassilentamoment.Thenhesaid:"Becky,canyoubearitifItellyousomething?"Becky'sfacepaled,butshethoughtshecould."Well,then,Becky,wemuststayhere,wherethere'swatertodrink.Thatlittlepieceisourlastcandle!"Beckygaveloosetotearsandwailings.Tomdidwhathecouldtocomforther,butwithlittleeffect.AtlengthBeckysaid:"Tom!""Well,Becky?""They'llmissusandhuntforus!""Yes,theywill!Certainlytheywill!""Maybethey'rehuntingforusnow,Tom.""Why,Ireckonmaybetheyare.Ihopetheyare.""Whenwouldtheymissus,Tom?""Whentheygetbacktotheboat,Ireckon.""Tom,itmightbedarkthen—wouldtheynoticewehadn'tcome?""Idon'tknow.Butanyway,yourmotherwouldmissyouassoonastheygothome."176
AfrightenedlookinBecky'sfacebroughtTomtohissensesandhesawthathehadmadeablunder.Beckywasnottohavegonehomethatnight!Thechildrenbecamesilentandthoughtful.InamomentanewburstofgrieffromBeckyshowedTomthatthethinginhismindhadstruckhersalso—thattheSabbathmorningmightbehalfspentbeforeMrs.ThatcherdiscoveredthatBeckywasnotatMrs.Harper's.Thechildrenfastenedtheireyesupontheirbitofcandleandwatcheditmeltslowlyandpitilesslyaway;sawthehalfinchofwickstandaloneatlast;sawthefeebleflameriseandfall,climbthethincolumnofsmoke,lingeratitstopamoment,andthen—thehorrorofutterdarknessreigned!HowlongafterwarditwasthatBeckycametoaslowconsciousnessthatshewascryinginTom'sarms,neithercouldtell.Allthattheyknewwas,thatafterwhatseemedamightystretchoftime,bothawokeoutofadeadstuporofsleepandresumedtheirmiseriesoncemore.TomsaiditmightbeSunday,now—maybeMonday.HetriedtogetBeckytotalk,buthersorrowsweretoooppressive,allherhopesweregone.Tomsaidthattheymusthavebeenmissedlongago,andnodoubtthesearchwasgoingon.Hewouldshoutandmaybesomeonewouldcome.Hetriedit;butinthedarknessthedistantechoessoundedsohideouslythathetrieditnomore.Thehourswastedaway,andhungercametotormentthecaptivesagain.AportionofTom'shalfofthecakewasleft;theydividedandateit.Buttheyseemedhungrierthanbefore.Thepoormorseloffoodonlywhetteddesire.By-and-byTomsaid:"Sh!Didyouhearthat?"Bothheldtheirbreathandlistened.Therewasasoundlikethefaintest,far-offshout.InstantlyTomansweredit,andleadingBeckybythehand,startedgropingdownthecorridorinitsdirection.Presentlyhelistenedagain;againthesoundwasheard,andapparentlyalittlenearer."It'sthem!"saidTom;"they'recoming!Comealong,Becky—we'reallrightnow!"Thejoyoftheprisonerswasalmostoverwhelming.Theirspeedwasslow,however,becausepitfallsweresomewhatcommon,andhadtobeguardedagainst.Theyshortlycametooneandhadtostop.Itmightbethreefeetdeep,itmightbeahundred—therewasnopassingitatanyrate.Tomgotdownonhisbreastandreachedasfardownashecould.177
Nobottom.Theymuststaythereandwaituntilthesearcherscame.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,andthenasfararoundthecornerashecouldreachwithhishandsconveni-ently;hemadeanefforttostretchyetalittlefarthertotheright,andatthatmoment,nottwentyyardsaway,ahumanhand,holdingacandle,appearedfrombehindarock!Tomliftedupagloriousshout,andin-stantlythathandwasfollowedbythebodyitbelongedto—InjunJoe's!Tomwasparalyzed;hecouldnotmove.Hewasvastlygratifiedthenextmoment,toseethe"Spaniard"taketohisheelsandgethimselfoutofsight.TomwonderedthatJoehadnotrecognizedhisvoiceandcomeoverandkilledhimfortestifyingincourt.Buttheechoesmusthavedis-guisedthevoice.Withoutdoubt,thatwasit,hereasoned.Tom'sfrightweakenedeverymuscleinhisbody.Hesaidtohimselfthatifhehadstrengthenoughtogetbacktothespringhewouldstaythere,andnoth-ingshouldtempthimtoruntheriskofmeetingInjunJoeagain.HewascarefultokeepfromBeckywhatitwashehadseen.Hetoldherhehadonlyshouted"forluck."Buthungerandwretchednessrisesuperiortofearsinthelongrun.Anothertediouswaitatthespringandanotherlongsleepbroughtchanges.Thechildrenawoketorturedwitharaginghunger.Tombe-lievedthatitmustbeWednesdayorThursdayorevenFridayorSaturday,now,andthatthesearchhadbeengivenover.Heproposedtoexploreanotherpassage.HefeltwillingtoriskInjunJoeandallotherterrors.ButBeckywasveryweak.Shehadsunkintoadrearyapathyandwouldnotberoused.Shesaidshewouldwait,now,whereshewas,anddie—itwouldnotbelong.ShetoldTomtogowiththekite-lineandexploreifhechose;butsheimploredhimtocomebackeverylittle178
