CHAPTERI。
ANINVITATIONFORTOMANDHUCK
[Footnote：Strangeastheincidentsofthisstoryare，theyarenotinventions，butfacts——eventothepublicconfessionoftheaccused。Itakethemfromanold-timeSwedishcriminaltrial，changetheactors，andtransferthescenestoAmerica。Ihaveaddedsomedetails，butonlyacoupleofthemareimportantones。——M。T。]
WELL，itwasthenextspringaftermeandTomSawyersetouroldniggerJimfree，thetimehewaschainedupforarunawayslavedownthereonTom’suncleSilas’sfarminArkansaw。Thefrostwasworkingoutoftheground，andoutoftheair，too，anditwasgettingcloserandcloserontobarefoottimeeveryday；andnextitwouldbemarbletime，andnextmumbletypeg，andnexttopsandhoops，andnextkites，andthenrightawayitwouldbesummerandgo-
ingina-swimming。Itjustmakesaboyhomesicktolookaheadlikethatandseehowfaroffsummeris。
Yes，anditsetshimtosighingandsaddeningaround，andthere’ssomethingthematterwithhim，hedon’tknowwhat。Butanyway，hegetsoutbyhimselfandmopesandthinks；andmostlyhehuntsforalone-
someplacehighuponthehillintheedgeofthewoods，andsetsthereandlooksawayoffonthebigMississippidowntherea-reachingmilesandmilesaroundthepointswherethetimberlookssmokyanddimit’ssofaroffandstill，andeverything’ssosolemnitseemslikeeverybodyyou’velovedisdeadandgone，andyou’mostwishyouwasdeadandgonetoo，anddonewithitall。
Don’tyouknowwhatthatis？It’sspringfever。
Thatiswhatthenameofitis。Andwhenyou’vegotit，youwant——oh，youdon’tquiteknowwhatitisyouDOwant，butitjustfairlymakesyourheartache，youwantitso！Itseemstoyouthatmainlywhatyouwantistogetaway；getawayfromthesameoldtediousthingsyou’resousedtoseeingandsotiredof，andsetsomethingnew。Thatistheidea；youwanttogoandbeawanderer；youwanttogowanderingfarawaytostrangecountrieswhereeverythingismysteriousandwonderfulandromantic。Andifyoucan’tdothat，you’llputupwithconsiderableless；you’llgoany-
whereyouCANgo，justsoastogetaway，andbethank-
fulofthechance，too。
Well，meandTomSawyerhadthespringfever，andhaditbad，too；butitwarn’tanyusetothinkaboutTomtryingtogetaway，because，ashesaid，hisAuntPollywouldn’tlethimquitschoolandgotraipsingoffsomerswastingtime；sowewasprettyblue。Wewassettingonthefrontstepsonedayaboutsundowntalk-
ingthisway，whenoutcomeshisauntPollywithaletterinherhandandsays：
"Tom，Ireckonyou’vegottopackupandgodowntoArkansaw——yourauntSallywantsyou。"
I’mostjumpedoutofmyskinforjoy。IreckonedTomwouldflyathisauntandhugherheadoff；butifyoubelievemehesettherelikearock，andneversaidaword。Itmademefittocrytoseehimactsofoolish，withsuchanoblechanceasthisopeningup。Why，wemightloseitifhedidn’tspeakupandshowhewasthankfulandgrateful。ButhesetthereandstudiedandstudiedtillIwasthatdistressedIdidn’tknowwhattodo；thenhesays，veryca’m，andIcouldashothimforit：
"Well，"hesays，"I’mrightdownsorry，AuntPolly，butIreckonIgottobeexcused——forthepresent。"
HisauntPollywasknockedsostupidandsomadatthecoldimpudenceofitthatshecouldn’tsayawordforasmuchasahalfaminute，andthisgavemeachancetonudgeTomandwhisper：
"Ain’tyougotanysense？Sp’ilingsuchanoblechanceasthisandthrowingitaway？"
Buthewarn’tdisturbed。Hemumbledback：
"HuckFinn，doyouwantmetoletherSEEhowbadIwanttogo？Why，she’dbegintodoubt，rightaway，andimaginealotofsicknessesanddangersandobjections，andfirstyouknowshe’dtakeitallback。
Youlemmealone；IreckonIknowhowtoworkher。"
NowIneverwould’a’thoughtofthat。Buthewasright。TomSawyerwasalwaysright——thelevelestheadIeversee，andalwaysAThimselfandreadyforanythingyoumightspringonhim。BythistimehisauntPollywasallstraightagain，andsheletfly。Shesays：
"You’llbeexcused！YOUwill！Well，Ineverheardthelikeofitinallmydays！TheideaofyoutalkinglikethattoME！Nowtakeyourselfoffandpackyourtraps；andifIhearanotherwordoutofyouaboutwhatyou’llbeexcusedfromandwhatyouwon’t，IlayI’LLexcuseyou——withahickory！"
Shehithisheadathumpwithherthimbleaswedodgedby，andheletontobewhimperingaswestruckforthestairs。Upinhisroomhehuggedme，hewassooutofhisheadforgladnessbecausehewasgoingtraveling。Andhesays：
"Beforewegetawayshe’llwishshehadn’tletmego，butshewon’tknowanywaytogetarounditnow。
Afterwhatshe’ssaid，herpridewon’tlethertakeitback。"
