第4章
SoItoldyouIwasexpectingtroublemyself，andwouldscatteroutWITH
you。That”sthewholeyarn——what”syourn？
“Well，I”dbena-running”alittletemperancerevivalthar”boutaweek，andwasthepetofthewomenfolks，bigandlittle，forIwasmakin”itmightywarmfortherummies，ITELLyou，andtakin”asmuchasfiveorsixdollarsanight——tencentsahead，childrenandniggersfree——andbusinessa-growin”allthetime，whensomehoworanotheralittlereportgotaroundlastnightthatIhadawayofputtin”inmytimewithaprivatejugonthesly。Aniggerroustedmeoutthismornin”，andtoldmethepeoplewasgetherin”onthequietwiththeirdogsandhorses，andthey”dbealongprettysoonandgiveme”bouthalfanhour”sstart，andthenrunmedowniftheycould；andiftheygotmethey”dtarandfeathermeandridemeonarail，sure。Ididn”twaitfornobreakfast——Iwarn”thungry。”
“Oldman，“saidtheyoungone，“Ireckonwemightdouble-teamittogether；
whatdoyouthink？“
“Iain”tundisposed。What”syourline——mainly？“
“Jourprinterbytrade；doalittleinpatentmedicines；theater-actor——tragedy，youknow；takeaturntomesmerismandphrenologywhenthere”sachance；teachsinging-geographyschoolforachange；slingalecturesometimes——oh，Idolotsofthings——mostanythingthatcomeshandy，soitain”twork。What”syourlay？“
“I”vedoneconsiderbleinthedoctoringwayinmytime。Layin”ono”
handsismybestholt——forcancerandparalysis，andsichthings；andIk”ntellafortuneprettygoodwhenI”vegotsomebodyalongtofindoutthefactsforme。Preachin”smyline，too，andworkin”camp-meetin”s，andmissionaryin”around。”
Nobodyneversaidanythingforawhile；thentheyoungmanhoveasighandsays：
“Alas！“
“What”reyoualassin”about？“saysthebaldhead。
“TothinkIshouldhavelivedtobeleadingsuchalife，andbedegradeddownintosuchcompany。”Andhebeguntowipethecornerofhiseyewitharag。
“Dernyourskin，ain”tthecompanygoodenoughforyou？“saysthebaldhead，prettypertanduppish。
“Yes，itISgoodenoughforme；it”sasgoodasIdeserve；forwhofetchedmesolowwhenIwassohigh？Ididmyself。Idon”tblameYOU，gentlemen——farfromit；Idon”tblameanybody。Ideserveitall。Letthecoldworlddoitsworst；onethingIknow——there”sagravesomewhereforme。Theworldmaygoonjustasit”salwaysdone，andtakeeverythingfromme——lovedones，property，everything；butitcan”ttakethat。SomedayI”llliedowninitandforgetitall，andmypoorbrokenheartwillbeatrest。”Hewentona-wiping。
“Drotyourporebrokenheart，“saysthebaldhead；“whatareyouheavingyourporebrokenheartatUSf”r？WEhain”tdonenothing。”
“No，Iknowyouhaven”t。Iain”tblamingyou，gentlemen。Ibroughtmyselfdown——yes，Ididitmyself。It”srightIshouldsuffer——perfectlyright——Idon”tmakeanymoan。”
“Broughtyoudownfromwhar？Wharwasyoubroughtdownfrom？“
“Ah，youwouldnotbelieveme；theworldneverbelieves——letitpass——”tisnomatter。Thesecretofmybirth”
“Thesecretofyourbirth！Doyoumeantosay”
“Gentlemen，“saystheyoungman，verysolemn，“Iwillrevealittoyou，forIfeelImayhaveconfidenceinyou。ByrightsIamaduke！“
Jim”seyesbuggedoutwhenheheardthat；andIreckonminedid，too。
Thenthebaldheadsays：“No！youcan”tmeanit？“
“Yes。Mygreat-grandfather，eldestsonoftheDukeofBridgewater，fledtothiscountryabouttheendofthelastcentury，tobreathethepureairoffreedom；marriedhere，anddied，leavingason，hisownfatherdyingaboutthesametime。Thesecondsonofthelatedukeseizedthetitlesandestates——theinfantrealdukewasignored。Iamthelinealdescendantofthatinfant——IamtherightfulDukeofBridgewater；andhereamI，forlorn，tornfrommyhighestate，huntedofmen，despisedbythecoldworld，ragged，worn，heart-broken，anddegradedtothecompanionshipoffelonsonaraft！“
Jimpitiedhimeversomuch，andsodidI。Wetriedtocomforthim，buthesaiditwarn”tmuchuse，hecouldn”tbemuchcomforted；saidifwewasamindtoacknowledgehim，thatwoulddohimmoregoodthanmostanythingelse；sowesaidwewould，ifhewouldtellushow。Hesaidweoughttobowwhenwespoketohim，andsay“YourGrace，“or“MyLord，“
or“YourLordship“——andhewouldn”tminditifwecalledhimplain“Bridgewater，“
which，hesaid，wasatitleanyway，andnotaname；andoneofusoughttowaitonhimatdinner，anddoanylittlethingforhimhewanteddone。
Well，thatwasalleasy，sowedoneit。AllthroughdinnerJimstoodaroundandwaitedonhim，andsays，“Willyo”Gracehavesomeo”disorsomeo”dat？“andsoon，andabodycouldseeitwasmightypleasingtohim。
Buttheoldmangotprettysilentbyandby——didn”thavemuchtosay，anddidn”tlookprettycomfortableoverallthatpettingthatwasgoingonaroundthatduke。Heseemedtohavesomethingonhismind。So，alongintheafternoon，hesays：
“Lookyhere，Bilgewater，“hesays，“I”mnationsorryforyou，butyouain”ttheonlypersonthat”shadtroubleslikethat。”
“No？“
“Noyouain”t。Youain”ttheonlypersonthat”sbensnakeddownwrongfullyout”nahighplace。”
“Alas！“
“No，youain”ttheonlypersonthat”shadasecretofhisbirth。”And，byjings，HEbeginstocry。
“Hold！Whatdoyoumean？“
“Bilgewater，kinItrustyou？“saystheoldman，stillsortofsobbing。
“Tothebitterdeath！“Hetooktheoldmanbythehandandsqueezedit，andsays，“Thatsecretofyourbeing：speak！“
“Bilgewater，IamthelateDauphin！“
Youbetyou，Jimandmestaredthistime。Thenthedukesays：
“Youarewhat？“
“Yes，myfriend，itistootrue——youreyesislookin”atthisverymomentontheporedisappearedDauphin，LooytheSeventeen，sonofLooytheSixteenandMarryAntonette。”
“You！Atyourage！No！Youmeanyou”rethelateCharlemagne；youmustbesixorsevenhundredyearsold，attheveryleast。”
“Troublehasdoneit，Bilgewater，troublehasdoneit；troublehasbrungthesegrayhairsandthisprematurebalditude。Yes，gentlemen，youseebeforeyou，inbluejeansandmisery，thewanderin”，exiled，trampled-on，andsufferin”rightfulKingofFrance。”
Well，hecriedandtookonsothatmeandJimdidn”tknowhardlywhattodo，wewassosorry——andsogladandproudwe”dgothimwithus，too。
Sowesetin，likewedonebeforewiththeduke，andtriedtocomfortHIM。
Buthesaiditwarn”tnouse，nothingbuttobedeadanddonewithitallcoulddohimanygood；thoughhesaiditoftenmadehimfeeleasierandbetterforawhileifpeopletreatedhimaccordingtohisrights，andgotdownononekneetospeaktohim，andalwayscalledhim“YourMajesty，“
andwaitedonhimfirstatmeals，anddidn”tsetdowninhispresencetillheaskedthem。SoJimandmesettomajestyinghim，anddoingthisandthatandt”otherforhim，andstandinguptillhetolduswemightsetdown。Thisdonehimheapsofgood，andsohegotcheerfulandcomfortable。
Butthedukekindofsouredonhim，anddidn”tlookabitsatisfiedwiththewaythingswasgoing；still，thekingactedrealfriendlytowardshim，andsaidtheduke”sgreat-grandfatherandalltheotherDukesofBilgewaterwasagooddealthoughtofbyHISfather，andwasallowedtocometothepalaceconsiderable；butthedukestayedhuffyagoodwhile，tillbyandbythekingsays：
“Likeasnotwegottobetogetherablamedlongtimeonthish-yerraft，Bilgewater，andsowhat”stheuseo”yourbein”sour？It”llonlymakethingsoncomfortable。Itain”tmyfaultIwarn”tbornaduke，itain”tyourfaultyouwarn”tbornaking——sowhat”stheusetoworry？Makethebesto”thingsthewayyoufind”em，saysI——that”smymotto。Thisain”tnobadthingthatwe”vestruckhere——plentygrubandaneasylife——
come，giveusyourhand，duke，andle”sallbefriends。”
Thedukedoneit，andJimandmewasprettygladtoseeit。Ittookawayalltheuncomfortablenessandwefeltmightygoodoverit，becauseitwouldabeenamiserablebusinesstohaveanyunfriendlinessontheraft；forwhatyouwant，aboveallthings，onaraft，isforeverybodytobesatisfied，andfeelrightandkindtowardstheothers。
Itdidn”ttakemelongtomakeupmymindthattheseliarswarn”tnokingsnordukesatall，butjustlow-downhumbugsandfrauds。ButIneversaidnothing，neverleton；keptittomyself；it”sthebestway；thenyoudon”thavenoquarrels，anddon”tgetintonotrouble。Iftheywantedustocallthemkingsanddukes，Ihadn”tnoobjections，”longasitwouldkeeppeaceinthefamily；anditwarn”tnousetotellJim，soIdidn”ttellhim。IfIneverlearntnothingelseoutofpap，Ilearntthatthebestwaytogetalongwithhiskindofpeopleistoletthemhavetheirownway。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter20Chapter20THEYaskedusconsiderablemanyquestions；wantedtoknowwhatwecovereduptheraftthatwayfor，andlaidbyinthedaytimeinsteadofrunning——wasJimarunawaynigger？SaysI：
“Goodnesssakes！wouldarunawayniggerrunSOUTH？“
No，theyallowedhewouldn”t。Ihadtoaccountforthingssomeway，soIsays：