whileandspeaktoher;andshemadehimpromisethatwhentheawfultimecame,hewouldstaybyherandholdherhanduntilallwasover.Tomkissedher,withachokingsensationinhisthroat,andmadeashowofbeingconfidentoffindingthesearchersoranescapefromthecave;thenhetookthekite-lineinhishandandwentgropingdownoneofthepassagesonhishandsandknees,distressedwithhungerandsickwithbodingsofcomingdoom.179
Chapter32Tuesdayafternooncame,andwanedtothetwilight.ThevillageofSt.Petersburgstillmourned.Thelostchildrenhadnotbeenfound.Publicprayershadbeenofferedupforthem,andmanyandmanyaprivateprayerthathadthepetitioner'swholeheartinit;butstillnogoodnewscamefromthecave.Themajorityofthesearchershadgivenupthequestandgonebacktotheirdailyavocations,sayingthatitwasplainthechil-drencouldneverbefound.Mrs.Thatcherwasveryill,andagreatpartofthetimedelirious.Peoplesaiditwasheartbreakingtohearhercallherchild,andraiseherheadandlistenawholeminuteatatime,thenlayitwearilydownagainwithamoan.AuntPollyhaddroopedintoasettledmelancholy,andhergrayhairhadgrownalmostwhite.ThevillagewenttoitsrestonTuesdaynight,sadandforlorn.Awayinthemiddleofthenightawildpealburstfromthevillagebells,andinamomentthestreetswereswarmingwithfrantichalf-cladpeople,whoshouted,"Turnout!turnout!they'refound!they'refound!"Tinpansandhornswereaddedtothedin,thepopulationmasseditselfandmovedtowardtheriver,metthechildrencominginanopencarriagedrawnbyshoutingcitizens,throngedaroundit,joineditshomewardmarch,andsweptmagnifi-centlyupthemainstreetroaringhuzzahafterhuzzah!Thevillagewasilluminated;nobodywenttobedagain;itwasthegreatestnightthelittletownhadeverseen.Duringthefirsthalf-houraprocessionofvillagersfiledthroughJudgeThatcher'shouse,seizedthesavedonesandkissedthem,squeezedMrs.Thatcher'shand,triedtospeakbutcouldn't—anddriftedoutrainingtearsallovertheplace.AuntPolly'shappinesswascomplete,andMrs.Thatcher'snearlyso.Itwouldbecomplete,however,assoonasthemessengerdispatchedwiththegreatnewstothecaveshouldgetthewordtoherhusband.Tomlayuponasofawithaneagerauditoryabouthimandtoldthehistoryofthewonderfuladventure,puttinginmanystrikingadditionstoadornitwithal;andclosedwithadescriptionofhowheleftBeckyandwentonanexploringexpedition;howhefollowedtwoavenuesasfarashiskite-180
linewouldreach;howhefollowedathirdtothefulleststretchofthekite-line,andwasabouttoturnbackwhenheglimpsedafar-offspeckthatlookedlikedaylight;droppedthelineandgropedtowardit,pushedhisheadandshouldersthroughasmallhole,andsawthebroadMissis-sippirollingby!Andifithadonlyhappenedtobenighthewouldnothaveseenthatspeckofdaylightandwouldnothaveexploredthatpas-sageanymore!HetoldhowhewentbackforBeckyandbrokethegoodnewsandshetoldhimnottofretherwithsuchstuff,forshewastired,andknewshewasgoingtodie,andwantedto.Hedescribedhowhelaboredwithherandconvincedher;andhowshealmostdiedforjoywhenshehadgropedtowheresheactuallysawthebluespeckofday-light;howhepushedhiswayoutattheholeandthenhelpedherout;howtheysatthereandcriedforgladness;howsomemencamealonginaskiffandTomhailedthemandtoldthemtheirsituationandtheirfam-ishedcondition;howthemendidn'tbelievethewildtaleatfirst,"because,"saidthey,"youarefivemilesdowntheriverbelowthevalleythecaveisin"—thentookthemaboard,rowedtoahouse,gavethemsupper,madethemresttilltwoorthreehoursafterdarkandthenbroughtthemhome.Beforeday-dawn,JudgeThatcherandthehandfulofsearcherswithhimweretrackedout,inthecave,bythetwineclewstheyhadstrungbe-hindthem,andinformedofthegreatnews.Threedaysandnightsoftoilandhungerinthecavewerenottobeshakenoffatonce,asTomandBeckysoondiscovered.TheywerebedriddenallofWednesdayandThursday,andseemedtogrowmoreandmoretiredandworn,allthetime.Tomgotabout,alittle,onThursday,wasdown-townFriday,andnearlyaswholeaseverSaturday;butBeckydidnotleaveherroomuntilSunday,andthenshelookedasifshehadpassedthroughawastingillness.TomlearnedofHuck'ssicknessandwenttoseehimonFriday,butcouldnotbeadmittedtothebedroom;neithercouldheonSaturdayorSunday.Hewasadmitteddailyafterthat,butwaswarnedtokeepstillabouthisadventureandintroducenoexcitingtopic.TheWidowDouglasstayedbytoseethatheobeyed.AthomeTomlearnedoftheCardiffHillevent;alsothatthe"raggedman's"bodyhadeventuallybeenfoundintheriverneartheferry-landing;hehadbeendrownedwhiletryingtoescape,perhaps.AboutafortnightafterTom'srescuefromthecave,hestartedofftovisitHuck,whohadgrownplentystrongenough,now,tohearexciting181
talk,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!"182
Chapter33Withinafewminutesthenewshadspread,andadozenskiff-loadsofmenwereontheirwaytoMcDougal'scave,andtheferryboat,wellfilledwithpassengers,soonfollowed.TomSawyerwasintheskiffthatboreJudgeThatcher.Whenthecavedoorwasunlocked,asorrowfulsightpresenteditselfinthedimtwilightoftheplace.InjunJoelaystretchedupontheground,dead,withhisfaceclosetothecrackofthedoor,asifhislongingeyeshadbeenfixed,tothelatestmoment,uponthelightandthecheerofthefreeworldoutside.Tomwastouched,forheknewbyhisownexperiencehowthiswretchhadsuffered.Hispitywasmoved,butneverthelesshefeltanaboundingsenseofreliefandsecurity,now,whichrevealedtohiminadegreewhichhehadnotfullyappreciatedbe-forehowvastaweightofdreadhadbeenlyinguponhimsincethedayheliftedhisvoiceagainstthisbloody-mindedoutcast.InjunJoe'sbowie-knifelaycloseby,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.Thepoorun-fortunatehadstarvedtodeath.Inoneplace,nearathand,astalagmitehadbeenslowlygrowingupfromthegroundforages,buildedbythewater-dripfromastalactiteoverhead.Thecaptivehadbrokenoffthestalagmite,anduponthestumphadplacedastone,whereinhehad183
scoopedashallowhollowtocatchthepreciousdropthatfellonceineverythreeminuteswiththedrearyregularityofaclock-tick—adessertspoonfulonceinfourandtwentyhours.ThatdropwasfallingwhenthePyramidswerenew;whenTroyfell;whenthefoundationsofRomewerelaidwhenChristwascrucified;whentheConquerorcreatedtheBritishempire;whenColumbussailed;whenthemassacreatLexing-tonwas"news."Itisfallingnow;itwillstillbefallingwhenallthesethingsshallhavesunkdowntheafternoonofhistory,andthetwilightoftradition,andbeenswallowedupinthethicknightofoblivion.Haseverythingapurposeandamission?Didthisdropfallpatientlyduringfivethousandyearstobereadyforthisflittinghumaninsect'sneed?andhasitanotherimportantobjecttoaccomplishtenthousandyearstocome?Nomatter.Itismanyandmanyayearsincethehaplesshalf-breedscoopedoutthestonetocatchthepricelessdrops,buttothisdaythetouriststareslongestatthatpatheticstoneandthatslow-droppingwaterwhenhecomestoseethewondersofMcDougal'scave.InjunJoe'scupstandsfirstinthelistofthecavern'smarvels;even"Aladdin'sPalace"cannotrivalit.InjunJoewasburiednearthemouthofthecave;andpeopleflockedthereinboatsandwagonsfromthetownsandfromallthefarmsandhamletsforsevenmilesaround;theybroughttheirchildren,andallsortsofprovisions,andconfessedthattheyhadhadalmostassatisfactoryatimeatthefuneralastheycouldhavehadatthehanging.Thisfuneralstoppedthefurthergrowthofonething—thepetitiontothegovernorforInjunJoe'spardon.Thepetitionhadbeenlargelysigned;manytearfulandeloquentmeetingshadbeenheld,andacom-mitteeofsappywomenbeenappointedtogoindeepmourningandwailaroundthegovernor,andimplorehimtobeamercifulassandtramplehisdutyunderfoot.InjunJoewasbelievedtohavekilledfivecitizensofthevillage,butwhatofthat?IfhehadbeenSatanhimselftherewouldhavebeenplentyofweaklingsreadytoscribbletheirnamestoapardon-petition,anddripatearonitfromtheirpermanentlyimpairedandleakywater-works.ThemorningafterthefuneralTomtookHucktoaprivateplacetohaveanimportanttalk.HuckhadlearnedallaboutTom'sadventurefromtheWelshmanandtheWidowDouglas,bythistime,butTomsaidhereckonedtherewasonethingtheyhadnottoldhim;thatthingwaswhathewantedtotalkaboutnow.Huck'sfacesaddened.Hesaid:184
