第6章

AFEWminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar,wadingtowardtheIllinoisshore.Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalf-wayover;thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading,now,sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards.Heswamquarteringupstream,butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected.However,hereachedtheshorefinally,anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout.Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket,foundhispieceofbarksafe,andthenstruckthroughthewoods,followingtheshore,withstreaminggarments.Shortlybeforeteno"clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage,andsawtheferryboatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank.Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars.Hecreptdownthebank,watchingwithallhiseyes,slippedintothewater,swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid"yawl"dutyattheboat"sstern.Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited,panting.

Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto"castoff."Aminuteortwolatertheskiff"sheadwasstandinghighup,againsttheboat"sswell,andthevoyagewasbegun.Tomfelthappyinhissuccess,forheknewitwastheboat"slasttripforthenight.Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped,andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk,landingfiftyyardsdownstream,outofdangerofpossiblestragglers.

Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys,andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt"sbackfence.Heclimbedover,approachedthe"ell,"andlookedinatthesitting-roomwindow,foralightwasburningthere.TheresatAuntPolly,Sid,Mary,andJoeHarper"smother,groupedtogether,talking.Theywerebythebed,andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor.Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch;thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack;hecontinuedpushingcautiously,andquakingeverytimeitcreaked,tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees;soheputhisheadthroughandbegan,warily.

"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,Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel.Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon,myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain-killer,andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown.AndGodforgiveme,IcrackedTom"sheadwithmythimble,poorboy,poordeadboy.Buthe"soutofallhistroublesnow.AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach——"

Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady,andshebrokeentirelydown.Tomwassnuffling,now,himself——andmoreinpityofhimselfthananybodyelse.HecouldhearMarycrying,andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime.Hebegantohaveanobleropinionofhimselfthaneverbefore.Still,hewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt"sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy——andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature,too,butheresistedandlaystill.

Hewentonlistening,andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwasconjecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim;thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed;next,certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould"hearsomething"soon;thewise-headshad"putthisandthattogether"anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow,presently;buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound,lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage——andthenhopeperished;theymustbedrowned,elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner.Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmid-channel,sincetheboys,beinggoodswimmers,wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore.ThiswasWednesdaynight.IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday,allhopewouldbegivenover,andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning.Tomshuddered.

Mrs.Harpergaveasobbinggood-nightandturnedtogo.Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother"sarmsandhadagood,consolingcry,andthenparted.AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont,inhergood-nighttoSidandMary.SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart.

AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly,soappealingly,andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtremblingvoice,thathewaswelteringintearsagain,longbeforeshewasthrough.

Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed,forshekeptmakingbroken-heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime,tossingunrestfully,andturningover.Butatlastshewasstill,onlymoaningalittleinhersleep.Nowtheboystoleout,rosegraduallybythebedside,shadedthecandle-lightwithhishand,andstoodregardingher.Hisheartwasfullofpityforher.Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaceditbythecandle.Butsomethingoccurredtohim,andhelingeredconsidering.Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought;heputthebarkhastilyinhispocket.Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips,andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit,latchingthedoorbehindhim.

Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding,foundnobodyatlargethere,andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat,forheknewshewastenantlessexceptthattherewasawatchman,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)hisadventures.Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone.ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon,andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore.

CHAPTERXVI

AFTERdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar.Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand,andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands.Sometimestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole.TheywereperfectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut.Theyhadafamousfried-eggfeastthatnight,andanotheronFridaymorning.

Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar,andchasedeachotherroundandround,sheddingclothesastheywent,untiltheywerenaked,andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwaterofthebar,againstthestiffcurrent,whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun.Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother"sfaceswiththeirpalms,graduallyapproachingeachother,withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingsprays,andfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor,andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing,sputtering,laughing,andgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime.

Whentheywerewellexhausted,theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry,hotsand,andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit,andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperformanceoncemore.Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh-colored"tights"veryfairly;sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus——withthreeclownsinit,fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor.

Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed"knucks"and"ring-taw"and"keeps"tillthatamusementgrewstale.ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim,butTomwouldnotventure,becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle,andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotectionofthismysteriouscharm.Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit,andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest.Theygraduallywanderedapart,droppedintothe"dumps,"andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewiderivertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun.Tomfoundhimselfwriting"BECKY"inthesandwithhisbigtoe;hescratcheditout,andwasangrywithhimselfforhisweakness.Buthewroteitagain,nevertheless;hecouldnothelpit.Heeraseditoncemoreandthentookhimselfoutoftemptationbydrivingtheotherboystogetherandjoiningthem.

