第4章

Theyshovedoff，presently，Tomincommand，HuckattheafteroarandJoeattheforward。Tomstoodamidships，gloomy—browed，andwithfoldedarms，andgavehisordersinalow，sternwhisper：

"Luff，andbringhertothewind！"

"Aye—aye，sir！"

"Steady，steady—y—y—y！"

"Steadyitis，sir！"

"Lethergooffapoint！"

"Pointitis，sir！"

Astheboyssteadilyandmonotonouslydrovetherafttowardmid—streamitwasnodoubtunderstoodthattheseordersweregivenonlyfor"style，"

andwerenotintendedtomeananythinginparticular。

"Whatsail’sshecarrying？"

"Courses，tops’ls，andflying—jib，sir。"

"Sendther’yalsup！Layoutaloft，there，halfadozenofye——foretopmaststuns’l！Lively，now！"

"Aye—aye，sir！"

"Shakeoutthatmaintogalans’l！Sheetsandbraces！NOWmyhearties！"

"Aye—aye，sir！"

"Hellum—a—lee——hardaport！Standbytomeetherwhenshecomes！

Port，port！Now，men！Withawill！Stead—y—y—y！"

"Steadyitis，sir！"

Theraftdrewbeyondthemiddleoftheriver；theboyspointedherheadright，andthenlayontheiroars。Theriverwasnothigh，sotherewasnotmorethanatwoorthreemilecurrent。Hardlyawordwassaidduringthenextthree—quartersofanhour。Nowtheraftwaspassingbeforethedistanttown。Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay，peacefullysleeping，beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar—gemmedwater，unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening。TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms，"lookinghislast"uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings，andwishing"she"couldseehimnow，abroadonthewildsea，facingperilanddeathwithdauntlessheart，goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips。ItwasbutasmallstrainonhisimaginationtoremoveJackson’sIslandbeyondeye—shotofthevillage，andsohe"lookedhislast"withabrokenandsatisfiedheart。Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast，too；andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland。

Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime，andmadeshifttoavertit。Abouttwoo’clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland，andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight。Partofthelittleraft’sbelongingsconsistedofanoldsail，andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions；buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather，asbecameoutlaws。

Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest，andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying—panforsupper，anduseduphalfofthecorn"pone"stocktheyhadbrought。Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwild，freewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland，farfromthehauntsofmen，andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntocivilization。

Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtree—trunksoftheirforesttemple，anduponthevarnishedfoliageandfestooningvines。

Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone，andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured，theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthegrass，filledwithcontentment。Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace，buttheywouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp—fire。

"Ain’titgay？"saidJoe。

"It’snuts！"saidTom。"Whatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeus？"

"Say？Well，they’djustdietobehere——hey，Hucky！"

"Ireckonso，"saidHuckleberry；"anyways，I’msuited。Idon’twantnothingbetter’nthis。Idon’tevergetenoughtoeat，gen’ally——

andheretheycan’tcomeandpickatafellerandbullyraghimso。"

"It’sjustthelifeforme，"saidTom。"Youdon’thavetogetup，mornings，andyoudon’thavetogotoschool，andwash，andallthatblamefoolishness。Youseeapiratedon’thavetodoanything，Joe，whenhe’sashore，butahermithehastobeprayingconsiderable，andthenhedon’thaveanyfun，anyway，allbyhimselfthatway。"

"Ohyes，that’sso，"saidJoe，"butIhadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit，youknow。I’dagooddealratherbeapirate，nowthatI’vetriedit。"

"Yousee，"saidTom，"peopledon’tgomuchonhermits，nowadays，liketheyusedtoinoldtimes，butapirate’salwaysrespected。Andahermit’sgottosleeponthehardestplacehecanfind，andputsackclothandashesonhishead，andstandoutintherain，and——"

"Whatdoesheputsackclothandashesonhisheadfor？"inquiredHuck。

"Idono。Butthey’veGOTtodoit。Hermitsalwaysdo。You’dhavetodothatifyouwasahermit。"

"Dern’difIwould，"saidHuck。

"Well，whatwouldyoudo？"

"Idono。ButIwouldn’tdothat。"

"Why，Huck，you’dhaveto。How’dyougetaroundit？"

"Why，Ijustwouldn’tstandit。I’drunaway。"

"Runaway！Well，youwouldbeaniceoldslouchofahermit。

You’dbeadisgrace。"

TheRed—Handedmadenoresponse，beingbetteremployed。Hehadfinishedgougingoutacob，andnowhefittedaweedstemtoit，loadeditwithtobacco，andwaspressingacoaltothechargeandblowingacloudoffragrantsmoke——hewasinthefullbloomofluxuriouscontentment。

Theotherpiratesenviedhimthismajesticvice，andsecretlyresolvedtoacquireitshortly。PresentlyHucksaid：

"Whatdoespirateshavetodo？"

Tomsaid：

"Oh，theyhavejustabullytime——takeshipsandburnthem，andgetthemoneyandburyitinawfulplacesintheirislandwherethere’sghostsandthingstowatchit，andkilleverybodyintheships——make’emwalkaplank。"

"Andtheycarrythewomentotheisland，"saidJoe；"theydon’tkillthewomen。"

"No，"assentedTom，"theydon’tkillthewomen——they’retoonoble。Andthewomen’salwaysbeautiful，too。

"Anddon’ttheywearthebulliestclothes！Ohno！Allgoldandsilveranddi’monds，"saidJoe，withenthusiasm。

"Who？"saidHuck。

"Why，thepirates。"

Huckscannedhisownclothingforlornly。

"IreckonIain’tdressedfittenforapirate，"saidhe，witharegretfulpathosinhisvoice；"butIain’tgotnonebutthese。"

Buttheotherboystoldhimthefineclotheswouldcomefastenough，aftertheyshouldhavebeguntheiradventures。Theymadehimunderstandthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith，thoughitwascustomaryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe。

Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs。ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed—Handed，andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience—freeandtheweary。

TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep。Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly，andlyingdown，sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud；intruth，theyhadamindnottosaythematall，buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat，lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthunderboltfromheaven。Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep——butanintrudercame，now，thatwouldnot"down。"Itwasconscience。Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway；andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat，andthentherealtorturecame。Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpurloinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes；butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities；

itseemedtothem，intheend，thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattakingsweetmeatswasonly"hooking，"whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing——andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible。Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness，theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing。Thenconsciencegrantedatruce，andthesecuriouslyinconsistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter14CHAPTERXIVWHENTomawokeinthemorning，hewonderedwherehewas。Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround。Thenhecomprehended。Itwasthecoolgraydawn，andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods。Notaleafstirred；notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature’smeditation。Beadeddewdropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses。Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire，andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair。JoeandHuckstillslept。

Now，farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled；anotheranswered；presentlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard。Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened，andasgraduallysoundsmultipliedandlifemanifesteditself。ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy。Alittlegreenwormcamecrawlingoveradewyleaf，liftingtwo—thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand"sniffingaround，"thenproceedingagain——forhewasmeasuring，Tomsaid；

andwhenthewormapproachedhim，ofitsownaccord，hesatasstillasastone，withhishopesrisingandfalling，byturns，asthecreaturestillcametowardhimorseemedinclinedtogoelsewhere；andwhenatlastitconsideredapainfulmomentwithitscurvedbodyintheairandthencamedecisivelydownuponTom’slegandbeganajourneyoverhim，hiswholeheartwasglad——forthatmeantthathewasgoingtohaveanewsuitofclothes——withouttheshadowofadoubtagaudypiraticaluniform。Nowaprocessionofantsappeared，fromnowhereinparticular，andwentabouttheirlabors；onestruggledmanfullybywithadeadspiderfivetimesasbigasitselfinitsarms，andluggeditstraightupatree—trunk。Abrownspottedlady—bugclimbedthedizzyheightofagrassblade，andTombentdownclosetoitandsaid，"Lady—bug，lady—bug，flyawayhome，yourhouseisonfire，yourchildren’salone，"andshetookwingandwentofftoseeaboutit——whichdidnotsurprisetheboy，forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagrations，andhehadpractiseduponitssimplicitymorethanonce。Atumblebugcamenext，heavingsturdilyatitsball，andTomtouchedthecreature，toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead。Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythistime。Acatbird，theNorthernmocker，litinatreeoverTom’shead，andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoyment；thenashrilljaysweptdown，aflashofblueflame，andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy’sreach，cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity；agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe"fox"kindcameskurryingalong，sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys，forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot。AllNaturewaswideawakeandstirring，now；longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefoliagefarandnear，andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene。

Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout，andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtumblingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesandbar。Theyfeltnolongingforthelittlevillagesleepinginthedistancebeyondthemajesticwasteofwater。Avagrantcurrentoraslightriseintheriverhadcarriedofftheirraft，butthisonlygratifiedthem，sinceitsgoingwassomethinglikeburningthebridgebetweenthemandcivilization。

Theycamebacktocampwonderfullyrefreshed，glad—hearted，andravenous；andtheysoonhadthecamp—fireblazingupagain。Huckfoundaspringofclearcoldwatercloseby，andtheboysmadecupsofbroadoakorhickoryleaves，andfeltthatwater，sweetenedwithsuchawildwoodcharmasthat，wouldbeagoodenoughsubstituteforcoffee。WhileJoewasslicingbaconforbreakfast，TomandHuckaskedhimtoholdonaminute；

theysteppedtoapromisingnookintheriver—bankandthrewintheirlines；

almostimmediatelytheyhadreward。Joehadnothadtimetogetimpatientbeforetheywerebackagainwithsomehandsomebass，acoupleofsun—perchandasmallcatfish——provisionsenoughforquiteafamily。Theyfriedthefishwiththebacon，andwereastonished；fornofishhadeverseemedsodeliciousbefore。Theydidnotknowthatthequickerafresh—waterfishisonthefireafterheiscaughtthebetterheis；andtheyreflectedlittleuponwhatasauceopen—airsleeping，open—airexercise，bathing，andalargeingredientofhungermake，too。

Theylayaroundintheshade，afterbreakfast，whileHuckhadasmoke，andthenwentoffthroughthewoodsonanexploringexpedition。

Theytrampedgaylyalong，overdecayinglogs，throughtangledunderbrush，amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest，hungfromtheircrownstothegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape—vines。Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers。

Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwith，butnothingtobeastonishedat。Theydiscoveredthattheislandwasaboutthreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide，andthattheshoreitlayclosesttowasonlyseparatedfromitbyanarrowchannelhardlytwohundredyardswide。Theytookaswimabouteveryhour，soitwascloseuponthemiddleoftheafternoonwhentheygotbacktocamp。Theyweretoohungrytostoptofish，buttheyfaredsumptuouslyuponcoldham，andthenthrewthemselvesdownintheshadetotalk。Butthetalksoonbegantodrag，andthendied。

Thestillness，thesolemnitythatbroodedinthewoods，andthesenseofloneliness，begantotelluponthespiritsoftheboys。Theyfelltothinking。

Asortofundefinedlongingcreptuponthem。Thistookdimshape，presently——itwasbuddinghomesickness。EvenFinntheRed—Handedwasdreamingofhisdoorstepsandemptyhogsheads。Buttheywereallashamedoftheirweakness，andnonewasbraveenoughtospeakhisthought。

Forsometime，now，theboyshadbeendullyconsciousofapeculiarsoundinthedistance，justasonesometimesisofthetickingofaclockwhichhetakesnodistinctnoteof。Butnowthismysterioussoundbecamemorepronounced，andforcedarecognition。Theboysstarted，glancedateachother，andtheneachassumedalisteningattitude。Therewasalongsilence，profoundandunbroken；thenadeep，sullenboomcamefloatingdownoutofthedistance。

"Whatisit！"exclaimedJoe，underhisbreath。

"Iwonder，"saidTominawhisper。

"’Tain’tthunder，"saidHuckleberry，inanawedtone，"becuzthunder——"

