第3章
ThenexttimeitcomeIseeIwarn”theadingforit，butheadingawaytotherightofit。AndthenexttimeIwasheadingawaytotheleftofit——andnotgainingonitmucheither，forIwasflyingaround，thiswayandthatandt”other，butitwasgoingstraightaheadallthetime。
Ididwishthefoolwouldthinktobeatatinpan，andbeatitallthetime，butheneverdid，anditwasthestillplacesbetweenthewhoopsthatwasmakingthetroubleforme。Well，Ifoughtalong，anddirectlyIhearsthewhoopBEHINDme。Iwastangledgoodnow。Thatwassomebodyelse”swhoop，orelseIwasturnedaround。
Ithrowedthepaddledown。Iheardthewhoopagain；itwasbehindmeyet，butinadifferentplace；itkeptcoming，andkeptchangingitsplace，andIkeptanswering，tillbyandbyitwasinfrontofmeagain，andI
knowedthecurrenthadswungthecanoe”sheaddown-stream，andIwasallrightifthatwasJimandnotsomeotherraftsmanhollering。Icouldn”ttellnothingaboutvoicesinafog，fornothingdon”tlooknaturalnorsoundnaturalinafog。
Thewhoopingwenton，andinaboutaminuteIcomea-boomingdownonacutbankwithsmokyghostsofbigtreesonit，andthecurrentthrowedmeofftotheleftandshotby，amongstalotofsnagsthatfairlyroared，thecurrrentwastearingbythemsoswift。
Inanothersecondortwoitwassolidwhiteandstillagain。Isetperfectlystillthen，listeningtomyheartthump，andIreckonIdidn”tdrawabreathwhileitthumpedahundred。
Ijustgiveupthen。Iknowedwhatthematterwas。Thatcutbankwasanisland，andJimhadgonedownt”othersideofit。Itwarn”tnotowheadthatyoucouldfloatbyintenminutes。Ithadthebigtimberofaregularisland；itmightbefiveorsixmileslongandmorethanhalfamilewide。
Ikeptquiet，withmyearscocked，aboutfifteenminutes，Ireckon。
Iwasfloatingalong，ofcourse，fourorfivemilesanhour；butyoudon”teverthinkofthat。No，youFEELlikeyouarelayingdeadstillonthewater；andifalittleglimpseofasnagslipsbyyoudon”tthinktoyourselfhowfastYOU”REgoing，butyoucatchyourbreathandthink，my！howthatsnag”stearingalong。Ifyouthinkitain”tdismalandlonesomeoutinafogthatwaybyyourselfinthenight，youtryitonce——you”llsee。
Next，foraboutahalfanhour，Iwhoopsnowandthen；atlastIhearstheansweralongwaysoff，andtriestofollowit，butIcouldn”tdoit，anddirectlyIjudgedI”dgotintoanestoftowheads，forIhadlittledimglimpsesofthemonbothsidesofme——sometimesjustanarrowchannelbetween，andsomethatIcouldn”tseeIknowedwastherebecauseI”dhearthewashofthecurrentagainsttheolddeadbrushandtrashthathungoverthebanks。Well，Iwarn”tlongloosingthewhoopsdownamongstthetowheads；andIonlytriedtochasethemalittlewhile，anyway，becauseitwasworsethanchasingaJack-o”-lantern。Youneverknowedasounddodgearoundso，andswapplacessoquickandsomuch。
Ihadtoclawawayfromthebankprettylivelyfourorfivetimes，tokeepfromknockingtheislandsoutoftheriver；andsoIjudgedtheraftmustbebuttingintothebankeverynowandthen，orelseitwouldgetfurtheraheadandclearoutofhearing——itwasfloatingalittlefasterthanwhatIwas。
Well，Iseemedtobeintheopenriveragainbyandby，butIcouldn”thearnosignofawhoopnowheres。IreckonedJimhadfetcheduponasnag，maybe，anditwasallupwithhim。Iwasgoodandtired，soIlaiddowninthecanoeandsaidIwouldn”tbothernomore。Ididn”twanttogotosleep，ofcourse；butIwassosleepyIcouldn”thelpit；soIthoughtIwouldtakejestonelittlecat-nap。
ButIreckonitwasmorethanacat-nap，forwhenIwakedupthestarswasshiningbright，thefogwasallgone，andIwasspinningdownabigbendsternfirst。FirstIdidn”tknowwhereIwas；IthoughtIwasdreaming；
andwhenthingsbegantocomebacktometheyseemedtocomeupdimoutoflastweek。
Itwasamonstrousbigriverhere，withthetallestandthethickestkindoftimberonbothbanks；justasolidwall，aswellasIcouldseebythestars。Ilookedawaydown-stream，andseenablackspeckonthewater。Itookafterit；butwhenIgottoititwarn”tnothingbutacoupleofsawlogsmadefasttogether。ThenIseeanotherspeck，andchasedthat；
thenanother，andthistimeIwasright。Itwastheraft。
WhenIgottoitJimwassettingtherewithhisheaddownbetweenhisknees，asleep，withhisrightarmhangingoverthesteering-oar。Theotheroarwassmashedoff，andtheraftwaslitteredupwithleavesandbranchesanddirt。Soshe”dhadaroughtime。
ImadefastandlaiddownunderJim”snoseontheraft，andbegantogap，andstretchmyfistsoutagainstJim，andsays：
“Hello，Jim，haveIbeenasleep？Whydidn”tyoustirmeup？“
“Goodnessgracious，isdatyou，Huck？Enyouain”dead——youain”drownded——you”sbackagin？It”stoogoodfortrue，honey，it”stoogoodfortrue。
Lemmelookatyouchile，lemmefeelo”you。No，youain”dead！you”sbackagin，”liveensoun”，jisdesameoleHuck——desameoleHuck，thankstogoodness！“
“What”sthematterwithyou，Jim？Youbeenadrinking？“
“Drinkin”？HasIbena-drinkin”？HasIhadachancetobea-drinkin”？“
“Well，then，whatmakesyoutalksowild？“
“HowdoesItalkwild？“
“HOW？Why，hain”tyoubeentalkingaboutmycomingback，andallthatstuff，asifI”dbeengoneaway？“
“Huck——HuckFinn，youlookmeindeeye；lookmeindeeye。HAIN”T
youbengoneaway？“
“Goneaway？Why，whatinthenationdoyoumean？Ihain”tbeengoneanywheres。WherewouldIgoto？“
“Well，lookyhere，boss，dey”ssumf”nwrong，deyis。IsIME，orwhoISI？IsIheah，orwhahISI？Nowdat”swhatIwantstoknow。”
“Well，Ithinkyou”rehere，plainenough，butIthinkyou”reatangle-headedoldfool，Jim。”
“Iis，isI？Well，youanswermedis：Didn”tyoutoteoutdelineindecanoefertomakefas”todetowhead？“
“No，Ididn”t。Whattow-head？Ihain”tseenotow-head。”
“Youhain”tseennotowhead？Lookyhere，didn”tdelinepulllooseenderaf”goa-hummin”downderiver，enleaveyouendecanoebehineindefog？“
“Whatfog？“
“Why，defog！——defogdat”sbeenaroun”allnight。Endidn”tyouwhoop，endidn”tIwhoop，tellwegotmix”upindeislandsenoneunusgotlos”
ent”otheronewasjis”asgoodaslos”，”kasehedidn”knowwhahhewuz？
Endidn”tIbustupaginaloterdemislandsenhaveaturribletimeenmos”gitdrownded？Nowain”datso，boss——ain”titso？Youanswermedat。”
“Well，thisistoomanyforme，Jim。Ihain”tseennofog，nornoislands，nornotroubles，nornothing。Ibeensettingheretalkingwithyouallnighttillyouwenttosleepabouttenminutesago，andIreckonIdonethesame。Youcouldn”tagotdrunkinthattime，soofcourseyou”vebeendreaming。”
“Dadfetchit，howisIgwynetodreamalldatintenminutes？“
“Well，hangitall，youdiddreamit，becausetheredidn”tanyofithappen。”
“But，Huck，it”salljis”asplaintomeas”
“Itdon”tmakenodifferencehowplainitis；thereain”tnothinginit。Iknow，becauseI”vebeenhereallthetime。”
Jimdidn”tsaynothingforaboutfiveminutes，butsettherestudyingoverit。Thenhesays：
“Well，den，Ireck”nIdiddreamit，Huck；butdogmycatsefitain”tdepowerfullestdreamIeversee。EnIhain”teverhadnodreamb”fo”dat”stiredmelikedisone。”
“Oh，well，that”sallright，becauseadreamdoestireabodylikeeverythingsometimes。Butthisonewasastavingdream；tellmeallaboutit，Jim。”
SoJimwenttoworkandtoldmethewholethingrightthrough，justasithappened，onlyhepainteditupconsiderable。Thenhesaidhemuststartinand“”terpret“it，becauseitwassentforawarning。Hesaidthefirsttowheadstoodforamanthatwouldtrytodoussomegood，butthecurrentwasanothermanthatwouldgetusawayfromhim。Thewhoopswaswarningsthatwouldcometouseverynowandthen，andifwedidn”ttryhardtomakeouttounderstandthemthey”djusttakeusintobadluck，”steadofkeepingusoutofit。Thelotoftowheadswastroubleswewasgoingtogetintowithquarrelsomepeopleandallkindsofmeanfolks，butifwemindedourbusinessanddidn”ttalkbackandaggravatethem，wewouldpullthroughandgetoutofthefogandintothebigclearriver，whichwasthefreeStates，andwouldn”thavenomoretrouble。
IthadcloudedupprettydarkjustafterIgotontotheraft，butitwasclearingupagainnow。
“Oh，well，that”sallinterpretedwellenoughasfarasitgoes，Jim，“
Isays；“butwhatdoesTHESEthingsstandfor？“
Itwastheleavesandrubbishontheraftandthesmashedoar。Youcouldseethemfirst-ratenow。
Jimlookedatthetrash，andthenlookedatme，andbackatthetrashagain。Hehadgotthedreamfixedsostronginhisheadthathecouldn”tseemtoshakeitlooseandgetthefactsbackintoitsplaceagainrightaway。Butwhenhedidgetthethingstraightenedaroundhelookedatmesteadywithouteversmiling，andsays：
“Whatdodeystan”for？I”segwynetotellyou。WhenIgotallworeoutwidwork，enwiddecallin”foryou，enwenttosleep，myheartwuzmos”brokebekaseyouwuzlos”，enIdidn”k”yerno”mo”whatbecomeermeenderaf”。EnwhenIwakeupenfineyoubackagin，allsafeensoun”，detearscome，enIcouldagotdownonmykneesenkissyo”foot，I”ssothankful。Enallyouwuzthinkin””boutwuzhowyoucouldmakeafooluvoleJimwidalie。DattruckdahisTRASH；entrashiswhatpeopleisdatputsdirtondeheaderdeyfren”senmakes”emashamed。”
