第11章

"It"sourwedding-cake,Tom."

"Yes——Iwishitwasasbigasabarrel,forit"sallwe"vegot."

"Isaveditfromthepicnicforustodreamon,Tom,thewaygrown-uppeopledowithwedding-cake——butit"llbeour——"

Shedroppedthesentencewhereitwas.TomdividedthecakeandBeckyatewithgoodappetite,whileTomnibbledathismoiety.Therewasabundanceofcoldwatertofinishthefeastwith.By-and-byBeckysuggestedthattheymoveonagain.Tomwassilentamoment.Thenhesaid:

"Becky,canyoubearitifItellyousomething?"

Becky"sfacepaled,butshethoughtshecould.

"Well,then,Becky,wemuststayhere,wherethere"swatertodrink.Thatlittlepieceisourlastcandle!"

Beckygaveloosetotearsandwailings.Tomdidwhathecouldtocomforther,butwithlittleeffect.AtlengthBeckysaid:

"Tom!"

"Well,Becky?"

"They"llmissusandhuntforus!"

"Yes,theywill!Certainlytheywill!"

"Maybethey"rehuntingforusnow,Tom."

"Why,Ireckonmaybetheyare.Ihopetheyare."

"Whenwouldtheymissus,Tom?"

"Whentheygetbacktotheboat,Ireckon."

"Tom,itmightbedarkthen——wouldtheynoticewehadn"tcome?"

"Idon"tknow.Butanyway,yourmotherwouldmissyouassoonastheygothome."

AfrightenedlookinBecky"sfacebroughtTomtohissensesandhesawthathehadmadeablunder.Beckywasnottohavegonehomethatnight!Thechildrenbecamesilentandthoughtful.InamomentanewburstofgrieffromBeckyshowedTomthatthethinginhismindhadstruckhersalso——thattheSabbathmorningmightbehalfspentbeforeMrs.ThatcherdiscoveredthatBeckywasnotatMrs.Harper"s.

Thechildrenfastenedtheireyesupontheirbitofcandleandwatcheditmeltslowlyandpitilesslyaway;sawthehalfinchofwickstandaloneatlast;sawthefeebleflameriseandfall,climbthethincolumnofsmoke,lingeratitstopamoment,andthen——thehorrorofutterdarknessreigned!

HowlongafterwarditwasthatBeckycametoaslowconsciousnessthatshewascryinginTom"sarms,neithercouldtell.Allthattheyknewwas,thatafterwhatseemedamightystretchoftime,bothawokeoutofadeadstuporofsleepandresumedtheirmiseriesoncemore.TomsaiditmightbeSunday,now——maybeMonday.HetriedtogetBeckytotalk,buthersorrowsweretoooppressive,allherhopesweregone.Tomsaidthattheymusthavebeenmissedlongago,andnodoubtthesearchwasgoingon.Hewouldshoutandmaybesomeonewouldcome.Hetriedit;butinthedarknessthedistantechoessoundedsohideouslythathetrieditnomore.

Thehourswastedaway,andhungercametotormentthecaptivesagain.AportionofTom"shalfofthecakewasleft;theydividedandateit.Buttheyseemedhungrierthanbefore.Thepoormorseloffoodonlywhetteddesire.

By-and-byTomsaid:

"Sh!Didyouhearthat?"

Bothheldtheirbreathandlistened.Therewasasoundlikethefaintest,far-offshout.InstantlyTomansweredit,andleadingBeckybythehand,startedgropingdownthecorridorinitsdirection.Presentlyhelistenedagain;againthesoundwasheard,andapparentlyalittlenearer.

"It"sthem!"saidTom;"they"recoming!Comealong,Becky——we"reallrightnow!"

Thejoyoftheprisonerswasalmostoverwhelming.Theirspeedwasslow,however,becausepitfallsweresomewhatcommon,andhadtobeguardedagainst.Theyshortlycametooneandhadtostop.Itmightbethreefeetdeep,itmightbeahundred——therewasnopassingitatanyrate.Tomgotdownonhisbreastandreachedasfardownashecould.Nobottom.Theymuststaythereandwaituntilthesearcherscame.Theylistened;evidentlythedistantshoutingsweregrowingmoredistant!amomentortwomoreandtheyhadgonealtogether.Theheart-sinkingmiseryofit!Tomwhoopeduntilhewashoarse,butitwasofnouse.HetalkedhopefullytoBecky;butanageofanxiouswaitingpassedandnosoundscameagain.

Thechildrengropedtheirwaybacktothespring.Thewearytimedraggedon;theysleptagain,andawokefamishedandwoe-stricken.TombelieveditmustbeTuesdaybythistime.

Nowanideastruckhim.Thereweresomesidepassagesnearathand.Itwouldbebettertoexploresomeofthesethanbeartheweightoftheheavytimeinidleness.Hetookakite-linefromhispocket,tiedittoaprojection,andheandBeckystarted,Tominthelead,unwindingthelineashegropedalong.Attheendoftwentystepsthecorridorendedina"jumping-offplace."Tomgotdownonhiskneesandfeltbelow,andthenasfararoundthecornerashecouldreachwithhishandsconveniently;hemadeanefforttostretchyetalittlefarthertotheright,andatthatmoment,nottwentyyardsaway,ahumanhand,holdingacandle,appearedfrombehindarock!Tomliftedupagloriousshout,andinstantlythathandwasfollowedbythebodyitbelongedto——InjunJoe"s!Tomwasparalyzed;hecouldnotmove.Hewasvastlygratifiedthenextmoment,toseethe"Spaniard"taketohisheelsandgethimselfoutofsight.TomwonderedthatJoehadnotrecognizedhisvoiceandcomeoverandkilledhimfortestifyingincourt.Buttheechoesmusthavedisguisedthevoice.Withoutdoubt,thatwasit,hereasoned.Tom"sfrightweakenedeverymuscleinhisbody.Hesaidtohimselfthatifhehadstrengthenoughtogetbacktothespringhewouldstaythere,andnothingshouldtempthimtoruntheriskofmeetingInjunJoeagain.HewascarefultokeepfromBeckywhatitwashehadseen.Hetoldherhehadonlyshouted"forluck."

Buthungerandwretchednessrisesuperiortofearsinthelongrun.Anothertediouswaitatthespringandanotherlongsleepbroughtchanges.Thechildrenawoketorturedwitharaginghunger.TombelievedthatitmustbeWednesdayorThursdayorevenFridayorSaturday,now,andthatthesearchhadbeengivenover.Heproposedtoexploreanotherpassage.HefeltwillingtoriskInjunJoeandallotherterrors.ButBeckywasveryweak.Shehadsunkintoadrearyapathyandwouldnotberoused.Shesaidshewouldwait,now,whereshewas,anddie——itwouldnotbelong.ShetoldTomtogowiththekite-lineandexploreifhechose;butsheimploredhimtocomebackeverylittlewhileandspeaktoher;andshemadehimpromisethatwhentheawfultimecame,hewouldstaybyherandholdherhanduntilallwasover.

Tomkissedher,withachokingsensationinhisthroat,andmadeashowofbeingconfidentoffindingthesearchersoranescapefromthecave;thenhetookthekite-lineinhishandandwentgropingdownoneofthepassagesonhishandsandknees,distressedwithhungerandsickwithbodingsofcomingdoom.

CHAPTERXXXII

TUESDAYafternooncame,andwanedtothetwilight.ThevillageofSt.Petersburgstillmourned.Thelostchildrenhadnotbeenfound.Publicprayershadbeenofferedupforthem,andmanyandmanyaprivateprayerthathadthepetitioner"swholeheartinit;butstillnogoodnewscamefromthecave.Themajorityofthesearchershadgivenupthequestandgonebacktotheirdailyavocations,sayingthatitwasplainthechildrencouldneverbefound.Mrs.Thatcherwasveryill,andagreatpartofthetimedelirious.Peoplesaiditwasheartbreakingtohearhercallherchild,andraiseherheadandlistenawholeminuteatatime,thenlayitwearilydownagainwithamoan.AuntPollyhaddroopedintoasettledmelancholy,andhergrayhairhadgrownalmostwhite.ThevillagewenttoitsrestonTuesdaynight,sadandforlorn.

Awayinthemiddleofthenightawildpealburstfromthevillagebells,andinamomentthestreetswereswarmingwithfrantichalf-cladpeople,whoshouted,"Turnout!turnout!they"refound!they"refound!"Tinpansandhornswereaddedtothedin,thepopulationmasseditselfandmovedtowardtheriver,metthechildrencominginanopencarriagedrawnbyshoutingcitizens,throngedaroundit,joineditshomewardmarch,andsweptmagnificentlyupthemainstreetroaringhuzzahafterhuzzah!

Thevillagewasilluminated;nobodywenttobedagain;itwasthegreatestnightthelittletownhadeverseen.Duringthefirsthalf-houraprocessionofvillagersfiledthroughJudgeThatcher"shouse,seizedthesavedonesandkissedthem,squeezedMrs.Thatcher"shand,triedtospeakbutcouldn"t——anddriftedoutrainingtearsallovertheplace.

