第5章

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-journalsofthecurrentmonthcustomarilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore.Shewasassimple-heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong,andsoshewasaneasyvictim.Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines,andthusarmedwithdeath,wentaboutonherpalehorse,metaphoricallyspeaking,with"hellfollowingafter."ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGileadindisguise,tothesufferingneighbors.

Thewatertreatmentwasnew,now,andTom"slowconditionwasawindfalltoher.Shehadhimoutatdaylighteverymorning,stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhimwithadelugeofcoldwater;thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile,andsobroughthimto;thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhimawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand"theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores"——asTomsaid.

Yetnotwithstandingallthis,theboygrewmoreandmoremelancholyandpaleanddejected.Sheaddedhotbaths,sitzbaths,showerbaths,andplunges.Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse.Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblisterplasters.Shecalculatedhiscapacityasshewouldajug"s,andfilledhimupeverydaywithquackcure-alls.

Tomhadbecomeindifferenttopersecutionbythistime.Thisphasefilledtheoldlady"sheartwithconsternation.Thisindifferencemustbebrokenupatanycost.NowsheheardofPain-killerforthefirsttime.Sheorderedalotatonce.Shetasteditandwasfilledwithgratitude.Itwassimplyfireinaliquidform.Shedroppedthewatertreatmentandeverythingelse,andpinnedherfaithtoPain-killer.ShegaveTomateaspoonfulandwatchedwiththedeepestanxietyfortheresult.Hertroubleswereinstantlyatrest,hersoulatpeaceagain;forthe"indifference"wasbrokenup.Theboycouldnothaveshownawilder,heartierinterest,ifshehadbuiltafireunderhim.

Tomfeltthatitwastimetowakeup;thissortoflifemightberomanticenough,inhisblightedcondition,butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesentimentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit.Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief,andfinallyhitponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain-killer.Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance,andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher.IfithadbeenSid,shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight;butsinceitwasTom,shewatchedthebottleclandestinely.Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish,butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting-roomfloorwithit.

OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt"syellowcatcamealong,purring,eyingtheteaspoonavariciously,andbeggingforataste.Tomsaid:

"Don"taskforitunlessyouwantit,Peter."

ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit.

"Youbettermakesure."

Peterwassure.

"Nowyou"veaskedforit,andI"llgiveittoyou,becausethereain"tanythingmeanaboutme;butifyoufindyoudon"tlikeit,youmustn"tblameanybodybutyourownself."

Peterwasagreeable.SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain-killer.Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair,andthendeliveredawar-whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom,bangingagainstfurniture,upsettingflower-pots,andmakinggeneralhavoc.Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround,inafrenzyofenjoyment,withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoiceproclaiminghisunappeasablehappiness.Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath.AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets,deliverafinalmightyhurrah,andsailthroughtheopenwindow,carryingtherestoftheflower-potswithhim.Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment,peeringoverherglasses;Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter.

"Tom,whatonearthailsthatcat?"

"Idon"tknow,aunt,"gaspedtheboy.

"Why,Ineverseeanythinglikeit.Whatdidmakehimactso?"

"DeedIdon"tknow,AuntPolly;catsalwaysactsowhenthey"rehavingagoodtime."

"Theydo,dothey?"TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive.

"Yes"m.Thatis,Ibelievetheydo."

"Youdo?"

"Yes"m."

Theoldladywasbendingdown,Tomwatching,withinterestemphasizedbyanxiety.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!"

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,Tomaccostedhim;and"ledup"warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky,butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait.Tomwatchedandwatched,hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight,andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone.Atlastfrocksceasedtoappear,andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps;heenteredtheemptyschoolhouseandsatdowntosuffer.Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate,andTom"sheartgaveagreatbound.Thenextinstanthewasout,and"goingon"likeanIndian;yelling,laughing,chasingboys,jumpingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb,throwinghandsprings,standingonhishead——doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof,andkeepingafurtiveeyeout,allthewhile,toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoticing.Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall;sheneverlooked.Coulditbepossiblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere?Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity;camewar-whoopingaround,snatchedaboy"scap,hurledittotheroofoftheschoolhouse,brokethroughagroupofboys,tumblingthemineverydirection,andfellsprawling,himself,underBecky"snose,almostupsettingher——andsheturned,withhernoseintheair,andheheardhersay:"Mf!somepeoplethinkthey"remightysmart——alwaysshowingoff!"

Tom"scheeksburned.Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff,crushedandcrestfallen.

CHAPTERXIII

TOM"Smindwasmadeupnow.Hewasgloomyanddesperate.Hewasaforsaken,friendlessboy,hesaid;nobodylovedhim;whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto,perhapstheywouldbesorry;hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong,buttheywouldnotlethim;sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim,letitbeso;andletthemblameHIMfortheconsequences——whyshouldn"tthey?Whatrighthadthefriendlesstocomplain?Yes,theyhadforcedhimtoitatlast:hewouldleadalifeofcrime.Therewasnochoice.

BythistimehewasfardownMeadowLane,andthebellforschoolto"takeup"tinkledfaintlyuponhisear.Hesobbed,now,tothinkheshouldnever,neverhearthatoldfamiliarsoundanymore——itwasveryhard,butitwasforcedonhim;sincehewasdrivenoutintothecoldworld,hemustsubmit——butheforgavethem.Thenthesobscamethickandfast.

Justatthispointhemethissoul"ssworncomrade,JoeHarper——hard-eyed,andwithevidentlyagreatanddismalpurposeinhisheart.Plainlyherewere"twosoulswithbutasinglethought."Tom,wipinghiseyeswithhissleeve,begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoescapefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn;andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim.

ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom,andhadcometohunthimupforthatpurpose.Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout;itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo;ifshefeltthatway,therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb;hehopedshewouldbehappy,andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie.

Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong,theymadeanewcompacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeathrelievedthemoftheirtroubles.Thentheybegantolaytheirplans.Joewasforbeingahermit,andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave,anddying,sometime,ofcoldandwantandgrief;butafterlisteningtoTom,heconcededthatthereweresomeconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime,andsoheconsentedtobeapirate.

ThreemilesbelowSt.Petersburg,atapointwheretheMississippiRiverwasatrifleoveramilewide,therewasalong,narrow,woodedisland,withashallowbarattheheadofit,andthisofferedwellasarendezvous.Itwasnotinhabited;itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore,abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest.SoJackson"sIslandwaschosen.Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracieswasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem.ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn,andhejoinedthempromptly,forallcareerswereonetohim;hewasindifferent.Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriver-banktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour——whichwasmidnight.Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture.Eachwouldbringhooksandlines,andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway——asbecameoutlaws.Andbeforetheafternoonwasdone,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!"

ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit,tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort.Therewasaneasy,comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff,butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate.

TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon,andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere.FinntheRed-Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf-curedleaftobacco,andhadalsobroughtafewcorn-cobstomakepipeswith.Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor"chewed"buthimself.TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire.Thatwasawisethought;matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday.Theysawafiresmoulderinguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove,andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk.Theymadeanimposingadventureofit,saying,"Hist!"everynowandthen,andsuddenlyhaltingwithfingeronlip;movingwithhandsonimaginarydagger-hilts;andgivingordersindismalwhispersthatif"thefoe"stirred,to"lethimhaveittothehilt,"because"deadmentellnotales."Theyknewwellenoughthattheraftsmenwerealldownatthevillagelayinginstoresorhavingaspree,butstillthatwasnoexcusefortheirconductingthisthinginanunpiraticalway.

Theyshovedoff,presently,Tomincommand,HuckattheafteroarandJoeattheforward.Tomstoodamidships,gloomy-browed,andwithfoldedarms,andgavehisordersinalow,sternwhisper:

"Luff,andbringhertothewind!"

"Aye-aye,sir!"

"Steady,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!"

"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.Nowtheraftwaspassingbeforethedistanttown.Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay,peacefullysleeping,beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar-gemmedwater,unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening.TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms,"lookinghislast"uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings,andwishing"she"couldseehimnow,abroadonthewildsea,facingperilanddeathwithdauntlessheart,goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips.ItwasbutasmallstrainonhisimaginationtoremoveJackson"sIslandbeyondeye-shotofthevillage,andsohe"lookedhislast"withabrokenandsatisfiedheart.Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast,too;andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland.Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime,andmadeshifttoavertit.Abouttwoo"clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland,andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight.Partofthelittleraft"sbelongingsconsistedofanoldsail,andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions;buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather,asbecameoutlaws.

Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest,andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying-panforsupper,anduseduphalfofthecorn"pone"stocktheyhadbrought.Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwild,freewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland,farfromthehauntsofmen,andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntocivilization.Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtree-trunksoftheirforesttemple,anduponthevarnishedfoliageandfestooningvines.

Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone,andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured,theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthegrass,filledwithcontentment.Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace,buttheywouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp-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,mornings,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:

"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.Theymadehimunderstandthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith,thoughitwascustomaryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe.

Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs.ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed-Handed,andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience-freeandtheweary.TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep.Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly,andlyingdown,sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud;intruth,theyhadamindnottosaythematall,buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat,lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthunderboltfromheaven.Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep——butanintrudercame,now,thatwouldnot"down."Itwasconscience.Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway;andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat,andthentherealtorturecame.Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpurloinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes;butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities;itseemedtothem,intheend,thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattakingsweetmeatswasonly"hooking,"whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing——andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible.Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness,theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing.Thenconsciencegrantedatruce,andthesecuriouslyinconsistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep.

