AFEWminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar,wadingtowardtheIllinoisshore.Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalf-wayover;thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading,now,sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards.Heswamquarteringupstream,butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected.However,hereachedtheshorefinally,anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout.Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket,foundhispieceofbarksafe,andthenstruckthroughthewoods,followingtheshore,withstreaminggarments.Shortlybeforeteno\'clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage,andsawtheferryboatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank.Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars.Hecreptdownthebank,watchingwithallhiseyes,slippedintothewater,swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid\"yawl\"dutyattheboat\'sstern.Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited,panting.
Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto\"castoff.\"Aminuteortwolatertheskiff\'sheadwasstandinghighup,againsttheboat\'sswell,andthevoyagewasbegun.Tomfelthappyinhissuccess,forheknewitwastheboat\'slasttripforthenight.Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped,andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk,landingfiftyyardsdownstream,outofdangerofpossiblestragglers.
Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys,andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt\'sbackfence.Heclimbedover,approachedthe\"ell,\"andlookedinatthesitting-roomwindow,foralightwasburningthere.TheresatAuntPolly,Sid,Mary,andJoeHarper\'smother,groupedtogether,talking.Theywerebythebed,andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor.Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch;thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack;hecontinuedpushingcautiously,andquakingeverytimeitcreaked,tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees;soheputhisheadthroughandbegan,warily.
\"Whatmakesthecandleblowso?\"saidAuntPolly.Tomhurriedup.\"Why,thatdoor\'sopen,Ibelieve.Why,ofcourseitis.Noendofstrangethingsnow.Go\'longandshutit,Sid.\"
Tomdisappearedunderthebedjustintime.Helayand\"breathed\"himselfforatime,andthencrepttowherehecouldalmosttouchhisaunt\'sfoot.
\"ButasIwassaying,\"saidAuntPolly,\"hewarn\'tbad,sotosay——onlymischeevous.Onlyjustgiddy,andharum-scarum,youknow.Hewarn\'tanymoreresponsiblethanacolt.HEnevermeantanyharm,andhewasthebest-heartedboythateverwas\"——andshebegantocry.
\"ItwasjustsowithmyJoe——alwaysfullofhisdevilment,anduptoeverykindofmischief,buthewasjustasunselfishandkindashecouldbe——andlawsblessme,tothinkIwentandwhippedhimfortakingthatcream,neveroncerecollectingthatIthroweditoutmyselfbecauseitwassour,andInevertoseehimagaininthisworld,never,never,never,poorabusedboy!\"AndMrs.Harpersobbedasifherheartwouldbreak.
\"IhopeTom\'sbetteroffwhereheis,\"saidSid,\"butifhe\'dbeenbetterinsomeways——\"
\"Sid!\"Tomfelttheglareoftheoldlady\'seye,thoughhecouldnotseeit.\"NotawordagainstmyTom,nowthathe\'sgone!God\'lltakecareofhim——neveryoutroubleyourself,sir!Oh,Mrs.Harper,Idon\'tknowhowtogivehimup!Idon\'tknowhowtogivehimup!Hewassuchacomforttome,althoughhetormentedmyoldheartoutofme,\'most.\"
\"TheLordgivethandtheLordhathtakenaway——BlessedbethenameoftheLord!Butit\'ssohard——Oh,it\'ssohard!OnlylastSaturdaymyJoebustedafirecrackerrightundermynoseandIknockedhimsprawling.LittledidIknowthen,howsoon——Oh,ifitwastodooveragainI\'dhughimandblesshimforit.\"
\"Yes,yes,yes,Iknowjusthowyoufeel,Mrs.Harper,Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel.Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon,myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain-killer,andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown.AndGodforgiveme,IcrackedTom\'sheadwithmythimble,poorboy,poordeadboy.Buthe\'soutofallhistroublesnow.AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach——\"
Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady,andshebrokeentirelydown.Tomwassnuffling,now,himself——andmoreinpityofhimselfthananybodyelse.HecouldhearMarycrying,andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime.Hebegantohaveanobleropinionofhimselfthaneverbefore.Still,hewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt\'sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy——andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature,too,butheresistedandlaystill.