"Iknowwhatitis.YougotintoNo.2andneverfoundanythingbutwhiskey.Nobodytoldmeitwasyou;butIjustknoweditmust'a'benyou,soonasIheard'boutthatwhiskeybusiness;andIknowedyouhadn'tgotthemoneybecuzyou'd'a'gotatmesomewayorotherandtoldmeevenifyouwasmumtoeverybodyelse.Tom,something'sal-waystoldmewe'dnevergetholtofthatswag.""Why,Huck,Inevertoldonthattavern-keeper.YouknowhistavernwasallrighttheSaturdayIwenttothepicnic.Don'tyourememberyouwastowatchtherethatnight?""Ohyes!Why,itseems'boutayearago.ItwasthatverynightthatIfolleredInjunJoetothewidder's.""Youfollowedhim?""Yes—butyoukeepmum.IreckonInjunJoe'sleftfriendsbehindhim,andIdon'twant'emsouringonmeanddoingmemeantricks.Ifithadn'tbenformehe'dbedowninTexasnow,allright."ThenHucktoldhisentireadventureinconfidencetoTom,whohadonlyheardoftheWelshman'spartofitbefore."Well,"saidHuck,presently,comingbacktothemainquestion,"whoevernippedthewhiskeyinNo.2,nippedthemoney,too,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—"185
"Huck,youjustwaittillwegetinthere.Ifwedon'tfinditI'llagreetogiveyoumydrumandeverythingI'vegotintheworld.Iwill,byjings.""Allright—it'sawhiz.Whendoyousay?""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,andsomeofthesenew-fangledthingstheycalllucifermatches.Itellyou,many'sthetimeIwishedIhadsomewhenIwasintherebefore."Atrifleafternoontheboysborrowedasmallskifffromacitizenwhowasabsent,andgotunderwayatonce.Whentheywereseveralmilesbelow"CaveHollow,"Tomsaid:"Nowyouseethisbluffherelooksallalikeallthewaydownfromthecavehollow—nohouses,nowood-yards,bushesallalike.Butdoyouseethatwhiteplaceupyonderwherethere'sbeenalandslide?Well,that'soneofmymarks.We'llgetashore,now."Theylanded."Now,Huck,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."186
"Andkillthem?""No,notalways.Hivetheminthecavetilltheyraisearansom.""What'saransom?""Money.Youmakethemraisealltheycan,off'ntheirfriends;andafteryou'vekeptthemayear,ifitain'traisedthenyoukillthem.That'sthegeneralway.Onlyyoudon'tkillthewomen.Youshutupthewomen,butyoudon'tkillthem.They'realwaysbeautifulandrich,andawfullyscared.Youtaketheirwatchesandthings,butyoualwaystakeyourhatoffandtalkpolite.Theyain'tanybodyaspoliteasrobbers—you'llseethatinanybook.Well,thewomengettolovingyou,andafterthey'vebeeninthecaveaweekortwoweekstheystopcryingandafterthatyoucouldn'tgetthemtoleave.Ifyoudrovethemoutthey'dturnrightaroundandcomeback.It'ssoinallthebooks.""Why,it'srealbully,Tom.Ibelieveit'sbetter'ntobeapirate.""Yes,it'sbetterinsomeways,becauseit'sclosetohomeandcircusesandallthat."Bythistimeeverythingwasreadyandtheboysenteredthehole,Tominthelead.Theytoiledtheirwaytothefartherendofthetunnel,thenmadetheirsplicedkite-stringsfastandmovedon.Afewstepsbroughtthemtothespring,andTomfeltashudderquiverallthroughhim.HeshowedHuckthefragmentofcandle-wickperchedonalumpofclayagainstthewall,anddescribedhowheandBeckyhadwatchedtheflamestruggleandexpire.Theboysbegantoquietdowntowhispers,now,forthestillnessandgloomoftheplaceoppressedtheirspirits.Theywenton,andpresentlyenteredandfollowedTom'sothercorridoruntiltheyreachedthe"jumping-offplace."Thecandlesrevealedthefactthatitwasnotreallyaprecipice,butonlyasteepclayhilltwentyorthirtyfeethigh.Tomwhispered:"NowI'llshowyousomething,Huck."Heheldhiscandlealoftandsaid:"Lookasfararoundthecornerasyoucan.Doyouseethat?There—onthebigrockoveryonder—donewithcandle-smoke.""Tom,it'sacross!""Nowwhere'syourNumberTwo?'Underthecross,'hey?Rightyonder'swhereIsawInjunJoepokeuphiscandle,Huck!"187