Thenhegotupslowandwalkedtothewigwam，andwentintherewithoutsayinganythingbutthat。Butthatwasenough。ItmademefeelsomeanIcouldalmostkissedHISfoottogethimtotakeitback。
ItwasfifteenminutesbeforeIcouldworkmyselfuptogoandhumblemyselftoanigger；butIdoneit，andIwarn”teversorryforitafterwards，neither。Ididn”tdohimnomoremeantricks，andIwouldn”tdonethatoneifI”daknoweditwouldmakehimfeelthatway。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter16Chapter16WEsleptmostallday，andstartedoutatnight，alittlewaysbehindamonstrouslongraftthatwasaslonggoingbyasaprocession。Shehadfourlongsweepsateachend，sowejudgedshecarriedasmanyasthirtymen，likely。Shehadfivebigwigwamsaboard，wideapart，andanopencampfireinthemiddle，andatallflag-poleateachend。Therewasapowerofstyleabouther。ItAMOUNTEDtosomethingbeingaraftsmanonsuchacraftasthat。
Wewentdriftingdownintoabigbend，andthenightcloudedupandgothot。Theriverwasverywide，andwaswalledwithsolidtimberonbothsides；youcouldn”tseeabreakinithardlyever，oralight。WetalkedaboutCairo，andwonderedwhetherwewouldknowitwhenwegottoit。I
saidlikelywewouldn”t，becauseIhadheardsaytherewarn”tbutaboutadozenhousesthere，andiftheydidn”thappentohavethemlitup，howwaswegoingtoknowwewaspassingatown？Jimsaidifthetwobigriversjoinedtogetherthere，thatwouldshow。ButIsaidmaybewemightthinkwewaspassingthefootofanislandandcomingintothesameoldriveragain。ThatdisturbedJim——andmetoo。Sothequestionwas，whattodo？
Isaid，paddleashorethefirsttimealightshowed，andtellthempapwasbehind，comingalongwithatrading-scow，andwasagreenhandatthebusiness，andwantedtoknowhowfaritwastoCairo。Jimthoughtitwasagoodidea，sowetookasmokeonitandwaited。
Therewarn”tnothingtodonowbuttolookoutsharpforthetown，andnotpassitwithoutseeingit。Hesaidhe”dbemightysuretoseeit，becausehe”dbeafreemantheminuteheseenit，butifhemissedithe”dbeinaslavecountryagainandnomoreshowforfreedom。Everylittlewhilehejumpsupandsays：
“Dahsheis？“
Butitwarn”t。ItwasJack-o”-lanterns，orlightningbugs；sohesetdownagain，andwenttowatching，sameasbefore。Jimsaiditmadehimallovertremblyandfeverishtobesoclosetofreedom。Well，Icantellyouitmademeallovertremblyandfeverish，too，tohearhim，becauseIbeguntogetitthroughmyheadthatheWASmostfree——andwhowastoblameforit？Why，ME。Icouldn”tgetthatoutofmyconscience，nohownornoway。ItgottotroublingmesoIcouldn”trest；Icouldn”tstaystillinoneplace。Ithadn”tevercomehometomebefore，whatthisthingwasthatIwasdoing。Butnowitdid；anditstayedwithme，andscorchedmemoreandmore。ItriedtomakeouttomyselfthatIwarn”ttoblame，becauseIdidn”trunJimofffromhisrightfulowner；butitwarn”tnouse，conscienceupandsays，everytime，“Butyouknowedhewasrunningforhisfreedom，andyoucouldapaddledashoreandtoldsomebody。”Thatwasso——Icouldn”tgetaroundthatnoway。Thatwaswhereitpinched。
Consciencesaystome，“WhathadpoorMissWatsondonetoyouthatyoucouldseeherniggergooffrightunderyoureyesandneversayonesingleword？Whatdidthatpooroldwomandotoyouthatyoucouldtreathersomean？Why，shetriedtolearnyouyourbook，shetriedtolearnyouyourmanners，shetriedtobegoodtoyoueverywaysheknowedhow。THAT”Swhatshedone。”
IgottofeelingsomeanandsomiserableImostwishedIwasdead。
Ifidgetedupanddowntheraft，abusingmyselftomyself，andJimwasfidgetingupanddownpastme。Weneitherofuscouldkeepstill。Everytimehedancedaroundandsays，“Dah”sCairo！“itwentthroughmelikeashot，andIthoughtifitWASCairoIreckonedIwoulddieofmiserableness。
JimtalkedoutloudallthetimewhileIwastalkingtomyself。HewassayinghowthefirstthinghewoulddowhenhegottoafreeStatehewouldgotosavingupmoneyandneverspendasinglecent，andwhenhegotenoughhewouldbuyhiswife，whichwasownedonafarmclosetowhereMissWatsonlived；andthentheywouldbothworktobuythetwochildren，andiftheirmasterwouldn”tsellthem，they”dgetanAb”litionisttogoandstealthem。
Itmostfrozemetohearsuchtalk。Hewouldn”teverdaredtotalksuchtalkinhislifebefore。Justseewhatadifferenceitmadeinhimtheminutehejudgedhewasaboutfree。Itwasaccordingtotheoldsaying，“Giveaniggeraninchandhe”lltakeanell。”ThinksI，thisiswhatcomesofmynotthinking。Herewasthisnigger，whichIhadasgoodashelpedtorunaway，comingrightoutflat-footedandsayinghewouldstealhischildren——childrenthatbelongedtoamanIdidn”tevenknow；amanthathadn”teverdonemenoharm。
IwassorrytohearJimsaythat，itwassuchaloweringofhim。Myconsciencegottostirringmeuphotterthanever，untilatlastIsaystoit，“Letuponme——itain”ttoolateyet——I”llpaddleashoreatthefirstlightandtell。”Ifelteasyandhappyandlightasafeatherrightoff。Allmytroubleswasgone。Iwenttolookingoutsharpforalight，andsortofsingingtomyself。Byandbyoneshowed。Jimsingsout：
“We”ssafe，Huck，we”ssafe！Jumpupandcrackyo”heels！Dat”sdegoodoleCairoatlas”，Ijisknowsit！“
Isays：
“I”lltakethecanoeandgoandsee，Jim。Itmightn”tbe，youknow。”
Hejumpedandgotthecanoeready，andputhisoldcoatinthebottomformetoseton，andgivemethepaddle；andasIshovedoff，hesays：
“PootysoonI”llbea-shout”n”forjoy，enI”llsay，it”sallonaccountso”Huck；I”safreeman，enIcouldn”teverbenfreeefithadn”benforHuck；Huckdoneit。Jimwon”teverforgityou，Huck；you”sdebes”fren”
Jim”severhad；enyou”sdeONLYfren”oleJim”sgotnow。”
Iwaspaddlingoff，allinasweattotellonhim；butwhenhesaysthis，itseemedtokindoftakethetuckalloutofme。Iwentalongslowthen，andIwarn”trightdowncertainwhetherIwasgladIstartedorwhetherIwarn”t。WhenIwasfiftyyardsoff，Jimsays：
“Dahyougoes，deoletrueHuck；deon”ywhitegenlmandateverkep”
hispromisetooleJim。”
Well，Ijustfeltsick。ButIsays，IGOTtodoit——Ican”tgetOUT
ofit。Rightthenalongcomesaskiffwithtwomeninitwithguns，andtheystoppedandIstopped。Oneofthemsays：
“What”sthatyonder？“
“Apieceofaraft，“Isays。
“Doyoubelongonit？“
“Yes，sir。”
“Anymenonit？“
“Onlyone，sir。”
“Well，there”sfiveniggersrunoffto-nightupyonder，abovetheheadofthebend。Isyourmanwhiteorblack？“
Ididn”tanswerupprompt。Itriedto，butthewordswouldn”tcome。
Itriedforasecondortwotobraceupandoutwithit，butIwarn”tmanenough——hadn”tthespunkofarabbit。IseeIwasweakening；soIjustgiveuptrying，andupandsays：
“He”swhite。”
“Ireckonwe”llgoandseeforourselves。”
“Iwishyouwould，“saysI，“becauseit”spapthat”sthere，andmaybeyou”dhelpmetowtheraftashorewherethelightis。He”ssick——andsoismamandMaryAnn。”
“Oh，thedevil！we”reinahurry，boy。ButIs”posewe”vegotto。Come，buckletoyourpaddle，andlet”sgetalong。”
Ibuckledtomypaddleandtheylaidtotheiroars。Whenwehadmadeastrokeortwo，Isays：
“Pap”llbemightymuchobleegedtoyou，Icantellyou。EverybodygoesawaywhenIwantthemtohelpmetowtheraftashore，andIcan”tdoitbymyself。”
“Well，that”sinfernalmean。Odd，too。Say，boy，what”sthematterwithyourfather？“
“It”sthe——a——the——well，itain”tanythingmuch。”
Theystoppedpulling。Itwarn”tbutamightylittlewaystotheraftnow。Onesays：
“Boy，that”salie。WhatISthematterwithyourpap？Answerupsquarenow，andit”llbethebetterforyou。”
“Iwill，sir，Iwill，honest——butdon”tleaveus，please。It”sthe——the——Gentlemen，ifyou”llonlypullahead，andletmeheaveyoutheheadline，youwon”thavetocomea-neartheraft——pleasedo。”
“Setherback，John，setherback！“saysone。Theybackedwater。“Keepaway，boy——keeptolooard。Confoundit，Ijustexpectthewindhasblowedittous。Yourpap”sgotthesmall-pox，andyouknowitpreciouswell。
Whydidn”tyoucomeoutandsayso？Doyouwanttospreaditallover？“
“Well，“saysI，a-blubbering，“I”vetoldeverybodybefore，andtheyjustwentawayandleftus。”
“Poordevil，there”ssomethinginthat。Wearerightdownsorryforyou，butwe——well，hangit，wedon”twantthesmall-pox，yousee。Lookhere，I”lltellyouwhattodo。Don”tyoutrytolandbyyourself，oryou”llsmasheverythingtopieces。Youfloatalongdownabouttwentymiles，andyou”llcometoatownontheleft-handsideoftheriver。Itwillbelongaftersun-upthen，andwhenyouaskforhelpyoutellthemyourfolksarealldownwithchillsandfever。Don”tbeafoolagain，andletpeopleguesswhatisthematter。Nowwe”retryingtodoyouakindness；soyoujustputtwentymilesbetweenus，that”sagoodboy。Itwouldn”tdoanygoodtolandyonderwherethelightis——it”sonlyawood-yard。Say，Ireckonyourfather”spoor，andI”mboundtosayhe”sinprettyhardluck。Here，I”llputatwentydollargoldpieceonthisboard，andyougetitwhenitfloatsby。Ifeelmightymeantoleaveyou；butmykingdom！itwon”tdotofoolwithsmall-pox，don”tyousee？“