AuntPolly"shappinesswascomplete,andMrs.Thatcher"snearlyso.Itwouldbecomplete,however,assoonasthemessengerdispatchedwiththegreatnewstothecaveshouldgetthewordtoherhusband.Tomlayuponasofawithaneagerauditoryabouthimandtoldthehistoryofthewonderfuladventure,puttinginmanystrikingadditionstoadornitwithal;andclosedwithadescriptionofhowheleftBeckyandwentonanexploringexpedition;howhefollowedtwoavenuesasfarashiskite-linewouldreach;howhefollowedathirdtothefulleststretchofthekite-line,andwasabouttoturnbackwhenheglimpsedafar-offspeckthatlookedlikedaylight;droppedthelineandgropedtowardit,pushedhisheadandshouldersthroughasmallhole,andsawthebroadMississippirollingby!Andifithadonlyhappenedtobenighthewouldnothaveseenthatspeckofdaylightandwouldnothaveexploredthatpassageanymore!HetoldhowhewentbackforBeckyandbrokethegoodnewsandshetoldhimnottofretherwithsuchstuff,forshewastired,andknewshewasgoingtodie,andwantedto.Hedescribedhowhelaboredwithherandconvincedher;andhowshealmostdiedforjoywhenshehadgropedtowheresheactuallysawthebluespeckofdaylight;howhepushedhiswayoutattheholeandthenhelpedherout;howtheysatthereandcriedforgladness;howsomemencamealonginaskiffandTomhailedthemandtoldthemtheirsituationandtheirfamishedcondition;howthemendidn"tbelievethewildtaleatfirst,"because,"saidthey,"youarefivemilesdowntheriverbelowthevalleythecaveisin"——thentookthemaboard,rowedtoahouse,gavethemsupper,madethemresttilltwoorthreehoursafterdarkandthenbroughtthemhome.

Beforeday-dawn,JudgeThatcherandthehandfulofsearcherswithhimweretrackedout,inthecave,bythetwineclewstheyhadstrungbehindthem,andinformedofthegreatnews.

Threedaysandnightsoftoilandhungerinthecavewerenottobeshakenoffatonce,asTomandBeckysoondiscovered.TheywerebedriddenallofWednesdayandThursday,andseemedtogrowmoreandmoretiredandworn,allthetime.Tomgotabout,alittle,onThursday,wasdown-townFriday,andnearlyaswholeaseverSaturday;butBeckydidnotleaveherroomuntilSunday,andthenshelookedasifshehadpassedthroughawastingillness.

TomlearnedofHuck"ssicknessandwenttoseehimonFriday,butcouldnotbeadmittedtothebedroom;neithercouldheonSaturdayorSunday.Hewasadmitteddailyafterthat,butwaswarnedtokeepstillabouthisadventureandintroducenoexcitingtopic.TheWidowDouglasstayedbytoseethatheobeyed.AthomeTomlearnedoftheCardiffHillevent;alsothatthe"raggedman"s"bodyhadeventuallybeenfoundintheriverneartheferrylanding;hehadbeendrownedwhiletryingtoescape,perhaps.

AboutafortnightafterTom"srescuefromthecave,hestartedofftovisitHuck,whohadgrownplentystrongenough,now,tohearexcitingtalk,andTomhadsomethatwouldinteresthim,hethought.JudgeThatcher"shousewasonTom"sway,andhestoppedtoseeBecky.TheJudgeandsomefriendssetTomtotalking,andsomeoneaskedhimironicallyifhewouldn"tliketogotothecaveagain.Tomsaidhethoughthewouldn"tmindit.TheJudgesaid:

"Well,thereareothersjustlikeyou,Tom,I"venottheleastdoubt.Butwehavetakencareofthat.Nobodywillgetlostinthatcaveanymore."

"Why?"

"BecauseIhaditsbigdoorsheathedwithboilerirontwoweeksago,andtriple-locked——andI"vegotthekeys."

Tomturnedaswhiteasasheet.

"What"sthematter,boy!Here,run,somebody!Fetchaglassofwater!"

ThewaterwasbroughtandthrownintoTom"sface.

"Ah,nowyou"reallright.Whatwasthematterwithyou,Tom?"

"Oh,Judge,InjunJoe"sinthecave!"

CHAPTERXXXIII

WITHINafewminutesthenewshadspread,andadozenskiff-loadsofmenwereontheirwaytoMcDougal"scave,andtheferry-boat,wellfilledwithpassengers,soonfollowed.TomSawyerwasintheskiffthatboreJudgeThatcher.