"Hark！"saidTom。"Listen——don’ttalk。"

Theywaitedatimethatseemedanage，andthenthesamemuffledboomtroubledthesolemnhush。

"Let’sgoandsee。"

Theysprangtotheirfeetandhurriedtotheshoretowardthetown。Theypartedthebushesonthebankandpeeredoutoverthewater。

Thelittlesteamferryboatwasaboutamilebelowthevillage，driftingwiththecurrent。Herbroaddeckseemedcrowdedwithpeople。Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwiththestreamintheneighborhoodoftheferryboat，buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemeninthemweredoing。Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat’sside，andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud，thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain。

"Iknownow！"exclaimedTom；"somebody’sdrownded！"

"That’sit！"saidHuck；"theydonethatlastsummer，whenBillTurnergotdrownded；theyshootacannonoverthewater，andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop。Yes，andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksilverin’emandset’emafloat，andwhereverthere’sanybodythat’sdrownded，they’llfloatrightthereandstop。"

"Yes，I’veheardaboutthat，"saidJoe。"Iwonderwhatmakesthebreaddothat。"

"Oh，itain’tthebread，somuch，"saidTom；"Ireckonit’smostlywhattheySAYoveritbeforetheystartitout。"

"Buttheydon’tsayanythingoverit，"saidHuck。"I’veseen’emandtheydon’t。"

"Well，that’sfunny，"saidTom。"Butmaybetheysayittothemselves。

Ofcoursetheydo。Anybodymightknowthat。"

TheotherboysagreedthattherewasreasoninwhatTomsaid，becauseanignorantlumpofbread，uninstructedbyanincantation，couldnotbeexpectedtoactveryintelligentlywhensetuponanerrandofsuchgravity。

"Byjings，IwishIwasoverthere，now，"saidJoe。

"Idotoo"saidHuck"I’dgiveheapstoknowwhoitis。"

Theboysstilllistenedandwatched。PresentlyarevealingthoughtflashedthroughTom’smind，andheexclaimed：

"Boys，Iknowwho’sdrownded——it’sus！"

Theyfeltlikeheroesinaninstant。Herewasagorgeoustriumph；

theyweremissed；theyweremourned；heartswerebreakingontheiraccount；

tearswerebeingshed；accusingmemoriesofunkindnesstothesepoorlostladswererisingup，andunavailingregretsandremorsewerebeingindulged；

andbestofall，thedepartedwerethetalkofthewholetown，andtheenvyofalltheboys，asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywasconcerned。

Thiswasfine。Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate，afterall。

Astwilightdrewon，theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusinessandtheskiffsdisappeared。Thepiratesreturnedtocamp。Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandtheillustrioustroubletheyweremaking。Theycaughtfish，cookedsupperandateit，andthenfelltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem；

andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon——fromtheirpointofview。Butwhentheshadowsofnightclosedthemin，theygraduallyceasedtotalk，andsatgazingintothefire，withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere。Theexcitementwasgone，now，andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere。Misgivingscame；theygrewtroubledandunhappy；asighortwoescaped，unawares。ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaroundabout"feeler"astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization——notrightnow，but——

Tomwitheredhimwithderision！Huck，beinguncommittedasyet，joinedinwithTom，andthewavererquickly"explained，"andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken—heartedhomesicknessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould。Mutinywaseffectuallylaidtorestforthemoment。

Asthenightdeepened，Huckbegantonod，andpresentlytosnore。

Joefollowednext。Tomlayuponhiselbowmotionless，forsometime，watchingthetwointently。Atlasthegotupcautiously，onhisknees，andwentsearchingamongthegrassandtheflickeringreflectionsflungbythecamp—fire。

Hepickedupandinspectedseverallargesemi—cylindersofthethinwhitebarkofasycamore，andfinallychosetwowhichseemedtosuithim。Thenhekneltbythefireandpainfullywrotesomethinguponeachofthesewithhis"redkeel"；oneherolledupandputinhisjacketpocket，andtheotherheputinJoe’shatandremovedittoalittledistancefromtheowner。Andhealsoputintothehatcertainschoolboytreasuresofalmostinestimablevalue——amongthemalumpofchalk，anIndia—rubberball，threefishhooks，andoneofthatkindofmarblesknownasa"sure’noughcrystal。"Thenhetiptoedhiswaycautiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing，andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesandbar。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter15CHAPTERXVAFEWminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar，wadingtowardtheIllinoisshore。Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalf—wayover；thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading，now，sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards。Heswamquarteringupstream，butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected。However，hereachedtheshorefinally，anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout。Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket，foundhispieceofbarksafe，andthenstruckthroughthewoods，followingtheshore，withstreaminggarments。Shortlybeforeteno’clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage，andsawtheferryboatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank。Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars。Hecreptdownthebank，watchingwithallhiseyes，slippedintothewater，swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid"yawl"dutyattheboat’sstern。Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited，panting。

Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto"castoff。"Aminuteortwolatertheskiff’sheadwasstandinghighup，againsttheboat’sswell，andthevoyagewasbegun。Tomfelthappyinhissuccess，forheknewitwastheboat’slasttripforthenight。Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped，andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk，landingfiftyyardsdownstream，outofdangerofpossiblestragglers。

Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys，andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt’sbackfence。Heclimbedover，approachedthe"ell，"andlookedinatthesitting—roomwindow，foralightwasburningthere。TheresatAuntPolly，Sid，Mary，andJoeHarper’smother，groupedtogether，talking。

Theywerebythebed，andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor。Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch；thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack；hecontinuedpushingcautiously，andquakingeverytimeitcreaked，tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees；

soheputhisheadthroughandbegan，warily。

"Whatmakesthecandleblowso？"saidAuntPolly。Tomhurriedup。"Why，thatdoor’sopen，Ibelieve。Why，ofcourseitis。Noendofstrangethingsnow。Go’longandshutit，Sid。"

Tomdisappearedunderthebedjustintime。Helayand"breathed"

himselfforatime，andthencrepttowherehecouldalmosttouchhisaunt’sfoot。

"ButasIwassaying，"saidAuntPolly，"hewarn’tbad，sotosay——onlymischeevous。Onlyjustgiddy，andharum—scarum，youknow。Hewarn’tanymoreresponsiblethanacolt。HEnevermeantanyharm，andhewasthebest—heartedboythateverwas"——andshebegantocry。

"ItwasjustsowithmyJoe——alwaysfullofhisdevilment，anduptoeverykindofmischief，buthewasjustasunselfishandkindashecouldbe——andlawsblessme，tothinkIwentandwhippedhimfortakingthatcream，neveroncerecollectingthatIthroweditoutmyselfbecauseitwassour，andInevertoseehimagaininthisworld，never，never，never，poorabusedboy！"AndMrs。Harpersobbedasifherheartwouldbreak。

"IhopeTom’sbetteroffwhereheis，"saidSid，"butifhe’dbeenbetterinsomeways——"

"Sid！"Tomfelttheglareoftheoldlady’seye，thoughhecouldnotseeit。"NotawordagainstmyTom，nowthathe’sgone！God’lltakecareofhim——neveryoutroubleyourself，sir！Oh，Mrs。Harper，Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup！Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup！Hewassuchacomforttome，althoughhetormentedmyoldheartoutofme，’most。"

"TheLordgivethandtheLordhathtakenaway——BlessedbethenameoftheLord！Butit’ssohard——Oh，it’ssohard！OnlylastSaturdaymyJoebustedafirecrackerrightundermynoseandIknockedhimsprawling。

LittledidIknowthen，howsoon——Oh，ifitwastodooveragainI’dhughimandblesshimforit。"

"Yes，yes，yes，Iknowjusthowyoufeel，Mrs。Harper，Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel。Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon，myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain—killer，andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown。AndGodforgiveme，IcrackedTom’sheadwithmythimble，poorboy，poordeadboy。Buthe’soutofallhistroublesnow。AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach——"

Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady，andshebrokeentirelydown。Tomwassnuffling，now，himself——andmoreinpityofhimselfthananybodyelse。HecouldhearMarycrying，andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime。Hebegantohaveanobleropinionofhimselfthaneverbefore。Still，hewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt’sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy——andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature，too，butheresistedandlaystill。

Hewentonlistening，andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwasconjecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim；

thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed；next，certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould"hearsomething"soon；thewise—headshad"putthisandthattogether"anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow，presently；buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound，lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage——andthenhopeperished；theymustbedrowned，elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner。

Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmid—channel，sincetheboys，beinggoodswimmers，wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore。ThiswasWednesdaynight。IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday，allhopewouldbegivenover，andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning。

Tomshuddered。

Mrs。Harpergaveasobbinggood—nightandturnedtogo。Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother’sarmsandhadagood，consolingcry，andthenparted。AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont，inhergood—nighttoSidandMary。SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart。

AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly，soappealingly，andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtremblingvoice，thathewaswelteringintearsagain，longbeforeshewasthrough。

Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed，forshekeptmakingbroken—heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime，tossingunrestfully，andturningover。Butatlastshewasstill，onlymoaningalittleinhersleep。Nowtheboystoleout，rosegraduallybythebedside，shadedthecandle—lightwithhishand，andstoodregardingher。Hisheartwasfullofpityforher。Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaceditbythecandle。

Butsomethingoccurredtohim，andhelingeredconsidering。Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought；heputthebarkhastilyinhispocket。

Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips，andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit，latchingthedoorbehindhim。

Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding，foundnobodyatlargethere，andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat，forheknewshewastenantlessexceptthattherewasawatchman，whoalwaysturnedinandsleptlikeagravenimage。Heuntiedtheskiffatthestern，slippedintoit，andwassoonrowingcautiouslyupstream。Whenhehadpulledamileabovethevillage，hestartedquarteringacrossandbenthimselfstoutlytohiswork。Hehitthelandingontheothersideneatly，forthiswasafamiliarbitofworktohim。Hewasmovedtocapturetheskiff，arguingthatitmightbeconsideredashipandthereforelegitimatepreyforapirate，butheknewathoroughsearchwouldbemadeforitandthatmightendinrevelations。Sohesteppedashoreandenteredthewoods。

Hesatdownandtookalongrest，torturinghimselfmeanwhiletokeepawake，andthenstartedwarilydownthehome—stretch。Thenightwasfarspent。Itwasbroaddaylightbeforehefoundhimselffairlyabreasttheislandbar。Herestedagainuntilthesunwaswellupandgildingthegreatriverwithitssplendor，andthenheplungedintothestream。Alittlelaterhepaused，dripping，uponthethresholdofthecamp，andheardJoesay：

"No，Tom’strue—blue，Huck，andhe’llcomeback。Hewon’tdesert。

Heknowsthatwouldbeadisgracetoapirate，andTom’stooproudforthatsortofthing。He’suptosomethingorother。NowIwonderwhat？"

"Well，thethingsisours，anyway，ain’tthey？"

Prettynear，butnotyet，Huck。Thewritingsaystheyareifheain’tbackheretobreakfast。"

"Whichheis！"exclaimedTom，withfinedramaticeffect，steppinggrandlyintocamp。

Asumptuousbreakfastofbaconandfishwasshortlyprovided，andastheboyssettoworkuponit，Tomrecounted（andadorned）hisadventures。

Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone。

ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon，andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter16CHAPTERXVIAFTERdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar。

Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand，andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands。Sometimestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole。TheywereperfectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut。Theyhadafamousfried—eggfeastthatnight，andanotheronFridaymorning。

Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar，andchasedeachotherroundandround，sheddingclothesastheywent，untiltheywerenaked，andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwaterofthebar，againstthestiffcurrent，whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun。Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother’sfaceswiththeirpalms，graduallyapproachingeachother，withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingsprays，andfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor，andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing，sputtering，laughing，andgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime。

Whentheywerewellexhausted，theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry，hotsand，andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit，andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperformanceoncemore。Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh—colored"tights"veryfairly；sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus——withthreeclownsinit，fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor。

Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed"knucks"and"ring—taw"

and"keeps"tillthatamusementgrewstale。ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim，butTomwouldnotventure，becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle，andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotectionofthismysteriouscharm。Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit，andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest。Theygraduallywanderedapart，droppedintothe"dumps，"andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewiderivertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun。Tomfoundhimselfwriting"BECKY"inthesandwithhisbigtoe；hescratcheditout，andwasangrywithhimselfforhisweakness。Buthewroteitagain，nevertheless；hecouldnothelpit。Heeraseditoncemoreandthentookhimselfoutoftemptationbydrivingtheotherboystogetherandjoiningthem。

ButJoe’sspiritshadgonedownalmostbeyondresurrection。Hewassohomesickthathecouldhardlyendurethemiseryofit。Thetearslayverynearthesurface。Huckwasmelancholy，too。Tomwasdownhearted，buttriedhardnottoshowit。Hehadasecretwhichhewasnotreadytotell，yet，butifthismutinousdepressionwasnotbrokenupsoon，hewouldhavetobringitout。Hesaid，withagreatshowofcheerfulness：

"Ibetthere’sbeenpiratesonthisislandbefore，boys。We’llexploreitagain。They’vehidtreasuresheresomewhere。How’dyoufeeltolightonarottenchestfullofgoldandsilver——hey？"

Butitrousedonlyfaintenthusiasm，whichfadedout，withnoreply。Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions；buttheyfailed，too。Itwasdiscouragingwork。Joesatpokingupthesandwithastickandlookingverygloomy。Finallyhesaid：

"Oh，boys，let’sgiveitup。Iwanttogohome。It’ssolonesome。"

"Ohno，Joe，you’llfeelbetterbyandby，"saidTom。"Justthinkofthefishingthat’shere。"

"Idon’tcareforfishing。Iwanttogohome。"

"But，Joe，thereain’tsuchanotherswimming—placeanywhere。"

"Swimming’snogood。Idon’tseemtocareforit，somehow，whenthereain’tanybodytosayIsha’n’tgoin。Imeantogohome。"

"Oh，shucks！Baby！Youwanttoseeyourmother，Ireckon。"

"Yes，IDOwanttoseemymother——andyouwould，too，ifyouhadone。Iain’tanymorebabythanyouare。"AndJoesnuffledalittle。

"Well，we’llletthecry—babygohometohismother，won’twe，Huck？Poorthing——doesitwanttoseeitsmother？Andsoitshall。youlikeithere，don’tyou，Huck？We’llstay，won’twe？"

Hucksaid，"Y—e—s"——withoutanyheartinit。

"I’llneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive，"saidJoe，rising。

"Therenow！"Andhemovedmoodilyawayandbegantodresshimself。

"Whocares！"saidTom。"Nobodywantsyouto。Go’longhomeandgetlaughedat。Oh，you’reanicepirate。Huckandmeain’tcry—babies。

We’llstay，won’twe，Huck？Lethimgoifhewantsto。Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim，per’aps。"

ButTomwasuneasy，nevertheless，andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosullenlyonwithhisdressing。AndthenitwasdiscomfortingtoseeHuckeyingJoe’spreparationssowistfully，andkeepingupsuchanominoussilence。

Presently，withoutapartingword，JoebegantowadeofftowardtheIllinoisshore。Tom’sheartbegantosink。HeglancedatHuck。Huckcouldnotbearthelook，anddroppedhiseyes。Thenhesaid：

"Iwanttogo，too，Tom。Itwasgettingsolonesomeanyway，andnowit’llbeworse。Let’susgo，too，Tom。"

"Iwon’t！Youcanallgo，ifyouwantto。Imeantostay。"

"Tom，Ibettergo。"

"Well，go’long——who’shenderingyou。"

Huckbegantopickuphisscatteredclothes。Hesaid：

"Tom，Iwishtyou’dcome，too。Nowyouthinkitover。We’llwaitforyouwhenwegettoshore。"

"Well，you’llwaitablamelongtime，that’sall。"

Huckstartedsorrowfullyaway，andTomstoodlookingafterhim，withastrongdesiretuggingathishearttoyieldhisprideandgoalongtoo。Hehopedtheboyswouldstop，buttheystillwadedslowlyon。ItsuddenlydawnedonTomthatitwasbecomeverylonelyandstill。Hemadeonefinalstrugglewithhispride，andthendartedafterhiscomrades，yelling：

"Wait！Wait！Iwanttotellyousomething！"

Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround。Whenhegottowheretheywere，hebeganunfoldinghissecret，andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe"point"hewasdrivingat，andthentheysetupawar—whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas"splendid！"andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst，theywouldn’thavestartedaway。Hemadeaplausibleexcuse；

buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime，andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction。

Theladscamegaylybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill，chatteringallthetimeaboutTom’sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit。Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner，Tomsaidhewantedtolearntosmoke，now。Joecaughtattheideaandsaidhewouldliketotry，too。SoHuckmadepipesandfilledthem。Thesenoviceshadneversmokedanythingbeforebutcigarsmadeofgrape—vine，andthey"bit"thetongue，andwerenotconsideredmanlyanyway。

Nowtheystretchedthemselvesoutontheirelbowsandbegantopuff，charily，andwithslenderconfidence。Thesmokehadanunpleasanttaste，andtheygaggedalittle，butTomsaid：

"Why，it’sjustaseasy！IfI’daknowedthiswasall，I’dalearntlongago。"

"SowouldI，"saidJoe。"It’sjustnothing。"

"Why，manyatimeI’velookedatpeoplesmoking，andthoughtwellIwishIcoulddothat；butIneverthoughtIcould，"saidTom。

"That’sjustthewaywithme，hain’tit，Huck？You’veheardmetalkjustthatway——haven’tyou，Huck？I’llleaveittoHuckifIhaven’t。"

"Yes——heapsoftimes，"saidHuck。

"Well，Ihavetoo，"saidTom；"oh，hundredsoftimes。Oncedownbytheslaughter—house。Don’tyouremember，Huck？BobTannerwasthere，andJohnnyMiller，andJeffThatcher，whenIsaidit。Don’tyouremember，Huck，’boutmesayingthat？"

"Yes，that’sso，"saidHuck。"ThatwasthedayafterIlostawhitealley。No，’twasthedaybefore。"

"There——Itoldyouso，"saidTom。"Huckrecollectsit。"

"IbleeveIcouldsmokethispipeallday，"saidJoe。"Idon’tfeelsick。"

"NeitherdoI，"saidTom。"Icouldsmokeitallday。ButIbetyouJeffThatchercouldn’t。"

"JeffThatcher！Why，he’dkeeloverjustwithtwodraws。Justlethimtryitonce。He’dsee！"

"Ibethewould。AndJohnnyMiller——IwishcouldseeJohnnyMillertackleitonce。"

"Oh，don’tI！"saidJoe。"Why，IbetyouJohnnyMillercouldn’tanymoredothisthannothing。Justonelittlesnifterwouldfetchhim。"

"’Deeditwould，Joe。Say——Iwishtheboyscouldseeusnow。"

"SodoI。"

"Say——boys，don’tsayanythingaboutit，andsometimewhenthey’rearound，I’llcomeuptoyouandsay，’Joe，gotapipe？Iwantasmoke。’Andyou’llsay，kindofcarelesslike，asifitwarn’tanything，you’llsay，’Yes，Igotmyoldpipe，andanotherone，butmytobackerain’tverygood。’AndI’llsay，’Oh，that’sallright，ifit’sstrongenough。’Andthenyou’lloutwiththepipes，andwe’lllightupjustasca’m，andthenjustsee’emlook！"

"Byjings，that’llbegay，Tom！Iwishitwasnow！"

"SodoI！Andwhenwetell’emwelearnedwhenwewasoffpirating，won’ttheywishthey’dbeenalong？"

"Oh，Ireckonnot！I’lljustbettheywill！"

Sothetalkranon。Butpresentlyitbegantoflagatrifle，andgrowdisjointed。Thesilenceswidened；theexpectorationmarvellouslyincreased。

Everyporeinsidetheboys’cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain；theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopreventaninundation；littleoverflowingsdowntheirthroatsoccurredinspiteofalltheycoulddo，andsuddenretchingsfollowedeverytime。Bothboyswerelookingverypaleandmiserable，now。Joe’spipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingers。Tom’sfollowed。Bothfountainsweregoingfuriouslyandbothpumpsbailingwithmightandmain。Joesaidfeebly：

"I’velostmyknife。IreckonIbettergoandfindit。"

Tomsaid，withquiveringlipsandhaltingutterance：

"I’llhelpyou。YougooverthatwayandI’llhuntaroundbythespring。No，youneedn’tcome，Huck——wecanfindit。"

SoHucksatdownagain，andwaitedanhour。Thenhefounditlonesome，andwenttofindhiscomrades。Theywerewideapartinthewoods，bothverypale，bothfastasleep。Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit。

Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight。Theyhadahumblelook，andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopreparetheirs，theysaidno，theywerenotfeelingverywell——somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem。

AboutmidnightJoeawoke，andcalledtheboys。Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething。Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire，thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreathlessatmospherewasstifling。Theysatstill，intentandwaiting。Thesolemnhushcontinued。Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblacknessofdarkness。Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyrevealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished。Byandbyanothercame，alittlestronger。Thenanother。

Thenafaintmoancamesighingthroughthebranchesoftheforestandtheboysfeltafleetingbreathupontheircheeks，andshudderedwiththefancythattheSpiritoftheNighthadgoneby。Therewasapause。Nowaweirdflashturnednightintodayandshowedeverylittlegrass—blade，separateanddistinct，thatgrewabouttheirfeet。Anditshowedthreewhite，startledfaces，too。Adeeppealofthunderwentrollingandtumblingdowntheheavensandlostitselfinsullenrumblingsinthedistance。Asweepofchillyairpassedby，rustlingalltheleavesandsnowingtheflakyashesbroadcastaboutthefire。Anotherfierceglarelituptheforestandaninstantcrashfollowedthatseemedtorendthetree—topsrightovertheboys’heads。

Theyclungtogetherinterror，inthethickgloomthatfollowed。Afewbigrain—dropsfellpatteringupontheleaves。

"Quick！boys，goforthetent！"exclaimedTom。

Theysprangaway，stumblingoverrootsandamongvinesinthedark，notwoplunginginthesamedirection。Afuriousblastroaredthroughthetrees，makingeverythingsingasitwent。Oneblindingflashafteranothercame，andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder。Andnowadrenchingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground。Theboyscriedouttoeachother，buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder—blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly。However，onebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent，cold，scared，andstreamingwithwater；buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor。Theycouldnottalk，theoldsailflappedsofuriously，eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem。Thetempestrosehigherandhigher，andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast。Theboysseizedeachothers’handsandfled，withmanytumblingsandbruises，totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriver—bank。Nowthebattlewasatitshighest。Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies，everythingbelowstoodoutinclean—cutandshadowlessdistinctness：thebendingtrees，thebillowyriver，whitewithfoam，thedrivingsprayofspume—flakes，thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheotherside，glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud—rackandtheslantingveilofrain。Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth；andtheunflaggingthunderpealscamenowinear—splittingexplosivebursts，keenandsharp，andunspeakablyappalling。Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces，burnitup，drownittothetree—tops，blowitaway，anddeafeneverycreatureinit，allatoneandthesamemoment。Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin。

Butatlastthebattlewasdone，andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings，andpeaceresumedhersway。Theboyswentbacktocamp，agooddealawed；buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor，becausethegreatsycamore，theshelteroftheirbeds，wasaruin，now，blastedbythelightnings，andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened。

Everythingincampwasdrenched，thecamp—fireaswell；fortheywerebutheedlesslads，liketheirgeneration，andhadmadenoprovisionagainstrain。Herewasmatterfordismay，fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled。Theywereeloquentintheirdistress；buttheypresentlydiscoveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainst（whereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground），thatahandbreadthorsoofithadescapedwetting；sotheypatientlywroughtuntil，withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs，theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain。Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnace，andwereglad—heartedoncemore。

Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast，andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmidnightadventureuntilmorning，fortherewasnotadryspottosleepon，anywherearound。

Asthesunbegantostealinupontheboys，drowsinesscameoverthem，andtheywentoutonthesandbarandlaydowntosleep。Theygotscorchedoutbyandby，anddrearilysetaboutgettingbreakfast。Afterthemealtheyfeltrusty，andstiff—jointed，andalittlehomesickoncemore。Tomsawthesigns，andfelltocheeringupthepiratesaswellashecould。Buttheycarednothingformarbles，orcircus，orswimming，oranything。Heremindedthemoftheimposingsecret，andraisedarayofcheer。Whileitlasted，hegottheminterestedinanewdevice。Thiswastoknockoffbeingpirates，forawhile，andbeIndiansforachange。Theywereattractedbythisidea；soitwasnotlongbeforetheywerestripped，andstripedfromheadtoheelwithblackmud，likesomanyzebras——allofthemchiefs，ofcourse——andthentheywenttearingthroughthewoodstoattackanEnglishsettlement。

Byandbytheyseparatedintothreehostiletribes，anddarteduponeachotherfromambushwithdreadfulwar—whoops，andkilledandscalpedeachotherbythousands。Itwasagoryday。Consequentlyitwasanextremelysatisfactoryone。

Theyassembledincamptowardsupper—time，hungryandhappy；butnowadifficultyarose——hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace，andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace。Therewasnootherprocessthatevertheyhadheardof。Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates。However，therewasnootherway；sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed，indueform。

Andbehold，theyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery，fortheyhadgainedsomething；theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife；theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable。Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort。No，theypractisedcautiously，aftersupper，withrightfairsuccess，andsotheyspentajubilantevening。TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations。Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag，sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter17CHAPTERXVIIBUTtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon。TheHarpers，andAuntPolly’sfamily，werebeingputintomourning，withgreatgriefandmanytears。Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage，althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough，inallconscience。Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair，andtalkedlittle；buttheysighedoften。TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren。Theyhadnoheartintheirsports，andgraduallygavethemup。

IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschoolhouseyard，andfeelingverymelancholy。Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther。Shesoliloquized：

"Oh，ifIonlyhadabrassandiron—knobagain！ButIhaven’tgotanythingnowtorememberhimby。"Andshechokedbackalittlesob。

Presentlyshestopped，andsaidtoherself：

"Itwasrighthere。Oh，ifitwastodooveragain，Iwouldn’tsaythat——Iwouldn’tsayitforthewholeworld。Buthe’sgonenow；I’llnever，never，neverseehimanymore。"

Thisthoughtbrokeherdown，andshewanderedaway，withtearsrollingdownhercheeks。Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls——playmatesofTom’sandJoe’s——cameby，andstoodlookingoverthepalingfenceandtalkinginreverenttonesofhowTomdidso—and—sothelasttimetheysawhim，andhowJoesaidthisandthatsmalltrifle（pregnantwithawfulprophecy，astheycouldeasilyseenow！）——andeachspeakerpointedouttheexactspotwherethelostladsstoodatthetime，andthenaddedsomethinglike"andIwasa—standingjustso——justasIamnow，andasifyouwashim——Iwasascloseasthat——andhesmiled，justthisway——andthensomethingseemedtogoalloverme，like——awful，youknow——andIneverthoughtwhatitmeant，ofcourse，butIcanseenow！"

Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife，andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction，andofferedevidences，moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness；andwhenitwasultimatelydecidedwhoDIDseethedepartedlast，andexchangedthelastwordswiththem，theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortofsacredimportance，andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest。Onepoorchap，whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer，saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance：

"Well，TomSawyerhelickedmeonce。"

Butthatbidforglorywasafailure。Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat，andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch。Thegrouploiteredaway，stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes，inawedvoices。

WhentheSunday—schoolhourwasfinished，thenextmorning，thebellbegantotoll，insteadofringingintheusualway。ItwasaverystillSabbath，andthemournfulsoundseemedinkeepingwiththemusinghushthatlayuponnature。Thevillagersbegantogather，loiteringamomentinthevestibuletoconverseinwhispersaboutthesadevent。Buttherewasnowhisperinginthehouse；onlythefunerealrustlingofdressesasthewomengatheredtotheirseatsdisturbedthesilencethere。Nonecouldrememberwhenthelittlechurchhadbeensofullbefore。Therewasfinallyawaitingpause，anexpectantdumbness，andthenAuntPollyentered，followedbySidandMary，andtheybytheHarperfamily，allindeepblack，andthewholecongregation，theoldministeraswell，rosereverentlyandstooduntilthemournerswereseatedinthefrontpew。Therewasanothercommuningsilence，brokenatintervalsbymuffledsobs，andthentheministerspreadhishandsabroadandprayed。Amovinghymnwassung，andthetextfollowed：

"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife。"

Astheserviceproceeded，theclergymandrewsuchpicturesofthegraces，thewinningways，andtherarepromiseofthelostladsthateverysoulthere，thinkingherecognizedthesepictures，feltapanginrememberingthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothemalwaysbefore，andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys。Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted，too，whichillustratedtheirsweet，generousnatures，andthepeoplecouldeasilysee，now，hownobleandbeautifulthoseepisodeswere，andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities，welldeservingofthecowhide。Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved，asthepathetictalewenton，tillatlastthewholecompanybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs，thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings，andcryinginthepulpit。

Therewasarustleinthegallery，whichnobodynoticed；amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked；theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief，andstoodtransfixed！Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister’s，andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarchinguptheaisle，Tominthelead，Joenext，andHuck，aruinofdroopingrags，sneakingsheepishlyintherear！Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon！

AuntPolly，Mary，andtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirrestoredones，smotheredthemwithkissesandpouredoutthanksgivings，whilepoorHuckstoodabashedanduncomfortable，notknowingexactlywhattodoorwheretohidefromsomanyunwelcomingeyes。Hewavered，andstartedtoslinkaway，butTomseizedhimandsaid：

"AuntPolly，itain’tfair。Somebody’sgottobegladtoseeHuck。"

"Andsotheyshall。I’mgladtoseehim，poormotherlessthing！"

AndthelovingattentionsAuntPollylavisheduponhimweretheonethingcapableofmakinghimmoreuncomfortablethanhewasbefore。

Suddenlytheministershoutedatthetopofhisvoice："PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow——sing！——andputyourheartsinit！"

Andtheydid。OldHundredswelledupwithatriumphantburst，andwhileitshooktheraftersTomSawyerthePiratelookedaroundupontheenvyingjuvenilesabouthimandconfessedinhisheartthatthiswastheproudestmomentofhislife。

Asthe"sold"congregationtroopedouttheysaidtheywouldalmostbewillingtobemaderidiculousagaintohearOldHundredsunglikethatoncemore。

Tomgotmorecuffsandkissesthatday——accordingtoAuntPolly’svaryingmoods——thanhehadearnedbeforeinayear；andhehardlyknewwhichexpressedthemostgratefulnesstoGodandaffectionforhimself。

TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter18CHAPTERXVIIITHATwasTom’sgreatsecret——theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbrotherpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals。TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog，atduskonSaturday，landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage；theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight，andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinvalidedbenches。

Atbreakfast，Mondaymorning，AuntPollyandMarywereverylovingtoTom，andveryattentivetohiswants。Therewasanunusualamountoftalk。InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid：

"Well，Idon’tsayitwasn’tafinejoke，Tom，tokeepeverybodysuffering’mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime，butitisapityyoucouldbesohard—heartedastoletmesufferso。Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral，youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn’tdead，butonlyrunoff。"

"Yes，youcouldhavedonethat，Tom，"saidMary；"andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit。"

"Wouldyou，Tom？"saidAuntPolly，herfacelightingwistfully。

"Say，now，wouldyou，ifyou’dthoughtofit？"

"I——well，Idon’tknow。’Twould’a’spoiledeverything。"

"Tom，Ihopedyoulovedmethatmuch，"saidAuntPolly，withagrievedtonethatdiscomfortedtheboy。"Itwouldhavebeensomethingifyou’dcaredenoughtothinkofit，evenifyoudidn’tdoit。"

"Now，auntie，thatain’tanyharm，"pleadedMary；"it’sonlyTom’sgiddyway——heisalwaysinsucharushthatheneverthinksofanything。"

"More’sthepity。Sidwouldhavethought。AndSidwouldhavecomeanddoneit，too。Tom，you’lllookback，someday，whenit’stoolate，andwishyou’dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle。"

"Now，auntie，youknowIdocareforyou，"saidTom。

"I’dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit。"

"IwishnowI’dthought，"saidTom，witharepentanttone；"butIdreamtaboutyou，anyway。That’ssomething，ain’tit？"

"Itain’tmuch——acatdoesthatmuch——butit’sbetterthannothing。Whatdidyoudream？"

"Why，WednesdaynightIdreamtthatyouwassittingovertherebythebed，andSidwassittingbythewoodbox，andMarynexttohim。"

"Well，sowedid。Sowealwaysdo。I’mgladyourdreamscouldtakeeventhatmuchtroubleaboutus。"

"AndIdreamtthatJoeHarper’smotherwashere。"

"Why，shewashere！Didyoudreamanymore？"

"Oh，lots。Butit’ssodim，now。"

"Well，trytorecollect——can’tyou？"

"Somehowitseemstomethatthewind——thewindblowedthe——

the——"

"Tryharder，Tom！Thewinddidblowsomething。Come！"

Tompressedhisfingersonhisforeheadananxiousminute，andthensaid：

"I’vegotitnow！I’vegotitnow！Itblowedthecandle！"

"Mercyonus！Goon，Tom——goon！"

"Anditseemstomethatyousaid，’Why，Ibelievethatthatdoor——’"

"Goon，Tom！"

"Justletmestudyamoment——justamoment。Oh，yes——yousaidyoubelievedthedoorwasopen。"

"AsI’msittinghere，Idid！Didn’tI，Mary！Goon！"

"Andthen——andthen——wellIwon’tbecertain，butitseemslikeasifyoumadeSidgoand——and——"

"Well？Well？WhatdidImakehimdo，Tom？WhatdidImakehimdo？"

"Youmadehim——you——Oh，youmadehimshutit。"

"Well，fortheland’ssake！Ineverheardthebeatofthatinallmydays！Don’ttellmethereain’tanythingindreams，anymore。

SerenyHarpershallknowofthisbeforeI’manhourolder。I’dliketoseehergetaroundthiswithherrubbage’boutsuperstition。Goon，Tom！"

"Oh，it’sallgettingjustasbrightasday，now。NextyousaidIwarn’tBAD，onlymischeevousandharum—scarum，andnotanymoreresponsiblethan——than——Ithinkitwasacolt，orsomething。"

"Andsoitwas！Well，goodnessgracious！Goon，Tom！"

"Andthenyoubegantocry。"

"SoIdid。SoIdid。Notthefirsttime，neither。Andthen——"

"ThenMrs。Harpershebegantocry，andsaidJoewasjustthesame，andshewishedshehadn’twhippedhimfortakingcreamwhenshe’dthroweditoutherownself——"

"Tom！Thesperritwasuponyou！Youwasaprophesying——that’swhatyouwasdoing！Landalive，goon，Tom！"

"ThenSidhesaid——hesaid——"

"Idon’tthinkIsaidanything，"saidSid。