“Holdon，Parker，“saystheotherman，“here”satwentytoputontheboardforme。Good-bye，boy；youdoasMr。Parkertoldyou，andyou”llbeallright。”
“That”sso，myboy——good-bye，good-bye。Ifyouseeanyrunawayniggersyougethelpandnabthem，andyoucanmakesomemoneybyit。”
“Good-bye，sir，“saysI；“Iwon”tletnorunawayniggersgetbymeifIcanhelpit。”
TheywentoffandIgotaboardtheraft，feelingbadandlow，becauseIknowedverywellIhaddonewrong，andIseeitwarn”tnouseformetotrytolearntodoright；abodythatdon”tgetSTARTEDrightwhenhe”slittleain”tgotnoshow——whenthepinchcomesthereain”tnothingtobackhimupandkeephimtohiswork，andsohegetsbeat。ThenIthoughtaminute，andsaystomyself，holdon；s”poseyou”dadonerightandgiveJimup，wouldyoufeltbetterthanwhatyoudonow？No，saysI，I”dfeelbad——I”dfeeljustthesamewayIdonow。Well，then，saysI，what”stheuseyoulearningtodorightwhenit”stroublesometodorightandain”tnotroubletodowrong，andthewagesisjustthesame？Iwasstuck。
Icouldn”tanswerthat。SoIreckonedIwouldn”tbothernomoreaboutit，butafterthisalwaysdowhichevercomehandiestatthetime。
Iwentintothewigwam；Jimwarn”tthere。Ilookedallaround；hewarn”tanywhere。Isays：
“Jim！“
“HereIis，Huck。Isdeyouto”sightyit？Don”ttalkloud。”
Hewasintheriverunderthesternoar，withjusthisnoseout。Itoldhimtheywereoutofsight，sohecomeaboard。Hesays：
“Iwasa-listenin”toalldetalk，enIslipsintoderiverenwasgwynetoshoveforsho”ifdeycomeaboard。DenIwasgwynetoswimtoderaf”
aginwhendeywasgone。Butlawsy，howyoudidfool”em，Huck！DatWUZ
desmartes”dodge！Itellyou，chile，I”specitsave”oleJim——oleJimain”tgoingtoforgityoufordat，honey。”
Thenwetalkedaboutthemoney。Itwasaprettygoodraise——twentydollarsapiece。Jimsaidwecouldtakedeckpassageonasteamboatnow，andthemoneywouldlastusasfaraswewantedtogointhefreeStates。
Hesaidtwentymilemorewarn”tfarfortherafttogo，buthewishedwewasalreadythere。
Towardsdaybreakwetiedup，andJimwasmightyparticularabouthidingtheraftgood。Thenheworkedalldayfixingthingsinbundles，andgettingallreadytoquitrafting。
Thatnightabouttenwehoveinsightofthelightsofatownawaydowninaleft-handbend。
Iwentoffinthecanoetoaskaboutit。PrettysoonIfoundamanoutintheriverwithaskiff，settingatrotline。Irangedupandsays：
“Mister，isthattownCairo？“
“Cairo？no。Youmustbeablame”fool。”
“Whattownisit，mister？“
“Ifyouwanttoknow，goandfindout。Ifyoustayherebotherin”aroundmeforaboutahalfaminutelongeryou”llgetsomethingyouwon”twant。”
Ipaddledtotheraft。Jimwasawfuldisappointed，butIsaidnevermind，Cairowouldbethenextplace，Ireckoned。
Wepassedanothertownbeforedaylight，andIwasgoingoutagain；butitwashighground，soIdidn”tgo。NohighgroundaboutCairo，Jimsaid。
Ihadforgotit。Welaidupforthedayonatowheadtolerableclosetotheleft-handbank。Ibeguntosuspicionsomething。SodidJim。Isays：
“MaybewewentbyCairointhefogthatnight。”
Hesays：
“Doan”le”stalkaboutit，Huck。Po”niggerscan”thavenoluck。Iawluz”specteddatrattlesnake-skinwarn”tdonewiditswork。”
“IwishI”dneverseenthatsnake-skin，Jim——IdowishI”dneverlaideyesonit。”
“Itain”tyo”fault，Huck；youdidn”know。Don”tyoublameyo”self”boutit。”
Whenitwasdaylight，herewastheclearOhiowaterinshore，sureenough，andoutsidewastheoldregularMuddy！SoitwasallupwithCairo。
Wetalkeditallover。Itwouldn”tdototaketotheshore；wecouldn”ttaketheraftupthestream，ofcourse。Therewarn”tnowaybuttowaitfordark，andstartbackinthecanoeandtakethechances。Sowesleptalldayamongstthecottonwoodthicket，soastobefreshforthework，andwhenwewentbacktotheraftaboutdarkthecanoewasgone！
Wedidn”tsayawordforagoodwhile。Therewarn”tanythingtosay。
Webothknowedwellenoughitwassomemoreworkoftherattlesnake-skin；
sowhatwastheusetotalkaboutit？Itwouldonlylooklikewewasfindingfault，andthatwouldbeboundtofetchmorebadluck——andkeeponfetchingit，too，tillweknowedenoughtokeepstill。
Byandbywetalkedaboutwhatwebetterdo，andfoundtherewarn”tnowaybutjusttogoalongdownwiththerafttillwegotachancetobuyacanoetogobackin。Wewarn”tgoingtoborrowitwhentherewarn”tanybodyaround，thewaypapwoulddo，forthatmightsetpeopleafterus。
Soweshovedoutafterdarkontheraft。
Anybodythatdon”tbelieveyetthatit”sfoolishnesstohandleasnake-skin，afterallthatthatsnake-skindoneforus，willbelieveitnowiftheyreadonandseewhatmoreitdoneforus。
Theplacetobuycanoesisoffofraftslayingupatshore。Butwedidn”tseenoraftslayingup；sowewentalongduringthreehoursandmore。Well，thenightgotgrayandrutherthick，whichisthenextmeanestthingtofog。Youcan”ttelltheshapeoftheriver，andyoucan”tseenodistance。
Itgottobeverylateandstill，andthenalongcomesasteamboatuptheriver。Welitthelantern，andjudgedshewouldseeit。Up-streamboatsdidn”tgenerlycomeclosetous；theygooutandfollowthebarsandhuntforeasywaterunderthereefs；butnightslikethistheybullrightupthechannelagainstthewholeriver。
Wecouldhearherpoundingalong，butwedidn”tseehergoodtillshewasclose。Sheaimedrightforus。Oftentheydothatandtrytoseehowclosetheycancomewithouttouching；sometimesthewheelbitesoffasweep，andthenthepilotstickshisheadoutandlaughs，andthinkshe”smightysmart。Well，hereshecomes，andwesaidshewasgoingtotryandshaveus；butshedidn”tseemtobesheeringoffabit。Shewasabigone，andshewascominginahurry，too，lookinglikeablackcloudwithrowsofglow-wormsaroundit；butallofasuddenshebulgedout，bigandscary，withalongrowofwide-openfurnacedoorsshininglikered-hotteeth，andhermonstrousbowsandguardshangingrightoverus。Therewasayellatus，andajinglingofbellstostoptheengines，apowwowofcussing，andwhistlingofsteam——andasJimwentoverboardononesideandIontheother，shecomesmashingstraightthroughtheraft。
Idived——andIaimedtofindthebottom，too，forathirty-footwheelhadgottogooverme，andIwantedittohaveplentyofroom。Icouldalwaysstayunderwateraminute；thistimeIreckonIstayedunderaminuteandahalf。ThenIbouncedforthetopinahurry，forIwasnearlybusting。
Ipoppedouttomyarmpitsandblowedthewateroutofmynose，andpuffedabit。Ofcoursetherewasaboomingcurrent；andofcoursethatboatstartedherenginesagaintensecondsaftershestoppedthem，fortheynevercaredmuchforraftsmen；sonowshewaschurningalonguptheriver，outofsightinthethickweather，thoughIcouldhearher。
IsungoutforJimaboutadozentimes，butIdidn”tgetanyanswer；
soIgrabbedaplankthattouchedmewhileIwas“treadingwater，“andstruckoutforshore，shovingitaheadofme。ButImadeouttoseethatthedriftofthecurrentwastowardsthelefthandshore，whichmeantthatIwasinacrossing；soIchangedoffandwentthatway。
Itwasoneoftheselong，slanting，two-milecrossings；soIwasagoodlongtimeingettingover。Imadeasafelanding，andclumbupthebank。
Icouldn”tseebutalittleways，butIwentpokingalongoverroughgroundforaquarterofamileormore，andthenIrunacrossabigold-fashioneddoublelog-housebeforeInoticedit。Iwasgoingtorushbyandgetaway，butalotofdogsjumpedoutandwenttohowlingandbarkingatme，andIknowedbetterthantomoveanotherpeg。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter17Chapter17INaboutaminutesomebodyspokeoutofawindowwithoutputtinghisheadout，andsays：
“Bedone，boys！Who”sthere？“
Isays：
“It”sme。”
“Who”sme？“
“GeorgeJackson，sir。”
“Whatdoyouwant？“
“Idon”twantnothing，sir。Ionlywanttogoalongby，butthedogswon”tletme。”
“Whatareyouprowlingaroundherethistimeofnightfor——hey？“
“Iwarn”tprowlingaround，sir，Ifelloverboardoffofthesteamboat。”
“Oh，youdid，didyou？Strikealightthere，somebody。Whatdidyousayyournamewas？“
“GeorgeJackson，sir。I”monlyaboy。”
“Lookhere，ifyou”retellingthetruthyouneedn”tbeafraid——nobody”llhurtyou。Butdon”ttrytobudge；standrightwhereyouare。RouseoutBobandTom，someofyou，andfetchtheguns。GeorgeJackson，isthereanybodywithyou？“
“No，sir，nobody。”
Iheardthepeoplestirringaroundinthehousenow，andseealight。
Themansungout：
“Snatchthatlightaway，Betsy，youoldfool——ain”tyougotanysense？
Putitonthefloorbehindthefrontdoor。Bob，ifyouandTomareready，takeyourplaces。”
“Allready。”
“Now，GeorgeJackson，doyouknowtheShepherdsons？“
“No，sir；Ineverheardofthem。”
“Well，thatmaybeso，anditmayn”t。Now，allready。Stepforward，GeorgeJackson。Andmind，don”tyouhurry——comemightyslow。Ifthere”sanybodywithyou，lethimkeepback——ifheshowshimselfhe”llbeshot。
Comealongnow。Comeslow；pushthedooropenyourself——justenoughtosqueezein，d”youhear？“
Ididn”thurry；Icouldn”tifI”dawantedto。Itookoneslowstepatatimeandtherewarn”tasound，onlyIthoughtIcouldhearmyheart。
Thedogswereasstillasthehumans，buttheyfollowedalittlebehindme。WhenIgottothethreelogdoorstepsIheardthemunlockingandunbarringandunbolting。Iputmyhandonthedoorandpusheditalittleandalittlemoretillsomebodysaid，“There，that”senough——putyourheadin。”I
doneit，butIjudgedtheywouldtakeitoff。
Thecandlewasonthefloor，andtheretheyallwas，lookingatme，andmeatthem，foraboutaquarterofaminute：Threebigmenwithgunspointedatme，whichmademewince，Itellyou；theoldest，grayandaboutsixty，theothertwothirtyormore——allofthemfineandhandsome——
andthesweetestoldgray-headedlady，andbackofhertwoyoungwomenwhichIcouldn”tseerightwell。Theoldgentlemansays：
“There；Ireckonit”sallright。Comein。”
AssoonasIwasintheoldgentlemanhelockedthedoorandbarreditandboltedit，andtoldtheyoungmentocomeinwiththeirguns，andtheyallwentinabigparlorthathadanewragcarpetonthefloor，andgottogetherinacornerthatwasoutoftherangeofthefrontwindows——therewarn”tnoneontheside。Theyheldthecandle，andtookagoodlookatme，andallsaid，“Why，HEain”taShepherdson——no，thereain”tanyShepherdsonabouthim。”ThentheoldmansaidhehopedIwouldn”tmindbeingsearchedforarms，becausehedidn”tmeannoharmbyit——itwasonlytomakesure。Sohedidn”tpryintomypockets，butonlyfeltoutsidewithhishands，andsaiditwasallright。Hetoldmetomakemyselfeasyandathome，andtellallaboutmyself；buttheoldladysays：
“Why，blessyou，Saul，thepoorthing”saswetashecanbe；anddon”tyoureckonitmaybehe”shungry？“
“Trueforyou，Rachel——Iforgot。”
Sotheoldladysays：
“Betsy“(thiswasaniggerwoman)，youflyaroundandgethimsomethingtoeatasquickasyoucan，poorthing；andoneofyougirlsgoandwakeupBuckandtellhim——oh，hereheishimself。Buck，takethislittlestrangerandgetthewetclothesofffromhimanddresshimupinsomeofyoursthat”sdry。”
Bucklookedaboutasoldasme——thirteenorfourteenoralongthere，thoughhewasalittlebiggerthanme。Hehadn”tonanythingbutashirt，andhewasveryfrowzy-headed。Hecameingapinganddiggingonefistintohiseyes，andhewasdraggingagunalongwiththeotherone。Hesays：
“Ain”ttheynoShepherdsonsaround？“
Theysaid，no，”twasafalsealarm。
“Well，“hesays，“ifthey”dabensome，IreckonI”dagotone。”
Theyalllaughed，andBobsays：
“Why，Buck，theymighthavescalpedusall，you”vebeensoslowincoming。”
“Well，nobodycomeafterme，anditain”trightI”malwayskeptdown；
Idon”tgetnoshow。”
“Nevermind，Buck，myboy，“saystheoldman，“you”llhaveshowenough，allingoodtime，don”tyoufretaboutthat。Go”longwithyounow，anddoasyourmothertoldyou。”
Whenwegotup-stairstohisroomhegotmeacoarseshirtandaroundaboutandpantsofhis，andIputthemon。WhileIwasatitheaskedmewhatmynamewas，butbeforeIcouldtellhimhestartedtotellmeaboutabluejayandayoungrabbithehadcatchedinthewoodsdaybeforeyesterday，andheaskedmewhereMoseswaswhenthecandlewentout。IsaidIdidn”tknow；Ihadn”theardaboutitbefore，noway。
“Well，guess，“hesays。
“How”mIgoingtoguess，“saysI，“whenIneverheardtellofitbefore？“
“Butyoucanguess，can”tyou？It”sjustaseasy。”
“WHICHcandle？“Isays。
“Why，anycandle，“hesays。
“Idon”tknowwherehewas，“saysI；“wherewashe？“
“Why，hewasintheDARK！That”swherehewas！“
“Well，ifyouknowedwherehewas，whatdidyouaskmefor？“
“Why，blameit，it”sariddle，don”tyousee？Say，howlongareyougoingtostayhere？Yougottostayalways。Wecanjusthaveboomingtimes——theydon”thavenoschoolnow。Doyouownadog？I”vegotadog——andhe”llgointheriverandbringoutchipsthatyouthrowin。DoyouliketocombupSundays，andallthatkindoffoolishness？YoubetIdon”t，butmashemakesme。Confoundtheseolebritches！IreckonI”dbetterput”emon，butI”druthernot，it”ssowarm。Areyouallready？Allright。
Comealong，oldhoss。”
Coldcorn-pone，coldcorn-beef，butterandbuttermilk——thatiswhattheyhadformedownthere，andthereain”tnothingbetterthateverI”vecomeacrossyet。Buckandhismaandallofthemsmokedcobpipes，excepttheniggerwoman，whichwasgone，andthetwoyoungwomen。Theyallsmokedandtalked，andIeatandtalked。Theyoungwomenhadquiltsaroundthem，andtheirhairdowntheirbacks。Theyallaskedmequestions，andItoldthemhowpapandmeandallthefamilywaslivingonalittlefarmdownatthebottomofArkansaw，andmysisterMaryAnnrunoffandgotmarriedandneverwasheardofnomore，andBillwenttohuntthemandhewarn”theardofnomore，andTomandMortdied，andthentherewarn”tnobodybutjustmeandpapleft，andhewasjusttrimmeddowntonothing，onaccountofhistroubles；sowhenhediedItookwhattherewasleft，becausethefarmdidn”tbelongtous，andstarteduptheriver，deckpassage，andfelloverboard；andthatwashowIcometobehere。SotheysaidIcouldhaveahomethereaslongasIwantedit。Thenitwasmostdaylightandeverybodywenttobed，andIwenttobedwithBuck，andwhenIwakedupinthemorning，dratitall，Ihadforgotwhatmynamewas。SoIlaidthereaboutanhourtryingtothink，andwhenBuckwakedupIsays：
“Canyouspell，Buck？“
“Yes，“hesays。
“Ibetyoucan”tspellmyname，“saysI。
“IbetyouwhatyoudareIcan，“sayshe。
“Allright，“saysI，“goahead。”
“G-e-o-r-g-eJ-a-x-o-n——therenow，“hesays。
“Well，“saysI，“youdoneit，butIdidn”tthinkyoucould。Itain”tnoslouchofanametospell——rightoffwithoutstudying。”
Isetitdown，private，becausesomebodymightwantMEtospellitnext，andsoIwantedtobehandywithitandrattleitofflikeIwasusedtoit。
Itwasamightynicefamily，andamightynicehouse，too。Ihadn”tseennohouseoutinthecountrybeforethatwassoniceandhadsomuchstyle。Itdidn”thaveanironlatchonthefrontdoor，norawoodenonewithabuckskinstring，butabrassknobtoturn，thesameashousesintown。Therewarn”tnobedintheparlor，norasignofabed；butheapsofparlorsintownshasbedsinthem。Therewasabigfireplacethatwasbrickedonthebottom，andthebrickswaskeptcleanandredbypouringwateronthemandscrubbingthemwithanotherbrick；sometimestheywashthemoverwithredwater-paintthattheycallSpanish-brown，sameastheydointown。Theyhadbigbrassdog-ironsthatcouldholdupasawlog。Therewasaclockonthemiddleofthemantelpiece，withapictureofatownpaintedonthebottomhalfoftheglassfront，andaroundplaceinthemiddleofitforthesun，andyoucouldseethependulumswingingbehindit。Itwasbeautifultohearthatclocktick；andsometimeswhenoneofthesepeddlershadbeenalongandscouredherupandgotheringoodshape，shewouldstartinandstrikeahundredandfiftybeforeshegottuckeredout。Theywouldn”ttookanymoneyforher。
Well，therewasabigoutlandishparrotoneachsideoftheclock，madeoutofsomethinglikechalk，andpaintedupgaudy。Byoneoftheparrotswasacatmadeofcrockery，andacrockerydogbytheother；andwhenyoupresseddownonthemtheysqueaked，butdidn”topentheirmouthsnorlookdifferentnorinterested。Theysqueakedthroughunderneath。Therewasacoupleofbigwild-turkey-wingfansspreadoutbehindthosethings。Onthetableinthemiddleoftheroomwasakindofalovelycrockerybasketthatbadapplesandorangesandpeachesandgrapespiledupinit，whichwasmuchredderandyellowerandprettierthanrealonesis，buttheywarn”trealbecauseyoucouldseewherepieceshadgotchippedoffandshowedthewhitechalk，orwhateveritwas，underneath。
Thistablehadacovermadeoutofbeautifuloilcloth，witharedandbluespread-eaglepaintedonit，andapaintedborderallaround。ItcomeallthewayfromPhiladelphia，theysaid。Therewassomebooks，too，piledupperfectlyexact，oneachcornerofthetable。OnewasabigfamilyBiblefullofpictures。OnewasPilgrim”sProgress，aboutamanthatlefthisfamily，itdidn”tsaywhy。Ireadconsiderableinitnowandthen。Thestatementswasinteresting，buttough。AnotherwasFriendship”sOffering，fullofbeautifulstuffandpoetry；butIdidn”treadthepoetry。AnotherwasHenryClay”sSpeeches，andanotherwasDr。Gunn”sFamilyMedicine，whichtoldyouallaboutwhattodoifabodywassickordead。Therewasahymnbook，andalotofotherbooks。Andtherewasnicesplit-bottomchairs，andperfectlysound，too——notbaggeddowninthemiddleandbusted，likeanoldbasket。
Theyhadpictureshungonthewalls——mainlyWashingtonsandLafayettes，andbattles，andHighlandMarys，andonecalled“SigningtheDeclaration。”