CHAPTERXIV

WHENTomawokeinthemorning,hewonderedwherehewas.Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround.Thenhecomprehended.Itwasthecoolgraydawn,andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods.Notaleafstirred;notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature"smeditation.Beadeddewdropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses.Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire,andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair.JoeandHuckstillslept.

Now,farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled;anotheranswered;presentlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard.Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened,andasgraduallysoundsmultipliedandlifemanifesteditself.ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy.Alittlegreenwormcamecrawlingoveradewyleaf,liftingtwo-thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand"sniffingaround,"thenproceedingagain——forhewasmeasuring,Tomsaid;andwhenthewormapproachedhim,ofitsownaccord,hesatasstillasastone,withhishopesrisingandfalling,byturns,asthecreaturestillcametowardhimorseemedinclinedtogoelsewhere;andwhenatlastitconsideredapainfulmomentwithitscurvedbodyintheairandthencamedecisivelydownuponTom"slegandbeganajourneyoverhim,hiswholeheartwasglad——forthatmeantthathewasgoingtohaveanewsuitofclothes——withouttheshadowofadoubtagaudypiraticaluniform.Nowaprocessionofantsappeared,fromnowhereinparticular,andwentabouttheirlabors;onestruggledmanfullybywithadeadspiderfivetimesasbigasitselfinitsarms,andluggeditstraightupatree-trunk.Abrownspottedlady-bugclimbedthedizzyheightofagrassblade,andTombentdownclosetoitandsaid,

"Lady-bug,lady-bug,flyawayhome,

yourhouseisonfire,yourchildren"salone,"

andshetookwingandwentofftoseeaboutit——whichdidnotsurprisetheboy,forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagrations,andhehadpractiseduponitssimplicitymorethanonce.Atumblebugcamenext,heavingsturdilyatitsball,andTomtouchedthecreature,toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead.Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythistime.Acatbird,theNorthernmocker,litinatreeoverTom"shead,andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoyment;thenashrilljaysweptdown,aflashofblueflame,andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy"sreach,cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity;agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe"fox"kindcameskurryingalong,sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys,forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot.AllNaturewaswideawakeandstirring,now;longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefoliagefarandnear,andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene.

Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout,andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtumblingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesandbar.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,throughtangledunderbrush,amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest,hungfromtheircrownstothegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape-vines.Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers.

Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwith,butnothingtobeastonishedat.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.Butnowthismysterioussoundbecamemorepronounced,andforcedarecognition.Theboysstarted,glancedateachother,andtheneachassumedalisteningattitude.Therewasalongsilence,profoundandunbroken;thenadeep,sullenboomcamefloatingdownoutofthedistance.

"Whatisit!"exclaimedJoe,underhisbreath.

"Iwonder,"saidTominawhisper.

""Tain"tthunder,"saidHuckleberry,inanawedtone,"becuzthunder——"

"Hark!"saidTom."Listen——don"ttalk."

Theywaitedatimethatseemedanage,andthenthesamemuffledboomtroubledthesolemnhush.

"Let"sgoandsee."

Theysprangtotheirfeetandhurriedtotheshoretowardthetown.Theypartedthebushesonthebankandpeeredoutoverthewater.Thelittlesteamferryboatwasaboutamilebelowthevillage,driftingwiththecurrent.Herbroaddeckseemedcrowdedwithpeople.Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwiththestreamintheneighborhoodoftheferryboat,buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemeninthemweredoing.Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat"sside,andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud,thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain.

"Iknownow!"exclaimedTom;"somebody"sdrownded!"

"That"sit!"saidHuck;"theydonethatlastsummer,whenBillTurnergotdrownded;theyshootacannonoverthewater,andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop.Yes,andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksilverin"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,becauseanignorantlumpofbread,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,asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywasconcerned.Thiswasfine.Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate,afterall.

Astwilightdrewon,theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusinessandtheskiffsdisappeared.Thepiratesreturnedtocamp.Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandtheillustrioustroubletheyweremaking.Theycaughtfish,cookedsupperandateit,andthenfelltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem;andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon——fromtheirpointofview.Butwhentheshadowsofnightclosedthemin,theygraduallyceasedtotalk,andsatgazingintothefire,withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere.Theexcitementwasgone,now,andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere.Misgivingscame;theygrewtroubledandunhappy;asighortwoescaped,unawares.ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaroundabout"feeler"astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization——notrightnow,but——

Tomwitheredhimwithderision!Huck,beinguncommittedasyet,joinedinwithTom,andthewavererquickly"explained,"andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken-heartedhomesicknessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould.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."Thenhetiptoedhiswaycautiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing,andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesandbar.