第9章

THEfirstthingTomheardonFridaymorningwasagladpieceofnews——JudgeThatcher"sfamilyhadcomebacktotownthenightbefore.BothInjunJoeandthetreasuresunkintosecondaryimportanceforamoment,andBeckytookthechiefplaceintheboy"sinterest.Hesawherandtheyhadanexhaustinggoodtimeplaying"hi-spy"and"gully-keeper"withacrowdoftheirschoolmates.Thedaywascompletedandcrownedinapeculiarlysatisfactoryway:Beckyteasedhermothertoappointthenextdayforthelong-promisedandlong-delayedpicnic,andsheconsented.Thechild"sdelightwasboundless;andTom"snotmoremoderate.Theinvitationsweresentoutbeforesunset,andstraightwaytheyoungfolksofthevillagewerethrownintoafeverofpreparationandpleasurableanticipation.Tom"sexcitementenabledhimtokeepawakeuntilaprettylatehour,andhehadgoodhopesofhearingHuck"s"maow,"andofhavinghistreasuretoastonishBeckyandthepicnickerswith,nextday;buthewasdisappointed.Nosignalcamethatnight."Well,that"smostlybecausetheydon"tliketogowhereaman"sbeenmurdered,anyway——butnothing"severbeenseenaroundthathouseexceptinthenight——justsomebluelightsslippingbythewindows——noregularghosts."

"Well,whereyouseeoneofthembluelightsflickeringaround,Tom,youcanbetthere"saghostmightyclosebehindit.Itstandstoreason.Becuzyouknowthattheydon"tanybodybutghostsuse"em."

"Yes,that"sso.Butanywaytheydon"tcomearoundinthedaytime,sowhat"stheuseofourbeingafeard?"

"Well,allright.We"lltackletheha"ntedhouseifyousayso——butIreckonit"stakingchances."

Theyhadstarteddownthehillbythistime.Thereinthemiddleofthemoonlitvalleybelowthemstoodthe"ha"nted"house,utterlyisolated,itsfencesgonelongago,rankweedssmotheringtheverydoorsteps,thechimneycrumbledtoruin,thewindow-sashesvacant,acorneroftheroofcavedin.Theboysgazedawhile,halfexpectingtoseeabluelightflitpastawindow;thentalkinginalowtone,asbefittedthetimeandthecircumstances,theystruckfarofftotheright,togivethehauntedhouseawideberth,andtooktheirwayhomewardthroughthewoodsthatadornedtherearwardsideofCardiffHill.

CHAPTERXXVI

ABOUTnoonthenextdaytheboysarrivedatthedeadtree;theyhadcomefortheirtools.Tomwasimpatienttogotothehauntedhouse;Huckwasmeasurablyso,also——butsuddenlysaid:

"Lookyhere,Tom,doyouknowwhatdayitis?"

Tommentallyranoverthedaysoftheweek,andthenquicklyliftedhiseyeswithastartledlookinthem——

"My!Ineveroncethoughtofit,Huck!"

"Well,Ididn"tneither,butallatonceitpoppedontomethatitwasFriday."

"Blameit,abodycan"tbetoocareful,Huck.Wemight"a"gotintoanawfulscrape,tacklingsuchathingonaFriday."

"~might!Bettersaywewould!There"ssomeluckydays,maybe,butFridayain"t."

"Anyfoolknowsthat.Idon"treckonYOUwasthefirstthatfounditout,Huck."

"Well,IneversaidIwas,didI?AndFridayain"tall,neither.Ihadarottenbaddreamlastnight——dreamptaboutrats."

"No!Suresignoftrouble.Didtheyfight?"

"No."

"Well,that"sgood,Huck.Whentheydon"tfightit"sonlyasignthatthere"stroublearound,youknow.Allwegottodoistolookmightysharpandkeepoutofit.We"lldropthisthingforto-day,andplay.DoyouknowRobinHood,Huck?"

"No.Who"sRobinHood?"

"Why,hewasoneofthegreatestmenthatwaseverinEngland——andthebest.Hewasarobber."

"Cracky,IwishtIwas.Whodidherob?"

"Onlysheriffsandbishopsandrichpeopleandkings,andsuchlike.Butheneverbotheredthepoor.Heloved"em.Healwaysdividedupwith"emperfectlysquare."

"Well,hemust"a"beenabrick."

"Ibetyouhewas,Huck.Oh,hewasthenoblestmanthateverwas.Theyain"tanysuchmennow,Icantellyou.HecouldlickanymaninEngland,withonehandtiedbehindhim;andhecouldtakehisyewbowandplugaten-centpieceeverytime,amileandahalf."

"What"sayewbow?"

"Idon"tknow.It"ssomekindofabow,ofcourse.Andifhehitthatdimeonlyontheedgehewouldsetdownandcry——andcurse.Butwe"llplayRobinHood——it"snobbyfun.I"lllearnyou."

"I"magreed."

SotheyplayedRobinHoodalltheafternoon,nowandthencastingayearningeyedownuponthehauntedhouseandpassingaremarkaboutthemorrow"sprospectsandpossibilitiesthere.AsthesunbegantosinkintothewesttheytooktheirwayhomewardathwartthelongshadowsofthetreesandsoonwereburiedfromsightintheforestsofCardiffHill.

OnSaturday,shortlyafternoon,theboyswereatthedeadtreeagain.Theyhadasmokeandachatintheshade,andthendugalittleintheirlasthole,notwithgreathope,butmerelybecauseTomsaidthereweresomanycaseswherepeoplehadgivenupatreasureaftergettingdownwithinsixinchesofit,andthensomebodyelsehadcomealongandturneditupwithasinglethrustofashovel.Thethingfailedthistime,however,sotheboysshoulderedtheirtoolsandwentawayfeelingthattheyhadnottrifledwithfortune,buthadfulfilledalltherequirementsthatbelongtothebusinessoftreasure-hunting.

Whentheyreachedthehauntedhousetherewassomethingsoweirdandgrislyaboutthedeadsilencethatreignedthereunderthebakingsun,andsomethingsodepressingaboutthelonelinessanddesolationoftheplace,thattheywereafraid,foramoment,toventurein.Thentheycrepttothedoorandtookatremblingpeep.Theysawaweed-grown,floorlessroom,unplastered,anancientfireplace,vacantwindows,aruinousstaircase;andhere,there,andeverywherehungraggedandabandonedcobwebs.Theypresentlyentered,softly,withquickenedpulses,talkinginwhispers,earsalerttocatchtheslightestsound,andmusclestenseandreadyforinstantretreat.

Inalittlewhilefamiliaritymodifiedtheirfearsandtheygavetheplaceacriticalandinterestedexamination,ratheradmiringtheirownboldness,andwonderingatit,too.Nexttheywantedtolookup-stairs.Thiswassomethinglikecuttingoffretreat,buttheygottodaringeachother,andofcoursetherecouldbebutoneresult——theythrewtheirtoolsintoacornerandmadetheascent.Uptherewerethesamesignsofdecay.Inonecornertheyfoundaclosetthatpromisedmystery,butthepromisewasafraud——therewasnothinginit.Theircouragewasupnowandwellinhand.Theywereabouttogodownandbeginworkwhen——

"Sh!"saidTom.

"Whatisit?"whisperedHuck,blanchingwithfright.

"Sh!There!Hearit?"

"Yes!Oh,my!Let"srun!"

"Keepstill!Don"tyoubudge!They"recomingrighttowardthedoor."

Theboysstretchedthemselvesuponthefloorwiththeireyestoknot-holesintheplanking,andlaywaiting,inamiseryoffear.

"They"vestoppedNo——comingHeretheyare.Don"twhisperanotherword,Huck.Mygoodness,IwishIwasoutofthis!"

Twomenentered.Eachboysaidtohimself:"There"stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat"sbeenabouttownonceortwicelately——neversawt"othermanbefore."

"T"other"wasaragged,unkemptcreature,withnothingverypleasantinhisface.TheSpaniardwaswrappedinaserape;hehadbushywhitewhiskers;longwhitehairflowedfromunderhissombrero,andheworegreengoggles.Whentheycamein,"t"other"wastalkinginalowvoice;theysatdownontheground,facingthedoor,withtheirbackstothewall,andthespeakercontinuedhisremarks.Hismannerbecamelessguardedandhiswordsmoredistinctasheproceeded:

"No,"saidhe,"I"vethoughtitallover,andIdon"tlikeit.It"sdangerous."

"Dangerous!"gruntedthe"deafanddumb"Spaniard——tothevastsurpriseoftheboys."Milksop!"

Thisvoicemadetheboysgaspandquake.ItwasInjunJoe"s!Therewassilenceforsometime.ThenJoesaid:

"What"sanymoredangerousthanthatjobupyonder——butnothing"scomeofit."

"That"sdifferent.Awayuptheriverso,andnotanotherhouseabout."Twon"teverbeknownthatwetried,anyway,longaswedidn"tsucceed."

"Well,what"smoredangerousthancominghereinthedaytime!——anybodywouldsuspicionusthatsawus."

"Iknowthat.Buttherewarn"tanyotherplaceashandyafterthatfoolofajob.Iwanttoquitthisshanty.Iwantedtoyesterday,onlyitwarn"tanyusetryingtostiroutofhere,withthoseinfernalboysplayingoverthereonthehillrightinfullview."

"Thoseinfernalboys"quakedagainundertheinspirationofthisremark,andthoughthowluckyitwasthattheyhadremembereditwasFridayandconcludedtowaitaday.Theywishedintheirheartstheyhadwaitedayear.

Thetwomengotoutsomefoodandmadealuncheon.Afteralongandthoughtfulsilence,InjunJoesaid:

"Lookhere,lad——yougobackuptheriverwhereyoubelong.Waittheretillyouhearfromme.I"lltakethechancesondroppingintothistownjustoncemore,foralook.We"lldothat"dangerous"jobafterI"vespiedaroundalittleandthinkthingslookwellforit.ThenforTexas!We"lllegittogether!"

Thiswassatisfactory.Bothmenpresentlyfelltoyawning,andInjunJoesaid:

"I"mdeadforsleep!It"syourturntowatch."

Hecurleddownintheweedsandsoonbegantosnore.Hiscomradestirredhimonceortwiceandhebecamequiet.Presentlythewatcherbegantonod;hisheaddroopedlowerandlower,bothmenbegantosnorenow.

Theboysdrewalong,gratefulbreath.Tomwhispered:

"Now"sourchance——come!"

Hucksaid:

"Ican"t——I"ddieiftheywastowake."

Tomurged——Huckheldback.AtlastTomroseslowlyandsoftly,andstartedalone.Butthefirststephemadewrungsuchahideouscreakfromthecrazyfloorthathesankdownalmostdeadwithfright.Henevermadeasecondattempt.Theboyslaytherecountingthedraggingmomentstillitseemedtothemthattimemustbedoneandeternitygrowinggray;andthentheyweregratefultonotethatatlastthesunwassetting.

Nowonesnoreceased.InjunJoesatup,staredaround——smiledgrimlyuponhiscomrade,whoseheadwasdroopinguponhisknees——stirredhimupwithhisfootandsaid:

"Here!you"reawatchman,ain"tyou!Allright,though——nothing"shappened."

"My!haveIbeenasleep?"

"Oh,partly,partly.Nearlytimeforustobemoving,pard.What"llwedowithwhatlittleswagwe"vegotleft?"

"Idon"tknow——leaveithereaswe"vealwaysdone,Ireckon.Nousetotakeitawaytillwestartsouth.Sixhundredandfiftyinsilver"ssomethingtocarry."

"Well——allright——itwon"tmattertocomehereoncemore."

"No——butI"dsaycomeinthenightasweusedtodo——it"sbetter."

"Yes:butlookhere;itmaybeagoodwhilebeforeIgettherightchanceatthatjob;accidentsmighthappen;"tain"tinsuchaverygoodplace;we"lljustregularlyburyit——andburyitdeep."

"Goodidea,"saidthecomrade,whowalkedacrosstheroom,kneltdown,raisedoneoftherearwardhearthstonesandtookoutabagthatjingledpleasantly.HesubtractedfromittwentyorthirtydollarsforhimselfandasmuchforInjunJoe,andpassedthebagtothelatter,whowasonhiskneesinthecorner,now,diggingwithhisbowie-knife.

Theboysforgotalltheirfears,alltheirmiseriesinaninstant.Withgloatingeyestheywatchedeverymovement.Luck!——thesplendorofitwasbeyondallimagination!Sixhundreddollarswasmoneyenoughtomakehalfadozenboysrich!Herewastreasure-huntingunderthehappiestauspices——therewouldnotbeanybothersomeuncertaintyastowheretodig.Theynudgedeachothereverymoment——eloquentnudgesandeasilyunderstood,fortheysimplymeant——"Oh,butain"tyougladNOWwe"rehere!"

Joe"sknifestruckuponsomething.

"Hello!"saidhe.

"Whatisit?"saidhiscomrade.

"Half-rottenplank——no,it"sabox,Ibelieve.Here——bearahandandwe"llseewhatit"sherefor.Nevermind,I"vebrokeahole."

Hereachedhishandinanddrewitout——

"Man,it"smoney!"

Thetwomenexaminedthehandfulofcoins.Theyweregold.Theboysabovewereasexcitedasthemselves,andasdelighted.

Joe"scomradesaid:

"We"llmakequickworkofthis.There"sanoldrustypickoveramongsttheweedsinthecornertheothersideofthefireplace——Isawitaminuteago."

Heranandbroughttheboys"pickandshovel.InjunJoetookthepick,lookeditovercritically,shookhishead,mutteredsomethingtohimself,andthenbegantouseit.Theboxwassoonunearthed.Itwasnotverylarge;itwasironboundandhadbeenverystrongbeforetheslowyearshadinjuredit.Themencontemplatedthetreasureawhileinblissfulsilence.

"Pard,there"sthousandsofdollarshere,"saidInjunJoe.

""TwasalwayssaidthatMurrel"sgangusedtobearoundhereonesummer,"thestrangerobserved.

"Iknowit,"saidInjunJoe;"andthislookslikeit,Ishouldsay."

"Nowyouwon"tneedtodothatjob."

Thehalf-breedfrowned.Saidhe:

"Youdon"tknowme.Leastyoudon"tknowallaboutthatthing."Tain"trobberyaltogether——it"srevenge!"andawickedlightflamedinhiseyes."I"llneedyourhelpinit.Whenit"sfinished——thenTexas.GohometoyourNanceandyourkids,andstandbytillyouhearfromme."

"Well——ifyousayso;what"llwedowiththis——buryitagain?"

"Yes.[Ravishingdelightoverhead.]No!bythegreatSachem,no![Profounddistressoverhead.]I"dnearlyforgot.Thatpickhadfreshearthonit![Theboysweresickwithterrorinamoment.]Whatbusinesshasapickandashovelhere?Whatbusinesswithfreshearthonthem?Whobroughtthemhere——andwherearetheygone?Haveyouheardanybody?——seenanybody?What!buryitagainandleavethemtocomeandseethegrounddisturbed?Notexactly——notexactly.We"lltakeittomyden."

"Why,ofcourse!Mighthavethoughtofthatbefore.YoumeanNumberOne?"

"No——NumberTwo——underthecross.Theotherplaceisbad——toocommon."

"Allright.It"snearlydarkenoughtostart."

InjunJoegotupandwentaboutfromwindowtowindowcautiouslypeepingout.Presentlyhesaid:

"Whocouldhavebroughtthosetoolshere?Doyoureckontheycanbeup-stairs?"

Theboys"breathforsookthem.InjunJoeputhishandonhisknife,haltedamoment,undecided,andthenturnedtowardthestairway.Theboysthoughtofthecloset,buttheirstrengthwasgone.Thestepscamecreakingupthestairs——theintolerabledistressofthesituationwokethestrickenresolutionofthelads——theywereabouttospringforthecloset,whentherewasacrashofrottentimbersandInjunJoelandedonthegroundamidthedébrisoftheruinedstairway.Hegatheredhimselfupcursing,andhiscomradesaid:

"Nowwhat"stheuseofallthat?Ifit"sanybody,andthey"reupthere,letthemstaythere——whocares?Iftheywanttojumpdown,now,andgetintotrouble,whoobjects?Itwillbedarkinfifteenminutes——andthenletthemfollowusiftheywantto.I"mwilling.Inmyopinion,whoeverhovethosethingsinherecaughtasightofusandtookusforghostsordevilsorsomething.I"llbetthey"rerunningyet."

Joegrumbledawhile;thenheagreedwithhisfriendthatwhatdaylightwasleftoughttobeeconomizedingettingthingsreadyforleaving.Shortlyafterwardtheyslippedoutofthehouseinthedeepeningtwilight,andmovedtowardtheriverwiththeirpreciousbox.

TomandHuckroseup,weakbutvastlyrelieved,andstaredafterthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogsofthehouse.Follow?Notthey.Theywerecontenttoreachgroundagainwithoutbrokennecks,andtakethetownwardtrackoverthehill.Theydidnottalkmuch.Theyweretoomuchabsorbedinhatingthemselves——hatingtheillluckthatmadethemtakethespadeandthepickthere.Butforthat,InjunJoeneverwouldhavesuspected.Hewouldhavehiddenthesilverwiththegoldtowaittheretillhis"revenge"wassatisfied,andthenhewouldhavehadthemisfortunetofindthatmoneyturnupmissing.Bitter,bitterluckthatthetoolswereeverbroughtthere!

TheyresolvedtokeepalookoutforthatSpaniardwhenheshouldcometotownspyingoutforchancestodohisrevengefuljob,andfollowhimto"NumberTwo,"whereverthatmightbe.ThenaghastlythoughtoccurredtoTom.

"Revenge?Whatifhemeansus,Huck!"

"Oh,don"t!"saidHuck,nearlyfainting.

Theytalkeditallover,andastheyenteredtowntheyagreedtobelievethathemightpossiblymeansomebodyelse——atleastthathemightatleastmeannobodybutTom,sinceonlyTomhadtestified.

Very,verysmallcomfortitwastoTomtobealoneindanger!Companywouldbeapalpableimprovement,hethought.

CHAPTERXXVII

THEadventureofthedaymightilytormentedTom"sdreamsthatnight.Fourtimeshehadhishandsonthatrichtreasureandfourtimesitwastedtonothingnessinhisfingersassleepforsookhimandwakefulnessbroughtbackthehardrealityofhismisfortune.Ashelayintheearlymorningrecallingtheincidentsofhisgreatadventure,henoticedthattheyseemedcuriouslysubduedandfaraway——somewhatasiftheyhadhappenedinanotherworld,orinatimelonggoneby.Thenitoccurredtohimthatthegreatadventureitselfmustbeadream!Therewasoneverystrongargumentinfavorofthisidea——namely,thatthequantityofcoinhehadseenwastoovasttobereal.Hehadneverseenasmuchasfiftydollarsinonemassbefore,andhewaslikeallboysofhisageandstationinlife,inthatheimaginedthatallreferencesto"hundreds"and"thousands"weremerefancifulformsofspeech,andthatnosuchsumsreallyexistedintheworld.Heneverhadsupposedforamomentthatsolargeasumasahundreddollarswastobefoundinactualmoneyinanyone"spossession.Ifhisnotionsofhiddentreasurehadbeenanalyzed,theywouldhavebeenfoundtoconsistofahandfulofrealdimesandabushelofvague,splendid,ungraspabledollars.

Buttheincidentsofhisadventuregrewsensiblysharperandclearerundertheattritionofthinkingthemover,andsohepresentlyfoundhimselfleaningtotheimpressionthatthethingmightnothavebeenadream,afterall.Thisuncertaintymustbesweptaway.HewouldsnatchahurriedbreakfastandgoandfindHuck.Huckwassittingonthegunwaleofaflatboat,listlesslydanglinghisfeetinthewaterandlookingverymelancholy.TomconcludedtoletHuckleaduptothesubject.Ifhedidnotdoit,thentheadventurewouldbeprovedtohavebeenonlyadream.

"Hello,Huck!"

"Hello,yourself."

Silence,foraminute.

"Tom,ifwe"d"a"lefttheblametoolsatthedeadtree,we"d"a"gotthemoney.Oh,ain"titawful!"

""Tain"tadream,then,"tain"tadream!SomehowImostwishitwas.Dog"difIdon"t,Huck."

"Whatain"tadream?"

"Oh,thatthingyesterday.Ibeenhalfthinkingitwas."

"Dream!Ifthemstairshadn"tbrokedownyou"d"a"seenhowmuchdreamitwas!I"vehaddreamsenoughallnight——withthatpatch-eyedSpanishdevilgoingformeallthrough"em——rothim!"

"No,notrothim.FINDhim!Trackthemoney!"

"Tom,we"llneverfindhim.Afellerdon"thaveonlyonechanceforsuchapile——andthatone"slost.I"dfeelmightyshakyifIwastoseehim,anyway."

"Well,so"dI;butI"dliketoseehim,anyway——andtrackhimout——tohisNumberTwo."

"NumberTwo——yes,that"sit.Ibeenthinking"boutthat.ButIcan"tmakenothingoutofit.Whatdoyoureckonitis?"

"Idono.It"stoodeep.Say,Huck——maybeit"sthenumberofahouse!"

"Goody!No,Tom,thatain"tit.Ifitis,itain"tinthisone-horsetown.Theyain"tnonumbershere."

"Well,that"sso.Lemmethinkaminute.Here——it"sthenumberofaroom——inatavern,youknow!"

"Oh,that"sthetrick!Theyain"tonlytwotaverns.Wecanfindoutquick."

"Youstayhere,Huck,tillIcome."

Tomwasoffatonce.HedidnotcaretohaveHuck"scompanyinpublicplaces.Hewasgonehalfanhour.Hefoundthatinthebesttavern,No.2hadlongbeenoccupiedbyayounglawyer,andwasstillsooccupied.Inthelessostentatioushouse,No.2wasamystery.Thetavern-keeper"syoungsonsaiditwaskeptlockedallthetime,andheneversawanybodygointoitorcomeoutofitexceptatnight;hedidnotknowanyparticularreasonforthisstateofthings;hadhadsomelittlecuriosity,butitwasratherfeeble;hadmadethemostofthemysterybyentertaininghimselfwiththeideathatthatroomwas"ha"nted";hadnoticedthattherewasalightintherethenightbefore.

"That"swhatI"vefoundout,Huck.Ireckonthat"stheveryNo.2we"reafter."

"Ireckonitis,Tom.Nowwhatyougoingtodo?"

"Lemmethink."

Tomthoughtalongtime.Thenhesaid:

"I"lltellyou.ThebackdoorofthatNo.2isthedoorthatcomesoutintothatlittleclosealleybetweenthetavernandtheoldrattletrapofabrickstore.Nowyougetholdofallthedoor-keysyoucanfind,andI"llnipallofauntie"s,andthefirstdarknightwe"llgothereandtry"em.Andmindyou,keepalookoutforInjunJoe,becausehesaidhewasgoingtodropintotownandspyaroundoncemoreforachancetogethisrevenge.Ifyouseehim,youjustfollowhim;andifhedon"tgotothatNo.2,thatain"ttheplace."

"Lordy,Idon"twanttofollerhimbymyself!"

"Why,it"llbenight,sure.Hemightn"teverseeyou——andifhedid,maybehe"dneverthinkanything."

"Well,ifit"sprettydarkIreckonI"lltrackhim.Idono——Idono.I"lltry."

"YoubetI"llfollowhim,ifit"sdark,Huck.Why,hemight"a"foundouthecouldn"tgethisrevenge,andbegoingrightafterthatmoney."

"It"sso,Tom,it"sso.I"llfollerhim;Iwill,byjingoes!"

"Nowyou"retalking!Don"tyoueverweaken,Huck,andIwon"t."

CHAPTERXXVIII

THATnightTomandHuckwerereadyfortheiradventure.Theyhungabouttheneighborhoodofthetavernuntilafternine,onewatchingthealleyatadistanceandtheotherthetaverndoor.Nobodyenteredthealleyorleftit;nobodyresemblingtheSpaniardenteredorleftthetaverndoor.Thenightpromisedtobeafairone;soTomwenthomewiththeunderstandingthatifaconsiderabledegreeofdarknesscameon,Huckwastocomeand"maow,"whereuponhewouldslipoutandtrythekeys.Butthenightremainedclear,andHuckclosedhiswatchandretiredtobedinanemptysugarhogsheadabouttwelve.

Tuesdaytheboyshadthesameillluck.AlsoWednesday.ButThursdaynightpromisedbetter.Tomslippedoutingoodseasonwithhisaunt"soldtinlantern,andalargetoweltoblindfolditwith.HehidthelanterninHuck"ssugarhogsheadandthewatchbegan.Anhourbeforemidnightthetavernclosedupanditslights(theonlyonesthereabouts)wereputout.NoSpaniardhadbeenseen.Nobodyhadenteredorleftthealley.Everythingwasauspicious.Theblacknessofdarknessreigned,theperfectstillnesswasinterruptedonlybyoccasionalmutteringsofdistantthunder.

Tomgothislantern,lititinthehogshead,wrappeditcloselyinthetowel,andthetwoadventurerscreptinthegloomtowardthetavern.HuckstoodsentryandTomfelthiswayintothealley.ThentherewasaseasonofwaitinganxietythatweigheduponHuck"sspiritslikeamountain.Hebegantowishhecouldseeaflashfromthelantern——itwouldfrightenhim,butitwouldatleasttellhimthatTomwasaliveyet.ItseemedhourssinceTomhaddisappeared.Surelyhemusthavefainted;maybehewasdead;maybehishearthadburstunderterrorandexcitement.InhisuneasinessHuckfoundhimselfdrawingcloserandclosertothealley;fearingallsortsofdreadfulthings,andmomentarilyexpectingsomecatastrophetohappenthatwouldtakeawayhisbreath.Therewasnotmuchtotakeaway,forheseemedonlyabletoinhaleitbythimblefuls,andhisheartwouldsoonwearitselfout,thewayitwasbeating.SuddenlytherewasaflashoflightandTomcametearingbyhim:."Run!"saidhe;"run,foryourlife!"

Heneedn"thaverepeatedit;oncewasenough;Huckwasmakingthirtyorfortymilesanhourbeforetherepetitionwasuttered.Theboysneverstoppedtilltheyreachedtheshedofadesertedslaughterhouseatthelowerendofthevillage.Justastheygotwithinitsshelterthestormburstandtherainpoureddown.AssoonasTomgothisbreathhesaid:

"Huck,itwasawful!Itriedtwoofthekeys,justassoftasIcould;buttheyseemedtomakesuchapowerofracketthatIcouldn"thardlygetmybreathIwassoscared.Theywouldn"tturninthelock,either.Well,withoutnoticingwhatIwasdoing,Itookholdoftheknob,andopencomesthedoor!Itwarn"tlocked!Ihoppedin,andshookoffthetowel,and,greatCaesar"sghost!"

"What!——what"dyousee,Tom?"

"Huck,ImoststeppedontoInjunJoe"shand!"

"No!"

"Yes!Hewaslyingthere,soundasleeponthefloor,withhisoldpatchonhiseyeandhisarmsspreadout."

"Lordy,whatdidyoudo?Didhewakeup?"

"No,neverbudged.Drunk,Ireckon.Ijustgrabbedthattowelandstarted!"

"I"dnever"a"thoughtofthetowel,Ibet!"

"Well,Iwould.MyauntwouldmakememightysickifIlostit."

"Say,Tom,didyouseethatbox?"

"Huck,Ididn"twaittolookaround.Ididn"tseethebox,Ididn"tseethecross.Ididn"tseeanythingbutabottleandatincuponthefloorbyInjunJoe;yes,Isawtwobarrelsandlotsmorebottlesintheroom.Don"tyousee,now,what"sthematterwiththatha"ntedroom?"

"How?"

"Why,it"sha"ntedwithwhiskey!MaybeALLtheTemperanceTavernshavegotaha"ntedroom,hey,Huck?"

"Well,Ireckonmaybethat"sso.Who"d"a"thoughtsuchathing?Butsay,Tom,now"samightygoodtimetogetthatbox,ifInjunJoe"sdrunk."

"Itis,that!Youtryit!"

Huckshuddered.

"Well,no——Ireckonnot."

"AndIreckonnot,Huck.OnlyonebottlealongsideofInjunJoeain"tenough.Ifthere"dbeenthree,he"dbedrunkenoughandI"ddoit."

Therewasalongpauseforreflection,andthenTomsaid:

"Lookyhere,Huck,lessnottrythatthinganymoretillweknowInjunJoe"snotinthere.It"stooscary.Now,ifwewatcheverynight,we"llbedeadsuretoseehimgoout,sometimeorother,andthenwe"llsnatchthatboxquicker"nlightning."

"Well,I"magreed.I"llwatchthewholenightlong,andI"lldoiteverynight,too,ifyou"lldotheotherpartofthejob."

"Allright,Iwill.AllyougottodoistotrotupHooperStreetablockandmaow——andifI"masleep,youthrowsomegravelatthewindowandthat"llfetchme."

"Agreed,andgoodaswheat!"

"Now,Huck,thestorm"sover,andI"llgohome.It"llbegintobedaylightinacoupleofhours.Yougobackandwatchthatlong,willyou?"

"IsaidIwould,Tom,andIwill.I"llha"ntthattaverneverynightforayear!I"llsleepalldayandI"llstandwatchallnight."

"That"sallright.Now,whereyougoingtosleep?"

"InBenRogers"hayloft.Heletsme,andsodoeshispap"sniggerman,UncleJake.ItotewaterforUncleJakewheneverhewantsmeto,andanytimeIaskhimhegivesmealittlesomethingtoeatifhecanspareit.That"samightygoodnigger,Tom.Helikesme,becuzIdon"teveractasifIwasabovehim.SometimeI"vesetrightdownandeatwithhim.Butyouneedn"ttellthat.Abody"sgottodothingswhenhe"sawfulhungryhewouldn"twanttodoasasteadything."

"Well,ifIdon"twantyouinthedaytime,I"llletyousleep.Iwon"tcomebotheringaround.Anytimeyouseesomething"sup,inthenight,justskiprightaroundandmaow."

CHAPTERXXIX

Morningcame,eventually,andbytenoreleveno"clockagiddyandrollickingcompanyweregatheredatJudgeThatcher"s,andeverythingwasreadyforastart.Itwasnotthecustomforelderlypeopletomarthepicnicswiththeirpresence.Thechildrenwereconsideredsafeenoughunderthewingsofafewyoungladiesofeighteenandafewyounggentlemenoftwenty-threeorthereabouts.Theoldsteamferry-boatwascharteredfortheoccasion;presentlythegaythrongfiledupthemainstreetladenwithprovision-baskets.Sidwassickandhadtomissthefun;Maryremainedathometoentertainhim.ThelastthingMrs.ThatchersaidtoBecky,was:

"You"llnotgetbacktilllate.Perhapsyou"dbetterstayallnightwithsomeofthegirlsthatliveneartheferry-landing,child."

"ThenI"llstaywithSusyHarper,mamma."

"Verywell.Andmindandbehaveyourselfanddon"tbeanytrouble."

Presently,astheytrippedalong,TomsaidtoBecky:

"Say——I"lltellyouwhatwe"lldo."SteadofgoingtoJoeHarper"swe"llclimbrightupthehillandstopattheWidowDouglas".She"llhaveice-cream!Shehasitmosteveryday——deadloadsofit.Andshe"llbeawfulgladtohaveus."

"Oh,thatwillbefun!"

ThenBeckyreflectedamomentandsaid:

"Butwhatwillmammasay?"

"How"llsheeverknow?"

Thegirlturnedtheideaoverinhermind,andsaidreluctantly:

"Ireckonit"swrong——but——"

"Butshucks!Yourmotherwon"tknow,andsowhat"stheharm?Allshewantsisthatyou"llbesafe;andIbetyoushe"d"a"saidgothereifshe"d"a"thoughtofit.Iknowshewould!"

TheWidowDouglas"splendidhospitalitywasatemptingbait.ItandTom"spersuasionspresentlycarriedtheday.Soitwasdecidedtosaynothinganybodyaboutthenight"sprogramme.PresentlyitoccurredtoTomthatmaybeHuckmightcomethisverynightandgivethesignal.Thethoughttookadealofthespiritoutofhisanticipations.StillhecouldnotbeartogiveupthefunatWidowDouglas".Andwhyshouldhegiveitup,hereasoned——thesignaldidnotcomethenightbefore,sowhyshoulditbeanymorelikelytocometo-night?Thesurefunoftheeveningoutweighedtheuncertaintreasure;and,boy-like,hedeterminedtoyieldtothestrongerinclinationandnotallowhimselftothinkoftheboxofmoneyanothertimethatday.

Threemilesbelowtowntheferryboatstoppedatthemouthofawoodyhollowandtiedup.Thecrowdswarmedashoreandsoontheforestdistancesandcraggyheightsechoedfarandnearwithshoutingsandlaughter.Allthedifferentwaysofgettinghotandtiredweregonethroughwith,andby-and-bytheroversstraggledbacktocampfortifiedwithresponsibleappetites,andthenthedestructionofthegoodthingsbegan.Afterthefeasttherewasarefreshingseasonofrestandchatintheshadeofspreadingoaks.By-and-bysomebodyshouted:

"Who"sreadyforthecave?"

Everybodywas.Bundlesofcandleswereprocured,andstraightwaytherewasageneralscamperupthehill.Themouthofthecavewasupthehillside——anopeningshapedlikealetterA.Itsmassiveoakendoorstoodunbarred.Withinwasasmallchamber,chillyasanice-house,andwalledbyNaturewithsolidlimestonethatwasdewywithacoldsweat.Itwasromanticandmysterioustostandhereinthedeepgloomandlookoutuponthegreenvalleyshininginthesun.Buttheimpressivenessofthesituationquicklyworeoff,andtherompingbeganagain.Themomentacandlewaslightedtherewasageneralrushupontheownerofit;astruggleandagallantdefencefollowed,butthecandlewassoonknockeddownorblownout,andthentherewasagladclamoroflaughterandanewchase.Butallthingshaveanend.By-and-bytheprocessionwentfilingdownthesteepdescentofthemainavenue,theflickeringrankoflightsdimlyrevealingtheloftywallsofrockalmosttotheirpointofjunctionsixtyfeetoverhead.Thismainavenuewasnotmorethaneightortenfeetwide.Everyfewstepsotherloftyandstillnarrowercrevicesbranchedfromitoneitherhand——forMcDougal"scavewasbutavastlabyrinthofcrookedaislesthatranintoeachotherandoutagainandlednowhere.Itwassaidthatonemightwanderdaysandnightstogetherthroughitsintricatetangleofriftsandchasms,andneverfindtheendofthecave;andthathemightgodown,anddown,andstilldown,intotheearth,anditwasjustthesame——labyrinthunderlabyrinth,andnoendtoanyofthem.Noman"knew"thecave.Thatwasanimpossiblething.Mostoftheyoungmenknewaportionofit,anditwasnotcustomarytoventuremuchbeyondthisknownportion.TomSawyerknewasmuchofthecaveasanyone.

Theprocessionmovedalongthemainavenuesomethree-quartersofamile,andthengroupsandcouplesbegantoslipasideintobranchavenues,flyalongthedismalcorridors,andtakeeachotherbysurpriseatpointswherethecorridorsjoinedagain.Partieswereabletoeludeeachotherforthespaceofhalfanhourwithoutgoingbeyondthe"known"ground.

By-and-by,onegroupafteranothercamestragglingbacktothemouthofthecave,panting,hilarious,smearedfromheadtofootwithtallowdrippings,daubedwithclay,andentirelydelightedwiththesuccessoftheday.Thentheywereastonishedtofindthattheyhadbeentakingnonoteoftimeandthatnightwasaboutathand.Theclangingbellhadbeencallingforhalfanhour.However,thissortofclosetotheday"sadventureswasromanticandthereforesatisfactory.Whentheferryboatwithherwildfreightpushedintothestream,nobodycaredsixpenceforthewastedtimebutthecaptainofthecraft.