Therewassomethattheycalledcrayons，whichoneofthedaughterswhichwasdeadmadeherownselfwhenshewasonlyfifteenyearsold。TheywasdifferentfromanypicturesIeverseebefore——blacker，mostly，thaniscommon。Onewasawomaninaslimblackdress，beltedsmallunderthearmpits，withbulgeslikeacabbageinthemiddleofthesleeves，andalargeblackscoop-shovelbonnetwithablackveil，andwhiteslimanklescrossedaboutwithblacktape，andveryweeblackslippers，likeachisel，andshewasleaningpensiveonatombstoneonherrightelbow，underaweepingwillow，andherotherhandhangingdownhersideholdingawhitehandkerchiefandareticule，andunderneaththepictureitsaid“ShallINeverSeeTheeMoreAlas。”Anotheronewasayoungladywithherhairallcombedupstraighttothetopofherhead，andknottedthereinfrontofacomblikeachair-back，andshewascryingintoahandkerchiefandhadadeadbirdlayingonitsbackinherotherhandwithitsheelsup，andunderneaththepictureitsaid“IShallNeverHearThySweetChirrupMoreAlas。”Therewasonewhereayoungladywasatawindowlookingupatthemoon，andtearsrunningdownhercheeks；andshehadanopenletterinonehandwithblacksealingwaxshowingononeedgeofit，andshewasmashingalocketwithachaintoitagainsthermouth，andunderneaththepictureitsaid“AndArtThouGoneYesThouArtGoneAlas。”Thesewasallnicepictures，Ireckon，butIdidn”tsomehowseemtotaketothem，becauseifeverIwasdownalittletheyalwaysgivemethefan-tods。Everybodywassorryshedied，becauseshehadlaidoutalotmoreofthesepicturestodo，andabodycouldseebywhatshehaddonewhattheyhadlost。ButIreckonedthatwithherdispositionshewashavingabettertimeinthegraveyard。Shewasatworkonwhattheysaidwashergreatestpicturewhenshetooksick，andeverydayandeverynightitwasherprayertobeallowedtolivetillshegotitdone，butshenevergotthechance。Itwasapictureofayoungwomaninalongwhitegown，standingontherailofabridgeallreadytojumpoff，withherhairalldownherback，andlookinguptothemoon，withthetearsrunningdownherface，andshehadtwoarmsfoldedacrossherbreast，andtwoarmsstretchedoutinfront，andtwomorereachinguptowardsthemoon——andtheideawastoseewhichpairwouldlookbest，andthenscratchoutalltheotherarms；but，asIwassaying，shediedbeforeshegothermindmadeup，andnowtheykeptthispictureovertheheadofthebedinherroom，andeverytimeherbirthdaycometheyhungflowersonit。Othertimesitwashidwithalittlecurtain。
Theyoungwomaninthepicturehadakindofanicesweetface，buttherewassomanyarmsitmadeherlooktoospidery，seemedtome。
Thisyounggirlkeptascrap-bookwhenshewasalive，andusedtopasteobituariesandaccidentsandcasesofpatientsufferinginitoutofthePresbyterianObserver，andwritepoetryafterthemoutofherownhead。
Itwasverygoodpoetry。ThisiswhatshewroteaboutaboybythenameofStephenDowlingBotsthatfelldownawellandwasdrownded：
ODETOSTEPHENDOWLINGBOTS，DEC”D
AnddidyoungStephensicken，AnddidyoungStephendie？Anddidthesadheartsthicken，Anddidthemournerscry？
No；suchwasnotthefateofYoungStephenDowlingBots；Thoughsadheartsroundhimthickened，”Twasnotfromsickness”shots。
Nowhooping-coughdidrackhisframe，Normeaslesdrearwithspots；
NottheseimpairedthesacrednameOfStephenDowlingBots。
DespisedlovestrucknotwithwoeThatheadofcurlyknots，Norstomachtroubleslaidhimlow，YoungStephenDowlingBots。
Ono。Thenlistwithtearfuleye，WhilstIhisfatedotell。HissouldidfromthiscoldworldflyByfallingdownawell。
Theygothimoutandemptiedhim；Alasitwastoolate；HisspiritwasgonefortosportaloftIntherealmsofthegoodandgreat。
IfEmmelineGrangerfordcouldmakepoetrylikethatbeforeshewasfourteen，thereain”tnotellingwhatshecouldadonebyandby。Bucksaidshecouldrattleoffpoetrylikenothing。Shedidn”teverhavetostoptothink。
Hesaidshewouldslapdownaline，andifshecouldn”tfindanythingtorhymewithitwouldjustscratchitoutandslapdownanotherone，andgoahead。Shewarn”tparticular；shecouldwriteaboutanythingyouchoosetogivehertowriteaboutjustsoitwassadful。Everytimeamandied，orawomandied，orachilddied，shewouldbeonhandwithher“tribute“
beforehewascold。Shecalledthemtributes。Theneighborssaiditwasthedoctorfirst，thenEmmeline，thentheundertaker——theundertakernevergotinaheadofEmmelinebutonce，andthenshehungfireonarhymeforthedeadperson”sname，whichwasWhistler。Shewarn”teverthesameafterthat；shenevercomplained，butshekinderpinedawayanddidnotlivelong。Poorthing，many”sthetimeImademyselfgouptothelittleroomthatusedtobehersandgetoutherpooroldscrap-bookandreadinitwhenherpictureshadbeenaggravatingmeandIhadsouredonheralittle。Ilikedallthatfamily，deadonesandall，andwarn”tgoingtoletanythingcomebetweenus。PoorEmmelinemadepoetryaboutallthedeadpeoplewhenshewasalive，anditdidn”tseemrightthattherewarn”tnobodytomakesomeabouthernowshewasgone；soItriedtosweatoutaverseortwomyself，butIcouldn”tseemtomakeitgosomehow。TheykeptEmmeline”sroomtrimandnice，andallthethingsfixedinitjustthewayshelikedtohavethemwhenshewasalive，andnobodyeversleptthere。Theoldladytookcareoftheroomherself，thoughtherewasplentyofniggers，andshesewedthereagooddealandreadherBibletheremostly。
Well，asIwassayingabouttheparlor，therewasbeautifulcurtainsonthewindows：white，withpicturespaintedonthemofcastleswithvinesalldownthewalls，andcattlecomingdowntodrink。Therewasalittleoldpiano，too，thathadtinpansinit，Ireckon，andnothingwaseversolovelyastoheartheyoungladiessing“TheLastLinkisBroken“andplay“TheBattleofPrague“onit。Thewallsofalltheroomswasplastered，andmosthadcarpetsonthefloors，andthewholehousewaswhitewashedontheoutside。
Itwasadoublehouse，andthebigopenplacebetwixtthemwasroofedandfloored，andsometimesthetablewassetthereinthemiddleoftheday，anditwasacool，comfortableplace。Nothingcouldn”tbebetter。
Andwarn”tthecookinggood，andjustbushelsofittoo！
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter18Chapter18COL。GRANGERFORDwasagentleman，yousee。Hewasagentlemanallover；
andsowashisfamily。Hewaswellborn，asthesayingis，andthat”sworthasmuchinamanasitisinahorse，sotheWidowDouglassaid，andnobodyeverdeniedthatshewasofthefirstaristocracyinourtown；andpaphealwayssaidit，too，thoughhewarn”tnomorequalitythanamudcathimself。Col。Grangerfordwasverytallandveryslim，andhadadarkish-palycomplexion，notasignofredinitanywheres；hewascleanshavedeverymorningalloverhisthinface，andhehadthethinnestkindoflips，andthethinnestkindofnostrils，andahighnose，andheavyeyebrows，andtheblackestkindofeyes，sunksodeepbackthattheyseemedliketheywaslookingoutofcavernsatyou，asyoumaysay。Hisforeheadwashigh，andhishairwasblackandstraightandhungtohisshoulders。Hishandswaslongandthin，andeverydayofhislifeheputonacleanshirtandafullsuitfromheadtofootmadeoutoflinensowhiteithurtyoureyestolookatit；andonSundaysheworeabluetail-coatwithbrassbuttonsonit。Hecarriedamahoganycanewithasilverheadtoit。Therewarn”tnofrivolishnessabouthim，notabit，andhewarn”teverloud。Hewasaskindashecouldbe——youcouldfeelthat，youknow，andsoyouhadconfidence。Sometimeshesmiled，anditwasgoodtosee；butwhenhestraightenedhimselfuplikealiberty-pole，andthelightningbeguntoflickeroutfromunderhiseyebrows，youwantedtoclimbatreefirst，andfindoutwhatthematterwasafterwards。Hedidn”teverhavetotellanybodytomindtheirmanners——everybodywasalwaysgoodmanneredwherehewas。Everybodylovedtohavehimaround，too；hewassunshinemostalways——Imeanhemadeitseemlikegoodweather。Whenheturnedintoacloudbankitwasawfuldarkforhalfaminute，andthatwasenough；therewouldn”tnothinggowrongagainforaweek。
Whenhimandtheoldladycomedowninthemorningallthefamilygotupoutoftheirchairsandgivethemgood-day，anddidn”tsetdownagaintilltheyhadsetdown。ThenTomandBobwenttothesideboardwherethedecanterwas，andmixedaglassofbittersandhandedittohim，andhehelditinhishandandwaitedtillTom”sandBob”swasmixed，andthentheybowedandsaid，“Ourdutytoyou，sir，andmadam；“andTHEYbowedtheleastbitintheworldandsaidthankyou，andsotheydrank，allthree，andBobandTompouredaspoonfulofwateronthesugarandthemiteofwhiskyorapplebrandyinthebottomoftheirtumblers，andgiveittomeandBuck，andwedranktotheoldpeopletoo。
BobwastheoldestandTomnext——tall，beautifulmenwithverybroadshouldersandbrownfaces，andlongblackhairandblackeyes。Theydressedinwhitelinenfromheadtofoot，liketheoldgentleman，andworebroadPanamahats。
ThentherewasMissCharlotte；shewastwentyfive，andtallandproudandgrand，butasgoodasshecouldbewhenshewarn”tstirredup；butwhenshewasshehadalookthatwouldmakeyouwiltinyourtracks，likeherfather。Shewasbeautiful。
Sowashersister，MissSophia，butitwasadifferentkind。Shewasgentleandsweetlikeadove，andshewasonlytwenty。
Eachpersonhadtheirownniggertowaitonthem——Bucktoo。Myniggerhadamonstrouseasytime，becauseIwarn”tusedtohavinganybodydoanythingforme，butBuck”swasonthejumpmostofthetime。
Thiswasalltherewasofthefamilynow，butthereusedtobemore——threesons；theygotkilled；andEmmelinethatdied。
