第6章
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  Isaysyes;andhimandsomeotherslaughed,andsaid,“Stuff!“

  Well,thentheysailedinonthegeneralinvestigation,andtherewehadit,upanddown,hourin,hourout,andnobodyneversaidawordaboutsupper,noreverseemedtothinkaboutit——andsotheykeptitup,andkeptitup;anditWAStheworstmixed-upthingyoueversee。Theymadethekingtellhisyarn,andtheymadetheoldgentlemantellhis”n;andanybodybutalotofprejudicedchuckleheadswouldaSEENthattheoldgentlemanwasspinningtruthandt”otheronelies。AndbyandbytheyhadmeuptotellwhatIknowed。Thekinghegivemealeft-handedlookoutofthecornerofhiseye,andsoIknowedenoughtotalkontherightside。

  IbeguntotellaboutSheffield,andhowwelivedthere,andallabouttheEnglishWilkses,andsoon;butIdidn”tgetprettyfurtillthedoctorbeguntolaugh;andLeviBell,thelawyer,says:

  “Setdown,myboy;Iwouldn”tstrainmyselfifIwasyou。Ireckonyouain”tusedtolying,itdon”tseemtocomehandy;whatyouwantispractice。

  Youdoitprettyawkward。”

  Ididn”tcarenothingforthecompliment,butIwasgladtobeletoff,anyway。

  Thedoctorhestartedtosaysomething,andturnsandsays:

  “Ifyou”dbeenintownatfirst,LeviBell——“Thekingbrokeinandreachedouthishand,andsays:

  “Why,isthismypoordeadbrother”soldfriendthathe”swrotesooftenabout?“

  Thelawyerandhimshookhands,andthelawyersmiledandlookedpleased,andtheytalkedrightalongawhile,andthengottoonesideandtalkedlow;andatlastthelawyerspeaksupandsays:

  “That”llfixit。I”lltaketheorderandsendit,alongwithyourbrother”s,andthenthey”llknowit”sallright。”

  Sotheygotsomepaperandapen,andthekinghesetdownandtwistedhisheadtooneside,andchawedhistongue,andscrawledoffsomething;

  andthentheygivethepentotheduke——andthenforthefirsttimethedukelookedsick。Buthetookthepenandwrote。Sothenthelawyerturnstothenewoldgentlemanandsays:

  “Youandyourbrotherpleasewritealineortwoandsignyournames。”

  Theoldgentlemanwrote,butnobodycouldn”treadit。Thelawyerlookedpowerfulastonished,andsays:

  “Well,itbeatsME——andsnakedalotofoldlettersoutofhispocket,andexaminedthem,andthenexaminedtheoldman”swriting,andthenTHEM

  again;andthensays:“TheseoldlettersisfromHarveyWilks;andhere”sTHESEtwohandwritings,andanybodycanseetheydidn”twritethem“thekingandthedukelookedsoldandfoolish,Itellyou,toseehowthelawyerhadtookthemin,“andhere”sTHISoldgentleman”shandwriting,andanybodycantell,easyenough,HEdidn”twritethem——factis,thescratcheshemakesain”tproperlyWRITINGatall。Now,here”ssomelettersfrom”

  Thenewoldgentlemansays:

  “Ifyouplease,letmeexplain。Nobodycanreadmyhandbutmybrotherthere——sohecopiesforme。It”sHIShandyou”vegotthere,notmine。”

  “WELL!“saysthelawyer,“thisISastateofthings。I”vegotsomeofWilliam”sletters,too;soifyou”llgethimtowritealineorsowecancom”

  “HeCAN”Twritewithhislefthand,“saystheoldgentleman。“Ifhecouldusehisrighthand,youwouldseethathewrotehisownlettersandminetoo。Lookatboth,please——they”rebythesamehand。”

  Thelawyerdoneit,andsays:

  “Ibelieveit”sso——andifitain”tso,there”saheapstrongerresemblancethanI”dnoticedbefore,anyway。Well,well,well!Ithoughtwewasrightonthetrackofaslution,butit”sgonetograss,partly。Butanyway,onethingisproved——THESEtwoain”teitherof”emWilkses“——andhewaggedhisheadtowardsthekingandtheduke。

  Well,whatdoyouthink?Thatmuleheadedoldfoolwouldn”tgiveinTHEN!

  Indeedhewouldn”t。Saiditwarn”tnofairtest。SaidhisbrotherWilliamwasthecussedestjokerintheworld,andhadn”ttriedtowrite——HEseeWilliamwasgoingtoplayoneofhisjokestheminuteheputthepentopaper。AndsohewarmedupandwentwarblingrightalongtillhewasactulybeginningtobelievewhathewassayingHIM-SELF;butprettysoonthenewgentlemanbrokein,andsays:

  “I”vethoughtofsomething。Isthereanybodyherethathelpedtolayoutmybr——helpedtolayoutthelatePeterWilksforburying?“

  “Yes,“sayssomebody,“meandAbTurnerdoneit。We”rebothhere。”

  Thentheoldmanturnstowardstheking,andsays:

  “Perapsthisgentlemancantellmewhatwastattooedonhisbreast?“

  Blamedifthekingdidn”thavetobraceupmightyquick,orhe”dasqusheddownlikeabluffbankthattheriverhascutunder,ittookhimsosudden;

  and,mindyou,itwasathingthatwascalculatedtomakemostANYBODY

  squshtogetfetchedsuchasolidoneasthatwithoutanynotice,becausehowwasHEgoingtoknowwhatwastattooedontheman?Hewhitenedalittle;

  hecouldn”thelpit;anditwasmightystillinthere,andeverybodybendingalittleforwardsandgazingathim。SaysItomyself,NOWhe”llthrowupthesponge——thereain”tnomoreuse。Well,didhe?Abodycan”thardlybelieveit,buthedidn”t。Ireckonhethoughthe”dkeepthethinguptillhetiredthempeopleout,sothey”dthinout,andhimandthedukecouldbreaklooseandgetaway。Anyway,hesetthere,andprettysoonhebeguntosmile,andsays:

  “Mf!It”saVERYtoughquestion,AIN”Tit!YES,sir,Ik”ntellyouwhat”stattooedonhisbreast。It”sjestasmall,thin,bluearrow——that”swhatitis;andifyoudon”tlookclost,youcan”tseeit。NOWwhatdoyousay——hey?“

  Well,Ineverseeanythinglikethatoldblisterforcleanout-and-outcheek。

  ThenewoldgentlemanturnsbrisktowardsAbTurnerandhispard,andhiseyelightsuplikehejudgedhe”dgotthekingTHIStime,andsays:

  “There——you”veheardwhathesaid!WasthereanysuchmarkonPeterWilks”breast?“

  Bothofthemspokeupandsays:

  “Wedidn”tseenosuchmark。”

  “Good!“saystheoldgentleman。“Now,whatyouDIDseeonhisbreastwasasmalldimP,andaBwhichisaninitialhedroppedwhenhewasyoung,andaW,withdashesbetweenthem,so:P——B——W“——andhemarkedthemthatwayonapieceofpaper。“Come,ain”tthatwhatyousaw?“

  Bothofthemspokeupagain,andsays:

  “No,weDIDN”T。Weneverseenanymarksatall。”

  Well,everybodyWASinastateofmindnow,andtheysingsout:

  “ThewholeBILIN”of”m”sfrauds!Le”sduck”em!le”sdrown”em!le”sride”emonarail!“andeverybodywaswhoopingatonce,andtherewasarattlingpowwow。Butthelawyerhejumpsonthetableandyells,andsays:

  “Gentlemen——gentleMEN!Hearmejustaword——justaSINGLEword——

  ifyouPLEASE!There”sonewayyet——let”sgoanddigupthecorpseandlook。”

  Thattookthem。

  “Hooray!“theyallshouted,andwasstartingrightoff;butthelawyerandthedoctorsungout:

  “Holdon,holdon!Collarallthesefourmenandtheboy,andfetchTHEMalong,too!“

  “We”lldoit!“theyallshouted;“andifwedon”tfindthemmarkswe”lllynchthewholegang!“

  IWASscared,now,Itellyou。Buttherewarn”tnogettingaway,youknow。Theygrippedusall,andmarchedusrightalong,straightforthegraveyard,whichwasamileandahalfdowntheriver,andthewholetownatourheels,forwemadenoiseenough,anditwasonlynineintheevening。

  AswewentbyourhouseIwishedIhadn”tsentMaryJaneoutoftown;

  becausenowifIcouldtipherthewinkshe”dlightoutandsaveme,andblowonourdead-beats。

  Well,weswarmedalongdowntheriverroad,justcarryingonlikewildcats;

  andtomakeitmorescarytheskywasdarkingup,andthelightningbeginningtowinkandflitter,andthewindtoshiveramongsttheleaves。ThiswasthemostawfultroubleandmostdangersomeIeverwasin;andIwaskinderstunned;everythingwasgoingsodifferentfromwhatIhadallowedfor;

  steadofbeingfixedsoIcouldtakemyowntimeifIwantedto,andseeallthefun,andhaveMaryJaneatmybacktosavemeandsetmefreewhentheclose-fitcome,herewasnothingintheworldbetwixtmeandsuddendeathbutjustthemtattoo-marks。Iftheydidn”tfindthem——

  Icouldn”tbeartothinkaboutit;andyet,somehow,Icouldn”tthinkaboutnothingelse。Itgotdarkeranddarker,anditwasabeautifultimetogivethecrowdtheslip;butthatbighuskyhadmebythewrist——Hines——andabodymightaswelltrytogiveGoliartheslip。Hedraggedmerightalong,hewassoexcited,andIhadtoruntokeepup。

  Whentheygottheretheyswarmedintothegraveyardandwashedoveritlikeanoverflow。Andwhentheygottothegravetheyfoundtheyhadaboutahundredtimesasmanyshovelsastheywanted,butnobodyhadn”tthoughttofetchalantern。Buttheysailedintodigginganywaybytheflickerofthelightning,andsentamantothenearesthouse,ahalfamileoff,toborrowone。