Tomwaspackedintenminutes，allexceptwhathisauntandMarywouldfinishupforhim；thenwewaitedtenmoreforhertogetcooleddownandsweetandgentleagain；forTomsaidittookhertenminutestounruffleintimeswhenhalfofherfeatherswasup，buttwentywhentheywasallup，andthiswasoneofthetimeswhentheywasallup。Thenwewentdown，beinginasweattoknowwhatthelettersaid。
Shewassettingthereinabrownstudy，withitlayinginherlap。Wesetdown，andshesays：
"They’reinconsiderabletroubledownthere，andtheythinkyouandHuck’llbeakindofdiversionforthem——’comfort，’theysay。Muchofthatthey’llgetoutofyouandHuckFinn，Ireckon。There’saneigh-
bornamedBraceDunlapthat’sbeenwantingtomarrytheirBennyforthreemonths，andatlasttheytoldhimpointblankandonceforall，heCOULDN’T；sohehassouredonthem，andthey’reworriedaboutit。Ireckonhe’ssomebodytheythinktheybetterbeonthegoodsideof，forthey’vetriedtopleasehimbyhiringhisno-
accountbrothertohelponthefarmwhentheycan’thardlyaffordit，anddon’twanthimaroundanyhow。
WhoaretheDunlaps？"
"TheyliveaboutamilefromUncleSilas’splace，AuntPolly——allthefarmersliveaboutamileapartdownthere——andBraceDunlapisalongsightricherthananyoftheothers，andownsawholegristofnig-
gers。He’sawidower，thirty-sixyearsold，withoutanychildren，andisproudofhismoneyandoverbear-
ing，andeverybodyisalittleafraidofhim。Ijudgehethoughthecouldhaveanygirlhewanted，justfortheasking，anditmusthavesethimbackagooddealwhenhefoundhecouldn’tgetBenny。Why，Benny’sonlyhalfasoldasheis，andjustassweetandlovelyasQ
well，you’veseenher。PooroldUncleSilas——why，it’spitiful，himtryingtocurryfavorthatway——sohardpushedandpoor，andyethiringthatuselessJubiterDunlaptopleasehisornerybrother。"
"Whataname——Jubiter！Where’dhegetit？"
"It’sonlyjustanickname。Ireckonthey’veforgothisrealnamelongbeforethis。He’stwenty-seven，now，andhashaditeversincethefirsttimeheeverwentinswimming。Theschoolteacherseenaroundbrownmolethesizeofadimeonhisleftlegabovehisknee，andfourlittlebitsofmolesaroundit，whenhewasnaked，andhesaiditmindedhimofJubiterandhismoons；andthechildrenthoughtitwasfunny，andsotheygottocallinghimJubiter，andhe’sJubiteryet。
He’stall，andlazy，andsly，andsneaky，andruthercowardly，too，butkindofgood-natured，andwearslongbrownhairandnobeard，andhasn’tgotacent，andBraceboardshimfornothing，andgiveshimhisoldclothestowear，anddespiseshim。Jubiterisatwin。"
"What’st’othertwinlike？"
"JustexactlylikeJubiter——sotheysay；usedtowas，anyway，buthehain’tbeenseenforsevenyears。
Hegottorobbingwhenhewasnineteenortwenty，andtheyjailedhim；buthebrokejailandgotaway——
upNorthhere，somers。Theyusedtohearabouthimrobbingandburglaringnowandthen，butthatwasyearsago。He’sdead，now。Atleastthat’swhattheysay。Theydon’thearabouthimanymore。"
"Whatwashisname？"
"Jake。"
Therewasn’tanythingmoresaidforaconsiderablewhile；theoldladywasthinking。Atlastshesays：
"ThethingthatismostlyworryingyourauntSallyisthetempersthatthatmanJubitergetsyouruncleinto。"
Tomwasastonished，andsowasI。Tomsays：
"Tempers？UncleSilas？Land，youmustbejok-
ing！Ididn’tknowheHADanytemper。"
"Workshimupintoperfectrages，yourauntSallysays；saysheactsasifhewouldreallyhittheman，sometimes。"
"AuntPolly，itbeatsanythingIeverheardof。
Why，he’sjustasgentleasmush。"
"Well，she’sworried，anyway。SaysyouruncleSilasislikeachangedman，onaccountofallthisquarreling。Andtheneighborstalkaboutit，andlayalltheblameonyouruncle，ofcourse，becausehe’sapreacherandhain’tgotanybusinesstoquarrel。YourauntSallysayshehatestogointothepulpithe’ssoashamed；andthepeoplehavebeguntocooltowardhim，andheain’taspopularnowasheusedtowas。"
"Well，ain’titstrange？Why，AuntPolly，hewasalwayssogoodandkindandmoonyandabsent-mindedandchuckle-headedandlovable——why，hewasjustanangel！WhatCANbethematterofhim，doyoureckon？"
CHAPTERII。
JAKEDUNLAP
WEhadpowerfulgoodluck；becausewegotachanceinastern-wheelerfromawayNorthwhichwasboundforoneofthembayousorone-horseriversawaydownLouisianaway，andsowecouldgoallthewaydowntheUpperMississippiandallthewaydowntheLowerMississippitothatfarminArkansawwith-
outhavingtochangesteamboatsatSt。Louis；notsoverymuchshortofathousandmilesatonepull。
