Wecouldn’tstirforaminuteortwo；thenitwasgoneWetalkedaboutitinlowvoices。Tomsays：
"They’remostlydimandsmoky，orlikethey’remadeoutoffog，butthisonewasn’t。"
"No，"Isays；"Iseenthegogglesandthewhiskersperfectlyplain。"
"Yes，andtheverycolorsinthemloudcountrifiedSundayclothes——plaidbreeches，greenandblack——"
"Cottonvelvetwestcot，fire-redandyallersquares——"
"Leatherstrapstothebottomsofthebreecheslegsandoneofthemhangingunbottoned——"
"Yes，andthathat——"
"Whatahatforaghosttowear！"
Youseeitwasthefirstseasonanybodyworethatkind——ablacksitff-brimstove-pipe，veryhigh，andnotsmooth，witharoundtop——justlikeasugar-loaf。
"Didyounoticeifitshairwasthesame，Huck？"
"No——seemstomeIdid，thenagainitseemstomeIdidn’t。"
"Ididn’teither；butithaditsbagalong，Inoticedthat。"
"SodidI。Howcantherebeaghost-bag，Tom？"
"Sho！Iwouldn’tbeasignorantasthatifIwasyou，HuckFinn。Whateveraghosthas，turnstoghost-
stuff。They’vegottohavetheirthings，likeanybodyelse。Yousee，yourself，thatitsclotheswasturnedtoghost-stuff。Well，then，what’stohenderitsbagfromturning，too？Ofcourseitdoneit。"
Thatwasreasonable。Icouldn’tfindnofaultwithit。BillWithersandhisbrotherJackcomealongby，talking，andJacksays：
"Whatdoyoureckonhewastoting？"
"Idunno；butitwasprettyheavy。"
"Yes，allhecouldlug。NiggerstealingcornfromoldParsonSilas，Ijudged。"
"SodidI。AndsoIallowedIwouldn’tletontoseehim。"
"That’sme，too。"
Thentheybothlaughed，andwentonoutofhearing。
ItshowedhowunpopularoldUncleSilashadgottobenow。Theywouldn’t’a’letaniggerstealanybodyelse’scornandneverdoneanythingtohim。
Weheardsomemorevoicesmumblingalongtowardsusandgettinglouder，andsometimesacackleofalaugh。ItwasLemBeebeandJimLane。JimLanesays：
"Who？——JubiterDunlap？"
"Yes。"
"Oh，Idon’tknow。Ireckonso。Iseenhimspad-
ingupsomegroundalongaboutanhourago，justbe-
foresundown——himandtheparson。Saidheguessedhewouldn’tgoto-night，butwecouldhavehisdogifwewantedhim。"
"Tootired，Ireckon。"
"Yes——workssohard！"
"Oh，youbet！"
Theycackledatthat，andwentonby。Tomsaidwebetterjumpoutandtagalongafterthem，becausetheywasgoingourwayanditwouldn’tbecomfortabletorunacrosstheghostallbyourselves。Sowedoneit，andgothomeallright。
ThatnightwasthesecondofSeptember——aSatur-
day。Isha’n’teverforgetit。You’llseewhy，prettysoon。
CHAPTERVI。
PLANSTOSECURETHEDIAMONDS
WEtrampedalongbehindJimandLemtillwecometothebackstilewhereoldJim’scabinwasthathewascaptivatedin，thetimewesethimfree，andherecomethedogspilingaroundustosayhowdy，andtherewasthelightsofthehouse，too；sowewarn’tafeardanymore，andwasgoingtoclimbover，butTomsays：
"Holdon；setdownhereaminute。ByGeorge！"
"What’sthematter？"saysI。
"Matterenough！"hesays。"Wasn’tyouexpect-
ingwewouldbethefirsttotellthefamilywhoitisthat’sbeenkilledyonderinthesycamores，andallaboutthemrapscallionsthatdoneit，andaboutthedi’mondsthey’vesmouchedoffofthecorpse，andpaintitupfine，andhavethegloryofbeingtheonesthatknowsalotmoreaboutitthananybodyelse？"
"Why，ofcourse。Itwouldn’tbeyou，TomSawyer，ifyouwastoletsuchachancegoby。Ireckonitain’tgoingtosuffernoneforlackofpaint，"Isays，"whenyoustartintoscollopthefacts。"
"Well，now，"hesays，perfectlyca’m，"whatwouldyousayifIwastotellyouIain’tgoingtostartinatall？"
Iwasastonishedtohearhimtalkso。Isays：
"I’dsayit’salie。Youain’tinearnest，TomSawyer？"
"You’llsoonsee。Wastheghostbarefooted？"
"No，itwasn’t。Whatofit？"
"Youwait——I’llshowyouwhat。Didithaveitsbootson？"
"Yes。Iseenthemplain。"
"Swearit？"
"Yes，Iswearit。"
"SodoI。Nowdoyouknowwhatthatmeans？"
"No。Whatdoesitmean？"
"MeansthatthemthievesDIDN’TGETTHEDI’MONDS。"
"Jimminy！Whatmakesyouthinkthat？"
"Idon’tonlythinkit，Iknowit。Didn’tthebreechesandgogglesandwhiskersandhand-bagandeveryblessedthingturntoghost-stuff？Everythingithadonturned，didn’tit？Itshowsthatthereasonitsbootsturnedtoowasbecauseitstillhadthemonafteritstartedtogoha’ntingaround，andifthatain’tproofthatthemblatherskitesdidn’tgettheboots，I’dliketoknowwhatyou’dCALLproof。"
Thinkofthatnow。Ineverseesuchaheadasthatboyhad。Why，IhadeyesandIcouldseethings，buttheynevermeantnothingtome。ButTomSawyerwasdifferent。WhenTomSawyerseenathingitjustgotuponitshindlegsandTALKEDtohim——toldhimeverythingitknowed。Ineverseesuchahead。
