第7章
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  So,drathim,wewentalong,butIdidn”tlikeitmuch。Whenwegotinwecouldn”thardlyseeanything,itwassodark;butJimwasthere,sureenough,andcouldseeus;andhesingsout:

  “Why,HUCK!EngoodLAN”!ain”datMistoTom?“

  Ijustknowedhowitwouldbe;Ijustexpectedit。Ididn”tknownothingtodo;andifIhadIcouldn”tadoneit,becausethatniggerbustedinandsays:

  “Why,degracioussakes!doheknowyougenlmen?“

  Wecouldseeprettywellnow。Tomhelookedatthenigger,steadyandkindofwondering,andsays:

  “DoesWHOknowus?“

  “Why,dis-yerrunawaynigger。”

  “Idon”treckonhedoes;butwhatputthatintoyourhead?“

  “WhatPUTitdar?Didn”hejis”disminutesingoutlikeheknowedyou?“

  Tomsays,inapuzzled-upkindofway:

  “Well,that”smightycurious。WHOsungout?WHENdidhesingout?WHAT

  didhesingout?“Andturnstome,perfectlyca”m,andsays,“DidYOUhearanybodysingout?“

  Ofcoursetherewarn”tnothingtobesaidbuttheonething;soIsays:

  “No;Iain”theardnobodysaynothing。”

  ThenheturnstoJim,andlookshimoverlikeheneverseehimbefore,andsays:

  “Didyousingout?“

  “No,sah,“saysJim;“Ihain”tsaidnothing,sah。”

  “Notaword?“

  “No,sah,Ihain”tsaidaword。”

  “Didyoueverseeusbefore?“

  “No,sah;notasIknowson。”

  SoTomturnstothenigger,whichwaslookingwildanddistressed,andsays,kindofsevere:

  “Whatdoyoureckon”sthematterwithyou,anyway?Whatmadeyouthinksomebodysungout?“

  “Oh,it”sdedad-blame”witches,sah,enIwishtIwasdead,Ido。Dey”sawluzatit,sah,endeydomos”killme,deysk”yersmeso。Pleasetodon”ttellnobody”boutitsah,eroleMarsSilashe”llscoleme;”kasehesaydeyAIN”Tnowitches。Ijis”wishtogoodnesshewasheahnow——

  DENwhatwouldhesay!Ijis”bethecouldn”finenowaytogitaroun”

  itDIStime。Butit”sawluzjis”so;peopledat”sSOT,stayssot;deywon”tlookintonoth”n”enfineitoutf”rdeyselves,enwhenYOUfineitoutentellum”boutit,deydoan”b”lieveyou。”

  Tomgivehimadime,andsaidwewouldn”ttellnobody;andtoldhimtobuysomemorethreadtotieuphiswoolwith;andthenlooksatJim,andsays:

  “IwonderifUncleSilasisgoingtohangthisnigger。IfIwastocatchaniggerthatwasungratefulenoughtorunaway,Iwouldn”tgivehimup,I”dhanghim。”Andwhilsttheniggersteppedtothedoortolookatthedimeandbiteittoseeifitwasgood,hewhisperstoJimandsays:

  “Don”teverletontoknowus。Andifyouhearanydigginggoingonnights,it”sus;we”regoingtosetyoufree。”

  Jimonlyhadtimetograbusbythehandandsqueezeit;thentheniggercomeback,andwesaidwe”dcomeagainsometimeiftheniggerwantedusto;andhesaidhewould,moreparticularifitwasdark,becausethewitcheswentforhimmostlyinthedark,anditwasgoodtohavefolksaroundthen。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter35Chapter35ITwouldbemostanhouryettillbreakfast,soweleftandstruckdownintothewoods;becauseTomsaidwegottohaveSOMElighttoseehowtodigby,andalanternmakestoomuch,andmightgetusintotrouble;whatwemusthavewasalotofthemrottenchunksthat”scalledfox-fire,andjustmakesasoftkindofaglowwhenyoulaytheminadarkplace。Wefetchedanarmfulandhiditintheweeds,andsetdowntorest,andTomsays,kindofdissatisfied:

  “Blameit,thiswholethingisjustaseasyandawkwardasitcanbe。

  Andsoitmakesitsorottendifficulttogetupadifficultplan。Thereain”tnowatchmantobedrugged——nowthereOUGHTtobeawatchman。Thereain”tevenadogtogiveasleeping-mixtureto。Andthere”sJimchainedbyoneleg,withaten-footchain,tothelegofhisbed:why,allyougottodoistoliftupthebedsteadandslipoffthechain。AndUncleSilashetrustseverybody;sendsthekeytothepunkin-headednigger,anddon”tsendnobodytowatchthenigger。Jimcouldagotoutofthatwindowholebeforethis,onlytherewouldn”tbenousetryingtotravelwithaten-footchainonhisleg。Why,dratit,Huck,it”sthestupidestarrangementI

  eversee。YougottoinventALLthedifficulties。Well,wecan”thelpit;

  wegottodothebestwecanwiththematerialswe”vegot。Anyhow,there”sonething——there”smorehonoringettinghimoutthroughalotofdifficultiesanddangers,wheretherewarn”toneofthemfurnishedtoyoubythepeoplewhoitwastheirdutytofurnishthem,andyouhadtocontrivethemalloutofyourownhead。Nowlookatjustthatonethingofthelantern。Whenyoucomedowntothecoldfacts,wesimplygottoLETONthatalantern”sresky。Why,wecouldworkwithatorchlightprocessionifwewantedto,Ibelieve。Now,whilstIthinkofit,wegottohuntupsomethingtomakeasawoutofthefirstchanceweget。”

  “Whatdowewantofasaw?“

  “WhatdoweWANTofasaw?Hain”twegottosawthelegofJim”sbedoff,soastogetthechainloose?“

  “Why,youjustsaidabodycouldliftupthebedsteadandslipthechainoff。”

  “Well,ifthatain”tjustlikeyou,HuckFinn。YouCANgetuptheinfant-schooliestwaysofgoingatathing。Why,hain”tyoueverreadanybooksatall?——