“MyfolkswaslivinginPikeCounty，inMissouri，whereIwasborn，andtheyalldiedoffbutmeandpaandmybrotherIke。Pa，he”lowedhe”dbreakupandgodownandlivewithUncleBen，who”sgotalittleone-horseplaceontheriver，forty-fourmilebelowOrleans。Pawasprettypoor，andhadsomedebts；sowhenhe”dsquareduptherewarn”tnothingleftbutsixteendollarsandournigger，Jim。Thatwarn”tenoughtotakeusfourteenhundredmile，deckpassagenornootherway。Well，whentheriverrosepahadastreakofluckoneday；heketchedthispieceofaraft；sowereckonedwe”dgodowntoOrleansonit。Pa”sluckdidn”tholdout；asteamboatrunovertheforrardcorneroftheraftonenight，andweallwentoverboardanddoveunderthewheel；Jimandmecomeupallright，butpawasdrunk，andIkewasonlyfouryearsold，sotheynevercomeupnomore。Well，forthenextdayortwowehadconsiderabletrouble，becausepeoplewasalwayscomingoutinskiffsandtryingtotakeJimawayfromme，sayingtheybelievedhewasarunawaynigger。Wedon”trundaytimesnomorenow；nightstheydon”tbotherus。”
Thedukesays：
“Leavemealonetocipheroutawaysowecanruninthedaytimeifwewantto。I”llthinkthethingover——I”llinventaplanthat”llfixit。We”llletitaloneforto-day，becauseofcoursewedon”twanttogobythattownyonderindaylight——itmightn”tbehealthy。”
Towardsnightitbeguntodarkenupandlooklikerain；theheatlightningwassquirtingaroundlowdowninthesky，andtheleaveswasbeginningtoshiver——itwasgoingtobeprettyugly，itwaseasytoseethat。Sothedukeandthekingwenttooverhaulingourwigwam，toseewhatthebedswaslike。MybedwasastrawtickÑ；betterthanJim”s，whichwasacornshucktick；there”salwayscobsaroundaboutinashucktick，andtheypokeintoyouandhurt；andwhenyourolloverthedryshuckssoundlikeyouwasrollingoverinapileofdeadleaves；itmakessucharustlingthatyouwakeup。Well，thedukeallowedhewouldtakemybed；butthekingallowedhewouldn”t。Hesays：
“Ishouldareckonedthedifferenceinrankwouldasejestedtoyouthatacorn-shuckbedwarn”tjustfittenformetosleepon。YourGrace”lltaketheshuckbedyourself。”
Jimandmewasinasweatagainforaminute，beingafraidtherewasgoingtobesomemoretroubleamongstthem；sowewasprettygladwhenthedukesays：
“”Tismyfatetobealwaysgroundintothemireundertheironheelofoppression。Misfortunehasbrokenmyoncehaughtyspirit；Iyield，I
submit；”tismyfate。Iamaloneintheworld——letmesuffer；canbearit。”
Wegotawayassoonasitwasgoodanddark。Thekingtoldustostandwellouttowardsthemiddleoftheriver，andnotshowalighttillwegotalongwaysbelowthetown。Wecomeinsightofthelittlebunchoflightsbyandby——thatwasthetown，youknow——andslidby，aboutahalfamileout，allright。Whenwewasthree-quartersofamilebelowwehoistedupoursignallantern；andaboutteno”clockitcomeontorainandblowandthunderandlightenlikeeverything；sothekingtoldustobothstayonwatchtilltheweathergotbetter；thenhimandthedukecrawledintothewigwamandturnedinforthenight。Itwasmywatchbelowtilltwelve，butIwouldn”taturnedinanywayifI”dhadabed，becauseabodydon”tseesuchastormasthateverydayintheweek，notbyalongsight。
Mysouls，howthewinddidscreamalong！Andeverysecondortwothere”dcomeaglarethatlitupthewhite-capsforahalfamilearound，andyou”dseetheislandslookingdustythroughtherain，andthetreesthrashingaroundinthewind；thencomesaH-WHACK！——bum！bum！bumble-umble-um-bum-bum-bum-bum——andthethunderwouldgorumblingandgrumblingaway，andquit——andthenRIPcomesanotherflashandanothersockdolager。Thewavesmostwashedmeofftheraftsometimes，butIhadn”tanyclotheson，anddidn”tmind。
Wedidn”thavenotroubleaboutsnags；thelightningwasglaringandflitteringaroundsoconstantthatwecouldseethemplentysoonenoughtothrowherheadthiswayorthatandmissthem。
Ihadthemiddlewatch，youknow，butIwasprettysleepybythattime，soJimhesaidhewouldstandthefirsthalfofitforme；hewasalwaysmightygoodthatway，Jimwas。Icrawledintothewigwam，butthekingandthedukehadtheirlegssprawledaroundsotherewarn”tnoshowforme；soIlaidoutside——Ididn”tmindtherain，becauseitwaswarm，andthewaveswarn”trunningsohighnow。Abouttwotheycomeupagain，though，andJimwasgoingtocallme；buthechangedhismind，becausehereckonedtheywarn”thighenoughyettodoanyharm；buthewasmistakenaboutthat，forprettysoonallofasuddenalongcomesaregularripperandwashedmeoverboard。ItmostkilledJima-laughing。Hewastheeasiestniggertolaughthateverwas，anyway。
Itookthewatch，andJimhelaiddownandsnoredaway；andbyandbythestormletupforgoodandall；andthefirstcabin-lightthatshowedIroustedhimout，andweslidtheraftintohidingquartersfortheday。
Thekinggotoutanoldrattydeckofcardsafterbreakfast，andhimandthedukeplayedseven-upawhile，fivecentsagame。Thentheygottiredofit，andallowedtheywould“layoutacampaign，“astheycalledit。Thedukewentdownintohiscarpetbag，andfetchedupalotoflittleprintedbillsandreadthemoutloud。Onebillsaid，“ThecelebratedDr。
ArmanddeMontalban，ofParis，“would“lectureontheScienceofPhrenology“
atsuchandsuchaplace，ontheblankdayofblank，attencentsadmission，and“furnishchartsofcharacterattwenty-fivecentsapiece。”ThedukesaidthatwasHIM。Inanotherbillhewasthe“world-renownedShakespeariantragedian，GarricktheYounger，ofDruryLane，London。”Inotherbillshehadalotofothernamesanddoneotherwonderfulthings，likefindingwaterandgoldwitha“divining-rod，““dissipatingwitchspells，“andsoon。Byandbyhesays：
“Butthehistrionicmuseisthedarling。Haveyouevertrodtheboards，Royalty？“
“No，“saystheking。
“Youshall，then，beforeyou”rethreedaysolder，FallenGrandeur，“
saystheduke。“Thefirstgoodtownwecometowe”llhireahallanddotheswordfightinRichardIII。andthebalconysceneinRomeoandJuliet。
Howdoesthatstrikeyou？“
“I”min，uptothehub，foranythingthatwillpay，Bilgewater；but，yousee，Idon”tknownothingaboutplay-actin”，andhain”teverseenmuchofit。Iwastoosmallwhenpapusedtohave”ematthepalace。Doyoureckonyoucanlearnme？“
“Easy！“
“Allright。I”mjista-freezn”forsomethingfresh，anyway。Le”scommencerightaway。”
SothedukehetoldhimallaboutwhoRomeowasandwhoJulietwas，andsaidhewasusedtobeingRomeo，sothekingcouldbeJuliet。
“ButifJuliet”ssuchayounggal，duke，mypeeledheadandmywhitewhiskersisgoin”tolookoncommonoddonher，maybe。”
“No，don”tyouworry；thesecountryjakeswon”teverthinkofthat。
Besides，youknow，you”llbeincostume，andthatmakesallthedifferenceintheworld；Juliet”sinabalcony，enjoyingthemoonlightbeforeshegoestobed，andshe”sgotonhernightgownandherrufflednightcap。Herearethecostumesfortheparts。”
Hegotouttwoorthreecurtain-calicosuits，whichhesaidwasmeedyevilarmorforRichardIII。andt”otherchap，andalongwhitecottonnightshirtandarufflednightcaptomatch。Thekingwassatisfied；sothedukegotouthisbookandreadthepartsoverinthemostsplendidspread-eagleway，prancingaroundandactingatthesametime，toshowhowithadgottobedone；thenhegivethebooktothekingandtoldhimtogethispartbyheart。
Therewasalittleone-horsetownaboutthreemiledownthebend，andafterdinnerthedukesaidhehadcipheredouthisideaabouthowtorunindaylightwithoutitbeingdangersomeforJim；soheallowedhewouldgodowntothetownandfixthatthing。Thekingallowedhewouldgo，too，andseeifhecouldn”tstrikesomething。Wewasoutofcoffee，soJimsaidIbettergoalongwiththeminthecanoeandgetsome。
Whenwegottheretherewarn”tnobodystirring；streetsempty，andperfectlydeadandstill，likeSunday。Wefoundasickniggersunninghimselfinabackyard，andhesaideverybodythatwarn”ttooyoungortoosickortoooldwasgonetocampmeeting，abouttwomilebackinthewoods。Thekinggotthedirections，andallowedhe”dgoandworkthatcamp-meetingforallitwasworth，andImightgo，too。
Thedukesaidwhathewasafterwasaprinting-office。Wefoundit；
alittlebitofaconcern，upoveracarpentershop——carpentersandprintersallgonetothemeeting，andnodoorslocked。Itwasadirty，littered-upplace，andhadinkmarks，andhandbillswithpicturesofhorsesandrunawayniggersonthem，alloverthewalls。Thedukeshedhiscoatandsaidhewasallrightnow。Someandthekinglitoutforthecamp-meeting。
Wegotthereinaboutahalfanhourfairlydripping，foritwasamostawfulhotday。Therewasasmuchasathousandpeopletherefromtwentymilearound。Thewoodswasfullofteamsandwagons，hitchedeverywheres，feedingoutofthewagon-troughsandstompingtokeepofftheflies。Therewasshedsmadeoutofpolesandroofedoverwithbranches，wheretheyhadlemonadeandgingerbreadtosell，andpilesofwatermelonsandgreencornandsuch-liketruck。
Thepreachingwasgoingonunderthesamekindsofsheds，onlytheywasbiggerandheldcrowdsofpeople。Thebencheswasmadeoutofoutsideslabsoflogs，withholesboredintheroundsidetodrivesticksintoforlegs。Theydidn”thavenobacks。Thepreachershadhighplatformstostandonatoneendofthesheds。Thewomenhadonsun-bonnets；andsomehadlinsey-woolseyfrocks，someginghamones，andafewoftheyoungoneshadoncalico。Someoftheyoungmenwasbarefooted，andsomeofthechildrendidn”thaveonanyclothesbutjustatowlinenshirt。Someoftheoldwomenwasknitting，andsomeoftheyoungfolkswascourtingonthesly。