"TomSawyer，"Isays，"I’llsayitagainasI’vesaiditamanyatimebefore：Iain’tfittentoblackyourboots。Butthat’sallright——that’sneitherherenorthere。GodAlmightymadeusall，andsomeHegiveseyesthat’sblind，andsomeHegiveseyesthatcansee，andIreckonitain’tnoneofourlookoutwhatHedoneitfor；it’sallright，orHe’d’a’fixeditsomeotherway。Goon——Iseeplentyplainenough，now，thatthemthievesdidn’tgetwaywiththedi’monds。
Whydidn’tthey，doyoureckon？"
"Becausetheygotchasedawaybythemothertwomenbeforetheycouldpullthebootsoffofthecorpse。"
"That’sso！Iseeitnow。Butlookyhere，Tom，whyain’twetogoandtellaboutit？"
"Oh，shucks，HuckFinn，can’tyousee？Lookatit。What’sa-goingtohappen？There’sgoingtobeaninquestinthemorning。Themtwomenwilltellhowtheyheardtheyellsandrushedtherejustintimetonotsavethestranger。Thenthejury’lltwaddleandtwaddleandtwaddle，andfinallythey’llfetchinaverdictthathegotshotorstuckorbustedovertheheadwithsomething，andcometohisdeathbythein-
spirationofGod。Andafterthey’veburiedhimthey’llauctionoffhisthingsfortopaytheexpenses，andthen’sOURchance。"
"How，Tom？"
"Buythebootsfortwodollars！"
Well，it’mosttookmybreath。
"Myland！Why，Tom，WE’LLgetthedi’monds！"
"Youbet。Somedaythere’llbeabigrewardofferedforthem——athousanddollars，sure。That’sourmoney！Nowwe’lltrotinandseethefolks。
Andmindyouwedon’tknowanythingaboutanymurder，oranydi’monds，oranythieves——don’tyouforgetthat。"
Ihadtosighalittleoverthewayhehadgotitfixed。
I’d’a’SOLDthemdi’monds——yes，sir——fortwelvethousanddollars；butIdidn’tsayanything。Itwouldn’tdoneanygood。Isays：
"ButwhatarewegoingtotellyourauntSallyhasmadeussolonggettingdownherefromthevillage，Tom？"
"Oh，I’llleavethattoyou，"hesays。"Ireckonyoucanexplainitsomehow。"
Hewasalwaysjustthatstrictanddelicate。Heneverwouldtellaliehimself。
Westruckacrossthebigyard，noticingthis，that，andt’otherthingthatwassofamiliar，andwesogladtoseeitagain，andwhenwegottotheroofedbigpassagewaybetwixtthedoubleloghouseandthekitchenpart，therewaseverythinghangingonthewalljustasitusedtowas，eventoUncleSilas’soldfadedgreenbaizeworking-gownwiththehoodtoit，andrag-
gedywhitepatchbetweentheshouldersthatalwayslookedlikesomebodyhadhithimwithasnowball；andthenweliftedthelatchandwalkedin。AuntSallyshewasjusta-rippinganda-tearingaround，andthechildrenwashuddledinonecorner，andtheoldmanhewashuddledintheotherandprayingforhelpintimeofneed。Shejumpedforuswithjoyandtearsrunningdownherfaceandgiveusawhackingboxontheear，andthenhuggedusandkissedusandboxedusagain，andjustcouldn’tseemtogetenoughofit，shewassogladtoseeus；andshesays：
"WhereHAVEyoubeena-loafingto，yougood-for-
nothingtrash！I’vebeenthatworriedaboutyouI
didn’tknowwhattodo。Yourtrapshasbeenhereeversolong，andI’vehadsuppercookedfreshaboutfourtimessoastohaveithotandgoodwhenyoucome，tillatlastmypatienceisjustplumbworeout，andIdeclareI——I——whyIcouldskinyoualive！Youmustbestarving，poorthings！——setdown，setdown，everybody；don’tlosenomoretime。"
Itwasgoodtobethereagainbehindallthatnoblecorn-poneandspareribs，andeverythingthatyoucouldeverwantinthisworld。OldUncleSilashepeeledoffoneofhisbulliestold-timeblessings，withasmanylayerstoitasanonion，andwhilsttheangelswashaul-
ingintheslackofitIwastryingtostudyupwhattosayaboutwhatkeptussolong。Whenourplateswasallloadenedandwe’dgota-going，sheaskedme，andIsays：
"Well，yousee，——er——Mizzes——"
"HuckFinn！SincewhenamIMizzestoyou？
HaveIeverbeenstingyofcuffsorkissesforyousincethedayyoustoodinthisroomandItookyouforTomSawyerandblessedGodforsendingyoutome，thoughyoutoldmefourthousandliesandIbelievedeveryoneofthemlikeasimpleton？CallmeAuntSally——
likeyoualwaysdone。"
SoIdoneit。AndIsays：
"Well，meandTomallowedwewouldcomealongafootandtakeasmellofthewoods，andwerunacrossLemBeebeandJimLane，andtheyaskedustogowiththemblackberryingto-night，andsaidtheycouldbor-
rowJubiterDunlap’sdog，becausehehadtoldthemjustthatminute——"
"Wheredidtheyseehim？"saystheoldman；andwhenIlookeduptoseehowHEcometotakeanintrustinalittlethinglikethat，hiseyeswasjustburningintome，hewasthateager。Itsurprisedmesoitkindofthrowedmeoff，butIpulledmyselftogetheragainandsays：
"Itwaswhenhewasspadingupsomegroundalongwithyou，towardssundownoralongthere。"
Heonlysaid，"Um，"inakindofadisappointedway，anddidn’ttakenomoreintrust。SoIwenton。
Isays：
"Well，then，asIwasa-saying——"
"That’lldo，youneedn’tgonofurder。"ItwasAuntSally。Shewasboringrightintomewithhereyes，andveryindignant。"HuckFinn，"shesays，"how’dthemmencometotalkaboutgoinga-black-
berryinginSeptember——inTHISregion？"
IseeIhadslippedup，andIcouldn’tsayaword。
Shewaited，stilla-gazingatme，thenshesays：
"Andhow’dtheycometostrikethatidiotideaofgoinga-blackberryinginthenight？"
"Well，m’m，they——er——theytoldustheyhadalantern，and——"
"Oh，SHETup——do！Lookyhere；whatwastheygoingtodowithadog？——huntblackberrieswithit？"
"Ithink，m’m，they——"
"Now，TomSawyer，whatkindofalieareyoufix-
ingYOURmouthtocontribittothismessofrubbage？
Speakout——andIwarnyoubeforeyoubegin，thatIdon’tbelieveawordofit。YouandHuck’sbeenuptosomethingyounobusinessto——Iknowitperfectlywell；Iknowyou，BOTHofyou。Nowyouexplainthatdog，andthemblackberries，andthelantern，andtherestofthatrot——andmindyoutalkasstraightasastring——doyouhear？"
Tomhelookedconsiderablehurt，andsays，verydignified：
"ItisapityifHuckistobetalkedtothatway，justformakingalittlebitofamistakethatanybodycouldmake。"
"Whatmistakehashemade？"
"Why，onlythemistakeofsayingblackberrieswhenofcoursehemeantstrawberries。"
"TomSawyer，Ilayifyouaggravatemealittlemore，I’ll——"
"AuntSally，withoutknowingit——andofcoursewithoutintendingit——youareinthewrong。Ifyou’d’a’studiednaturalhistorythewayyouought，youwouldknowthatallovertheworldexceptjusthereinArkansawtheyALWAYShuntstrawberrieswithadog——
andalantern——"
Butshebustedinonhimthereandjustpiledintohimandsnowedhimunder。Shewassomadshecouldn’tgetthewordsoutfastenough，andshegushedthemoutinoneeverlastingfreshet。ThatwaswhatTomSawyerwasafter。Heallowedtoworkherupandgetherstartedandthenleaveheraloneandletherburnherselfout。Thenshewouldbesoaggravatedwiththatsubjectthatshewouldn’tsayanotherwordaboutit，norletanybodyelse。Well，ithappenedjustso。Whenshewastuckeredoutandhadtoholdup，hesays，quiteca’m：
"Andyet，allthesame，AuntSally——"
"Shetup！"shesays，"Idon’twanttohearanotherwordoutofyou。"
Sowewasperfectlysafe，then，anddidn’thavenomoretroubleaboutthatdelay。Tomdoneitelegant。
CHAPTERVII。
ANIGHT’SVIGIL
BENNYshewaslookingprettysober，andshesighedsome，nowandthen；butprettysoonshegottoaskingaboutMary，andSid，andTom’sauntPolly，andthenAuntSally’scloudsclearedoffandshegotinagoodhumorandjoinedinonthequestionsandwasherlovingestbestself，andsotherestofthesupperwentalonggayandpleasant。Buttheoldmanhedidn’ttakeanyhandhardly，andwasabsent-mindedandrestless，anddoneaconsiderableamountofsigh-
ing；anditwaskindofheart-breakingtoseehimsosadandtroubledandworried。
Byandby，aspellaftersupper，comeaniggerandknockedonthedoorandputhisheadinwithhisoldstrawhatinhishandbowingandscraping，andsaidhisMarseBracewasoutatthestileandwantedhisbrother，andwasgettingtiredwaitingsupperforhim，andwouldMarseSilaspleasetellhimwherehewas？
IneverseeUncleSilasspeakupsosharpandfractiousbefore。Hesays：
"AmIhisbrother’skeeper？"Andthenhekindofwiltedtogether，andlookedlikehewishedhehadn’tspokenso，andthenhesays，verygentle："Butyouneedn’tsaythat，Billy；Iwastooksuddenandirritable，andIain’tverywellthesedays，andnothardlyrespon-
sible。Tellhimheain’there。"
Andwhentheniggerwasgonehegotupandwalkedthefloor，backwardsandforwards，mumblingandmutteringtohimselfandplowinghishandsthroughhishair。Itwasrealpitifultoseehim。AuntSallyshewhisperedtousandtoldusnottotakenoticeofhim，itembarrassedhim。Shesaidhewasalwaysthinkingandthinking，sincethesetroublescomeon，andsheallowedhedidn’tmore’nabouthalfknowwhathewasaboutwhenthethinkingspellswasonhim；andshesaidhewalkedinhissleepconsiderablemorenowthanheusedto，andsometimeswanderedaroundoverthehouseandevenoutdoorsinhissleep，andifwecatchedhimatitwemustlethimaloneandnotdisturbhim。
Shesaidshereckoneditdidn’tdohimnoharm，andmaybeitdonehimgood。ShesaidBennywastheonlyonethatwasmuchhelptohimthesedays。SaidBennyappearedtoknowjustwhentotrytosoothehimandwhentoleavehimalone。
Sohekeptontrampingupanddownthefloorandmuttering，tillbyandbyhebeguntolookprettytired；
thenBennyshewentandsnuggleduptohissideandputonehandinhisandonearmaroundhiswaistandwalkedwithhim；andhesmileddownonher，andreacheddownandkissedher；andso，littlebylittlethetroublewentoutofhisfaceandshepersuadedhimofftohisroom。Theyhadverypettingwaystogether，anditwasuncommonprettytosee。
AuntSallyshewasbusygettingthechildrenreadyforbed；sobyandbyitgotdullandtedious，andmeandTomtookaturninthemoonlight，andfetchedupinthewatermelon-patchandetone，andhadagooddealoftalk。AndTomsaidhe’dbetthequarrelingwasallJubiter’sfault，andhewasgoingtobeonhandthefirsttimehegotachance，andsee；andifitwasso，hewasgoingtodohislevelbesttogetUncleSilastoturnhimoff。
Andsowetalkedandsmokedandstuffedwater-
melonsmuchastwohours，andthenitwasprettylate，andwhenwegotbackthehousewasquietanddark，andeverybodygonetobed。
Tomhealwaysseeneverything，andnowheseethattheoldgreenbaizework-gownwasgone，andsaiditwasn’tgonewhenhewentout；sohealloweditwascurious，andthenwewentuptobed。
WecouldhearBennystirringaroundinherroom，whichwasnexttoourn，andjudgedshewasworriedagooddealaboutherfatherandcouldn’tsleep。Wefoundwecouldn’t，neither。Sowesetupalongtime，andsmokedandtalkedinalowvoice，andfeltprettydullanddown-hearted。Wetalkedthemurderandtheghostoverandoveragain，andgotsocreepyandcrawlywecouldn’tgetsleepynohowandnoway。
Byandby，whenitwasawaylateinthenightandallthesoundswaslatesoundsandsolemn，Tomnudgedmeandwhisperstometolook，andIdoneit，andthereweseeamanpokingaroundintheyardlikehedidn’tknowjustwhathewantedtodo，butitwasprettydimandwecouldn’tseehimgood。Thenhestartedforthestile，andashewentoveritthemooncameoutstrong，andhehadalong-handledshoveloverhisshoulder，andweseethewhitepatchontheoldwork-
gown。SoTomsays：
"He’sa-walkinginhissleep。Iwishwewasallowedtofollowhimandseewherehe’sgoingto。
There，he’sturneddownbythetobacker-field。Outofsightnow。It’sadreadfulpityhecan’trestnobetter。"
Wewaitedalongtime，buthedidn’tcomebackanymore，orifhedidhecomearoundtheotherway；soatlastwewastuckeredoutandwenttosleepandhadnightmares，amillionofthem。Butbeforedawnwewasawakeagain，becausemeantimeastormhadcomeupandbeenraging，andthethunderandlightningwasawful，andthewindwasa-thrashingthetreesaround，andtherainwasdrivingdowninslantingsheets，andthegullieswasrunningrivers。Tomsays：
"Lookyhere，Huck，I’lltellyouonethingthat’smightycurious。Uptothetimewewentoutlastnightthefamilyhadn’theardaboutJakeDunlapbeingmur-
dered。NowthementhatchasedHalClaytonandBudDixonawaywouldspreadthethingaroundinahalfanhour，andeveryneighborthathearditwouldshinoutandflyaroundfromonefarmtot’otherandtrytobethefirsttotellthenews。Land，theydon’thavesuchabigthingasthattotelltwiceinthirtyyear！
Huck，it’smightystrange；Idon’tunderstandit。"
Sothenhewasinafidgetfortheraintoletup，sowecouldturnoutandrunacrosssomeofthepeopleandseeiftheywouldsayanythingaboutittous。
Andhesaidiftheydidwemustbehorriblysurprisedandshocked。
Wewasoutandgonetheminutetherainstopped。
Itwasjustbroaddaythen。Weloafedalonguptheroad，andnowandthenmetapersonandstoppedandsaidhowdy，andtoldthemwhenwecome，andhowweleftthefolksathome，andhowlongwewasgoingtostay，andallthat，butnoneofthemsaidawordaboutthatthing；whichwasjustastonishing，andnomistake。
Tomsaidhebelievedifwewenttothesycamoreswewouldfindthatbodylayingtheresolitaryandalone，andnotasoularound。Saidhebelievedthemenchasedthethievessofarintothewoodsthatthethievesprob’lyseenagoodchanceandturnedonthematlast，andmaybetheyallkilledeachother，andsotherewasn’tanybodylefttotell。
Firstweknowed，gabblingalongthataway，wewasrightatthesycamores。ThecoldchillstrickleddownmybackandIwouldn’tbudgeanotherstep，forallTom’spersuading。Buthecouldn’tholdin；he’dGOT
toseeifthebootswassafeonthatbodyyet。Sohecropein——andthenextminuteouthecomeagainwithhiseyesbulginghewassoexcited，andsays：
"Huck，it’sgone！"
IWASastonished！Isays：
"Tom，youdon’tmeanit。"
"It’sgone，sure。Thereain’tasignofit。Thegroundistrampledsome，butiftherewasanybloodit’sallwashedawaybythestorm，forit’sallpuddlesandslushinthere。"
AtlastIgivein，andwentandtookalookmyself；
anditwasjustasTomsaid——therewasn’tasignofacorpse。
"Dernit，"Isays，"thedi’mondsisgone。Don’tyoureckonthethievesslunkbackandluggedhimoff，Tom？"
"Lookslikeit。Itjustdoes。Nowwhere’dtheyhidehim，doyoureckon？"
"Idon’tknow，"Isays，disgusted，"andwhat’smoreIdon’tcare。They’vegottheboots，andthat’sallIcaredabout。He’lllayaroundthesewoodsalongtimebeforeIhunthimup。"
Tomdidn’tfeelnomoreintrustinhimneither，onlycuriositytoknowwhatcomeofhim；buthesaidwe’dlaylowandkeepdarkanditwouldn’tbelongtillthedogsorsomebodyroustedhimout。
Wewentbackhometobreakfasteversobotheredandputoutanddisappointedandswindled。Iwarn’teversodownonacorpsebefore。
CHAPTERVIII。
TALKINGWITHTHEGHOST
ITwarn’tverycheerfulatbreakfast。AuntSallyshelookedoldandtiredandletthechildrensnarlandfussatoneanotheranddidn’tseemtonoticeitwasgoingon，whichwasn’therusualstyle；meandTomhadaplentytothinkaboutwithouttalking；Bennyshelookedlikeshehadn’thadmuchsleep，andwhenevershe’dliftherheadalittleandstealalooktowardsherfatheryoucouldseetherewastearsinhereyes；andasfortheoldman，histhingsstayedonhisplateandgotcoldwithouthimknowingtheywasthere，Ireckon，forhewasthinkingandthinkingallthetime，andneversaidawordandneveretabite。
Byandbywhenitwasstillest，thatnigger’sheadwaspokedinatthedooragain，andhesaidhisMarseBracewasgettingpowerfuluneasyaboutMarseJubiter，whichhadn’tcomehomeyet，andwouldMarseSilasplease——
HewaslookingatUncleSilas，andhestoppedthere，liketherestofhiswordswasfroze；forUncleSilasheroseupshakyandsteadiedhimselfleaninghisfingersonthetable，andhewaspanting，andhiseyeswassetonthenigger，andhekeptswallowing，andputhisotherhanduptohisthroatacoupleoftimes，andatlasthegothiswordsstarted，andsays：
"Doeshe——doeshe——think——WHATdoeshethink！
Tellhim——tellhim——"Thenhesunkdowninhischairlimpandweak，andsays，soasyoucouldhardlyhearhim："Goaway——goaway！"
Theniggerlookedscaredandclearedout，andweallfelt——well，Idon’tknowhowwefelt，butitwasawful，withtheoldmanpantingthere，andhiseyessetandlookinglikeapersonthatwasdying。Noneofuscouldbudge；butBennysheslidaroundsoft，withhertearsrunningdown，andstoodbyhisside，andnestledhisoldgrayheadupagainstherandbeguntostrokeitandpetitwithherhands，andnoddedtoustogoaway，andwedoneit，goingoutveryquiet，likethedeadwasthere。
MeandTomstruckoutforthewoodsmightysolemn，andsayinghowdifferentitwasnowtowhatitwaslastsummerwhenwewashereandeverythingwassopeacefulandhappyandeverybodythoughtsomuchofUncleSilas，andhewassocheerfulandsimple-
heartedandpudd’n-headedandgood——andnowlookathim。Ifhehadn’tlosthismindhewasn’tmuckshortofit。Thatwaswhatweallowed。
Itwasamostlovelydaynow，andbrightandsun。
shiny；andthefurtherandfurtherwewentoverthehillstowardstheprairiethelovelierandlovelierthetreesandflowersgottobeandthemoreitseemedstrangeandsomehowwrongthattherehadtobetroubleinsuchaworldasthis。AndthenallofasuddenIcatchedmybreathandgrabbedTom’sarm，andallmyliversandlungsandthingsfelldownintomylegs。
"Thereitis！"Isays。Wejumpedbackbehindabushshivering，andTomsays：
"’Sh！——don’tmakeanoise。"
Itwassettingonalogrightintheedgeofalittleprairie，thinking。ItriedtogetTomtocomeaway，buthewouldn’t，andIdasn’tbudgebymyself。Hesaidwemightn’tevergetanotherchancetoseeone，andhewasgoingtolookhisfillatthisoneifhediedforit。SoIlookedtoo，thoughitgivemethefan-
todstodoit。TomheHADtotalk，buthetalkedlow。
Hesays：
"PoorJakey，it’sgotallitsthingson，justashesaidhewould。NOWyouseewhatwewasn’tcertainabout——itshair。It’snotlongnowthewayitwas：
it’sgotitcroppedclosetoitshead，thewayhesaidhewould。Huck，IneverseeanythinglookanymorenaturalerthanwhatItdoes。"
"NorIneither，"Isays；"I’drecognizeitany-
wheres。"
"SowouldI。Itlooksperfectlysolidandgenu-
wyne，justthewayitdonebeforeitdied。"
Sowekepta-gazing。PrettysoonTomsays：
"Huck，there’ssomethingmightycuriousaboutthisone，don’tyouknow？IToughtn’ttobegoingaroundinthedaytime。"
"That’sso，Tom——Ineverheardthelikeofitbefore。"
"No，sir，theydon’tevercomeoutonlyatnight——
andthennottillaftertwelve。There’ssomethingwrongaboutthisone，nowyoumarkmywords。I
don’tbelieveit’sgotanyrighttobearoundinthedaytime。Butdon’titlooknatural！Jakewasgoingtoplaydeefanddumbhere，sotheneighborswouldn’tknowhisvoice。Doyoureckonitwoulddothatifwewastoholleratit？"
"Lordy，Tom，don’ttalkso！IfyouwastoholleratitI’ddieinmytracks。"
"Don’tyouworry，Iain’tgoingtoholleratit。
Look，Huck，it’sa-scratchingitshead——don’tyousee？"
"Well，whatofit？"
"Why，this。What’sthesenseofitscratchingitshead？Thereain’tanythingtheretoitch；itsheadismadeoutoffogorsomethinglikethat，andcan’titch。
Afogcan’titch；anyfoolknowsthat。"
"Well，then，ifitdon’titchandcan’titch，whatinthenationisitscratchingitfor？Ain’titjusthabit，don’tyoureckon？"
"No，sir，Idon’t。Iain’tabitsatisfiedaboutthewaythisoneacts。I’veablamegoodnotionit’sabogusone——Ihave，assureasI’ma-sittinghere。
Because，ifit——Huck！"
"Well，what’sthematternow？"
"YOUCAN’TSEETHEBUSHESTHROUGHIT！"
"Why，Tom，it’sso，sure！It’sassolidasacow。
Isortofbegintothink——"
"Huck，it’sbitingoffachawoftobacker！ByGeorge，THEYdon’tchaw——theyhain’tgotanythingtochawWITH。Huck！"
"I’ma-listening。"
"Itain’taghostatall。It’sJakeDunlaphisownself！"
"Ohyourgranny！"Isays。
"HuckFinn，didwefindanycorpseinthesyca-
mores？"
"No。"
"Oranysignofone？"
"No。"
"Mightygoodreason。Hadn’teverbeenanycorpsethere。"
"Why，Tom，youknowweheard——"
"Yes，wedidJ——heardahowlortwo。Doesthatproveanybodywaskilled？Courseitdon’t。Andweseenfourmenrun，thenthisonecomewalkingoutandwetookitforaghost。Nomoreghostthanyouare。
ItwasJakeDunlaphisownself，andit’sJakeDunlapnow。He’sbeenandgothishaircropped，thewayhesaidhewould，andhe’splayinghimselfforastranger，justthesameashesaidhewould。Ghost？Hum！——
he’sassoundasanut。"
ThenIseeitall，andhowwehadtooktoomuchforgranted。Iwaspowerfulgladhedidn’tgetkilled，andsowasTom，andwewonderedwhichhewouldlikethebest——forustoneverletontoknowhim，orhow？
Tomreckonedthebestwaywouldbetogoandaskhim。Sohestarted；butIkeptalittlebehind，becauseIdidn’tknowbutitmightbeaghost，afterall。WhenTomgottowherehewas，hesays：
"MeandHuck’smightygladtoseeyouagain，andyouneedn’tbeafearedwe’lltell。Andifyouthinkit’llbesaferforyouifwedon’tletontoknowyouwhenwerunacrossyou，saythewordandyou’llseeyoucandependonus，andwouldruthercutourhandsoffthangetyouintotheleastlittlebitofdanger。"
Firstoffhelookedsurprisedtoseeus，andnotveryglad，either；butasTomwentonhelookedpleasanter，andwhenhewasdonehesmiled，andnoddedhisheadseveraltimes，andmadesignswithhishands，andsays：
"Goo-goo——goo-goo，"thewaydeefanddummiesdoes。
JustthenweseesomeofSteveNickerson’speoplecomingthatlivedt’othersideoftheprairie，soTomsays：
"Youdoitelegant；Ineverseeanybodydoitbetter。You’reright；playitonus，too；playitonussameastheothers；it’llkeepyouinpracticeandpreventyoumakingblunders。We’llkeepawayfromyouandletonwedon’tknowyou，butanytimewecanbeanyhelp，youjustletusknow。"
ThenweloafedalongpasttheNickersons，andofcoursetheyaskedifthatwasthenewstrangeryonder，andwhere’dhecomefrom，andwhatwashisname，andwhichcommunionwashe，Babtis’orMethodis’，andwhichpolitics，WhigorDemocrat，andhowlongishestaying，andallthemotherquestionsthathumansalwaysaskswhenastrangercomes，andanimalsdoes，too。ButTomsaidhewarn’tabletomakeanythingoutofdeefanddumbsigns，andthesamewithgoo-
gooing。ThenwewatchedthemgoandbullyragJake；
becausewewasprettyuneasyforhim。Tomsaiditwouldtakehimdaystogetsohewouldn’tforgethewasadeefanddummysometimes，andspeakoutbe-
forehethought。WhenwehadwatchedlongenoughtoseethatJakewasgettingalongallrightandworkinghissignsverygood，weloafedalongagain，allowingtostriketheschoolhouseaboutrecesstime，whichwasathree-miletramp。
IwassodisappointednottohearJaketellabouttherowinthesycamores，andhownearhecometoget-
tingkilled，thatIcouldn’tseemtogetoverit，andTomhefeltthesame，butsaidifwewasinJake’sfixwewouldwanttogocarefulandkeepstillandnottakeanychances。
Theboysandgirlswasallgladtoseeusagain，andwehadarealgoodtimeallthroughrecess。ComingtoschooltheHendersonboyshadcomeacrossthenewdeefanddummyandtoldtherest；soallthescholarswaschuckfullofhimandcouldn’ttalkaboutanythingelse，andwasinasweattogetasightofhimbecausetheyhadn’teverseenadeefanddummyintheirlives，anditmadeapowerfulexcitement。
Tomsaiditwastoughtohavetokeepmumnow；
saidwewouldbeheroesifwecouldcomeoutandtellallweknowed；butafterall，itwasstillmoreheroictokeepmum，therewarn’ttwoboysinamillioncoulddoit。ThatwasTomSawyer’sideaaboutit，andreckonedtherewarn’tanybodycouldbetterit。
CHAPTERIX。
FINDINGOFJUBITERDUNLAP
INthenexttwoorthreedaysDummyhegottobepowerfulpopular。Hewentassociatingaroundwiththeneighbors，andtheymademuchofhim，andwasproudtohavesucharattlingcuriosityamongthem。
Theyhadhimtobreakfast，theyhadhimtodinner，theyhadhimtosupper；theykepthimloadedupwithhogandhominy，andwarn’tevertiredstaringathimandwonderingoverhim，andwishingtheyknowedmoreabouthim，hewassouncommonandromantic。
Hissignswarn’tnogood；peoplecouldn’tunder-
standthemandheprob’lycouldn’thimself，buthedoneasightofgoo-gooing，andsoeverybodywassat-
isfied，andadmiredtohearhimgoit。Hetotedapieceofslatearound，andapencil；andpeoplewrotequestionsonitandhewroteanswers；buttherewarn’tanybodycouldreadhiswritingbutBraceDunlap。
Bracesaidhecouldn’treaditverygood，buthecouldmanagetodigoutthemeaningmostofthetime。HesaidDummysaidhebelongedawayoffsomersandusedtobewelloff，butgotbustedbyswindlerswhichhehadtrusted，andwaspoornow，andhadn’tanywaytomakealiving。
EverybodypraisedBraceDunlapforbeingsogoodtothatstranger。Helethimhavealittlelog-cabinalltohimself，andhadhisniggerstakecareofit，andfetchhimallthevittleshewanted。
Dummywasatourhousesome，becauseoldUncleSilaswassoafflictedhimself，thesedays，thatanybodyelsethatwasafflictedwasacomforttohim。MeandTomdidn’tletonthatwehadknowedhimbefore，andhedidn’tletonthathehadknowedusbefore。Thefamilytalkedtheirtroublesoutbeforehimthesameasifhewasn’tthere，butwereckoneditwasn’tanyharmforhimtohearwhattheysaid。Generlyhedidn’tseemtonotice，butsometimeshedid。
Well，twoorthreedayswentalong，andeverybodygottogettinguneasyaboutJubiterDunlap。Every-
bodywasaskingeverybodyiftheyhadanyideawhathadbecomeofhim。No，theyhadn’t，theysaid：andtheyshooktheirheadsandsaidtherewassomethingpowerfulstrangeaboutit。Anotherandanotherdaywentby；thentherewasareportgotaroundthatprapshewasmurdered。Youbetitmadeabigstir！Every-
body’stonguewasclackingawayafterthat。Saturdaytwoorthreegangsturnedoutandhuntedthewoodstoseeiftheycouldrunacrosshisremainders。MeandTomhelped，anditwasnoblegoodtimesandexciting。
Tomhewassobrimfulofithecouldn’teatnorrest。
Hesaidifwecouldfindthatcorpsewewouldbecelebrated，andmoretalkedaboutthanifwegotdrownded。
Theothersgottiredandgiveitup；butnotTomSawyer——thatwarn’thisstyle。Saturdaynighthedidn’tsleepany，hardly，tryingtothinkupaplan；
andtowardsdaylightinthemorninghestruckit。Hesnakedmeoutofbedandwasallexcited，andsays：
"Quick，Huck，snatchonyourclothes——I’vegotit！Bloodhound！"
Intwominuteswewastearinguptheriverroadinthedarktowardsthevillage。OldJeffHookerhadabloodhound，andTomwasgoingtoborrowhim。I
says：
"Thetrail’stooold，Tom——andbesides，it’srained，youknow。"
"Itdon’tmakeanydifference，Huck。Ifthebody’shidinthewoodsanywherearoundthehoundwillfindit。Ifhe’sbeenmurderedandburied，theywouldn’tburyhimdeep，itain’tlikely，andifthedoggoesoverthespothe’llscenthim，sure。Huck，we’regoingtobecelebrated，sureasyou’reborn！"
Hewasjusta-blazing；andwheneverhegotafirehewasmostlikelytogetafireallover。Thatwasthewaythistime。Intwominuteshehadgotitallcipheredout，andwasn’tonlyjustgoingtofindthecorpse——
no，hewasgoingtogetonthetrackofthatmurdererandhuntHIMdown，too；andnotonlythat，buthewasgoingtosticktohimtill——
"Well，"Isays，"youbetterfindthecorpsefirst；I
reckonthat’sa-plentyforto-day。Forallweknow，thereAIN’Tanycorpseandnobodyhain’tbeenmur-
dered。Thatcusscould’a’goneoffsomersandnotbeenkilledatall。"
Thatgraveledhim，andhesays：
"HuckFinn，Ineverseesuchapersonasyoutowanttospoileverything。AslongasYOUcan’tseeanythinghopefulinathing，youwon’tletanybodyelse。Whatgoodcanitdoyoutothrowcoldwateronthatcorpseandgetupthatselfishtheorythatthereain’tbeenanymurder？Noneintheworld。Idon’tseehowyoucanactso。Iwouldn’ttreatyoulikethat，andyouknowit。Herewe’vegotanoblegoodopportunitytomakearuputation，and——"
"Oh，goahead，"Isays。"I’msorry，andItakeitallback。Ididn’tmeannothing。Fixitanywayyouwantit。HEain’tanyconsequencetome。Ifhe’skilled，I’masgladofitasyouare；andifhe——"
"Ineversaidanythingaboutbeingglad；Ionly——"
"Well，then，I’masSORRYasyouare。Anywayyoudrutherhaveit，thatisthewayIdrutherhaveit。
He——"
"Thereain’tanydruthersABOUTit，HuckFinn；no-
bodysaidanythingaboutdruthers。Andasfor——"
Heforgothewastalking，andwenttrampingalong，studying。Hebeguntogetexcitedagain，andprettysoonhesays：
"Huck，it’llbethebulliestthingthateverhappenedifwefindthebodyaftereverybodyelsehasquitlook-
ing，andthengoaheadandhuntupthemurderer。Itwon’tonlybeanhonortous，butit’llbeanhonortoUncleSilasbecauseitwasusthatdoneit。It’llsethimupagain，youseeifitdon’t。"
ButOldJeffHookerhethrowedcoldwateronthewholebusinesswhenwegottohisblacksmithshopandtoldhimwhatwecomefor。
"Youcantakethedog，"hesays，"butyouain’ta-goingtofindanycorpse，becausethereain’tanycorpsetofind。Everybody’squitlooking，andthey’reright。Soonastheycometothink，theyknowedtherewarn’tnocorpse。AndI’lltellyouforwhy。Whatdoesapersonkillanotherpersonfor，TomSawyer？——
answermethat。"
"Why，he——er——"
"Answerup！Youain’tnofool。WhatdoeshekillhimFOR？"
"Well，sometimesit’sforrevenge，and——"
"Wait。Onethingatatime。Revenge，saysyou；
andrightyouare。Nowwhoeverhadanythingaginthatpoortriflingno-account？WhodoyoureckonwouldwanttokillHIM？——thatrabbit！"
Tomwasstuck。Ireckonhehadn’tthoughtofapersonhavingtohaveaREASONforkillingapersonbe-
fore，andnowheseesitwarn’tlikelyanybodywouldhavethatmuchofagrudgeagainstalamblikeJubiterDunlap。Theblacksmithsays，byandby：
"Therevengeideawon’twork，yousee。Well，then，what’snext？Robbery？B’gosh，thatmust’a’
beenit，Tom！Yes，sirree，Ireckonwe’vestruckitthistime。Somefellerwantedhisgallus-buckles，andsohe——"
Butitwassofunnyhebustedoutlaughing，andjustwentonlaughingandlaughingandlaughingtillhewas’mostdead，andTomlookedsoputoutandcheapthatIknowedhewasashamedhehadcome，andhewishedhehadn’t。ButoldHookerneverletuponhim。Herakedupeverythingapersonevercouldwanttokillanotherpersonabout，andanyfoolcouldseetheydidn’tanyofthemfitthiscase，andhejustmadenoendoffunofthewholebusinessandofthepeoplethathadbeenhuntingthebody；andhesaid：
"Ifthey’dhadanysensethey’d’a’knowedthelazycussslidoutbecausehewantedaloafingspellafterallthiswork。He’llcomepotteringbackinacoupleofweeks，andthenhow’llyoufellersfeel？But，lawsblessyou，takethedog，andgoandhunthisre-
mainders。Do，Tom。"
Thenhebustedout，andhadanotherofthemforty-
rodlaughsofhisn。Tomcouldn’tbackdownafterallthis，sohesaid，"Allright，unchainhim；"andtheblacksmithdoneit，andwestartedhomeandleftthatoldmanlaughingyet。
Itwasalovelydog。Thereain’tanydogthat’sgotalovelierdispositionthanabloodhound，andthisoneknowedusandlikedus。Hecaperedandracedaroundeversofriendly，andpowerfulgladtobefreeandhaveaholiday；butTomwassocutuphecouldn’ttakeanyintrustinhim，andsaidhewishedhe’dstoppedandthoughtaminutebeforeheeverstartedonsuchafoolerrand。HesaidoldJeffHookerwouldtellevery-
body，andwe’dneverhearthelastofit。
Soweloafedalonghomedownthebacklanes，feel-
ingprettyglumandnottalking。Whenwewaspass-
ingthefarcornerofourtobackerfieldweheardthedogsetupalonghowlinthere，andwewenttotheplaceandhewasscratchingthegroundwithallhismight，andeverynowandthencantinguphisheadsidewaysandfetchinganotherhowl。
Itwasalongsquare，theshapeofagrave；therainhadmadeitsinkdownandshowtheshape。Theminutewecomeandstoodtherewelookedatoneanotherandneversaidaword。Whenthedoghaddugdownonlyafewincheshegrabbedsomethingandpulleditup，anditwasanarmandasleeve。Tomkindofgaspedout，andsays：
"Comeaway，Huck——it’sfound。"
Ijustfeltawful。Westruckfortheroadandfetchedthefirstmenthatcomealong。Theygotaspadeatthecribanddugoutthebody，andyouneverseesuchanexcitement。Youcouldn’tmakeanythingoutoftheface，butyoudidn’tneedto。Everybodysaid：
"PoorJubiter；it’shisclothes，tothelastrag！"
Somerushedofftospreadthenewsandtellthejusticeofthepeaceandhaveaninquest，andmeandTomlitoutforthehouse。Tomwasallafireand’mostoutofbreathwhenwecometearinginwhereUncleSilasandAuntSallyandBennywas。Tomsungout：
"MeandHuck’sfoundJubiterDunlap’scorpseallbyourselveswithabloodhound，aftereverybodyelsehadquithuntingandgivenitup；andifithadn’tabeenforusitneverWOULD’a’beenfound；andheWAS
murderedtoo——theydoneitwithacluborsomethinglikethat；andI’mgoingtostartinandfindthemur-
derer，next，andIbetI’lldoit！"
AuntSallyandBennysprunguppaleandastonished，butUncleSilasfellrightforwardoutofhischairontothefloorandgroansout：
"Oh，myGod，you’vefoundhimNOW！"
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