  BaronTrenck,norCasanova,norBenvenutoChelleeny,norHenriIV。,nornoneofthemheroes?Whoeverheardofgettingaprisonerlooseinsuchanoldmaidywayasthat?No;thewayallthebestauthoritiesdoesistosawthebed-legintwo,andleaveitjustso,andswallowthesawdust,soitcan”tbefound,andputsomedirtandgreasearoundthesawedplacesotheverykeenestseneskalcan”tseenosignofit”sbeingsawed,andthinksthebed-legisperfectlysound。Then,thenightyou”reready,fetchthelegakick,downshegoes;slipoffyourchain,andthereyouare。

  Nothingtodobuthitchyourropeladdertothebattlements,shindownit,breakyourleginthemoat——becausearopeladderisnineteenfoottooshort,youknow——andthere”syourhorsesandyourtrustyvassles,andtheyscoopyouupandflingyouacrossasaddle,andawayyougotoyournativeLangudoc,orNavarre,orwhereveritis。It”sgaudy,Huck。

  Iwishtherewasamoattothiscabin。Ifwegettime,thenightoftheescape,we”lldigone。”

  Isays:

  “Whatdowewantofamoatwhenwe”regoingtosnakehimoutfromunderthecabin?“

  Butheneverheardme。Hehadforgotmeandeverythingelse。Hehadhischininhishand,thinking。Prettysoonhesighsandshakeshishead;

  thensighsagain,andsays:

  “No,itwouldn”tdo——thereain”tnecessityenoughforit。”

  “Forwhat?“Isays。

  “Why,tosawJim”slegoff,“hesays。

  “Goodland!“Isays;“why,thereain”tNOnecessityforit。Andwhatwouldyouwanttosawhislegofffor,anyway?“

  “Well,someofthebestauthoritieshasdoneit。Theycouldn”tgetthechainoff,sotheyjustcuttheirhandoffandshoved。Andalegwouldbebetterstill。Butwegottoletthatgo。Thereain”tnecessityenoughinthiscase;and,besides,Jim”sanigger,andwouldn”tunderstandthereasonsforit,andhowit”sthecustominEurope;sowe”llletitgo。

  Butthere”sonething——hecanhavearopeladder;wecantearupoursheetsandmakehimaropeladdereasyenough。Andwecansendittohiminapie;it”smostlydonethatway。AndI”veetworsepies。”

  “Why,TomSawyer,howyoutalk,“Isays;“Jimain”tgotnouseforaropeladder。”

  “HeHASgotuseforit。HowYOUtalk,youbettersay;youdon”tknownothingaboutit。He”sGOTtohavearopeladder;theyalldo。”

  “WhatinthenationcanheDOwithit?“

  “DOwithit?Hecanhideitinhisbed,can”the?“That”swhattheyalldo;andHE”Sgotto,too。Huck,youdon”teverseemtowanttodoanythingthat”sregular;youwanttobestartingsomethingfreshallthetime。S”poseheDON”Tdonothingwithit?ain”titthereinhisbed,foraclew,afterhe”sgone?anddon”tyoureckonthey”llwantclews?Ofcoursetheywill。

  Andyouwouldn”tleavethemany?ThatwouldbeaPRETTYhowdy-do,WOULDN”T

  it!Ineverheardofsuchathing。”

  “Well,“Isays,“ifit”sintheregulations,andhe”sgottohaveit,allright,lethimhaveit;becauseIdon”twishtogobackonnoregulations;

  butthere”sonething,TomSawyer——ifwegototearingupoursheetstomakeJimaropeladder,we”regoingtogetintotroublewithAuntSally,justassureasyou”reborn。Now,thewayIlookatit,ahickry-barkladderdon”tcostnothing,anddon”twastenothing,andisjustasgoodtoloadupapiewith,andhideinastrawtick,asanyragladderyoucanstart;

  andasforJim,heain”thadnoexperience,andsohedon”tcarewhatkindofa”

  “Oh,shucks,HuckFinn,ifIwasasignorantasyouI”dkeepstill——

  that”swhatI”Ddo。Whoeverheardofastateprisonerescapingbyahickry-barkladder?Why,it”sperfectlyridiculous。”

  “Well,allright,Tom,fixityourownway;butifyou”lltakemyadvice,you”llletmeborrowasheetoffoftheclothesline。”

  Hesaidthatwoulddo。Andthatgavehimanotheridea,andhesays:

  “Borrowashirt,too。”

  “Whatdowewantofashirt,Tom?“

  “WantitforJimtokeepajournalon。”

  “Journalyourgranny——JIMcan”twrite。”

  “S”poseheCAN”Twrite——hecanmakemarksontheshirt,can”the,ifwemakehimapenoutofanoldpewterspoonorapieceofanoldironbarrelhoop?“

  “Why,Tom,wecanpullafeatheroutofagooseandmakehimabetterone;andquicker,too。”

  “PRISONERSdon”thavegeeserunningaroundthedonjon-keeptopullpensoutof,youmuggins。TheyALWAYSmaketheirpensoutofthehardest,toughest,troublesomestpieceofoldbrasscandlestickorsomethinglikethattheycangettheirhandson;andittakesthemweeksandweeksandmonthsandmonthstofileitout,too,becausethey”vegottodoitbyrubbingitonthewall。THEYwouldn”tuseagoose-quilliftheyhadit。Itain”tregular。”

  “Well,then,what”llwemakehimtheinkoutof?“

  “Manymakesitoutofiron-rustandtears;butthat”sthecommonsortandwomen;thebestauthoritiesusestheirownblood。Jimcandothat;

  andwhenhewantstosendanylittlecommonordinarymysteriousmessagetolettheworldknowwherehe”scaptivated,hecanwriteitonthebottomofatinplatewithaforkandthrowitoutofthewindow。TheIronMaskalwaysdonethat,andit”sablame”goodway,too。”

  “Jimain”tgotnotinplates。Theyfeedhiminapan。”

  “Thatain”tnothing;wecangethimsome。”

  “Can”tnobodyREADhisplates。”

  “Thatain”tgotanythingtoDOwithit,HuckFinn。AllHE”Sgottodoistowriteontheplateandthrowitout。Youdon”tHAVEtobeabletoreadit。Why,halfthetimeyoucan”treadanythingaprisonerwritesonatinplate,oranywhereelse。”

  “Well,then,what”sthesenseinwastingtheplates?“

  “Why,blameitall,itain”tthePRISONER”Splates。”

  “Butit”sSOMEBODY”Splates,ain”tit?“

  “Well,spos”nitis?WhatdoesthePRISONERcarewhose”

