Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisdepressionandcalled——
"Doodle—bug，doodle—bug，tellmewhatIwanttoknow！Doodle—bug，doodle—bug，tellmewhatIwanttoknow！"Thesandbegantowork，andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright。
"Hedasn’ttell！Soitwasawitchthatdoneit。Ijustknowedit。"
Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches，sohegaveupdiscouraged。Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway，andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit。Buthecouldnotfindit。Nowhewentbacktohistreasure—houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway；thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway，saying：
"Brother，gofindyourbrother！"
Hewatchedwhereitstopped，andwentthereandlooked。Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar；sohetriedtwicemore。Thelastrepetitionwassuccessful。Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother。
Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest。Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers，turnedasuspenderintoabelt，rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog，disclosingarudebowandarrow，alathswordandatintrumpet，andinamomenthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway，barelegged，withflutteringshirt。
Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm，blewanansweringblast，andthenbegantotiptoeandlookwarilyout，thiswayandthat。Hesaidcautiously——toanimaginarycompany：
"Hold，mymerrymen！KeephidtillIblow。"
NowappearedJoeHarper，asairilycladandelaboratelyarmedasTom。Tomcalled：
"Hold！WhocomeshereintoSherwoodForestwithoutmypass？"
"GuyofGuisbornewantsnoman’spass。Whoartthouthat——that——"
"Darestoholdsuchlanguage，"saidTom，prompting——fortheytalked"bythebook，"frommemory。
"Whoartthouthatdarestoholdsuchlanguage？"
"I，indeed！IamRobinHood，asthycaitiffcarcasesoonshallknow。"
"Thenartthouindeedthatfamousoutlaw？RightgladlywillI
disputewiththeethepassesofthemerrywood。Haveatthee！"
Theytooktheirlathswords，dumpedtheirothertrapsontheground，struckafencingattitude，foottofoot，andbeganagrave，carefulcombat，"twoupandtwodown。"PresentlyTomsaid：
"Now，ifyou’vegotthehang，goitlively！"
Sothey"wentitlively，"pantingandperspiringwiththework。
ByandbyTomshouted：
"Fall！fall！Whydon’tyoufall？"
"Isha’n’t！Whydon’tyoufallyourself？You’regettingtheworstofit。"
"Why，thatain’tanything。Ican’tfall；thatain’tthewayitisinthebook。Thebooksays，’Thenwithoneback—handedstrokeheslewpoorGuyofGuisborne。’You’retoturnaroundandletmehityouintheback。"
Therewasnogettingaroundtheauthorities，soJoeturned，receivedthewhackandfell。
"Now，"saidJoe，gettingup，"yougottoletmekillyou。That’sfair。"
"Why，Ican’tdothat，itain’tinthebook。"
"Well，it’sblamedmean——that’sall。"
"Well，say，Joe，youcanbeFriarTuckorMuchthemiller’sson，andlammewithaquarter—staff；orI’llbetheSheriffofNottinghamandyoubeRobinHoodalittlewhileandkillme。"
Thiswassatisfactory，andsotheseadventureswerecarriedout。
ThenTombecameRobinHoodagain，andwasallowedbythetreacherousnuntobleedhisstrengthawaythroughhisneglectedwound。AndatlastJoe，representingawholetribeofweepingoutlaws，draggedhimsadlyforth，gavehisbowintohisfeeblehands，andTomsaid，"Wherethisarrowfalls，thereburypoorRobinHoodunderthegreenwoodtree。"Thenheshotthearrowandfellbackandwouldhavedied，buthelitonanettleandspranguptoogailyforacorpse。
Theboysdressedthemselves，hidtheiraccoutrements，andwentoffgrievingthattherewerenooutlawsanymore，andwonderingwhatmoderncivilizationcouldclaimtohavedonetocompensatefortheirloss。TheysaidtheywouldratherbeoutlawsayearinSherwoodForestthanPresidentoftheUnitedStatesforever。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter9CHAPTERIXAThalf—pastnine，thatnight，TomandSidweresenttobed，asusual。
Theysaidtheirprayers，andSidwassoonasleep。Tomlayawakeandwaited，inrestlessimpatience。Whenitseemedtohimthatitmustbenearlydaylight，heheardtheclockstriketen！Thiswasdespair。Hewouldhavetossedandfidgeted，ashisnervesdemanded，buthewasafraidhemightwakeSid。
Sohelaystill，andstaredupintothedark。Everythingwasdismallystill。
Byandby，outofthestillness，little，scarcelypreceptiblenoisesbegantoemphasizethemselves。Thetickingoftheclockbegantobringitselfintonotice。Oldbeamsbegantocrackmysteriously。Thestairscreakedfaintly。Evidentlyspiritswereabroad。Ameasured，muffledsnoreissuedfromAuntPolly’schamber。Andnowthetiresomechirpingofacricketthatnohumaningenuitycouldlocate，began。Nexttheghastlytickingofadeath—watchinthewallatthebed’sheadmadeTomshudder——itmeantthatsomebody’sdayswerenumbered。Thenthehowlofafar—offdogroseonthenightair，andwasansweredbyafainterhowlfromaremoterdistance。Tomwasinanagony。Atlasthewassatisfiedthattimehadceasedandeternitybegun；
hebegantodoze，inspiteofhimself；theclockchimedeleven，buthedidnothearit。Andthentherecame，minglingwithhishalf—formeddreams，amostmelancholycaterwauling。Theraisingofaneighboringwindowdisturbedhim。Acryof"Scat！youdevil！"andthecrashofanemptybottleagainstthebackofhisaunt’swoodshedbroughthimwideawake，andasingleminutelaterhewasdressedandoutofthewindowandcreepingalongtheroofofthe"ell"onallfours。He"meow’d"withcautiononceortwice，ashewent；thenjumpedtotheroofofthewoodshedandthencetotheground。
HuckleberryFinnwasthere，withhisdeadcat。Theboysmovedoffanddisappearedinthegloom。Attheendofhalfanhourtheywerewadingthroughthetallgrassofthegraveyard。
Itwasagraveyardoftheold—fashionedWesternkind。Itwasonahill，aboutamileandahalffromthevillage。Ithadacrazyboardfencearoundit，whichleanedinwardinplaces，andoutwardtherestofthetime，butstooduprightnowhere。Grassandweedsgrewrankoverthewholecemetery。Alltheoldgravesweresunkenin，therewasnotatombstoneontheplace；round—topped，worm—eatenboardsstaggeredoverthegraves，leaningforsupportandfindingnone。"Sacredtothememoryof"So—and—Sohadbeenpaintedonthemonce，butitcouldnolongerhavebeenread，onthemostofthem，now，eveniftherehadbeenlight。
Afaintwindmoanedthroughthetrees，andTomfeareditmightbethespiritsofthedead，complainingatbeingdisturbed。Theboystalkedlittle，andonlyundertheirbreath，forthetimeandtheplaceandthepervadingsolemnityandsilenceoppressedtheirspirits。Theyfoundthesharpnewheaptheywereseeking，andensconcedthemselveswithintheprotectionofthreegreatelmsthatgrewinabunchwithinafewfeetofthegrave。
Thentheywaitedinsilenceforwhatseemedalongtime。Thehootingofadistantowlwasallthesoundthattroubledthedeadstillness。Tom’sreflectionsgrewoppressive。Hemustforcesometalk。Sohesaidinawhisper：
"Hucky，doyoubelievethedeadpeoplelikeitforustobehere？"
Huckleberrywhispered：
"IwishtIknowed。It’sawfulsolemnlike，AIN’Tit？"
"Ibetitis。"
Therewasaconsiderablepause，whiletheboyscanvassedthismatterinwardly。ThenTomwhispered：
"Say，Hucky——doyoureckonHossWilliamshearsustalking？"
"O’coursehedoes。Leasthissperritdoes。"
Tom，afterapause：
"IwishI’dsaidMisterWilliams。ButInevermeantanyharm。EverybodycallshimHoss。"
"Abodycan’tbetoopartic’larhowtheytalk’boutthese—yerdeadpeople，Tom。"
Thiswasadamper，andconversationdiedagain。
PresentlyTomseizedhiscomrade’sarmandsaid：
"Sh！"
"Whatisit，Tom？"Andthetwoclungtogetherwithbeatinghearts。
"~sh！There’tisagain！Didn’tyouhearit？"
"I——"
"There！Nowyouhearit。"
"Lord，Tom，they’recoming！They’recoming，sure。What’llwedo？"
"Idono。Thinkthey’llseeus？"
"Oh，Tom，theycanseeinthedark，sameascats。IwishtIhadn’tcome。"
"Oh，don’tbeafeard。Idon’tbelievethey’llbotherus。Weain’tdoinganyharm。Ifwekeepperfectlystill，maybetheywon’tnoticeusatall。"
"I’lltryto，Tom，but，Lord，I’mallofashiver。"
"Listen！"
Theboysbenttheirheadstogetherandscarcelybreathed。Amuffledsoundofvoicesfloatedupfromthefarendofthegraveyard。
"Look！Seethere！"whisperedTom。"Whatisit？"
"It’sdevil—fire。Oh，Tom，thisisawful。"
Somevaguefiguresapproachedthroughthegloom，swinginganold—fashionedtinlanternthatfreckledthegroundwithinnumerablelittlespanglesoflight。PresentlyHuckleberrywhisperedwithashudder：
"It’sthedevilssureenough。Threeof’em！Lordy，Tom，we’regoners！Canyoupray？"
"I’lltry，butdon’tyoubeafeard。Theyain’tgoingtohurtus。
’NowIlaymedowntosleep，I——’"
"Sh！"
"Whatisit，Huck？"
"They’rehumans！Oneof’emis，anyway。Oneof’em’soldMuffPotter’svoice。"
"No——’tain’tso，isit？"
"IbetIknowit。Don’tyoustirnorbudge。Heain’tsharpenoughtonoticeus。Drunk，thesameasusual，likely——blamedoldrip！"
"Allright，I’llkeepstill。Nowthey’restuck。Can’tfindit。
Heretheycomeagain。Nowthey’rehot。Coldagain。Hotagain。Redhot！
They’rep’intedright，thistime。Say，Huck，Iknowanothero’themvoices；
it’sInjunJoe。"
"That’sso——thatmurderin’half—breed！I’ddruthertheywasdevilsadernsight。Whatkintheybeupto？"
Thewhisperdiedwhollyout，now，forthethreemenhadreachedthegraveandstoodwithinafewfeetoftheboys’hiding—place。
"Hereitis，"saidthethirdvoice；andtheownerofitheldthelanternupandrevealedthefaceofyoungDoctorRobinson。
PotterandInjunJoewerecarryingahandbarrowwitharopeandacoupleofshovelsonit。Theycastdowntheirloadandbegantoopenthegrave。Thedoctorputthelanternattheheadofthegraveandcameandsatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheelmtrees。Hewassoclosetheboyscouldhavetouchedhim。
"Hurry，men！"hesaid，inalowvoice；"themoonmightcomeoutatanymoment。"
Theygrowledaresponseandwentondigging。Forsometimetherewasnonoisebutthegratingsoundofthespadesdischargingtheirfreightofmouldandgravel。Itwasverymonotonous。Finallyaspadestruckuponthecoffinwithadullwoodyaccent，andwithinanotherminuteortwothemenhadhoisteditoutontheground。Theypriedoffthelidwiththeirshovels，gotoutthebodyanddumpeditrudelyontheground。Themoondriftedfrombehindthecloudsandexposedthepallidface。Thebarrowwasgotreadyandthecorpseplacedonit，coveredwithablanket，andboundtoitsplacewiththerope。Pottertookoutalargespring—knifeandcutoffthedanglingendoftheropeandthensaid：
"Nowthecussedthing’sready，Sawbones，andyou’lljustoutwithanotherfive，orhereshestays。"
"That’sthetalk！"saidInjunJoe。
"Lookhere，whatdoesthismean？"saidthedoctor。"Yourequiredyourpayinadvance，andI’vepaidyou。"
"Yes，andyoudonemorethanthat，"saidInjunJoe，approachingthedoctor，whowasnowstanding。"Fiveyearsagoyoudrovemeawayfromyourfather’skitchenonenight，whenIcometoaskforsomethingtoeat，andyousaidIwarn’tthereforanygood；andwhenIsworeI’dgetevenwithyouifittookahundredyears，yourfatherhadmejailedforavagrant。
DidyouthinkI’dforget？TheInjunbloodain’tinmefornothing。AndnowI’veGOTyou，andyougottosettle，youknow！"
Hewasthreateningthedoctor，withhisfistinhisface，bythistime。Thedoctorstruckoutsuddenlyandstretchedtheruffianontheground。
Potterdroppedhisknife，andexclaimed：
"Here，now，don’tyouhitmypard！"andthenextmomenthehadgrappledwiththedoctorandthetwowerestrugglingwithmightandmain，tramplingthegrassandtearingthegroundwiththeirheels。InjunJoesprangtohisfeet，hiseyesflamingwithpassion，snatchedupPotter’sknife，andwentcreeping，catlikeandstooping，roundandroundaboutthecombatants，seekinganopportunity。Allatoncethedoctorflunghimselffree，seizedtheheavyheadboardofWilliams’graveandfelledPottertotheearthwithit——andinthesameinstantthehalf—breedsawhischanceanddrovetheknifetothehiltintheyoungman’sbreast。HereeledandfellpartlyuponPotter，floodinghimwithhisblood，andinthesamemomentthecloudsblottedoutthedreadfulspectacleandthetwofrightenedboyswentspeedingawayinthedark。
Presently，whenthemoonemergedagain，InjunJoewasstandingoverthetwoforms，contemplatingthem。Thedoctormurmuredinarticulately，gavealonggasportwoandwasstill。Thehalf—breedmuttered：
"Thatscoreissettled——damnyou。"
Thenherobbedthebody。AfterwhichheputthefatalknifeinPotter’sopenrighthand，andsatdownonthedismantledcoffin。Three——four——fiveminutespassed，andthenPotterbegantostirandmoan。
Hishandclosedupontheknife；heraisedit，glancedatit，andletitfall，withashudder。Thenhesatup，pushingthebodyfromhim，andgazedatit，andthenaroundhim，confusedly。HiseyesmetJoe’s。
"Lord，howisthis，Joe？"hesaid。
"It’sadirtybusiness，"saidJoe，withoutmoving。
"Whatdidyoudoitfor？"
"I！Ineverdoneit！"
"Lookhere！Thatkindoftalkwon’twash。"
Pottertrembledandgrewwhite。
"IthoughtI’dgotsober。I’dnobusinesstodrinkto—night。Butit’sinmyheadyet——worse’nwhenwestartedhere。I’mallinamuddle；
can’trecollectanythingofit，hardly。Tellme，Joe——honest，now，oldfeller——didIdoit？Joe，Inevermeantto——’ponmysoulandhonor，Inevermeantto，Joe。Tellmehowitwas，Joe。Oh，it’sawful——
andhimsoyoungandpromising。"
"Why，youtwowasscuffling，andhefetchedyouonewiththeheadboardandyoufellflat；andthenupyoucome，allreelingandstaggeringlike，andsnatchedtheknifeandjammeditintohim，justashefetchedyouanotherawfulclip——andhereyou’velaid，asdeadasawedgetilnow。"
"Oh，Ididn’tknowwhatIwasa—doing。IwishImaydiethisminuteifIdid。Itwasallonaccountofthewhiskeyandtheexcitement，Ireckon。
Ineverusedaweeponinmylifebefore，Joe。I’vefought，butneverwithweepons。They’llallsaythat。Joe，don’ttell！Sayyouwon’ttell，Joe——that’sagoodfeller。Ialwayslikedyou，Joe，andstoodupforyou，too。Don’tyouremember？Youwon’ttell，willyou，Joe？"
Andthepoorcreaturedroppedonhiskneesbeforethestolidmurderer，andclaspedhisappealinghands。
"No，you’vealwaysbeenfairandsquarewithme，MuffPotter，andIwon’tgobackonyou。There，now，that’sasfairasamancansay。"
"Oh，Joe，you’reanangel。I’llblessyouforthisthelongestdayIlive。"AndPotterbegantocry。
"Come，now，that’senoughofthat。Thisain’tanytimeforblubbering。
YoubeoffyonderwayandI’llgothis。Move，now，anddon’tleaveanytracksbehindyou。"
Potterstartedonatrotthatquicklyincreasedtoarun。Thehalf—breedstoodlookingafterhim。Hemuttered：
"Ifhe’sasmuchstunnedwiththelickandfuddledwiththerumashehadthelookofbeing，hewon’tthinkoftheknifetillhe’sgonesofarhe’llbeafraidtocomebackafterittosuchaplacebyhimself——chicken—heart！"
Twoorthreeminuteslaterthemurderedman，theblanketedcorpse，thelidlesscoffin，andtheopengravewereundernoinspectionbutthemoon’s。Thestillnesswascompleteagain，too。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter10CHAPTERXTHEtwoboysflewonandon，towardthevillage，speechlesswithhorror。
Theyglancedbackwardovertheirshouldersfromtimetotime，apprehensively，asiftheyfearedtheymightbefollowed。Everystumpthatstartedupintheirpathseemedamanandanenemy，andmadethemcatchtheirbreath；
andastheyspedbysomeoutlyingcottagesthatlaynearthevillage，thebarkingofthearousedwatch—dogsseemedtogivewingstotheirfeet。
"Ifwecanonlygettotheoldtannerybeforewebreakdown！"
whisperedTom，inshortcatchesbetweenbreaths。"Ican’tstanditmuchlonger。"
Huckleberry’shardpantingswerehisonlyreply，andtheboysfixedtheireyesonthegoaloftheirhopesandbenttotheirworktowinit。Theygainedsteadilyonit，andatlast，breasttobreast，theyburstthroughtheopendoorandfellgratefulandexhaustedintheshelteringshadowsbeyond。Byandbytheirpulsessloweddown，andTomwhispered：
"Huckleberry，whatdoyoureckon’llcomeofthis？"
"IfDoctorRobinsondies，Ireckonhanging’llcomeofit。"
"Doyouthough？"
"Why，Iknowit，Tom。"
Tomthoughtawhile，thenhesaid：
"Who’lltell？We？"
"Whatareyoutalkingabout？S’posesomethinghappenedandInjunJoedidn’thang？Why，he’dkillussometimeorother，justasdeadsureaswe’realayinghere。"
"That’sjustwhatIwasthinkingtomyself，Huck。"
"Ifanybodytells，letMuffPotterdoit，ifhe’sfoolenough。
He’sgenerallydrunkenough。"
Tomsaidnothing——wentonthinking。Presentlyhewhispered：
"Huck，MuffPotterdon’tknowit。Howcanhetell？"
"What’sthereasonhedon’tknowit？"
"Becausehe’djustgotthatwhackwhenInjunJoedoneit。D’youreckonhecouldseeanything？D’youreckonheknowedanything？"
"Byhokey，that’sso，Tom！"
"Andbesides，look—a—here——maybethatwhackdoneforhim！"
"No，’taintlikely，Tom。Hehadliquorinhim；Icouldseethat；
andbesides，healwayshas。Well，whenpap’sfull，youmighttakeandbelthimovertheheadwithachurchandyoucouldn’tphasehim。Hesaysso，hisownself。Soit’sthesamewithMuffPotter，ofcourse。Butifamanwasdeadsober，Ireckonmaybethatwhackmightfetchhim；Idono。"
Afteranotherreflectivesilence，Tomsaid：
"Hucky，yousureyoucankeepmum？"
"Tom，wegottokeepmum。Youknowthat。ThatInjundevilwouldn’tmakeanymoreofdrowndingusthanacoupleofcats，ifwewastosqueak’boutthisandtheydidn’thanghim。Now，look—a—here，Tom，lesstakeandsweartooneanother——that’swhatwegottodo——sweartokeepmum。"
"I’magreed。It’sthebestthing。Wouldyoujustholdhandsandswearthatwe——"
"Ohno，thatwouldn’tdoforthis。That’sgoodenoughforlittlerubbishycommonthings——speciallywithgals，cuztheygobackonyouanyway，andblabiftheygetinahuff——butthereorterbewriting’boutabigthinglikethis。Andblood。"
Tom’swholebeingapplaudedthisidea。Itwasdeep，anddark，andawful；thehour，thecircumstances，thesurroundings，wereinkeepingwithit。Hepickedupacleanpineshinglethatlayinthemoonlight，tookalittlefragmentof"redkeel"outofhispocket，gotthemoononhiswork，andpainfullyscrawledtheselines，emphasizingeachslowdown—strokebyclampinghistonguebetweenhisteeth，andlettingupthepressureontheup—strokes。
"HuckFinnandTomSawyerswearstheywillkeepmumaboutThisandTheywishTheymayDropdowndeadinTheirTracksifTheyeverTellandRot。HuckleberrywasfilledwithadmirationofTom’sfacilityinwriting，andthesublimityofhislanguage。Heatoncetookapinfromhislapelandwasgoingtoprickhisflesh，butTomsaid：
"Holdon！Don’tdothat。Apin’sbrass。Itmighthaveverdigreaseonit。"
"What’sverdigrease？"
"It’sp’ison。That’swhatitis。Youjustswallersomeofitonce——you’llsee。"
SoTomunwoundthethreadfromoneofhisneedles，andeachboyprickedtheballofhisthumbandsqueezedoutadropofblood。Intime，aftermanysqueezes，Tommanagedtosignhisinitials，usingtheballofhislittlefingerforapen。ThenheshowedHuckleberryhowtomakeanHandanF，andtheoathwascomplete。Theyburiedtheshingleclosetothewall，withsomedismalceremoniesandincantations，andthefettersthatboundtheirtongueswereconsideredtobelockedandthekeythrownaway。
Afigurecreptstealthilythroughabreakintheotherendoftheruinedbuilding，now，buttheydidnotnoticeit。
"Tom，"whisperedHuckleberry，"doesthiskeepusfromevertelling——always？"
"Ofcourseitdoes。Itdon’tmakeanydifferencewhathappens，wegottokeepmum。We’ddropdowndead——don’tyouknowthat？"
"Yes，Ireckonthat’sso。"
Theycontinuedtowhisperforsomelittletime。Presentlyadogsetupalong，lugubrioushowljustoutside——withintenfeetofthem。
Theboysclaspedeachothersuddenly，inanagonyoffright。
"Whichofusdoeshemean？"gaspedHuckleberry。
"Idono——peepthroughthecrack。Quick！"
"No，you，Tom！"
"Ican’t——Ican’tdoit，Huck！"
"Please，Tom。There’tisagain！"
"Oh，lordy，I’mthankful！"whisperedTom。"Iknowhisvoice。It’sBullHarbison。"*
[*IfMr。HarbisonownedaslavenamedBull，Tomwouldhavespokenofhimas"Harbison’sBull，"butasonoradogofthatnamewas"BullHarbison。"]
"Oh，that’sgood——Itellyou，Tom，Iwasmostscaredtodeath；
I’dabetanythingitwasastraydog。"
Thedoghowledagain。Theboys’heartssankoncemore。
"Oh，my！thatain’tnoBullHarbison！"whisperedHuckleberry。
"do，Tom！"
Tom，quakingwithfear，yielded，andputhiseyetothecrack。
Hiswhisperwashardlyaudiblewhenhesaid：
"Oh，Huck，it’sastraydog！"
"Quick，Tom，quick！Whodoeshemean？"
"Huck，hemustmeanusboth——we’rerighttogether。"
"Oh，Tom，Ireckonwe’regoners。Ireckonthereain’tnomistake’boutwhereI’llgoto。Ibeensowicked。"
"Dadfetchit！Thiscomesofplayinghookeyanddoingeverythingafeller’stoldnottodo。Imightabeengood，likeSid，ifI’datried——butno，Iwouldn’t，ofcourse。ButifeverIgetoffthistime，IlayI’lljustwallerinSunday—schools！"AndTombegantosnufflealittle。
"Youbad！"andHuckleberrybegantosnuffletoo。"Consoundit，TomSawyer，you’rejustoldpie，’longsideo’whatIam。Oh，lordy，lordy，lordy，IwishtIonlyhadhalfyourchance。"
Tomchokedoffandwhispered：
"Look，Hucky，look！He’sgothisbacktous！"
Huckylooked，withjoyinhisheart。
"Well，hehas，byjingoes！Didhebefore？"
"Yes，hedid。ButI，likeafool，neverthought。Oh，thisisbully，youknow。Nowwhocanhemean？"
Thehowlingstopped。Tomprickeduphisears。
"Sh！What’sthat？"hewhispered。
"Soundslike——likehogsgrunting。No——it’ssomebodysnoring，Tom。"
"Thatisit！Where’boutsisit，Huck？"
"Ibleeveit’sdownat’totherend。Soundsso，anyway。Papusedtosleepthere，sometimes，’longwiththehogs，butlawsblessyou，hejustliftsthingswhenhesnores。Besides，Ireckonheain’tevercomingbacktothistownanymore。"
Thespiritofadventureroseintheboys’soulsoncemore。
"Hucky，doyoudas’ttogoifIlead？"
"Idon’tliketo，much。Tom，s’poseit’sInjunJoe！"
Tomquailed。Butpresentlythetemptationroseupstrongagainandtheboysagreedtotry，withtheunderstandingthattheywouldtaketotheirheelsifthesnoringstopped。Sotheywenttiptoeingstealthilydown，theonebehindtheother。Whentheyhadgottowithinfivestepsofthesnorer，Tomsteppedonastick，anditbrokewithasharpsnap。
Themanmoaned，writhedalittle，andhisfacecameintothemoonlight。
ItwasMuffPotter。Theboys’heartshadstoodstill，andtheirhopestoo，whenthemanmoved，buttheirfearspassedawaynow。Theytiptoedout，throughthebrokenweather—boarding，andstoppedatalittledistancetoexchangeapartingword。Thatlong，lugubrioushowlroseonthenightairagain！TheyturnedandsawthestrangedogstandingwithinafewfeetofwherePotterwaslying，andFACINGPotter，withhisnosepointingheavenward。
"Oh，geeminy，it’shim！"exclaimedbothboys，inabreath。
"Say，Tom——theysayastraydogcomehowlingaroundJohnnyMiller’shouse，’boutmidnight，asmuchastwoweeksago；andawhippoorwillcomeinandlitonthebanistersandsung，theverysameevening；andthereain’tanybodydeadthereyet。"
"Well，Iknowthat。Andsupposethereain’t。Didn’tGracieMillerfallinthekitchenfireandburnherselfterribletheverynextSaturday？"
"Yes，butsheain’tdead。Andwhat’smore，she’sgettingbetter，too。"
"Allright，youwaitandsee。She’sagoner，justasdeadsureasMuffPotter’sagoner。That’swhattheniggerssay，andtheyknowallaboutthesekindofthings，Huck。"
Thentheyseparated，cogitating。WhenTomcreptinathisbedroomwindowthenightwasalmostspent。Heundressedwithexcessivecaution，andfellasleepcongratulatinghimselfthatnobodyknewofhisescapade。
Hewasnotawarethatthegently—snoringSidwasawake，andhadbeensoforanhour。
WhenTomawoke，Sidwasdressedandgone。Therewasalatelookinthelight，alatesenseintheatmosphere。Hewasstartled。Whyhadhenotbeencalled——persecutedtillhewasup，asusual？Thethoughtfilledhimwithbodings。Withinfiveminuteshewasdressedanddown—stairs，feelingsoreanddrowsy。Thefamilywerestillattable，buttheyhadfinishedbreakfast。Therewasnovoiceofrebuke；buttherewereavertedeyes；therewasasilenceandanairofsolemnitythatstruckachilltotheculprit’sheart。Hesatdownandtriedtoseemgay，butitwasup—hillwork；itrousednosmile，noresponse，andhelapsedintosilenceandlethisheartsinkdowntothedepths。
Afterbreakfasthisaunttookhimaside，andTomalmostbrightenedinthehopethathewasgoingtobeflogged；butitwasnotso。Hisauntweptoverhimandaskedhimhowhecouldgoandbreakheroldheartso；
andfinallytoldhimtogoon，andruinhimselfandbringhergrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave，foritwasnouseforhertotryanymore。Thiswasworsethanathousandwhippings，andTom’sheartwassorernowthanhisbody。Hecried，hepleadedforforgiveness，promisedtoreformoverandoveragain，andthenreceivedhisdismissal，feelingthathehadwonbutanimperfectforgivenessandestablishedbutafeebleconfidence。
HeleftthepresencetoomiserabletoevenfeelrevengefultowardSid；andsothelatter’spromptretreatthroughthebackgatewasunnecessary。
Hemopedtoschoolgloomyandsad，andtookhisflogging，alongwithJoeHarper，forplayinghookeythedaybefore，withtheairofonewhoseheartwasbusywithheavierwoesandwhollydeadtotrifles。Thenhebetookhimselftohisseat，restedhiselbowsonhisdeskandhisjawsinhishands，andstaredatthewallwiththestonystareofsufferingthathasreachedthelimitandcannofurthergo。Hiselbowwaspressingagainstsomehardsubstance。
Afteralongtimeheslowlyandsadlychangedhisposition，andtookupthisobjectwithasigh。Itwasinapaper。Heunrolledit。Along，lingering，colossalsighfollowed，andhisheartbroke。Itwashisbrassandironknob！
Thisfinalfeatherbrokethecamel’sback。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter11CHAPTERXICLOSEuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews。Noneedoftheasyetundreamed—oftelegraph；thetaleflewfrommantoman，fromgrouptogroup，fromhousetohouse，withlittlelessthantelegraphicspeed。Ofcoursetheschoolmastergaveholidayforthatafternoon；thetownwouldhavethoughtstrangelyofhimifhehadnot。
Agoryknifehadbeenfoundclosetothemurderedman，andithadbeenrecognizedbysomebodyasbelongingtoMuffPotter——sothestoryran。AnditwassaidthatabelatedcitizenhadcomeuponPotterwashinghimselfinthe"branch"aboutoneortwoo’clockinthemorning，andthatPotterhadatoncesneakedoff——suspiciouscircumstances，especiallythewashingwhichwasnotahabitwithPotter。Itwasalsosaidthatthetownhadbeenransackedforthis"murderer"（thepublicarenotslowinthematterofsiftingevidenceandarrivingataverdict），butthathecouldnotbefound。Horsemenhaddeparteddownalltheroadsineverydirection，andtheSheriff"wasconfident"thathewouldbecapturedbeforenight。
Allthetownwasdriftingtowardthegraveyard。Tom’sheartbreakvanishedandhejoinedtheprocession，notbecausehewouldnotathousandtimesrathergoanywhereelse，butbecauseanawful，unaccountablefascinationdrewhimon。Arrivedatthedreadfulplace，hewormedhissmallbodythroughthecrowdandsawthedismalspectacle。Itseemedtohimanagesincehewastherebefore。Somebodypinchedhisarm。Heturned，andhiseyesmetHuckleberry’s。Thenbothlookedelsewhereatonce，andwonderedifanybodyhadnoticedanythingintheirmutualglance。Buteverybodywastalking，andintentuponthegrislyspectaclebeforethem。
"Poorfellow！""Pooryoungfellow！""Thisoughttobealessontograverobbers！""MuffPotter’llhangforthisiftheycatchhim！"Thiswasthedriftofremark；andtheministersaid，"Itwasajudgment；Hishandishere。"
NowTomshiveredfromheadtoheel；forhiseyefelluponthestolidfaceofInjunJoe。Atthismomentthecrowdbegantoswayandstruggle，andvoicesshouted，"It’shim！it’shim！he’scominghimself！"
"Who？Who？"fromtwentyvoices。
"MuffPotter！"
"Hallo，he’sstopped！——Lookout，he’sturning！Don’tlethimgetaway！"
PeopleinthebranchesofthetreesoverTom’sheadsaidhewasn’ttryingtogetaway——heonlylookeddoubtfulandperplexed。
"Infernalimpudence！"saidabystander；"wantedtocomeandtakeaquietlookathiswork，Ireckon——didn’texpectanycompany。"
Thecrowdfellapart，now，andtheSheriffcamethrough，ostentatiouslyleadingPotterbythearm。Thepoorfellow’sfacewashaggard，andhiseyesshowedthefearthatwasuponhim。Whenhestoodbeforethemurderedman，heshookaswithapalsy，andheputhisfaceinhishandsandburstintotears。
"Ididn’tdoit，friends，"hesobbed；"’ponmywordandhonorIneverdoneit。"
"Who’saccusedyou？"shoutedavoice。
Thisshotseemedtocarryhome。Potterliftedhisfaceandlookedaroundhimwithapathetichopelessnessinhiseyes。HesawInjunJoe，andexclaimed：
"Oh，InjunJoe，youpromisedmeyou’dnever——"
"Isthatyourknife？"anditwasthrustbeforehimbytheSheriff。
Potterwouldhavefalleniftheyhadnotcaughthimandeasedhimtotheground。Thenhesaid：
"Somethingtoldme’tifIdidn’tcomebackandget——"Heshuddered；
thenwavedhisnervelesshandwithavanquishedgestureandsaid，"Tell’em，Joe，tell’em——itain’tanyuseanymore。"
ThenHuckleberryandTomstooddumbandstaring，andheardthestony—heartedliarreeloffhisserenestatement，theyexpectingeverymomentthattheclearskywoulddeliverGod’slightningsuponhishead，andwonderingtoseehowlongthestrokewasdelayed。Andwhenhehadfinishedandstillstoodaliveandwhole，theirwaveringimpulsetobreaktheiroathandsavethepoorbetrayedprisoner’slifefadedandvanishedaway，forplainlythismiscreanthadsoldhimselftoSatananditwouldbefataltomeddlewiththepropertyofsuchapowerasthat。
"Whydidn’tyouleave？Whatdidyouwanttocomeherefor？"somebodysaid。
"Icouldn’thelpit——Icouldn’thelpit，"Pottermoaned。"I
wantedtorunaway，butIcouldn’tseemtocomeanywherebuthere。"Andhefelltosobbingagain。
InjunJoerepeatedhisstatement，justascalmly，afewminutesafterwardontheinquest，underoath；andtheboys，seeingthatthelightningswerestillwithheld，wereconfirmedintheirbeliefthatJoehadsoldhimselftothedevil。Hewasnowbecome，tothem，themostbalefullyinterestingobjecttheyhadeverlookedupon，andtheycouldnottaketheirfascinatedeyesfromhisface。
Theyinwardlyresolvedtowatchhimnights，whenopportunityshouldoffer，inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisdreadmaster。
InjunJoehelpedtoraisethebodyofthemurderedmanandputitinawagonforremoval；anditwaswhisperedthroughtheshudderingcrowdthatthewoundbledalittle！Theboysthoughtthatthishappycircumstancewouldturnsuspicionintherightdirection；buttheyweredisappointed，formorethanonevillagerremarked：
"ItwaswithinthreefeetofMuffPotterwhenitdoneit。"
Tom’sfearfulsecretandgnawingconsciencedisturbedhissleepforasmuchasaweekafterthis；andatbreakfastonemorningSidsaid：
"Tom，youpitcharoundandtalkinyoursleepsomuchthatyoukeepmeawakehalfthetime。"
Tomblanchedanddroppedhiseyes。
"It’sabadsign，"saidAuntPolly，gravely。"Whatyougotonyourmind，Tom？"
"Nothing。Nothing’tIknowof。"Buttheboy’shandshooksothathespilledhiscoffee。
"Andyoudotalksuchstuff，"Sidsaid。"Lastnightyousaid，’It’sblood，it’sblood，that’swhatitis！’Yousaidthatoverandover。
Andyousaid，’Don’ttormentmeso——I’lltell！’Tellwhat？Whatisityou’lltell？"
EverythingwasswimmingbeforeTom。Thereisnotellingwhatmighthavehappened，now，butluckilytheconcernpassedoutofAuntPolly’sfaceandshecametoTom’sreliefwithoutknowingit。Shesaid：
"Sho！It’sthatdreadfulmurder。Idreamaboutitmosteverynightmyself。SometimesIdreamit’smethatdoneit。"
Marysaidshehadbeenaffectedmuchthesameway。Sidseemedsatisfied。Tomgotoutofthepresenceasquickasheplausiblycould，andafterthathecomplainedoftoothacheforaweek，andtieduphisjawseverynight。HeneverknewthatSidlaynightlywatching，andfrequentlyslippedthebandagefreeandthenleanedonhiselbowlisteningagoodwhileatatime，andafterwardslippedthebandagebacktoitsplaceagain。
Tom’sdistressofmindworeoffgraduallyandthetoothachegrewirksomeandwasdiscarded。IfSidreallymanagedtomakeanythingoutofTom’sdisjointedmutterings，hekeptittohimself。
ItseemedtoTomthathisschoolmatesneverwouldgetdoneholdinginquestsondeadcats，andthuskeepinghistroublepresenttohismind。
SidnoticedthatTomneverwascoroneratoneoftheseinquiries，thoughithadbeenhishabittotaketheleadinallnewenterprises；henoticed，too，thatTomneveractedasawitness——andthatwasstrange；andSiddidnotoverlookthefactthatTomevenshowedamarkedaversiontotheseinquests，andalwaysavoidedthemwhenhecould。Sidmarvelled，butsaidnothing。However，eveninquestswentoutofvogueatlast，andceasedtotortureTom’sconscience。
Everydayortwo，duringthistimeofsorrow，Tomwatchedhisopportunityandwenttothelittlegratedjail—windowandsmuggledsuchsmallcomfortsthroughtothe"murderer"ashecouldgetholdof。Thejailwasatriflinglittlebrickdenthatstoodinamarshattheedgeofthevillage，andnoguardswereaffordedforit；indeed，itwasseldomoccupied。
TheseofferingsgreatlyhelpedtoeaseTom’sconscience。
Thevillagershadastrongdesiretotar—and—featherInjunJoeandridehimonarail，forbody—snatching，butsoformidablewashischaracterthatnobodycouldbefoundwhowaswillingtotaketheleadinthematter，soitwasdropped。Hehadbeencarefultobeginbothofhisinquest—statementswiththefight，withoutconfessingthegrave—robberythatprecededit；
thereforeitwasdeemedwisestnottotrythecaseinthecourtsatpresent。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter12CHAPTERXIIONEofthereasonswhyTom’smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas，thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout。
BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool。Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays，andtriedto"whistleherdownthewind，"butfailed。
Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather’shouse，nights，andfeelingverymiserable。Shewasill。Whatifsheshoulddie！Therewasdistractioninthethought。Henolongertookaninterestinwar，noreveninpiracy。Thecharmoflifewasgone；therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft。Heputhishoopaway，andhisbat；therewasnojoyinthemanymore。
Hisauntwasconcerned。Shebegantotryallmannerofremediesonhim。
Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhoareinfatuatedwithpatentmedicinesandallnew—fangledmethodsofproducinghealthormendingit。Shewasaninveterateexperimenterinthesethings。Whensomethingfreshinthislinecameoutshewasinafever，rightaway，totryit；notonherself，forshewasneverailing，butonanybodyelsethatcamehandy。Shewasasubscriberforallthe"Health"periodicalsandphrenologicalfrauds；andthesolemnignorancetheywereinflatedwithwasbreathtohernostrils。Allthe"rot"
theycontainedaboutventilation，andhowtogotobed，andhowtogetup，andwhattoeat，andwhattodrink，andhowmuchexercisetotake，andwhatframeofmindtokeepone’sselfin，andwhatsortofclothingtowear，wasallgospeltoher，andsheneverobservedthatherhealth—journalsofthecurrentmonthcustomarilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore。Shewasassimple—heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong，andsoshewasaneasyvictim。Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines，andthusarmedwithdeath，wentaboutonherpalehorse，metaphoricallyspeaking，with"hellfollowingafter。"ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGileadindisguise，tothesufferingneighbors。
Thewatertreatmentwasnew，now，andTom’slowconditionwasawindfalltoher。Shehadhimoutatdaylighteverymorning，stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhimwithadelugeofcoldwater；thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile，andsobroughthimto；thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhimawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand"theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores"
——asTomsaid。
Yetnotwithstandingallthis，theboygrewmoreandmoremelancholyandpaleanddejected。Sheaddedhotbaths，sitzbaths，showerbaths，andplunges。Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse。Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblisterplasters。Shecalculatedhiscapacityasshewouldajug’s，andfilledhimupeverydaywithquackcure—alls。
Tomhadbecomeindifferenttopersecutionbythistime。Thisphasefilledtheoldlady’sheartwithconsternation。Thisindifferencemustbebrokenupatanycost。NowsheheardofPain—killerforthefirsttime。
Sheorderedalotatonce。Shetasteditandwasfilledwithgratitude。
Itwassimplyfireinaliquidform。Shedroppedthewatertreatmentandeverythingelse，andpinnedherfaithtoPain—killer。ShegaveTomateaspoonfulandwatchedwiththedeepestanxietyfortheresult。Hertroubleswereinstantlyatrest，hersoulatpeaceagain；forthe"indifference"wasbrokenup。Theboycouldnothaveshownawilder，heartierinterest，ifshehadbuiltafireunderhim。
Tomfeltthatitwastimetowakeup；thissortoflifemightberomanticenough，inhisblightedcondition，butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesentimentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit。Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief，andfinallyhitponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain—killer。Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance，andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher。
IfithadbeenSid，shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight；
butsinceitwasTom，shewatchedthebottleclandestinely。Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish，butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting—roomfloorwithit。
OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt’syellowcatcamealong，purring，eyingtheteaspoonavariciously，andbeggingforataste。Tomsaid：
"Don’taskforitunlessyouwantit，Peter。"
ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit。
"Youbettermakesure。"
Peterwassure。
"Nowyou’veaskedforit，andI’llgiveittoyou，becausethereain’tanythingmeanaboutme；butifyoufindyoudon’tlikeit，youmustn’tblameanybodybutyourownself。"
Peterwasagreeable。SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain—killer。Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair，andthendeliveredawar—whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom，bangingagainstfurniture，upsettingflower—pots，andmakinggeneralhavoc。Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround，inafrenzyofenjoyment，withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoiceproclaiminghisunappeasablehappiness。Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath。AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets，deliverafinalmightyhurrah，andsailthroughtheopenwindow，carryingtherestoftheflower—potswithhim。Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment，peeringoverherglasses；Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter。
"Tom，whatonearthailsthatcat？"
"Idon’tknow，aunt，"gaspedtheboy。
"Why，Ineverseeanythinglikeit。Whatdidmakehimactso？"
"DeedIdon’tknow，AuntPolly；catsalwaysactsowhenthey’rehavingagoodtime。"
"Theydo，dothey？"TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive。
"Yes’m。Thatis，Ibelievetheydo。"
"Youdo？"
"Yes’m。"
Theoldladywasbendingdown，Tomwatching，withinterestemphasizedbyanxiety。Toolatehedivinedher"drift。"Thehandleofthetelltaleteaspoonwasvisibleunderthebed—valance。AuntPollytookit，helditup。Tomwinced，anddroppedhiseyes。AuntPollyraisedhimbytheusualhandle——hisear——andcrackedhisheadsoundlywithherthimble。
"Now，sir，whatdidyouwanttotreatthatpoordumbbeastso，for？"
"Idoneitoutofpityforhim——becausehehadn’tanyaunt。"
"Hadn’tanyaunt！——younumskull。Whathasthatgottodowithit？"
"Heaps。Becauseifhe’dhadoneshe’daburnthimoutherself！
She’daroastedhisbowelsoutofhim’thoutanymorefeelingthanifhewasahuman！"
AuntPollyfeltasuddenpangofremorse。Thiswasputtingthethinginanewlight；whatwascrueltytoacatmightbecrueltytoaboy，too。Shebegantosoften；shefeltsorry。Hereyeswateredalittle，andsheputherhandonTom’sheadandsaidgently：
"Iwasmeaningforthebest，Tom。And，Tom，itdiddoyougood。"
Tomlookedupinherfacewithjustaperceptibletwinklepeepingthroughhisgravity。
"Iknowyouwasmeaningforthebest，aunty，andsowasIwithPeter。Itdonehimgood，too。Ineverseehimgetaroundsosince——"
"Oh，go’longwithyou，Tom，beforeyouaggravatemeagain。Andyoutryandseeifyoucan’tbeagoodboy，foronce，andyouneedn’ttakeanymoremedicine。"
Tomreachedschoolaheadoftime。Itwasnoticedthatthisstrangethinghadbeenoccurringeverydaylatterly。Andnow，asusualoflate，hehungaboutthegateoftheschoolyardinsteadofplayingwithhiscomrades。
Hewassick，hesaid，andhelookedit。Hetriedtoseemtobelookingeverywherebutwhitherhereallywaslooking——downtheroad。PresentlyJeffThatcherhoveinsight，andTom’sfacelighted；hegazedamoment，andthenturnedsorrowfullyaway。WhenJeffarrived，Tomaccostedhim；
and"ledup"warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky，butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait。Tomwatchedandwatched，hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight，andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone。Atlastfrocksceasedtoappear，andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps；heenteredtheemptyschoolhouseandsatdowntosuffer。Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate，andTom’sheartgaveagreatbound。Thenextinstanthewasout，and"goingon"likeanIndian；yelling，laughing，chasingboys，jumpingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb，throwinghandsprings，standingonhishead——doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof，andkeepingafurtiveeyeout，allthewhile，toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoticing。Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall；sheneverlooked。Coulditbepossiblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere？Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity；camewar—whoopingaround，snatchedaboy’scap，hurledittotheroofoftheschoolhouse，brokethroughagroupofboys，tumblingthemineverydirection，andfellsprawling，himself，underBecky’snose，almostupsettingher——andsheturned，withhernoseintheair，andheheardhersay："Mf！somepeoplethinkthey’remightysmart——alwaysshowingoff！"
Tom’scheeksburned。Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff，crushedandcrestfallen。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter13CHAPTERXIIITOM’Smindwasmadeupnow。Hewasgloomyanddesperate。Hewasaforsaken，friendlessboy，hesaid；nobodylovedhim；whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto，perhapstheywouldbesorry；hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong，buttheywouldnotlethim；sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim，letitbeso；andletthemblameHIMfortheconsequences——whyshouldn’tthey？Whatrighthadthefriendlesstocomplain？Yes，theyhadforcedhimtoitatlast：hewouldleadalifeofcrime。Therewasnochoice。
BythistimehewasfardownMeadowLane，andthebellforschoolto"takeup"tinkledfaintlyuponhisear。Hesobbed，now，tothinkheshouldnever，neverhearthatoldfamiliarsoundanymore——itwasveryhard，butitwasforcedonhim；sincehewasdrivenoutintothecoldworld，hemustsubmit——butheforgavethem。Thenthesobscamethickandfast。
Justatthispointhemethissoul’ssworncomrade，JoeHarper——hard—eyed，andwithevidentlyagreatanddismalpurposeinhisheart。
Plainlyherewere"twosoulswithbutasinglethought。"Tom，wipinghiseyeswithhissleeve，begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoescapefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn；andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim。
ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom，andhadcometohunthimupforthatpurpose。Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout；itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo；ifshefeltthatway，therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb；
hehopedshewouldbehappy，andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie。
Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong，theymadeanewcompacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeathrelievedthemoftheirtroubles。Thentheybegantolaytheirplans。Joewasforbeingahermit，andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave，anddying，sometime，ofcoldandwantandgrief；butafterlisteningtoTom，heconcededthatthereweresomeconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime，andsoheconsentedtobeapirate。
ThreemilesbelowSt。Petersburg，atapointwheretheMississippiRiverwasatrifleoveramilewide，therewasalong，narrow，woodedisland，withashallowbarattheheadofit，andthisofferedwellasarendezvous。
Itwasnotinhabited；itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore，abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest。SoJackson’sIslandwaschosen。
Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracieswasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem。ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn，andhejoinedthempromptly，forallcareerswereonetohim；hewasindifferent。Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriver—banktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour——whichwasmidnight。Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture。Eachwouldbringhooksandlines，andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway——asbecameoutlaws。Andbeforetheafternoonwasdone，theyhadallmanagedtoenjoythesweetgloryofspreadingthefactthatprettysoonthetownwould"hearsomething。"Allwhogotthisvaguehintwerecautionedto"bemumandwait。"
AboutmidnightTomarrivedwithaboiledhamandafewtrifles，andstoppedinadenseundergrowthonasmallbluffoverlookingthemeeting—place。
Itwasstarlight，andverystill。Themightyriverlaylikeanoceanatrest。Tomlistenedamoment，butnosounddisturbedthequiet。Thenhegavealow，distinctwhistle。Itwasansweredfromunderthebluff。Tomwhistledtwicemore；thesesignalswereansweredinthesameway。Thenaguardedvoicesaid：
"Whogoesthere？"
"TomSawyer，theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain。Nameyournames。"
"HuckFinntheRed—Handed，andJoeHarpertheTerroroftheSeas。"
Tomhadfurnishedthesetitles，fromhisfavoriteliterature。
"’Tiswell。Givethecountersign。"
Twohoarsewhispersdeliveredthesameawfulwordsimultaneouslytothebroodingnight：
"BLOOD！"ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit，tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort。Therewasaneasy，comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff，butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate。
TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon，andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere。FinntheRed—Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf—curedleaftobacco，andhadalsobroughtafewcorn—cobstomakepipeswith。Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor"chewed"
buthimself。TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire。Thatwasawisethought；matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday。Theysawafiresmoulderinguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove，andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk。Theymadeanimposingadventureofit，saying，"Hist！"everynowandthen，andsuddenlyhaltingwithfingeronlip；movingwithhandsonimaginarydagger—hilts；andgivingordersindismalwhispersthatif"thefoe"stirred，to"lethimhaveittothehilt，"because"deadmentellnotales。"Theyknewwellenoughthattheraftsmenwerealldownatthevillagelayinginstoresorhavingaspree，butstillthatwasnoexcusefortheirconductingthisthinginanunpiraticalway。
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