Whenthecavedoorwasunlocked,asorrowfulsightpresenteditselfinthedimtwilightoftheplace.InjunJoelaystretchedupontheground,dead,withhisfaceclosetothecrackofthedoor,asifhislongingeyeshadbeenfixed,tothelatestmoment,uponthelightandthecheerofthefreeworldoutside.Tomwastouched,forheknewbyhisownexperiencehowthiswretchhadsuffered.Hispitywasmoved,butneverthelesshefeltanaboundingsenseofreliefandsecurity,now,whichrevealedtohiminadegreewhichhehadnotfullyappreciatedbeforehowvastaweightofdreadhadbeenlyinguponhimsincethedayheliftedhisvoiceagainstthisbloody-mindedoutcast.

InjunJoe"sbowie-knifelaycloseby,itsbladebrokenintwo.Thegreatfoundation-beamofthedoorhadbeenchippedandhackedthrough,withtediouslabor;uselesslabor,too,itwas,forthenativerockformedasilloutsideit,anduponthatstubbornmaterialtheknifehadwroughtnoeffect;theonlydamagedonewastotheknifeitself.Butiftherehadbeennostonyobstructiontherethelaborwouldhavebeenuselessstill,forifthebeamhadbeenwhollycutawayInjunJoecouldnothavesqueezedhisbodyunderthedoor,andheknewit.Sohehadonlyhackedthatplaceinordertobedoingsomething——inordertopassthewearytime——inordertoemployhistorturedfaculties.Ordinarilyonecouldfindhalfadozenbitsofcandlestuckaroundinthecrevicesofthisvestibule,lefttherebytourists;buttherewerenonenow.Theprisonerhadsearchedthemoutandeatenthem.Hehadalsocontrivedtocatchafewbats,andthese,also,hehadeaten,leavingonlytheirclaws.Thepoorunfortunatehadstarvedtodeath.Inoneplace,nearathand,astalagmitehadbeenslowlygrowingupfromthegroundforages,buildedbythewater-dripfromastalactiteoverhead.Thecaptivehadbrokenoffthestalagmite,anduponthestumphadplacedastone,whereinhehadscoopedashallowhollowtocatchthepreciousdropthatfellonceineverythreeminuteswiththedrearyregularityofaclock-tick——adessertspoonfulonceinfourandtwentyhours.ThatdropwasfallingwhenthePyramidswerenew;whenTroyfell;whenthefoundationsofRomewerelaidwhenChristwascrucified;whentheConquerorcreatedtheBritishempire;whenColumbussailed;whenthemassacreatLexingtonwas"news."Itisfallingnow;itwillstillbefallingwhenallthesethingsshallhavesunkdowntheafternoonofhistory,andthetwilightoftradition,andbeenswallowedupinthethicknightofoblivion.Haseverythingapurposeandamission?Didthisdropfallpatientlyduringfivethousandyearstobereadyforthisflittinghumaninsect"sneed?andhasitanotherimportantobjecttoaccomplishtenthousandyearstocome?Nomatter.Itismanyandmanyayearsincethehaplesshalf-breedscoopedoutthestonetocatchthepricelessdrops,buttothisdaythetouriststareslongestatthatpatheticstoneandthatslow-droppingwaterwhenhecomestoseethewondersofMcDougal"scave.InjunJoe"scupstandsfirstinthelistofthecavern"smarvels;even"Aladdin"sPalace"cannotrivalit.

InjunJoewasburiednearthemouthofthecave;andpeopleflockedthereinboatsandwagonsfromthetownsandfromallthefarmsandhamletsforsevenmilesaround;theybroughttheirchildren,andallsortsofprovisions,andconfessedthattheyhadhadalmostassatisfactoryatimeatthefuneralastheycouldhavehadatthehanging.

Thisfuneralstoppedthefurthergrowthofonething——thepetitiontothegovernorforInjunJoe"spardon.Thepetitionhadbeenlargelysigned;manytearfulandeloquentmeetingshadbeenheld,andacommitteeofsappywomenbeenappointedtogoindeepmourningandwailaroundthegovernor,andimplorehimtobeamercifulassandtramplehisdutyunderfoot.InjunJoewasbelievedtohavekilledfivecitizensofthevillage,butwhatofthat?IfhehadbeenSatanhimselftherewouldhavebeenplentyofweaklingsreadytoscribbletheirnamestoapardon-petition,anddripatearonitfromtheirpermanentlyimpairedandleakywater-works.

ThemorningafterthefuneralTomtookHucktoaprivateplacetohaveanimportanttalk.HuckhadlearnedallaboutTom"sadventurefromtheWelshmanandtheWidowDouglas,bythistime,butTomsaidhereckonedtherewasonethingtheyhadnottoldhim;thatthingwaswhathewantedtotalkaboutnow.Huck"sfacesaddened.Hesaid:

"Iknowwhatitis.YougotintoNo.2andneverfoundanythingbutwhiskey.Nobodytoldmeitwasyou;butIjustknoweditmust"a"benyou,soonasIheard"boutthatwhiskeybusiness;andIknowedyouhadn"tgotthemoneybecuzyou"d"a"gotatmesomewayorotherandtoldmeevenifyouwasmumtoeverybodyelse.Tom,something"salwaystoldmewe"dnevergetholtofthatswag."

"Why,Huck,Inevertoldonthattavern-keeper.YOUknowhistavernwasallrighttheSaturdayIwenttothepicnic.Don"tyourememberyouwastowatchtherethatnight?"

"Ohyes!Why,itseems"boutayearago.ItwasthatverynightthatIfolleredInjunJoetothewidder"s."

"YOUfollowedhim?"

"Yes——butyoukeepmum.IreckonInjunJoe"sleftfriendsbehindhim,andIdon"twant"emsouringonmeanddoingmemeantricks.Ifithadn"tbenformehe"dbedowninTexasnow,allright."

ThenHucktoldhisentireadventureinconfidencetoTom,whohadonlyheardoftheWelshman"spartofitbefore.

"Well,"saidHuck,presently,comingbacktothemainquestion,"whoevernippedthewhiskeyinNo.2,nippedthemoney,too,Ireckon——anywaysit"sagonerforus,Tom."

"Huck,thatmoneywasn"teverinNo.2!"

"What!"Hucksearchedhiscomrade"sfacekeenly."Tom,haveyougotonthetrackofthatmoneyagain?"

"Huck,it"sinthecave!"

Huck"seyesblazed.

"Sayitagain,Tom."

"Themoney"sinthecave!"

"Tom——honestinjun,now——isitfun,orearnest?"

"Earnest,Huck——justasearnestaseverIwasinmylife.Willyougointherewithmeandhelpgetitout?"

"IbetIwill!Iwillifit"swherewecanblazeourwaytoitandnotgetlost."

"Huck,wecandothatwithouttheleastlittlebitoftroubleintheworld."

"Goodaswheat!Whatmakesyouthinkthemoney"s——"

"Huck,youjustwaittillwegetinthere.Ifwedon"tfinditI"llagreetogiveyoumydrumandeverythingI"vegotintheworld.Iwill,byjings."

"Allright——it"sawhiz.Whendoyousay?"

"Rightnow,ifyousayit.Areyoustrongenough?"

"Isitfarinthecave?Ibenonmypinsalittle,threeorfourdays,now,butIcan"twalkmore"namile,Tom——leastIdon"tthinkIcould."

"It"saboutfivemileintotherethewayanybodybutmewouldgo,Huck,butthere"samightyshortcutthattheydon"tanybodybutmeknowabout.Huck,I"lltakeyourighttoitinaskiff.I"llfloattheskiffdownthere,andI"llpullitbackagainallbymyself.Youneedn"teverturnyourhandover."

"Lessstartrightoff,Tom."

"Allright.Wewantsomebreadandmeat,andourpipes,andalittlebagortwo,andtwoorthreekite-strings,andsomeofthesenew-fangledthingstheycalllucifermatches.Itellyou,many"sthetimeIwishedIhadsomewhenIwasintherebefore."

Atrifleafternoontheboysborrowedasmallskifffromacitizenwhowasabsent,andgotunderwayatonce.Whentheywereseveralmilesbelow"CaveHollow,"Tomsaid:

"Nowyouseethisbluffherelooksallalikeallthewaydownfromthecavehollow——nohouses,nowoodyards,bushesallalike.Butdoyouseethatwhiteplaceupyonderwherethere"sbeenalandslide?Well,that"soneofmymarks.We"llgetashore,now."

Theylanded.

"Now,Huck,wherewe"rea-standingyoucouldtouchthatholeIgotoutofwithafishing-pole.Seeifyoucanfindit."

Hucksearchedalltheplaceabout,andfoundnothing.Tomproudlymarchedintoathickclumpofsumachbushesandsaid:

"Hereyouare!Lookatit,Huck;it"sthesnuggestholeinthiscountry.Youjustkeepmumaboutit.AllalongI"vebeenwantingtobearobber,butIknewI"dgottohaveathinglikethis,andwheretorunacrossitwasthebother.We"vegotitnow,andwe"llkeepitquiet,onlywe"llletJoeHarperandBenRogersin——becauseofcoursethere"sgottobeaGang,orelsetherewouldn"tbeanystyleaboutit.TomSawyer"sGang——itsoundssplendid,don"tit,Huck?"

"Well,itjustdoes,Tom.Andwho"llwerob?"

"Oh,mostanybody.Waylaypeople——that"smostlytheway."

"Andkillthem?"

"No,notalways.Hivetheminthecavetilltheyraisearansom."

"What"saransom?"

"Money.Youmakethemraisealltheycan,off"ntheirfriends;andafteryou"vekeptthemayear,ifitain"traisedthenyoukillthem.That"sthegeneralway.Onlyyoudon"tkillthewomen.Youshutupthewomen,butyoudon"tkillthem.They"realwaysbeautifulandrich,andawfullyscared.Youtaketheirwatchesandthings,butyoualwaystakeyourhatoffandtalkpolite.Theyain"tanybodyaspoliteasrobbers——you"llseethatinanybook.Well,thewomengettolovingyou,andafterthey"vebeeninthecaveaweekortwoweekstheystopcryingandafterthatyoucouldn"tgetthemtoleave.Ifyoudrovethemoutthey"dturnrightaroundandcomeback.It"ssoinallthebooks."

"Why,it"srealbully,Tom.Ibelieveit"sbetter"ntobeapirate."

"Yes,it"sbetterinsomeways,becauseit"sclosetohomeandcircusesandallthat."

Bythistimeeverythingwasreadyandtheboysenteredthehole,Tominthelead.Theytoiledtheirwaytothefartherendofthetunnel,thenmadetheirsplicedkite-stringsfastandmovedon.Afewstepsbroughtthemtothespring,andTomfeltashudderquiverallthroughhim.HeshowedHuckthefragmentofcandle-wickperchedonalumpofclayagainstthewall,anddescribedhowheandBeckyhadwatchedtheflamestruggleandexpire.

Theboysbegantoquietdowntowhispers,now,forthestillnessandgloomoftheplaceoppressedtheirspirits.Theywenton,andpresentlyenteredandfollowedTom"sothercorridoruntiltheyreachedthe"jumping-offplace."Thecandlesrevealedthefactthatitwasnotreallyaprecipice,butonlyasteepclayhilltwentyorthirtyfeethigh.Tomwhispered:

"NowI"llshowyousomething,Huck."

Heheldhiscandlealoftandsaid:

"Lookasfararoundthecornerasyoucan.Doyouseethat?There——onthebigrockoveryonder——donewithcandle-smoke."

"Tom,it"sacross!"

"NOWwhere"syourNumberTwo?"underthecross,"hey?Rightyonder"swhereIsawInjunJoepokeuphiscandle,Huck!"

Huckstaredatthemysticsignawhile,andthensaidwithashakyvoice:

"Tom,lessgitoutofhere!"

"What!andleavethetreasure?"

"Yes——leaveit.InjunJoe"sghostisroundaboutthere,certain."

"Noitain"t,Huck,noitain"t.Itwouldha"nttheplacewherehedied——awayoutatthemouthofthecave——fivemilefromhere."

"No,Tom,itwouldn"t.Itwouldhangroundthemoney.Iknowthewaysofghosts,andsodoyou."

TombegantofearthatHuckwasright.Misgivingsgatheredinhismind.Butpresentlyanideaoccurredtohim——

"Lookyhere,Huck,whatfoolswe"remakingofourselves!InjunJoe"sghostain"tagoingtocomearoundwherethere"sacross!"

Thepointwaswelltaken.Ithaditseffect.

"Tom,Ididn"tthinkofthat.Butthat"sso.It"sluckforus,thatcrossis.Ireckonwe"llclimbdownthereandhaveahuntforthatbox."

Tomwentfirst,cuttingrudestepsintheclayhillashedescended.Huckfollowed.Fouravenuesopenedoutofthesmallcavernwhichthegreatrockstoodin.Theboysexaminedthreeofthemwithnoresult.Theyfoundasmallrecessintheonenearestthebaseoftherock,withapalletofblanketsspreaddowninit;alsoanoldsuspender,somebaconrind,andthewell-gnawedbonesoftwoorthreefowls.Buttherewasnomoney-box.Theladssearchedandresearchedthisplace,butinvain.Tomsaid:

"Hesaidunderthecross.Well,thiscomesnearesttobeingunderthecross.Itcan"tbeundertherockitself,becausethatsetssolidontheground."

Theysearchedeverywhereoncemore,andthensatdowndiscouraged.Huckcouldsuggestnothing.By-and-byTomsaid:

"Lookyhere,Huck,there"sfootprintsandsomecandle-greaseontheclayaboutonesideofthisrock,butnotontheothersides.Now,what"sthatfor?IbetyouthemoneyISundertherock.I"mgoingtodigintheclay."

"Thatain"tnobadnotion,Tom!"saidHuckwithanimation.

Tom"s"realBarlow"wasoutatonce,andhehadnotdugfourinchesbeforehestruckwood.

"Hey,Huck!——youhearthat?"

Huckbegantodigandscratchnow.Someboardsweresoonuncoveredandremoved.Theyhadconcealedanaturalchasmwhichledundertherock.Tomgotintothisandheldhiscandleasfarundertherockashecould,butsaidhecouldnotseetotheendoftherift.Heproposedtoexplore.Hestoopedandpassedunder;thenarrowwaydescendedgradually.Hefolloweditswindingcourse,firsttotheright,thentotheleft,Huckathisheels.Tomturnedashortcurve,by-and-by,andexclaimed:

"Mygoodness,Huck,lookyhere!"

Itwasthetreasure-box,sureenough,occupyingasnuglittlecavern,alongwithanemptypowder-keg,acoupleofgunsinleathercases,twoorthreepairsofoldmoccasins,aleatherbelt,andsomeotherrubbishwellsoakedwiththewater-drip.

"Gotitatlast!"saidHuck,ploughingamongthetarnishedcoinswithhishand."My,butwe"rerich,Tom!"

"Huck,Ialwaysreckonedwe"dgetit.It"sjusttoogoodtobelieve,butwehavegotit,sure!Say——let"snotfoolaroundhere.Let"ssnakeitout.LemmeseeifIcanliftthebox."

Itweighedaboutfiftypounds.Tomcouldliftit,afteranawkwardfashion,butcouldnotcarryitconveniently.

"Ithoughtso,"hesaid;"Theycarrieditlikeitwasheavy,thatdayattheha"ntedhouse.Inoticedthat.IreckonIwasrighttothinkoffetchingthelittlebagsalong."

Themoneywassooninthebagsandtheboystookituptothecrossrock.

"Nowlessfetchthegunsandthings,"saidHuck.

"No,Huck——leavethemthere.They"rejustthetrickstohavewhenwegotorobbing.We"llkeepthemthereallthetime,andwe"llholdourorgiesthere,too.It"sanawfulsnugplacefororgies."

"Whatorgies?"

"Idono.Butrobbersalwayshaveorgies,andofcoursewe"vegottohavethem,too.Comealong,Huck,we"vebeeninherealongtime.It"sgettinglate,Ireckon.I"mhungry,too.We"lleatandsmokewhenwegettotheskiff."

Theypresentlyemergedintotheclumpofsumachbushes,lookedwarilyout,foundthecoastclear,andweresoonlunchingandsmokingintheskiff.Asthesundippedtowardthehorizontheypushedoutandgotunderway.Tomskimmeduptheshorethroughthelongtwilight,chattingcheerilywithHuck,andlandedshortlyafterdark.

"Now,Huck,"saidTom,"we"llhidethemoneyintheloftofthewidow"swoodshed,andI"llcomeupinthemorningandwe"llcountitanddivide,andthenwe"llhuntupaplaceoutinthewoodsforitwhereitwillbesafe.JustyoulayquiethereandwatchthestufftillIrunandhookBennyTaylor"slittlewagon;Iwon"tbegoneaminute."

Hedisappeared,andpresentlyreturnedwiththewagon,putthetwosmallsacksintoit,threwsomeoldragsontopofthem,andstartedoff,dragginghiscargobehindhim.WhentheboysreachedtheWelshman"shouse,theystoppedtorest.Justastheywereabouttomoveon,theWelshmansteppedoutandsaid:

"Hallo,who"sthat?"

"HuckandTomSawyer."

"Good!Comealongwithme,boys,youarekeepingeverybodywaiting.Here——hurryup,trotahead——I"llhaulthewagonforyou.Why,it"snotaslightasitmightbe.Gotbricksinit?——oroldmetal?"

"Oldmetal,"saidTom.

"Ijudgedso;theboysinthistownwilltakemoretroubleandfoolawaymoretimehuntingupsixbits"worthofoldirontoselltothefoundrythantheywouldtomaketwicethemoneyatregularwork.Butthat"shumannature——hurryalong,hurryalong!"

Theboyswantedtoknowwhatthehurrywasabout.

"Nevermind;you"llsee,whenwegettotheWidowDouglas"."

Hucksaidwithsomeapprehension——forhewaslongusedtobeingfalselyaccused:

"Mr.Jones,wehaven"tbeendoingnothing."

TheWelshmanlaughed.

"Well,Idon"tknow,Huck,myboy.Idon"tknowaboutthat.Ain"tyouandthewidowgoodfriends?"

"Yes.Well,she"sbengoodfriendstome,anyway."

"Allright,then.Whatdoyouwanttobeafraidfor?"

ThisquestionwasnotentirelyansweredinHuck"sslowmindbeforehefoundhimselfpushed,alongwithTom,intoMrs.Douglas"drawing-room.Mr.Jonesleftthewagonnearthedoorandfollowed.

Theplacewasgrandlylighted,andeverybodythatwasofanyconsequenceinthevillagewasthere.TheThatcherswerethere,theHarpers,theRogerses,AuntPolly,Sid,Mary,theminister,theeditor,andagreatmanymore,andalldressedintheirbest.Thewidowreceivedtheboysasheartilyasanyonecouldwellreceivetwosuchlookingbeings.Theywerecoveredwithclayandcandle-grease.AuntPollyblushedcrimsonwithhumiliation,andfrownedandshookherheadatTom.Nobodysufferedhalfasmuchasthetwoboysdid,however.Mr.Jonessaid:

"Tomwasn"tathome,yet,soIgavehimup;butIstumbledonhimandHuckrightatmydoor,andsoIjustbroughtthemalonginahurry."

"Andyoudidjustright,"saidthewidow."Comewithme,boys."

Shetookthemtoabedchamberandsaid:

"Nowwashanddressyourselves.Herearetwonewsuitsofclothes——shirts,socks,everythingcomplete.They"reHuck"s——no,nothanks,Huck——Mr.JonesboughtoneandItheother.Butthey"llfitbothofyou.Getintothem.We"llwait——comedownwhenyouareslickedupenough."

Thensheleft.

CHAPTERXXXIV

HUCKsaid:"Tom,wecanslope,ifwecanfindarope.Thewindowain"thighfromtheground."

"Shucks!whatdoyouwanttoslopefor?"

"Well,Iain"tusedtothatkindofacrowd.Ican"tstandit.Iain"tgoingdownthere,Tom."

"Oh,bother!Itain"tanything.Idon"tminditabit.I"lltakecareofyou."

Sidappeared.

"Tom,"saidhe,"auntiehasbeenwaitingforyoualltheafternoon.MarygotyourSundayclothesready,andeverybody"sbeenfrettingaboutyou.Say——ain"tthisgreaseandclay,onyourclothes?"

"Now,Mr.Siddy,youjist"tendtoyourownbusiness.What"sallthisblow-outabout,anyway?"

"It"soneofthewidow"spartiesthatshe"salwayshaving.Thistimeit"sfortheWelshmanandhissons,onaccountofthatscrapetheyhelpedheroutoftheothernight.Andsay——Icantellyousomething,ifyouwanttoknow."

"Well,what?"

"Why,oldMr.Jonesisgoingtotrytospringsomethingonthepeoplehereto-night,butIoverheardhimtellauntieto-dayaboutit,asasecret,butIreckonit"snotmuchofasecretnow.Everybodyknows——thewidow,too,forallshetriestoletonshedon"t.Mr.JoneswasboundHuckshouldbehere——couldn"tgetalongwithhisgrandsecretwithoutHuck,youknow!"

"Secretaboutwhat,Sid?"

"AboutHucktrackingtherobberstothewidow"s.IreckonMr.Joneswasgoingtomakeagrandtimeoverhissurprise,butIbetyouitwilldropprettyflat."

Sidchuckledinaverycontentedandsatisfiedway.

"Sid,wasityouthattold?"

"Oh,nevermindwhoitwas.Somebodytold——that"senough."

"Sid,there"sonlyonepersoninthistownmeanenoughtodothat,andthat"syou.IfyouhadbeeninHuck"splaceyou"d"a"sneakeddownthehillandnevertoldanybodyontherobbers.Youcan"tdoanybutmeanthings,andyoucan"tbeartoseeanybodypraisedfordoinggoodones.There——nothanks,asthewidowsays"——andTomcuffedSid"searsandhelpedhimtothedoorwithseveralkicks."Nowgoandtellauntieifyoudare——andto-morrowyou"llcatchit!"

Someminuteslaterthewidow"sguestswereatthesupper-table,andadozenchildrenwereproppedupatlittleside-tablesinthesameroom,afterthefashionofthatcountryandthatday.AtthepropertimeMr.Jonesmadehislittlespeech,inwhichhethankedthewidowforthehonorshewasdoinghimselfandhissons,butsaidthattherewasanotherpersonwhosemodesty——

Andsoforthandsoon.HesprunghissecretaboutHuck"sshareintheadventureinthefinestdramaticmannerhewasmasterof,butthesurpriseitoccasionedwaslargelycounterfeitandnotasclamorousandeffusiveasitmighthavebeenunderhappiercircumstances.However,thewidowmadeaprettyfairshowofastonishment,andheapedsomanycomplimentsandsomuchgratitudeuponHuckthathealmostforgotthenearlyintolerablediscomfortofhisnewclothesintheentirelyintolerablediscomfortofbeingsetupasatargetforeverybody"sgazeandeverybody"slaudations.