  Hebrokeoffthere,becauseweheardthebreakfasthornblowing。Soweclearedoutforthehouse。

  AlongduringthemorningIborrowedasheetandawhiteshirtoffoftheclothes-line;andIfoundanoldsackandputtheminit,andwewentdownandgotthefox-fire,andputthatintoo。Icalleditborrowing,becausethatwaswhatpapalwayscalledit;butTomsaiditwarn”tborrowing,itwasstealing。Hesaidwewasrepresentingprisoners;andprisonersdon”tcarehowtheygetathingsotheygetit,andnobodydon”tblamethemforit,either。Itain”tnocrimeinaprisonertostealthethingheneedstogetawaywith,Tomsaid;it”shisright;andso,aslongaswewasrepresentingaprisoner,wehadaperfectrighttostealanythingonthisplacewehadtheleastusefortogetourselvesoutofprisonwith。Hesaidifwewarn”tprisonersitwouldbeaverydifferentthing,andnobodybutamean,ornerypersonwouldstealwhenhewarn”taprisoner。Soweallowedwewouldstealeverythingtherewasthatcomehandy。Andyethemadeamightyfuss,oneday,afterthat,whenIstoleawatermelonoutofthenigger-patchandeatit;andhemademegoandgivetheniggersadimewithouttellingthemwhatitwasfor。Tomsaidthatwhathemeantwas,wecouldstealanythingweNEEDED。Well,Isays,Ineededthewatermelon。ButhesaidIdidn”tneedittogetoutofprisonwith;there”swherethedifferencewas。HesaidifI”dawantedittohideaknifein,andsmuggleittoJimtokilltheseneskalwith,itwouldabeenallright。SoIletitgoatthat,thoughIcouldn”tseenoadvantageinmyrepresentingaprisonerifIgottosetdownandchawoveralotofgold-leafdistinctionslikethateverytimeIseeachancetohogawatermelon。

  Well,asIwassaying,wewaitedthatmorningtilleverybodywassettleddowntobusiness,andnobodyinsightaroundtheyard;thenTomhecarriedthesackintothelean-towhilstIstoodoffapiecetokeepwatch。Byandbyhecomeout,andwewentandsetdownonthewoodpiletotalk。Hesays:

  “Everything”sallrightnowexcepttools;andthat”seasyfixed。”

  “Tools?“Isays。

  “Yes。”

  “Toolsforwhat?“

  “Why,todigwith。Weain”ta-goingtoGNAWhimout,arewe?“

  “Ain”tthemoldcrippledpicksandthingsintheregoodenoughtodiganiggeroutwith?“Isays。

  Heturnsonme,lookingpityingenoughtomakeabodycry,andsays:

  “HuckFinn,didyouEVERhearofaprisonerhavingpicksandshovels,andallthemodernconveniencesinhiswardrobetodighimselfoutwith?

  NowIwanttoaskyou——ifyougotanyreasonablenessinyouatall——

  whatkindofashowwouldTHATgivehimtobeahero?Why,theymightaswelllendhimthekeyanddonewithit。Picksandshovels——why,theywouldn”tfurnish”emtoaking。”

  “Well,then,“Isays,“ifwedon”twantthepicksandshovels,whatdowewant?“

  “Acoupleofcase-knives。”

  “Todigthefoundationsoutfromunderthatcabinwith?“

  “Yes。”

  “Confoundit,it”sfoolish,Tom。”

  “Itdon”tmakenodifferencehowfoolishitis,it”stheRIGHTway——

  andit”stheregularway。Andthereain”tnoOTHERway,thateverIheardof,andI”vereadallthebooksthatgivesanyinformationaboutthesethings。Theyalwaysdigoutwithacase-knife——andnotthroughdirt,mindyou;generlyit”sthroughsolidrock。Andittakesthemweeksandweeksandweeks,andforeverandever。Why,lookatoneofthemprisonersinthebottomdungeonoftheCastleDeef,intheharborofMarseilles,thatdughimselfoutthatway;howlongwasHEatit,youreckon?“

  “Idon”tknow。”

  “Well,guess。”

  “Idon”tknow。Amonthandahalf。”

  “THIRTY-SEVENYEAR——andhecomeoutinChina。THAT”Sthekind。IwishthebottomofTHISfortresswassolidrock。”

  “JIMdon”tknownobodyinChina。”

  “What”sTHATgottodowithit?Neitherdidthatotherfellow。Butyou”realwaysa-wanderingoffonasideissue。Whycan”tyousticktothemainpoint?“

  “Allright——Idon”tcarewherehecomesout,soheCOMESout;andJimdon”t,either,Ireckon。Butthere”sonething,anyway——Jim”stoooldtobedugoutwithacase-knife。Hewon”tlast。”

  “YeshewillLAST,too。Youdon”treckonit”sgoingtotakethirty-sevenyearstodigoutthroughaDIRTfoundation,doyou?“

  “Howlongwillittake,Tom?“

  “Well,wecan”treskbeingaslongasweoughtto,becauseitmayn”ttakeverylongforUncleSilastohearfromdowntherebyNewOrleans。

  He”llhearJimain”tfromthere。ThenhisnextmovewillbetoadvertiseJim,orsomethinglikethat。Sowecan”treskbeingaslongdigginghimoutasweoughtto。ByrightsIreckonweoughttobeacoupleofyears;

  butwecan”t。Thingsbeingsouncertain,whatIrecommendisthis:thatwereallydigrightin,asquickaswecan;andafterthat,wecanLET

  ON,toourselves,thatwewasatitthirty-sevenyears。Thenwecansnatchhimoutandrushhimawaythefirsttimethere”sanalarm。Yes,Ireckonthat”llbethebestway。”

  “Now,there”sSENSEinthat,“Isays。“Lettingondon”tcostnothing;

  lettingonain”tnotrouble;andifit”sanyobject,Idon”tmindlettingonwewasatitahundredandfiftyyear。Itwouldn”tstrainmenone,afterIgotmyhandin。SoI”llmoseyalongnow,andsmouchacoupleofcase-knives。”

  “Smouchthree,“hesays;“wewantonetomakeasawoutof。”

  “Tom,ifitain”tunregularandirreligioustosejestit,“Isays,“there”sanoldrustysaw-bladearoundyonderstickingundertheweather-boardingbehindthesmoke-house。”

  Helookedkindofwearyanddiscouraged-like,andsays:

  “Itain”tnousetotrytolearnyounothing,Huck。Runalongandsmouchtheknives——threeofthem。”SoIdoneit。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter36Chapter36ASsoonaswereckonedeverybodywasasleepthatnightwewentdownthelightning-rod,andshutourselvesupinthelean-to,andgotoutourpileoffox-fire,andwenttowork。Weclearedeverythingoutoftheway,aboutfourorfivefootalongthemiddleofthebottomlog。TomsaidwewasrightbehindJim”sbednow,andwe”ddiginunderit,andwhenwegotthroughtherecouldn”tnobodyinthecabineverknowtherewasanyholethere,becauseJim”scounterpinhungdownmosttotheground,andyou”dhavetoraiseitupandlookundertoseethehole。Soweduganddugwiththecase-knivestillmostmidnight;andthenwewasdog-tired,andourhandswasblistered,andyetyoucouldn”tseewe”ddoneanythinghardly。AtlastIsays:

  “Thisain”tnothirty-sevenyearjob;thisisathirty-eightyearjob,TomSawyer。”

  Heneversaidnothing。Buthesighed,andprettysoonhestoppeddigging,andthenforagoodlittlewhileIknowedthathewasthinking。Thenhesays:

  “Itain”tnouse,Huck,itain”ta-goingtowork。Ifwewasprisonersitwould,becausethenwe”dhaveasmanyyearsaswewanted,andnohurry;

  andwewouldn”tgetbutafewminutestodig,everyday,whiletheywaschangingwatches,andsoourhandswouldn”tgetblistered,andwecouldkeepituprightalong,yearinandyearout,anddoitright,andthewayitoughttobedone。ButWEcan”tfoolalong;wegottorush;weain”tgotnotimetospare。Ifwewastoputinanothernightthiswaywe”dhavetoknockoffforaweektoletourhandsgetwell——couldn”ttouchacase-knifewiththemsooner。”

  “Well,then,whatwegoingtodo,Tom?“

  “I”lltellyou。Itain”tright,anditain”tmoral,。andIwouldn”tlikeittogetout;butthereain”tonlyjusttheoneway:wegottodighimoutwiththepicks,andLETONit”scase-knives。”

  “NOWyou”reTALKING!“Isays;“yourheadgetslevelerandlevelerallthetime,TomSawyer,“Isays。“Picksisthething,moralornomoral;

  andasforme,Idon”tcareshucksforthemoralityofit,nohow。WhenIstartintostealanigger,orawatermelon,oraSunday-schoolbook,Iain”tnowaysparticularhowit”sdonesoit”sdone。WhatIwantismynigger;orwhatIwantismywatermelon;orwhatIwantismySunday-schoolbook;andifapick”sthehandiestthing,that”sthethingI”ma-goingtodigthatniggerorthatwatermelonorthatSunday-schoolbookoutwith;

  andIdon”tgiveadeadratwhattheauthoritiesthinksaboutitnuther。”

  “Well,“hesays,“there”sexcuseforpicksandletting-oninacaselikethis;ifitwarn”tso,Iwouldn”tapproveofit,norIwouldn”tstandbyandseetherulesbroke——becauserightisright,andwrongiswrong,andabodyain”tgotnobusinessdoingwrongwhenheain”tignorantandknowsbetter。ItmightanswerforYOUtodigJimoutwithapick,WITHOUT

  anylettingon,becauseyoudon”tknownobetter;butitwouldn”tforme,becauseIdoknowbetter。Gimmeacase-knife。”

  Hehadhisownbyhim,butIhandedhimmine。Heflungitdown,andsays:

  “GimmeaCASE-KNIFE。”

  Ididn”tknowjustwhattodo——butthenIthought。Iscratchedaroundamongsttheoldtools,andgotapickaxeandgiveittohim,andhetookitandwenttowork,andneversaidaword。

  Hewasalwaysjustthatparticular。Fullofprinciple。

  SothenIgotashovel,andthenwepickedandshoveled,turnabout,andmadethefurfly。Westucktoitaboutahalfanhour,whichwasaslongaswecouldstandup;butwehadagooddealofaholetoshowforit。WhenIgotupstairsIlookedoutatthewindowandseeTomdoinghislevelbestwiththelightning-rod,buthecouldn”tcomeit,hishandswassosore。Atlasthesays:

  “Itain”tnouse,itcan”tbedone。WhatyoureckonIbetterdo?Can”tyouthinkofnoway?“

  “Yes,“Isays,“butIreckonitain”tregular。Comeupthestairs,andletonit”salightning-rod。”

  Sohedoneit。

  NextdayTomstoleapewterspoonandabrasscandlestickinthehouse,fortomakesomepensforJimoutof,andsixtallowcandles;andIhungaroundtheniggercabinsandlaidforachance,andstolethreetinplates。

  Tomsaysitwasn”tenough;butIsaidnobodywouldn”teverseetheplatesthatJimthrowedout,becausethey”dfallinthedog-fennelandjimpsonweedsunderthewindow-hole——thenwecouldtotethembackandhecouldusethemoveragain。SoTomwassatisfied。Thenhesays:

  “Now,thethingtostudyoutis,howtogetthethingstoJim。”

  “Taketheminthroughthehole,“Isays,“whenwegetitdone。”

  Heonlyjustlookedscornful,andsaidsomethingaboutnobodyeverheardofsuchanidioticidea,andthenhewenttostudying。Byandbyhesaidhehadcipheredouttwoorthreeways,buttherewarn”tnoneedtodecideonanyofthemyet。Saidwe”dgottopostJimfirst。

  Thatnightwewentdownthelightning-rodalittleafterten,andtookoneofthecandlesalong,andlistenedunderthewindow-hole,andheardJimsnoring;sowepitcheditin,anditdidn”twakehim。Thenwewhirledinwiththepickandshovel,andinabouttwohoursandahalfthejobwasdone。WecreptinunderJim”sbedandintothecabin,andpawedaroundandfoundthecandleandlitit,andstoodoverJimawhile,andfoundhimlookingheartyandhealthy,andthenwewokehimupgentleandgradual。

  Hewassogladtoseeushemostcried;andcalledushoney,andallthepetnameshecouldthinkof;andwasforhavingushuntupacold-chiseltocutthechainoffofhislegwithrightaway,andclearingoutwithoutlosinganytime。ButTomheshowedhimhowunregularitwouldbe,andsetdownandtoldhimallaboutourplans,andhowwecouldaltertheminaminuteanytimetherewasanalarm;andnottobetheleastafraid,becausewewouldseehegotaway,SURE。SoJimhesaiditwasallright,andwesetthereandtalkedoveroldtimesawhile,andthenTomaskedalotofquestions,andwhenJimtoldhimUncleSilascomeineverydayortwotopraywithhim,andAuntSallycomeintoseeifhewascomfortableandhadplentytoeat,andbothofthemwaskindastheycouldbe,Tomsays:

  “NOWIknowhowtofixit。We”llsendyousomethingsbythem。”

  Isaid,“Don”tdonothingofthekind;it”soneofthemostjackassideasIeverstruck;“butheneverpaidnoattentiontome;wentrighton。Itwashiswaywhenhe”dgothisplansset。

  SohetoldJimhowwe”dhavetosmuggleintherope-ladderpieandotherlargethingsbyNat,theniggerthatfedhim,andhemustbeonthelookout,andnotbesurprised,andnotletNatseehimopenthem;andwewouldputsmallthingsinuncle”scoatpocketsandhemuststealthemout;andwewouldtiethingstoaunt”sapron-stringsorputtheminherapron-pocket,ifwegotachance;andtoldhimwhattheywouldbeandwhattheywasfor。

  Andtoldhimhowtokeepajournalontheshirtwithhisblood,andallthat。Hetoldhimeverything。Jimhecouldn”tseenosenseinthemostofit,butheallowedwewaswhitefolksandknowedbetterthanhim;sohewassatisfied,andsaidhewoulddoitalljustasTomsaid。

  Jimhadplentycorn-cobpipesandtobacco;sowehadarightdowngoodsociabletime;thenwecrawledoutthroughthehole,andsohometobed,withhandsthatlookedlikethey”dbeenchawed。Tomwasinhighspirits。

  Hesaiditwasthebestfunheeverhadinhislife,andthemostintellectural;

  andsaidifheonlycouldseehiswaytoitwewouldkeepitupalltherestofourlivesandleaveJimtoourchildrentogetout;forhebelievedJimwouldcometolikeitbetterandbetterthemorehegotusedtoit。

  Hesaidthatinthatwayitcouldbestrungouttoasmuchaseightyyear,andwouldbethebesttimeonrecord。Andhesaiditwouldmakeusallcelebratedthathadahandinit。

  Inthemorningwewentouttothewoodpileandchoppedupthebrasscandlestickintohandysizes,andTomputthemandthepewterspooninhispocket。Thenwewenttotheniggercabins,andwhileIgotNat”snoticeoff,Tomshovedapieceofcandlestickintothemiddleofacorn-ponethatwasinJim”span,andwewentalongwithNattoseehowitwouldwork,anditjustworkednoble;whenJimbitintoititmostmashedallhisteethout;andtherewarn”teveranythingcouldaworkedbetter。Tomsaidsohimself。Jimheneverletonbutwhatitwasonlyjustapieceofrockorsomethinglikethatthat”salwaysgettingintobread,youknow;butafterthatheneverbitintonothingbutwhathejabbedhisforkintoitinthreeorfourplacesfirst。

  Andwhilstwewasa-standingthereinthedimmishlight,herecomesacoupleofthehoundsbulginginfromunderJim”sbed;andtheykeptonpilingintilltherewaselevenofthem,andtherewarn”thardlyroomintheretogetyourbreath。Byjings,weforgottofastenthatlean-todoor!

  TheniggerNatheonlyjusthollered“Witches“once,andkeeledoverontotheflooramongstthedogs,andbeguntogroanlikehewasdying。TomjerkedthedooropenandflungoutaslabofJim”smeat,andthedogswentforit,andintwosecondshewasouthimselfandbackagainandshutthedoor,andIknowedhe”dfixedtheotherdoortoo。Thenhewenttoworkonthenigger,coaxinghimandpettinghim,andaskinghimifhe”dbeenimagininghesawsomethingagain。Heraisedup,andblinkedhiseyesaround,andsays:

  “MarsSid,you”llsayI”safool,butifIdidn”tb”lieveIseemostamilliondogs,erdevils,ersome”n,IwishtImaydierightheahindesetracks。Idid,mos”sholy。MarsSid,IFELTum——IFELTum,sah;deywasalloverme。Dadfetchit,Ijis”wishtIcouldgitmyhan”sononeerdemwitchesjis”wunst——on”yjis”wunst——it”sallI”dast。Butmos”lyIwishtdey”dlemme”lone,Idoes。”

  Tomsays:

  “Well,ItellyouwhatIthink。Whatmakesthemcomeherejustatthisrunawaynigger”sbreakfast-time?It”sbecausethey”rehungry;that”sthereason。Youmakethemawitchpie;that”sthethingforYOUtodo。”

  “Butmylan”,MarsSid,how”sIgwynetomake”mawitchpie?Idoan”

  knowhowtomakeit。Ihain”teverhearnersichathingb”fo”。”

  “Well,then,I”llhavetomakeitmyself。”

  “Willyoudoit,honey?——Ñwillyou?I”llwusshupdegroun”

  und”yo”foot,Iwill!“

  “Allright,I”lldoit,seeingit”syou,andyou”vebeengoodtousandshowedustherunawaynigger。Butyougottobemightycareful。Whenwecomearound,youturnyourback;andthenwhateverwe”veputinthepan,don”tyouletonyouseeitatall。Anddon”tyoulookwhenJimunloadsthepan——somethingmighthappen,Idon”tknowwhat。Andaboveall,don”tyouHANDLEthewitch-things。”

  “HANNEL”m,MarsSid?WhatISyoua-talkin””bout?Iwouldn”laydeweightermyfingeronum,notf”rtenhund”dthous”nbilliondollars,Iwouldn”t。”

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter37Chapter37THATwasallfixed。Sothenwewentawayandwenttotherubbage-pileinthebackyard,wheretheykeeptheoldboots,andrags,andpiecesofbottles,andwore-outtinthings,andallsuchtruck,andscratchedaroundandfoundanoldtinwashpan,andstoppeduptheholesaswellaswecould,tobakethepiein,andtookitdowncellarandstoleitfullofflourandstartedforbreakfast,andfoundacoupleofshingle-nailsthatTomsaidwouldbehandyforaprisonertoscrabblehisnameandsorrowsonthedungeonwallswith,anddroppedoneoftheminAuntSally”sapron-pocketwhichwashangingonachair,andt”otherwestuckinthebandofUncleSilas”shat,whichwasonthebureau,becauseweheardthechildrensaytheirpaandmawasgoingtotherunawaynigger”shousethismorning,andthenwenttobreakfast,andTomdroppedthepewterspooninUncleSilas”scoat-pocket,andAuntSallywasn”tcomeyet,sowehadtowaitalittlewhile。

  Andwhenshecomeshewashotandredandcross,andcouldn”thardlywaitfortheblessing;andthenshewenttosluicingoutcoffeewithonehandandcrackingthehandiestchild”sheadwithherthimblewiththeother,andsays:

  “I”vehuntedhighandI”vehuntedlow,anditdoesbeatallwhatHAS

  becomeofyourothershirt。”

  Myheartfelldownamongstmylungsandliversandthings,andahardpieceofcorn-cruststarteddownmythroatafteritandgotmetontheroadwithacough,andwasshotacrossthetable,andtookoneofthechildrenintheeyeandcurledhimuplikeafishing-worm,andletacryoutofhimthesizeofawarwhoop,andTomheturnedkinderbluearoundthegills,anditallamountedtoaconsiderablestateofthingsforaboutaquarterofaminuteorasmuchasthat,andIwouldasoldoutforhalfpriceiftherewasabidder。Butafterthatwewasallrightagain——itwasthesuddensurpriseofitthatknockedussokindofcold。UncleSilashesays:

  “It”smostuncommoncurious,Ican”tunderstandit。IknowperfectlywellItookitOFF,because”

  “Becauseyouhain”tgotbutoneON。JustLISTENattheman!Iknowyoutookitoff,andknowitbyabetterwaythanyourwool-getheringmemory,too,becauseitwasontheclo”s-lineyesterday——Iseeittheremyself。

  Butit”sgone,that”sthelongandtheshortofit,andyou”lljusthavetochangetoaredflann”lonetillIcangettimetomakeanewone。Andit”llbethethirdI”vemadeintwoyears。Itjustkeepsabodyonthejumptokeepyouinshirts;andwhateveryoudomanagetoDOwith”mallismore”nIcanmakeout。Abody”dthinkyouWOULDlearntotakesomesortofcareof”ematyourtimeoflife。”

  “Iknowit,Sally,andIdotryallIcan。Butitoughtn”ttobealtogethermyfault,because,youknow,Idon”tseethemnorhavenothingtodowiththemexceptwhenthey”reonme;andIdon”tbelieveI”veeverlostoneofthemOFFofme。”

  “Well,itain”tYOURfaultifyouhaven”t,Silas;you”dadoneitifyoucould,Ireckon。Andtheshirtain”tallthat”sgone,nuther。Ther”saspoongone;andTHATain”tall。Therewasten,andnowther”sonlynine。

  Thecalfgottheshirt,Ireckon,butthecalfnevertookthespoon,THAT”S

  certain。”

  “Why,whatelseisgone,Sally?“

  “Ther”ssixCANDLESgone——that”swhat。Theratscouldagotthecandles,andIreckontheydid;Iwondertheydon”twalkoffwiththewholeplace,thewayyou”realwaysgoingtostoptheirholesanddon”tdoit;andiftheywarn”tfoolsthey”dsleepinyourhair,Silas——YOU”Dneverfinditout;butyoucan”tlaytheSPOONontherats,andthatIknow。”

  “Well,Sally,I”minfault,andIacknowledgeit;I”vebeenremiss;

  butIwon”tletto-morrowgobywithoutstoppingupthemholes。”

  “Oh,Iwouldn”thurry;nextyear”lldo。MatildaAngelinaAramintaPHELPS!“

  Whackcomesthethimble,andthechildsnatchesherclawsoutofthesugar-bowlwithoutfoolingaroundany。Justthentheniggerwomanstepsontothepassage,andsays:

  “Missus,dey”sasheetgone。”

  “ASHEETgone!Well,fortheland”ssake!“

  “I”llstopupthemholesto-day,“saysUncleSilas,lookingsorrowful。

  “Oh,DOshetup!——s”posetheratstooktheSHEET?WHERE”Sitgone,Lize?“

  “ClahtogoodnessIhain”tnonotion,Miss”Sally。Shewuzondeclo”slineyistiddy,butshedonegone:sheain”dahnomo”now。”

  “IreckontheworldIScomingtoanend。INEVERseethebeatofitinallmyborndays。Ashirt,andasheet,andaspoon,andsixcan”

  “Missus,“comesayoungyallerwench,“dey”sabrasscannelstickmiss”n。”

  “Cleroutfromhere,youhussy,erI”lltakeaskillettoye!“

  Well,shewasjusta-biling。Ibeguntolayforachance;IreckonedIwouldsneakoutandgoforthewoodstilltheweathermoderated。Shekepta-ragingrightalong,runningherinsurrectionallbyherself,andeverybodyelsemightymeekandquiet;andatlastUncleSilas,lookingkindoffoolish,fishesupthatspoonoutofhispocket。Shestopped,withhermouthopenandherhandsup;andasforme,IwishedIwasinJeruslemorsomewheres。Butnotlong,becauseshesays:

  “It”sJUSTasIexpected。Soyouhaditinyourpocketallthetime;

  andlikeasnotyou”vegottheotherthingsthere,too。How”ditgetthere?“

  “Ireelydon”tknow,Sally,“hesays,kindofapologizing,“oryouknowIwouldtell。IwasastudyingovermytextinActsSeventeenbeforebreakfast,andIreckonIputitinthere,notnoticing,meaningtoputmyTestamentin,anditmustbeso,becausemyTestamentain”tin;butI”llgoandsee;

  andiftheTestamentiswhereIhadit,I”llknowIdidn”tputitin,andthatwillshowthatIlaidtheTestamentdownandtookupthespoon,and”

  “Oh,fortheland”ssake!Giveabodyarest!Go”longnow,thewholekitandbilingofye;anddon”tcomenighmeagaintillI”vegotbackmypeaceofmind。”

  I”Daheardherifshe”dasaidittoherself,letalonespeakingitout;andI”dagotupandobeyedherifI”dabeendead。Aswewaspassingthroughthesetting-roomtheoldmanhetookuphishat,andtheshingle-nailfelloutonthefloor,andhejustmerelypickeditupandlaiditonthemantel-shelf,andneversaidnothing,andwentout。Tomseehimdoit,andrememberedaboutthespoon,andsays:

  “Well,itain”tnousetosendthingsbyHIMnomore,heain”treliable。”

  Thenhesays:“Buthedoneusagoodturnwiththespoon,anyway,withoutknowingit,andsowe”llgoanddohimonewithoutHIMknowingit——stopuphisrat-holes。”

  Therewasanoblegoodlotofthemdowncellar,andittookusawholehour,butwedonethejobtightandgoodandshipshape。Thenweheardstepsonthestairs,andblowedoutourlightandhid;andherecomestheoldman,withacandleinonehandandabundleofstuffint”other,lookingasabsent-mindedasyearbeforelast。Hewentamooningaround,firsttoonerat-holeandthenanother,tillhe”dbeentothemall。Thenhestoodaboutfiveminutes,pickingtallowdripoffofhiscandleandthinking。

  Thenheturnsoffslowanddreamytowardsthestairs,saying:

  “Well,forthelifeofmeIcan”trememberwhenIdoneit。IcouldshowhernowthatIwarn”ttoblameonaccountoftherats。Butnevermind——

  letitgo。Ireckonitwouldn”tdonogood。”

  Andsohewentona-mumblingupstairs,andthenweleft。Hewasamightyniceoldman。Andalwaysis。

  Tomwasagooddealbotheredaboutwhattodoforaspoon,buthesaidwe”dgottohaveit;sohetookathink。Whenhehadciphereditouthetoldmehowwewastodo;thenwewentandwaitedaroundthespoon-baskettillweseeAuntSallycoming,andthenTomwenttocountingthespoonsandlayingthemouttooneside,andIslidoneofthemupmysleeve,andTomsays:

  “Why,AuntSally,thereain”tbutninespoonsYET。”

  Shesays:

  “Go”longtoyourplay,anddon”tbotherme。Iknowbetter,Icounted”mmyself。”

  “Well,I”vecountedthemtwice,Aunty,andIcan”tmakebutnine。”

  Shelookedoutofallpatience,butofcourseshecometocount——anybodywould。

  “Ideclaretograciousther”AIN”Tbutnine!“shesays。“Why,whatintheworld——plagueTAKEthethings,I”llcount”magain。”

  SoIslippedbacktheoneIhad,andwhenshegotdonecounting,shesays:

  “Hangthetroublesomerubbage,ther”sTENnow!“andshelookedhuffyandbotheredboth。ButTomsays:

  “Why,Aunty,Idon”tthinkthere”sten。”

  “Younumskull,didn”tyouseemeCOUNT”m?“

  “Iknow,but”

  “Well,I”llcount”mAGAIN。”

  SoIsmouchedone,andtheycomeoutnine,sameastheothertime。Well,sheWASinatearingway——justa-tremblingallover,shewassomad。

  Butshecountedandcountedtillshegotthataddledshe”dstarttocountinthebasketforaspoonsometimes;andso,threetimestheycomeoutright,andthreetimestheycomeoutwrong。Thenshegrabbedupthebasketandslammeditacrossthehouseandknockedthecatgalley-west;andshesaidcle”routandletherhavesomepeace,andifwecomebotheringaroundheragainbetwixtthatanddinnershe”dskinus。Sowehadtheoddspoon,anddroppeditinherapron-pocketwhilstshewasa-givingusoursailingorders,andJimgotitallright,alongwithhershinglenail,beforenoon。

  Wewasverywellsatisfiedwiththisbusiness,andTomalloweditwasworthtwicethetroubleittook,becausehesaidNOWshecouldn”tevercountthemspoonstwicealikeagaintosaveherlife;andwouldn”tbelieveshe”dcountedthemrightifsheDID;andsaidthataftershe”daboutcountedherheadoffforthenextthreedayshejudgedshe”dgiveitupandoffertokillanybodythatwantedhertoevercountthemanymore。

  Soweputthesheetbackonthelinethatnight,andstoleoneoutofhercloset;andkeptonputtingitbackandstealingitagainforacoupleofdaystillshedidn”tknowhowmanysheetsshehadanymore,andshedidn”tCARE,andwarn”ta-goingtobullyragtherestofhersouloutaboutit,andwouldn”tcountthemagainnottosaveherlife;shedrutherdiefirst。

  Sowewasallrightnow,astotheshirtandthesheetandthespoonandthecandles,bythehelpofthecalfandtheratsandthemixed-upcounting;andastothecandlestick,itwarn”tnoconsequence,itwouldblowoverbyandby。

  Butthatpiewasajob;wehadnoendoftroublewiththatpie。Wefixeditupawaydowninthewoods,andcookeditthere;andwegotitdoneatlast,andverysatisfactory,too;butnotallinoneday;andwehadtouseupthreewash-pansfullofflourbeforewegotthrough,andwegotburntprettymuchallover,inplaces,andeyesputoutwiththesmoke;

  because,yousee,wedidn”twantnothingbutacrust,andwecouldn”tpropitupright,andshewouldalwayscavein。Butofcoursewethoughtoftherightwayatlast——whichwastocooktheladder,too,inthepie。

  SothenwelaidinwithJimthesecondnight,andtoreupthesheetallinlittlestringsandtwistedthemtogether,andlongbeforedaylightwehadalovelyropethatyoucouldahungapersonwith。Weletonittookninemonthstomakeit。

  Andintheforenoonwetookitdowntothewoods,butitwouldn”tgointothepie。Beingmadeofawholesheet,thatway,therewasropeenoughforfortypiesifwe”dawantedthem,andplentyleftoverforsoup,orsausage,oranythingyouchoose。Wecouldahadawholedinner。