Hewentonlistening,andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwasconjecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim;thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed;next,certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould\"hearsomething\"soon;thewise-headshad\"putthisandthattogether\"anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow,presently;buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound,lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage——andthenhopeperished;theymustbedrowned,elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner.Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmid-channel,sincetheboys,beinggoodswimmers,wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore.ThiswasWednesdaynight.IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday,allhopewouldbegivenover,andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning.Tomshuddered.
Mrs.Harpergaveasobbinggood-nightandturnedtogo.Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother\'sarmsandhadagood,consolingcry,andthenparted.AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont,inhergood-nighttoSidandMary.SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart.
AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly,soappealingly,andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtremblingvoice,thathewaswelteringintearsagain,longbeforeshewasthrough.
Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed,forshekeptmakingbroken-heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime,tossingunrestfully,andturningover.Butatlastshewasstill,onlymoaningalittleinhersleep.Nowtheboystoleout,rosegraduallybythebedside,shadedthecandle-lightwithhishand,andstoodregardingher.Hisheartwasfullofpityforher.Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaceditbythecandle.Butsomethingoccurredtohim,andhelingeredconsidering.Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought;heputthebarkhastilyinhispocket.Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips,andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit,latchingthedoorbehindhim.
Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding,foundnobodyatlargethere,andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat,forheknewshewastenantlessexceptthattherewasawatchman,whoalwaysturnedinandsleptlikeagravenimage.Heuntiedtheskiffatthestern,slippedintoit,andwassoonrowingcautiouslyupstream.Whenhehadpulledamileabovethevillage,hestartedquarteringacrossandbenthimselfstoutlytohiswork.Hehitthelandingontheothersideneatly,forthiswasafamiliarbitofworktohim.Hewasmovedtocapturetheskiff,arguingthatitmightbeconsideredashipandthereforelegitimatepreyforapirate,butheknewathoroughsearchwouldbemadeforitandthatmightendinrevelations.Sohesteppedashoreandenteredthewoods.
Hesatdownandtookalongrest,torturinghimselfmeanwhiletokeepawake,andthenstartedwarilydownthehome-stretch.Thenightwasfarspent.Itwasbroaddaylightbeforehefoundhimselffairlyabreasttheislandbar.Herestedagainuntilthesunwaswellupandgildingthegreatriverwithitssplendor,andthenheplungedintothestream.Alittlelaterhepaused,dripping,uponthethresholdofthecamp,andheardJoesay:
\"No,Tom\'strue-blue,Huck,andhe\'llcomeback.Hewon\'tdesert.Heknowsthatwouldbeadisgracetoapirate,andTom\'stooproudforthatsortofthing.He\'suptosomethingorother.NowIwonderwhat?\"
\"Well,thethingsisours,anyway,ain\'tthey?\"
Prettynear,butnotyet,Huck.Thewritingsaystheyareifheain\'tbackheretobreakfast.\"
\"Whichheis!\"exclaimedTom,withfinedramaticeffect,steppinggrandlyintocamp.
Asumptuousbreakfastofbaconandfishwasshortlyprovided,andastheboyssettoworkuponit,Tomrecountedandadornedhisadventures.Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone.ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon,andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore.
CHAPTERXVI
AFTERdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar.Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand,andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands.Sometimestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole.TheywereperfectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut.Theyhadafamousfried-eggfeastthatnight,andanotheronFridaymorning.
Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar,andchasedeachotherroundandround,sheddingclothesastheywent,untiltheywerenaked,andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwaterofthebar,againstthestiffcurrent,whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun.Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother\'sfaceswiththeirpalms,graduallyapproachingeachother,withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingsprays,andfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor,andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing,sputtering,laughing,andgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime.
Whentheywerewellexhausted,theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry,hotsand,andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit,andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperformanceoncemore.Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh-colored\"tights\"veryfairly;sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus——withthreeclownsinit,fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor.
Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed\"knucks\"and\"ring-taw\"and\"keeps\"tillthatamusementgrewstale.ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim,butTomwouldnotventure,becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle,andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotectionofthismysteriouscharm.Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit,andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest.Theygraduallywanderedapart,droppedintothe\"dumps,\"andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewiderivertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun.Tomfoundhimselfwriting\"BECKY\"inthesandwithhisbigtoe;hescratcheditout,andwasangrywithhimselfforhisweakness.Buthewroteitagain,nevertheless;hecouldnothelpit.Heeraseditoncemoreandthentookhimselfoutoftemptationbydrivingtheotherboystogetherandjoiningthem.