Theoldgentlemanownedalotoffarmsandoverahundredniggers。Sometimesastackofpeoplewouldcomethere，horseback，fromtenorfifteenmilearound，andstayfiveorsixdays，andhavesuchjunketingsroundaboutandontheriver，anddancesandpicnicsinthewoodsdaytimes，andballsatthehousenights。Thesepeoplewasmostlykinfolksofthefamily。Themenbroughttheirgunswiththem。Itwasahandsomelotofquality，Itellyou。
Therewasanotherclanofaristocracyaroundthere——fiveorsixfamilies——mostlyofthenameofShepherdson。Theywasashigh-tonedandwellbornandrichandgrandasthetribeofGrangerfords。TheShepherdsonsandGrangerfordsusedthesamesteamboatlanding，whichwasabouttwomileaboveourhouse；
sosometimeswhenIwentuptherewithalotofourfolksIusedtoseealotoftheShepherdsonsthereontheirfinehorses。
OnedayBuckandmewasawayoutinthewoodshunting，andheardahorsecoming。Wewascrossingtheroad。Bucksays：
“Quick！Jumpforthewoods！“
Wedoneit，andthenpeepeddownthewoodsthroughtheleaves。Prettysoonasplendidyoungmancomegallopingdowntheroad，settinghishorseeasyandlookinglikeasoldier。Hehadhisgunacrosshispommel。Ihadseenhimbefore。ItwasyoungHarneyShepherdson。IheardBuck”sgungooffatmyear，andHarney”shattumbledofffromhishead。Hegrabbedhisgunandrodestraighttotheplacewherewewashid。Butwedidn”twait。
Westartedthroughthewoodsonarun。Thewoodswarn”tthick，soIlookedovermyshouldertododgethebullet，andtwiceIseenHarneycoverBuckwithhisgun；andthenherodeawaythewayhecome——togethishat，Ireckon，butIcouldn”tsee。Weneverstoppedrunningtillwegothome。
Theoldgentleman”seyesblazedaminute——”twaspleasure，mainly，Ijudged——thenhisfacesortofsmootheddown，andhesays，kindofgentle：
“Idon”tlikethatshootingfrombehindabush。Whydidn”tyoustepintotheroad，myboy？“
“TheShepherdsonsdon”t，father。Theyalwaystakeadvantage。”
MissCharlottesheheldherheaduplikeaqueenwhileBuckwastellinghistale，andhernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapped。Thetwoyoungmenlookeddark，butneversaidnothing。MissSophiasheturnedpale，butthecolorcomebackwhenshefoundthemanwarn”thurt。
SoonasIcouldgetBuckdownbythecorn-cribsunderthetreesbyourselves，Isays：
“Didyouwanttokillhim，Buck？“
“Well，IbetIdid。”
“Whatdidhedotoyou？“
“Him？Heneverdonenothingtome。”
“Well，then，whatdidyouwanttokillhimfor？“
“Why，nothing——onlyit”sonaccountofthefeud。”
“What”safeud？“
“Why，wherewasyouraised？Don”tyouknowwhatafeudis？“
“Neverheardofitbefore——tellmeaboutit。”
“Well，“saysBuck，“afeudisthisway：Amanhasaquarrelwithanotherman，andkillshim；thenthatotherman”sbrotherkillsHIM；thentheotherbrothers，onbothsides，goesforoneanother；thentheCOUSINSchipin——andbyandbyeverybody”skilledoff，andthereain”tnomorefeud。
Butit”skindofslow，andtakesalongtime。”
“Hasthisonebeengoingonlong，Buck？“
“Well，IshouldRECKON！Itstartedthirtyyearago，orsom”ersalongthere。Therewastrouble”boutsomething，andthenalawsuittosettleit；andthesuitwentaginoneofthemen，andsoheupandshotthemanthatwonthesuit——whichhewouldnaturallydo，ofcourse。Anybodywould。”
“Whatwasthetroubleabout，Buck？——land？“
“Ireckonmaybe——Idon”tknow。”
“Well，whodonetheshooting？WasitaGrangerfordoraShepherdson？“
“Laws，howdoIknow？Itwassolongago。”
“Don”tanybodyknow？“
“Oh，yes，paknows，Ireckon，andsomeoftheotheroldpeople；buttheydon”tknownowwhattherowwasaboutinthefirstplace。”
“Hastherebeenmanykilled，Buck？“
“Yes；rightsmartchanceoffunerals。Buttheydon”talwayskill。Pa”sgotafewbuckshotinhim；buthedon”tmindit”cuzhedon”tweighmuch，anyway。Bob”sbeencarvedupsomewithabowie，andTom”sbeenhurtonceortwice。”
“Hasanybodybeenkilledthisyear，Buck？“
“Yes；wegotoneandtheygotone。”BoutthreemonthsagomycousinBud，fourteenyearold，wasridingthroughthewoodsont”othersideoftheriver，anddidn”thavenoweaponwithhim，whichwasblame”foolishness，andinalonesomeplacehehearsahorsea-comingbehindhim，andseesoldBaldyShepherdsona-linkin”afterhimwithhisguninhishandandhiswhitehaira-flyinginthewind；and”steadofjumpingoffandtakingtothebrush，Bud”lowedhecouldoutrunhim；sotheyhadit，nipandtuck，forfivemileormore，theoldmana-gainingallthetime；soatlastBudseenitwarn”tanyuse，sohestoppedandfacedaroundsoastohavethebulletholesinfront，youknow，andtheoldmanherodeupandshothimdown。Buthedidn”tgitmuchchancetoenjoyhisluck，forinsideofaweekourfolkslaidHIMout。”
“Ireckonthatoldmanwasacoward，Buck。”
“IreckonheWARN”Tacoward。Notbyablame”sight。Thereain”tacowardamongstthemShepherdsons——notaone。Andthereain”tnocowardsamongsttheGrangerfordseither。Why，thatoldmankep”uphisendinafightonedayforhalfanhouragainstthreeGrangerfords，andcomeoutwinner。Theywasalla-horseback；helitoffofhishorseandgotbehindalittlewoodpile，andkep”hishorsebeforehimtostopthebullets；buttheGrangerfordsstayedontheirhorsesandcaperedaroundtheoldman，andpepperedawayathim，andhepepperedawayatthem。Himandhishorsebothwenthomeprettyleakyandcrippled，buttheGrangerfordshadtobeFETCHEDhome——andoneof”emwasdead，andanotherdiedthenextday。No，sir；ifabody”southuntingforcowardshedon”twanttofoolawayanytimeamongstthemShepherdsons，becuztheydon”tbreedanyofthatKIND。”
NextSundayweallwenttochurch，aboutthreemile，everybodya-horseback。
Thementooktheirgunsalong，sodidBuck，andkeptthembetweentheirkneesorstoodthemhandyagainstthewall。TheShepherdsonsdonethesame。
Itwasprettyornerypreaching——allaboutbrotherlylove，andsuch-liketiresomeness；buteverybodysaiditwasagoodsermon，andtheyalltalkeditovergoinghome，andhadsuchapowerfullottosayaboutfaithandgoodworksandfreegraceandpreforeordestination，andIdon”tknowwhatall，thatitdidseemtometobeoneoftheroughestSundaysIhadrunacrossyet。
Aboutanhourafterdinnereverybodywasdozingaround，someintheirchairsandsomeintheirrooms，anditgottobeprettydull。Buckandadogwasstretchedoutonthegrassinthesunsoundasleep。Iwentuptoourroom，andjudgedIwouldtakeanapmyself。IfoundthatsweetMissSophiastandinginherdoor，whichwasnexttoours，andshetookmeinherroomandshutthedoorverysoft，andaskedmeifIlikedher，andIsaidIdid；andsheaskedmeifIwoulddosomethingforherandnottellanybody，andIsaidIwould。Thenshesaidshe”dforgotherTestament，andleftitintheseatatchurchbetweentwootherbooks，andwouldI
slipoutquietandgothereandfetchittoher，andnotsaynothingtonobody。IsaidIwould。SoIslidoutandslippedoffuptheroad，andtherewarn”tanybodyatthechurch，exceptmaybeahogortwo，fortherewarn”tanylockonthedoor，andhogslikesapuncheonfloorinsummer-timebecauseit”scool。Ifyounotice，mostfolksdon”tgotochurchonlywhenthey”vegotto；butahogisdifferent。
SaysItomyself，something”sup；itain”tnaturalforagirltobeinsuchasweataboutaTestament。SoIgiveitashake，andoutdropsalittlepieceofpaperwith“HALF-PASTTWO“wroteonitwithapencil。
Iransackedit，butcouldn”tfindanythingelse。Icouldn”tmakeanythingoutofthat，soIputthepaperinthebookagain，andwhenIgothomeandupstairstherewasMissSophiainherdoorwaitingforme。Shepulledmeinandshutthedoor；thenshelookedintheTestamenttillshefoundthepaper，andassoonasshereaditshelookedglad；andbeforeabodycouldthinkshegrabbedmeandgivemeasqueeze，andsaidIwasthebestboyintheworld，andnottotellanybody。Shewasmightyredinthefaceforaminute，andhereyeslightedup，anditmadeherpowerfulpretty。
Iwasagooddealastonished，butwhenIgotmybreathIaskedherwhatthepaperwasabout，andsheaskedmeifIhadreadit，andIsaidno，andsheaskedmeifIcouldreadwriting，andItoldher“no，onlycoarse-hand，“
andthenshesaidthepaperwarn”tanythingbutabook-marktokeepherplace，andImightgoandplaynow。
Iwentoffdowntotheriver，studyingoverthisthing，andprettysoonInoticedthatmyniggerwasfollowingalongbehind。Whenwewasoutofsightofthehousehelookedbackandaroundasecond，andthencomesa-running，andsays：
“MarsJawge，ifyou”llcomedownintodeswampI”llshowyouawholestacko”water-moccasins。”
ThinksI，that”smightycurious；hesaidthatyesterday。Heoughterknowabodydon”tlovewatermoccasinsenoughtogoaroundhuntingforthem。
Whatisheupto，anyway？SoIsays：
“Allright；trotahead。”
Ifollowedahalfamile；thenhestruckoutovertheswamp，andwadedankledeepasmuchasanotherhalf-mile。Wecometoalittleflatpieceoflandwhichwasdryandverythickwithtreesandbushesandvines，andhesays：
“Youshoverightindahjistafewsteps，MarsJawge；dah”swhahdeyis。I”sseed”mbefo”；Idon”tk”yertosee”emnomo”。”