Thefirstshedwecometothepreacherwasliningoutahymn。Helinedouttwolines，everybodysungit，anditwaskindofgrandtohearit，therewassomanyofthemandtheydoneitinsucharousingway；thenhelinedouttwomoreforthemtosing——andsoon。Thepeoplewokeupmoreandmore，andsunglouderandlouder；andtowardstheendsomebeguntogroan，andsomebeguntoshout。Thenthepreacherbeguntopreach，andbeguninearnest，too；andwentweavingfirsttoonesideoftheplatformandthentheother，andthena-leaningdownoverthefrontofit，withhisarmsandhisbodygoingallthetime，andshoutinghiswordsoutwithallhismight；andeverynowandthenhewouldholduphisBibleandspreaditopen，andkindofpassitaroundthiswayandthat，shouting，“It”sthebrazenserpentinthewilderness！Lookuponitandlive！“Andpeoplewouldshoutout，“Glory！——A-a-MEN！“Andsohewenton，andthepeoplegroaningandcryingandsayingamen：
“Oh，cometothemourners”bench！come，blackwithsin！(AMEN！)come，sickandsore！(AMEN！)come，lameandhaltandblind！(AMEN！)come，poreandneedy，sunkinshame！(A-A-MEN！)come，allthat”swornandsoiledandsuffering！——comewithabrokenspirit！comewithacontriteheart！comeinyourragsandsinanddirt！thewatersthatcleanseisfree，thedoorofheavenstandsopen——oh，enterinandbeatrest！“(A-A-MEN！GLORY，GLORYHALLELUJAH！)
Andsoon。Youcouldn”tmakeoutwhatthepreachersaidanymore，onaccountoftheshoutingandcrying。Folksgotupeverywheresinthecrowd，andworkedtheirwayjustbymainstrengthtothemourners”bench，withthetearsrunningdowntheirfaces；andwhenallthemournershadgotuptheretothefrontbenchesinacrowd，theysungandshoutedandflungthemselvesdownonthestraw，justcrazyandwild。
Well，thefirstIknowedthekinggota-going，andyoucouldhearhimovereverybody；andnexthewenta-chargingupontotheplatform，andthepreacherhebeggedhimtospeaktothepeople，andhedoneit。Hetoldthemhewasapirate——beenapirateforthirtyyearsoutintheIndianOcean——andhiscrewwasthinnedoutconsiderablelastspringinafight，andhewashomenowtotakeoutsomefreshmen，andthankstogoodnesshe”dbeenrobbedlastnightandputashoreoffofasteamboatwithoutacent，andhewasgladofit；itwastheblessedestthingthateverhappenedtohim，becausehewasachangedmannow，andhappyforthefirsttimeinhislife；and，poorashewas，hewasgoingtostartrightoffandworkhiswaybacktotheIndianOcean，andputintherestofhislifetryingtoturnthepiratesintothetruepath；forhecoulddoitbetterthananybodyelse，beingacquaintedwithallpiratecrewsinthatocean；andthoughitwouldtakehimalongtimetogettherewithoutmoney，hewouldgetthereanyway，andeverytimeheconvincedapiratehewouldsaytohim，“Don”tyouthankme，don”tyougivemenocredit；itallbelongstothemdearpeopleinPokevillecampmeeting，naturalbrothersandbenefactorsoftherace，andthatdearpreacherthere，thetruestfriendapirateeverhad！“
Andthenhebustedintotears，andsodideverybody。Thensomebodysingsout，“Takeupacollectionforhim，takeupacollection！“Well，ahalfadozenmadeajumptodoit，butsomebodysingsout，“LetHIMpassthehataround！“Theneverybodysaidit，thepreachertoo。
Sothekingwentallthroughthecrowdwithhishatswabbinghiseyes，andblessingthepeopleandpraisingthemandthankingthemforbeingsogoodtothepoorpiratesawayoffthere；andeverylittlewhiletheprettiestkindofgirls，withthetearsrunningdowntheircheeks，wouldupandaskhimwouldheletthemkisshimfortorememberhimby；andhealwaysdoneit；andsomeofthemhehuggedandkissedasmanyasfiveorsixtimes——andhewasinvitedtostayaweek；andeverybodywantedhimtoliveintheirhouses，andsaidthey”dthinkitwasanhonor；buthesaidasthiswasthelastdayofthecamp-meetinghecouldn”tdonogood，andbesideshewasinasweattogettotheIndianOceanrightoffandgotoworkonthepirates。
Whenwegotbacktotheraftandhecometocountuphefoundhehadcollectedeighty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents。Andthenhehadfetchedawayathree-gallonjugofwhisky，too，thathefoundunderawagonwhenhewasstartinghomethroughthewoods。Thekingsaid，takeitallaround，itlaidoveranydayhe”deverputininthemissionaryingline。
Hesaiditwarn”tnousetalking，heathensdon”tamounttoshucksalongsideofpiratestoworkacamp-meetingwith。
ThedukewasthinkingHE”Dbeendoingprettywelltillthekingcometoshowup，butafterthathedidn”tthinksosomuch。Hehadsetupandprintedofftwolittlejobsforfarmersinthatprinting-office——horsebills——andtookthemoney，fourdollars。Andhehadgotintendollars”
worthofadvertisementsforthepaper，whichhesaidhewouldputinforfourdollarsiftheywouldpayinadvance——sotheydoneit。Thepriceofthepaperwastwodollarsayear，buthetookinthreesubscriptionsforhalfadollarapieceonconditionofthempayinghiminadvance；theyweregoingtopayincordwoodandonionsasusual，buthesaidhehadjustboughttheconcernandknockeddownthepriceaslowashecouldaffordit，andwasgoingtorunitforcash。Hesetupalittlepieceofpoetry，whichhemade，himself，outofhisownhead——threeverses——kindofsweetandsaddish——thenameofitwas，“Yes，crush，coldworld，thisbreakingheart“——andheleftthatallsetupandreadytoprintinthepaper，anddidn”tchargenothingforit。Well，hetookinninedollarsandahalf，andsaidhe”ddoneaprettysquareday”sworkforit。
Thenheshowedusanotherlittlejobhe”dprintedandhadn”tchargedfor，becauseitwasforus。Ithadapictureofarunawayniggerwithabundleonastickoverhisshoulder，and“$200reward“underit。ThereadingwasallaboutJim，andjustdescribedhimtoadot。ItsaidherunawayfromSt。Jacques”plantation，fortymilebelowNewOrleans，lastwinter，andlikelywentnorth，andwhoeverwouldcatchhimandsendhimbackhecouldhavetherewardandexpenses。
“Now，“saystheduke，“afterto-nightwecanruninthedaytimeifwewantto。WheneverweseeanybodycomingwecantieJimhandandfootwitharope，andlayhiminthewigwamandshowthishandbillandsaywecapturedhimuptheriver，andweretoopoortotravelonasteamboat，sowegotthislittleraftoncreditfromourfriendsandaregoingdowntogetthereward。HandcuffsandchainswouldlookstillbetteronJim，butitwouldn”tgowellwiththestoryofusbeingsopoor。Toomuchlikejewelry。Ropesarethecorrectthing——wemustpreservetheunities，aswesayontheboards。”
Weallsaidthedukewasprettysmart，andtherecouldn”tbenotroubleaboutrunningdaytimes。Wejudgedwecouldmakemilesenoughthatnighttogetoutofthereachofthepowwowwereckonedtheduke”sworkintheprintingofficewasgoingtomakeinthatlittletown；thenwecouldboomrightalongifwewantedto。
Welaidlowandkeptstill，andnevershovedouttillnearlyteno”clock；
thenweslidby，prettywideawayfromthetown，anddidn”thoistourlanterntillwewasclearoutofsightofit。
WhenJimcalledmetotakethewatchatfourinthemorning，hesays：
“Huck，doesyoureck”nwegwynetorunacrostanymo”kingsondistrip？“
“No，“Isays，“Ireckonnot。”
“Well，“sayshe，“dat”sallright，den。Idoan”mineoneertwokings，butdat”senough。Disone”spowerfuldrunk，endedukeain”muchbetter。”
IfoundJimhadbeentryingtogethimtotalkFrench，sohecouldhearwhatitwaslike；buthesaidhehadbeeninthiscountrysolong，andhadsomuchtrouble，he”dforgotit。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter21Chapter21ITwasaftersun-upnow，butwewentrightonanddidn”ttieup。Thekingandtheduketurnedoutbyandbylookingprettyrusty；butafterthey”djumpedoverboardandtookaswimitchipperedthemupagooddeal。Afterbreakfastthekinghetookaseatonthecorneroftheraft，andpulledoffhisbootsandrolleduphisbritches，andlethislegsdangleinthewater，soastobecomfortable，andlithispipe，andwenttogettinghisRomeoandJulietbyheart。Whenhehadgotitprettygoodhimandthedukebeguntopracticeittogether。Thedukehadtolearnhimoverandoveragainhowtosayeveryspeech；andhemadehimsigh，andputhishandonhisheart，andafterawhilehesaidhedoneitprettywell；“only，“hesays，“youmustn”tbellowoutROMEO！thatway，likeabull——youmustsayitsoftandsickandlanguishy，so——R-o-o-meo！thatistheidea；
forJuliet”sadearsweetmerechildofagirl，youknow，andshedoesn”tbraylikeajackass。”
Well，nexttheygotoutacoupleoflongswordsthatthedukemadeoutofoaklaths，andbeguntopracticetheswordfight——thedukecalledhimselfRichardIII。；andthewaytheylaidonandprancedaroundtheraftwasgrandtosee。Butbyandbythekingtrippedandfelloverboard，andafterthattheytookarest，andhadatalkaboutallkindsofadventuresthey”dhadinothertimesalongtheriver。
Afterdinnerthedukesays：
“Well，Capet，we”llwanttomakethisafirst-classshow，youknow，soIguesswe”lladdalittlemoretoit。Wewantalittlesomethingtoanswerencoreswith，anyway。”
“What”sonkores，Bilgewater？“
Theduketoldhim，andthensays：
“I”llanswerbydoingtheHighlandflingorthesailor”shornpipe；andyou——well，letmesee——oh，I”vegotit——youcandoHamlet”ssoliloquy。”
“Hamlet”swhich？“
“Hamlet”ssoliloquy，youknow；themostcelebratedthinginShakespeare。
Ah，it”ssublime，sublime！Alwaysfetchesthehouse。Ihaven”tgotitinthebook——I”veonlygotonevolume——butIreckonIcanpieceitoutfrommemory。I”lljustwalkupanddownaminute，andseeifIcancallitbackfromrecollection”svaults。”
Sohewenttomarchingupanddown，thinking，andfrowninghorribleeverynowandthen；thenhewouldhoistuphiseyebrows；nexthewouldsqueezehishandonhisforeheadandstaggerbackandkindofmoan；nexthewouldsigh，andnexthe”dletontodropatear。Itwasbeautifultoseehim。Byandbyhegotit。Hetoldustogiveattention。Thenhestrikesamostnobleattitude，withonelegshovedforwards，andhisarmsstretchedawayup，andhisheadtiltedback，lookingupatthesky；andthenhebeginstoripandraveandgrithisteeth；andafterthat，allthroughhisspeech，hehowled，andspreadaround，andswelleduphischest，andjustknockedthespotsoutofanyactingeverIseebefore。Thisisthespeech——I
learnedit，easyenough，whilehewaslearningittotheking：
Tobe，ornottobe；thatisthebarebodkinThatmakescalamityofsolonglife；Forwhowouldfardelsbear，tillBirnamWooddocometoDunsinane，ButthatthefearofsomethingafterdeathMurderstheinnocentsleep，Greatnature”ssecondcourse，AndmakesusratherslingthearrowsofoutrageousfortuneThanflytoothersthatweknownotof。There”stherespectmustgiveuspause：WakeDuncanwiththyknocking！Iwouldthoucouldst；Forwhowouldbearthewhipsandscornsoftime，Theoppressor”swrong，theproudman”scontumely，Thelaw”sdelay，andthequietuswhichhispangsmighttake，Inthedeadwasteandmiddleofthenight，whenchurchyardsyawnIncustomarysuitsofsolemnblack，Butthattheundiscoveredcountryfromwhosebournenotravelerreturns，Breathesforthcontagionontheworld，Andthusthenativehueofresolution，likethepoorcati”theadage，Issickliedo”erwithcare，Andallthecloudsthatloweredo”erourhousetops，Withthisregardtheircurrentsturnawry，Andlosethenameofaction。”Tisaconsummationdevoutlytobewished。Butsoftyou，thefairOphelia：Openotthyponderousandmarblejaws，Butgettheetoanunnery——go！
Well，theoldmanhelikedthatspeech，andhemightysoongotitsohecoulddoitfirst-rate。Itseemedlikehewasjustbornforit；andwhenhehadhishandinandwasexcited，itwasperfectlylovelythewayhewouldripandtearandrairupbehindwhenhewasgettingitoff。
Thefirstchancewegotthedukehehadsomeshowbillsprinted；andafterthat，fortwoorthreedaysaswefloatedalong，theraftwasamostuncommonlivelyplace，fortherewarn”tnothingbutswordfightingandrehearsing——asthedukecalledit——goingonallthetime。Onemorning，whenwewasprettywelldowntheStateofArkansaw，wecomeinsightofalittleone-horsetowninabigbend；sowetiedupaboutthree-quartersofamileaboveit，inthemouthofacrickwhichwasshutinlikeatunnelbythecypresstrees，andallofusbutJimtookthecanoeandwentdowntheretoseeiftherewasanychanceinthatplaceforourshow。
Westruckitmightylucky；therewasgoingtobeacircustherethatafternoon，andthecountrypeoplewasalreadybeginningtocomein，inallkindsofoldshacklywagons，andonhorses。Thecircuswouldleavebeforenight，soourshowwouldhaveaprettygoodchance。Thedukehehiredthecourthouse，andwewentaroundandstuckupourbills。Theyreadlikethis：ShakspereanRevival！！！
WonderfulAttraction！
ForOneNightOnly！
Theworldrenownedtragedians，DavidGarricktheYounger，ofDruryLaneTheatreLondon，andEdmundKeantheelder，oftheRoyalHaymarketTheatre，Whitechapel，PuddingLane，Piccadilly，London，andtheRoyalContinentalTheatres，intheirsublimeShakspereanSpectacleentitledTheBalconySceneinRomeoandJuliet！！！
Romeo……Mr。GarrickJuliet……Mr。KeanAssistedbythewholestrengthofthecompany！
Newcostumes，newscenes，newappointments！
Also：
Thethrilling，masterly，andblood-curdlingBroad-swordconflictInRichardIII。！！！
RichardIII……Mr。GarrickRichmond……Mr。KeanAlso：
(byspecialrequest)
Hamlet”sImmortalSoliloquy！！
ByTheIllustriousKean！
Donebyhim300consecutivenightsinParis！
ForOneNightOnly，OnaccountofimperativeEuropeanengagements！
Admission25cents；childrenandservants，10cents。Thenwewentloafingaroundtown。Thestoresandhouseswasmostallold，shackly，driedupframeconcernsthathadn”teverbeenpainted；theywassetupthreeorfourfootabovegroundonstilts，soastobeoutofreachofthewaterwhentheriverwasoverflowed。Thehouseshadlittlegardensaroundthem，buttheydidn”tseemtoraisehardlyanythinginthembutjimpson-weeds，andsunflowers，andashpiles，andoldcurled-upbootsandshoes，andpiecesofbottles，andrags，andplayed-outtinware。Thefenceswasmadeofdifferentkindsofboards，nailedonatdifferenttimes；andtheyleanedeverywhichway，andhadgatesthatdidn”tgenerlyhavebutonehinge——aleatherone。Someofthefenceshadbeenwhitewashedsometimeoranother，butthedukesaiditwasinClumbus”time，likeenough。
Therewasgenerlyhogsinthegarden，andpeopledrivingthemout。
Allthestoreswasalongonestreet。Theyhadwhitedomesticawningsinfront，andthecountrypeoplehitchedtheirhorsestotheawning-posts。
Therewasemptydrygoodsboxesundertheawnings，andloafersroostingonthemalldaylong，whittlingthemwiththeirBarlowknives；andchawingtobacco，andgapingandyawningandstretching——amightyornerylot。
Theygenerlyhadonyellowstrawhatsmostaswideasanumbrella，butdidn”twearnocoatsnorwaistcoats，theycalledoneanotherBill，andBuck，andHank，andJoe，andAndy，andtalkedlazyanddrawly，andusedconsiderablemanycusswords。Therewasasmanyasoneloaferleaningupagainsteveryawning-post，andhemostalwayshadhishandsinhisbritches-pockets，exceptwhenhefetchedthemouttolendachawoftobaccoorscratch。Whatabodywashearingamongstthemallthetimewas：
“Gimmeachaw”vtobacker，Hank“
“Cain”t；Ihain”tgotbutonechawleft。AskBill。”
MaybeBillhegiveshimachaw；maybeheliesandsaysheain”tgotnone。Someofthemkindsofloafersneverhasacentintheworld，norachawoftobaccooftheirown。Theygetalltheirchawingbyborrowing；
theysaytoafellow，“Iwishtyou”dlen”meachaw，Jack，IjistthisminutegiveBenThompsonthelastchawIhad“——whichisalieprettymucheverytime；itdon”tfoolnobodybutastranger；butJackain”tnostranger，sohesays：
“YOUgivehimachaw，didyou？Sodidyoursister”scat”sgrandmother。
Youpaymebackthechawsyou”veawreadyborry”doff”nme，LafeBuckner，thenI”llloanyouoneortwotonofit，andwon”tchargeyounobackintrust，nuther。”
“Well，IDIDpayyoubacksomeofitwunst。”
“Yes，youdid——”boutsixchaws。Youborry”dstoretobackerandpaidbacknigger-head。”
Storetobaccoisflatblackplug，butthesefellowsmostlychawsthenaturalleaftwisted。Whentheyborrowachawtheydon”tgenerlycutitoffwithaknife，butsetthepluginbetweentheirteeth，andgnawwiththeirteethandtugattheplugwiththeirhandstilltheygetitintwo；
thensometimestheonethatownsthetobaccolooksmournfulatitwhenit”shandedback，andsays，sarcastic：
“Here，gimmetheCHAW，andyoutakethePLUG。”
Allthestreetsandlaneswasjustmud；theywarn”tnothingelseBUT
mud——mudasblackastarandnighaboutafootdeepinsomeplaces，andtwoorthreeinchesdeepinALLtheplaces。Thehogsloafedandgruntedaroundeverywheres。You”dseeamuddysowandalitterofpigscomelazyingalongthestreetandwhollopherselfrightdownintheway，wherefolkshadtowalkaroundher，andshe”dstretchoutandshuthereyesandwaveherearswhilstthepigswasmilkingher，andlookashappyasifshewasonsalary。Andprettysoonyou”dhearaloafersingout，“Hi！SOboy！sickhim，Tige！“andawaythesowwouldgo，squealingmosthorrible，withadogortwoswingingtoeachear，andthreeorfourdozenmorea-coming；
andthenyouwouldseealltheloafersgetupandwatchthethingoutofsight，andlaughatthefunandlookgratefulforthenoise。Thenthey”dsettlebackagaintilltherewasadogfight。Therecouldn”tanythingwakethemupallover，andmakethemhappyallover，likeadogfight——unlessitmightbeputtingturpentineonastraydogandsettingfiretohim，ortyingatinpantohistailandseehimrunhimselftodeath。
Ontheriverfrontsomeofthehouseswasstickingoutoverthebank，andtheywasbowedandbent，andaboutreadytotumblein，Thepeoplehadmovedoutofthem。Thebankwascavedawayunderonecornerofsomeothers，andthatcornerwashangingover。Peoplelivedinthemyet，butitwasdangersome，becausesometimesastripoflandaswideasahousecavesinatatime。Sometimesabeltoflandaquarterofamiledeepwillstartinandcavealongandcavealongtillitallcavesintotheriverinonesummer。Suchatownasthathastobealwaysmovingback，andback，andback，becausetheriver”salwaysgnawingatit。
Theneareritgottonoonthatdaythethickerandthickerwasthewagonsandhorsesinthestreets，andmorecomingallthetime。Familiesfetchedtheirdinnerswiththemfromthecountry，andeattheminthewagons。Therewasconsiderablewhiskydrinkinggoingon，andIseenthreefights。Byandbysomebodysingsout：
“HerecomesoldBoggs！——infromthecountryforhislittleoldmonthlydrunk；herehecomes，boys！“
Alltheloaferslookedglad；IreckonedtheywasusedtohavingfunoutofBoggs。Oneofthemsays：
“Wonderwhohe”sa-gwynetochawupthistime。Ifhe”da-chawedupallthemenhe”sbena-gwynetochawupinthelasttwentyyearhe”dhaveconsiderableruputationnow。”
Anotheronesays，“IwishtoldBoggs”dthreatenme，”cuzthenI”dknowIwarn”tgwynetodieforathousan”year。”
Boggscomesa-tearingalongonhishorse，whoopingandyellinglikeanInjun，andsingingout：
“Clerthetrack，thar。I”monthewaw-path，andthepriceuvcoffinsisa-gwynetoraise。”
Hewasdrunk，andweavingaboutinhissaddle；hewasoverfiftyyearold，andhadaveryredface。Everybodyyelledathimandlaughedathimandsassedhim，andhesassedback，andsaidhe”dattendtothemandlaythemoutintheirregularturns，buthecouldn”twaitnowbecausehe”dcometotowntokilloldColonelSherburn，andhismottowas，“Meatfirst，andspoonvittlestotopoffon。”
Heseeme，androdeupandsays：
“Whar”dyoucomef”m，boy？Youpreparedtodie？“
Thenherodeon。Iwasscared，butamansays：
“Hedon”tmeannothing；he”salwaysa-carryin”onlikethatwhenhe”sdrunk。He”sthebestnaturedestoldfoolinArkansaw——neverhurtnobody，drunknorsober。”
Boggsrodeupbeforethebiggeststoreintown，andbenthisheaddownsohecouldseeunderthecurtainoftheawningandyells：
“Comeouthere，Sherburn！Comeoutandmeetthemanyou”veswindled。
You”rethehoun”I”mafter，andI”ma-gwynetohaveyou，too！“
Andsohewenton，callingSherburneverythinghecouldlayhistongueto，andthewholestreetpackedwithpeoplelisteningandlaughingandgoingon。Byandbyaproud-lookingmanaboutfifty-five——andhewasaheapthebestdressedmaninthattown，too——stepsoutofthestore，andthecrowddropsbackoneachsidetolethimcome。HesaystoBoggs，mightyca”mandslow——hesays：
“I”mtiredofthis，butI”llendureittilloneo”clock。Tilloneo”clock，mind——nolonger。Ifyouopenyourmouthagainstmeonlyonceafterthattimeyoucan”ttravelsofarbutIwillfindyou。”
Thenheturnsandgoesin。Thecrowdlookedmightysober；nobodystirred，andtherewarn”tnomorelaughing。BoggsrodeoffblackguardingSherburnasloudashecouldyell，alldownthestreet；andprettysoonbackhecomesandstopsbeforethestore，stillkeepingitup。Somemencrowdedaroundhimandtriedtogethimtoshutup，buthewouldn”t；theytoldhimitwouldbeoneo”clockinaboutfifteenminutes，andsoheMUSTgohome——hemustgorightaway。Butitdidn”tdonogood。Hecussedawaywithallhismight，andthrowedhishatdowninthemudandrodeoverit，andprettysoonawayhewenta-ragingdownthestreetagain，withhisgrayhairaflying。Everybodythatcouldgetachanceathimtriedtheirbesttocoaxhimoffofhishorsesotheycouldlockhimupandgethimsober；
butitwarn”tnouse——upthestreethewouldtearagain，andgiveSherburnanothercussing。Byandbysomebodysays：
“Goforhisdaughter！——quick，goforhisdaughter；sometimeshe”lllistentoher。Ifanybodycanpersuadehim，shecan。”
Sosomebodystartedonarun。Iwalkeddownstreetawaysandstopped。
InaboutfiveortenminutesherecomesBoggsagain，butnotonhishorse。
Hewasa-reelingacrossthestreettowardsme，bareheaded，withafriendonbothsidesofhima-holtofhisarmsandhurryinghimalong。Hewasquiet，andlookeduneasy；andhewarn”thangingbackany，butwasdoingsomeofthehurryinghimself。Somebodysingsout：
“Boggs！“
Ilookedovertheretoseewhosaidit，anditwasthatColonelSherburn。
Hewasstandingperfectlystillinthestreet，andhadapistolraisedinhisrighthand——notaimingit，butholdingitoutwiththebarreltilteduptowardsthesky。ThesamesecondIseeayounggirlcomingontherun，andtwomenwithher。Boggsandthementurnedroundtoseewhocalledhim，andwhentheyseethepistolthemenjumpedtooneside，andthepistol-barrelcomedownslowandsteadytoalevel——bothbarrelscocked。Boggsthrowsupbothofhishandsandsays，“OLord，don”tshoot！“
Bang！goesthefirstshot，andhestaggersback，clawingattheair——
bang！goesthesecondone，andhetumblesbackwardsontotheground，heavyandsolid，withhisarmsspreadout。Thatyounggirlscreamedoutandcomesrushing，anddownshethrowsherselfonherfather，crying，andsaying，“Oh，he”skilledhim，he”skilledhim！“Thecrowdcloseduparoundthem，andshoulderedandjammedoneanother，withtheirnecksstretched，tryingtosee，andpeopleontheinsidetryingtoshovethembackandshouting，“Back，back！givehimair，givehimair！“
ColonelSherburnhetossedhispistolontotheground，andturnedaroundonhisheelsandwalkedoff。
TheytookBoggstoalittledrugstore，thecrowdpressingaroundjustthesame，andthewholetownfollowing，andIrushedandgotagoodplaceatthewindow，whereIwasclosetohimandcouldseein。TheylaidhimonthefloorandputonelargeBibleunderhishead，andopenedanotheroneandspreaditonhisbreast；buttheytoreopenhisshirtfirst，andIseenwhereoneofthebulletswentin。Hemadeaboutadozenlonggasps，hisbreastliftingtheBibleupwhenhedrawedinhisbreath，andlettingitdownagainwhenhebreatheditout——andafterthathelaidstill；
hewasdead。Thentheypulledhisdaughterawayfromhim，screamingandcrying，andtookheroff。Shewasaboutsixteen，andverysweetandgentlelooking，butawfulpaleandscared。
Well，prettysoonthewholetownwasthere，squirmingandscrougingandpushingandshovingtogetatthewindowandhavealook，butpeoplethathadtheplaceswouldn”tgivethemup，andfolksbehindthemwassayingallthetime，“Say，now，you”velookedenough，youfellows；”tain”trightand”tain”tfairforyoutostaytharallthetime，andnevergivenobodyachance；otherfolkshastheirrightsaswellasyou。”
Therewasconsiderablejawingback，soIslidout，thinkingmaybetherewasgoingtobetrouble。Thestreetswasfull，andeverybodywasexcited。
Everybodythatseentheshootingwastellinghowithappened，andtherewasabigcrowdpackedaroundeachoneofthesefellows，stretchingtheirnecksandlistening。Onelong，lankyman，withlonghairandabigwhitefurstovepipehatonthebackofhishead，andacrooked-handledcane，markedouttheplacesonthegroundwhereBoggsstoodandwhereSherburnstood，andthepeoplefollowinghimaroundfromoneplacetot”otherandwatchingeverythinghedone，andbobbingtheirheadstoshowtheyunderstood，andstoopingalittleandrestingtheirhandsontheirthighstowatchhimmarktheplacesonthegroundwithhiscane；andthenhestoodupstraightandstiffwhereSherburnhadstood，frowningandhavinghishat-brimdownoverhiseyes，andsungout，“Boggs！“andthenfetchedhiscanedownslowtoalevel，andsays“Bang！“staggeredbackwards，says“Bang！“again，andfelldownflatonhisback。Thepeoplethathadseenthethingsaidhedoneitperfect；saiditwasjustexactlythewayitallhappened。Thenasmuchasadozenpeoplegotouttheirbottlesandtreatedhim。
Well，byandbysomebodysaidSherburnoughttobelynched。Inaboutaminuteeverybodywassayingit；soawaytheywent，madandyelling，andsnatchingdowneveryclothes-linetheycometotodothehangingwith。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter22Chapter22THEYswarmeduptowardsSherburn”shouse，awhoopingandraginglikeInjuns，andeverythinghadtoclearthewayorgetrunoverandtrompedtomush，anditwasawfultosee。Childrenwasheelingitaheadofthemob，screamingandtryingtogetoutoftheway；andeverywindowalongtheroadwasfullofwomen”sheads，andtherewasniggerboysineverytree，andbucksandwencheslookingovereveryfence；andassoonasthemobwouldgetnearlytothemtheywouldbreakandskaddlebackoutofreach。Lotsofthewomenandgirlswascryingandtakingon，scaredmosttodeath。
TheyswarmedupinfrontofSherburn”spalingsasthickastheycouldjamtogether，andyoucouldn”thearyourselfthinkforthenoise。Itwasalittletwenty-footyard。Somesungout“Teardownthefence！teardownthefence！“Thentherewasaracketofrippingandtearingandsmashing，anddownshegoes，andthefrontwallofthecrowdbeginstorollinlikeawave。
JustthenSherburnstepsoutontotheroofofhislittlefrontporch，withadouble-barrelguninhishand，andtakeshisstand，perfectlyca”manddeliberate，notsayingaword。Theracketstopped，andthewavesuckedback。
Sherburnneversaidaword——juststoodthere，lookingdown。Thestillnesswasawfulcreepyanduncomfortable。Sherburnrunhiseyeslowalongthecrowd；andwhereveritstruckthepeopletriedalittletooutgazehim，buttheycouldn”t；theydroppedtheireyesandlookedsneaky。ThenprettysoonSherburnsortoflaughed；notthepleasantkind，butthekindthatmakesyoufeellikewhenyouareeatingbreadthat”sgotsandinit。
Thenhesays，slowandscornful：
“TheideaofYOUlynchinganybody！It”samusing。TheideaofyouthinkingyouhadpluckenoughtolynchaMAN！Becauseyou”rebraveenoughtotarandfeatherpoorfriendlesscast-outwomenthatcomealonghere，didthatmakeyouthinkyouhadgritenoughtolayyourhandsonaMAN？Why，aMAN”S
safeinthehandsoftenthousandofyourkind——aslongasit”sdaytimeandyou”renotbehindhim。
“DoIknowyou？IknowyouclearthroughwasbornandraisedintheSouth，andI”velivedintheNorth；soIknowtheaverageallaround。Theaverageman”sacoward。IntheNorthheletsanybodywalkoverhimthatwantsto，andgoeshomeandpraysforahumblespirittobearit。IntheSouthonemanallbyhimself，hasstoppedastagefullofmeninthedaytime，androbbedthelot。Yournewspaperscallyouabravepeoplesomuchthatyouthinkyouarebraverthananyotherpeople——whereasyou”rejustAS
brave，andnobraver。Whydon”tyourjurieshangmurderers？Becausethey”reafraidtheman”sfriendswillshootthemintheback，inthedark——andit”sjustwhattheyWOULDdo。
“Sotheyalwaysacquit；andthenaMANgoesinthenight，withahundredmaskedcowardsathisbackandlynchestherascal。Yourmistakeis，thatyoudidn”tbringamanwithyou；that”sonemistake，andtheotheristhatyoudidn”tcomeinthedarkandfetchyourmasks。YoubroughtPARTofaman——BuckHarkness，there——andifyouhadn”thadhimtostartyou，you”datakenitoutinblowing。
“Youdidn”twanttocome。Theaveragemandon”tliketroubleanddanger。
YOUdon”tliketroubleanddanger。ButifonlyHALFaman——likeBuckHarkness，there——shouts”Lynchhim！lynchhim！”you”reafraidtobackdown——afraidyou”llbefoundouttobewhatyouare——COWARDS——andsoyouraiseayell，andhangyourselvesontothathalf-a-man”scoat-tail，andcomeraginguphere，swearingwhatbigthingsyou”regoingtodo。Thepitifulestthingoutisamob；that”swhatanarmyis——amob；theydon”tfightwithcouragethat”sborninthem，butwithcouragethat”sborrowedfromtheirmass，andfromtheirofficers。ButamobwithoutanyMANattheheadofitisBENEATHpitifulness。NowthethingforYOUtodoistodroopyourtailsandgohomeandcrawlinahole。Ifanyreallynching”sgoingtobedoneitwillbedoneinthedark，Southernfashion；andwhentheycomethey”llbringtheirmasks，andfetchaMANalong。NowLEAVE——
andtakeyourhalf-a-manwithyou“——tossinghisgunupacrosshisleftarmandcockingitwhenhesaysthis。
Thecrowdwashedbacksudden，andthenbrokeallapart，andwenttearingoffeverywhichway，andBuckHarknessheheeleditafterthem，lookingtolerablecheap。IcouldastayedifIwantedto，butIdidn”twantto。
Iwenttothecircusandloafedaroundthebacksidetillthewatchmanwentby，andthendivedinunderthetent。Ihadmytwenty-dollargoldpieceandsomeothermoney，butIreckonedIbettersaveit，becausethereain”tnotellinghowsoonyouaregoingtoneedit，awayfromhomeandamongststrangersthatway。Youcan”tbetoocareful。Iain”topposedtospendingmoneyoncircuseswhenthereain”tnootherway，butthereain”tnouseinWASTINGitonthem。
Itwasarealbullycircus。Itwasthesplendidestsightthateverwaswhentheyallcomeridingin，twoandtwo，agentlemanandlady，sidebyside，themenjustintheirdrawersandundershirts，andnoshoesnorstirrups，andrestingtheirhandsontheirthighseasyandcomfortable——theremustabeentwentyofthem——andeveryladywithalovelycomplexion，andperfectlybeautiful，andlookingjustlikeagangofrealsure-enoughqueens，anddressedinclothesthatcostmillionsofdollars，andjustlitteredwithdiamonds。Itwasapowerfulfinesight；Ineverseeanythingsolovely。
Andthenonebyonetheygotupandstood，andwenta-weavingaroundtheringsogentleandwavyandgraceful，themenlookingeversotallandairyandstraight，withtheirheadsbobbingandskimmingalong，awayupthereunderthetent-roof，andeverylady”srose-leafydressflappingsoftandsilkyaroundherhips，andshelookinglikethemostloveliestparasol。
Andthenfasterandfastertheywent，allofthemdancing，firstonefootoutintheairandthentheother，thehorsesleaningmoreandmore，andtheringmastergoingroundandroundthecenter-pole，crackinghiswhipandshouting“Hi！——hi！“andtheclowncrackingjokesbehindhim；
andbyandbyallhandsdroppedthereins，andeveryladyputherknucklesonherhipsandeverygentlemanfoldedhisarms，andthenhowthehorsesdidleanoverandhumpthemselves！Andsooneaftertheothertheyallskippedoffintothering，andmadethesweetestbowIeversee，andthenscamperedout，andeverybodyclappedtheirhandsandwentjustaboutwild。
Well，allthroughthecircustheydonethemostastonishingthings；
andallthetimethatclowncarriedonsoitmostkilledthepeople。Theringmastercouldn”teversayawordtohimbuthewasbackathimquickasawinkwiththefunniestthingsabodyeversaid；andhowheeverCOULD
thinkofsomanyofthem，andsosuddenandsopat，waswhatIcouldn”tnowayunderstand。Why，Icouldn”tathoughtoftheminayear。Andbyandbyadrunkmantriedtogetintothering——saidhewantedtoride；saidhecouldrideaswellasanybodythateverwas。Theyarguedandtriedtokeephimout，buthewouldn”tlisten，andthewholeshowcometoastandstill。
Thenthepeoplebeguntohollerathimandmakefunofhim，andthatmadehimmad，andhebeguntoripandtear；sothatstirredupthepeople，andalotofmenbeguntopiledownoffofthebenchesandswarmtowardsthering，saying，“Knockhimdown！throwhimout！“andoneortwowomenbeguntoscream。So，then，theringmasterhemadealittlespeech，andsaidhehopedtherewouldn”tbenodisturbance，andifthemanwouldpromisehewouldn”tmakenomoretroublehewouldlethimrideifhethoughthecouldstayonthehorse。Soeverybodylaughedandsaidallright，andthemangoton。Theminutehewason，thehorsebeguntoripandtearandjumpandcavortaround，withtwocircusmenhangingontohisbridletryingtoholdhim，andthedrunkmanhangingontohisneck，andhisheelsflyingintheaireveryjump，andthewholecrowdofpeoplestandingupshoutingandlaughingtilltearsrolleddown。Andatlast，sureenough，allthecircusmencoulddo，thehorsebrokeloose，andawayhewentliketheverynation，roundandroundthering，withthatsotlayingdownonhimandhangingtohisneck，withfirstoneleghangingmosttothegroundononeside，andthent”otheroneont”otherside，andthepeoplejustcrazy。
Itwarn”tfunnytome，though；Iwasallofatrembletoseehisdanger。
Butprettysoonhestruggledupastraddleandgrabbedthebridle，a-reelingthiswayandthat；andthenextminutehesprungupanddroppedthebridleandstood！andthehorsea-goinglikeahouseafiretoo。Hejuststoodupthere，a-sailingaroundaseasyandcomfortableasifhewarn”teverdrunkinhislife——andthenhebeguntopulloffhisclothesandslingthem。Heshedthemsothicktheykindofcloggeduptheair，andaltogetherheshedseventeensuits。And，then，therehewas，slimandhandsome，anddressedthegaudiestandprettiestyoueversaw，andhelitintothathorsewithhiswhipandmadehimfairlyhum——andfinallyskippedoff，andmadehisbowanddancedofftothedressing-room，andeverybodyjusta-howlingwithpleasureandastonishment。
Thentheringmasterheseehowhehadbeenfooled，andheWASthesickestringmasteryoueversee，Ireckon。Why，itwasoneofhisownmen！Hehadgotupthatjokealloutofhisownhead，andneverletontonobody。Well，Ifeltsheepishenoughtobetookinso，butIwouldn”tabeeninthatringmaster”splace，notforathousanddollars。Idon”tknow；theremaybebulliercircusesthanwhatthatonewas，butIneverstruckthemyet。
Anyways，itwasplentygoodenoughforME；andwhereverIrunacrossit，itcanhaveallofMYcustomeverytime。
Well，thatnightwehadOURshow；buttherewarn”tonlyabouttwelvepeoplethere——justenoughtopayexpenses。Andtheylaughedallthetime，andthatmadethedukemad；andeverybodyleft，anyway，beforetheshowwasover，butoneboywhichwasasleep。SothedukesaidtheseArkansawlunkheadscouldn”tcomeuptoShakespeare；whattheywantedwaslowcomedy——andmaybesomethingrutherworsethanlowcomedy，hereckoned。Hesaidhecouldsizetheirstyle。Sonextmorninghegotsomebigsheetsofwrappingpaperandsomeblackpaint，anddrawedoffsomehandbills，andstuckthemupalloverthevillage。Thebillssaid：ATTHECOURTHOUSE！
FOR3NIGHTSONLY！
TheWorld-RenownedTragediansDAVIDGARRICKTHEYOUNGER！
AND
EDMUNDKEANTHEELDER！
OftheLondonandContinentalTheatres，IntheirThrillingTragedyofTHEKING”SCAMELEOPARD，OR
THEROYALNONESUCH！！！
Admission50cents。Thenatthebottomwasthebiggestlineofall，whichsaid：
LADIESANDCHILDRENNOTADMITTED。
“There，“sayshe，“ifthatlinedon”tfetchthem，Idon”tknowArkansaw！“
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter23Chapter23WELL，alldayhimandthekingwashardatit，riggingupastageandacurtainandarowofcandlesforfootlights；andthatnightthehousewasjamfullofmeninnotime。Whentheplacecouldn”tholdnomore，thedukehequittendingdoorandwentaroundthebackwayandcomeontothestageandstoodupbeforethecurtainandmadealittlespeech，andpraisedupthistragedy，andsaiditwasthemostthrillingestonethateverwas；
andsohewentonabraggingaboutthetragedy，andaboutEdmundKeantheElder，whichwastoplaythemainprincipalpartinit；andatlastwhenhe”dgoteverybody”sexpectationsuphighenough，herolledupthecurtain，andthenextminutethekingcomea-prancingoutonallfours，naked；andhewaspaintedallover，ringstreaked-and-striped，allsortsofcolors，assplendidasarainbow。And——butnevermindtherestofhisoutfit；
itwasjustwild，butitwasawfulfunny。Thepeoplemostkilledthemselveslaughing；andwhenthekinggotdonecaperingandcaperedoffbehindthescenes，theyroaredandclappedandstormedandhawhawedtillhecomebackanddoneitoveragain，andafterthattheymadehimdoitanothertime。
Well，itwouldmakeacowlaughtoseetheshinesthatoldidiotcut。
Thenthedukeheletsthecurtaindown，andbowstothepeople，andsaysthegreattragedywillbeperformedonlytwonightsmore，onaccountsofpressingLondonengagements，wheretheseatsisallsoldalreadyforitinDruryLane；andthenhemakesthemanotherbow，andsaysifhehassucceededinpleasingthemandinstructingthem，hewillbedeeplyobleegediftheywillmentionittotheirfriendsandgetthemtocomeandseeit。
Twentypeoplesingsout：
“What，isitover？IsthatALL？“
Thedukesaysyes。Thentherewasafinetime。Everybodysingsout，“Sold！“androseupmad，andwasa-goingforthatstageandthemtragedians。
Butabig，finelookingmanjumpsuponabenchandshouts：
“Holdon！Justaword，gentlemen。”Theystoppedtolisten。“Wearesold——mightybadlysold。Butwedon”twanttobethelaughingstockofthiswholetown，Ireckon，andneverhearthelastofthisthingaslongaswelive。NO。Whatwewantistogooutofherequiet，andtalkthisshowup，andselltheRESTofthetown！Thenwe”llallbeinthesameboat。
Ain”tthatsensible？“(“Youbetitis！——thejedgeisright！“everybodysingsout。)“Allright，then——notawordaboutanysell。Goalonghome，andadviseeverybodytocomeandseethetragedy。”
Nextdayyoucouldn”thearnothingaroundthattownbuthowsplendidthatshowwas。Housewasjammedagainthatnight，andwesoldthiscrowdthesameway。Whenmeandthekingandthedukegothometotheraftweallhadasupper；andbyandby，aboutmidnight，theymadeJimandmebackheroutandfloatherdownthemiddleoftheriver，andfetchherinandhideherabouttwomilebelowtown。
Thethirdnightthehousewascrammedagain——andtheywarn”tnew-comersthistime，butpeoplethatwasattheshowtheothertwonights。Istoodbythedukeatthedoor，andIseethateverymanthatwentinhadhispocketsbulging，orsomethingmuffledupunderhiscoat——andIseeitwarn”tnoperfumery，neither，notbyalongsight。Ismeltsicklyeggsbythebarrel，androttencabbages，andsuchthings；andifIknowthesignsofadeadcatbeingaround，andIbetIdo，therewassixty-fourofthemwentin。Ishovedinthereforaminute，butitwastoovariousforme；Icouldn”tstandit。Well，whentheplacecouldn”tholdnomorepeoplethedukehegiveafellowaquarterandtoldhimtotenddoorforhimaminute，andthenhestartedaroundforthestagedoor，Iafterhim；
buttheminuteweturnedthecornerandwasinthedarkhesays：
“Walkfastnowtillyougetawayfromthehouses，andthenshinfortheraftlikethedickenswasafteryou！“
Idoneit，andhedonethesame。Westrucktheraftatthesametime，andinlessthantwosecondswewasglidingdownstream，alldarkandstill，andedgingtowardsthemiddleoftheriver，nobodysayingaword。Ireckonedthepoorkingwasinforagaudytimeofitwiththeaudience，butnothingofthesort；prettysoonhecrawlsoutfromunderthewigwam，andsays：
“Well，how”dtheoldthingpanoutthistime，duke？“Hehadn”tbeenup-townatall。
Wenevershowedalighttillwewasabouttenmilebelowthevillage。
Thenwelitupandhadasupper，andthekingandthedukefairlylaughedtheirboneslooseoverthewaythey”dservedthempeople。Thedukesays：
“Greenhorns，flatheads！Iknewthefirsthousewouldkeepmumandlettherestofthetowngetropedin；andIknewthey”dlayforusthethirdnight，andconsideritwasTHEIRturnnow。Well，itIStheirturn，andI”dgivesomethingtoknowhowmuchthey”dtakeforit。IWOULDjustliketoknowhowthey”reputtingintheiropportunity。Theycanturnitintoapicniciftheywantto——theybroughtplentyprovisions。”
Themrapscallionstookinfourhundredandsixtyfivedollarsinthatthreenights。Ineverseemoneyhauledinbythewagon-loadlikethatbefore。
Byandby，whentheywasasleepandsnoring，Jimsays：
“Don”tits”priseyoudewaydemkingscarrieson，Huck？“
“No，“Isays，“itdon”t。”
“Whydon”tit，Huck？“
“Well，itdon”t，becauseit”sinthebreed。Ireckonthey”reallalike，“
“But，Huck，desekingso”ournisreglarrapscallions；dat”sjistwhatdeyis；dey”sreglarrapscallions。”
“Well，that”swhatI”ma-saying；allkingsismostlyrapscallions，asfurasIcanmakeout。”
“Isdatso？“
“Youreadaboutthemonce——you”llsee。LookatHenrytheEight；this”n”saSunday-schoolSuperintendenttoHIM。AndlookatCharlesSecond，andLouisFourteen，andLouisFifteen，andJamesSecond，andEdwardSecond，andRichardThird，andfortymore；besidesallthemSaxonheptarchiesthatusedtoriparoundsoinoldtimesandraiseCain。My，yououghttoseenoldHenrytheEightwhenhewasinbloom。HeWASablossom。Heusedtomarryanewwifeeveryday，andchopoffherheadnextmorning。Andhewoulddoitjustasindifferentasifhewasorderingupeggs。”FetchupNellGwynn”hesays。Theyfetchherup。Nextmorning，”Chopoffherhead！”
Andtheychopitoff。”FetchupJaneShore”hesays；andupshecomes，Nextmorning，”Chopoffherhead”——andtheychopitoff。”RingupFairRosamun。”FairRosamunanswersthebell。Nextmorning，”Chopoffherhead。”
Andhemadeeveryoneofthemtellhimataleeverynight；andhekeptthatuptillhehadhoggedathousandandonetalesthatway，andthenheputthemallinabook，andcalleditDomesdayBook——whichwasagoodnameandstatedthecase。Youdon”tknowkings，Jim，butIknowthem；andthisoldripofournisoneofthecleanestI”vestruckinhistory。Well，Henryhetakesanotionhewantstogetupsometroublewiththiscountry。
Howdoeshegoatit——givenotice？——givethecountryashow？No。AllofasuddenheheavesalltheteainBostonHarboroverboard，andwhacksoutadeclarationofindependence，anddaresthemtocomeon。ThatwasHISstyle——henevergiveanybodyachance。Hehadsuspicionsofhisfather，theDukeofWellington。Well，whatdidhedo？Askhimtoshowup？No——
drowndedhiminabuttofmamsey，likeacat。S”posepeopleleftmoneylayingaroundwherehewas——whatdidhedo？Hecollaredit。S”posehecontractedtodoathing，andyoupaidhim，anddidn”tsetdownthereandseethathedoneit——whatdidhedo？Healwaysdonetheotherthing。
S”poseheopenedhismouth——whatthen？Ifhedidn”tshutituppowerfulquickhe”dlosealieeverytime。That”sthekindofabugHenrywas；andifwe”dahadhimalong”steadofourkingshe”dafooledthattownaheapworsethanourndone。Idon”tsaythatournislambs，becausetheyain”t，whenyoucomerightdowntothecoldfacts；buttheyain”tnothingtoTHAT
oldram，anyway。AllIsayis，kingsiskings，andyougottomakeallowances。
Takethemallaround，they”reamightyornerylot。It”sthewaythey”reraised。”
“ButdisonedoSMELLsolikedenation，Huck。”
“Well，theyalldo，Jim。Wecan”thelpthewayakingsmells；historydon”ttellnoway。”
“Nowdeduke，he”satolerblelikelymaninsomeways。”
“Yes，aduke”sdifferent。Butnotverydifferent。Thisone”samiddlinghardlotforaduke。Whenhe”sdrunkthereain”tnonear-sightedmancouldtellhimfromaking。”
“Well，anyways，Idoan”hankerfornomo”unum，Huck。DeseisallI
kinstan”。”
“It”sthewayIfeel，too，Jim。Butwe”vegotthemonourhands，andwegottorememberwhattheyare，andmakeallowances。SometimesIwishwecouldhearofacountrythat”soutofkings。”
WhatwastheusetotellJimthesewarn”trealkingsanddukes？Itwouldn”tadonenogood；and，besides，itwasjustasIsaid：youcouldn”ttellthemfromtherealkind。
Iwenttosleep，andJimdidn”tcallmewhenitwasmyturn。Heoftendonethat。WhenIwakedupjustatdaybreakhewassittingtherewithhisheaddownbetwixthisknees，moaningandmourningtohimself。Ididn”ttakenoticenorleton。Iknowedwhatitwasabout。Hewasthinkingabouthiswifeandhischildren，awayupyonder，andhewaslowandhomesick；
becausehehadn”teverbeenawayfromhomebeforeinhislife；andIdobelievehecaredjustasmuchforhispeopleaswhitefolksdoesfortheir”n。
Itdon”tseemnatural，butIreckonit”sso。Hewasoftenmoaningandmourningthatwaynights，whenhejudgedIwasasleep，andsaying，“Po”little”Lizabeth！
po”littleJohnny！it”smightyhard；Ispec”Iain”tevergwynetoseeyounomo”，nomo”！“Hewasamightygoodnigger，Jimwas。
ButthistimeIsomehowgottotalkingtohimabouthiswifeandyoungones；andbyandbyhesays：
“Whatmakesmefeelsobaddistime”uzbekaseIhearsumpnoveryonderondebanklikeawhack，eraslam，whileago，enitminemeerdetimeItreatmylittle”Lizabethsoornery。Shewarn”ton”y”boutfo”yearole，enshetuckdesk”yarletfever，enhadapowfulroughspell；butshegotwell，enonedayshewasa-stannin”aroun”，enIsaystoher，Isays：
“”Shetdedo”。”
“Sheneverdoneit；jis”stooddah，kinersmilin”upatme。Itmakememad；enIsaysagin，mightyloud，Isays：
“”Doan”youhearme？Shetdedo”！”
“Shejisstooddesameway，kinersmilin”up。Iwasa-bilin”！Isays：
“”IlayIMAKEyoumine！”
“EnwiddatIfetch”heraslapsidedeheaddatsonthera-sprawlin”。
DenIwentintodeyutherroom，en”uzgone”bouttenminutes；enwhenIcomebackdahwasdatdo”a-stannin”openYIT，endatchilestannin”
mos”rightinit，a-lookin”downandmournin”，endetearsrunnin”down。
My，butIWUZmad！Iwasa-gwynefordechile，butjis”den——itwasado”datopeninnerds——jis”den，”longcomedewindenslamitto，behinedechile，ker-BLAM！——enmylan”，dechilenevermove”！Mybreffmos”
hopouterme；enIfeelso——so——Idoan”knowHOWIfeel。Icropeout，alla-tremblin”，encropearoun”enopendedo”easyenslow，enpokemyheadinbehinedechile，sof”enstill，enalluvasuddenIsaysPOW！
jis”asloudasIcouldyell。SHENEVERBUDGE！Oh，Huck，Ibustouta-cryin”
engrabherupinmyarms，ensay，”Oh，depo”littlething！DeLordGodAmightyfogivepo”oleJim，kazehenevergwynetofogivehisselfaslong”shelive！”Oh，shewasplumbdeefendumb，Huck，plumbdeefendumb——enI”dbenatreat”nherso！“
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter24Chapter24NEXTday，towardsnight，welaidupunderalittlewillowtowheadoutinthemiddle，wheretherewasavillageoneachsideoftheriver，andthedukeandthekingbeguntolayoutaplanforworkingthemtowns。Jimhespoketotheduke，andsaidhehopeditwouldn”ttakebutafewhours，becauseitgotmightyheavyandtiresometohimwhenhehadtolayalldayinthewigwamtiedwiththerope。Yousee，whenwelefthimallalonewehadtotiehim，becauseifanybodyhappenedontohimallbyhimselfandnottieditwouldn”tlookmuchlikehewasarunawaynigger，youknow。
SothedukesaiditWASkindofhardtohavetolayropedallday，andhe”dcipheroutsomewaytogetaroundit。
Hewasuncommonbright，thedukewas，andhesoonstruckit。HedressedJimupinKingLear”soutfit——itwasalongcurtain-calicogown，andawhitehorse-hairwigandwhiskers；andthenhetookhistheaterpaintandpaintedJim”sfaceandhandsandearsandneckalloveradead，dull，solidblue，likeamanthat”sbeendrowndedninedays。Blamedifhewarn”tthehorriblestlookingoutrageIeversee。Thentheduketookandwroteoutasignonashingleso：
SickArab——butharmlesswhennotoutofhishead。
Andhenailedthatshingletoalath，andstoodthelathupfourorfivefootinfrontofthewigwam。Jimwassatisfied。Hesaiditwasasightbetterthanlyingtiedacoupleofyearseveryday，andtremblingallovereverytimetherewasasound。Theduketoldhimtomakehimselffreeandeasy，andifanybodyevercomemeddlingaround，hemusthopoutofthewigwam，andcarryonalittle，andfetchahowlortwolikeawildbeast，andhereckonedtheywouldlightoutandleavehimalone。Whichwassoundenoughjudgment；butyoutaketheaverageman，andhewouldn”twaitforhimtohowl。Why，hedidn”tonlylooklikehewasdead，helookedconsiderablemorethanthat。
TheserapscallionswantedtotrytheNonesuchagain，becausetherewassomuchmoneyinit，buttheyjudgeditwouldn”tbesafe，becausemaybethenewsmightaworkedalongdownbythistime。Theycouldn”thitnoprojectthatsuitedexactly；soatlastthedukesaidhereckonedhe”dlayoffandworkhisbrainsanhourortwoandseeifhecouldn”tputupsomethingontheArkansawvillage；andthekingheallowedhewoulddropovertot”othervillagewithoutanyplan，butjusttrustinProvidencetoleadhimtheprofitableway——meaningthedevil，Ireckon。Wehadallboughtstoreclotheswherewestoppedlast；andnowthekingputhis”non，andhetoldmetoputmineon。Idoneit，ofcourse。Theking”sdudswasallblack，andhedidlookrealswellandstarchy。Ineverknowedhowclothescouldchangeabodybefore。Why，before，helookedliketheorneriestoldripthateverwas；butnow，whenhe”dtakeoffhisnewwhitebeaverandmakeabowanddoasmile，helookedthatgrandandgoodandpiousthatyou”dsayhehadwalkedrightoutoftheark，andmaybewasoldLeviticushimself。Jimcleanedupthecanoe，andIgotmypaddleready。Therewasabigsteamboatlayingattheshoreawayupunderthepoint，aboutthreemileabovethetown——beenthereacoupleofhours，takingonfreight。
Saystheking：
“Seein”howI”mdressed，IreckonmaybeIbetterarrivedownfromSt。
LouisorCincinnati，orsomeotherbigplace。Goforthesteamboat，Huckleberry；
we”llcomedowntothevillageonher。”
Ididn”thavetobeorderedtwicetogoandtakeasteamboatride。I
fetchedtheshoreahalfamileabovethevillage，andthenwentscootingalongthebluffbankintheeasywater。Prettysoonwecometoaniceinnocent-lookingyoungcountryjakesettingonalogswabbingthesweatoffofhisface，foritwaspowerfulwarmweather；andhehadacoupleofbigcarpet-bagsbyhim。
“Runhernoseinshore，“saystheking。Idoneit。“Wher”youboundfor，youngman？“
“Forthesteamboat；goingtoOrleans。”
“Gitaboard，“saystheking。“Holdonaminute，myservant”llhe”pyouwiththembags。Jumpoutandhe”pthegentleman，Adolphus“——meaningme，Isee。
Idoneso，andthenweallthreestartedonagain。Theyoungchapwasmightythankful；saiditwastoughworktotinghisbaggagesuchweather。
Heaskedthekingwherehewasgoing，andthekingtoldhimhe”dcomedowntheriverandlandedattheothervillagethismorning，andnowhewasgoingupafewmiletoseeanoldfriendonafarmupthere。Theyoungfellowsays：
“WhenIfirstseeyouIsaystomyself，”It”sMr。Wilks，sure，andhecomemightyneargettinghereintime。”ButthenIsaysagain，”No，Ireckonitain”thim，orelsehewouldn”tbepaddlinguptheriver。”YouAIN”T
him，areyou？“
“No，myname”sBlodgett——ElexanderBlodgett——REVERENDElexanderBlodgett，Is”poseImustsay，asI”moneo”theLord”spoorservants。
ButstillI”mjistasabletobesorryforMr。Wilksfornotarrivingintime，allthesame，ifhe”smissedanythingbyit——whichIhopehehasn”t。”
“Well，hedon”tmissanypropertybyit，becausehe”llgetthatallright；buthe”smissedseeinghisbrotherPeterdie——whichhemayn”tmind，nobodycantellastothat——buthisbrotherwouldagiveanythinginthisworldtoseeHIMbeforehedied；nevertalkedaboutnothingelseallthesethreeweeks；hadn”tseenhimsincetheywasboystogether——
andhadn”teverseenhisbrotherWilliamatall——that”sthedeefanddumbone——Williamain”tmorethanthirtyorthirty-five。PeterandGeorgeweretheonlyonesthatcomeouthere；Georgewasthemarriedbrother；
himandhiswifebothdiedlastyear。HarveyandWilliam”stheonlyonesthat”sleftnow；and，asIwassaying，theyhaven”tgothereintime。”
“Didanybodysend”emword？“
“Oh，yes；amonthortwoago，whenPeterwasfirsttook；becausePetersaidthenthathesorterfeltlikehewarn”tgoingtogetwellthistime。
Yousee，hewasprettyold，andGeorge”sg”yirlswastooyoungtobemuchcompanyforhim，exceptMaryJane，thered-headedone；andsohewaskinderlonesomeafterGeorgeandhiswifedied，anddidn”tseemtocaremuchtolive。HemostdesperatelywantedtoseeHarvey——andWilliam，too，forthatmatter——becausehewasoneofthemkindthatcan”tbeartomakeawill。HeleftaletterbehindforHarvey，andsaidhe”dtoldinitwherehismoneywashid，andhowhewantedtherestofthepropertydividedupsoGeorge”sg”yirlswouldbeallright——forGeorgedidn”tleavenothing。
Andthatletterwasalltheycouldgethimtoputapento。”
“WhydoyoureckonHarveydon”tcome？Wher”doeshelive？“
“Oh，helivesinEngland——Sheffield——preachesthere——hasn”teverbeeninthiscountry。Hehasn”thadanytoomuchtime——andbesideshemightn”tagottheletteratall，youknow。”
“Toobad，toobadhecouldn”talivedtoseehisbrothers，poorsoul。
YougoingtoOrleans，yousay？“
“Yes，butthatain”tonlyapartofit。I”mgoinginaship，nextWednesday，forRyoJaneero，wheremyunclelives。”
“It”saprettylongjourney。Butit”llbelovely；wishtIwasa-going。
IsMaryJanetheoldest？Howoldistheothers？“
“MaryJane”snineteen，Susan”sfifteen，andJoanna”saboutfourteen——that”stheonethatgivesherselftogoodworksandhasahare-lip。”
“Poorthings！tobeleftaloneinthecoldworldso。”
“Well，theycouldbeworseoff。OldPeterhadfriends，andtheyain”tgoingtoletthemcometonoharm。There”sHobson，theBabtis”preacher；
andDeaconLotHovey，andBenRucker，andAbnerShackleford，andLeviBell，thelawyer；andDr。Robinson，andtheirwives，andthewidowBartley，and——well，there”salotofthem；butthesearetheonesthatPeterwasthickestwith，andusedtowriteaboutsometimes，whenhewrotehome；soHarvey”llknowwheretolookforfriendswhenhegetshere。”
Well，theoldmanwentonaskingquestionstillhejustfairlyemptiedthatyoungfellow。Blamedifhedidn”tinquireabouteverybodyandeverythinginthatblessedtown，andallabouttheWilkses；andaboutPeter”sbusiness——whichwasatanner；andaboutGeorge”s——whichwasacarpenter；andaboutHarvey”s——whichwasadissenteringminister；andsoon，andsoon。Thenhesays：
“Whatdidyouwanttowalkallthewayuptothesteamboatfor？“
“Becauseshe”sabigOrleansboat，andIwasafeardshemightn”tstopthere。Whenthey”redeeptheywon”tstopforahail。ACincinnatiboatwill，butthisisaSt。Louisone。”
“WasPeterWilkswelloff？“
“Oh，yes，prettywelloff。Hehadhousesandland，andit”sreckonedheleftthreeorfourthousandincashhidupsom”ers。”
“Whendidyousayhedied？“
“Ididn”tsay，butitwaslastnight。”
“Funeralto-morrow，likely？“
“Yes，”boutthemiddleoftheday。”
“Well，it”sallterriblesad；butwe”veallgottogo，onetimeoranother。
Sowhatwewanttodoistobeprepared；thenwe”reallright。”
“Yes，sir，it”sthebestway。Mausedtoalwayssaythat。”
Whenwestrucktheboatshewasaboutdoneloading，andprettysoonshegotoff。Thekingneversaidnothingaboutgoingaboard，soIlostmyride，afterall。Whentheboatwasgonethekingmademepaddleupanothermiletoalonesomeplace，andthenhegotashoreandsays：
“Nowhustleback，rightoff，andfetchthedukeuphere，andthenewcarpet-bags。Andifhe”sgoneovertot”otherside，gooverthereandgithim。Andtellhimtogithimselfupregardless。Shovealong，now。”