  Sotheydugandduglikeeverything;anditgotawfuldark,andtherainstarted,andthewindswishedandswushedalong,andthelightningcomebriskerandbrisker,andthethunderboomed;butthempeoplenevertooknonoticeofit,theywassofullofthisbusiness;andoneminuteyoucouldseeeverythingandeveryfaceinthatbigcrowd,andtheshovelfulsofdirtsailingupoutofthegrave,andthenextsecondthedarkwipeditallout,andyoucouldn”tseenothingatall。

  Atlasttheygotoutthecoffinandbeguntounscrewthelid,andthensuchanothercrowdingandshoulderingandshovingastherewas,toscrougeinandgetasight,youneversee;andinthedark,thatway,itwasawful。

  Hineshehurtmywristdreadfulpullingandtuggingso,andIreckonhecleanforgotIwasintheworld,hewassoexcitedandpanting。

  Allofasuddenthelightningletgoaperfectsluiceofwhiteglare,andsomebodysingsout:

  “Bythelivingjingo,here”sthebagofgoldonhisbreast!“

  Hinesletoutawhoop,likeeverybodyelse,anddroppedmywristandgiveabigsurgetobusthiswayinandgetalook,andthewayIlitoutandshinnedfortheroadinthedarkthereain”tnobodycantell。

  Ihadtheroadalltomyself,andIfairlyflew——leastways,Ihaditalltomyselfexceptthesoliddark,andthenow-and-thenglares,andthebuzzingoftherain,andthethrashingofthewind,andthesplittingofthethunder;andsureasyouarebornIdidclipitalong!

  WhenIstruckthetownIseetherewarn”tnobodyoutinthestorm,soIneverhuntedfornobackstreets,buthumpeditstraightthroughthemainone;andwhenIbeguntogettowardsourhouseIaimedmyeyeandsetit。Nolightthere;thehousealldark——whichmademefeelsorryanddisappointed,Ididn”tknowwhy。Butatlast,justasIwassailingby,FLASHcomesthelightinMaryJane”swindow!andmyheartswelledupsudden,liketobust;andthesamesecondthehouseandallwasbehindmeinthedark,andwasn”tevergoingtobebeforemenomoreinthisworld。

  SheWASthebestgirlIeversee,andhadthemostsand。

  TheminuteIwasfarenoughabovethetowntoseeIcouldmakethetowhead,Ibeguntolooksharpforaboattoborrow,andthefirsttimethelightningshowedmeonethatwasn”tchainedIsnatcheditandshoved。Itwasacanoe,andwarn”tfastenedwithnothingbutarope。Thetowheadwasarattlingbigdistanceoff,awayoutthereinthemiddleoftheriver,butIdidn”tlosenotime;andwhenIstrucktheraftatlastIwassofaggedIwouldajustlaiddowntoblowandgaspifIcouldaffordedit。ButIdidn”t。

  AsIsprungaboardIsungout:

  “Outwithyou,Jim,andsetherloose!Glorybetogoodness,we”reshutofthem!“

  Jimlitout,andwasa-comingformewithbotharmsspread,hewassofullofjoy;butwhenIglimpsedhiminthelightningmyheartshotupinmymouthandIwentoverboardbackwards;forIforgothewasoldKingLearandadrowndedA-raballinone,anditmostscaredtheliversandlightsoutofme。ButJimfishedmeout,andwasgoingtohugmeandblessme,andsoon,hewassogladIwasbackandwewasshutofthekingandtheduke,butIsays:

  “Notnow;haveitforbreakfast,haveitforbreakfast!Cutlooseandletherslide!“

  Sointwosecondsawaywewenta-slidingdowntheriver,anditDID

  seemsogoodtobefreeagainandallbyourselvesonthebigriver,andnobodytobotherus。Ihadtoskiparoundabit,andjumpupandcrackmyheelsafewtimes——Icouldn”thelpit;butaboutthethirdcrackI

  noticedasoundthatIknowedmightywell,andheldmybreathandlistenedandwaited;andsureenough,whenthenextflashbustedoutoverthewater,heretheycome!——andjustalayingtotheiroarsandmakingtheirskiffhum!Itwasthekingandtheduke。

  SoIwiltedrightdownontotheplanksthen,andgiveup;anditwasallIcoulddotokeepfromcrying。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter30Chapter30WHENtheygotaboardthekingwentforme,andshookmebythecollar,andsays:

  “Tryin”togiveustheslip,wasye,youpup!Tiredofourcompany,hey?“

  Isays:

  “No,yourmajesty,wewarn”t——PLEASEdon”t,yourmajesty!“

  “Quick,then,andtelluswhatWASyouridea,orI”llshaketheinsidesouto”you!“

  “Honest,I”lltellyoueverythingjustasithappened,yourmajesty。

  Themanthathada-holtofmewasverygoodtome,andkeptsayinghehadaboyaboutasbigasmethatdiedlastyear,andhewassorrytoseeaboyinsuchadangerousfix;andwhentheywasalltookbysurprisebyfindingthegold,andmadearushforthecoffin,heletsgoofmeandwhispers,”Heelitnow,orthey”llhangye,sure!”andIlitout。Itdidn”tseemnogoodforMEtostay——Icouldn”tdonothing,andIdidn”twanttobehungifIcouldgetaway。SoIneverstoppedrunningtillIfoundthecanoe;andwhenIgothereItoldJimtohurry,orthey”dcatchmeandhangmeyet,andsaidIwasafeardyouandthedukewasn”talivenow,andIwasawfulsorry,andsowasJim,andwasawfulgladwhenweseeyoucoming;youmayaskJimifIdidn”t。”

  Jimsaiditwasso;andthekingtoldhimtoshutup,andsaid,“Oh,yes,it”sMIGHTYlikely!“andshookmeupagain,andsaidhereckonedhe”ddrowndme。Butthedukesays:

  “Leggotheboy,youoldidiot!WouldYOUadoneanydifferent?DidyouinquirearoundforHIMwhenyougotloose?Idon”trememberit。”

  Sothekingletgoofme,andbeguntocussthattownandeverybodyinit。Butthedukesays:

  “Youbetterablame”sightgiveYOURSELFagoodcussing,foryou”retheonethat”sentitledtoitmost。Youhain”tdoneathingfromthestartthathadanysenseinit,exceptcomingoutsocoolandcheekywiththatimaginaryblue-arrowmark。ThatWASbright——itwasrightdownbully;

  anditwasthethingthatsavedus。Forifithadn”tbeenforthatthey”dajailedustillthemEnglishmen”sbaggagecome——andthen——thepenitentiary,youbet!Butthattricktook”emtothegraveyard,andthegolddoneusastillbiggerkindness;foriftheexcitedfoolshadn”tletgoallholtsandmadethatrushtogetalookwe”dasleptinourcravatsto-night——

  cravatswarrantedtoWEAR,too——longerthanWE”Dneed”em。”

  Theywasstillaminute——thinking;thenthekingsays,kindofabsent-mindedlike:

  “Mf!AndwereckonedtheNIGGERSstoleit!“

  Thatmademesquirm!

  “Yes,“saystheduke,kinderslowanddeliberateandsarcastic,“WE

  did。”

  Afteraboutahalfaminutethekingdrawlsout:

  “Leastways,Idid。”

  Thedukesays,thesameway:

  “Onthecontrary,Idid。”

  Thekingkindofrufflesup,andsays:

  “Lookyhere,Bilgewater,what”ryoureferrin”to?“

  Thedukesays,prettybrisk:

  “Whenitcomestothat,maybeyou”llletmeask,whatwasYOUreferringto?“

  “Shucks!“saystheking,verysarcastic;“butIdon”tknow——maybeyouwasasleep,anddidn”tknowwhatyouwasabout。”

  Thedukebristlesupnow,andsays:

  “Oh,letUPonthiscussednonsense;doyoutakemeforablame”fool?

  Don”tyoureckonIknowwhohidthatmoneyinthatcoffin?“

  “YES,sir!IknowyouDOknow,becauseyoudoneityourself!“

  “It”salie!“——andthedukewentforhim。Thekingsingsout:

  “Takey”rhandsoff!——leggomythroat!——Itakeitallback!“

  Thedukesays:

  “Well,youjustownup,first,thatyouDIDhidethatmoneythere,intendingtogivemethesliponeofthesedays,andcomebackanddigitup,andhaveitalltoyourself。”

  “Waitjestaminute,duke——answermethisonequestion,honestandfair;ifyoudidn”tputthemoneythere,sayit,andI”llb”lieveyou,andtakebackeverythingIsaid。”

  “Youoldscoundrel,Ididn”t,andyouknowIdidn”t。There,now!“

  “Well,then,Ib”lieveyou。Butanswermeonlyjestthisonemore——

  nowDON”Tgitmad;didn”tyouhaveitinyourmindtohookthemoneyandhideit?“

  Thedukeneversaidnothingforalittlebit;thenhesays:

  “Well,Idon”tcareifIDID,Ididn”tDOit,anyway。Butyounotonlyhaditinmindtodoit,butyouDONEit。”

  “IwishtIneverdieifIdoneit,duke,andthat”shonest。Iwon”tsayIwarn”tgoin”todoit,becauseIWAS;butyou——Imeansomebody——gotinaheado”me。”

  “It”salie!Youdoneit,andyougottoSAYyoudoneit,or”

  Thekingbegantogurgle,andthenhegaspsout:

  “”Nough!——IOWNUP!“

  Iwasverygladtohearhimsaythat;itmademefeelmuchmoreeasierthanwhatIwasfeelingbefore。Sotheduketookhishandsoffandsays:

  “IfyoueverdenyitagainI”lldrownyou。It”sWELLforyoutosetthereandblubberlikeababy——it”sfittenforyou,afterthewayyou”veacted。Ineverseesuchanoldostrichforwantingtogobbleeverything——andIa-trustingyouallthetime,likeyouwasmyownfather。Yououghttobeenashamedofyourselftostandbyandhearitsaddledontoalotofpoorniggers,andyouneversayawordfor”em。ItmakesmefeelridiculoustothinkIwassoftenoughtoBELIEVEthatrubbage。Cussyou,Icanseenowwhyyouwassoanxioustomakeupthedeffisit——youwantedtogetwhatmoneyI”dgotoutoftheNonesuchandonethingoranother,andscoopitALL!“

  Thekingsays,timid,andstilla-snuffling:

  “Why,duke,itwasyouthatsaidmakeupthedeffisit;itwarn”tme。”

  “Dryup!Idon”twanttohearnomoreoutofyou!“saystheduke。“AndNOWyouseewhatyouGOTbyit。They”vegotalltheirownmoneyback,andallofOURNbutashekelortwoBESIDES。G”longtobed,anddon”tyoudeffersitMEnomoredeffersits,long”sYOUlive!“

  Sothekingsneakedintothewigwamandtooktohisbottleforcomfort,andbeforelongtheduketackledHISbottle;andsoinaboutahalfanhourtheywasasthickasthievesagain,andthetightertheygotthelovingertheygot,andwentoffa-snoringineachother”sarms。Theybothgotpowerfulmellow,butInoticedthekingdidn”tgetmellowenoughtoforgettoremembertonotdenyabouthidingthemoney-bagagain。Thatmademefeeleasyandsatisfied。Ofcoursewhentheygottosnoringwehadalonggabble,andItoldJimeverything。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter31Chapter31WEdasn”tstopagainatanytownfordaysanddays;keptrightalongdowntheriver。Wewasdownsouthinthewarmweathernow,andamightylongwaysfromhome。WebeguntocometotreeswithSpanishmossonthem,hangingdownfromthelimbslikelong,graybeards。ItwasthefirstIeverseeitgrowing,anditmadethewoodslooksolemnanddismal。Sonowthefraudsreckonedtheywasoutofdanger,andtheybeguntoworkthevillagesagain。

  Firsttheydonealectureontemperance;buttheydidn”tmakeenoughforthembothtogetdrunkon。Theninanothervillagetheystartedadancing-school;

  buttheydidn”tknownomorehowtodancethanakangaroodoes;sothefirstprancetheymadethegeneralpublicjumpedinandprancedthemoutoftown。Anothertimetheytriedtogoatyellocution;buttheydidn”tyellocutelongtilltheaudiencegotupandgivethemasolidgoodcussing,andmadethemskipout。Theytackledmissionarying,andmesmerizing,anddoctoring,andtellingfortunes,andalittleofeverything;buttheycouldn”tseemtohavenoluck。Soatlasttheygotjustaboutdeadbroke,andlaidaroundtheraftasshefloatedalong,thinkingandthinking,andneversayingnothing,bythehalfadayatatime,anddreadfulblueanddesperate。

  Andatlasttheytookachangeandbeguntolaytheirheadstogetherinthewigwamandtalklowandconfidentialtwoorthreehoursatatime。

  Jimandmegotuneasy。Wedidn”tlikethelookofit。Wejudgedtheywasstudyingupsomekindofworsedeviltrythanever。Weturneditoverandover,andatlastwemadeupourmindstheywasgoingtobreakintosomebody”shouseorstore,orwasgoingintothecounterfeitmoneybusiness,orsomething。

  Sothenwewasprettyscared,andmadeupanagreementthatwewouldn”thavenothingintheworldtodowithsuchactions,andifweevergottheleastshowwewouldgivethemthecoldshakeandclearoutandleavethembehind。Well,earlyonemorningwehidtheraftinagood,safeplaceabouttwomilebelowalittlebitofashabbyvillagenamedPikesville,andthekinghewentashoreandtoldusalltostayhidwhilsthewentuptotownandsmeltaroundtoseeifanybodyhadgotanywindoftheRoyalNonesuchthereyet。“Housetorob,youMEAN,“saysItomyself;“andwhenyougetthroughrobbingityou”llcomebackhereandwonderwhathasbecomeofmeandJimandtheraft——andyou”llhavetotakeitoutinwondering。”

  Andhesaidifhewarn”tbackbymiddaythedukeandmewouldknowitwasallright,andwewastocomealong。

  Sowestayedwherewewas。Thedukehefrettedandsweatedaround,andwasinamightysourway。Hescoldedusforeverything,andwecouldn”tseemtodonothingright;hefoundfaultwitheverylittlething。Somethingwasa-brewing,sure。Iwasgoodandgladwhenmiddaycomeandnoking;

  wecouldhaveachange,anyway——andmaybeachanceforTHEchanceontopofit。Someandthedukewentuptothevillage,andhuntedaroundtherefortheking,andbyandbywefoundhiminthebackroomofalittlelowdoggery,verytight,andalotofloafersbullyragginghimforsport,andhea-cussinganda-threateningwithallhismight,andsotighthecouldn”twalk,andcouldn”tdonothingtothem。Thedukehebeguntoabusehimforanoldfool,andthekingbeguntosassback,andtheminutetheywasfairlyatitIlitoutandshookthereefsoutofmyhindlegs,andspundowntheriverroadlikeadeer,forIseeourchance;andImadeupmymindthatitwouldbealongdaybeforetheyeverseemeandJimagain。Igotdowntherealloutofbreathbutloadedupwithjoy,andsungout:

  “Setherloose,Jim!we”reallrightnow!“

  Buttherewarn”tnoanswer,andnobodycomeoutofthewigwam。Jimwasgone!Isetupashout——andthenanother——andthenanotherone;andrunthiswayandthatinthewoods,whoopingandscreeching;butitwarn”tnouse——oldJimwasgone。ThenIsetdownandcried;Icouldn”thelpit。ButIcouldn”tsetstilllong。PrettysoonIwentoutontheroad,tryingtothinkwhatIbetterdo,andIrunacrossaboywalking,andaskedhimifhe”dseenastrangeniggerdressedsoandso,andhesays:

  “Yes。”

  “Whereabouts?“saysI。

  “DowntoSilasPhelps”place,twomilebelowhere。He”sarunawaynigger,andthey”vegothim。Wasyoulookingforhim?“

  “YoubetIain”t!Irunacrosshiminthewoodsaboutanhourortwoago,andhesaidifIholleredhe”dcutmyliversout——andtoldmetolaydownandstaywhereIwas;andIdoneit。Beenthereeversince;afeardtocomeout。”

  “Well,“hesays,“youneedn”tbeafeardnomore,becuzthey”vegothim。

  Herunofff”mdownSouth,som”ers。”

  “It”sagoodjobtheygothim。”

  “Well,IRECKON!There”stwohunderddollarsrewardonhim。It”slikepickingupmoneyout”ntheroad。”

  “Yes,itis——andIcouldahaditifI”dbeenbigenough;IseehimFIRST。Whonailedhim?“

  “Itwasanoldfellow——astranger——andhesoldouthischanceinhimforfortydollars,becuzhe”sgottogouptheriverandcan”twait。

  Thinko”that,now!YoubetI”Dwait,ifitwassevenyear。”

  “That”sme,everytime,“saysI。“Butmaybehischanceain”tworthnomorethanthat,ifhe”llsellitsocheap。Maybethere”ssomethingain”tstraightaboutit。”

  “ButitIS,though——straightasastring。Iseethehandbillmyself。

  Ittellsallabouthim,toadot——paintshimlikeapicture,andtellstheplantationhe”sfrum,belowNewrLEANS。No-sirree-BOB,theyain”tnotrouble”boutTHATspeculation,youbetyou。Say,gimmeachawtobacker,won”tye?“

  Ididn”thavenone,soheleft。Iwenttotheraft,andsetdowninthewigwamtothink。ButIcouldn”tcometonothing。IthoughttillIworemyheadsore,butIcouldn”tseenowayoutofthetrouble。Afterallthislongjourney,andafterallwe”ddoneforthemscoundrels,hereitwasallcometonothing,everythingallbustedupandruined,becausetheycouldhavethehearttoserveJimsuchatrickasthat,andmakehimaslaveagainallhislife,andamongststrangers,too,forfortydirtydollars。

  OnceIsaidtomyselfitwouldbeathousandtimesbetterforJimtobeaslaveathomewherehisfamilywas,aslongashe”dGOTtobeaslave,andsoI”dbetterwritealettertoTomSawyerandtellhimtotellMissWatsonwherehewas。ButIsoongiveupthatnotionfortwothings:she”dbemadanddisgustedathisrascalityandungratefulnessforleavingher,andsoshe”dsellhimstraightdowntheriveragain;andifshedidn”t,everybodynaturallydespisesanungratefulnigger,andthey”dmakeJimfeelitallthetime,andsohe”dfeelorneryanddisgraced。AndthenthinkofME!ItwouldgetallaroundthatHuckFinnhelpedaniggertogethisfreedom;andifIwasevertoseeanybodyfromthattownagainI”dbereadytogetdownandlickhisbootsforshame。That”sjusttheway:apersondoesalow-downthing,andthenhedon”twanttotakenoconsequencesofit。Thinksaslongashecanhide,itain”tnodisgrace。Thatwasmyfixexactly。ThemoreIstudiedaboutthisthemoremyconsciencewenttogrindingme,andthemorewickedandlow-downandorneryIgottofeeling。Andatlast,whenithitmeallofasuddenthatherewastheplainhandofProvidenceslappingmeinthefaceandlettingmeknowmywickednesswasbeingwatchedallthetimefromupthereinheaven,whilstIwasstealingapooroldwoman”sniggerthathadn”teverdonemenoharm,andnowwasshowingmethere”sOnethat”salwaysonthelookout,andain”tagoingtoallownosuchmiserabledoingstogoonlyjustsofurandnofurther,ImostdroppedinmytracksIwassoscared。Well,ItriedthebestIcouldtokindersoftenitupsomehowformyselfbysayingIwasbrungupwicked,andsoIwarn”tsomuchtoblame;butsomethinginsideofmekeptsaying,“TherewastheSunday-school,youcouldagonetoit;andifyou”dadoneitthey”dalearntyoutherethatpeoplethatactsasI”dbeenactingaboutthatniggergoestoeverlastingfire。”