Thenhesloppedrightalongandwentaway，andprettysoonthetreeshidhim。Ipokedintotheplacea-waysandcometoalittleopenpatchasbigasabedroomallhungaroundwithvines，andfoundamanlayingthereasleep——and，byjings，itwasmyoldJim！
Iwakedhimup，andIreckoneditwasgoingtobeagrandsurprisetohimtoseemeagain，butitwarn”t。Henearlycriedhewassoglad，buthewarn”tsurprised。Saidheswumalongbehindmethatnight，andheardmeyelleverytime，butdasn”tanswer，becausehedidn”twantnobodytopickHIMupandtakehimintoslaveryagain。Sayshe：
“Igothurtalittle，encouldn”tswimfas”，soIwuzaconsidablewaysbehineyoutowardsdelas”；whenyoulandedIreck”nedIcouldketchupwidyouondelan””douthavin”toshoutatyou，butwhenIseedathouseIbegintogoslow。I”uzofftoofurtohearwhatdeysaytoyou——I
wuz”fraido”dedogs；butwhenit”uzallquietaginIknowedyou”sindehouse，soIstruckoutfordewoodstowaitforday。Earlyindemawnin”
someerdeniggerscomealong，gwynetodefields，endeytukmeenshowedmedisplace，whahdedogscan”ttrackmeonaccountso”dewater，endeybringsmetrucktoeateverynight，entellsmehowyou”sa-gitt”nalong。”
“Whydidn”tyoutellmyJacktofetchmeheresooner，Jim？“
“Well，”twarn”tnouseto”sturbyou，Huck，tellwecoulddosumfn——
butwe”sallrightnow。Ibenabuyin”potsenpansenvittles，asIgotachanst，enapatchin”upderaf”nightswhen”
“WHATraft，Jim？“
“Ouroleraf”。”
“Youmeantosayouroldraftwarn”tsmashedalltoflinders？“
“No，shewarn”t。Shewastoreupagooddeal——oneen”ofherwas；
butdeywarn”tnogreatharmdone，on”yourtrapswasmos”alllos”。Efwehadn”dive”sodeepenswumsofurunderwater，endenighthadn”bensodark，enwewarn”tsosk”yerd，enbensichpunkin-heads，asdesayin”
is，we”daseedderaf”。Butit”sjis”aswellwedidn”t，”kasenowshe”sallfixedupaginmos”asgoodasnew，enwe”sgotanewloto”stuff，indeplaceo”what”uzlos”。”
“Why，howdidyougetholdoftheraftagain，Jim——didyoucatchher？“
“HowIgwynetoketchherenIoutindewoods？No；someerdeniggersfoun”herketchedonasnagalongheahindeben”，endeyhidherinacrick”mongstdewillows，endeywuzsomuchjawin””boutwhichun”umsheb”longtodemos”datIcometoheah”boutitpootysoon，soIupsensettlesdetroublebytellin””umshedon”tb”longtononeuvum，buttoyouenme；enIast”mifdeygwynetograbayoungwhitegenlman”spropaty，engitahid”nforit？DenIgin”mtencentsapiece，endey”uzmightywellsatisfied，enwishtsomemo”raf”s”udcomealongenmake”mrichagin。Dey”smightygoodtome，deseniggersis，enwhateverIwants”mtodofurmeIdoan”havetoast”mtwice，honey。DatJack”sagoodnigger，enpootysmart。”
“Yes，heis。Heain”tevertoldmeyouwashere；toldmetocome，andhe”dshowmealotofwatermoccasins。IfanythinghappensHEain”tmixedupinit。Hecansayheneverseenustogether，andit”llbethetruth。”
Idon”twanttotalkmuchaboutthenextday。IreckonI”llcutitprettyshort。Iwakedupaboutdawn，andwasa-goingtoturnoverandgotosleepagainwhenInoticedhowstillitwas——didn”tseemtobeanybodystirring。
Thatwarn”tusual。NextInoticedthatBuckwasupandgone。Well，Igetsup，a-wondering，andgoesdownstairs——nobodyaround；everythingasstillasamouse。Justthesameoutside。ThinksI，whatdoesitmean？DownbythewoodpileIcomesacrossmyJack，andsays：
“What”sitallabout？“
Sayshe：
“Don”tyouknow，MarsJawge？“
“No，“saysI，“Idon”t。”
“Well，den，MissSophia”srunoff！”deedshehas。Sherunoffindenightsometime——nobodydon”tknowjis”when；runofftogetmarriedtodatyoungHarneyShepherdson，youknow——leastways，sodey”spec。Defamblyfoun”itout”bouthalfanhourago——maybealittlemo”——en”
ITELLyoudeywarn”tnotimelos”。Sichanotherhurryin”upgunsenhossesYOUneversee！Dewomenfolkshasgonefortostirupderelations，enoleMarsSaulendeboystuckdeygunsenrodeupderiverroadfortotrytoketchdatyoungmanenkillhim”fo”hekingitacrostderiverwidMissSophia。Ireck”ndey”sgwynetobemightyroughtimes。”
“Buckwentoff”thoutwakingmeup。”
“Well，Ireck”nheDID！Deywarn”tgwynetomixyouupinit。MarsBuckheloadeduphisgunen”lowedhe”sgwynetofetchhomeaShepherdsonorbust。Well，dey”llbeplentyun”mdah，Ireck”n，enyoubetyouhe”llfetchoneefhegitsachanst。”
ItookuptheriverroadashardasIcouldput。ByandbyIbegintoheargunsagoodwaysoff。WhenIcameinsightofthelogstoreandthewoodpilewherethesteamboatslandsIworkedalongunderthetreesandbrushtillIgottoagoodplace，andthenIclumbupintotheforksofacottonwoodthatwasoutofreach，andwatched。Therewasawood-rankfourfoothighalittlewaysinfrontofthetree，andfirstIwasgoingtohidebehindthat；butmaybeitwasluckierIdidn”t。
Therewasfourorfivemencavortingaroundontheirhorsesintheopenplacebeforethelogstore，cussingandyelling，andtryingtogetatacoupleofyoungchapsthatwasbehindthewood-rankalongsideofthesteamboatlanding；buttheycouldn”tcomeit。Everytimeoneofthemshowedhimselfontheriversideofthewoodpilehegotshotat。Thetwoboyswassquattingbacktobackbehindthepile，sotheycouldwatchbothways。
Byandbythemenstoppedcavortingaroundandyelling。Theystartedridingtowardsthestore；thenupgetsoneoftheboys，drawsasteadybeadoverthewood-rank，anddropsoneofthemoutofhissaddle。Allthemenjumpedoffoftheirhorsesandgrabbedthehurtoneandstartedtocarryhimtothestore；andthatminutethetwoboysstartedontherun。
TheygothalfwaytothetreeIwasinbeforethemennoticed。Thenthemenseethem，andjumpedontheirhorsesandtookoutafterthem。Theygainedontheboys，butitdidn”tdonogood，theboyshadtoogoodastart；
theygottothewoodpilethatwasinfrontofmytree，andslippedinbehindit，andsotheyhadthebulgeonthemenagain。OneoftheboyswasBuck，andtheotherwasaslimyoungchapaboutnineteenyearsold。
Themenrippedaroundawhile，andthenrodeaway。AssoonastheywasoutofsightIsungouttoBuckandtoldhim。Hedidn”tknowwhattomakeofmyvoicecomingoutofthetreeatfirst。Hewasawfulsurprised。Hetoldmetowatchoutsharpandlethimknowwhenthemencomeinsightagain；saidtheywasuptosomedevilmentorother——wouldn”tbegonelong。IwishedIwasoutofthattree，butIdasn”tcomedown。Buckbeguntocryandrip，and”lowedthathimandhiscousinJoe(thatwastheotheryoungchap)wouldmakeupforthisdayyet。Hesaidhisfatherandhistwobrotherswaskilled，andtwoorthreeoftheenemy。SaidtheShepherdsonslaidfortheminambush。Bucksaidhisfatherandbrothersoughttowaitedfortheirrelations——theShepherdsonswastoostrongforthem。IaskedhimwhatwasbecomeofyoungHarneyandMissSophia。Hesaidthey”dgotacrosstheriverandwassafe。Iwasgladofthat；butthewayBuckdidtakeonbecausehedidn”tmanagetokillHarneythatdayheshotathim——Ihain”teverheardanythinglikeit。
Allofasudden，bang！bang！bang！goesthreeorfourguns——themenhadslippedaroundthroughthewoodsandcomeinfrombehindwithouttheirhorses！Theboysjumpedfortheriver——bothofthemhurt——andastheyswumdownthecurrentthemenrunalongthebankshootingatthemandsingingout，“Killthem，killthem！“ItmademesosickImostfelloutofthetree。Iain”ta-goingtotellALLthathappened——itwouldmakemesickagainifIwastodothat。IwishedIhadn”tevercomeashorethatnighttoseesuchthings。Iain”tevergoingtogetshutofthem——lotsoftimesIdreamaboutthem。
Istayedinthetreetillitbeguntogetdark，afraidtocomedown。
SometimesIheardgunsawayoffinthewoods；andtwiceIseenlittlegangsofmengalloppastthelogstorewithguns；soIreckonedthetroublewasstilla-goingon。Iwasmightydownhearted；soImadeupmymindIwouldn”tevergoanearthathouseagain，becauseIreckonedIwastoblame，somehow。
IjudgedthatthatpieceofpapermeantthatMissSophiawastomeetHarneysomewheresathalf-pasttwoandrunoff；andIjudgedIoughttotoldherfatheraboutthatpaperandthecuriouswaysheacted，andthenmaybehewouldalockedherup，andthisawfulmesswouldn”teverhappened。
WhenIgotdownoutofthetreeIcreptalongdowntheriverbankapiece，andfoundthetwobodieslayingintheedgeofthewater，andtuggedatthemtillIgotthemashore；thenIcovereduptheirfaces，andgotawayasquickasIcould。IcriedalittlewhenIwascoveringupBuck”sface，forhewasmightygoodtome。
Itwasjustdarknow。Ineverwentnearthehouse，butstruckthroughthewoodsandmadefortheswamp。Jimwarn”tonhisisland，soItrampedoffinahurryforthecrick，andcrowdedthroughthewillows，red-hottojumpaboardandgetoutofthatawfulcountry。Theraftwasgone！Mysouls，butIwasscared！Icouldn”tgetmybreathformostaminute。ThenIraisedayell。Avoicenottwenty-fivefootfrommesays：
“Goodlan”！isdatyou，honey？Doan”makenonoise。”
ItwasJim”svoice——nothingeversoundedsogoodbefore。Irunalongthebankapieceandgotaboard，andJimhegrabbedmeandhuggedme，hewassogladtoseeme。Hesays：
“Lawsblessyou，chile，I”uzrightdownsho”you”sdeadagin。Jack”sbeenheah；hesayhereck”nyou”sbenshot，kaseyoudidn”comehomenomo”；soI”sjes”disminuteastartin”deraf”downtowardsdemouferdecrick，so”stobeallreadyfortoshoveoutenleavesoonasJackcomesaginentellsmeforcertainyouISdead。Lawsy，I”smightygladtogityoubackagain，honey。
Isays：
“Allright——that”smightygood；theywon”tfindme，andthey”llthinkI”vebeenkilled，andfloateddowntheriver——there”ssomethinguptherethat”llhelpthemthinkso——sodon”tyoulosenotime，Jim，butjustshoveoffforthebigwaterasfastaseveryoucan。”
IneverfelteasytilltheraftwastwomilebelowthereandoutinthemiddleoftheMississippi。Thenwehungupoursignallantern，andjudgedthatwewasfreeandsafeoncemore。Ihadn”thadabitetoeatsinceyesterday，soJimhegotoutsomecorn-dodgersandbuttermilk，andporkandcabbageandgreens——thereain”tnothingintheworldsogoodwhenit”scookedright——andwhilstIeatmysupperwetalkedandhadagoodtime。Iwaspowerfulgladtogetawayfromthefeuds，andsowasJimtogetawayfromtheswamp。Wesaidtherewarn”tnohomelikearaft，afterall。Otherplacesdoseemsocrampedupandsmothery，butaraftdon”t。Youfeelmightyfreeandeasyandcomfortableonaraft。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter19Chapter19TWOorthreedaysandnightswentby；IreckonImightsaytheyswumby，theyslidalongsoquietandsmoothandlovely。Hereisthewayweputinthetime。Itwasamonstrousbigriverdownthere——sometimesamileandahalfwide；werunnights，andlaidupandhiddaytimes；soonasnightwasmostgonewestoppednavigatingandtiedup——nearlyalwaysinthedeadwaterunderatowhead；andthencutyoungcottonwoodsandwillows，andhidtheraftwiththem。Thenwesetoutthelines。Nextweslidintotheriverandhadaswim，soastofreshenupandcooloff；thenwesetdownonthesandybottomwherethewaterwasaboutkneedeep，andwatchedthedaylightcome。Notasoundanywheres——perfectlystill——justlikethewholeworldwasasleep，onlysometimesthebullfrogsa-cluttering，maybe。Thefirstthingtosee，lookingawayoverthewater，wasakindofdullline——thatwasthewoodsont”otherside；youcouldn”tmakenothingelseout；thenapaleplaceinthesky；thenmorepalenessspreadingaround；
thentheriversoftenedupawayoff，andwarn”tblackanymore，butgray；
youcouldseelittledarkspotsdriftingalongeversofaraway——tradingscows，andsuchthings；andlongblackstreaks——rafts；sometimesyoucouldhearasweepscreaking；orjumbledupvoices，itwassostill，andsoundscomesofar；andbyandbyyoucouldseeastreakonthewaterwhichyouknowbythelookofthestreakthatthere”sasnagthereinaswiftcurrentwhichbreaksonitandmakesthatstreaklookthatway；andyouseethemistcurlupoffofthewater，andtheeastreddensup，andtheriver，andyoumakeoutalog-cabinintheedgeofthewoods，awayonthebankont”othersideoftheriver，beingawoodyard，likely，andpiledbythemcheatssoyoucanthrowadogthroughitanywheres；thenthenicebreezespringsup，andcomesfanningyoufromoverthere，socoolandfreshandsweettosmellonaccountofthewoodsandtheflowers；butsometimesnotthatway，becausethey”veleftdeadfishlayingaround，garsandsuch，andtheydogetprettyrank；andnextyou”vegotthefullday，andeverythingsmilinginthesun，andthesong-birdsjustgoingit！
Alittlesmokecouldn”tbenoticednow，sowewouldtakesomefishoffofthelinesandcookupahotbreakfast。Andafterwardswewouldwatchthelonesomenessoftheriver，andkindoflazyalong，andbyandbylazyofftosleep。Wakeupbyandby，andlooktoseewhatdoneit，andmaybeseeasteamboatcoughingalongup-stream，sofarofftowardstheothersideyoucouldn”ttellnothingaboutheronlywhethershewasastern-wheelorside-wheel；thenforaboutanhourtherewouldn”tbenothingtohearnornothingtosee——justsolidlonesomeness。Nextyou”dseearaftslidingby，awayoffyonder，andmaybeagalootonitchopping，becausethey”remostalwaysdoingitonaraft；you”dseetheaxeflashandcomedown——
youdon”thearnothing；youseethataxegoupagain，andbythetimeit”sabovetheman”sheadthenyouheartheK”CHUNK！——ithadtookallthattimetocomeoverthewater。Sowewouldputintheday，lazyingaround，listeningtothestillness。Oncetherewasathickfog，andtheraftsandthingsthatwentbywasbeatingtinpanssothesteamboatswouldn”trunoverthem。Ascoworaraftwentbysoclosewecouldhearthemtalkingandcussingandlaughing——heardthemplain；butwecouldn”tseenosignofthem；itmadeyoufeelcrawly；itwaslikespiritscarryingonthatwayintheair。Jimsaidhebelieveditwasspirits；butIsays：
“No；spiritswouldn”tsay，”Dernthedernfog。”“
Soonasitwasnightoutweshoved；whenwegotherouttoaboutthemiddleweletheralone，andletherfloatwhereverthecurrentwantedherto；thenwelitthepipes，anddangledourlegsinthewater，andtalkedaboutallkindsofthings——wewasalwaysnaked，dayandnight，wheneverthemosquitoeswouldletus——thenewclothesBuck”sfolksmadeformewastoogoodtobecomfortable，andbesidesIdidn”tgomuchonclothes，nohow。
Sometimeswe”dhavethatwholeriveralltoourselvesforthelongesttime。Yonderwasthebanksandtheislands，acrossthewater；andmaybeaspark——whichwasacandleinacabinwindow；andsometimesonthewateryoucouldseeasparkortwo——onaraftorascow，youknow；andmaybeyoucouldhearafiddleorasongcomingoverfromoneofthemcrafts。
It”slovelytoliveonaraft。Wehadtheskyupthere，allspeckledwithstars，andweusedtolayonourbacksandlookupatthem，anddiscussaboutwhethertheywasmadeoronlyjusthappened。Jimheallowedtheywasmade，butIallowedtheyhappened；IjudgeditwouldhavetooktoolongtoMAKEsomany。JimsaidthemooncouldaLAIDthem；well，thatlookedkindofreasonable，soIdidn”tsaynothingagainstit，becauseI”veseenafroglaymostasmany，soofcourseitcouldbedone。Weusedtowatchthestarsthatfell，too，andseethemstreakdown。Jimallowedthey”dgotspoiledandwashoveoutofthenest。
Onceortwiceofanightwewouldseeasteamboatslippingalonginthedark，andnowandthenshewouldbelchawholeworldofsparksupoutofherchimbleys，andtheywouldraindownintheriverandlookawfulpretty；thenshewouldturnacornerandherlightswouldwinkoutandherpowwowshutoffandleavetheriverstillagain；andbyandbyherwaveswouldgettous，alongtimeaftershewasgone，andjoggletheraftabit，andafterthatyouwouldn”thearnothingforyoucouldn”ttellhowlong，exceptmaybefrogsorsomething。
Aftermidnightthepeopleonshorewenttobed，andthenfortwoorthreehourstheshoreswasblack——nomoresparksinthecabinwindows。
Thesesparkswasourclock——thefirstonethatshowedagainmeantmorningwascoming，sowehuntedaplacetohideandtieuprightaway。
OnemorningaboutdaybreakIfoundacanoeandcrossedoverachutetothemainshore——itwasonlytwohundredyards——andpaddledaboutamileupacrickamongstthecypresswoods，toseeifIcouldn”tgetsomeberries。JustasIwaspassingaplacewhereakindofacowpathcrossedthecrick，herecomesacoupleofmentearingupthepathastightastheycouldfootit。IthoughtIwasagoner，forwheneveranybodywasafteranybodyIjudgeditwasME——ormaybeJim。Iwasabouttodigoutfromthereinahurry，buttheywasprettyclosetomethen，andsungoutandbeggedmetosavetheirlives——saidtheyhadn”tbeendoingnothing，andwasbeingchasedforit——saidtherewasmenanddogsa-coming。Theywantedtojumprightin，butIsays：
“Don”tyoudoit。Idon”thearthedogsandhorsesyet；you”vegottimetocrowdthroughthebrushandgetupthecrickalittleways；thenyoutaketothewaterandwadedowntomeandgetin——that”llthrowthedogsoffthescent。”
Theydoneit，andsoonastheywasaboardIlitoutforourtowhead，andinaboutfiveortenminutesweheardthedogsandthemenawayoff，shouting。Weheardthemcomealongtowardsthecrick，butcouldn”tseethem；theyseemedtostopandfoolaroundawhile；then，aswegotfurtherandfurtherawayallthetime，wecouldn”thardlyhearthematall；bythetimewehadleftamileofwoodsbehindusandstrucktheriver，everythingwasquiet，andwepaddledovertothetowheadandhidinthecottonwoodsandwassafe。
Oneofthesefellowswasaboutseventyorupwards，andhadabaldheadandverygraywhiskers。Hehadanoldbattered-upslouchhaton，andagreasybluewoollenshirt，andraggedoldbluejeansbritchesstuffedintohisboot-tops，andhome-knitgalluses——no，heonlyhadone。Hehadanoldlong-tailedbluejeanscoatwithslickbrassbuttonsflungoverhisarm，andbothofthemhadbig，fat，ratty-lookingcarpet-bags。
Theotherfellowwasaboutthirty，anddressedaboutasornery。Afterbreakfastwealllaidoffandtalked，andthefirstthingthatcomeoutwasthatthesechapsdidn”tknowoneanother。
“Whatgotyouintotrouble？“saysthebaldheadtot”otherchap。
“Well，I”dbeensellinganarticletotakethetartarofftheteeth——anditdoestakeitoff，too，andgenerlytheenamelalongwithit——
butIstayedaboutonenightlongerthanIoughtto，andwasjustintheactofslidingoutwhenIranacrossyouonthetrailthissideoftown，andyoutoldmetheywerecoming，andbeggedmetohelpyoutogetoff。