ButJoe"sspiritshadgonedownalmostbeyondresurrection.Hewassohomesickthathecouldhardlyendurethemiseryofit.Thetearslayverynearthesurface.Huckwasmelancholy,too.Tomwasdownhearted,buttriedhardnottoshowit.Hehadasecretwhichhewasnotreadytotell,yet,butifthismutinousdepressionwasnotbrokenupsoon,hewouldhavetobringitout.Hesaid,withagreatshowofcheerfulness:

"Ibetthere"sbeenpiratesonthisislandbefore,boys.We"llexploreitagain.They"vehidtreasuresheresomewhere.How"dyoufeeltolightonarottenchestfullofgoldandsilver——hey?"

Butitrousedonlyfaintenthusiasm,whichfadedout,withnoreply.Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions;buttheyfailed,too.Itwasdiscouragingwork.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.

"Whocares!"saidTom."Nobodywantsyouto.Go"longhomeandgetlaughedat.Oh,you"reanicepirate.Huckandmeain"tcry-babies.We"llstay,won"twe,Huck?Lethimgoifhewantsto.Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim,per"aps."

ButTomwasuneasy,nevertheless,andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosullenlyonwithhisdressing.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,andthendartedafterhiscomrades,yelling:

"Wait!Wait!Iwanttotellyousomething!"

Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround.Whenhegottowheretheywere,hebeganunfoldinghissecret,andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe"point"hewasdrivingat,andthentheysetupawar-whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas"splendid!"andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst,theywouldn"thavestartedaway.Hemadeaplausibleexcuse;buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime,andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction.

Theladscamegaylybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill,chatteringallthetimeaboutTom"sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit.Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner,Tomsaidhewantedtolearntosmoke,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"tyouremember,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,"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,andgrowdisjointed.Thesilenceswidened;theexpectorationmarvellouslyincreased.Everyporeinsidetheboys"cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain;theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopreventaninundation;littleoverflowingsdowntheirthroatsoccurredinspiteofalltheycoulddo,andsuddenretchingsfollowedeverytime.Bothboyswerelookingverypaleandmiserable,now.Joe"spipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingers.Tom"sfollowed.Bothfountainsweregoingfuriouslyandbothpumpsbailingwithmightandmain.Joesaidfeebly:

"I"velostmyknife.IreckonIbettergoandfindit."

Tomsaid,withquiveringlipsandhaltingutterance:

"I"llhelpyou.YougooverthatwayandI"llhuntaroundbythespring.No,youneedn"tcome,Huck——wecanfindit."

SoHucksatdownagain,andwaitedanhour.Thenhefounditlonesome,andwenttofindhiscomrades.Theywerewideapartinthewoods,bothverypale,bothfastasleep.Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit.

Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight.Theyhadahumblelook,andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopreparetheirs,theysaidno,theywerenotfeelingverywell——somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem.

AboutmidnightJoeawoke,andcalledtheboys.Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething.Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire,thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreathlessatmospherewasstifling.Theysatstill,intentandwaiting.Thesolemnhushcontinued.Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblacknessofdarkness.Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyrevealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished.Byandbyanothercame,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.Oneblindingflashafteranothercame,andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder.Andnowadrenchingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground.Theboyscriedouttoeachother,buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder-blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly.However,onebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent,cold,scared,andstreamingwithwater;buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor.Theycouldnottalk,theoldsailflappedsofuriously,eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem.Thetempestrosehigherandhigher,andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast.Theboysseizedeachothers"handsandfled,withmanytumblingsandbruises,totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriver-bank.Nowthebattlewasatitshighest.Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies,everythingbelowstoodoutinclean-cutandshadowlessdistinctness:thebendingtrees,thebillowyriver,whitewithfoam,thedrivingsprayofspume-flakes,thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheotherside,glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud-rackandtheslantingveilofrain.Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth;andtheunflaggingthunderpealscamenowinear-splittingexplosivebursts,keenandsharp,andunspeakablyappalling.Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces,burnitup,drownittothetree-tops,blowitaway,anddeafeneverycreatureinit,allatoneandthesamemoment.Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin.

Butatlastthebattlewasdone,andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings,andpeaceresumedhersway.Theboyswentbacktocamp,agooddealawed;buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor,becausethegreatsycamore,theshelteroftheirbeds,wasaruin,now,blastedbythelightnings,andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened.

Everythingincampwasdrenched,thecamp-fireaswell;fortheywerebutheedlesslads,liketheirgeneration,andhadmadenoprovisionagainstrain.Herewasmatterfordismay,fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled.Theywereeloquentintheirdistress;buttheypresentlydiscoveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainst(whereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground),thatahandbreadthorsoofithadescapedwetting;sotheypatientlywroughtuntil,withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs,theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain.Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnace,andwereglad-heartedoncemore.Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast,andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmidnightadventureuntilmorning,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.

Theyassembledincamptowardsupper-time,hungryandhappy;butnowadifficultyarose——hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace,andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace.Therewasnootherprocessthatevertheyhadheardof.Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates.However,therewasnootherway;sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed,indueform.

Andbehold,theyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery,fortheyhadgainedsomething;theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife;theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable.Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort.No,theypractisedcautiously,aftersupper,withrightfairsuccess,andsotheyspentajubilantevening.TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations.Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag,sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent.

CHAPTERXVII

BUTtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon.TheHarpers,andAuntPolly"sfamily,werebeingputintomourning,withgreatgriefandmanytears.Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage,althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough,inallconscience.Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair,andtalkedlittle;buttheysighedoften.TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren.Theyhadnoheartintheirsports,andgraduallygavethemup.

IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschoolhouseyard,andfeelingverymelancholy.Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther.Shesoliloquized:

"Oh,ifIonlyhadabrassandiron-knobagain!ButIhaven"tgotanythingnowtorememberhimby."Andshechokedbackalittlesob.

Presentlyshestopped,andsaidtoherself:

"Itwasrighthere.Oh,ifitwastodooveragain,Iwouldn"tsaythat——Iwouldn"tsayitforthewholeworld.Buthe"sgonenow;I"llnever,never,neverseehimanymore."

Thisthoughtbrokeherdown,andshewanderedaway,withtearsrollingdownhercheeks.Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls——playmatesofTom"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!"

Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife,andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction,andofferedevidences,moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness;andwhenitwasultimatelydecidedwhoDIDseethedepartedlast,andexchangedthelastwordswiththem,theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortofsacredimportance,andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest.Onepoorchap,whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer,saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance:

"Well,TomSawyerhelickedmeonce."

Butthatbidforglorywasafailure.Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat,andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch.Thegrouploiteredaway,stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes,inawedvoices.

WhentheSunday-schoolhourwasfinished,thenextmorning,thebellbegantotoll,insteadofringingintheusualway.ItwasaverystillSabbath,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,feltapanginrememberingthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothemalwaysbefore,andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys.Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted,too,whichillustratedtheirsweet,generousnatures,andthepeoplecouldeasilysee,now,hownobleandbeautifulthoseepisodeswere,andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities,welldeservingofthecowhide.Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved,asthepathetictalewenton,tillatlastthewholecompanybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs,thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings,andcryinginthepulpit.

Therewasarustleinthegallery,whichnobodynoticed;amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked;theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief,andstoodtransfixed!Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister"s,andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarchinguptheaisle,Tominthelead,Joenext,andHuck,aruinofdroopingrags,sneakingsheepishlyintherear!Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon!

AuntPolly,Mary,andtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirrestoredones,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.

CHAPTERXVIII

THATwasTom"sgreatsecret——theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbrotherpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals.TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog,atduskonSaturday,landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage;theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight,andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinvalidedbenches.

Atbreakfast,Mondaymorning,AuntPollyandMarywereverylovingtoTom,andveryattentivetohiswants.Therewasanunusualamountoftalk.InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid:

"Well,Idon"tsayitwasn"tafinejoke,Tom,tokeepeverybodysuffering"mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime,butitisapityyoucouldbesohard-heartedastoletmesufferso.Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral,youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn"tdead,butonlyrunoff."

"Yes,youcouldhavedonethat,Tom,"saidMary;"andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit."

"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,andwishyou"dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle."

"Now,auntie,youknowIdocareforyou,"saidTom.

"I"dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit."

"IwishnowI"dthought,"saidTom,witharepentanttone;"butIdreamtaboutyou,anyway.That"ssomething,ain"tit?"

"Itain"tmuch——acatdoesthatmuch——butit"sbetterthannothing.Whatdidyoudream?"