  Itmademeshiver。AndIaboutmadeupmymindtopray,andseeifI

  couldn”ttrytoquitbeingthekindofaboyIwasandbebetter。SoI

  kneeleddown。Butthewordswouldn”tcome。Whywouldn”tthey?Itwarn”tnousetotryandhideitfromHim。NorfromME,neither。Iknowedverywellwhytheywouldn”tcome。Itwasbecausemyheartwarn”tright;itwasbecauseIwarn”tsquare;itwasbecauseIwasplayingdouble。IwaslettingONtogiveupsin,butawayinsideofmeIwasholdingontothebiggestoneofall。IwastryingtomakemymouthSAYIwoulddotherightthingandthecleanthing,andgoandwritetothatnigger”sownerandtellwherehewas;butdeepdowninmeIknoweditwasalie,andHeknowedit。Youcan”tprayalie——Ifoundthatout。

  SoIwasfulloftrouble,fullasIcouldbe;anddidn”tknowwhattodo。AtlastIhadanidea;andIsays,I”llgoandwritetheletter——

  andthenseeifIcanpray。Why,itwasastonishing,thewayIfeltaslightasafeatherrightstraightoff,andmytroublesallgone。SoIgotapieceofpaperandapencil,allgladandexcited,andsetdownandwrote:

  MissWatson,yourrunawayniggerJimisdownheretwomilebelowPikesville,andMr。Phelpshasgothimandhewillgivehimupfortherewardifyousend。

  HUCKFINN。

  IfeltgoodandallwashedcleanofsinforthefirsttimeIhadeverfeltsoinmylife,andIknowedIcouldpraynow。ButIdidn”tdoitstraightoff,butlaidthepaperdownandsettherethinking——thinkinghowgooditwasallthishappenedso,andhownearIcometobeinglostandgoingtohell。Andwentonthinking。Andgottothinkingoverourtripdowntheriver;andIseeJimbeforemeallthetime:inthedayandinthenight-time,sometimesmoonlight,sometimesstorms,andwea-floatingalong,talkingandsingingandlaughing。ButsomehowIcouldn”tseemtostrikenoplacestohardenmeagainsthim,butonlytheotherkind。I”dseehimstandingmywatchontopofhis”n,”steadofcallingme,soIcouldgoonsleeping;

  andseehimhowgladhewaswhenIcomebackoutofthefog;andwhenI

  cometohimagainintheswamp,uptherewherethefeudwas;andsuch-liketimes;andwouldalwayscallmehoney,andpetmeanddoeverythinghecouldthinkofforme,andhowgoodhealwayswas;andatlastIstruckthetimeIsavedhimbytellingthemenwehadsmall-poxaboard,andhewassograteful,andsaidIwasthebestfriendoldJimeverhadintheworld,andtheONLYonehe”sgotnow;andthenIhappenedtolookaroundandseethatpaper。

  Itwasacloseplace。Itookitup,andhelditinmyhand。Iwasa-trembling,becauseI”dgottodecide,forever,betwixttwothings,andIknowedit。

  Istudiedaminute,sortofholdingmybreath,andthensaystomyself:

  “Allright,then,I”llGOtohell“——andtoreitup。

  Itwasawfulthoughtsandawfulwords,buttheywassaid。AndIletthemstaysaid;andneverthoughtnomoreaboutreforming。Ishovedthewholethingoutofmyhead,andsaidIwouldtakeupwickednessagain,whichwasinmyline,beingbrunguptoit,andtheotherwarn”t。AndforastarterIwouldgotoworkandstealJimoutofslaveryagain;andifIcouldthinkupanythingworse,Iwoulddothat,too;becauseaslongasIwasin,andinforgood,Imightaswellgothewholehog。

  ThenIsettothinkingoverhowtogetatit,andturnedoversomeconsiderablemanywaysinmymind;andatlastfixedupaplanthatsuitedme。SothenItookthebearingsofawoodyislandthatwasdowntheriverapiece,andassoonasitwasfairlydarkIcreptoutwithmyraftandwentforit,andhiditthere,andthenturnedin。Isleptthenightthrough,andgotupbeforeitwaslight,andhadmybreakfast,andputonmystoreclothes,andtiedupsomeothersandonethingoranotherinabundle,andtookthecanoeandclearedforshore。IlandedbelowwhereIjudgedwasPhelps”splace,andhidmybundleinthewoods,andthenfilledupthecanoewithwater,andloadedrocksintoherandsunkherwhereIcouldfindheragainwhenIwantedher,aboutaquarterofamilebelowalittlesteamsawmillthatwasonthebank。

  ThenIstruckuptheroad,andwhenIpassedthemillIseeasignonit,“Phelps”sSawmill,“andwhenIcometothefarm-houses,twoorthreehundredyardsfurtheralong,Ikeptmyeyespeeled,butdidn”tseenobodyaround,thoughitwasgooddaylightnow。ButIdidn”tmind,becauseIdidn”twanttoseenobodyjustyet——Ionlywantedtogetthelayoftheland。

  Accordingtomyplan,Iwasgoingtoturnuptherefromthevillage,notfrombelow。SoIjusttookalook,andshovedalong,straightfortown。

  Well,theveryfirstmanIseewhenIgottherewastheduke。HewasstickingupabillfortheRoyalNonesuch——three-nightperformance——likethatothertime。Theyhadthecheek,themfrauds!IwasrightonhimbeforeIcouldshirk。Helookedastonished,andsays:

  “Hel-LO!Where”dYOUcomefrom?“Thenhesays,kindofgladandeager,“Where”stheraft?——gotherinagoodplace?“

  Isays:

  “Why,that”sjustwhatIwasgoingtoaskyourgrace。”

  Thenhedidn”tlooksojoyful,andsays:

  “WhatwasyourideaforaskingME?“hesays。

  “Well,“Isays,“whenIseethekinginthatdoggeryyesterdayIsaystomyself,wecan”tgethimhomeforhours,tillhe”ssoberer;soIwenta-loafingaroundtowntoputinthetimeandwait。Amanupandofferedmetencentstohelphimpullaskiffovertheriverandbacktofetchasheep,andsoIwentalong;butwhenwewasdragginghimtotheboat,andthemanleftmea-holtoftheropeandwentbehindhimtoshovehimalong,hewastoostrongformeandjerkedlooseandrun,andweafterhim。Wedidn”thavenodog,andsowehadtochasehimalloverthecountrytillwetiredhimout。Wenevergothimtilldark;thenwefetchedhimover,andIstarteddownfortheraft。WhenIgotthereandseeitwasgone,Isaystomyself,”They”vegotintotroubleandhadtoleave;andthey”vetookmynigger,whichistheonlyniggerI”vegotintheworld,andnowI”minastrangecountry,andain”tgotnopropertynomore,nornothing,andnowaytomakemyliving;”soIsetdownandcried。Isleptinthewoodsallnight。ButwhatDIDbecomeoftheraft,then?——andJim——poorJim!“

  “BlamedifIknow——thatis,what”sbecomeoftheraft。Thatoldfoolhadmadeatradeandgotfortydollars,andwhenwefoundhiminthedoggerytheloafershadmatchedhalf-dollarswithhimandgoteverycentbutwhathe”dspentforwhisky;andwhenIgothimhomelatelastnightandfoundtheraftgone,wesaid,”Thatlittlerascalhasstoleourraftandshookus,andrunoffdowntheriver。”“

  “Iwouldn”tshakemyNIGGER,wouldI?——theonlyniggerIhadintheworld,andtheonlyproperty。”

  “Weneverthoughtofthat。Factis,Ireckonwe”dcometoconsiderhimOURnigger;yes,wedidconsiderhimso——goodnessknowswehadtroubleenoughforhim。Sowhenweseetheraftwasgoneandweflatbroke,therewarn”tanythingforitbuttotrytheRoyalNonesuchanothershake。AndI”vepeggedalongeversince,dryasapowder-horn。Where”sthattencents?

  Giveithere。”

  Ihadconsiderablemoney,soIgivehimtencents,butbeggedhimtospenditforsomethingtoeat,andgivemesome,becauseitwasallthemoneyIhad,andIhadn”thadnothingtoeatsinceyesterday。Heneversaidnothing。Thenextminutehewhirlsonmeandsays:

  “Doyoureckonthatniggerwouldblowonus?We”dskinhimifhedonethat!“

  “Howcanheblow?Hain”therunoff?“

  “No!Thatoldfoolsoldhim,andneverdividedwithme,andthemoney”sgone。”

  “SOLDhim?“Isays,andbeguntocry;“why,hewasMYnigger,andthatwasmymoney。Whereishe?——Iwantmynigger。”

  “Well,youcan”tGETyournigger,that”sall——sodryupyourblubbering。

  Lookyhere——doyouthinkYOU”Dventuretoblowonus?BlamedifIthinkI”dtrustyou。Why,ifyouWAStoblowonus”

  Hestopped,butIneverseethedukelooksouglyoutofhiseyesbefore。

  Iwentona-whimpering,andsays:

  “Idon”twanttoblowonnobody;andIain”tgotnotimetoblow,nohow。

  Igottoturnoutandfindmynigger。”

  Helookedkinderbothered,andstoodtherewithhisbillsflutteringonhisarm,thinking,andwrinklinguphisforehead。Atlasthesays:

  “I”lltellyousomething。Wegottobeherethreedays。Ifyou”llpromiseyouwon”tblow,andwon”tlettheniggerblow,I”lltellyouwheretofindhim。”

  SoIpromised,andhesays:

  “AfarmerbythenameofSilasPh——”andthenhestopped。Yousee,hestartedtotellmethetruth;butwhenhestoppedthatway,andbeguntostudyandthinkagain,Ireckonedhewaschanginghismind。Andsohewas。Hewouldn”ttrustme;hewantedtomakesureofhavingmeoutofthewaythewholethreedays。Soprettysoonhesays:

  “ThemanthatboughthimisnamedAbramFoster——AbramG。Foster——

  andhelivesfortymilebackhereinthecountry,ontheroadtoLafayette。”

  “Allright,“Isays,“Icanwalkitinthreedays。AndI”llstartthisveryafternoon。”

  “Noyouwont,you”llstartNOW;anddon”tyouloseanytimeaboutit,neither,nordoanygabblingbytheway。Justkeepatighttongueinyourheadandmoverightalong,andthenyouwon”tgetintotroublewithUS,d”yehear?“

  ThatwastheorderIwanted,andthatwastheoneIplayedfor。Iwantedtobeleftfreetoworkmyplans。

  “Soclearout,“hesays;“andyoucantellMr。Fosterwhateveryouwantto。MaybeyoucangethimtobelievethatJimISyournigger——someidiotsdon”trequiredocuments——leastwaysI”veheardthere”ssuchdownSouthhere。Andwhenyoutellhimthehandbillandthereward”sbogus,maybehe”llbelieveyouwhenyouexplaintohimwhattheideawasforgetting”emout。Go”longnow,andtellhimanythingyouwantto;butmindyoudon”tworkyourjawanyBETWEENhereandthere。”

  SoIleft,andstruckforthebackcountry。Ididn”tlookaround,butIkinderfeltlikehewaswatchingme。ButIknowedIcouldtirehimoutatthat。IwentstraightoutinthecountryasmuchasamilebeforeI

  stopped;thenIdoubledbackthroughthewoodstowardsPhelps”。IreckonedIbetterstartinonmyplanstraightoffwithoutfoolingaround,becauseIwantedtostopJim”smouthtillthesefellowscouldgetaway。Ididn”twantnotroublewiththeirkind。I”dseenallIwantedtoofthem,andwantedtogetentirelyshutofthem。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter32Chapter32WHENIgotthereitwasallstillandSunday-like,andhotandsunshiny;

  thehandswasgonetothefields;andtherewasthemkindoffaintdroningsofbugsandfliesintheairthatmakesitseemsolonesomeandlikeeverybody”sdeadandgone;andifabreezefansalongandquiverstheleavesitmakesyoufeelmournful,becauseyoufeellikeit”sspiritswhispering——spiritsthat”sbeendeadeversomanyyears——andyoualwaysthinkthey”retalkingaboutYOU。AsageneralthingitmakesabodywishHEwasdead,too,anddonewithitall。

  Phelps”wasoneoftheselittleone-horsecottonplantations,andtheyalllookalike。Arailfenceroundatwo-acreyard;astilemadeoutoflogssawedoffandup-endedinsteps,likebarrelsofadifferentlength,toclimboverthefencewith,andforthewomentostandonwhentheyaregoingtojumpontoahorse;somesicklygrass-patchesinthebigyard,butmostlyitwasbareandsmooth,likeanoldhatwiththenaprubbedoff;bigdoublelog-houseforthewhitefolks——hewedlogs,withthechinksstoppedupwithmudormortar,andthesemud-stripesbeenwhitewashedsometimeoranother;round-logkitchen,withabigbroad,openbutroofedpassagejoiningittothehouse;logsmokehousebackofthekitchen;threelittlelognigger-cabinsinarowt”othersidethesmoke-house;onelittlehutallbyitselfawaydownagainstthebackfence,andsomeoutbuildingsdownapiecetheotherside;ashhopperandbigkettletobilesoapinbythelittlehut;benchbythekitchendoor,withbucketofwaterandagourd;

  houndasleepthereinthesun;morehoundsasleeproundabout;aboutthreeshadetreesawayoffinacorner;somecurrantbushesandgooseberrybushesinoneplacebythefence;outsideofthefenceagardenandawatermelonpatch;thenthecottonfieldsbegins,andafterthefieldsthewoods。

  Iwentaroundandclumboverthebackstilebytheash-hopper,andstartedforthekitchen。WhenIgotalittlewaysIheardthedimhumofaspinning-wheelwailingalongupandsinkingalongdownagain;andthenIknowedforcertainIwishedIwasdead——forthatISthelonesomestsoundinthewholeworld。

  Iwentrightalong,notfixingupanyparticularplan,butjusttrustingtoProvidencetoputtherightwordsinmymouthwhenthetimecome;forI”dnoticedthatProvidencealwaysdidputtherightwordsinmymouthifIleftitalone。

  WhenIgothalf-way,firstonehoundandthenanothergotupandwentforme,andofcourseIstoppedandfacedthem,andkeptstill。Andsuchanotherpowwowastheymade!InaquarterofaminuteIwasakindofahubofawheel,asyoumaysay——spokesmadeoutofdogs——circleoffifteenofthempackedtogetheraroundme,withtheirnecksandnosesstretcheduptowardsme,a-barkingandhowling;andmorea-coming;youcouldseethemsailingoverfencesandaroundcornersfromeverywheres。

  Aniggerwomancometearingoutofthekitchenwitharolling-pininherhand,singingout,“BegoneYOUTige!youSpot!begonesah!“andshefetchedfirstoneandthenanotherofthemaclipandsentthemhowling,andthentherestfollowed;andthenextsecondhalfofthemcomeback,waggingtheirtailsaroundme,andmakingfriendswithme。Thereain”tnoharminahound,nohow。

  Andbehindthewomancomesalittleniggergirlandtwolittleniggerboyswithoutanythingonbuttow-linenshirts,andtheyhungontotheirmother”sgown,andpeepedoutfrombehindheratme,bashful,thewaytheyalwaysdo。Andherecomesthewhitewomanrunningfromthehouse,aboutforty-fiveorfiftyyearold,bareheaded,andherspinning-stickinherhand;andbehindhercomesherlittlewhitechildren,actingthesamewaythelittleniggerswasgoing。Shewassmilingalloversoshecouldhardlystand——andsays:

  “It”sYOU,atlast!——AIN”Tit?“

  Ioutwitha“Yes”m“beforeIthought。

  Shegrabbedmeandhuggedmetight;andthengrippedmebybothhandsandshookandshook;andthetearscomeinhereyes,andrundownover;

  andshecouldn”tseemtohugandshakeenough,andkeptsaying,“Youdon”tlookasmuchlikeyourmotherasIreckonedyouwould;butlawsakes,I

  don”tcareforthat,I”msogladtoseeyou!Dear,dear,itdoesseemlikeIcouldeatyouup!Children,it”syourcousinTom!——tellhimhowdy。”

  Buttheyduckedtheirheads,andputtheirfingersintheirmouths,andhidbehindher。Sosherunon:

  “Lize,hurryupandgethimahotbreakfastrightaway——ordidyougetyourbreakfastontheboat?“

  IsaidIhadgotitontheboat。Sothenshestartedforthehouse,leadingmebythehand,andthechildrentaggingafter。Whenwegotthereshesetmedowninasplit-bottomedchair,andsetherselfdownonalittlelowstoolinfrontofme,holdingbothofmyhands,andsays:

  “NowIcanhaveaGOODlookatyou;and,laws-ame,I”vebeenhungryforitamanyandamanyatime,alltheselongyears,andit”scomeatlast!Webeenexpectingyouacoupleofdaysandmore。Whatkep”you?——

  boatgetaground?“

  “Yes”m——she”

  “Don”tsayyes”m——sayAuntSally。Where”dshegetaground?“

  Ididn”trightlyknowwhattosay,becauseIdidn”tknowwhethertheboatwouldbecominguptheriverordown。ButIgoagooddealoninstinct;

  andmyinstinctsaidshewouldbecomingup——fromdowntowardsOrleans。

  Thatdidn”thelpmemuch,though;forIdidn”tknowthenamesofbarsdownthatway。IseeI”dgottoinventabar,orforgetthenameoftheonewegotagroundon——or——NowIstruckanidea,andfetcheditout:

  “Itwarn”tthegrounding——thatdidn”tkeepusbackbutalittle。Weblowedoutacylinder-head。”

  “Goodgracious!anybodyhurt?“

  “No”m。Killedanigger。”

  “Well,it”slucky;becausesometimespeopledogethurt。TwoyearsagolastChristmasyouruncleSilaswascomingupfromNewrleansontheoldLallyRook,andsheblowedoutacylinder-headandcrippledaman。AndIthinkhediedafterwards。HewasaBaptist。YouruncleSilasknowedafamilyinBatonRougethatknowedhispeopleverywell。Yes,Iremembernow,heDIDdie。Mortificationsetin,andtheyhadtoamputatehim。Butitdidn”tsavehim。Yes,itwasmortification——thatwasit。Heturnedblueallover,anddiedinthehopeofagloriousresurrection。Theysayhewasasighttolookat。Youruncle”sbeenuptothetowneverydaytofetchyou。Andhe”sgoneagain,notmore”nanhourago;he”llbebackanyminutenow。Youmustamethimontheroad,didn”tyou?——oldishman,witha”

  “No,Ididn”tseenobody,AuntSally。Theboatlandedjustatdaylight,andIleftmybaggageonthewharf-boatandwentlookingaroundthetownandoutapieceinthecountry,toputinthetimeandnotgetheretoosoon;andsoIcomedownthebackway。”

  “Who”dyougivethebaggageto?“

  “Nobody。”

  “Why,child,it”llbestole!“

  “NotwhereIhiditIreckonitwon”t,“Isays。

  “How”dyougetyourbreakfastsoearlyontheboat?“

  Itwaskinderthinice,butIsays:

  “Thecaptainseemestandingaround,andtoldmeIbetterhavesomethingtoeatbeforeIwentashore;sohetookmeinthetexastotheofficers”

  lunch,andgivemeallIwanted。”

  IwasgettingsouneasyIcouldn”tlistengood。Ihadmymindonthechildrenallthetime;Iwantedtogetthemouttoonesideandpumpthemalittle,andfindoutwhoIwas。ButIcouldn”tgetnoshow,Mrs。Phelpskeptitupandrunonso。Prettysoonshemadethecoldchillsstreakalldownmyback,becauseshesays:

  “Butherewe”rea-runningonthisway,andyouhain”ttoldmeawordaboutSis,noranyofthem。NowI”llrestmyworksalittle,andyoustartupyourn;justtellmeEVERYTHING——tellmeallabout”malleveryoneof”m;andhowtheyare,andwhatthey”redoing,andwhattheytoldyoutotellme;andeverylastthingyoucanthinkof。”

  Well,IseeIwasupastump——andupitgood。Providencehadstoodbymethisfurallright,butIwashardandtightagroundnow。Iseeitwarn”tabitofusetotrytogoahead——I”dgottothrowupmyhand。

  SoIsaystomyself,here”sanotherplacewhereIgottoreskthetruth。

  Iopenedmymouthtobegin;butshegrabbedmeandhustledmeinbehindthebed,andsays:

  “Herehecomes!Stickyourheaddownlower——there,that”lldo;youcan”tbeseennow。Don”tyouletonyou”rehere。I”llplayajokeonhim。

  Children,don”tyousayaword。”

  IseeIwasinafixnow。Butitwarn”tnousetoworry;therewarn”tnothingtodobutjustholdstill,andtryandbereadytostandfromunderwhenthelightningstruck。

  Ihadjustonelittleglimpseoftheoldgentlemanwhenhecomein;

  thenthebedhidhim。Mrs。Phelpsshejumpsforhim,andsays:

  “Hashecome?“

  “No,“saysherhusband。

  “Good-NESSgracious!“shesays,“whatinthewarldcanhavebecomeofhim?“

  “Ican”timagine,“saystheoldgentleman;“andImustsayitmakesmedreadfuluneasy。”

  “Uneasy!“shesays;“I”mreadytogodistracted!HeMUSTacome;andyou”vemissedhimalongtheroad。IKNOWit”sso——somethingtellsmeso。”

  “Why,Sally,ICOULDN”Tmisshimalongtheroad——YOUknowthat。”

  “Butoh,dear,dear,whatWILLSissay!Hemustacome!Youmustamissedhim。He”

  “Oh,don”tdistressmeanymore”nI”malreadydistressed。Idon”tknowwhatintheworldtomakeofit。I”matmywit”send,andIdon”tmindacknowledging”tI”mrightdownscared。Butthere”snohopethathe”scome;

  forheCOULDN”Tcomeandmemisshim。Sally,it”sterrible——justterrible——something”shappenedtotheboat,sure!“

  “Why,Silas!Lookyonder!——uptheroad!——ain”tthatsomebodycoming?“

  Hesprungtothewindowattheheadofthebed,andthatgiveMrs。Phelpsthechanceshewanted。Shestoopeddownquickatthefootofthebedandgivemeapull,andoutIcome;andwhenheturnedbackfromthewindowthereshestood,a-beaminganda-smilinglikeahouseafire,andIstandingprettymeekandsweatyalongside。Theoldgentlemanstared,andsays:

  “Why,who”sthat?“

  “Whodoyoureckon”tis?“

  “Ihain”tnoidea。WhoISit?“

  “It”sTOMSAWYER!“

  Byjings,Imostslumpedthroughthefloor!Buttherewarn”tnotimetoswapknives;theoldmangrabbedmebythehandandshook,andkeptonshaking;andallthetimehowthewomandiddancearoundandlaughandcry;andthenhowtheybothdidfireoffquestionsaboutSid,andMary,andtherestofthetribe。

  Butiftheywasjoyful,itwarn”tnothingtowhatIwas;foritwaslikebeingbornagain,IwassogladtofindoutwhoIwas。Well,theyfrozetomefortwohours;andatlast,whenmychinwassotireditcouldn”thardlygoanymore,Ihadtoldthemmoreaboutmyfamily——ImeantheSawyerfamily——thaneverhappenedtoanysixSawyerfamilies。AndIexplainedallabouthowweblowedoutacylinder-headatthemouthofWhiteRiver,andittookusthreedaystofixit。Whichwasallright,andworkedfirst-rate;

  becauseTHEYdidn”tknowbutwhatitwouldtakethreedaystofixit。IfI”dacalleditaboltheaditwouldadonejustaswell。

  NowIwasfeelingprettycomfortablealldownoneside,andprettyuncomfortablealluptheother。BeingTomSawyerwaseasyandcomfortable,anditstayedeasyandcomfortabletillbyandbyIhearasteamboatcoughingalongdowntheriver。ThenIsaystomyself,s”poseTomSawyercomesdownonthatboat?Ands”posehestepsinhereanyminute,andsingsoutmynamebeforeIcanthrowhimawinktokeepquiet?

  Well,Icouldn”tHAVEitthatway;itwouldn”tdoatall。Imustgouptheroadandwaylayhim。SoItoldthefolksIreckonedIwouldgouptothetownandfetchdownmybaggage。Theoldgentlemanwasforgoingalongwithme,butIsaidno,Icoulddrivethehorsemyself,andIdrutherhewouldn”ttakenotroubleaboutme。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter33Chapter33SOIstartedfortowninthewagon,andwhenIwashalf-wayIseeawagoncoming,andsureenoughitwasTomSawyer,andIstoppedandwaitedtillhecomealong。Isays“Holdon!“anditstoppedalongside,andhismouthopeneduplikeatrunk,andstayedso;andheswallowedtwoorthreetimeslikeapersonthat”sgotadrythroat,andthensays:

  “Ihain”teverdoneyounoharm。Youknowthat。So,then,whatyouwanttocomebackandha”ntMEfor?“

  Isays:

  “Ihain”tcomeback——Ihain”tbeenGONE。”

  Whenheheardmyvoiceitrightedhimupsome,buthewarn”tquitesatisfiedyet。Hesays:

  “Don”tyouplaynothingonme,becauseIwouldn”tonyou。Honestinjun,youain”taghost?“

  “Honestinjun,Iain”t,“Isays。

  “Well——I——I——well,thatoughttosettleit,ofcourse;butIcan”tsomehowseemtounderstanditnoway。Lookyhere,warn”tyouevermurderedATALL?“

  “No。Iwarn”tevermurderedatall——Iplayeditonthem。Youcomeinhereandfeelofmeifyoudon”tbelieveme。”

  Sohedoneit;anditsatisfiedhim;andhewasthatgladtoseemeagainhedidn”tknowwhattodo。Andhewantedtoknowallaboutitrightoff,becauseitwasagrandadventure,andmysterious,andsoithithimwherehelived。ButIsaid,leaveitalonetillbyandby;andtoldhisdrivertowait,andwedroveoffalittlepiece,andItoldhimthekindofafixIwasin,andwhatdidhereckonwebetterdo?Hesaid,lethimaloneaminute,anddon”tdisturbhim。Sohethoughtandthought,andprettysoonhesays:

  “It”sallright;I”vegotit。Takemytrunkinyourwagon,andletonit”syour”n;andyouturnbackandfoolalongslow,soastogettothehouseaboutthetimeyououghtto;andI”llgotowardstownapiece,andtakeafreshstart,andgetthereaquarterorahalfanhourafteryou;

  andyouneedn”tletontoknowmeatfirst。”

  Isays:

  “Allright;butwaitaminute。There”sonemorething——athingthatNOBODYdon”tknowbutme。Andthatis,there”saniggerherethatI”ma-tryingtostealoutofslavery,andhisnameisJIM——oldMissWatson”sJim。”

  Hesays:

  “What!Why,Jimis”

  Hestoppedandwenttostudying。Isays:

  “Iknowwhatyou”llsay。You”llsayit”sdirty,lowdownbusiness;butwhatifitis?I”mlowdown;andI”ma-goingtostealhim,andIwantyoukeepmumandnotleton。Willyou?“

  Hiseyelitup,andhesays:

  “I”llHELPyoustealhim!“

  Well,Iletgoallholtsthen,likeIwasshot。ItwasthemostastonishingspeechIeverheard——andI”mboundtosayTomSawyerfellconsiderableinmyestimation。OnlyIcouldn”tbelieveit。TomSawyeraNIGGER-STEALER!

  “Oh,shucks!“Isays;“you”rejoking。”

  “Iain”tjoking,either。”

  “Well,then,“Isays,“jokingornojoking,ifyouhearanythingsaidaboutarunawaynigger,don”tforgettorememberthatYOUdon”tknownothingabouthim,andIdon”tknownothingabouthim。”

  Thenwetookthetrunkandputitinmywagon,andhedroveoffhiswayandIdrovemine。ButofcourseIforgotallaboutdrivingslowonaccountsofbeinggladandfullofthinking;soIgothomeaheaptooquickforthatlengthofatrip。Theoldgentlemanwasatthedoor,andhesays:

  “Why,thisiswonderful!Whoeverwouldathoughtitwasinthatmaretodoit?Iwishwe”datimedher。Andshehain”tsweatedahair——notahair。It”swonderful。Why,Iwouldn”ttakeahundreddollarsforthathorsenow——Iwouldn”t,honest;andyetI”dasoldherforfifteenbefore,andthought”twasallshewasworth。”

  That”sallhesaid。Hewastheinnocentest,bestoldsoulIeversee。

  Butitwarn”tsurprising;becausehewarn”tonlyjustafarmer,hewasapreacher,too,andhadalittleone-horselogchurchdownbackoftheplantation,whichhebuiltithimselfathisownexpense,forachurchandschoolhouse,andneverchargednothingforhispreaching,anditwasworthit,too。Therewasplentyotherfarmer-preacherslikethat,anddonethesameway,downSouth。

  InabouthalfanhourTom”swagondroveuptothefrontstile,andAuntSallysheseeitthroughthewindow,becauseitwasonlyaboutfiftyyards,andsays:

  “Why,there”ssomebodycome!Iwonderwho”tis?Why,Idobelieveit”sastranger。Jimmy“that”soneofthechildren”“runandtellLizetoputonanotherplatefordinner。”

  Everybodymadearushforthefrontdoor,because,ofcourse,astrangerdon”tcomeEVERYyear,andsohelaysovertheyaller-fever,forinterest,whenhedoescome。Tomwasoverthestileandstartingforthehouse;thewagonwasspinninguptheroadforthevillage,andwewasallbunchedinthefrontdoor。Tomhadhisstoreclotheson,andanaudience——andthatwasalwaysnutsforTomSawyer。Inthemcircumstancesitwarn”tnotroubletohimtothrowinanamountofstylethatwassuitable。Hewarn”taboytomeekyalongupthatyardlikeasheep;no,hecomeca”mandimportant,liketheram。Whenhegota-frontofusheliftshishateversograciousanddainty,likeitwasthelidofaboxthathadbutterfliesasleepinitandhedidn”twanttodisturbthem,andsays:

  “Mr。ArchibaldNichols,Ipresume?“

  “No,myboy,“saystheoldgentleman,“I”msorrytosay”tyourdriverhasdeceivedyou;Nichols”splaceisdownamatterofthreemilemore。

  Comein,comein。”

  Tomhetookalookbackoverhisshoulder,andsays,“Toolate——he”soutofsight。”

  “Yes,he”sgone,myson,andyoumustcomeinandeatyourdinnerwithus;andthenwe”llhitchupandtakeyoudowntoNichols”s。”

  “Oh,ICAN”Tmakeyousomuchtrouble;Icouldn”tthinkofit。I”llwalk——Idon”tmindthedistance。”

  “Butwewon”tLETyouwalk——itwouldn”tbeSouthernhospitalitytodoit。Comerightin。”

  “Oh,DO,“saysAuntSally;“itain”tabitoftroubletous,notabitintheworld。Youmuststay。It”salong,dustythreemile,andwecan”tletyouwalk。And,besides,I”vealreadytold”emtoputonanotherplatewhenIseeyoucoming;soyoumustn”tdisappointus。Comerightinandmakeyourselfathome。”

  SoTomhethankedthemveryheartyandhandsome,andlethimselfbepersuaded,andcomein;andwhenhewasinhesaidhewasastrangerfromHicksville,Ohio,andhisnamewasWilliamThompson——andhemadeanotherbow。

  Well,herunon,andon,andon,makingupstuffaboutHicksvilleandeverybodyinithecouldinvent,andIgettingalittlenervious,andwonderinghowthiswasgoingtohelpmeoutofmyscrape;andatlast,stilltalkingalong,hereachedoverandkissedAuntSallyrightonthemouth,andthensettledbackagaininhischaircomfortable,andwasgoingontalking;

  butshejumpedupandwipeditoffwiththebackofherhand,andsays:

  “Youowdaciouspuppy!“

  Helookedkindofhurt,andsays:

  “I”msurprisedatyou,m”am。”

  “You”res”rp——Why,whatdoyoureckonIam?I”veagoodnotiontotakeand——Say,whatdoyoumeanbykissingme?“

  Helookedkindofhumble,andsays:

  “Ididn”tmeannothing,m”am。Ididn”tmeannoharm。I——I——thoughtyou”dlikeit。”

  “Why,youbornfool!“Shetookupthespinningstick,anditlookedlikeitwasallshecoulddotokeepfromgivinghimacrackwithit。“WhatmadeyouthinkI”dlikeit?“

  “Well,Idon”tknow。Only,they——they——toldmeyouwould。”

  “THEYtoldyouIwould。Whoevertoldyou”sANOTHERlunatic。Ineverheardthebeatofit。Who”sTHEY?“

  “Why,everybody。Theyallsaidso,m”am。”

  Itwasallshecoulddotoholdin;andhereyessnapped,andherfingersworkedlikeshewantedtoscratchhim;andshesays:

  “Who”s”everybody”?Outwiththeirnames,orther”llbeanidiotshort。”

  Hegotupandlookeddistressed,andfumbledhishat,andsays:

  “I”msorry,andIwarn”texpectingit。Theytoldmeto。Theyalltoldmeto。Theyallsaid,kissher;andsaidshe”dlikeit。Theyallsaidit——everyoneofthem。ButI”msorry,m”am,andIwon”tdoitnomore——

  Iwon”t,honest。”

  “Youwon”t,won”tyou?Well,Ish”dRECKONyouwon”t!“

  “No”m,I”mhonestaboutit;Iwon”teverdoitagain——tillyouaskme。”

  “TillIASKyou!Well,Ineverseethebeatofitinmyborndays!I

  layyou”llbetheMethusalem-numskullofcreationbeforeeverIaskyou——orthelikesofyou。”

  “Well,“hesays,“itdoessurprisemeso。Ican”tmakeitout,somehow。

  Theysaidyouwould,andIthoughtyouwould。But”Hestoppedandlookedaroundslow,likehewishedhecouldrunacrossafriendlyeyesomewheres,andfetchedupontheoldgentleman”s,andsays,“Didn”tYOUthinkshe”dlikemetokissher,sir?“

  “Why,no;I——I——well,no,Ib”lieveIdidn”t。”

  Thenhelooksonaroundthesamewaytome,andsays:

  “Tom,didn”tYOUthinkAuntSally”dopenoutherarmsandsay,”SidSawyer——”“

  “Myland!“shesays,breakinginandjumpingforhim,“youimpudentyoungrascal,tofoolabodyso”andwasgoingtohughim,buthefendedheroff,andsays:

  “No,nottillyou”veaskedmefirst。”

  Soshedidn”tlosenotime,butaskedhim;andhuggedhimandkissedhimoverandoveragain,andthenturnedhimovertotheoldman,andhetookwhatwasleft。Andaftertheygotalittlequietagainshesays:

  “Why,dearme,Ineverseesuchasurprise。Wewarn”tlookingforYOU

  atall,butonlyTom。Sisneverwrotetomeaboutanybodycomingbuthim。”

  “It”sbecauseitwarn”tINTENDEDforanyofustocomebutTom,“hesays;“butIbeggedandbegged,andatthelastminutesheletmecome,too;so,comingdowntheriver,meandTomthoughtitwouldbeafirst-ratesurpriseforhimtocomeheretothehousefirst,andformetobyandbytagalonganddropin,andletontobeastranger。Butitwasamistake,AuntSally。Thisain”tnohealthyplaceforastrangertocome。”

  “No——notimpudentwhelps,Sid。Yououghttohadyourjawsboxed;I

  hain”tbeensoputoutsinceIdon”tknowwhen。ButIdon”tcare,Idon”tmindtheterms——I”dbewillingtostandathousandsuchjokestohaveyouhere。Well,tothinkofthatperformance!Idon”tdenyit,Iwasmostputrifiedwithastonishmentwhenyougivemethatsmack。”

  Wehaddinneroutinthatbroadopenpassagebetwixtthehouseandthekitchen;andtherewasthingsenoughonthattableforsevenfamilies——

  andallhot,too;noneofyourflabby,toughmeatthat”slaidinacupboardinadampcellarallnightandtasteslikeahunkofoldcoldcannibalinthemorning。UncleSilasheaskedaprettylongblessingoverit,butitwasworthit;anditdidn”tcoolitabit,neither,thewayI”veseenthemkindofinterruptionsdolotsoftimes。Therewasaconsiderablegooddealoftalkalltheafternoon,andmeandTomwasonthelookoutallthetime;butitwarn”tnouse,theydidn”thappentosaynothingaboutanyrunawaynigger,andwewasafraidtotrytoworkuptoit。Butatsupper,atnight,oneofthelittleboyssays:

  “Pa,mayn”tTomandSidandmegototheshow?“

  “No,“saystheoldman,“Ireckonthereain”tgoingtobeany;andyoucouldn”tgoiftherewas;becausetherunawayniggertoldBurtonandmeallaboutthatscandalousshow,andBurtonsaidhewouldtellthepeople;

  soIreckonthey”vedrovetheowdaciousloafersoutoftownbeforethistime。”

  Sothereitwas!——butIcouldn”thelpit。Tomandmewastosleepinthesameroomandbed;so,beingtired,webidgood-nightandwentuptobedrightaftersupper,andclumboutofthewindowanddownthelightning-rod,andshovedforthetown;forIdidn”tbelieveanybodywasgoingtogivethekingandthedukeahint,andsoifIdidn”thurryupandgivethemonethey”dgetintotroublesure。

  OntheroadTomhetoldmeallabouthowitwasreckonedIwasmurdered,andhowpapdisappearedprettysoon,anddidn”tcomebacknomore,andwhatastirtherewaswhenJimrunaway;andItoldTomallaboutourRoyalNonesuchrapscallions,andasmuchoftheraftvoyageasIhadtimeto;

  andaswestruckintothetownandupthroughthe——herecomesaragingrushofpeoplewithtorches,andanawfulwhoopingandyelling,andbangingtinpansandblowinghorns;andwejumpedtoonesidetoletthemgoby;

  andastheywentbyIseetheyhadthekingandthedukeastraddleofarail——thatis,IknoweditWASthekingandtheduke,thoughtheywasallovertarandfeathers,anddidn”tlooklikenothingintheworldthatwashuman——justlookedlikeacoupleofmonstrousbigsoldier-plumes。

  Well,itmademesicktoseeit;andIwassorryforthempoorpitifulrascals,itseemedlikeIcouldn”teverfeelanyhardnessagainstthemanymoreintheworld。Itwasadreadfulthingtosee。HumanbeingsCAN

  beawfulcrueltooneanother。

  Weseewewastoolate——couldn”tdonogood。Weaskedsomestragglersaboutit,andtheysaideverybodywenttotheshowlookingveryinnocent;

  andlaidlowandkeptdarktillthepooroldkingwasinthemiddleofhiscavortingsonthestage;thensomebodygiveasignal,andthehouseroseupandwentforthem。

  Sowepokedalongbackhome,andIwarn”tfeelingsobrashasIwasbefore,butkindofornery,andhumble,andtoblame,somehow——thoughIhadn”tdonenothing。Butthat”salwaystheway;itdon”tmakenodifferencewhetheryoudorightorwrong,aperson”sconscienceain”tgotnosense,andjustgoesforhimanyway。IfIhadayallerdogthatdidn”tknownomorethanaperson”sconsciencedoesIwouldpisonhim。Ittakesupmoreroomthanalltherestofaperson”sinsides,andyetain”tnogood,nohow。

  TomSawyerhesaysthesame。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter34Chapter34WEstoppedtalking,andgottothinking。ByandbyTomsays:

  “Lookyhere,Huck,whatfoolswearetonotthinkofitbefore!IbetIknowwhereJimis。”

  “No!Where?“

  “Inthathutdownbytheash-hopper。Why,lookyhere。Whenwewasatdinner,didn”tyouseeaniggermangointherewithsomevittles?“

  “Yes。”

  “Whatdidyouthinkthevittleswasfor?“

  “Foradog。”

  “So”dI。Well,itwasn”tforadog。”

  “Why?“

  “Becausepartofitwaswatermelon。”

  “Soitwas——Inoticedit。Well,itdoesbeatallthatIneverthoughtaboutadognoteatingwatermelon。Itshowshowabodycanseeanddon”tseeatthesametime。”

  “Well,theniggerunlockedthepadlockwhenhewentin,andhelockeditagainwhenhecameout。Hefetcheduncleakeyaboutthetimewegotupfromtable——samekey,Ibet。Watermelonshowsman,lockshowsprisoner;

  anditain”tlikelythere”stwoprisonersonsuchalittleplantation,andwherethepeople”sallsokindandgood。Jim”stheprisoner。Allright——I”mgladwefounditoutdetectivefashion;Iwouldn”tgiveshucksforanyotherway。Nowyouworkyourmind,andstudyoutaplantostealJim,andIwillstudyoutone,too;andwe”lltaketheonewelikethebest。”

  Whataheadforjustaboytohave!IfIhadTomSawyer”sheadIwouldn”ttradeitofftobeaduke,normateofasteamboat,norclowninacircus,nornothingIcanthinkof。Iwenttothinkingoutaplan,butonlyjusttobedoingsomething;Iknowedverywellwheretherightplanwasgoingtocomefrom。PrettysoonTomsays:

  “Ready?“

  “Yes,“Isays。

  “Allright——bringitout。”

  “Myplanisthis,“Isays。“Wecaneasyfindoutifit”sJiminthere。

  Thengetupmycanoeto-morrownight,andfetchmyraftoverfromtheisland。

  Thenthefirstdarknightthatcomesstealthekeyoutoftheoldman”sbritchesafterhegoestobed,andshoveoffdowntheriverontheraftwithJim,hidingdaytimesandrunningnights,thewaymeandJimusedtodobefore。Wouldn”tthatplanwork?“

  “WORK?Why,cert”nlyitwouldwork,likeratsa-fighting。Butit”stooblame”simple;thereain”tnothingTOit。What”sthegoodofaplanthatain”tnomoretroublethanthat?It”sasmildasgoose-milk。Why,Huck,itwouldn”tmakenomoretalkthanbreakingintoasoapfactory。”

  Ineversaidnothing,becauseIwarn”texpectingnothingdifferent;

  butIknowedmightywellthatwheneverhegotHISplanreadyitwouldn”thavenoneofthemobjectionstoit。

  Anditdidn”t。Hetoldmewhatitwas,andIseeinaminuteitwasworthfifteenofmineforstyle,andwouldmakeJimjustasfreeamanasminewould,andmaybegetusallkilledbesides。SoIwassatisfied,andsaidwewouldwaltzinonit。Ineedn”ttellwhatitwashere,becauseIknoweditwouldn”tstaytheway,itwas。Iknowedhewouldbechangingitaroundeverywhichwayaswewentalong,andheavinginnewbullinesseswhereverhegotachance。Andthatiswhathedone。

  Well,onethingwasdeadsure,andthatwasthatTomSawyerwasinearnest,andwasactulygoingtohelpstealthatniggeroutofslavery。Thatwasthethingthatwastoomanyforme。Herewasaboythatwasrespectableandwellbrungup;andhadacharactertolose;andfolksathomethathadcharacters;andhewasbrightandnotleather-headed;andknowingandnotignorant;andnotmean,butkind;andyetherehewas,withoutanymorepride,orrightness,orfeeling,thantostooptothisbusiness,andmakehimselfashame,andhisfamilyashame,beforeeverybody。ICOULDN”T

  understanditnowayatall。Itwasoutrageous,andIknowedIoughttojustupandtellhimso;andsobehistruefriend,andlethimquitthethingrightwherehewasandsavehimself。AndIDIDstarttotellhim;

  butheshutmeup,andsays:

  “Don”tyoureckonIknowwhatI”mabout?Don”tIgenerlyknowwhatI”mabout?“

  “Yes。”

  “Didn”tISAYIwasgoingtohelpstealthenigger?“

  “Yes。”

  “WELL,then。”

  That”sallhesaid,andthat”sallIsaid。Itwarn”tnousetosayanymore;becausewhenhesaidhe”ddoathing,healwaysdoneit。ButIcouldn”tmakeouthowhewaswillingtogointothisthing;soIjustletitgo,andneverbotherednomoreaboutit。Ifhewasboundtohaveitso,Icouldn”thelpit。

  Whenwegothomethehousewasalldarkandstill;sowewentondowntothehutbytheash-hopperfortoexamineit。Wewentthroughtheyardsoastoseewhatthehoundswoulddo。Theyknowedus,anddidn”tmakenomorenoisethancountrydogsisalwaysdoingwhenanythingcomesbyinthenight。Whenwegottothecabinwetookalookatthefrontandthetwosides;andonthesideIwarn”tacquaintedwith——whichwasthenorthside——wefoundasquarewindowhole,uptolerablehigh,withjustonestoutboardnailedacrossit。Isays:

  “Here”stheticket。Thishole”sbigenoughforJimtogetthroughifwewrenchofftheboard。”

  Tomsays:

  “It”sassimpleastit-tat-toe,three-in-a-row,andaseasyasplayinghooky。IshouldHOPEwecanfindawaythat”salittlemorecomplicatedthanTHAT,HuckFinn。”

  “Well,then,“Isays,“how”llitdotosawhimout,thewayIdonebeforeIwasmurderedthattime?“

  “That”smoreLIKE,“hesays。“It”srealmysterious,andtroublesome,andgood,“hesays;“butIbetwecanfindawaythat”stwiceaslong。

  Thereain”tnohurry;le”skeeponlookingaround。”

  Betwixtthehutandthefence,onthebackside,wasalean-tothatjoinedthehutattheeaves,andwasmadeoutofplank。Itwasaslongasthehut,butnarrow——onlyaboutsixfootwide。Thedoortoitwasatthesouthend,andwaspadlocked。Tomhewenttothesoap-kettleandsearchedaround,andfetchedbacktheironthingtheyliftthelidwith;

  sohetookitandprizedoutoneofthestaples。Thechainfelldown,andweopenedthedoorandwentin,andshutit,andstruckamatch,andseetheshedwasonlybuiltagainstacabinandhadn”tnoconnectionwithit;

  andtherewarn”tnofloortotheshed,nornothinginitbutsomeoldrustyplayed-outhoesandspadesandpicksandacrippledplow。Thematchwentout,andsodidwe,andshovedinthestapleagain,andthedoorwaslockedasgoodasever。Tomwasjoyful。Hesays;

  “Nowwe”reallright。We”llDIGhimout。It”lltakeaboutaweek!“

  Thenwestartedforthehouse,andIwentinthebackdoor——youonlyhavetopullabuckskinlatchstring,theydon”tfastenthedoors——butthatwarn”tromanticalenoughforTomSawyer;nowaywoulddohimbuthemustclimbupthelightning-rod。Butafterhegotuphalfwayaboutthreetimes,andmissedfireandfelleverytime,andthelasttimemostbustedhisbrainsout,hethoughthe”dgottogiveitup;butafterhewasrestedheallowedhewouldgiveheronemoreturnforluck,andthistimehemadethetrip。

  Inthemorningwewasupatbreakofday,anddowntotheniggercabinstopetthedogsandmakefriendswiththeniggerthatfedJim——ifitWASJimthatwasbeingfed。Theniggerswasjustgettingthroughbreakfastandstartingforthefields;andJim”sniggerwaspilingupatinpanwithbreadandmeatandthings;andwhilsttheotherswasleaving,thekeycomefromthehouse。

  Thisniggerhadagood-natured,chuckle-headedface,andhiswoolwasalltiedupinlittlebuncheswiththread。Thatwastokeepwitchesoff。

  Hesaidthewitcheswaspesteringhimawfulthesenights,andmakinghimseeallkindsofstrangethings,andhearallkindsofstrangewordsandnoises,andhedidn”tbelievehewaseverwitchedsolongbeforeinhislife。Hegotsoworkedup,andgottorunningonsoabouthistroubles,heforgotallaboutwhathe”dbeena-goingtodo。SoTomsays:

  “What”sthevittlesfor?Goingtofeedthedogs?“

  Theniggerkindofsmiledaroundgradulyoverhisface,likewhenyouheaveabrickbatinamud-puddle,andhesays:

  “Yes,MarsSid,Adog。Cur”usdog,too。Doesyouwanttogoenlookat”im?“

  “Yes。”

  IhunchedTom,andwhispers:

  “Yougoing,righthereinthedaybreak?THATwarn”ttheplan。”

  “No,itwarn”t;butit”stheplanNOW。”

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