第10章

Huckwasalreadyuponhiswatchwhentheferry-boat"slightswentglintingpastthewharf.Heheardnonoiseonboard,fortheyoungpeoplewereassubduedandstillaspeopleusuallyarewhoarenearlytiredtodeath.Hewonderedwhatboatitwas,andwhyshedidnotstopatthewharf——andthenhedroppedheroutofhismindandputhisattentionuponhisbusiness.Thenightwasgrowingcloudyanddark.Teno"clockcame,andthenoiseofvehiclesceased,scatteredlightsbegantowinkout,allstragglingfoot-passengersdisappeared,thevillagebetookitselftoitsslumbersandleftthesmallwatcheralonewiththesilenceandtheghosts.Eleveno"clockcame,andthetavernlightswereputout;darknesseverywhere,now.Huckwaitedwhatseemedawearylongtime,butnothinghappened.Hisfaithwasweakening.Wasthereanyuse?Wastherereallyanyuse?Whynotgiveitupandturnin?

Anoisefelluponhisear.Hewasallattentioninaninstant.Thealleydoorclosedsoftly.Hesprangtothecornerofthebrickstore.Thenextmomenttwomenbrushedbyhim,andoneseemedtohavesomethingunderhisarm.Itmustbethatbox!Sotheyweregoingtoremovethetreasure.WhycallTomnow?Itwouldbeabsurd——themenwouldgetawaywiththeboxandneverbefoundagain.No,hewouldsticktotheirwakeandfollowthem;hewouldtrusttothedarknessforsecurityfromdiscovery.Socommuningwithhimself,Hucksteppedoutandglidedalongbehindthemen,cat-like,withbarefeet,allowingthemtokeepjustfarenoughaheadnottobeinvisible.

Theymoveduptheriverstreetthreeblocks,thenturnedtotheleftupacross-street.Theywentstraightahead,then,untiltheycametothepaththatledupCardiffHill;thistheytook.TheypassedbytheoldWelshman"shouse,half-wayupthehill,withouthesitating,andstillclimbedupward.Good,thoughtHuck,theywillburyitintheoldquarry.Buttheyneverstoppedatthequarry.Theypassedon,upthesummit.Theyplungedintothenarrowpathbetweenthetallsumachbushes,andwereatoncehiddeninthegloom.Huckclosedupandshortenedhisdistance,now,fortheywouldneverbeabletoseehim.Hetrottedalongawhile;thenslackenedhispace,fearinghewasgainingtoofast;movedonapiece,thenstoppedaltogether;listened;nosound;none,savethatheseemedtohearthebeatingofhisownheart.Thehootingofanowlcameoverthehill——ominoussound!Butnofootsteps.Heavens,waseverythinglost!Hewasabouttospringwithwingedfeet,whenamanclearedhisthroatnotfourfeetfromhim!Huck"sheartshotintohisthroat,butheswalloweditagain;andthenhestoodthereshakingasifadozenagueshadtakenchargeofhimatonce,andsoweakthathethoughthemustsurelyfalltotheground.Heknewwherehewas.HeknewhewaswithinfivestepsofthestileleadingintoWidowDouglas"grounds.Verywell,hethought,letthemburyitthere;itwon"tbehardtofind.

Nowtherewasavoice——averylowvoice——InjunJoe"s:

"Damnher,maybeshe"sgotcompany——there"slights,lateasitis."

"Ican"tseeany."

Thiswasthatstranger"svoice——thestrangerofthehauntedhouse.AdeadlychillwenttoHuck"sheart——this,then,wasthe"revenge"job!Histhoughtwas,tofly.ThenherememberedthattheWidowDouglashadbeenkindtohimmorethanonce,andmaybethesemenweregoingtomurderher.Hewishedhedaredventuretowarnher;butheknewhedidn"tdare——theymightcomeandcatchhim.Hethoughtallthisandmoreinthemomentthatelapsedbetweenthestranger"sremarkandInjunJoe"snext——whichwas——

"Becausethebushisinyourway.Now——thisway——nowyousee,don"tyou?"

"Yes.Well,thereIScompanythere,Ireckon.Bettergiveitup."

"Giveitup,andIjustleavingthiscountryforever!Giveitupandmaybeneverhaveanotherchance.Itellyouagain,asI"vetoldyoubefore,Idon"tcareforherswag——youmayhaveit.Butherhusbandwasroughonme——manytimeshewasroughonme——andmainlyhewasthejusticeofthepeacethatjuggedmeforavagrant.Andthatain"tall.Itain"tamillionthpartofit!Hehadmehorsewhipped!——horsewhippedinfrontofthejail,likeanigger!——withallthetownlookingon!horsewhipped!——doyouunderstand?Hetookadvantageofmeanddied.ButI"lltakeitoutofher."

"Oh,don"tkillher!Don"tdothat!"

"Kill?Whosaidanythingaboutkilling?Iwouldkillhimifhewashere;butnother.Whenyouwanttogetrevengeonawomanyoudon"tkillher——bosh!yougoforherlooks.Youslithernostrils——younotchherearslikeasow!"

"ByGod,that"s——"

"Keepyouropiniontoyourself!Itwillbesafestforyou.I"lltiehertothebed.Ifshebleedstodeath,isthatmyfault?I"llnotcry,ifshedoes.Myfriend,you"llhelpmeinthisthing——formysake——that"swhyyou"rehere——Imightn"tbeablealone.Ifyouflinch,I"llkillyou.Doyouunderstandthat?AndifIhavetokillyou,I"llkillher——andthenIreckonnobody"lleverknowmuchaboutwhodonethisbusiness."

"Well,ifit"sgottobedone,let"sgetatit.Thequickerthebetter——I"mallinashiver."

"Doitnow?Andcompanythere?Lookhere——I"llgetsuspiciousofyou,firstthingyouknow.No——we"llwaittillthelightsareout——there"snohurry."

Huckfeltthatasilencewasgoingtoensue——athingstillmoreawfulthananyamountofmurderoustalk;soheheldhisbreathandsteppedgingerlyback;plantedhisfootcarefullyandfirmly,afterbalancing,one-legged,inaprecariouswayandalmosttopplingover,firstononesideandthenontheother.Hetookanotherstepback,withthesameelaborationandthesamerisks;thenanotherandanother,and——atwigsnappedunderhisfoot!Hisbreathstoppedandhelistened.Therewasnosound——thestillnesswasperfect.Hisgratitudewasmeasureless.Nowheturnedinhistracks,betweenthewallsofsumachbushes——turnedhimselfascarefullyasifhewereaship——andthensteppedquicklybutcautiouslyalong.Whenheemergedatthequarryhefeltsecure,andsohepickeduphisnimbleheelsandflew.Down,downhesped,tillhereachedtheWelshman"s.Hebangedatthedoor,andpresentlytheheadsoftheoldmanandhistwostalwartsonswerethrustfromwindows.

"What"stherowthere?Who"sbanging?Whatdoyouwant?"

"Letmein——quick!I"lltelleverything."

"Why,whoareyou?"

"HuckleberryFinn——quick,letmein!"

"HuckleberryFinn,indeed!Itain"tanametoopenmanydoors,Ijudge!Butlethimin,lads,andlet"sseewhat"sthetrouble."

"Pleasedon"tevertellItoldyou,"wereHuck"sfirstwordswhenhegotin."Pleasedon"t——I"dbekilled,sure——butthewidow"sbeengoodfriendstomesometimes,andIwanttotell——Iwilltellifyou"llpromiseyouwon"teversayitwasme."

"ByGeorge,hehasgotsomethingtotell,orhewouldn"tactso!"exclaimedtheoldman;"outwithitandnobodyhere"llevertell,lad."

Threeminuteslatertheoldmanandhissons,wellarmed,wereupthehill,andjustenteringthesumachpathontiptoe,theirweaponsintheirhands.Huckaccompaniedthemnofurther.Hehidbehindagreatbowlderandfelltolistening.Therewasalagging,anxioussilence,andthenallofasuddentherewasanexplosionoffirearmsandacry.

Huckwaitedfornoparticulars.Hesprangawayandspeddownthehillasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.

CHAPTERXXX

AStheearliestsuspicionofdawnappearedonSundaymorning,HuckcamegropingupthehillandrappedgentlyattheoldWelshman"sdoor.Theinmateswereasleep,butitwasasleepthatwassetonahair-trigger,onaccountoftheexcitingepisodeofthenight.Acallcamefromawindow:

"Who"sthere!"

Huck"sscaredvoiceansweredinalowtone:

"Pleaseletmein!It"sonlyHuckFinn!"

"It"sanamethatcanopenthisdoornightorday,lad!——andwelcome!"

Thesewerestrangewordstothevagabondboy"sears,andthepleasantesthehadeverheard.Hecouldnotrecollectthattheclosingwordhadeverbeenappliedinhiscasebefore.Thedoorwasquicklyunlocked,andheentered.Huckwasgivenaseatandtheoldmanandhisbraceoftallsonsspeedilydressedthemselves.

"Now,myboy,Ihopeyou"regoodandhungry,becausebreakfastwillbereadyassoonasthesun"sup,andwe"llhaveapipinghotone,too——makeyourselfeasyaboutthat!Iandtheboyshopedyou"dturnupandstopherelastnight."

"Iwasawfulscared,"saidHuck,"andIrun.Itookoutwhenthepistolswentoff,andIdidn"tstopforthreemile.I"vecomenowbecuzIwantedtoknowaboutit,youknow;andIcomebeforedaylightbecuzIdidn"twanttorunacrossthemdevils,eveniftheywasdead."

"Well,poorchap,youdolookasifyou"dhadahardnightofit——butthere"sabedhereforyouwhenyou"vehadyourbreakfast.No,theyain"tdead,lad——wearesorryenoughforthat.Youseeweknewrightwheretoputourhandsonthem,byyourdescription;sowecreptalongontiptoetillwegotwithinfifteenfeetofthem——darkasacellarthatsumachpathwas——andjustthenIfoundIwasgoingtosneeze.Itwasthemeanestkindofluck!Itriedtokeepitback,butnouse——"twasboundtocome,anditdidcome!Iwasintheleadwithmypistolraised,andwhenthesneezestartedthosescoundrelsa-rustlingtogetoutofthepath,Isungout,"Fireboys!"andblazedawayattheplacewheretherustlingwas.Sodidtheboys.Buttheywereoffinajiffy,thosevillains,andweafterthem,downthroughthewoods.Ijudgewenevertouchedthem.Theyfiredashotapieceastheystarted,buttheirbulletswhizzedbyanddidn"tdousanyharm.Assoonaswelostthesoundoftheirfeetwequitchasing,andwentdownandstirreduptheconstables.Theygotapossetogether,andwentofftoguardtheriverbank,andassoonasitislightthesheriffandagangaregoingtobeatupthewoods.Myboyswillbewiththempresently.Iwishwehadsomesortofdescriptionofthoserascals——"twouldhelpagooddeal.Butyoucouldn"tseewhattheywerelike,inthedark,lad,Isuppose?"

"Ohyes;Isawthemdown-townandfolleredthem."

"Splendid!Describethem——describethem,myboy!"

"One"stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat"sbenaroundhereonceortwice,andt"other"samean-looking,ragged——"

"That"senough,lad,weknowthemen!Happenedontheminthewoodsbackofthewidow"soneday,andtheyslunkaway.Offwithyou,boys,andtellthesheriff——getyourbreakfastto-morrowmorning!"

TheWelshman"ssonsdepartedatonce.AstheywereleavingtheroomHucksprangupandexclaimed:

"Oh,pleasedon"ttellANYbodyitwasmethatblowedonthem!Oh,please!"

"Allrightifyousayit,Huck,butyououghttohavethecreditofwhatyoudid."

"Ohno,no!Pleasedon"ttell!"

Whentheyoungmenweregone,theoldWelshmansaid:

"Theywon"ttell——andIwon"t.Butwhydon"tyouwantitknown?"

Huckwouldnotexplain,furtherthantosaythathealreadyknewtoomuchaboutoneofthosemenandwouldnothavethemanknowthatheknewanythingagainsthimforthewholeworld——hewouldbekilledforknowingit,sure.

Theoldmanpromisedsecrecyoncemore,andsaid:

"Howdidyoucometofollowthesefellows,lad?Weretheylookingsuspicious?"

Huckwassilentwhileheframedadulycautiousreply.Thenhesaid:

"Well,yousee,I"makindofahardlot,——leasteverybodysaysso,andIdon"tseenothingaginit——andsometimesIcan"tsleepmuch,onaccountofthinkingaboutitandsortoftryingtostrikeoutanewwayofdoing.Thatwasthewayofitlastnight.Icouldn"tsleep,andsoIcomealongup-street"boutmidnight,a-turningitallover,andwhenIgottothatoldshacklybrickstorebytheTemperanceTavern,Ibackedupaginthewalltohaveanotherthink.Well,justthenalongcomesthesetwochapsslippingalongclosebyme,withsomethingundertheirarm,andIreckonedthey"dstoleit.Onewasa-smoking,andt"otheronewantedalight;sotheystoppedrightbeforemeandthecigarslituptheirfacesandIseethatthebigonewasthedeafanddumbSpaniard,byhiswhitewhiskersandthepatchonhiseye,andt"otheronewasarusty,ragged-lookingdevil."

"Couldyouseetheragsbythelightofthecigars?"

ThisstaggeredHuckforamoment.Thenhesaid:

"Well,Idon"tknow——butsomehowitseemsasifIdid."

"Thentheywenton,andyou——"

"Follered"em——yes.Thatwasit.Iwantedtoseewhatwasup——theysneakedalongso.Idogged"emtothewidder"sstile,andstoodinthedarkandheardtheraggedonebegforthewidder,andtheSpaniardswearhe"dspileherlooksjustasItoldyouandyourtwo——"

"What!TheDEAFANDDUMBmansaidallthat!"

Huckhadmadeanotherterriblemistake!HewastryinghisbesttokeeptheoldmanfromgettingthefaintesthintofwhotheSpaniardmightbe,andyethistongueseemeddeterminedtogethimintotroubleinspiteofallhecoulddo.Hemadeseveraleffortstocreepoutofhisscrape,buttheoldman"seyewasuponhimandhemadeblunderafterblunder.PresentlytheWelshmansaid:

"Myboy,don"tbeafraidofme.Iwouldn"thurtahairofyourheadforalltheworld.No——I"dprotectyou——I"dprotectyou.ThisSpaniardisnotdeafanddumb;you"veletthatslipwithoutintendingit;youcan"tcoverthatupnow.YouknowsomethingaboutthatSpaniardthatyouwanttokeepdark.Nowtrustme——tellmewhatitis,andtrustme——Iwon"tbetrayyou."

Hucklookedintotheoldman"shonesteyesamoment,thenbentoverandwhisperedinhisear:

""Tain"taSpaniard——it"sInjunJoe!"

TheWelshmanalmostjumpedoutofhischair.Inamomenthesaid:

"It"sallplainenough,now.WhenyoutalkedaboutnotchingearsandslittingnosesIjudgedthatthatwasyourownembellishment,becausewhitemendon"ttakethatsortofrevenge.ButanInjun!That"sadifferentmatteraltogether."

Duringbreakfastthetalkwenton,andinthecourseofittheoldmansaidthatthelastthingwhichheandhissonshaddone,beforegoingtobed,wastogetalanternandexaminethestileanditsvicinityformarksofblood.Theyfoundnone,butcapturedabulkybundleof——

"OfWHAT?"

IfthewordshadbeenlightningtheycouldnothaveleapedwithamorestunningsuddennessfromHuck"sblanchedlips.Hiseyeswerestaringwide,now,andhisbreathsuspended——waitingfortheanswer.TheWelshmanstarted——staredinreturn——threeseconds——fiveseconds——ten——thenreplied:

"Ofburglar"stools.Why,what"stheMATTERwithyou?"

Hucksankback,pantinggently,butdeeply,unutterablygrateful.TheWelshmaneyedhimgravely,curiously——andpresentlysaid:

"Yes,burglar"stools.Thatappearstorelieveyouagooddeal.Butwhatdidgiveyouthatturn?WhatwereYOUexpectingwe"dfound?"

Huckwasinacloseplace——theinquiringeyewasuponhim——hewouldhavegivenanythingformaterialforaplausibleanswer——nothingsuggesteditself——theinquiringeyewasboringdeeperanddeeper——asenselessreplyoffered——therewasnotimetoweighit,soataventureheutteredit——feebly:

"Sunday-schoolbooks,maybe."

PoorHuckwastoodistressedtosmile,buttheoldmanlaughedloudandjoyously,shookupthedetailsofhisanatomyfromheadtofoot,andendedbysayingthatsuchalaughwasmoneyina-man"spocket,becauseitcutdownthedoctor"sbilllikeeverything.Thenheadded:

"Pooroldchap,you"rewhiteandjaded——youain"twellabit——nowonderyou"realittleflightyandoffyourbalance.Butyou"llcomeoutofit.Restandsleepwillfetchyououtallright,Ihope."

Huckwasirritatedtothinkhehadbeensuchagooseandbetrayedsuchasuspiciousexcitement,forhehaddroppedtheideathattheparcelbroughtfromthetavernwasthetreasure,assoonashehadheardthetalkatthewidow"sstile.Hehadonlythoughtitwasnotthetreasure,however——hehadnotknownthatitwasn"t——andsothesuggestionofacapturedbundlewastoomuchforhisself-possession.Butonthewholehefeltgladthelittleepisodehadhappened,fornowheknewbeyondallquestionthatthatbundlewasnotTHEbundle,andsohismindwasatrestandexceedinglycomfortable.Infact,everythingseemedtobedriftingjustintherightdirection,now;thetreasuremustbestillinNo.2,themenwouldbecapturedandjailedthatday,andheandTomcouldseizethegoldthatnightwithoutanytroubleoranyfearofinterruption.

Justasbreakfastwascompletedtherewasaknockatthedoor.Huckjumpedforahiding-place,forhehadnomindtobeconnectedevenremotelywiththelateevent.TheWelshmanadmittedseveralladiesandgentlemen,amongthemtheWidowDouglas,andnoticedthatgroupsofcitizenswereclimbingupthehill——tostareatthestile.Sothenewshadspread.TheWelshmanhadtotellthestoryofthenighttothevisitors.Thewidow"sgratitudeforherpreservationwasoutspoken.

"Don"tsayawordaboutit,madam.There"sanotherthatyou"remorebeholdentothanyouaretomeandmyboys,maybe,buthedon"tallowmetotellhisname.Wewouldn"thavebeentherebutforhim."

Ofcoursethisexcitedacuriositysovastthatitalmostbelittledthemainmatter——buttheWelshmanallowedittoeatintothevitalsofhisvisitors,andthroughthembetransmittedtothewholetown,forherefusedtopartwithhissecret.Whenallelsehadbeenlearned,thewidowsaid:

"Iwenttosleepreadinginbedandsleptstraightthroughallthatnoise.Whydidn"tyoucomeandwakeme?"

"Wejudgeditwarn"tworthwhile.Thosefellowswarn"tlikelytocomeagain——theyhadn"tanytoolslefttoworkwith,andwhatwastheuseofwakingyouupandscaringyoutodeath?Mythreenegromenstoodguardatyourhousealltherestofthenight.They"vejustcomeback."

Morevisitorscame,andthestoryhadtobetoldandretoldforacoupleofhoursmore.

TherewasnoSabbath-schoolduringday-schoolvacation,buteverybodywasearlyatchurch.Thestirringeventwaswellcanvassed.Newscamethatnotasignofthetwovillainshadbeenyetdiscovered.Whenthesermonwasfinished,JudgeThatcher"swifedroppedalongsideofMrs.Harperasshemoveddowntheaislewiththecrowdandsaid:

"IsmyBeckygoingtosleepallday?Ijustexpectedshewouldbetiredtodeath."

"YourBecky?"

"Yes,"withastartledlook——"didn"tshestaywithyoulastnight?"

"Why,no."

Mrs.Thatcherturnedpale,andsankintoapew,justasAuntPolly,talkingbrisklywithafriend,passedby.AuntPollysaid:

"Good-morning,Mrs.Thatcher.Good-morning,Mrs.Harper.I"vegotaboythat"sturnedupmissing.IreckonmyTomstayedatyourhouselastnight——oneofyou.Andnowhe"safraidtocometochurch.I"vegottosettlewithhim."

Mrs.Thatchershookherheadfeeblyandturnedpalerthanever.

"Hedidn"tstaywithus,"saidMrs.Harper,beginningtolookuneasy.AmarkedanxietycameintoAuntPolly"sface.

"JoeHarper,haveyouseenmyTomthismorning?"

"No"m."

"Whendidyouseehimlast?"

Joetriedtoremember,butwasnotsurehecouldsay.Thepeoplehadstoppedmovingoutofchurch.Whisperspassedalong,andabodinguneasinesstookpossessionofeverycountenance.Childrenwereanxiouslyquestioned,andyoungteachers.TheyallsaidtheyhadnotnoticedwhetherTomandBeckywereonboardtheferryboatonthehomewardtrip;itwasdark;noonethoughtofinquiringifanyonewasmissing.Oneyoungmanfinallyblurtedouthisfearthattheywerestillinthecave!Mrs.Thatcherswoonedaway.AuntPollyfelltocryingandwringingherhands.

Thealarmsweptfromliptolip,fromgrouptogroup,fromstreettostreet,andwithinfiveminutesthebellswerewildlyclangingandthewholetownwasup!TheCardiffHillepisodesankintoinstantinsignificance,theburglarswereforgotten,horsesweresaddled,skiffsweremanned,theferryboatorderedout,andbeforethehorrorwashalfanhourold,twohundredmenwerepouringdownhighroadandrivertowardthecave.

Allthelongafternoonthevillageseemedemptyanddead.ManywomenvisitedAuntPollyandMrs.Thatcherandtriedtocomfortthem.Theycriedwiththem,too,andthatwasstillbetterthanwords.Allthetediousnightthetownwaitedfornews;butwhenthemorningdawnedatlast,allthewordthatcamewas,"Sendmorecandles——andsendfood."Mrs.Thatcherwasalmostcrazed;andAuntPolly,also.JudgeThatchersentmessagesofhopeandencouragementfromthecave,buttheyconveyednorealcheer.

TheoldWelshmancamehometowarddaylight,spatteredwithcandle-grease,smearedwithclay,andalmostwornout.HefoundHuckstillinthebedthathadbeenprovidedforhim,anddeliriouswithfever.Thephysicianswereallatthecave,sotheWidowDouglascameandtookchargeofthepatient.Shesaidshewoulddoherbestbyhim,because,whetherhewasgood,bad,orindifferent,hewastheLord"s,andnothingthatwastheLord"swasathingtobeneglected.TheWelshmansaidHuckhadgoodspotsinhim,andthewidowsaid:

"Youcandependonit.That"stheLord"smark.Hedon"tleaveitoff.Heneverdoes.Putsitsomewhereoneverycreaturethatcomesfromhishands."

Earlyintheforenoonpartiesofjadedmenbegantostraggleintothevillage,butthestrongestofthecitizenscontinuedsearching.Allthenewsthatcouldbegainedwasthatremotenessesofthecavernwerebeingransackedthathadneverbeenvisitedbefore;thateverycornerandcrevicewasgoingtobethoroughlysearched;thatwhereveronewanderedthroughthemazeofpassages,lightsweretobeseenflittinghitherandthitherinthedistance,andshoutingsandpistol-shotssenttheirhollowreverberationstotheeardownthesombreaisles.Inoneplace,farfromthesectionusuallytraversedbytourists,thenames"BECKY&TOM"hadbeenfoundtracedupontherockywallwithcandle-smoke,andnearathandagrease-soiledbitofribbon.Mrs.Thatcherrecognizedtheribbonandcriedoverit.Shesaiditwasthelastrelicsheshouldeverhaveofherchild;andthatnoothermemorialofhercouldeverbesoprecious,becausethisonepartedlatestfromthelivingbodybeforetheawfuldeathcame.Somesaidthatnowandthen,inthecave,afar-awayspeckoflightwouldglimmer,andthenagloriousshoutwouldburstforthandascoreofmengotroopingdowntheechoingaisle——andthenasickeningdisappointmentalwaysfollowed;thechildrenwerenotthere;itwasonlyasearcher"slight.

Threedreadfuldaysandnightsdraggedtheirtedioushoursalong,andthevillagesankintoahopelessstupor.Noonehadheartforanything.Theaccidentaldiscovery,justmade,thattheproprietoroftheTemperanceTavernkeptliquoronhispremises,scarcelyflutteredthepublicpulse,tremendousasthefactwas.Inalucidinterval,Huckfeeblyleduptothesubjectoftaverns,andfinallyasked——dimlydreadingtheworst——ifanythinghadbeendiscoveredattheTemperanceTavernsincehehadbeenill.

"Yes,"saidthewidow.

Huckstartedupinbed,wild-eyed:

"What?Whatwasit?"

"Liquor!——andtheplacehasbeenshutup.Liedown,child——whataturnyoudidgiveme!"

"Onlytellmejustonething——onlyjustone——please!WasitTomSawyerthatfoundit?"

Thewidowburstintotears."Hush,hush,child,hush!I"vetoldyoubefore,youmustnottalk.Youarevery,verysick!"

Thennothingbutliquorhadbeenfound;therewouldhavebeenagreatpowwowifithadbeenthegold.Sothetreasurewasgoneforever——goneforever!Butwhatcouldshebecryingabout?Curiousthatsheshouldcry.

ThesethoughtsworkedtheirdimwaythroughHuck"smind,andunderthewearinesstheygavehimhefellasleep.Thewidowsaidtoherself:

"There——he"sasleep,poorwreck.TomSawyerfindit!PitybutsomebodycouldfindTomSawyer!Ah,thereain"tmanyleft,now,that"sgothopeenough,orstrengthenough,either,togoonsearching."

CHAPTERXXXI

NOWtoreturntoTomandBecky"sshareinthepicnic.Theytrippedalongthemurkyaisleswiththerestofthecompany,visitingthefamiliarwondersofthecave——wondersdubbedwithratherover-descriptivenames,suchas"TheDrawing-Room,""TheCathedral,""Aladdin"sPalace,"andsoon.Presentlythehide-and-seekfrolickingbegan,andTomandBeckyengagedinitwithzealuntiltheexertionbegantogrowatriflewearisome;thentheywandereddownasinuousavenueholdingtheircandlesaloftandreadingthetangledweb-workofnames,dates,post-officeaddresses,andmottoeswithwhichtherockywallshadbeenfrescoed(incandle-smoke).Stilldriftingalongandtalking,theyscarcelynoticedthattheywerenowinapartofthecavewhosewallswerenotfrescoed.Theysmokedtheirownnamesunderanoverhangingshelfandmovedon.Presentlytheycametoaplacewherealittlestreamofwater,tricklingoveraledgeandcarryingalimestonesedimentwithit,had,intheslow-draggingages,formedalacedandruffledNiagaraingleamingandimperishablestone.TomsqueezedhissmallbodybehinditinordertoilluminateitforBecky"sgratification.Hefoundthatitcurtainedasortofsteepnaturalstairwaywhichwasenclosedbetweennarrowwalls,andatoncetheambitiontobeadiscovererseizedhim.Beckyrespondedtohiscall,andtheymadeasmoke-markforfutureguidance,andstartedupontheirquest.Theywoundthiswayandthat,fardownintothesecretdepthsofthecave,madeanothermark,andbranchedoffinsearchofnoveltiestotelltheupperworldabout.Inoneplacetheyfoundaspaciouscavern,fromwhoseceilingdependedamultitudeofshiningstalactitesofthelengthandcircumferenceofaman"sleg;theywalkedallaboutit,wonderingandadmiring,andpresentlyleftitbyoneofthenumerouspassagesthatopenedintoit.Thisshortlybroughtthemtoabewitchingspring,whosebasinwasincrustedwithafrostworkofglitteringcrystals;itwasinthemidstofacavernwhosewallsweresupportedbymanyfantasticpillarswhichhadbeenformedbythejoiningofgreatstalactitesandstalagmitestogether,theresultoftheceaselesswater-dripofcenturies.Undertheroofvastknotsofbatshadpackedthemselvestogether,thousandsinabunch;thelightsdisturbedthecreaturesandtheycameflockingdownbyhundreds,squeakinganddartingfuriouslyatthecandles.Tomknewtheirwaysandthedangerofthissortofconduct.HeseizedBecky"shandandhurriedherintothefirstcorridorthatoffered;andnonetoosoon,forabatstruckBecky"slightoutwithitswingwhileshewaspassingoutofthecavern.Thebatschasedthechildrenagooddistance;butthefugitivesplungedintoeverynewpassagethatoffered,andatlastgotridoftheperilousthings.Tomfoundasubterraneanlake,shortly,whichstretcheditsdimlengthawayuntilitsshapewaslostintheshadows.Hewantedtoexploreitsborders,butconcludedthatitwouldbebesttositdownandrestawhile,first.Now,forthefirsttime,thedeepstillnessoftheplacelaidaclammyhanduponthespiritsofthechildren.Beckysaid:

"Why,Ididn"tnotice,butitseemseversolongsinceIheardanyoftheothers."

"Cometothink,Becky,weareawaydownbelowthem——andIdon"tknowhowfarawaynorth,orsouth,oreast,orwhicheveritis.Wecouldn"thearthemhere."

Beckygrewapprehensive.

"Iwonderhowlongwe"vebeendownhere,Tom?Webetterstartback."

"Yes,Ireckonwebetter.P"rapswebetter."

"Canyoufindtheway,Tom?It"sallamixed-upcrookednesstome."

"IreckonIcouldfindit——butthenthebats.Iftheyputourcandlesoutitwillbeanawfulfix.Let"strysomeotherway,soasnottogothroughthere."

"Well.ButIhopewewon"tgetlost.Itwouldbesoawful!"andthegirlshudderedatthethoughtofthedreadfulpossibilities.

Theystartedthroughacorridor,andtraverseditinsilencealongway,glancingateachnewopening,toseeiftherewasanythingfamiliaraboutthelookofit;buttheywereallstrange.EverytimeTommadeanexamination,Beckywouldwatchhisfaceforanencouragingsign,andhewouldsaycheerily:

"Oh,it"sallright.Thisain"ttheone,butwe"llcometoitrightaway!"

Buthefeltlessandlesshopefulwitheachfailure,andpresentlybegantoturnoffintodivergingavenuesatsheerrandom,indesperatehopeoffindingtheonethatwaswanted.Hestillsaiditwas"allright,"buttherewassuchaleadendreadathisheartthatthewordshadlosttheirringandsoundedjustasifhehadsaid,"Allislost!"Beckyclungtohissideinananguishoffear,andtriedhardtokeepbackthetears,buttheywouldcome.Atlastshesaid:

"Oh,Tom,nevermindthebats,let"sgobackthatway!Weseemtogetworseandworseoffallthetime."

"Listen!"saidhe.

Profoundsilence;silencesodeepthateventheirbreathingswereconspicuousinthehush.Tomshouted.Thecallwentechoingdowntheemptyaislesanddiedoutinthedistanceinafaintsoundthatresembledarippleofmockinglaughter.

"Oh,don"tdoitagain,Tom,itistoohorrid,"saidBecky.

"Itishorrid,butIbetter,Becky;theymighthearus,youknow,"andheshoutedagain.

The"might"wasevenachillierhorrorthantheghostlylaughter,itsoconfessedaperishinghope.Thechildrenstoodstillandlistened;buttherewasnoresult.Tomturneduponthebacktrackatonce,andhurriedhissteps.ItwasbutalittlewhilebeforeacertainindecisioninhismannerrevealedanotherfearfulfacttoBecky——hecouldnotfindhiswayback!

"Oh,Tom,youdidn"tmakeanymarks!"

"Becky,Iwassuchafool!Suchafool!Ineverthoughtwemightwanttocomeback!No——Ican"tfindtheway.It"sallmixedup."

"Tom,Tom,we"relost!we"relost!Wenevercangetoutofthisawfulplace!Oh,whyDIDweeverleavetheothers!"

ShesanktothegroundandburstintosuchafrenzyofcryingthatTomwasappalledwiththeideathatshemightdie,orloseherreason.Hesatdownbyherandputhisarmsaroundher;sheburiedherfaceinhisbosom,sheclungtohim,shepouredoutherterrors,herunavailingregrets,andthefarechoesturnedthemalltojeeringlaughter.Tombeggedhertopluckuphopeagain,andshesaidshecouldnot.Hefelltoblamingandabusinghimselfforgettingherintothismiserablesituation;thishadabettereffect.Shesaidshewouldtrytohopeagain,shewouldgetupandfollowwhereverhemightleadifonlyhewouldnottalklikethatanymore.Forhewasnomoretoblamethanshe,shesaid.

Sotheymovedonagain——aimlessly——simplyatrandom——alltheycoulddowastomove,keepmoving.Foralittlewhile,hopemadeashowofreviving——notwithanyreasontobackit,butonlybecauseitisitsnaturetorevivewhenthespringhasnotbeentakenoutofitbyageandfamiliaritywithfailure.

By-and-byTomtookBecky"scandleandblewitout.Thiseconomymeantsomuch!Wordswerenotneeded.Beckyunderstood,andherhopediedagain.SheknewthatTomhadawholecandleandthreeorfourpiecesinhispockets——yethemusteconomize.

By-and-by,fatiguebegantoassertitsclaims;thechildrentriedtopayattention,foritwasdreadfultothinkofsittingdownwhentimewasgrowntobesoprecious,moving,insomedirection,inanydirection,wasatleastprogressandmightbearfruit;buttositdownwastoinvitedeathandshortenitspursuit.

AtlastBecky"sfraillimbsrefusedtocarryherfarther.Shesatdown.Tomrestedwithher,andtheytalkedofhome,andthefriendsthere,andthecomfortablebedsand,aboveall,thelight!Beckycried,andTomtriedtothinkofsomewayofcomfortingher,butallhisencouragementsweregrownthreadbarewithuse,andsoundedlikesarcasms.FatigueboresoheavilyuponBeckythatshedrowsedofftosleep.Tomwasgrateful.Hesatlookingintoherdrawnfaceandsawitgrowsmoothandnaturalundertheinfluenceofpleasantdreams;andby-and-byasmiledawnedandrestedthere.Thepeacefulfacereflectedsomewhatofpeaceandhealingintohisownspirit,andhisthoughtswanderedawaytobygonetimesanddreamymemories.Whilehewasdeepinhismusings,Beckywokeupwithabreezylittlelaugh——butitwasstrickendeaduponherlips,andagroanfollowedit.

"Oh,howcould!Isleep!IwishInever,neverhadwaked!No!No,Idon"t,Tom!Don"tlookso!Iwon"tsayitagain."

"I"mgladyou"veslept,Becky;you"llfeelrested,now,andwe"llfindthewayout."

"Wecantry,Tom;butI"veseensuchabeautifulcountryinmydream.Ireckonwearegoingthere."

"Maybenot,maybenot.Cheerup,Becky,andlet"sgoontrying."

Theyroseupandwanderedalong,handinhandandhopeless.Theytriedtoestimatehowlongtheyhadbeeninthecave,butalltheyknewwasthatitseemeddaysandweeks,andyetitwasplainthatthiscouldnotbe,fortheircandleswerenotgoneyet.Alongtimeafterthis——theycouldnottellhowlong——Tomsaidtheymustgosoftlyandlistenfordrippingwater——theymustfindaspring.Theyfoundonepresently,andTomsaiditwastimetorestagain.Bothwerecruellytired,yetBeckysaidshethoughtshecouldgoalittlefarther.ShewassurprisedtohearTomdissent.Shecouldnotunderstandit.Theysatdown,andTomfastenedhiscandletothewallinfrontofthemwithsomeclay.Thoughtwassoonbusy;nothingwassaidforsometime.ThenBeckybrokethesilence:

"Tom,Iamsohungry!"

Tomtooksomethingoutofhispocket.

"Doyourememberthis?"saidhe.

Beckyalmostsmiled.