ButJoe\'sspiritshadgonedownalmostbeyondresurrection.Hewassohomesickthathecouldhardlyendurethemiseryofit.Thetearslayverynearthesurface.Huckwasmelancholy,too.Tomwasdownhearted,buttriedhardnottoshowit.Hehadasecretwhichhewasnotreadytotell,yet,butifthismutinousdepressionwasnotbrokenupsoon,hewouldhavetobringitout.Hesaid,withagreatshowofcheerfulness:
\"Ibetthere\'sbeenpiratesonthisislandbefore,boys.We\'llexploreitagain.They\'vehidtreasuresheresomewhere.How\'dyoufeeltolightonarottenchestfullofgoldandsilver——hey?\"
Butitrousedonlyfaintenthusiasm,whichfadedout,withnoreply.Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions;buttheyfailed,too.Itwasdiscouragingwork.Joesatpokingupthesandwithastickandlookingverygloomy.Finallyhesaid:
\"Oh,boys,let\'sgiveitup.Iwanttogohome.It\'ssolonesome.\"
\"Ohno,Joe,you\'llfeelbetterbyandby,\"saidTom.\"Justthinkofthefishingthat\'shere.\"
\"Idon\'tcareforfishing.Iwanttogohome.\"
\"But,Joe,thereain\'tsuchanotherswimming-placeanywhere.\"
\"Swimming\'snogood.Idon\'tseemtocareforit,somehow,whenthereain\'tanybodytosayIsha\'n\'tgoin.Imeantogohome.\"
\"Oh,shucks!Baby!Youwanttoseeyourmother,Ireckon.\"
\"Yes,IDOwanttoseemymother——andyouwould,too,ifyouhadone.Iain\'tanymorebabythanyouare.\"AndJoesnuffledalittle.
\"Well,we\'llletthecry-babygohometohismother,won\'twe,Huck?Poorthing——doesitwanttoseeitsmother?Andsoitshall.youlikeithere,don\'tyou,Huck?We\'llstay,won\'twe?\"
Hucksaid,\"Y-e-s\"——withoutanyheartinit.
\"I\'llneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive,\"saidJoe,rising.\"Therenow!\"Andhemovedmoodilyawayandbegantodresshimself.
\"Whocares!\"saidTom.\"Nobodywantsyouto.Go\'longhomeandgetlaughedat.Oh,you\'reanicepirate.Huckandmeain\'tcry-babies.We\'llstay,won\'twe,Huck?Lethimgoifhewantsto.Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim,per\'aps.\"
ButTomwasuneasy,nevertheless,andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosullenlyonwithhisdressing.AndthenitwasdiscomfortingtoseeHuckeyingJoe\'spreparationssowistfully,andkeepingupsuchanominoussilence.Presently,withoutapartingword,JoebegantowadeofftowardtheIllinoisshore.Tom\'sheartbegantosink.HeglancedatHuck.Huckcouldnotbearthelook,anddroppedhiseyes.Thenhesaid:
\"Iwanttogo,too,Tom.Itwasgettingsolonesomeanyway,andnowit\'llbeworse.Let\'susgo,too,Tom.\"
\"Iwon\'t!Youcanallgo,ifyouwantto.Imeantostay.\"
\"Tom,Ibettergo.\"
\"Well,go\'long——who\'shenderingyou.\"
Huckbegantopickuphisscatteredclothes.Hesaid:
\"Tom,Iwishtyou\'dcome,too.Nowyouthinkitover.We\'llwaitforyouwhenwegettoshore.\"
\"Well,you\'llwaitablamelongtime,that\'sall.\"
Huckstartedsorrowfullyaway,andTomstoodlookingafterhim,withastrongdesiretuggingathishearttoyieldhisprideandgoalongtoo.Hehopedtheboyswouldstop,buttheystillwadedslowlyon.ItsuddenlydawnedonTomthatitwasbecomeverylonelyandstill.Hemadeonefinalstrugglewithhispride,andthendartedafterhiscomrades,yelling:
\"Wait!Wait!Iwanttotellyousomething!\"
Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround.Whenhegottowheretheywere,hebeganunfoldinghissecret,andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe\"point\"hewasdrivingat,andthentheysetupawar-whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas\"splendid!\"andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst,theywouldn\'thavestartedaway.Hemadeaplausibleexcuse;buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime,andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction.
Theladscamegaylybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill,chatteringallthetimeaboutTom\'sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit.Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner,Tomsaidhewantedtolearntosmoke,now.Joecaughtattheideaandsaidhewouldliketotry,too.SoHuckmadepipesandfilledthem.Thesenoviceshadneversmokedanythingbeforebutcigarsmadeofgrape-vine,andthey\"bit\"thetongue,andwerenotconsideredmanlyanyway.
Nowtheystretchedthemselvesoutontheirelbowsandbegantopuff,charily,andwithslenderconfidence.Thesmokehadanunpleasanttaste,andtheygaggedalittle,butTomsaid:
\"Why,it\'sjustaseasy!IfI\'daknowedthiswasall,I\'dalearntlongago.\"
\"SowouldI,\"saidJoe.\"It\'sjustnothing.\"
\"Why,manyatimeI\'velookedatpeoplesmoking,andthoughtwellIwishIcoulddothat;butIneverthoughtIcould,\"saidTom.
\"That\'sjustthewaywithme,hain\'tit,Huck?You\'veheardmetalkjustthatway——haven\'tyou,Huck?I\'llleaveittoHuckifIhaven\'t.\"
\"Yes——heapsoftimes,\"saidHuck.
\"Well,Ihavetoo,\"saidTom;\"oh,hundredsoftimes.Oncedownbytheslaughter-house.Don\'tyouremember,Huck?BobTannerwasthere,andJohnnyMiller,andJeffThatcher,whenIsaidit.Don\'tyouremember,Huck,\'boutmesayingthat?\"
\"Yes,that\'sso,\"saidHuck.\"ThatwasthedayafterIlostawhitealley.No,\'twasthedaybefore.\"
\"There——Itoldyouso,\"saidTom.\"Huckrecollectsit.\"
\"IbleeveIcouldsmokethispipeallday,\"saidJoe.\"Idon\'tfeelsick.\"
\"NeitherdoI,\"saidTom.\"Icouldsmokeitallday.ButIbetyouJeffThatchercouldn\'t.\"
\"JeffThatcher!Why,he\'dkeeloverjustwithtwodraws.Justlethimtryitonce.He\'dsee!\"
\"Ibethewould.AndJohnnyMiller——IwishcouldseeJohnnyMillertackleitonce.\"
\"Oh,don\'tI!\"saidJoe.\"Why,IbetyouJohnnyMillercouldn\'tanymoredothisthannothing.Justonelittlesnifterwouldfetchhim.\"
\"\'Deeditwould,Joe.Say——Iwishtheboyscouldseeusnow.\"
\"SodoI.\"
\"Say——boys,don\'tsayanythingaboutit,andsometimewhenthey\'rearound,I\'llcomeuptoyouandsay,\'Joe,gotapipe?Iwantasmoke.\'Andyou\'llsay,kindofcarelesslike,asifitwarn\'tanything,you\'llsay,\'Yes,Igotmyoldpipe,andanotherone,butmytobackerain\'tverygood.\'AndI\'llsay,\'Oh,that\'sallright,ifit\'sstrongenough.\'Andthenyou\'lloutwiththepipes,andwe\'lllightupjustasca\'m,andthenjustsee\'emlook!\"
\"Byjings,that\'llbegay,Tom!Iwishitwasnow!\"
\"SodoI!Andwhenwetell\'emwelearnedwhenwewasoffpirating,won\'ttheywishthey\'dbeenalong?\"
\"Oh,Ireckonnot!I\'lljustbettheywill!\"
Sothetalkranon.Butpresentlyitbegantoflagatrifle,andgrowdisjointed.Thesilenceswidened;theexpectorationmarvellouslyincreased.Everyporeinsidetheboys\'cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain;theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopreventaninundation;littleoverflowingsdowntheirthroatsoccurredinspiteofalltheycoulddo,andsuddenretchingsfollowedeverytime.Bothboyswerelookingverypaleandmiserable,now.Joe\'spipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingers.Tom\'sfollowed.Bothfountainsweregoingfuriouslyandbothpumpsbailingwithmightandmain.Joesaidfeebly:
\"I\'velostmyknife.IreckonIbettergoandfindit.\"
Tomsaid,withquiveringlipsandhaltingutterance:
\"I\'llhelpyou.YougooverthatwayandI\'llhuntaroundbythespring.No,youneedn\'tcome,Huck——wecanfindit.\"
SoHucksatdownagain,andwaitedanhour.Thenhefounditlonesome,andwenttofindhiscomrades.Theywerewideapartinthewoods,bothverypale,bothfastasleep.Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit.
Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight.Theyhadahumblelook,andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopreparetheirs,theysaidno,theywerenotfeelingverywell——somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem.
AboutmidnightJoeawoke,andcalledtheboys.Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething.Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire,thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreathlessatmospherewasstifling.Theysatstill,intentandwaiting.Thesolemnhushcontinued.Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblacknessofdarkness.Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyrevealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished.Byandbyanothercame,alittlestronger.Thenanother.Thenafaintmoancamesighingthroughthebranchesoftheforestandtheboysfeltafleetingbreathupontheircheeks,andshudderedwiththefancythattheSpiritoftheNighthadgoneby.Therewasapause.Nowaweirdflashturnednightintodayandshowedeverylittlegrass-blade,separateanddistinct,thatgrewabouttheirfeet.Anditshowedthreewhite,startledfaces,too.Adeeppealofthunderwentrollingandtumblingdowntheheavensandlostitselfinsullenrumblingsinthedistance.Asweepofchillyairpassedby,rustlingalltheleavesandsnowingtheflakyashesbroadcastaboutthefire.Anotherfierceglarelituptheforestandaninstantcrashfollowedthatseemedtorendthetree-topsrightovertheboys\'heads.Theyclungtogetherinterror,inthethickgloomthatfollowed.Afewbigrain-dropsfellpatteringupontheleaves.
\"Quick!boys,goforthetent!\"exclaimedTom.
Theysprangaway,stumblingoverrootsandamongvinesinthedark,notwoplunginginthesamedirection.Afuriousblastroaredthroughthetrees,makingeverythingsingasitwent.Oneblindingflashafteranothercame,andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder.Andnowadrenchingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground.Theboyscriedouttoeachother,buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder-blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly.However,onebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent,cold,scared,andstreamingwithwater;buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor.Theycouldnottalk,theoldsailflappedsofuriously,eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem.Thetempestrosehigherandhigher,andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast.Theboysseizedeachothers\'handsandfled,withmanytumblingsandbruises,totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriver-bank.Nowthebattlewasatitshighest.Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies,everythingbelowstoodoutinclean-cutandshadowlessdistinctness:thebendingtrees,thebillowyriver,whitewithfoam,thedrivingsprayofspume-flakes,thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheotherside,glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud-rackandtheslantingveilofrain.Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth;andtheunflaggingthunderpealscamenowinear-splittingexplosivebursts,keenandsharp,andunspeakablyappalling.Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces,burnitup,drownittothetree-tops,blowitaway,anddeafeneverycreatureinit,allatoneandthesamemoment.Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin.
Butatlastthebattlewasdone,andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings,andpeaceresumedhersway.Theboyswentbacktocamp,agooddealawed;buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor,becausethegreatsycamore,theshelteroftheirbeds,wasaruin,now,blastedbythelightnings,andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened.
Everythingincampwasdrenched,thecamp-fireaswell;fortheywerebutheedlesslads,liketheirgeneration,andhadmadenoprovisionagainstrain.Herewasmatterfordismay,fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled.Theywereeloquentintheirdistress;buttheypresentlydiscoveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainstwhereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground,thatahandbreadthorsoofithadescapedwetting;sotheypatientlywroughtuntil,withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs,theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain.Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnace,andwereglad-heartedoncemore.Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast,andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmidnightadventureuntilmorning,fortherewasnotadryspottosleepon,anywherearound.
Asthesunbegantostealinupontheboys,drowsinesscameoverthem,andtheywentoutonthesandbarandlaydowntosleep.Theygotscorchedoutbyandby,anddrearilysetaboutgettingbreakfast.Afterthemealtheyfeltrusty,andstiff-jointed,andalittlehomesickoncemore.Tomsawthesigns,andfelltocheeringupthepiratesaswellashecould.Buttheycarednothingformarbles,orcircus,orswimming,oranything.Heremindedthemoftheimposingsecret,andraisedarayofcheer.Whileitlasted,hegottheminterestedinanewdevice.Thiswastoknockoffbeingpirates,forawhile,andbeIndiansforachange.Theywereattractedbythisidea;soitwasnotlongbeforetheywerestripped,andstripedfromheadtoheelwithblackmud,likesomanyzebras——allofthemchiefs,ofcourse——andthentheywenttearingthroughthewoodstoattackanEnglishsettlement.
Byandbytheyseparatedintothreehostiletribes,anddarteduponeachotherfromambushwithdreadfulwar-whoops,andkilledandscalpedeachotherbythousands.Itwasagoryday.Consequentlyitwasanextremelysatisfactoryone.
Theyassembledincamptowardsupper-time,hungryandhappy;butnowadifficultyarose——hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace,andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace.Therewasnootherprocessthatevertheyhadheardof.Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates.However,therewasnootherway;sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed,indueform.
Andbehold,theyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery,fortheyhadgainedsomething;theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife;theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable.Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort.No,theypractisedcautiously,aftersupper,withrightfairsuccess,andsotheyspentajubilantevening.TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations.Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag,sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent.
CHAPTERXVII
BUTtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon.TheHarpers,andAuntPolly\'sfamily,werebeingputintomourning,withgreatgriefandmanytears.Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage,althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough,inallconscience.Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair,andtalkedlittle;buttheysighedoften.TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren.Theyhadnoheartintheirsports,andgraduallygavethemup.
IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschoolhouseyard,andfeelingverymelancholy.Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther.Shesoliloquized:
\"Oh,ifIonlyhadabrassandiron-knobagain!ButIhaven\'tgotanythingnowtorememberhimby.\"Andshechokedbackalittlesob.
Presentlyshestopped,andsaidtoherself:
\"Itwasrighthere.Oh,ifitwastodooveragain,Iwouldn\'tsaythat——Iwouldn\'tsayitforthewholeworld.Buthe\'sgonenow;I\'llnever,never,neverseehimanymore.\"
Thisthoughtbrokeherdown,andshewanderedaway,withtearsrollingdownhercheeks.Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls——playmatesofTom\'sandJoe\'s——cameby,andstoodlookingoverthepalingfenceandtalkinginreverenttonesofhowTomdidso-and-sothelasttimetheysawhim,andhowJoesaidthisandthatsmalltriflepregnantwithawfulprophecy,astheycouldeasilyseenow!——andeachspeakerpointedouttheexactspotwherethelostladsstoodatthetime,andthenaddedsomethinglike\"andIwasa-standingjustso——justasIamnow,andasifyouwashim——Iwasascloseasthat——andhesmiled,justthisway——andthensomethingseemedtogoalloverme,like——awful,youknow——andIneverthoughtwhatitmeant,ofcourse,butIcanseenow!\"
Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife,andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction,andofferedevidences,moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness;andwhenitwasultimatelydecidedwhoDIDseethedepartedlast,andexchangedthelastwordswiththem,theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortofsacredimportance,andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest.Onepoorchap,whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer,saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance:
\"Well,TomSawyerhelickedmeonce.\"
Butthatbidforglorywasafailure.Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat,andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch.Thegrouploiteredaway,stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes,inawedvoices.
WhentheSunday-schoolhourwasfinished,thenextmorning,thebellbegantotoll,insteadofringingintheusualway.ItwasaverystillSabbath,andthemournfulsoundseemedinkeepingwiththemusinghushthatlayuponnature.Thevillagersbegantogather,loiteringamomentinthevestibuletoconverseinwhispersaboutthesadevent.Buttherewasnowhisperinginthehouse;onlythefunerealrustlingofdressesasthewomengatheredtotheirseatsdisturbedthesilencethere.Nonecouldrememberwhenthelittlechurchhadbeensofullbefore.Therewasfinallyawaitingpause,anexpectantdumbness,andthenAuntPollyentered,followedbySidandMary,andtheybytheHarperfamily,allindeepblack,andthewholecongregation,theoldministeraswell,rosereverentlyandstooduntilthemournerswereseatedinthefrontpew.Therewasanothercommuningsilence,brokenatintervalsbymuffledsobs,andthentheministerspreadhishandsabroadandprayed.Amovinghymnwassung,andthetextfollowed:\"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife.\"
Astheserviceproceeded,theclergymandrewsuchpicturesofthegraces,thewinningways,andtherarepromiseofthelostladsthateverysoulthere,thinkingherecognizedthesepictures,feltapanginrememberingthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothemalwaysbefore,andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys.Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted,too,whichillustratedtheirsweet,generousnatures,andthepeoplecouldeasilysee,now,hownobleandbeautifulthoseepisodeswere,andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities,welldeservingofthecowhide.Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved,asthepathetictalewenton,tillatlastthewholecompanybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs,thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings,andcryinginthepulpit.
Therewasarustleinthegallery,whichnobodynoticed;amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked;theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief,andstoodtransfixed!Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister\'s,andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarchinguptheaisle,Tominthelead,Joenext,andHuck,aruinofdroopingrags,sneakingsheepishlyintherear!Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon!
AuntPolly,Mary,andtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirrestoredones,smotheredthemwithkissesandpouredoutthanksgivings,whilepoorHuckstoodabashedanduncomfortable,notknowingexactlywhattodoorwheretohidefromsomanyunwelcomingeyes.Hewavered,andstartedtoslinkaway,butTomseizedhimandsaid:
\"AuntPolly,itain\'tfair.Somebody\'sgottobegladtoseeHuck.\"
\"Andsotheyshall.I\'mgladtoseehim,poormotherlessthing!\"AndthelovingattentionsAuntPollylavisheduponhimweretheonethingcapableofmakinghimmoreuncomfortablethanhewasbefore.
Suddenlytheministershoutedatthetopofhisvoice:\"PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow——sing!——andputyourheartsinit!\"
Andtheydid.OldHundredswelledupwithatriumphantburst,andwhileitshooktheraftersTomSawyerthePiratelookedaroundupontheenvyingjuvenilesabouthimandconfessedinhisheartthatthiswastheproudestmomentofhislife.
Asthe\"sold\"congregationtroopedouttheysaidtheywouldalmostbewillingtobemaderidiculousagaintohearOldHundredsunglikethatoncemore.
Tomgotmorecuffsandkissesthatday——accordingtoAuntPolly\'svaryingmoods——thanhehadearnedbeforeinayear;andhehardlyknewwhichexpressedthemostgratefulnesstoGodandaffectionforhimself.
CHAPTERXVIII
THATwasTom\'sgreatsecret——theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbrotherpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals.TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog,atduskonSaturday,landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage;theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight,andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinvalidedbenches.
Atbreakfast,Mondaymorning,AuntPollyandMarywereverylovingtoTom,andveryattentivetohiswants.Therewasanunusualamountoftalk.InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid:
\"Well,Idon\'tsayitwasn\'tafinejoke,Tom,tokeepeverybodysuffering\'mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime,butitisapityyoucouldbesohard-heartedastoletmesufferso.Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral,youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn\'tdead,butonlyrunoff.\"
\"Yes,youcouldhavedonethat,Tom,\"saidMary;\"andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit.\"
\"Wouldyou,Tom?\"saidAuntPolly,herfacelightingwistfully.\"Say,now,wouldyou,ifyou\'dthoughtofit?\"
\"I——well,Idon\'tknow.\'Twould\'a\'spoiledeverything.\"
\"Tom,Ihopedyoulovedmethatmuch,\"saidAuntPolly,withagrievedtonethatdiscomfortedtheboy.\"Itwouldhavebeensomethingifyou\'dcaredenoughtothinkofit,evenifyoudidn\'tdoit.\"
\"Now,auntie,thatain\'tanyharm,\"pleadedMary;\"it\'sonlyTom\'sgiddyway——heisalwaysinsucharushthatheneverthinksofanything.\"
\"More\'sthepity.Sidwouldhavethought.AndSidwouldhavecomeanddoneit,too.Tom,you\'lllookback,someday,whenit\'stoolate,andwishyou\'dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle.\"
\"Now,auntie,youknowIdocareforyou,\"saidTom.
\"I\'dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit.\"
\"IwishnowI\'dthought,\"saidTom,witharepentanttone;\"butIdreamtaboutyou,anyway.That\'ssomething,ain\'tit?\"
\"Itain\'tmuch——acatdoesthatmuch——butit\'sbetterthannothing.Whatdidyoudream?\"