第4章

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,"Wherethisarrowfalls,thereburypoorRobinHoodunderthegreenwoodtree."Thenheshotthearrowandfellbackandwouldhavedied,buthelitonanettleandspranguptoogailyforacorpse.

Theboysdressedthemselves,hidtheiraccoutrements,andwentoffgrievingthattherewerenooutlawsanymore,andwonderingwhatmoderncivilizationcouldclaimtohavedonetocompensatefortheirloss.TheysaidtheywouldratherbeoutlawsayearinSherwoodForestthanPresidentoftheUnitedStatesforever.

CHAPTERIX

AThalf-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.Nexttheghastlytickingofadeath-watchinthewallatthebed"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"withcautiononceortwice,ashewent;thenjumpedtotheroofofthewoodshedandthencetotheground.HuckleberryFinnwasthere,withhisdeadcat.Theboysmovedoffanddisappearedinthegloom.Attheendofhalfanhourtheywerewadingthroughthetallgrassofthegraveyard.

Itwasagraveyardoftheold-fashionedWesternkind.Itwasonahill,aboutamileandahalffromthevillage.Ithadacrazyboardfencearoundit,whichleanedinwardinplaces,andoutwardtherestofthetime,butstooduprightnowhere.Grassandweedsgrewrankoverthewholecemetery.Alltheoldgravesweresunkenin,therewasnotatombstoneontheplace;round-topped,worm-eatenboardsstaggeredoverthegraves,leaningforsupportandfindingnone."Sacredtothememoryof"So-and-Sohadbeenpaintedonthemonce,butitcouldnolongerhavebeenread,onthemostofthem,now,eveniftherehadbeenlight.

Afaintwindmoanedthroughthetrees,andTomfeareditmightbethespiritsofthedead,complainingatbeingdisturbed.Theboystalkedlittle,andonlyundertheirbreath,forthetimeandtheplaceandthepervadingsolemnityandsilenceoppressedtheirspirits.Theyfoundthesharpnewheaptheywereseeking,andensconcedthemselveswithintheprotectionofthreegreatelmsthatgrewinabunchwithinafewfeetofthegrave.

Thentheywaitedinsilenceforwhatseemedalongtime.Thehootingofadistantowlwasallthesoundthattroubledthedeadstillness.Tom"sreflectionsgrewoppressive.Hemustforcesometalk.Sohesaidinawhisper:

"Hucky,doyoubelievethedeadpeoplelikeitforustobehere?"

Huckleberrywhispered:

"IwishtIknowed.It"sawfulsolemnlike,AIN"Tit?"

"Ibetitis."

Therewasaconsiderablepause,whiletheboyscanvassedthismatterinwardly.ThenTomwhispered:

"Say,Hucky——doyoureckonHossWilliamshearsustalking?"

"O"coursehedoes.Leasthissperritdoes."

Tom,afterapause:

"IwishI"dsaidMisterWilliams.ButInevermeantanyharm.EverybodycallshimHoss."

"Abodycan"tbetoopartic"larhowtheytalk"boutthese-yerdeadpeople,Tom."

Thiswasadamper,andconversationdiedagain.

PresentlyTomseizedhiscomrade"sarmandsaid:

"Sh!"

"Whatisit,Tom?"Andthetwoclungtogetherwithbeatinghearts.

"~sh!There"tisagain!Didn"tyouhearit?"

"I——"

"There!Nowyouhearit."

"Lord,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"tsharpenoughtonoticeus.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"sInjunJoe."

"That"sso——thatmurderin"half-breed!I"ddruthertheywasdevilsadernsight.Whatkintheybeupto?"

Thewhisperdiedwhollyout,now,forthethreemenhadreachedthegraveandstoodwithinafewfeetoftheboys"hiding-place.

"Hereitis,"saidthethirdvoice;andtheownerofitheldthelanternupandrevealedthefaceofyoungDoctorRobinson.

PotterandInjunJoewerecarryingahandbarrowwitharopeandacoupleofshovelsonit.Theycastdowntheirloadandbegantoopenthegrave.Thedoctorputthelanternattheheadofthegraveandcameandsatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheelmtrees.Hewassoclosetheboyscouldhavetouchedhim.