Aprettylonesomeboat；therewarn’tbutfewpassengers，andalloldfolks，thatsetaround，wideapart，dozing，andwasveryquiet。Wewasfourdaysgettingoutofthe"upperriver，"becausewegotagroundsomuch。Butitwarn’tdull——couldn’tbeforboysthatwastraveling，ofcourse。
FromtheverystartmeandTomallowedthattherewassomebodysickinthestateroomnexttoourn，be-
causethemealswasalwaystotedintherebythewait-
ers。Byandbyweaskedaboutit——Tomdidandthewaitersaiditwasaman，buthedidn’tlooksick。
"Well，butAIN’Thesick？"
"Idon’tknow；maybeheis，but’pearstomehe’sjustlettingon。"
"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？"
"BecauseifhewassickhewouldpullhisclothesoffSOMEtimeorother——don’tyoureckonhewould？
Well，thisonedon’t。Atleasthedon’teverpulloffhisboots，anyway。"
"Themischiefhedon’t！Notevenwhenhegoestobed？"
"No。"
ItwasalwaysnutsforTomSawyer——amysterywas。
Ifyou’dlayoutamysteryandapiebeforemeandhim，youwouldn’thavetosaytakeyourchoice；itwasathingthatwouldregulateitself。BecauseinmynatureIhavealwaysruntopie，whilstinhisnaturehehasalwaysruntomystery。Peoplearemadedifferent。
Anditisthebestway。Tomsaystothewaiter：
"What’stheman’sname？"
"Phillips。"
"Where’dhecomeaboard？"
"IthinkhegotaboardatElexandria，upontheIowaline。"
"Whatdoyoureckonhe’sa-playing？"
"Ihain’tanynotion——Ineverthoughtofit。"
Isaystomyself，here’sanotheronethatrunstopie。
"Anythingpeculiarabouthim？——thewayheactsortalks？"
"No——nothing，exceptheseemssoscary，andkeepshisdoorslockednightanddayboth，andwhenyouknockhewon’tletyouintillheopensthedooracrackandseeswhoitis。"
"Byjimminy，it’sint’resting！I’dliketogetalookathim。Say——thenexttimeyou’regoinginthere，don’tyoureckonyoucouldspreadthedoorand——"
"No，indeedy！He’salwaysbehindit。Hewouldblockthatgame。"
Tomstudiedoverit，andthenhesays：
"Lookyhere。Youlendmeyourapernandletmetakehimhisbreakfastinthemorning。I’llgiveyouaquarter。"
Theboywasplentywillingenough，iftheheadstewardwouldn’tmind。Tomsaysthat’sallright，hereckonedhecouldfixitwiththeheadsteward；andhedoneit。Hefixeditsoaswecouldbothgoinwithapernsonandtotingvittles。
Hedidn’tsleepmuch，hewasinsuchasweattogetinthereandfindoutthemysteryaboutPhillips；andmoreoverhedonealotofguessingaboutitallnight，whichwarn’tnouse，forifyouaregoingtofindoutthefactsofathing，what’sthesenseinguessingoutwhatain’tthefactsandwastingammunition？I
didn’tlosenosleep。Iwouldn’tgiveaderntoknowwhat’sthematterofPhillips，Isaystomyself。
Well，inthemorningweputontheapernsandgotacoupleoftraysoftruck，andTomheknockedonthedoor。Themanopeneditacrack，andthenheletusinandshutitquick。ByJackson，whenwegotasightofhim，we’mostdroppedthetrays！andTomsays：
"Why，JubiterDunlap，where’dYOUcomefrom？"
Well，themanwasastonished，ofcourse；andfirstoffhelookedlikehedidn’tknowwhethertobescared，orglad，orboth，orwhich，butfinallyhesettleddowntobeingglad；andthenhiscolorcomeback，thoughatfirsthisfacehadturnedprettywhite。Sowegottotalkingtogetherwhileheethisbreakfast。Andhesays：
"ButIaintJubiterDunlap。I’djustassoontellyouwhoIam，though，ifyou’llsweartokeepmum，forIain’tnoPhillips，either。"
Tomsays：
"We’llkeepmum，butthereain’tanyneedtotellwhoyouareifyouain’tJubiterDunlap。"
"Why？"
"Becauseifyouain’thimyou’ret’othertwin，Jake。
You’rethespit’nimageofJubiter。"
"Well，I’mJake。Butlookyhere，howdoyoucometoknowusDunlaps？"
Tomtoldabouttheadventureswe’dhaddownthereathisuncleSilas’slastsummer，andwhenheseethattherewarn’tanythingabouthisfolks——orhimeither，forthatmatter——thatwedidn’tknow，heopenedoutandtalkedperfectlyfreeandcandid。Henevermadeanybonesabouthisowncase；saidhe’dbeenahardlot，wasahardlotyet，andreckonedhe’dbeahardlotplumbtotheend。Hesaidofcourseitwasadanger-
ouslife，and——
Hegiveakindofgasp，andsethisheadlikeapersonthat’slistening。Wedidn’tsayanything，andsoitwasverystillforasecondorso，andtherewarn’tnosoundsbutthescreakingofthewoodworkandthechug-
chuggingofthemachinerydownbelow。
Thenwegothimcomfortableagain，tellinghimabouthispeople，andhowBrace’swifehadbeendeadthreeyears，andBracewantedtomarryBennyandsheshookhim，andJubiterwasworkingforUncleSilas，andhimandUncleSilasquarrelingallthetime——andthenheletgoandlaughed。
"Land！"hesays，"it’slikeoldtimestohearallthistittle-tattle，anddoesmegood。It’sbeensevenyearsandmoresinceIheardany。Howdotheytalkaboutmethesedays？"
"Who？"
"Thefarmers——andthefamily。"
"Why，theydon’ttalkaboutyouatall——atleastonlyjustamention，onceinalongtime。"
"Thenation！"hesays，surprised；"whyisthat？"
"Becausetheythinkyouaredeadlongago。"
"No！Areyouspeakingtrue？——honorbright，now。"Hejumpedup，excited。
"Honorbright。Thereain’tanybodythinksyouarealive。"
"ThenI’msaved，I’msaved，sure！I’llgohome。
They’llhidemeandsavemylife。Youkeepmum。
Swearyou’llkeepmum——swearyou’llnever，nevertellonme。Oh，boys，begoodtoapoordevilthat’sbeinghunteddayandnight，anddasn’tshowhisface！I’veneverdoneyouanyharm；I’llneverdoyouany，asGodisintheheavens；swearyou’llbegoodtomeandhelpmesavemylife。"
We’dasworeitifhe’dbeenadog；andsowedoneit。Well，hecouldn’tloveusenoughforitorbegrate-
fulenough，poorcuss；itwasallhecoulddotokeepfromhuggingus。
Wetalkedalong，andhegotoutalittlehand-bagandbeguntoopenit，andtoldustoturnourbacks。
Wedoneit，andwhenhetoldustoturnagainhewasperfectlydifferenttowhathewasbefore。Hehadonbluegogglesandthenaturalest-lookinglongbrownwhiskersandmustashesyoueversee。Hisownmotherwouldn’t’a’knowedhim。HeaskedusifhelookedlikehisbrotherJubiter，now。
"No，"Tomsaid；"thereain’tanythingleftthat’slikehimexceptthelonghair。"
"Allright，I’llgetthatcroppedclosetomyheadbe-
foreIgetthere；thenhimandBracewillkeepmysecret，andI’lllivewiththemasbeingastranger，andtheneighborswon’teverguessmeout。Whatdoyouthink？"
Tomhestudiedawhile，thenhesays：
"Well，ofcoursemeandHuckaregoingtokeepmumthere，butifyoudon’tkeepmumyourselfthere’sgoingtobealittlebitofarisk——itain’tmuch，maybe，butit’salittle。Imean，ifyoutalk，won’tpeoplenoticethatyourvoiceisjustlikeJubiter’s；andmightn’titmakethemthinkofthetwintheyreckonedwasdead，butmaybeafterallwashidallthistimeunderanothername？"
"ByGeorge，"hesays，"you’reasharpone！
You’reperfectlyright。I’vegottoplaydeefanddumbwhenthere’saneighboraround。IfI’dastruckforhomeandforgotthatlittledetail——However，I
wasn’tstrikingforhome。IwasbreakingforanyplacewhereIcouldgetawayfromthesefellowsthatareafterme；thenIwasgoingtoputonthisdisguiseandgetsomedifferentclothes，and——"
Hejumpedfortheoutsidedoorandlaidhisearagainstitandlistened，paleandkindofpanting。
Presentlyhewhispers：
"Soundedlikecockingagun！Lord，whatalifetolead！"
Thenhesunkdowninachairalllimpandsicklike，andwipedthesweatoffofhisface。
CHAPTERIII。
ADIAMONDROBBERY
FROMthattimeout，wewaswithhim’mostallthetime，andoneort’otherofussleptinhisupperberth。Hesaidhehadbeensolonesome，anditwassuchacomforttohimtohavecompany，andsomebodytotalktoinhistroubles。Wewasinasweattofindoutwhathissecretwas，butTomsaidthebestwaywasnottoseemanxious，thenlikelyhewoulddropintoithimselfinoneofhistalks，butifwegottoaskingquestionshewouldgetsuspiciousandshetuphisshell。
Itturnedoutjustso。Itwarn’tnotroubletoseethatheWANTEDtotalkaboutit，butalwaysalongatfirsthewouldscareawayfromitwhenhegotontheveryedgeofit，andgototalkingaboutsomethingelse。Thewayitcomeaboutwasthis：Hegottoaskingus，kindofindifferentlike，aboutthepassengersdownondeck。Wetoldhimaboutthem。Buthewarn’tsatis-
fied；wewarn’tparticularenough。Hetoldustode-
scribethembetter。Tomdoneit。Atlast，whenTomwasdescribingoneoftheroughestandraggedestones，hegaveashiverandagaspandsays：
"Oh，lordy，that’soneofthem！They’reaboardsure——Ijustknowedit。IsortofhopedIhadgotaway，butIneverbelievedit。Goon。"
PresentlywhenTomwasdescribinganothermangy，roughdeckpassenger，hegivethatshiveragainandsays：
"That’shim！——that’stheotherone。IfitwouldonlycomeagoodblackstormynightandIcouldgetashore。Yousee，they’vegotspiesonme。They’vegotarighttocomeupandbuydrinksatthebaryonderforrard，andtheytakethatchancetobribesomebodytokeepwatchonme——porterorbootsorsomebody。IfIwastoslipashorewithoutanybodyseeingme，theywouldknowitinsideofanhour。"
Sothenhegottowanderingalong，andprettysoon，sureenough，hewastelling！Hewaspokingalongthroughhisupsanddowns，andwhenhecometothatplacehewentrightalong。Hesays：
"Itwasaconfidencegame。Weplayeditonajulery-
shopinSt。Louis。Whatwewasafterwasacoupleofnoblebigdi’mondsasbigashazel-nuts，whichevery-
bodywasrunningtosee。Wewasdressedupfine，andweplayeditontheminbroaddaylight。Weorderedthedi’mondssenttothehotelforustoseeifwewantedtobuy，andwhenwewasexaminingthemwehadpastecounterfeitsallready，andTHEMwasthethingsthatwentbacktotheshopwhenwesaidthewaterwasn’tquitefineenoughfortwelvethousanddollars。"
"TwelveQthousandQdollars！"Tomsays。"Wastheyreallyworthallthatmoney，doyoureckon？"
"Everycentofit。"
"Andyoufellowsgotawaywiththem？"
"Aseasyasnothing。Idon’treckonthejulerypeopleknowthey’vebeenrobbedyet。Butitwouldn’tbegoodsensetostayaroundSt。Louis，ofcourse，soweconsideredwherewe’dgo。Onewasforgoingoneway，oneanother，sowethrowedup，headsortails，andtheUpperMississippiwon。Wedoneupthedi’mondsinapaperandputournamesonitandputitinthekeepofthehotelclerk，andtoldhimnottoeverleteitherofushaveitagainwithouttheotherswasonhandtoseeitdone；thenwewentdowntown，eachbyhisownself——becauseIreckonmaybeweallhadthesamenotion。Idon’tknowforcertain，butI
reckonmaybewehad。"
"Whatnotion？"Tomsays。
"Torobtheothers。"
"What——onetakeeverything，afterallofyouhadhelpedtogetit？"
"Cert’nly。"
ItdisgustedTomSawyer，andhesaiditwastheorneriest，low-downestthingheeverheardof。ButJakeDunlapsaiditwarn’tunusualintheprofession。
Saidwhenapersonwasinthatlineofbusinesshe’dgottolookoutforhisownintrust，therewarn’tno-
bodyelsegoingtodoitforhim。Andthenhewenton。Hesays：
"Yousee，thetroublewas，youcouldn’tdivideuptwodi’mondsamongstthree。Ifthere’dbeenthree——
Butnevermindaboutthat，therewarn’tthree。I
loafedalongthebackstreetsstudyingandstudying。
AndIsaystomyself，I’llhogthemdi’mondsthefirstchanceIget，andI’llhaveadisguiseallready，andI’llgivetheboystheslip，andwhenI’msafeawayI’llputiton，andthenletthemfindmeiftheycan。SoIgotthefalsewhiskersandthegogglesandthiscountrifiedsuitofclothes，andfetchedthemalongbackinahand-
bag；andwhenIwaspassingashopwheretheysellallsortsofthings，Igotaglimpseofoneofmypalsthroughthewindow。ItwasBudDixon。Iwasglad，youbet。Isaystomyself，I’llseewhathebuys。SoIkeptshady，andwatched。Nowwhatdoyoureckonitwashebought？"
"Whiskers？"saidI。
"No。"
"Goggles？"
"No。"
"Oh，keepstill，HuckFinn，can’tyou，you’reonlyjusthenderingallyoucan。WhatWASithebought，Jake？"
"You’dneverguessintheworld。Itwasonlyjustascrewdriver——justaweelittlebitofascrewdriver。"
"Well，Ideclare！Whatdidhewantwiththat？"
"That’swhatIthought。Itwascurious。Itcleanstumpedme。Isaystomyself，whatcanhewantwiththatthing？Well，whenhecomeoutIstoodbackoutofsight，andthentrackedhimtoasecond-handslop-
shopandseehimbuyaredflannelshirtandsomeoldraggedclothes——justtheoneshe’sgotonnow，asyou’vedescribed。ThenIwentdowntothewharfandhidmythingsaboardtheup-riverboatthatwehadpickedout，andthenstartedbackandhadanotherstreakofluck。IseenourotherpallayinHISstockofoldrustysecond-handers。Wegotthedi’mondsandwentaboardtheboat。
"Butnowwewasupastump，forwecouldn’tgotobed。Wehadtosetupandwatchoneanother。
Pity，thatwas；pitytoputthatkindofastrainonus，becausetherewasbadbloodbetweenusfromacoupleofweeksback，andwewasonlyfriendsinthewayofbusiness。Badanyway，seeingtherewasonlytwodi’mondsbetwixtthreemen。Firstwehadsupper，andthentrampedupanddownthedecktogethersmokingtillmostmidnight；thenwewentandsetdowninmystateroomandlockedthedoorsandlookedinthepieceofpapertoseeifthedi’mondswasallright，thenlaiditonthelowerberthrightinfullsight；
andthereweset，andset，andby-and-byitgottobedreadfulhardtokeepawake。AtlastBudDixonhedroppedoff。Assoonashewassnoringagoodregulargaitthatwaslikelytolast，andhadhischinonhisbreastandlookedpermanent，HalClaytonnoddedtowardsthedi’mondsandthentowardstheoutsidedoor，andIunderstood。Ireachedandgotthepaper，andthenwestoodupandwaitedperfectlystill；Budneverstirred；Iturnedthekeyoftheoutsidedoorverysoftandslow，thenturnedtheknobthesameway，andwewenttiptoeingoutontotheguard，andshutthedoorverysoftandgentle。
