TomwasintroducedtotheJudge；buthistonguewastied，hisbreathwouldhardlycome，hisheartquaked——partlybecauseoftheawfulgreatnessoftheman，butmainlybecausehewasherparent。Hewouldhavelikedtofalldownandworshiphim，ifitwereinthedark。TheJudgeputhishandonTom’sheadandcalledhimafinelittleman，andaskedhimwhathisnamewas。Theboystammered，gasped，andgotitout：
"Tom。"
"Oh，no，notTom——itis——"
"Thomas。"
"Ah，that’sit。Ithoughttherewasmoretoit，maybe。That’sverywell。Butyou’veanotheroneIdaresay，andyou’lltellittome，won’tyou？"
"Tellthegentlemanyourothername，Thomas，"saidWalters，"andsaysir。Youmustn’tforgetyourmanners。"
"ThomasSawyer——sir。"
"That’sit！That’sagoodboy。Fineboy。Fine，manlylittlefellow。
Twothousandversesisagreatmany——very，verygreatmany。Andyounevercanbesorryforthetroubleyoutooktolearnthem；forknowledgeisworthmorethananythingthereisintheworld；it’swhatmakesgreatmenandgoodmen；you’llbeagreatmanandagoodmanyourself，someday，Thomas，andthenyou’lllookbackandsay，It’sallowingtothepreciousSunday—schoolprivilegesofmyboyhood——it’sallowingtomydearteachersthattaughtmetolearn——it’sallowingtothegoodsuperintendent，whoencouragedme，andwatchedoverme，andgavemeabeautifulBible——asplendidelegantBible——tokeepandhaveitallformyown，always——it’sallowingtorightbringingup！Thatiswhatyouwillsay，Thomas——andyouwouldn’ttakeanymoneyforthosetwothousandverses——noindeedyouwouldn’t。
Andnowyouwouldn’tmindtellingmeandthisladysomeofthethingsyou’velearned——no，Iknowyouwouldn’t——forweareproudoflittleboysthatlearn。Now，nodoubtyouknowthenamesofallthetwelvedisciples。Won’tyoutellusthenamesofthefirsttwothatwereappointed？"
Tomwastuggingatabutton—holeandlookingsheepish。Heblushed，now，andhiseyesfell。Mr。Walters’heartsankwithinhim。Hesaidtohimself，itisnotpossiblethattheboycananswerthesimplestquestion——whydidtheJudgeaskhim？Yethefeltobligedtospeakupandsay：
"Answerthegentleman，Thomas——don’tbeafraid。"
Tomstillhungfire。
"NowIknowyou’lltellme，"saidthelady。"Thenamesofthefirsttwodiscipleswere——"
"DAVIDANDGOLIAH！"
Letusdrawthecurtainofcharityovertherestofthescene。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter5CHAPTERVABOUThalf—pasttenthecrackedbellofthesmallchurchbegantoring，andpresentlythepeoplebegantogatherforthemorningsermon。TheSunday—schoolchildrendistributedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoccupiedpewswiththeirparents，soastobeundersupervision。AuntPollycame，andTomandSidandMarysatwithher——Tombeingplacednexttheaisle，inorderthathemightbeasfarawayfromtheopenwindowandtheseductiveoutsidesummerscenesaspossible。Thecrowdfileduptheaisles：theagedandneedypostmaster，whohadseenbetterdays；themayorandhiswife——fortheyhadamayorthere，amongotherunnecessaries；thejusticeofthepeace；
thewidowDouglass，fair，smart，andforty，agenerous，good—heartedsoulandwell—to—do，herhillmansiontheonlypalaceinthetown，andthemosthospitableandmuchthemostlavishinthematteroffestivitiesthatSt。
Petersburgcouldboast；thebentandvenerableMajorandMrs。Ward；lawyerRiverson，thenewnotablefromadistance；nextthebelleofthevillage，followedbyatroopoflawn—cladandribbon—deckedyoungheart—breakers；
thenalltheyoungclerksintowninabody——fortheyhadstoodinthevestibulesuckingtheircane—heads，acirclingwallofoiledandsimperingadmirers，tillthelastgirlhadruntheirgantlet；andlastofallcametheModelBoy，WillieMufferson，takingasheedfulcareofhismotherasifshewerecutglass。Healwaysbroughthismothertochurch，andwastheprideofallthematrons。Theboysallhatedhim，hewassogood。Andbesides，hehadbeen"thrownuptothem"somuch。Hiswhitehandkerchiefwashangingoutofhispocketbehind，asusualonSundays——accidentally。
Tomhadnohandkerchief，andhelookeduponboyswhohadassnobs。
Thecongregationbeingfullyassembled，now，thebellrangoncemore，towarnlaggardsandstragglers，andthenasolemnhushfelluponthechurchwhichwasonlybrokenbythetitteringandwhisperingofthechoirinthegallery。Thechoiralwaystitteredandwhisperedallthroughservice。Therewasonceachurchchoirthatwasnotill—bred，butIhaveforgottenwhereitwas，now。Itwasagreatmanyyearsago，andIcanscarcelyrememberanythingaboutit，butIthinkitwasinsomeforeigncountry。
Theministergaveoutthehymn，andreaditthroughwitharelish，inapeculiarstylewhichwasmuchadmiredinthatpartofthecountry。
Hisvoicebeganonamediumkeyandclimbedsteadilyuptillitreachedacertainpoint，whereitborewithstrongemphasisuponthetopmostwordandthenplungeddownasiffromaspring—board：
ShallIbecar—ri—edtoetheskies，onflow’rybedsofease，Whilstothersfighttowintheprize，andsailthro’blood—yseas？Hewasregardedasawonderfulreader。Atchurch"sociables"hewasalwayscalledupontoreadpoetry；andwhenhewasthrough，theladieswouldliftuptheirhandsandletthemfallhelplesslyintheirlaps，and"wall"theireyes，andshaketheirheads，asmuchastosay，"Wordscannotexpressit；
itistoobeautiful，toobeautifulforthismortalearth。"
Afterthehymnhadbeensung，theRev。Mr。Spragueturnedhimselfintoabulletin—board，andreadoff"notices"ofmeetingsandsocietiesandthingstillitseemedthatthelistwouldstretchouttothecrackofdoom——aqueercustomwhichisstillkeptupinAmerica，evenincities，awayhereinthisageofabundantnewspapers。Often，thelessthereistojustifyatraditionalcustom，theharderitistogetridofit。
Andnowtheministerprayed。Agood，generousprayeritwas，andwentintodetails：itpleadedforthechurch，andthelittlechildrenofthechurch；fortheotherchurchesofthevillage；forthevillageitself；
forthecounty；fortheState；fortheStateofficers；fortheUnitedStates；
forthechurchesoftheUnitedStates；forCongress；forthePresident；
fortheofficersoftheGovernment；forpoorsailors，tossedbystormyseas；fortheoppressedmillionsgroaningundertheheelofEuropeanmonarchiesandOrientaldespotisms；forsuchashavethelightandthegoodtidings，andyethavenoteyestoseenorearstohearwithal；fortheheatheninthefarislandsofthesea；andclosedwithasupplicationthatthewordshewasabouttospeakmightfindgraceandfavor，andbeasseedsowninfertileground，yieldingintimeagratefulharvestofgood。Amen。
Therewasarustlingofdresses，andthestandingcongregationsatdown。Theboywhosehistorythisbookrelatesdidnotenjoytheprayer，heonlyenduredit——ifheevendidthatmuch。Hewasrestiveallthroughit；hekepttallyofthedetailsoftheprayer，unconsciously——forhewasnotlistening，butheknewthegroundofold，andtheclergyman’sregularrouteoverit——andwhenalittletrifleofnewmatterwasinterlarded，hiseardetecteditandhiswholenatureresentedit；heconsideredadditionsunfair，andscoundrelly。Inthemidstoftheprayeraflyhadlitonthebackofthepewinfrontofhimandtorturedhisspiritbycalmlyrubbingitshandstogether，embracingitsheadwithitsarms，andpolishingitsovigorouslythatitseemedtoalmostpartcompanywiththebody，andtheslenderthreadofaneckwasexposedtoview；scrapingitswingswithitshindlegsandsmoothingthemtoitsbodyasiftheyhadbeencoat—tails；
goingthroughitswholetoiletastranquillyasifitknewitwasperfectlysafe。Asindeeditwas；forassorelyasTom’shandsitchedtograbforittheydidnotdare——hebelievedhissoulwouldbeinstantlydestroyedifhedidsuchathingwhiletheprayerwasgoingon。Butwiththeclosingsentencehishandbegantocurveandstealforward；andtheinstantthe"Amen"wasouttheflywasaprisonerofwar。Hisauntdetectedtheactandmadehimletitgo。
Theministergaveouthistextanddronedalongmonotonouslythroughanargumentthatwassoprosythatmanyaheadbyandbybegantonod——
andyetitwasanargumentthatdealtinlimitlessfireandbrimstoneandthinnedthepredestinedelectdowntoacompanysosmallastobehardlyworththesaving。Tomcountedthepagesofthesermon；afterchurchhealwaysknewhowmanypagestherehadbeen，butheseldomknewanythingelseaboutthediscourse。However，thistimehewasreallyinterestedforalittlewhile。Theministermadeagrandandmovingpictureoftheassemblingtogetheroftheworld’shostsatthemillenniumwhenthelionandthelambshouldliedowntogetherandalittlechildshouldleadthem。Butthepathos，thelesson，themoralofthegreatspectaclewerelostupontheboy；heonlythoughtoftheconspicuousnessoftheprincipalcharacterbeforetheon—lookingnations；hisfacelitwiththethought，andhesaidtohimselfthathewishedhecouldbethatchild，ifitwasatamelion。
Nowhelapsedintosufferingagain，asthedryargumentwasresumed。
Presentlyhebethoughthimofatreasurehehadandgotitout。Itwasalargeblackbeetlewithformidablejaws——a"pinchbug，"hecalledit。
Itwasinapercussion—capbox。Thefirstthingthebeetledidwastotakehimbythefinger。Anaturalfillipfollowed，thebeetlewentflounderingintotheaisleandlitonitsback，andthehurtfingerwentintotheboy’smouth。Thebeetlelaythereworkingitshelplesslegs，unabletoturnover。
Tomeyedit，andlongedforit；butitwassafeoutofhisreach。Otherpeopleuninterestedinthesermonfoundreliefinthebeetle，andtheyeyedittoo。Presentlyavagrantpoodledogcameidlingalong，sadatheart，lazywiththesummersoftnessandthequiet，wearyofcaptivity，sighingforchange。Hespiedthebeetle；thedroopingtailliftedandwagged。Hesurveyedtheprize；walkedaroundit；smeltatitfromasafedistance；
walkedarounditagain；grewbolder，andtookaclosersmell；thenliftedhislipandmadeagingerlysnatchatit，justmissingit；madeanother，andanother；begantoenjoythediversion；subsidedtohisstomachwiththebeetlebetweenhispaws，andcontinuedhisexperiments；grewwearyatlast，andthenindifferentandabsent—minded。Hisheadnodded，andlittlebylittlehischindescendedandtouchedtheenemy，whoseizedit。Therewasasharpyelp，aflirtofthepoodle’shead，andthebeetlefellacoupleofyardsaway，andlitonitsbackoncemore。Theneighboringspectatorsshookwithagentleinwardjoy，severalfaceswentbehindfansandhandkerchiefs，andTomwasentirelyhappy。Thedoglookedfoolish，andprobablyfeltso；
buttherewasresentmentinhisheart，too，andacravingforrevenge。
Sohewenttothebeetleandbeganawaryattackonitagain；jumpingatitfromeverypointofacircle，lightingwithhisfore—pawswithinaninchofthecreature，makingevenclosersnatchesatitwithhisteeth，andjerkinghisheadtillhisearsflappedagain。Buthegrewtiredoncemore，afterawhile；triedtoamusehimselfwithaflybutfoundnorelief；
followedanantaround，withhisnoseclosetothefloor，andquicklyweariedofthat；yawned，sighed，forgotthebeetleentirely，andsatdownonit。
Thentherewasawildyelpofagonyandthepoodlewentsailinguptheaisle；theyelpscontinued，andsodidthedog；hecrossedthehouseinfrontofthealtar；heflewdowntheotheraisle；hecrossedbeforethedoors；heclamoredupthehome—stretch；hisanguishgrewwithhisprogress，tillpresentlyhewasbutawoollycometmovinginitsorbitwiththegleamandthespeedoflight。Atlastthefranticsufferersheeredfromitscourse，andsprangintoitsmaster’slap；heflungitoutofthewindow，andthevoiceofdistressquicklythinnedawayanddiedinthedistance。
Bythistimethewholechurchwasred—facedandsuffocatingwithsuppressedlaughter，andthesermonhadcometoadeadstandstill。Thediscoursewasresumedpresently，butitwentlameandhalting，allpossibilityofimpressivenessbeingatanend；foreventhegravestsentimentswereconstantlybeingreceivedwithasmotheredburstofunholymirth，undercoverofsomeremotepew—back，asifthepoorparsonhadsaidararelyfacetiousthing。Itwasagenuinerelieftothewholecongregationwhentheordealwasoverandthebenedictionpronounced。
TomSawyerwenthomequitecheerful，thinkingtohimselfthattherewassomesatisfactionaboutdivineservicewhentherewasabitofvarietyinit。Hehadbutonemarringthought；hewaswillingthatthedogshouldplaywithhispinchbug，buthedidnotthinkitwasuprightinhimtocarryitoff。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter6CHAPTERVIMONDAYmorningfoundTomSawyermiserable。Mondaymorningalwaysfoundhimso——becauseitbegananotherweek’sslowsufferinginschool。Hegenerallybeganthatdaywithwishinghehadhadnointerveningholiday，itmadethegoingintocaptivityandfettersagainsomuchmoreodious。
Tomlaythinking。Presentlyitoccurredtohimthathewishedhewassick；thenhecouldstayhomefromschool。Herewasavaguepossibility。
Hecanvassedhissystem。Noailmentwasfound，andheinvestigatedagain。
Thistimehethoughthecoulddetectcolickysymptoms，andhebegantoencouragethemwithconsiderablehope。Buttheysoongrewfeeble，andpresentlydiedwhollyaway。Hereflectedfurther。Suddenlyhediscoveredsomething。
Oneofhisupperfrontteethwasloose。Thiswaslucky；hewasabouttobegintogroan，asa"starter，"ashecalledit，whenitoccurredtohimthatifhecameintocourtwiththatargument，hisauntwouldpullitout，andthatwouldhurt。Sohethoughthewouldholdthetoothinreserveforthepresent，andseekfurther。Nothingofferedforsomelittletime，andthenherememberedhearingthedoctortellaboutacertainthingthatlaidupapatientfortwoorthreeweeksandthreatenedtomakehimloseafinger。
Sotheboyeagerlydrewhissoretoefromunderthesheetandhelditupforinspection。Butnowhedidnotknowthenecessarysymptoms。However，itseemedwellworthwhiletochanceit，sohefelltogroaningwithconsiderablespirit。
ButSidsleptonunconscious。
Tomgroanedlouder，andfanciedthathebegantofeelpaininthetoe。
NoresultfromSid。
Tomwaspantingwithhisexertionsbythistime。Hetookarestandthenswelledhimselfupandfetchedasuccessionofadmirablegroans。
Sidsnoredon。
Tomwasaggravated。Hesaid，"Sid，Sid！"andshookhim。Thiscourseworkedwell，andTombegantogroanagain。Sidyawned，stretched，thenbroughthimselfuponhiselbowwithasnort，andbegantostareatTom。
Tomwentongroaning。Sidsaid：
"Tom！Say，Tom！"[Noresponse。]"Here，Tom！Tom！Whatisthematter，Tom？"Andheshookhimandlookedinhisfaceanxiously。
Tommoanedout：
"Oh，don’t，Sid。Don’tjoggleme。"
"Why，what’sthematter，Tom？Imustcallauntie。"
"No——nevermind。It’llbeoverbyandby，maybe。Don’tcallanybody。"
"ButImust！don’tgroanso，Tom，it’sawful。Howlongyoubeenthisway？"
"Hours。Ouch！Oh，don’tstirso，Sid，you’llkillme。"
"Tom，whydidn’tyouwakemesooner？Oh，Tom，don’t！Itmakesmyfleshcrawltohearyou。Tom，whatisthematter？"
"Iforgiveyoueverything，Sid。[Groan。]Everythingyou’veeverdonetome。WhenI’mgone——"
"Oh，Tom，youain’tdying，areyou？Don’t，Tom——oh，don’t。Maybe——"
"Iforgiveeverybody，Sid。[Groan。]Tell’emso，Sid。AndSid，yougivemywindow—sashandmycatwithoneeyetothatnewgirlthat’scometotown，andtellher——"
ButSidhadsnatchedhisclothesandgone。Tomwassufferinginreality，now，sohandsomelywashisimaginationworking，andsohisgroanshadgatheredquiteagenuinetone。
Sidflewdown—stairsandsaid：
"Oh，AuntPolly，come！Tom’sdying！"
"Dying！"
"Yes’m。Don’twait——comequick！"
"Rubbage！Idon’tbelieveit！"
Butshefledup—stairs，nevertheless，withSidandMaryatherheels。Andherfacegrewwhite，too，andherliptrembled。Whenshereachedthebedsideshegaspedout：
"You，Tom！Tom，what’sthematterwithyou？"
"Oh，auntie，I’m——"
"What’sthematterwithyou——whatisthematterwithyou，child？"
"Oh，auntie，mysoretoe’smortified！"
Theoldladysankdownintoachairandlaughedalittle，thencriedalittle，thendidbothtogether。Thisrestoredherandshesaid：
"Tom，whataturnyoudidgiveme。Nowyoushutupthatnonsenseandclimboutofthis。"
Thegroansceasedandthepainvanishedfromthetoe。Theboyfeltalittlefoolish，andhesaid：
"AuntPolly，itseemedmortified，andithurtsoInevermindedmytoothatall。"
"Yourtooth，indeed！What’sthematterwithyourtooth？"
"Oneofthem’sloose，anditachesperfectlyawful。"
"There，there，now，don’tbeginthatgroaningagain。Openyourmouth。Well——yourtoothisloose，butyou’renotgoingtodieaboutthat。Mary，getmeasilkthread，andachunkoffireoutofthekitchen。"
Tomsaid：
"Oh，please，auntie，don’tpullitout。Itdon’thurtanymore。
IwishImayneverstirifitdoes。Pleasedon’t，auntie。Idon’twanttostayhomefromschool。"
"Oh，youdon’t，don’tyou？Soallthisrowwasbecauseyouthoughtyou’dgettostayhomefromschoolandgoa—fishing？Tom，Tom，Iloveyouso，andyouseemtotryeverywayyoucantobreakmyoldheartwithyouroutrageousness。"Bythistimethedentalinstrumentswereready。TheoldladymadeoneendofthesilkthreadfasttoTom’stoothwithaloopandtiedtheothertothebedpost。Thensheseizedthechunkoffireandsuddenlythrustitalmostintotheboy’sface。Thetoothhungdanglingbythebedpost，now。
Butalltrialsbringtheircompensations。AsTomwendedtoschoolafterbreakfast，hewastheenvyofeveryboyhemetbecausethegapinhisupperrowofteethenabledhimtoexpectorateinanewandadmirableway。Hegatheredquiteafollowingofladsinterestedintheexhibition；
andonethathadcuthisfingerandhadbeenacentreoffascinationandhomageuptothistime，nowfoundhimselfsuddenlywithoutanadherent，andshornofhisglory。Hisheartwasheavy，andhesaidwithadisdainwhichhedidnotfeelthatitwasn’tanythingtospitlikeTomSawyer；
butanotherboysaid，"Sourgrapes！"andhewanderedawayadismantledhero。
ShortlyTomcameuponthejuvenilepariahofthevillage，HuckleberryFinn，sonofthetowndrunkard。Huckleberrywascordiallyhatedanddreadedbyallthemothersofthetown，becausehewasidleandlawlessandvulgarandbad——andbecausealltheirchildrenadmiredhimso，anddelightedinhisforbiddensociety，andwishedtheydaredtobelikehim。Tomwasliketherestoftherespectableboys，inthatheenviedHuckleberryhisgaudyoutcastcondition，andwasunderstrictordersnottoplaywithhim。
Soheplayedwithhimeverytimehegotachance。Huckleberrywasalwaysdressedinthecast—offclothesoffull—grownmen，andtheywereinperennialbloomandflutteringwithrags。Hishatwasavastruinwithawidecrescentloppedoutofitsbrim；hiscoat，whenheworeone，hungnearlytohisheelsandhadtherearwardbuttonsfardowntheback；butonesuspendersupportedhistrousers；theseatofthetrousersbaggedlowandcontainednothing，thefringedlegsdraggedinthedirtwhennotrolledup。
Huckleberrycameandwent，athisownfreewill。Hesleptondoorstepsinfineweatherandinemptyhogsheadsinwet；hedidnothavetogotoschoolortochurch，orcallanybeingmasterorobeyanybody；hecouldgofishingorswimmingwhenandwherehechose，andstayaslongasitsuitedhim；nobodyforbadehimtofight；hecouldsitupaslateashepleased；hewasalwaysthefirstboythatwentbarefootinthespringandthelasttoresumeleatherinthefall；heneverhadtowash，norputoncleanclothes；hecouldswearwonderfully。Inaword，everythingthatgoestomakelifepreciousthatboyhad。Sothoughteveryharassed，hampered，respectableboyinSt。Petersburg。
Tomhailedtheromanticoutcast：
"Hello，Huckleberry！"
"Helloyourself，andseehowyoulikeit。"
"What’sthatyougot？"
"Deadcat。"
"Lemmeseehim，Huck。My，he’sprettystiff。Where’dyougethim？"
"Boughthimoff’naboy。"
"Whatdidyougive？"
"IgiveablueticketandabladderthatIgotattheslaughter—house。"
"Where’dyougettheblueticket？"
"Boughtitoff’nBenRogerstwoweeksagoforahoop—stick。"
"Say——whatisdeadcatsgoodfor，Huck？"
"Goodfor？Curewartswith。"
"No！Isthatso？Iknowsomethingthat’sbetter。"
"Ibetyoudon’t。Whatisit？"
"Why，spunk—water。"
"Spunk—water！Iwouldn’tgiveadernforspunk—water。"
"Youwouldn’t，wouldn’tyou？D’youevertryit？"
"No，Ihain’t。ButBobTannerdid。"
"Whotoldyouso！"
"Why，hetoldJeffThatcher，andJefftoldJohnnyBaker，andJohnnytoldJimHollis，andJimtoldBenRogers，andBentoldanigger，andtheniggertoldme。Therenow！"
"Well，whatofit？They’llalllie。Leastwaysallbutthenigger。
Idon’tknowhim。ButIneverseeaniggerthatwouldn’tlie。Shucks！NowyoutellmehowBobTannerdoneit，Huck。"
"Why，hetookanddippedhishandinarottenstumpwheretherain—waterwas。"
"Inthedaytime？"
"Certainly。"
"Withhisfacetothestump？"
"Yes。LeastIreckonso。"
"Didhesayanything？"
"Idon’treckonhedid。Idon’tknow。"
"Aha！Talkabouttryingtocurewartswithspunk—watersuchablamefoolwayasthat！Why，thatain’ta—goingtodoanygood。Yougottogoallbyyourself，tothemiddleofthewoods，whereyouknowthere’saspunk—waterstump，andjustasit’smidnightyoubackupagainstthestumpandjamyourhandinandsay：
’Barley—corn，barley—corn，injun—mealshorts，Spunk—water，spunk—water，swallerthesewarts，’andthenwalkawayquick，elevensteps，withyoureyesshut，andthenturnaroundthreetimesandwalkhomewithoutspeakingtoanybody。Becauseifyouspeakthecharm’sbusted。"
"Well，thatsoundslikeagoodway；butthatain’tthewayBobTannerdone。"
"No，sir，youcanbethedidn’t，becuzhe’sthewartiestboyinthistown；andhewouldn’thaveawartonhimifhe’dknowedhowtoworkspunk—water。I’vetookoffthousandsofwartsoffofmyhandsthatway，Huck。IplaywithfrogssomuchthatI’vealwaysgotconsiderablemanywarts。SometimesItake’emoffwithabean。"
"Yes，bean’sgood。I’vedonethat。"
"Haveyou？What’syourway？"
"Youtakeandsplitthebean，andcutthewartsoastogetsomeblood，andthenyouputthebloodononepieceofthebeanandtakeanddigaholeandburyit’boutmidnightatthecrossroadsinthedarkofthemoon，andthenyouburnuptherestofthebean。Youseethatpiecethat’sgotthebloodonitwillkeepdrawinganddrawing，tryingtofetchtheotherpiecetoit，andsothathelpsthebloodtodrawthewart，andprettysoonoffshecomes。"
"Yes，that’sit，Huck——that’sit；thoughwhenyou’reburyingitifyousay’Downbean；offwart；comenomoretobotherme！’it’sbetter。
That’sthewayJoeHarperdoes，andhe’sbeennearlytoCoonvilleandmosteverywheres。Butsay——howdoyoucure’emwithdeadcats？"
"Why，youtakeyourcatandgoandgetinthegraveyard’longaboutmidnightwhensomebodythatwaswickedhasbeenburied；andwhenit’smidnightadevilwillcome，ormaybetwoorthree，butyoucan’tsee’em，youcanonlyhearsomethinglikethewind，ormaybehear’emtalk；
andwhenthey’retakingthatfelleraway，youheaveyourcatafter’emandsay，’Devilfollowcorpse，catfollowdevil，wartsfollowcat，I’mdonewithye！’That’llfetchanywart。"
"Soundsright。D’youevertryit，Huck？"
"No，butoldMotherHopkinstoldme。"
"Well，Ireckonit’sso，then。Becuztheysayshe’sawitch。"
"Say！Why，Tom，IKNOWsheis。Shewitchedpap。Papsayssohisownself。Hecomealongoneday，andheseeshewasa—witchinghim，sohetookuparock，andifshehadn’tdodged，he’dagother。Well，thatverynightherolledoff’nashedwher’hewasalayindrunk，andbrokehisarm。"
"Why，that’sawful。Howdidheknowshewasa—witchinghim？"
"Lord，papcantell，easy。Papsayswhentheykeeplookingatyourightstiddy，they’rea—witchingyou。Speciallyiftheymumble。Becuzwhentheymumblethey’resayingtheLord’sPrayerbackards。"
"Say，Hucky，whenyougoingtotrythecat？"
"To—night。Ireckonthey’llcomeafteroldHossWilliamsto—night。"
"ButtheyburiedhimSaturday。Didn’ttheygethimSaturdaynight？"
"Why，howyoutalk！Howcouldtheircharmsworktillmidnight？
——andthenit’sSunday。Devilsdon’tslosharoundmuchofaSunday，Idon’treckon。"
"Ineverthoughtofthat。That’sso。Lemmegowithyou？"
"Ofcourse——ifyouain’tafeard。"
"Afeard！’Tain’tlikely。Willyoumeow？"
"Yes——andyoumeowback，ifyougetachance。Lasttime，youkep’mea—meowingaroundtilloldHayswenttothrowingrocksatmeandsays’Dernthatcat！’andsoIhoveabrickthroughhiswindow——butdon’tyoutell。"
"Iwon’t。Icouldn’tmeowthatnight，becuzauntiewaswatchingme，butI’llmeowthistime。Say——what’sthat？"
"Nothingbutatick。"
"Where’dyougethim？"
"Outinthewoods。"
"What’llyoutakeforhim？"
"Idon’tknow。Idon’twanttosellhim。"
"Allright。It’samightysmalltick，anyway。"
"Oh，anybodycanrunatickdownthatdon’tbelongtothem。I’msatisfiedwithit。It’sagoodenoughtickforme。"
"Sho，there’sticksaplenty。Icouldhaveathousandof’emifIwantedto。"
"Well，whydon’tyou？Becuzyouknowmightywellyoucan’t。Thisisaprettyearlytick，Ireckon。It’sthefirstoneI’veseenthisyear。"
"Say，Huck——I’llgiveyoumytoothforhim。"
"Lessseeit。"
Tomgotoutabitofpaperandcarefullyunrolledit。Huckleberryvieweditwistfully。Thetemptationwasverystrong。Atlasthesaid：
"Isitgenuwyne？"
Tomliftedhislipandshowedthevacancy。
"Well，allright，"saidHuckleberry，"it’satrade。"
Tomenclosedthetickinthepercussion—capboxthathadlatelybeenthepinchbug’sprison，andtheboysseparated，eachfeelingwealthierthanbefore。
WhenTomreachedthelittleisolatedframeschoolhouse，hestrodeinbriskly，withthemannerofonewhohadcomewithallhonestspeed。
Hehunghishatonapegandflunghimselfintohisseatwithbusiness—likealacrity。Themaster，thronedonhighinhisgreatsplint—bottomarm—chair，wasdozing，lulledbythedrowsyhumofstudy。Theinterruptionrousedhim。
"ThomasSawyer！"
Tomknewthatwhenhisnamewaspronouncedinfull，itmeanttrouble。
"Sir！"
"Comeuphere。Now，sir，whyareyoulateagain，asusual？"
Tomwasabouttotakerefugeinalie，whenhesawtwolongtailsofyellowhairhangingdownabackthatherecognizedbytheelectricsympathyoflove；andbythatformwastheonlyvacantplaceonthegirls’
sideoftheschool—house。Heinstantlysaid：
"ISTOPPEDTOTALKWITHHUCKLEBERRYFINN！"Themaster’spulsestoodstill，andhestaredhelplessly。Thebuzzofstudyceased。Thepupilswonderedifthisfoolhardyboyhadlosthismind。Themastersaid：
"You——youdidwhat？"
"StoppedtotalkwithHuckleberryFinn。"
Therewasnomistakingthewords。
"ThomasSawyer，thisisthemostastoundingconfessionIhaveeverlistenedto。Nomereferulewillanswerforthisoffence。Takeoffyourjacket。"
Themaster’sarmperformeduntilitwastiredandthestockofswitchesnotablydiminished。Thentheorderfollowed：
"Now，sir，goandsitwiththegirls！Andletthisbeawarningtoyou。"
Thetitterthatrippledaroundtheroomappearedtoabashtheboy，butinrealitythatresultwascausedrathermorebyhisworshipfulaweofhisunknownidolandthedreadpleasurethatlayinhishighgoodfortune。Hesatdownupontheendofthepinebenchandthegirlhitchedherselfawayfromhimwithatossofherhead。Nudgesandwinksandwhisperstraversedtheroom，butTomsatstill，withhisarmsuponthelong，lowdeskbeforehim，andseemedtostudyhisbook。
Byandbyattentionceasedfromhim，andtheaccustomedschoolmurmurroseuponthedullaironcemore。Presentlytheboybegantostealfurtiveglancesatthegirl。Sheobservedit，"madeamouth"athimandgavehimthebackofherheadforthespaceofaminute。Whenshecautiouslyfacedaroundagain，apeachlaybeforeher。Shethrustitaway。Tomgentlyputitback。Shethrustitawayagain，butwithlessanimosity。Tompatientlyreturnedittoitsplace。Thensheletitremain。Tomscrawledonhisslate，"Pleasetakeit——Igotmore。"Thegirlglancedatthewords，butmadenosign。Nowtheboybegantodrawsomethingontheslate，hidinghisworkwithhislefthand。Foratimethegirlrefusedtonotice；butherhumancuriositypresentlybegantomanifestitselfbyhardlyperceptiblesigns。
Theboyworkedon，apparentlyunconscious。Thegirlmadeasortofnon—committalattempttosee，buttheboydidnotbetraythathewasawareofit。Atlastshegaveinandhesitatinglywhispered：
"Letmeseeit。"
Tompartlyuncoveredadismalcaricatureofahousewithtwogableendstoitandacorkscrewofsmokeissuingfromthechimney。Thenthegirl’sinterestbegantofastenitselfupontheworkandsheforgoteverythingelse。Whenitwasfinished，shegazedamoment，thenwhispered：
"It’snice——makeaman。"
Theartisterectedamaninthefrontyard，thatresembledaderrick。
Hecouldhavesteppedoverthehouse；butthegirlwasnothypercritical；
shewassatisfiedwiththemonster，andwhispered：
"It’sabeautifulman——nowmakemecomingalong。"
Tomdrewanhour—glasswithafullmoonandstrawlimbstoitandarmedthespreadingfingerswithaportentousfan。Thegirlsaid：
"It’seversonice——IwishIcoulddraw。"
"It’seasy，"whisperedTom，"I’lllearnyou。"
"Oh，willyou？When？"
"Atnoon。Doyougohometodinner？"
"I’llstayifyouwill。"
"Good——that’sawhack。What’syourname？"
"BeckyThatcher。What’syours？Oh，Iknow。It’sThomasSawyer。"
"That’sthenametheylickmeby。I’mTomwhenI’mgood。YoucallmeTom，willyou？"
"Yes。"
NowTombegantoscrawlsomethingontheslate，hidingthewordsfromthegirl。Butshewasnotbackwardthistime。Shebeggedtosee。Tomsaid：
"Oh，itain’tanything。"
"Yesitis。"
"Noitain’t。Youdon’twanttosee。"
"YesIdo，indeedIdo。Pleaseletme。"
"You’lltell。"
"NoIwon’t——deedanddeedanddoubledeedwon’t。"
"Youwon’ttellanybodyatall？Ever，aslongasyoulive？"
"No，Iwon’tevertellanybody。Nowletme。"
"Oh，youdon’twanttosee！"
"Nowthatyoutreatmeso，Iwillsee。"Andsheputhersmallhanduponhisandalittlescuffleensued，Tompretendingtoresistinearnestbutlettinghishandslipbydegreestillthesewordswererevealed：
"Iloveyou。"
"Oh，youbadthing！"Andshehithishandasmartrap，butreddenedandlookedpleased，nevertheless。
Justatthisjuncturetheboyfeltaslow，fatefulgripclosingonhisear，andasteadyliftingimpulse。Inthatvisehewasborneacrossthehouseanddepositedinhisownseat，underapepperingfireofgigglesfromthewholeschool。Thenthemasterstoodoverhimduringafewawfulmoments，andfinallymovedawaytohisthronewithoutsayingaword。ButalthoughTom’seartingled，hisheartwasjubilant。
AstheschoolquieteddownTommadeanhonestefforttostudy，buttheturmoilwithinhimwastoogreat。Inturnhetookhisplaceinthereadingclassandmadeabotchofit；theninthegeographyclassandturnedlakesintomountains，mountainsintorivers，andriversintocontinents，tillchaoswascomeagain；theninthespellingclass，andgot"turneddown，"byasuccessionofmerebabywords，tillhebroughtupatthefootandyieldedupthepewtermedalwhichhehadwornwithostentationformonths。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter7CHAPTERVIITHEharderTomtriedtofastenhismindonhisbook，themorehisideaswandered。Soatlast，withasighandayawn，hegaveitup。Itseemedtohimthatthenoonrecesswouldnevercome。Theairwasutterlydead。
Therewasnotabreathstirring。Itwasthesleepiestofsleepydays。Thedrowsingmurmurofthefiveandtwentystudyingscholarssoothedthesoullikethespellthatisinthemurmurofbees。Awayoffintheflamingsunshine，CardiffHilllifteditssoftgreensidesthroughashimmeringveilofheat，tintedwiththepurpleofdistance；afewbirdsfloatedonlazywinghighintheair；nootherlivingthingwasvisiblebutsomecows，andtheywereasleep。Tom’sheartachedtobefree，orelsetohavesomethingofinteresttodotopassthedrearytime。Hishandwanderedintohispocketandhisfacelitupwithaglowofgratitudethatwasprayer，thoughhedidnotknowit。Thenfurtivelythepercussion—capboxcameout。Hereleasedthetickandputhimonthelongflatdesk。Thecreatureprobablyglowedwithagratitudethatamountedtoprayer，too，atthismoment，butitwaspremature：
forwhenhestartedthankfullytotraveloff，Tomturnedhimasidewithapinandmadehimtakeanewdirection。
Tom’sbosomfriendsatnexthim，sufferingjustasTomhadbeen，andnowhewasdeeplyandgratefullyinterestedinthisentertainmentinaninstant。ThisbosomfriendwasJoeHarper。Thetwoboyswereswornfriendsalltheweek，andembattledenemiesonSaturdays。Joetookapinoutofhislapelandbegantoassistinexercisingtheprisoner。Thesportgrewininterestmomently。SoonTomsaidthattheywereinterferingwitheachother，andneithergettingthefullestbenefitofthetick。SoheputJoe’sslateonthedeskanddrewalinedownthemiddleofitfromtoptobottom。
"Now，"saidhe，"aslongasheisonyoursideyoucanstirhimupandI’lllethimalone；butifyoulethimgetawayandgetonmyside，you’retoleavehimaloneaslongasIcankeephimfromcrossingover。"
"Allright，goahead；starthimup。"
ThetickescapedfromTom，presently，andcrossedtheequator。
Joeharassedhimawhile，andthenhegotawayandcrossedbackagain。Thischangeofbaseoccurredoften。Whileoneboywasworryingthetickwithabsorbinginterest，theotherwouldlookonwithinterestasstrong，thetwoheadsbowedtogetherovertheslate，andthetwosoulsdeadtoallthingselse。AtlastluckseemedtosettleandabidewithJoe。Theticktriedthis，that，andtheothercourse，andgotasexcitedandasanxiousastheboysthemselves，buttimeandagainjustashewouldhavevictoryinhisverygrasp，sotospeak，andTom’sfingerswouldbetwitchingtobegin，Joe’spinwoulddeftlyheadhimoff，andkeeppossession。AtlastTomcouldstanditnolonger。Thetemptationwastoostrong。Sohereachedoutandlentahandwithhispin。Joewasangryinamoment。Saidhe：
"Tom，youlethimalone。"
"Ionlyjustwanttostirhimupalittle，Joe。"
"No，sir，itain’tfair；youjustlethimalone。"
"Blameit，Iain’tgoingtostirhimmuch。"
"Lethimalone，Itellyou。"
"Iwon’t！"
"Youshall——he’sonmysideoftheline。"
"Lookhere，JoeHarper，whoseisthattick？"
"Idon’tcarewhosetickheis——he’sonmysideoftheline，andyousha’n’ttouchhim。"
"Well，I’lljustbetIwill，though。He’smytickandI’lldowhatIblamepleasewithhim，ordie！"
AtremendouswhackcamedownonTom’sshoulders，anditsduplicateonJoe’s；andforthespaceoftwominutesthedustcontinuedtoflyfromthetwojacketsandthewholeschooltoenjoyit。Theboyshadbeentooabsorbedtonoticethehushthathadstolenupontheschoolawhilebeforewhenthemastercametiptoeingdowntheroomandstoodoverthem。Hehadcontemplatedagoodpartoftheperformancebeforehecontributedhisbitofvarietytoit。
Whenschoolbrokeupatnoon，TomflewtoBeckyThatcher，andwhisperedinherear：
"Putonyourbonnetandletonyou’regoinghome；andwhenyougettothecorner，givetherestof’emtheslip，andturndownthroughthelaneandcomeback。I’llgotheotherwayandcomeitover’emthesameway。"
Sotheonewentoffwithonegroupofscholars，andtheotherwithanother。Inalittlewhilethetwometatthebottomofthelane，andwhentheyreachedtheschooltheyhaditalltothemselves。Thentheysattogether，withaslatebeforethem，andTomgaveBeckythepencilandheldherhandinhis，guidingit，andsocreatedanothersurprisinghouse。
Whentheinterestinartbegantowane，thetwofelltotalking。Tomwasswimminginbliss。Hesaid：
"Doyouloverats？"
"No！Ihatethem！"
"Well，Ido，too——liveones。ButImeandeadones，toswingroundyourheadwithastring。"
"No，Idon’tcareforratsmuch，anyway。WhatIlikeischewing—gum。"
"Oh，Ishouldsayso！IwishIhadsomenow。"
"Doyou？I’vegotsome。I’llletyouchewitawhile，butyoumustgiveitbacktome。"
Thatwasagreeable，sotheycheweditturnabout，anddangledtheirlegsagainstthebenchinexcessofcontentment。
"Wasyoueveratacircus？"saidTom。
"Yes，andmypa’sgoingtotakemeagainsometime，ifI’mgood。"
"Ibeentothecircusthreeorfourtimes——lotsoftimes。Churchain’tshuckstoacircus。There’sthingsgoingonatacircusallthetime。
I’mgoingtobeaclowninacircuswhenIgrowup。"
"Oh，areyou！Thatwillbenice。They’resolovely，allspottedup。"
"Yes，that’sso。Andtheygetslathersofmoney——mostadollaraday，BenRogerssays。Say，Becky，wasyoueverengaged？"
"What’sthat？"
"Why，engagedtobemarried。"
"No。"
"Wouldyouliketo？"
"Ireckonso。Idon’tknow。Whatisitlike？"
"Like？Whyitain’tlikeanything。Youonlyjusttellaboyyouwon’teverhaveanybodybuthim，evereverever，andthenyoukissandthat’sall。Anybodycandoit。"
"Kiss？Whatdoyoukissfor？"
"Why，that，youknow，isto——well，theyalwaysdothat。"
"Everybody？"
"Why，yes，everybodythat’sinlovewitheachother。DoyourememberwhatIwroteontheslate？"
"Ye——yes。"
"Whatwasit？"
"Isha’n’ttellyou。"
"ShallItellyou？"
"Ye——yes——butsomeothertime。"
"No，now。"
"No，notnow——to—morrow。"
"Oh，no，now。Please，Becky——I’llwhisperit，I’llwhisperiteversoeasy。"
Beckyhesitating，Tomtooksilenceforconsent，andpassedhisarmaboutherwaistandwhisperedthetaleeversosoftly，withhismouthclosetoherear。Andthenheadded：
"Nowyouwhisperittome——justthesame。"
Sheresisted，forawhile，andthensaid：
"Youturnyourfaceawaysoyoucan’tsee，andthenIwill。Butyoumustn’tevertellanybody——willyou，Tom？Nowyouwon’t，willyou？"
"No，indeed，indeedIwon’t。Now，Becky。"
Heturnedhisfaceaway。Shebenttimidlyaroundtillherbreathstirredhiscurlsandwhispered，"I——love——you！"
Thenshesprangawayandranaroundandaroundthedesksandbenches，withTomafterher，andtookrefugeinacorneratlast，withherlittlewhiteaprontoherface。Tomclaspedheraboutherneckandpleaded：
"Now，Becky，it’salldone——alloverbutthekiss。Don’tyoubeafraidofthat——itain’tanythingatall。Please，Becky。"Andhetuggedatherapronandthehands。
Byandbyshegaveup，andletherhandsdrop；herface，allglowingwiththestruggle，cameupandsubmitted。Tomkissedtheredlipsandsaid：
"Nowit’salldone，Becky。Andalwaysafterthis，youknow，youain’tevertoloveanybodybutme，andyouain’tevertomarryanybodybutme，everneverandforever。Willyou？"
"No，I’llneverloveanybodybutyou，Tom，andI’llnevermarryanybodybutyou——andyouain’ttoevermarryanybodybutme，either。"
"Certainly。Ofcourse。That’spartofit。Andalwayscomingtoschoolorwhenwe’regoinghome，you’retowalkwithme，whenthereain’tanybodylooking——andyouchoosemeandIchooseyouatparties，becausethat’sthewayyoudowhenyou’reengaged。"
"It’ssonice。Ineverheardofitbefore。"
"Oh，it’seversogay！Why，meandAmyLawrence——"
ThebigeyestoldTomhisblunderandhestopped，confused。
"Oh，Tom！ThenIain’tthefirstyou’veeverbeenengagedto！"
Thechildbegantocry。Tomsaid：
"Oh，don’tcry，Becky，Idon’tcareforheranymore。"
"Yes，youdo，Tom——youknowyoudo。"
Tomtriedtoputhisarmaboutherneck，butshepushedhimawayandturnedherfacetothewall，andwentoncrying。Tomtriedagain，withsoothingwordsinhismouth，andwasrepulsedagain。Thenhispridewasup，andhestrodeawayandwentoutside。Hestoodabout，restlessanduneasy，forawhile，glancingatthedoor，everynowandthen，hopingshewouldrepentandcometofindhim。Butshedidnot。Thenhebegantofeelbadlyandfearthathewasinthewrong。Itwasahardstrugglewithhimtomakenewadvances，now，buthenervedhimselftoitandentered。Shewasstillstandingbackthereinthecorner，sobbing，withherfacetothewall。
Tom’sheartsmotehim。Hewenttoherandstoodamoment，notknowingexactlyhowtoproceed。Thenhesaidhesitatingly：
"Becky，I——Idon’tcareforanybodybutyou。"
Noreply——butsobs。
"Becky"——pleadingly。"Becky，won’tyousaysomething？"
Moresobs。
Tomgotouthischiefestjewel，abrassknobfromthetopofanandiron，andpasseditaroundhersothatshecouldseeit，andsaid：
"Please，Becky，won’tyoutakeit？"
Shestruckittothefloor。ThenTommarchedoutofthehouseandoverthehillsandfaraway，toreturntoschoolnomorethatday。
PresentlyBeckybegantosuspect。Sherantothedoor；hewasnotinsight；
sheflewaroundtotheplay—yard；hewasnotthere。Thenshecalled：
"Tom！Comeback，Tom！"
Shelistenedintently，buttherewasnoanswer。Shehadnocompanionsbutsilenceandloneliness。Soshesatdowntocryagainandupbraidherself；
andbythistimethescholarsbegantogatheragain，andshehadtohidehergriefsandstillherbrokenheartandtakeupthecrossofalong，dreary，achingafternoon，withnoneamongthestrangersabouthertoexchangesorrowswith。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter8CHAPTERVIIITOMdodgedhitherandthitherthroughlanesuntilhewaswelloutofthetrackofreturningscholars，andthenfellintoamoodyjog。Hecrossedasmall"branch"twoorthreetimes，becauseofaprevailingjuvenilesuperstitionthattocrosswaterbaffledpursuit。HalfanhourlaterhewasdisappearingbehindtheDouglasmansiononthesummitofCardiffHill，andtheschool—housewashardlydistinguishableawayoffinthevalleybehindhim。Heenteredadensewood，pickedhispathlesswaytothecentreofit，andsatdownonamossyspotunderaspreadingoak。Therewasnotevenazephyrstirring；
thedeadnoondayheathadevenstilledthesongsofthebirds；naturelayinatrancethatwasbrokenbynosoundbuttheoccasionalfar—offhammeringofawoodpecker，andthisseemedtorenderthepervadingsilenceandsenseoflonelinessthemoreprofound。Theboy’ssoulwassteepedinmelancholy；
hisfeelingswereinhappyaccordwithhissurroundings。Hesatlongwithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands，meditating。Itseemedtohimthatlifewasbutatrouble，atbest，andhemorethanhalfenviedJimmyHodges，solatelyreleased；itmustbeverypeaceful，hethought，tolieandslumberanddreamforeverandever，withthewindwhisperingthroughthetreesandcaressingthegrassandtheflowersoverthegrave，andnothingtobotherandgrieveabout，everanymore。IfheonlyhadacleanSunday—schoolrecordhecouldbewillingtogo，andbedonewithitall。Nowastothisgirl。Whathadhedone？Nothing。Hehadmeantthebestintheworld，andbeentreatedlikeadog——likeaverydog。Shewouldbesorrysomeday——maybewhenitwastoolate。Ah，ifhecouldonlydieTEMPORARILY！
Buttheelasticheartofyouthcannotbecompressedintooneconstrainedshapelongatatime。Tompresentlybegantodriftinsensiblybackintotheconcernsofthislifeagain。Whatifheturnedhisback，now，anddisappearedmysteriously？Whatifhewentaway——eversofaraway，intounknowncountriesbeyondtheseas——andnevercamebackanymore！Howwouldshefeelthen！
Theideaofbeingaclownrecurredtohimnow，onlytofillhimwithdisgust。
Forfrivolityandjokesandspottedtightswereanoffense，whentheyintrudedthemselvesuponaspiritthatwasexaltedintothevagueaugustrealmoftheromantic。No，hewouldbeasoldier，andreturnafterlongyears，allwar—wornandillustrious。No——betterstill，hewouldjointheIndians，andhuntbuffaloesandgoonthewarpathinthemountainrangesandthetracklessgreatplainsoftheFarWest，andawayinthefuturecomebackagreatchief，bristlingwithfeathers，hideouswithpaint，andpranceintoSunday—school，somedrowsysummermorning，withablood—curdlingwar—whoop，andseartheeyeballsofallhiscompanionswithunappeasableenvy。Butno，therewassomethinggaudiereventhanthis。Hewouldbeapirate！Thatwasit！nowhisfuturelayplainbeforehim，andglowingwithunimaginablesplendor。Howhisnamewouldfilltheworld，andmakepeopleshudder！Howgloriouslyhewouldgoplowingthedancingseas，inhislong，low，black—hulledracer，theSpiritofthestorm，withhisgrislyflagflyingatthefore！Andatthezenithofhisfame，howhewouldsuddenlyappearattheoldvillageandstalkintochurch，brownandweather—beaten，inhisblackvelvetdoubletandtrunks，hisgreatjack—boots，hiscrimsonsash，hisbeltbristlingwithhorse—pistols，hiscrime—rustedcutlassathisside，hisslouchhatwithwavingplumes，hisblackflagunfurled，withtheskullandcrossbonesonit，andhearwithswellingecstasythewhisperings，"It’sTomSawyerthePirate！——theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain！"
Yes，itwassettled；hiscareerwasdetermined。Hewouldrunawayfromhomeandenteruponit。Hewouldstarttheverynextmorning。Thereforehemustnowbegintogetready。Hewouldcollecthisresourcestogether。
HewenttoarottenlognearathandandbegantodigunderoneendofitwithhisBarlowknife。Hesoonstruckwoodthatsoundedhollow。Heputhishandthereandutteredthisincantationimpressively：
"Whathasn’tcomehere，come！What’shere，stayhere！"
Thenhescrapedawaythedirt，andexposedapineshingle。Hetookitupanddisclosedashapelylittletreasure—housewhosebottomandsideswereofshingles。Initlayamarble。Tom’sastonishmentwasboundless！
Hescratchedhisheadwithaperplexedair，andsaid：
"Well，thatbeatsanything！"
Thenhetossedthemarbleawaypettishly，andstoodcogitating。
Thetruthwas，thatasuperstitionofhishadfailed，here，whichheandallhiscomradeshadalwayslookeduponasinfallible。Ifyouburiedamarblewithcertainnecessaryincantations，andleftitaloneafortnight，andthenopenedtheplacewiththeincantationhehadjustused，youwouldfindthatallthemarblesyouhadeverlosthadgatheredthemselvestogetherthere，meantime，nomatterhowwidelytheyhadbeenseparated。Butnow，thisthinghadactuallyandunquestionablyfailed。Tom’swholestructureoffaithwasshakentoitsfoundations。Hehadmanyatimeheardofthisthingsucceedingbutneverofitsfailingbefore。Itdidnotoccurtohimthathehadtrieditseveraltimesbefore，himself，butcouldneverfindthehiding—placesafterward。Hepuzzledoverthemattersometime，andfinallydecidedthatsomewitchhadinterferedandbrokenthecharm。Hethoughthewouldsatisfyhimselfonthatpoint；sohesearchedaroundtillhefoundasmallsandyspotwithalittlefunnel—shapeddepressioninit。
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