"Hurry,men!"hesaid,inalowvoice;"themoonmightcomeoutatanymoment."

Theygrowledaresponseandwentondigging.Forsometimetherewasnonoisebutthegratingsoundofthespadesdischargingtheirfreightofmouldandgravel.Itwasverymonotonous.Finallyaspadestruckuponthecoffinwithadullwoodyaccent,andwithinanotherminuteortwothemenhadhoisteditoutontheground.Theypriedoffthelidwiththeirshovels,gotoutthebodyanddumpeditrudelyontheground.Themoondriftedfrombehindthecloudsandexposedthepallidface.Thebarrowwasgotreadyandthecorpseplacedonit,coveredwithablanket,andboundtoitsplacewiththerope.Pottertookoutalargespring-knifeandcutoffthedanglingendoftheropeandthensaid:

"Nowthecussedthing"sready,Sawbones,andyou"lljustoutwithanotherfive,orhereshestays."

"That"sthetalk!"saidInjunJoe.

"Lookhere,whatdoesthismean?"saidthedoctor."Yourequiredyourpayinadvance,andI"vepaidyou."

"Yes,andyoudonemorethanthat,"saidInjunJoe,approachingthedoctor,whowasnowstanding."Fiveyearsagoyoudrovemeawayfromyourfather"skitchenonenight,whenIcometoaskforsomethingtoeat,andyousaidIwarn"tthereforanygood;andwhenIsworeI"dgetevenwithyouifittookahundredyears,yourfatherhadmejailedforavagrant.DidyouthinkI"dforget?TheInjunbloodain"tinmefornothing.AndnowI"veGOTyou,andyougottosettle,youknow!"

Hewasthreateningthedoctor,withhisfistinhisface,bythistime.Thedoctorstruckoutsuddenlyandstretchedtheruffianontheground.Potterdroppedhisknife,andexclaimed:

"Here,now,don"tyouhitmypard!"andthenextmomenthehadgrappledwiththedoctorandthetwowerestrugglingwithmightandmain,tramplingthegrassandtearingthegroundwiththeirheels.InjunJoesprangtohisfeet,hiseyesflamingwithpassion,snatchedupPotter"sknife,andwentcreeping,catlikeandstooping,roundandroundaboutthecombatants,seekinganopportunity.Allatoncethedoctorflunghimselffree,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"trecollectanythingofit,hardly.Tellme,Joe——honest,now,oldfeller——didIdoit?Joe,Inevermeantto——"ponmysoulandhonor,Inevermeantto,Joe.Tellmehowitwas,Joe.Oh,it"sawful——andhimsoyoungandpromising."

"Why,youtwowasscuffling,andhefetchedyouonewiththeheadboardandyoufellflat;andthenupyoucome,allreelingandstaggeringlike,andsnatchedtheknifeandjammeditintohim,justashefetchedyouanotherawfulclip——andhereyou"velaid,asdeadasawedgetilnow."

"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.

CHAPTERX

THEtwoboysflewonandon,towardthevillage,speechlesswithhorror.Theyglancedbackwardovertheirshouldersfromtimetotime,apprehensively,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"sgenerallydrunkenough."

Tomsaidnothing——wentonthinking.Presentlyhewhispered:

"Huck,MuffPotterdon"tknowit.Howcanhetell?"

"What"sthereasonhedon"tknowit?"

"Becausehe"djustgotthatwhackwhenInjunJoedoneit.D"youreckonhecouldseeanything?D"youreckonheknowedanything?"

"Byhokey,that"sso,Tom!"

"Andbesides,look-a-here——maybethatwhackdoneforhim!"

"No,"taintlikely,Tom.Hehadliquorinhim;Icouldseethat;andbesides,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"sgoodenoughforlittlerubbishycommonthings——speciallywithgals,cuztheygobackonyouanyway,andblabiftheygetinahuff——butthereorterbewriting"boutabigthinglikethis.Andblood."