Huckstaredatthemysticsignawhile,andthensaidwithashakyvoice:"Tom,lessgitoutofhere!""What!andleavethetreasure?""Yes—leaveit.InjunJoe'sghostisroundaboutthere,certain.""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."Tom,Ididn'tthinkofthat.Butthat'sso.It'sluckforus,thatcrossis.Ireckonwe'llclimbdownthereandhaveahuntforthatbox."Tomwentfirst,cuttingrudestepsintheclayhillashedescended.Huckfollowed.Fouravenuesopenedoutofthesmallcavernwhichthegreatrockstoodin.Theboysexaminedthreeofthemwithnoresult.Theyfoundasmallrecessintheonenearestthebaseoftherock,withapalletofblanketsspreaddowninit;alsoanoldsuspender,somebaconrind,andthewell-gnawedbonesoftwoorthreefowls.Buttherewasnomoney-box.Theladssearchedandresearchedthisplace,butinvain.Tomsaid:"Hesaidunderthecross.Well,thiscomesnearesttobeingunderthecross.Itcan'tbeundertherockitself,becausethatsetssolidontheground."Theysearchedeverywhereoncemore,andthensatdowndiscour-aged.Huckcouldsuggestnothing.By-and-byTomsaid:"Lookyhere,Huck,there'sfootprintsandsomecandle-greaseontheclayaboutonesideofthisrock,butnotontheothersides.Now,what'sthatfor?Ibetyouthemoneyisundertherock.I'mgoingtodigintheclay.""Thatain'tnobadnotion,Tom!"saidHuckwithanimation.Tom's"realBarlow"wasoutatonce,andhehadnotdugfourinchesbeforehestruckwood.188
"Hey,Huck!—youhearthat?"Huckbegantodigandscratchnow.Someboardsweresoonun-coveredandremoved.Theyhadconcealedanaturalchasmwhichledundertherock.Tomgotintothisandheldhiscandleasfarundertherockashecould,butsaidhecouldnotseetotheendoftherift.Hepro-posedtoexplore.Hestoopedandpassedunder;thenarrowwaydescen-dedgradually.Hefolloweditswindingcourse,firsttotheright,thentotheleft,Huckathisheels.Tomturnedashortcurve,by-and-by,andexclaimed:"Mygoodness,Huck,lookyhere!"Itwasthetreasure-box,sureenough,occupyingasnuglittlecavern,alongwithanemptypowder-keg,acoupleofgunsinleathercases,twoorthreepairsofoldmoccasins,aleatherbelt,andsomeotherrubbishwellsoakedwiththewater-drip."Gotitatlast!"saidHuck,ploughingamongthetarnishedcoinswithhishand."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."Themoneywassooninthebagsandtheboystookituptothecrossrock."Nowlessfetchthegunsandthings,"saidHuck."No,Huck—leavethemthere.They'rejustthetrickstohavewhenwegotorobbing.We'llkeepthemthereallthetime,andwe'llholdouror-giesthere,too.It'sanawfulsnugplacefororgies.""Whatorgies?""Idono.Butrobbersalwayshaveorgies,andofcoursewe'vegottohavethem,too.Comealong,Huck,we'vebeeninherealongtime.It'sgettinglate,Ireckon.I'mhungry,too.We'lleatandsmokewhenwegettotheskiff."Theypresentlyemergedintotheclumpofsumachbushes,lookedwarilyout,foundthecoastclear,andweresoonlunchingandsmoking189
intheskiff.Asthesundippedtowardthehorizontheypushedoutandgotunderway.Tomskimmeduptheshorethroughthelongtwilight,chattingcheerilywithHuck,andlandedshortlyafterdark."Now,Huck,"saidTom,"we'llhidethemoneyintheloftofthewidow'swoodshed,andI'llcomeupinthemorningandwe'llcountitanddivide,andthenwe'llhuntupaplaceoutinthewoodsforitwhereitwillbesafe.JustyoulayquiethereandwatchthestufftillIrunandhookBennyTaylor'slittlewagon;Iwon'tbegoneaminute."Hedisappeared,andpresentlyreturnedwiththewagon,putthetwosmallsacksintoit,threwsomeoldragsontopofthem,andstartedoff,dragginghiscargobehindhim.WhentheboysreachedtheWelshman'shouse,theystoppedtorest.Justastheywereabouttomoveon,theWelshmansteppedoutandsaid:"Hallo,who'sthat?""HuckandTomSawyer.""Good!Comealongwithme,boys,youarekeepingeverybodywait-ing.Here—hurryup,trotahead—I'llhaulthewagonforyou.Why,it'snotaslightasitmightbe.Gotbricksinit?—oroldmetal?""Oldmetal,"saidTom."Ijudgedso;theboysinthistownwilltakemoretroubleandfoolawaymoretimehuntingupsixbits'worthofoldirontoselltothefoundrythantheywouldtomaketwicethemoneyatregularwork.Butthat'shumannature—hurryalong,hurryalong!"Theboyswantedtoknowwhatthehurrywasabout."Nevermind;you'llsee,whenwegettotheWidowDouglas'."Hucksaidwithsomeapprehension—forhewaslongusedtobeingfalselyaccused:"Mr.Jones,wehaven'tbeendoingnothing."TheWelshmanlaughed."Well,Idon'tknow,Huck,myboy.Idon'tknowaboutthat.Ain'tyouandthewidowgoodfriends?""Yes.Well,she'sbengoodfriendstome,anyway.""Allright,then.Whatdoyouwanttobeafraidfor?"ThisquestionwasnotentirelyansweredinHuck'sslowmindbeforehefoundhimselfpushed,alongwithTom,intoMrs.Douglas'drawing-room.Mr.Jonesleftthewagonnearthedoorandfollowed.190