"Therewarn’tnobodystirringanywhere，andtheboatwasslippingalong，swiftandsteady，throughthebigwaterinthesmokymoonlight。Weneversaidaword，butwentstraightupontothehurricane-deckandplumbbackaft，andsetdownontheendofthesky-
light。Bothofusknowedwhatthatmeant，withouthavingtoexplaintooneanother。BudDixonwouldwakeupandmisstheswag，andwouldcomestraightforus，forheain’tafeardofanythingoranybody，thatmanain’t。Hewouldcome，andwewouldheavehimoverboard，orgetkilledtrying。Itmademeshiver，becauseIain’tasbraveassomepeople，butifI
showedthewhitefeather——well，Iknowedbetterthandothat。Ikindofhopedtheboatwouldlandsomers，andwecouldskipashoreandnothavetoruntheriskofthisrow，IwassoscaredofBudDixon，butshewasanupper-rivertubandtherewarn’tnorealchanceofthat。
"Well，thetimestrungalongandalong，andthatfellownevercome！Why，itstrungalongtilldawnbeguntobreak，andstillhenevercome。’Thunder，’I
says，’whatdoyoumakeoutofthis？——ain’titsus-
picious？’’Land！’Halsays，’doyoureckonhe’splayingus？——openthepaper！’Idoneit，andbygracioustherewarn’tanythinginitbutacoupleoflittlepiecesofloaf-sugar！THAT’Sthereasonhecouldsetthereandsnoozeallnightsocomfortable。Smart？
Well，Ireckon！Hehadhadthemtwopapersallfixedandready，andhehadputoneoftheminplaceoft’otherrightunderournoses。
"Wefeltprettycheap。Butthethingtodo，straightoff，wastomakeaplan；andwedoneit。Wewoulddoupthepaperagain，justasitwas，andslipin，veryelaborateandsoft，andlayitonthebunkagain，andletonWEdidn’tknowaboutanytrick，andhadn’tanyideahewasa-laughingatusbehindthembogussnoresofhis’n；andwewouldstickbyhim，andthefirstnightwewasashorewewouldgethimdrunkandsearchhim，andgetthedi’monds；andDOforhim，too，ifitwarn’ttoorisky。Ifwegottheswag，we’dGOTtodoforhim，orhewouldhuntusdownanddoforus，sure。ButIdidn’thavenorealhope。Iknowedwecouldgethimdrunk——hewasalwaysreadyforthat——butwhat’sthegoodofit？Youmightsearchhimayearandneverfind——
"Well，rightthereIcatchedmybreathandbrokeoffmythought！Foranideawentrippingthroughmyheadthattoremybrainstorags——andland，butIfeltgayandgood！Yousee，Ihadhadmybootsoff，tounswellmyfeet，andjustthenItookuponeofthemtoputiton，andIcatchedaglimpseoftheheel-
bottom，anditjusttookmybreathaway。Youre-
memberaboutthatpuzzlesomelittlescrewdriver？"
"YoubetIdo，"saysTom，allexcited。
"Well，whenIcatchedthatglimpseofthatbootheel，theideathatwentsmashingthroughmyheadwas，Iknowwherehe’shidthedi’monds！Youlookatthisbootheel，now。See，it’sbottomedwithasteelplate，andtheplateisfastenedonwithlittlescrews。
Nowtherewasn’tascrewaboutthatfelleranywherebutinhisbootheels；so，ifheneededascrewdriver，IreckonedIknowedwhy。"
"Huck，ain’titbully！"saysTom。
"Well，Igotmybootson，andwewentdownandslippedinandlaidthepaperofsugarontheberth，andsatdownsoftandsheepishandwenttolisteningtoBudDixonsnore。HalClaytondroppedoffprettysoon，butIdidn’t；Iwasn’teversowideawakeinmylife。Iwasspyingoutfromundertheshadeofmyhatbrim，searchingthefloorforleather。Ittookmealongtime，andIbeguntothinkmaybemyguesswaswrong，butatlastIstruckit。Itlaidoverbythebulkhead，andwasnearlythecolorofthecarpet。Itwasalittleroundplugaboutasthickastheendofyourlittlefinger，andIsaystomyselfthere’sadi’mondinthenestyou’vecomefrom。BeforelongIspiedouttheplug’smate。
"Thinkofthesmartnessandcoolnessofthatblatherskite！Heputupthatschemeonusandreasonedoutwhatwewoulddo，andwewentaheadanddoneitperfectlyexact，likeacoupleofpudd’n-
heads。Hesetthereandtookhisowntimetoun-
screwhisheelplatesandcutouthisplugsandstickinthedi’mondsandscrewonhisplatesagain。Heallowedwewouldstealthebogusswagandwaitallnightforhimtocomeupandgetdrownded，andbyGeorgeit’sjustwhatwedone！Ithinkitwaspower-
fulsmart。"
"Youbetyourlifeitwas！"saysTom，justfullofadmiration。
CHAPTERIV。
THETHREESLEEPERS