Tom"swholebeingapplaudedthisidea.Itwasdeep,anddark,andawful;thehour,thecircumstances,thesurroundings,wereinkeepingwithit.Hepickedupacleanpineshinglethatlayinthemoonlight,tookalittlefragmentof"redkeel"outofhispocket,gotthemoononhiswork,andpainfullyscrawledtheselines,emphasizingeachslowdown-strokebyclampinghistonguebetweenhisteeth,andlettingupthepressureontheup-strokes.

"HuckFinnand

TomSawyerswears

theywillkeepmum

aboutThisandThey

wishTheymayDrop

downdeadinTheir

TracksifTheyever

TellandRot.

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."*

[*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,hejustliftsthingswhenhesnores.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,andstoppedatalittledistancetoexchangeapartingword.Thatlong,lugubrioushowlroseonthenightairagain!TheyturnedandsawthestrangedogstandingwithinafewfeetofwherePotterwaslying,andFACINGPotter,withhisnosepointingheavenward.

"Oh,geeminy,it"shim!"exclaimedbothboys,inabreath.

"Say,Tom——theysayastraydogcomehowlingaroundJohnnyMiller"shouse,"boutmidnight,asmuchastwoweeksago;andawhippoorwillcomeinandlitonthebanistersandsung,theverysameevening;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.Heundressedwithexcessivecaution,andfellasleepcongratulatinghimselfthatnobodyknewofhisescapade.Hewasnotawarethatthegently-snoringSidwasawake,andhadbeensoforanhour.

WhenTomawoke,Sidwasdressedandgone.Therewasalatelookinthelight,alatesenseintheatmosphere.Hewasstartled.Whyhadhenotbeencalled——persecutedtillhewasup,asusual?Thethoughtfilledhimwithbodings.Withinfiveminuteshewasdressedanddown-stairs,feelingsoreanddrowsy.Thefamilywerestillattable,buttheyhadfinishedbreakfast.Therewasnovoiceofrebuke;buttherewereavertedeyes;therewasasilenceandanairofsolemnitythatstruckachilltotheculprit"sheart.Hesatdownandtriedtoseemgay,butitwasup-hillwork;itrousednosmile,noresponse,andhelapsedintosilenceandlethisheartsinkdowntothedepths.

Afterbreakfasthisaunttookhimaside,andTomalmostbrightenedinthehopethathewasgoingtobeflogged;butitwasnotso.Hisauntweptoverhimandaskedhimhowhecouldgoandbreakheroldheartso;andfinallytoldhimtogoon,andruinhimselfandbringhergrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave,foritwasnouseforhertotryanymore.Thiswasworsethanathousandwhippings,andTom"sheartwassorernowthanhisbody.Hecried,hepleadedforforgiveness,promisedtoreformoverandoveragain,andthenreceivedhisdismissal,feelingthathehadwonbutanimperfectforgivenessandestablishedbutafeebleconfidence.

HeleftthepresencetoomiserabletoevenfeelrevengefultowardSid;andsothelatter"spromptretreatthroughthebackgatewasunnecessary.Hemopedtoschoolgloomyandsad,andtookhisflogging,alongwithJoeHarper,forplayinghookeythedaybefore,withtheairofonewhoseheartwasbusywithheavierwoesandwhollydeadtotrifles.Thenhebetookhimselftohisseat,restedhiselbowsonhisdeskandhisjawsinhishands,andstaredatthewallwiththestonystareofsufferingthathasreachedthelimitandcannofurthergo.Hiselbowwaspressingagainstsomehardsubstance.Afteralongtimeheslowlyandsadlychangedhisposition,andtookupthisobjectwithasigh.Itwasinapaper.Heunrolledit.Along,lingering,colossalsighfollowed,andhisheartbroke.Itwashisbrassandironknob!

Thisfinalfeatherbrokethecamel"sback.

CHAPTERXI

CLOSEuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews.Noneedoftheasyetundreamed-oftelegraph;thetaleflewfrommantoman,fromgrouptogroup,fromhousetohouse,withlittlelessthantelegraphicspeed.Ofcoursetheschoolmastergaveholidayforthatafternoon;thetownwouldhavethoughtstrangelyofhimifhehadnot.