Theplacewasgrandlylighted,andeverybodythatwasofanycon-sequenceinthevillagewasthere.TheThatcherswerethere,theHarpers,theRogerses,AuntPolly,Sid,Mary,theminister,theeditor,andagreatmanymore,andalldressedintheirbest.Thewidowreceivedtheboysasheartilyasanyonecouldwellreceivetwosuchlookingbeings.Theywerecoveredwithclayandcandle-grease.AuntPollyblushedcrimsonwithhumiliation,andfrownedandshookherheadatTom.Nobodysufferedhalfasmuchasthetwoboysdid,however.Mr.Jonessaid:"Tomwasn'tathome,yet,soIgavehimup;butIstumbledonhimandHuckrightatmydoor,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.191
Chapter34Hucksaid:"Tom,wecanslope,ifwecanfindarope.Thewindowain'thighfromtheground.""Shucks!whatdoyouwanttoslopefor?""Well,Iain'tusedtothatkindofacrowd.Ican'tstandit.Iain'tgoingdownthere,Tom.""Oh,bother!Itain'tanything.Idon'tminditabit.I'lltakecareofyou."Sidappeared."Tom,"saidhe,"auntiehasbeenwaitingforyoualltheafternoon.MarygotyourSundayclothesready,andeverybody'sbeenfrettingaboutyou.Say—ain'tthisgreaseandclay,onyourclothes?""Now,Mr.Siddy,youjist'tendtoyourownbusiness.What'sallthisblow-outabout,anyway?""It'soneofthewidow'spartiesthatshe'salwayshaving.Thistimeit'sfortheWelshmanandhissons,onaccountofthatscrapetheyhelpedheroutoftheothernight.Andsay—Icantellyousomething,ifyouwanttoknow.""Well,what?""Why,oldMr.Jonesisgoingtotrytospringsomethingonthepeoplehereto-night,butIoverheardhimtellauntieto-dayaboutit,asasecret,butIreckonit'snotmuchofasecretnow.Everybodyknows—thewid-ow,too,forallshetriestoletonshedon't.Mr.JoneswasboundHuckshouldbehere—couldn'tgetalongwithhisgrandsecretwithoutHuck,youknow!""Secretaboutwhat,Sid?""AboutHucktrackingtherobberstothewidow's.IreckonMr.Joneswasgoingtomakeagrandtimeoverhissurprise,butIbetyouitwilldropprettyflat."Sidchuckledinaverycontentedandsatisfiedway."Sid,wasityouthattold?"192
"Oh,nevermindwhoitwas.somebodytold—that'senough.""Sid,there'sonlyonepersoninthistownmeanenoughtodothat,andthat'syou.IfyouhadbeeninHuck'splaceyou'd'a'sneakeddownthehillandnevertoldanybodyontherobbers.Youcan'tdoanybutmeanthings,andyoucan'tbeartoseeanybodypraisedfordoinggoodones.There—nothanks,asthewidowsays"—andTomcuffedSid'searsandhelpedhimtothedoorwithseveralkicks."Nowgoandtellauntieifyoudare—andto-morrowyou'llcatchit!"Someminuteslaterthewidow'sguestswereatthesupper-table,andadozenchildrenwereproppedupatlittleside-tablesinthesameroom,afterthefashionofthatcountryandthatday.AtthepropertimeMr.Jonesmadehislittlespeech,inwhichhethankedthewidowforthehon-orshewasdoinghimselfandhissons,butsaidthattherewasanotherpersonwhosemodesty—Andsoforthandsoon.HesprunghissecretaboutHuck'sshareintheadventureinthefinestdramaticmannerhewasmasterof,butthesur-priseitoccasionedwaslargelycounterfeitandnotasclamorousandef-fusiveasitmighthavebeenunderhappiercircumstances.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.Thecompanylookedateachotherwithaper-plexedinterest—andinquiringlyatHuck,whowastongue-tied."Sid,whatailsTom?"saidAuntPolly."He—well,thereain'teveranymakingofthatboyout.Inever—"193
Tomentered,strugglingwiththeweightofhissacks,andAuntPollydidnotfinishhersentence.Tompouredthemassofyellowcoinuponthetableandsaid:"There—whatdidItellyou?Halfofit'sHuck'sandhalfofit'smine!"Thespectacletookthegeneralbreathaway.Allgazed,nobodyspokeforamoment.Thentherewasaunanimouscallforanexplanation.Tomsaidhecouldfurnishit,andhedid.Thetalewaslong,butbrimfulofin-terest.Therewasscarcelyaninterruptionfromanyonetobreakthecharmofitsflow.Whenhehadfinished,Mr.Jonessaid:"IthoughtIhadfixedupalittlesurpriseforthisoccasion,butitdon'tamounttoanythingnow.Thisonemakesitsingmightysmall,I'mwill-ingtoallow."Themoneywascounted.Thesumamountedtoalittleovertwelvethousanddollars.Itwasmorethananyonepresenthadeverseenatonetimebefore,thoughseveralpersonsweretherewhowereworthconsid-erablymorethanthatinproperty.194