WELL，alldaywewentthroughthehumbugofwatchingoneanother，anditwasprettysicklybusinessfortwoofusandhardtoactout，Icantellyou。AboutnightwelandedatoneofthemlittleMissouritownshighuptowardIowa，andhadsupperatthetavern，andgotaroomupstairswithacotandadoublebedinit，butIdumpedmybagunderadealtableinthedarkhallwhilewewasmovingalongittobed，singlefile，melast，andthelandlordintheleadwithatallowcandle。Wehadupalotofwhisky，andwenttoplayinghigh-low-jackfordimes，andassoonasthewhiskybeguntotakeholdofBudwestoppeddrinking，butwedidn’tlethimstop。Weloadedhimtillhefelloutofhischairandlaidtheresnoring。
"Wewasreadyforbusinessnow。Isaidwebetterpullourbootsoff，andhis’ntoo，andnotmakeanynoise，thenwecouldpullhimandhaulhimaroundandransackhimwithoutanytrouble。Sowedoneit。I
setmybootsandBud’ssidebyside，wherethey’dbehandy。Thenwestrippedhimandsearchedhisseamsandhispocketsandhissocksandtheinsideofhisboots，andeverything，andsearchedhisbundle。Neverfoundanydi’monds。Wefoundthescrewdriver，andHalsays，’Whatdoyoureckonhewantedwiththat？’
IsaidIdidn’tknow；butwhenhewasn’tlookingI
hookedit。AtlastHalhelookedbeatanddiscour-
aged，andsaidwe’dgottogiveitup。ThatwaswhatIwaswaitingfor。Isays：
"’There’soneplacewehain’tsearched。’
"’Whatplaceisthat？’hesays。
"’Hisstomach。’
"’Bygracious，Ineverthoughtofthat！NOWwe’reonthehomestretch，toadeadmoralcertainty。How’llwemanage？’
"’Well，’Isays，’juststaybyhimtillIturnoutandhuntupadrugstore，andIreckonI’llfetchsomethingthat’llmakethemdi’mondstiredofthecompanythey’rekeeping。’
"Hesaidthat’stheticket，andwithhimlookingstraightatmeIslidmyselfintoBud’sbootsinsteadofmyown，andhenevernoticed。Theywasjustashadelargeforme，butthatwasconsiderablebetterthanbe-
ingtoosmall。IgotmybagasIwenta-gropingthroughthehall，andinaboutaminuteIwasoutthebackwayandstretchinguptheriverroadatafive-milegait。
"Andnotfeelingsoverybad，neither——walkingondi’mondsdon’thavenosucheffect。WhenIhadgonefifteenminutesIsaystomyself，there’smore’namilebehindme，andeverythingquiet。AnotherfiveminutesandIsaysthere’sconsiderablemorelandbehindmenow，andthere’samanbacktherethat’sbeguntowonderwhat’sthetrouble。AnotherfiveandIsaystomyselfhe’sgettingrealuneasy——he’swalkingthefloornow。Anotherfive，andIsaystomyself，there’stwomileandahalfbehindme，andhe’sAWFULuneasy——be-
ginningtocuss，Ireckon。PrettysoonIsaystomy-
self，fortyminutesgone——heKNOWSthere’ssomethingup！Fiftyminutes——thetruth’sa-bustingonhimnow！heisreckoningIfoundthedi’mondswhilstwewassearching，andshovedtheminmypocketandneverleton——yes，andhe’sstartingouttohuntforme。
He’llhuntfornewtracksinthedust，andthey’llaslikelysendhimdowntheriverasup。
"JustthenIseeamancomingdownonamule，andbeforeIthoughtIjumpedintothebush。Itwasstupid！Whenhegotabreasthestoppedandwaitedalittleformetocomeout；thenherodeonagain。
ButIdidn’tfeelgayanymore。IsaystomyselfI’vebotchedmychancesbythat；Isurelyhave，ifhemeetsupwithHalClayton。
"Well，aboutthreeinthemorningIfetchedElex-
andriaandseethisstern-wheelerlayingthere，andwasveryglad，becauseIfeltperfectlysafe，now，youknow。
Itwasjustdaybreak。Iwentaboardandgotthisstate-
roomandputontheseclothesandwentupinthepilot-
house——towatch，thoughIdidn’treckontherewasanyneedofit。Isetthereandplayedwithmydi’mondsandwaitedandwaitedfortheboattostart，butshedidn’t。Yousee，theywasmendinghermachinery，butIdidn’tknowanythingaboutit，notbeingverymuchusedtosteamboats。
"Well，tocutthetaleshort，weneverlefttheretillplumbnoon；andlongbeforethatIwashidinthisstateroom；forbeforebreakfastIseeamancoming，awayoff，thathadagaitlikeHalClayton’s，anditmademejustsick。Isaystomyself，ifhefindsoutI’maboardthisboat，he’sgotmelikearatinatrap。
Allhe’sgottodoistohavemewatched，andwait——
waittillIslipashore，thinkingheisathousandmilesaway，thenslipaftermeanddogmetoagoodplaceandmakemegiveupthedi’monds，andthenhe’ll——
oh，Iknowwhathe’lldo！Ain’titawful——awful！
AndnowtothinktheOTHERone’saboard，too！Oh，ain’tithardluck，boys——ain’tithard！Butyou’llhelpsaveme，WON’Tyou？——oh，boys，begoodtoapoordevilthat’sbeinghuntedtodeath，andsaveme——I’llworshiptheverygroundyouwalkon！"
Weturnedinandsoothedhimdownandtoldhimwewouldplanforhimandhelphim，andheneedn’tbesoafeard；andsobyandbyhegottofeelingkindofcomfortableagain，andunscrewedhisheelplatesandhelduphisdi’mondsthiswayandthat，admiringthemandlovingthem；andwhenthelightstruckintothemtheyWASbeautiful，sure；why，theyseemedtokindofbust，andsnapfireoutallaround。ButallthesameI
judgedhewasafool。IfIhadbeenhimIwouldahandedthedi’mondstothempalsandgotthemtogoashoreandleavemealone。Buthewasmadediffer-
ent。Hesaiditwasawholefortuneandhecouldn’tbeartheidea。
Twicewestoppedtofixthemachineryandlaidagoodwhile，onceinthenight；butitwasn’tdarkenough，andhewasafeardtoskip。Butthethirdtimewehadtofixittherewasabetterchance。WelaidupatacountrywoodyardaboutfortymileaboveUncleSilas’splacealittleafteroneatnight，anditwasthickeningupandgoingtostorm。SoJakehelaidforachancetoslide。Webeguntotakeinwood。Prettysoontheraincomea-drenchingdown，andthewindblowedhard。Ofcourseeveryboat-handfixedagunnysackandputitonlikeabonnet，thewaytheydowhentheyaretotingwood，andwegotoneforJake，andheslippeddownaftwithhishand-bagandcometrampingforrardjustliketherest，andwalkedashorewiththem，andwhenweseehimpassoutofthelightofthetorch-basketandgetswallowedupinthedark，wegotourbreathagainandjustfeltgratefulandsplendid。Butitwasn’tforlong。Somebodytold，I
reckon；forinabouteightortenminutesthemtwopalscometearingforrardastightastheycouldjumpanddartedashoreandwasgone。Wewaitedplumbtilldawnforthemtocomeback，andkepthopingtheywould，buttheyneverdid。Wewasawfulsorryandlow-spirited。AllthehopewehadwasthatJakehadgotsuchastartthattheycouldn’tgetonhistrack，andhewouldgettohisbrother’sandhidethereandbesafe。
Hewasgoingtotaketheriverroad，andtoldustofindoutifBraceandJubiterwastohomeandnostrangersthere，andthenslipoutaboutsundownandtellhim。SaidhewouldwaitforusinalittlebunchofsycamoresrightbackofTom’suncleSilas’stobackerfieldontheriverroad，alonesomeplace。
Wesetandtalkedalongtimeabouthischances，andTomsaidhewasallrightifthepalsstruckuptheriverinsteadofdown，butitwasn’tlikely，becausemaybetheyknowedwherehewasfrom；morelikelytheywouldgoright，anddoghimallday，himnotsuspecting，andkillhimwhenitcomedark，andtaketheboots。Sowewasprettysorrowful。
CHAPTERV。
ATRAGEDYINTHE：WOODS
WEdidn’tgetdonetinkeringthemachinerytillawaylateintheafternoon，andsoitwassoclosetosundownwhenwegothomethatweneverstoppedonourroad，butmadeabreakforthesycamoresastightaswecouldgo，totellJakewhatthedelaywas，andhavehimwaittillwecouldgotoBrace’sandfindouthowthingswasthere。Itwasgettingprettydimbythetimeweturnedthecornerofthewoods，sweatingandpantingwiththatlongrun，andseethesycamoresthirtyyardsaheadofus；andjustthenweseeacoupleofmenrunintothebunchandheardtwoorthreeterriblescreamsforhelp。"PoorJakeiskilled，sure，"wesays。Wewasscaredthroughandthrough，andbrokeforthetobackerfieldandhidthere，tremblingsoourclotheswouldhardlystayon；andjustasweskippedinthere，acoupleofmenwenttearingby，andintothebunchtheywent，andinasecondoutjumpsfourmenandtookoutuptheroadastightastheycouldgo，twochasingtwo。
Welaiddown，kindofweakandsick，andlistenedformoresounds，butdidn’thearnoneforagoodwhilebutjustourhearts。Wewasthinkingofthatawfulthinglayingyonderinthesycamores，anditseemedlikebeingthatclosetoaghost，anditgivemethecoldshudders。Themooncomea-swellingupoutoftheground，now，powerfulbigandroundandbright，be-
hindacomboftrees，likeafacelookingthroughprisonbars，andtheblackshaddersandwhiteplacesbeguntocreeparound，anditwasmiserablequietandstillandnight-breezyandgraveyardyandscary。Allofasud-
denTomwhispers：
"Look！——what’sthat？"
"Don’t！"Isays。"Don’ttakeapersonbysur-
prisethatway。I’m’mostreadytodie，anyway，with-
outyoudoingthat。"
"Look，Itellyou。It’ssomethingcomingoutofthesycamores。"
"Don’t，Tom！"
"It’sterribletall！"
"Oh，lordy-lordy！let’s——"
"Keepstill——it’sa-comingthisway。"
Hewassoexcitedhecouldhardlygetbreathenoughtowhisper。Ihadtolook。Icouldn’thelpit。Sonowwewasbothonourkneeswithourchinsonafencerailandgazing——yes，andgaspingtoo。Itwascomingdowntheroad——comingintheshadderofthetrees，andyoucouldn’tseeitgood；nottillitwasprettyclosetous；thenitsteppedintoabrightsplotchofmoonlightandwesunkrightdowninourtracks——
itwasJakeDunlap’sghost！Thatwaswhatwesaidtoourselves。
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