Agoryknifehadbeenfoundclosetothemurderedman,andithadbeenrecognizedbysomebodyasbelongingtoMuffPotter——sothestoryran.AnditwassaidthatabelatedcitizenhadcomeuponPotterwashinghimselfinthe"branch"aboutoneortwoo"clockinthemorning,andthatPotterhadatoncesneakedoff——suspiciouscircumstances,especiallythewashingwhichwasnotahabitwithPotter.Itwasalsosaidthatthetownhadbeenransackedforthis"murderer"(thepublicarenotslowinthematterofsiftingevidenceandarrivingataverdict),butthathecouldnotbefound.Horsemenhaddeparteddownalltheroadsineverydirection,andtheSheriff"wasconfident"thathewouldbecapturedbeforenight.

Allthetownwasdriftingtowardthegraveyard.Tom"sheartbreakvanishedandhejoinedtheprocession,notbecausehewouldnotathousandtimesrathergoanywhereelse,butbecauseanawful,unaccountablefascinationdrewhimon.Arrivedatthedreadfulplace,hewormedhissmallbodythroughthecrowdandsawthedismalspectacle.Itseemedtohimanagesincehewastherebefore.Somebodypinchedhisarm.Heturned,andhiseyesmetHuckleberry"s.Thenbothlookedelsewhereatonce,andwonderedifanybodyhadnoticedanythingintheirmutualglance.Buteverybodywastalking,andintentuponthegrislyspectaclebeforethem.

"Poorfellow!""Pooryoungfellow!""Thisoughttobealessontograverobbers!""MuffPotter"llhangforthisiftheycatchhim!"Thiswasthedriftofremark;andtheministersaid,"Itwasajudgment;Hishandishere."

NowTomshiveredfromheadtoheel;forhiseyefelluponthestolidfaceofInjunJoe.Atthismomentthecrowdbegantoswayandstruggle,andvoicesshouted,"It"shim!it"shim!he"scominghimself!"

"Who?Who?"fromtwentyvoices.

"MuffPotter!"

"Hallo,he"sstopped!——Lookout,he"sturning!Don"tlethimgetaway!"

PeopleinthebranchesofthetreesoverTom"sheadsaidhewasn"ttryingtogetaway——heonlylookeddoubtfulandperplexed.

"Infernalimpudence!"saidabystander;"wantedtocomeandtakeaquietlookathiswork,Ireckon——didn"texpectanycompany."

Thecrowdfellapart,now,andtheSheriffcamethrough,ostentatiouslyleadingPotterbythearm.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,theyexpectingeverymomentthattheclearskywoulddeliverGod"slightningsuponhishead,andwonderingtoseehowlongthestrokewasdelayed.Andwhenhehadfinishedandstillstoodaliveandwhole,theirwaveringimpulsetobreaktheiroathandsavethepoorbetrayedprisoner"slifefadedandvanishedaway,forplainlythismiscreanthadsoldhimselftoSatananditwouldbefataltomeddlewiththepropertyofsuchapowerasthat.

"Whydidn"tyouleave?Whatdidyouwanttocomeherefor?"somebodysaid.

"Icouldn"thelpit——Icouldn"thelpit,"Pottermoaned."Iwantedtorunaway,butIcouldn"tseemtocomeanywherebuthere."Andhefelltosobbingagain.

InjunJoerepeatedhisstatement,justascalmly,afewminutesafterwardontheinquest,underoath;andtheboys,seeingthatthelightningswerestillwithheld,wereconfirmedintheirbeliefthatJoehadsoldhimselftothedevil.Hewasnowbecome,tothem,themostbalefullyinterestingobjecttheyhadeverlookedupon,andtheycouldnottaketheirfascinatedeyesfromhisface.

Theyinwardlyresolvedtowatchhimnights,whenopportunityshouldoffer,inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisdreadmaster.

InjunJoehelpedtoraisethebodyofthemurderedmanandputitinawagonforremoval;anditwaswhisperedthroughtheshudderingcrowdthatthewoundbledalittle!Theboysthoughtthatthishappycircumstancewouldturnsuspicionintherightdirection;buttheyweredisappointed,formorethanonevillagerremarked:

"ItwaswithinthreefeetofMuffPotterwhenitdoneit."

Tom"sfearfulsecretandgnawingconsciencedisturbedhissleepforasmuchasaweekafterthis;andatbreakfastonemorningSidsaid:

"Tom,youpitcharoundandtalkinyoursleepsomuchthatyoukeepmeawakehalfthetime."

Tomblanchedanddroppedhiseyes.

"It"sabadsign,"saidAuntPolly,gravely."Whatyougotonyourmind,Tom?"

"Nothing.Nothing"tIknowof."Buttheboy"shandshooksothathespilledhiscoffee.

"Andyoudotalksuchstuff,"Sidsaid."nightyousaid,"It"sblood,it"sblood,that"swhatitis!"Yousaidthatoverandover.Andyousaid,"Don"ttormentmeso——I"lltell!"Tellwhat?Whatisityou"lltell?"

EverythingwasswimmingbeforeTom.Thereisnotellingwhatmighthavehappened,now,butluckilytheconcernpassedoutofAuntPolly"sfaceandshecametoTom"sreliefwithoutknowingit.Shesaid:

"Sho!It"sthatdreadfulmurder.Idreamaboutitmosteverynightmyself.SometimesIdreamit"smethatdoneit."

Marysaidshehadbeenaffectedmuchthesameway.Sidseemedsatisfied.Tomgotoutofthepresenceasquickasheplausiblycould,andafterthathecomplainedoftoothacheforaweek,andtieduphisjawseverynight.HeneverknewthatSidlaynightlywatching,andfrequentlyslippedthebandagefreeandthenleanedonhiselbowlisteningagoodwhileatatime,andafterwardslippedthebandagebacktoitsplaceagain.Tom"sdistressofmindworeoffgraduallyandthetoothachegrewirksomeandwasdiscarded.IfSidreallymanagedtomakeanythingoutofTom"sdisjointedmutterings,hekeptittohimself.

ItseemedtoTomthathisschoolmatesneverwouldgetdoneholdinginquestsondeadcats,andthuskeepinghistroublepresenttohismind.SidnoticedthatTomneverwascoroneratoneoftheseinquiries,thoughithadbeenhishabittotaketheleadinallnewenterprises;henoticed,too,thatTomneveractedasawitness——andthatwasstrange;andSiddidnotoverlookthefactthatTomevenshowedamarkedaversiontotheseinquests,andalwaysavoidedthemwhenhecould.Sidmarvelled,butsaidnothing.However,eveninquestswentoutofvogueatlast,andceasedtotortureTom"sconscience.

Everydayortwo,duringthistimeofsorrow,Tomwatchedhisopportunityandwenttothelittlegratedjail-windowandsmuggledsuchsmallcomfortsthroughtothe"murderer"ashecouldgetholdof.Thejailwasatriflinglittlebrickdenthatstoodinamarshattheedgeofthevillage,andnoguardswereaffordedforit;indeed,itwasseldomoccupied.TheseofferingsgreatlyhelpedtoeaseTom"sconscience.

Thevillagershadastrongdesiretotar-and-featherInjunJoeandridehimonarail,forbody-snatching,butsoformidablewashischaracterthatnobodycouldbefoundwhowaswillingtotaketheleadinthematter,soitwasdropped.Hehadbeencarefultobeginbothofhisinquest-statementswiththefight,withoutconfessingthegrave-robberythatprecededit;thereforeitwasdeemedwisestnottotrythecaseinthecourtsatpresent.

CHAPTERXII

ONEofthereasonswhyTom"smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas,thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout.BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool.Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays,andtriedto"whistleherdownthewind,"butfailed.Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather"shouse,nights,andfeelingverymiserable.Shewasill.Whatifsheshoulddie!Therewasdistractioninthethought.Henolongertookaninterestinwar,noreveninpiracy.Thecharmoflifewasgone;therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft.