第8章

"Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby,andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld,ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams.Howfairy-likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision!Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast.Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior,allisvanity,theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul,nowgratesharshlyuponherear;theball-roomhaslostitscharms;andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart,sheturnsawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul!"

Andsoforthandsoon.Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading,accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof"Howsweet!""Howeloquent!""Sotrue!"etc.,andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic.

Thenaroseaslim,melancholygirl,whosefacehadthe"interesting"palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion,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——whosespiresfadefastfromme

Andcoldmustbemineeyes,andheart,andtête,

When,dearAlabama!theyturncoldonthee!"

Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat"tête"meant,butthepoemwasverysatisfactory,nevertheless.

Nextappearedadark-complexioned,black-eyed,black-hairedyounglady,whopausedanimpressivemoment,assumedatragicexpression,andbegantoreadinameasured,solemntone:

"AVISION

"Darkandtempestuouswasnight.Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered;butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear;whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven,seemingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin!Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes,andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene.

"Atsuchatime,sodark,sodreary,forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed;butinsteadthereof,

""Mydearestfriend,mycounsellor,mycomforterandguide

Myjoyingrief,mysecondblissinjoy,"cametomyside.

Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy"sEdenbytheromanticandyoung,aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness.Sosoftwasherstep,itfailedtomakeevenasound,andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch,asotherunobtrusivebeauties,shewouldhaveglidedawayun-perceived——unsought.Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures,likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember,asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout,andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented."

Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon-Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize.Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening.Themayorofthevillage,indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit,madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost"eloquent"thinghehadeverlistenedto,andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit.

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;heimaginedhewassucceeding,andyetthetitteringcontinued;itevenmanifestlyincreased.Andwellitmight.Therewasagarretabove,piercedwithascuttleoverhishead;anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat,suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring;shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing;assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring,sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair.Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher——thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher"shead——down,down,alittlelower,andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws,clungtoit,andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession!Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster"sbaldpate——forthesign-painter"sboyhadgildedit!

Thatbrokeupthemeeting.Theboyswereavenged.Vacationhadcome.

[NOTE:——Thepretended"compositions"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled"ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady"——buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern,andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe.]

CHAPTERXXII

TOMjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance,beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir"regalia."Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking,chewing,andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember.Nowhefoundoutanewthing——namely,thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything.Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear;thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder.FourthofJulywascoming;buthesoongavethatup——gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty-eighthours——andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer,justiceofthepeace,whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral,sincehewassohighanofficial.DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge"sconditionandhungryfornewsofit.Sometimeshishopesranhigh——sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelookingglass.ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating.Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend——andthenconvalescent.Tomwasdisgusted;andfeltasenseofinjury,too.Hehandedinhisresignationatonce——andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied.Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain.

Thefuneralwasafinething.TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy.Tomwasafreeboyagain,however——therewassomethinginthat.Hecoulddrinkandswear,now——butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto.Thesimplefactthathecould,tookthedesireaway,andthecharmofit.

Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands.

Heattemptedadiary——butnothinghappenedduringthreedays,andsoheabandonedit.

Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown,andmadeasensation.TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays.

EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure,foritrainedhard,therewasnoprocessioninconsequence,andthegreatestmanintheworld(asTomsupposed),Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenator,provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment——forhewasnottwenty-fivefeethigh,norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit.

Acircuscame.Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting——admission,threepinsforboys,twoforgirls——andthencircusingwasabandoned.

Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame——andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever.

Thereweresomeboys-and-girls"parties,buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder.

BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation——sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere.

Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery.Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain.

Thencamethemeasles.

DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner,deadtotheworldanditshappenings.Hewasveryill,hewasinterestedinnothing.Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown-town,amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature.Therehadbeena"revival,"andeverybodyhad"gotreligion,"notonlytheadults,buteventheboysandgirls.Tomwentabout,hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface,butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere.HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament,andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle.HesoughtBenRogers,andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts.HehuntedupJimHollis,whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning.Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression;andwhen,indesperation,heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation,hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost,foreverandforever.

Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm,withdrivingrain,awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning.Hecoveredhisheadwiththebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom;forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim.Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult.Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery,butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself.

Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject.Theboy"sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful,andreform.Hissecondwastowait——fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms.

Thenextdaythedoctorswereback;Tomhadrelapsed.Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage.Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared,rememberinghowlonelywashisestate,howcompanionlessandforlornhewas.HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder,inthepresenceofhervictim,abird.HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon.Poorlads!they——likeTom——hadsufferedarelapse.

CHAPTERXXIII

ATlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred——andvigorously:themurdertrialcameoninthecourt.Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately.Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit.Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart,forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas"feelers";hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder,butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip.Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime.HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim.Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile;todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer.Moreover,hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet.

"Huck,haveyouevertoldanybodyabout——that?"

""Boutwhat?"

"Youknowwhat."

"Oh——"courseIhaven"t."

"Neveraword?"

"Neverasolitaryword,sohelpme.Whatmakesyouask?"

"Well,Iwasafeard."

"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.

"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.Asthetwilightdrewon,theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail,perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties.Butnothinghappened;thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive.

Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore——wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches.Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards.

Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore——itcutdeeperthanever,thistime.TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid:

"You"vebeenmightygoodtome,boys——better"nanybodyelseinthistown.AndIdon"tforgetit,Idon"t.OftenIsaystomyself,saysI,"Iusedtomendalltheboys"kitesandthings,andshow"emwherethegoodfishin"placeswas,andbefriend"emwhatIcould,andnowthey"veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe"sintrouble;butTomdon"t,andHuckdon"t——theydon"tforgethim,saysI,"andIdon"tforgetthem."Well,boys,Idoneanawfulthing——drunkandcrazyatthetime——that"stheonlywayIaccountforit——andnowIgottoswingforit,andit"sright.Right,andbest,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,andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors.Thenextdayandthedayafter,hehungaboutthecourt-room,drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin,butforcinghimselftostayout.Huckwashavingthesameexperience.Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother.Eachwanderedaway,fromtimetotime,butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently.Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom,butinvariablyhearddistressingnews——thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter.AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe"sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken,andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury"sverdictwouldbe.

Tomwasoutlate,thatnight,andcametobedthroughthewindow.Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement.Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep.Allthevillageflockedtothecourt-housethenextmorning,forthiswastobethegreatday.Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience.Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces;shortlyafterward,Potter,paleandhaggard,timidandhopeless,wasbroughtin,withchainsuponhim,andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim;nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe,stolidasever.Therewasanotherpause,andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt.Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed.Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating.

NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook,atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered,andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway.Aftersomefurtherquestioning,counselfortheprosecutionsaid:

"Takethewitness."

Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment,butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid:

"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim."

Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse.Counselfortheprosecutionsaid:

"Takethewitness."

"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim,"Potter"slawyerreplied.

AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter"spossession.

"Takethewitness."

CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim.Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance.Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient"slifewithoutaneffort?

SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter"sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder.Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross-questioned.

Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses,butnoneofthemwerecrossexaminedbyPotter"slawyer.Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench.Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid:

"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion,wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime,beyondallpossibilityofquestion,upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar.Werestourcasehere."

AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro,whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt-room.Manymenweremoved,andmanywomen"scompassiontestifieditselfintears.Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid:

"Yourhonor,inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial,weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink.Wehavechangedourmind.Weshallnotofferthatplea."[Thentotheclerk:]"CallThomasSawyer!"

Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse,notevenexceptingPotter"s.EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand.Theboylookedwildenough,forhewasbadlyscared.Theoathwasadministered.

"ThomasSawyer,wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune,aboutthehourofmidnight?"

TomglancedatInjunJoe"sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim.Theaudiencelistenedbreathless,butthewordsrefusedtocome.Afterafewmoments,however,theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback,andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear:

"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.Thetruthisalwaysrespectable.Whatdidyoutakethere?"

"Onlya——a——deadcat."

Therewasarippleofmirth,whichthecourtchecked.

"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat.Now,myboy,telluseverythingthatoccurred——tellitinyourownway——don"tskipanything,anddon"tbeafraid."

Tombegan——hesitatinglyatfirst,butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily;inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice;everyeyefixeditselfuponhim;withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords,takingnonoteoftime,raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale.Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid:

"——andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell,InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand——"

Crash!Quickaslightningthehalf-breedsprangforawindow,torehiswaythroughallopposers,andwasgone!

CHAPTERXXIV

TOMwasaglitteringherooncemore——thepetoftheold,theenvyoftheyoung.Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint,forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim.ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident,yet,ifheescapedhanging.

Asusual,thefickle,unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore.Butthatsortofconductistotheworld"scredit;thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit.

Tom"sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim,buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror.InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams,andalwayswithdoominhiseye.Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall.PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror,forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial,andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout,yet,notwithstandingInjunJoe"sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt.Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy,butwhatofthat?SinceTom"sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer"shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths,Huck"sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell-nighobliterated.

DailyMuffPotter"sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken;butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue.

HalfthetimeTomwasafraidInjunJoewouldneverbecaptured;theotherhalfhewasafraidhewouldbe.Hefeltsurehenevercoulddrawasafebreathagainuntilthatmanwasdeadandhehadseenthecorpse.

Rewardshadbeenoffered,thecountryhadbeenscoured,butnoInjunJoewasfound.Oneofthoseomniscientandawe-inspiringmarvels,adetective,cameupfromSt.Louis,mousedaround,shookhishead,lookedwise,andmadethatsortofastoundingsuccesswhichmembersofthatcraftusuallyachieve.Thatistosay,he"foundaclew."Butyoucan"thanga"clew"formurder,andsoafterthatdetectivehadgotthroughandgonehome,Tomfeltjustasinsecureashewasbefore.

Theslowdaysdriftedon,andeachleftbehinditaslightlylightenedweightofapprehension.

CHAPTERXXV

THEREcomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy"slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure.ThisdesiresuddenlycameuponTomoneday.HesalliedouttofindJoeHarper,butfailedofsuccess.NexthesoughtBenRogers;hehadgonefishing.PresentlyhestumbleduponHuckFinntheRed-Handed.Huckwouldanswer.Tomtookhimtoaprivateplaceandopenedthemattertohimconfidentially.Huckwaswilling.Huckwasalwayswillingtotakeahandinanyenterprisethatofferedentertainmentandrequirednocapital,forhehadatroublesomesuperabundanceofthatsortoftimewhichisnotmoney."Where"llwedig?"saidHuck.

"Oh,mostanywhere."

"Why,isithidallaround?"

"No,indeeditain"t.It"shidinmightyparticularplaces,Huck——sometimesonislands,sometimesinrottenchestsundertheendofalimbofanolddeadtree,justwheretheshadowfallsatmidnight;butmostlyunderthefloorinha"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?"

"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?Supposeyoufindabrasspotwithahundreddollarsinit,allrustyandgray,orrottenchestfullofdi"monds.How"sthat?"

Huck"seyesglowed.

"That"sbully.Plentybullyenoughforme.JustyougimmethehundreddollarsandIdon"twantnodi"monds."

"Allright.ButIbetyouIain"tgoingtothrowoffondi"monds.Someof"em"sworthtwentydollarsapiece——thereain"tany,hardly,but"sworthsixbitsoradollar."

"No!Isthatso?"

"Cert"nly——anybody"lltellyouso.Hain"tyoueverseenone,Huck?"

"NotasIremember."

"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——scatteredaround,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."

"Well,that"sthefoolishestthingyoucoulddo.Lookatpapandmymother.Fight!Why,theyusedtofightallthetime.Iremember,mightywell."

"Thatain"tanything.ThegirlI"mgoingtomarrywon"tfight."

"Tom,Ireckonthey"reallalike.They"llallcombabody.Nowyoubetterthink"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."

"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,thedeepbayingofahoundfloatedupoutofthedistance,anowlansweredwithhissepulchralnote.Theboysweresubduedbythesesolemnities,andtalkedlittle.Byandbytheyjudgedthattwelvehadcome;theymarkedwheretheshadowfell,andbegantodig.Theirhopescommencedtorise.Theirinterestgrewstronger,andtheirindustrykeptpacewithit.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"stooawful,herethistimeofnightwithwitchesandghostsa-flutteringaroundso.Ifeelasifsomething"sbehindmeallthetime;andI"mafeardtoturnaround,becuzmaybethere"sothersinfronta-waitingforachance.Ibeencreepingallover,eversinceIgothere."

"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."