Chapter35ThereadermayrestsatisfiedthatTom'sandHuck'swindfallmadeamightystirinthepoorlittlevillageofSt.Petersburg.Sovastasum,allinactualcash,seemednexttoincredible.Itwastalkedabout,gloatedover,glorified,untilthereasonofmanyofthecitizenstotteredunderthestrainoftheunhealthyexcitement.Every"haunted"houseinSt.Peters-burgandtheneighboringvillageswasdissected,plankbyplank,anditsfoundationsdugupandransackedforhiddentreasure—andnotbyboys,butmen—prettygrave,unromanticmen,too,someofthem.WhereverTomandHuckappearedtheywerecourted,admired,staredat.Theboyswerenotabletorememberthattheirremarkshadpossessedweightbefore;butnowtheirsayingsweretreasuredandrepeated;everythingtheydidseemedsomehowtoberegardedasremarkable;theyhadevidentlylostthepowerofdoingandsayingcommonplacethings;moreover,theirpasthistorywasrakedupanddiscoveredtobearmarksofconspicuousoriginality.Thevillagepaperpublishedbiograph-icalsketchesoftheboys.TheWidowDouglasputHuck'smoneyoutatsixpercent.,andJudgeThatcherdidthesamewithTom'satAuntPolly'srequest.Eachladhadanincome,now,thatwassimplyprodi-gious—adollarforeveryweek-dayintheyearandhalfoftheSundays.Itwasjustwhattheministergot—no,itwaswhathewaspromised—hegenerallycouldn'tcollectit.Adollarandaquarteraweekwouldboard,lodge,andschoolaboyinthoseoldsimpledays—andclothehimandwashhim,too,forthatmatter.JudgeThatcherhadconceivedagreatopinionofTom.Hesaidthatnocommonplaceboywouldeverhavegothisdaughteroutofthecave.WhenBeckytoldherfather,instrictconfidence,howTomhadtakenherwhippingatschool,theJudgewasvisiblymoved;andwhenshepleadedgraceforthemightyliewhichTomhadtoldinordertoshiftthatwhip-pingfromhershoulderstohisown,theJudgesaidwithafineoutburstthatitwasanoble,agenerous,amagnanimouslie—aliethatwasworthytoholdupitsheadandmarchdownthroughhistorybreastto195
breastwithGeorgeWashington'slaudedTruthaboutthehatchet!Beckythoughtherfatherhadneverlookedsotallandsosuperbaswhenhewalkedthefloorandstampedhisfootandsaidthat.ShewentstraightoffandtoldTomaboutit.JudgeThatcherhopedtoseeTomagreatlawyeroragreatsoldiersomeday.HesaidhemeanttolooktoitthatTomshouldbeadmittedtotheNationalMilitaryAcademyandafterwardtrainedinthebestlawschoolinthecountry,inorderthathemightbereadyforeithercareerorboth.HuckFinn'swealthandthefactthathewasnowundertheWidowDouglas'protectionintroducedhimintosociety—no,draggedhimintoit,hurledhimintoit—andhissufferingswerealmostmorethanhecouldbear.Thewidow'sservantskepthimcleanandneat,combedandbrushed,andtheybeddedhimnightlyinunsympatheticsheetsthathadnotonelittlespotorstainwhichhecouldpresstohisheartandknowforafriend.Hehadtoeatwithaknifeandfork;hehadtousenapkin,cup,andplate;hehadtolearnhisbook,hehadtogotochurch;hehadtotalksoproperlythatspeechwasbecomeinsipidinhismouth;whithersoeverheturned,thebarsandshacklesofcivilizationshuthiminandboundhimhandandfoot.Hebravelyborehismiseriesthreeweeks,andthenonedayturnedupmissing.Forforty-eighthoursthewidowhuntedforhimeverywhereingreatdistress.Thepublicwereprofoundlyconcerned;theysearchedhighandlow,theydraggedtheriverforhisbody.Earlythethirdmorn-ingTomSawyerwiselywentpokingamongsomeoldemptyhogsheadsdownbehindtheabandonedslaughter-house,andinoneofthemhefoundtherefugee.Huckhadsleptthere;hehadjustbreakfasteduponsomestolenoddsandendsoffood,andwaslyingoff,now,incomfort,withhispipe.Hewasunkempt,uncombed,andcladinthesameoldru-inofragsthathadmadehimpicturesqueinthedayswhenhewasfreeandhappy.Tomroutedhimout,toldhimthetroublehehadbeencaus-ing,andurgedhimtogohome.Huck'sfacelostitstranquilcontent,andtookamelancholycast.Hesaid:"Don'ttalkaboutit,Tom.I'vetriedit,anditdon'twork;itdon'twork,Tom.Itain'tforme;Iain'tusedtoit.Thewidder'sgoodtome,andfriendly;butIcan'tstandthemways.Shemakesmegetupjustatthesametimeeverymorning;shemakesmewash,theycombmealltothunder;shewon'tletmesleepinthewoodshed;Igottowearthemblamedclothesthatjustsmothersme,Tom;theydon'tseemtoanyairgit196
through'em,somehow;andthey'resorottennicethatIcan'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.Igottoasktogoa-fishing;Igottoasktogoina-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.Looky-here,Tom,beingrichain'twhatit'scrackeduptobe.It'sjustworryandworry,andsweatandsweat,anda-wishingyouwasdeadallthetime.Nowtheseclothessuitsme,andthisbar'lsuitsme,andIain'tevergoingtoshake'emanymore.Tom,Iwouldn'tevergotintoallthistroubleifithadn't'a'benforthatmoney;nowyoujusttakemysheerofitalongwithyour'n,andgimmeaten-centersometimes—notmanytimes,becuzIdon'tgiveadernforathing'thoutit'stollablehardtogit—andyougoandbegoffformewiththewidder.""Oh,Huck,youknowIcan'tdothat.'Tain'tfair;andbesidesifyou'lltrythisthingjustawhilelongeryou'llcometolikeit.""Likeit!Yes—thewayI'dlikeahotstoveifIwastosetonitlongenough.No,Tom,Iwon'tberich,andIwon'tliveinthemcussedsmoth-eryhouses.Ilikethewoods,andtheriver,andhogsheads,andI'llstickto'em,too.Blameitall!justaswe'dgotguns,andacave,andalljustfixedtorob,herethisdernfoolishnesshasgottocomeupandspileitall!"Tomsawhisopportunity—"Lookyhere,Huck,beingrichain'tgoingtokeepmebackfromturningrobber."197
"No!Oh,good-licks;areyouinrealdead-woodearnest,Tom?""JustasdeadearnestasI'msittinghere.ButHuck,wecan'tletyouintothegangifyouain'trespectable,youknow."Huck'sjoywasquenched."Can'tletmein,Tom?Didn'tyouletmegoforapirate?""Yes,butthat'sdifferent.Arobberismorehigh-tonedthanwhatapir-ateis—asageneralthing.Inmostcountriesthey'reawfulhighupinthenobility—dukesandsuch.""Now,Tom,hain'tyoualwaysbenfriendlytome?Youwouldn'tshetmeout,wouldyou,Tom?Youwouldn'tdothat,now,wouldyou,Tom?""Huck,Iwouldn'twantto,andIdon'twantto—butwhatwouldpeoplesay?Why,they'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.""Willyou,Tom—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.""Well,Ibetitis.Andallthatswearing'sgottobedoneatmidnight,inthelonesomest,awfulestplaceyoucanfind—aha'ntedhouseisthebest,butthey'reallrippedupnow.""Well,midnight'sgood,anyway,Tom."198
"Yes,soitis.Andyou'vegottoswearonacoffin,andsignitwithblood.""Now,that'ssomethinglike!Why,it'samilliontimesbullierthanpir-ating.I'llsticktothewiddertillIrot,Tom;andifIgittobeareg'larrip-perofarobber,andeverybodytalking'boutit,Ireckonshe'llbeproudshesnakedmeinoutofthewet."199
Chapter36Soendeththischronicle.Itbeingstrictlyahistoryofaboy,itmuststophere;thestorycouldnotgomuchfurtherwithoutbecomingthehistoryofaman.Whenonewritesanovelaboutgrownpeople,heknowsex-actlywheretostop—thatis,withamarriage;butwhenhewritesofju-veniles,hemuststopwherehebestcan.Mostofthecharactersthatperforminthisbookstilllive,andarepros-perousandhappy.Somedayitmayseemworthwhiletotakeupthestoryoftheyoungeronesagainandseewhatsortofmenandwomentheyturnedouttobe;thereforeitwillbewisestnottorevealanyofthatpartoftheirlivesatpresent.200
关于本文档1.本文档由七彩英语网站(www.qcenglish.com)整理发布，文档内容均来自互联网，文档中的观点并不代表七彩英语网站立场2.本文档版权归原版权所有人所有，任何涉及商业盈利目的均不得使用，否则产生的一切后果将由您自己承担3.整理发布本文档是出于让更多的人有机会接触原版书籍的目的，如果喜欢，请购买正版4.欢迎广大英语爱好者分享传播本文档，让更多的英语爱好者可以阅读原版书籍5.更多精彩原版书籍请登录七彩英语网站6.如果大家对七彩英语网站发布的电子书有任何意见和建议，请不吝赐教1.ThisdocumentiscollectedfromtheInternetanddistributedbyQCENGLISH.Itdoesn'tmeanthatQCENGLISHagreestoalltheviewsinthisdocument.2.Withoutthepermissionfromthecopyrightownerbusinessuseisforbidden,oryoushouldtakealltheresponsibilities.3.WecollectanddistributethisdocumentonthepurposeofsharinggoodEnglishbookswithmoreEnglishfans.Ifyoulikethisdocumentpleasebuyagenuineone.4.ItisrecommendedthatEnglishfanssharethisdocumentwithanyonewhowantstoimprovehimself(herself)throughreadingEnglishbooks.5.MorebookscanbedownloadedfromQCENGLISH.6.Pleasedon'thesitatetocontactusifyouhaveanyideaaboutthedocumentwedistributed.
微信/支付宝扫码支付