  Butwedidn”tneedit。Allweneededwasjustenoughforthepie,andsowethrowedtherestaway。Wedidn”tcooknoneofthepiesinthewash-pan——afraidthesolderwouldmelt;butUncleSilashehadanoblebrasswarming-panwhichhethoughtconsiderableof,becauseitbelongedtooneofhisancesterswithalongwoodenhandlethatcomeoverfromEnglandwithWilliamtheConquerorintheMayfloweroroneofthemearlyshipsandwashidawayupgarretwithalotofotheroldpotsandthingsthatwasvaluable,notonaccountofbeinganyaccount,becausetheywarn”t,butonaccountofthembeingrelicts,youknow,andwesnakedherout,private,andtookherdownthere,butshefailedonthefirstpies,becausewedidn”tknowhow,butshecomeupsmilingonthelastone。Wetookandlinedherwithdough,andsetherinthecoals,andloadedherupwithragrope,andputonadoughroof,andshutdownthelid,andputhotembersontop,andstoodofffivefoot,withthelonghandle,coolandcomfortable,andinfifteenminutessheturnedoutapiethatwasasatisfactiontolookat。

  Butthepersonthatetitwouldwanttofetchacoupleofkagsoftoothpicksalong,forifthatropeladderwouldn”tcramphimdowntobusinessIdon”tknownothingwhatI”mtalkingabout,andlayhiminenoughstomach-achetolasthimtillnexttime,too。

  Natdidn”tlookwhenweputthewitchpieinJim”span;andweputthethreetinplatesinthebottomofthepanunderthevittles;andsoJimgoteverythingallright,andassoonashewasbyhimselfhebustedintothepieandhidtheropeladderinsideofhisstrawtick,andscratchedsomemarksonatinplateandthroweditoutofthewindow-hole。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter38Chapter38MAKINGthempenswasadistressidtoughjob,andsowasthesaw;andJimallowedtheinscriptionwasgoingtobethetoughestofall。That”stheonewhichtheprisonerhastoscrabbleonthewall。Buthehadtohaveit;Tomsaidhe”dGOTto;therewarn”tnocaseofastateprisonernotscrabblinghisinscriptiontoleavebehind,andhiscoatofarms。

  “LookatLadyJaneGrey,“hesays;“lookatGilfordDudley;lookatoldNorthumberland!Why,Huck,s”poseitISconsiderbletrouble?——whatyougoingtodo?——howyougoingtogetaroundit?Jim”sGOTtodohisinscriptionandcoatofarms。Theyalldo。”

  Jimsays:

  “Why,MarsTom,Ihain”tgotnocoato”arm;Ihain”tgotnuffnbutdishyeroleshirt,enyouknowsIgottokeepdejournalondat。”

  “Oh,youdon”tunderstand,Jim;acoatofarmsisverydifferent。”

  “Well,“Isays,“Jim”sright,anyway,whenhesaysheain”tgotnocoatofarms,becausehehain”t。”

  “IreckonIknowedthat,“Tomsays,“butyoubethe”llhaveonebeforehegoesoutofthis——becausehe”sgoingoutRIGHT,andthereain”tgoingtobenoflawsinhisrecord。”

  SowhilstmeandJimfiledawayatthepensonabrickbatapiece,Jima-makinghis”noutofthebrassandImakingmineoutofthespoon,Tomsettoworktothinkoutthecoatofarms。Byandbyhesaidhe”dstrucksomanygoodoneshedidn”thardlyknowwhichtotake,buttherewasonewhichhereckonedhe”ddecideon。Hesays:

  “Onthescutcheonwe”llhaveabendORinthedexterbase,asaltireMURREYinthefess,withadog,couchant,forcommoncharge,andunderhisfootachainembattled,forslavery,withachevronVERTinachiefengrailed,andthreeinvectedlinesonafieldAZURE,withthenombrilpointsrampantonadancetteindented;crest,arunawaynigger,SABLE,withhisbundleoverhisshoulderonabarsinister;andacoupleofgulesforsupporters,whichisyouandme;motto,MAGGIOREFRETTA,MINOREOTTO。

  Gotitoutofabook——meansthemorehastethelessspeed。”

  “Geewhillikins,“Isays,“butwhatdoestherestofitmean?“

  “Weain”tgotnotimetobotheroverthat,“hesays;“wegottodiginlikeallgit-out。”

  “Well,anyway,“Isays,“what”sSOMEofit?What”safess?“

  “Afess——afessis——YOUdon”tneedtoknowwhatafessis。I”llshowhimhowtomakeitwhenhegetstoit。”

  “Shucks,Tom,“Isays,“Ithinkyoumighttellaperson。What”sabarsinister?“

  “Oh,Idon”tknow。Buthe”sgottohaveit。Allthenobilitydoes。”

  Thatwasjusthisway。Ifitdidn”tsuithimtoexplainathingtoyou,hewouldn”tdoit。Youmightpumpathimaweek,itwouldn”tmakenodifference。

  He”dgotallthatcoatofarmsbusinessfixed,sonowhestartedintofinishuptherestofthatpartofthework,whichwastoplanoutamournfulinscription——saidJimgottohaveone,liketheyalldone。Hemadeupalot,andwrotethemoutonapaper,andreadthemoff,so:

  1。Hereacaptiveheartbusted。2。Hereapoorprisoner,forsookbytheworldandfriends,frettedhissorrowfullife。3。Herealonelyheartbroke,andawornspiritwenttoitsrest,afterthirty-sevenyearsofsolitarycaptivity。4。Here,homelessandfriendless,afterthirty-sevenyearsofbittercaptivity,perishedanoblestranger,naturalsonofLouisXIV。

  Tom”svoicetrembledwhilsthewasreadingthem,andhemostbrokedown。

  Whenhegotdonehecouldn”tnowaymakeuphismindwhichoneforJimtoscrabbleontothewall,theywasallsogood;butatlastheallowedhewouldlethimscrabblethemallon。Jimsaiditwouldtakehimayeartoscrabblesuchalotoftruckontothelogswithanail,andhedidn”tknowhowtomakeletters,besides;butTomsaidhewouldblockthemoutforhim,andthenhewouldn”thavenothingtodobutjustfollowthelines。

  Thenprettysoonhesays:

  “Cometothink,thelogsain”ta-goingtodo;theydon”thavelogwallsinadungeon:wegottodigtheinscriptionsintoarock。We”llfetcharock。”

  Jimsaidtherockwasworsethanthelogs;hesaiditwouldtakehimsuchapisonlongtimetodigthemintoarockhewouldn”tevergetout。

  ButTomsaidhewouldletmehelphimdoit。ThenhetookalooktoseehowmeandJimwasgettingalongwiththepens。Itwasmostpeskytedioushardworkandslow,anddidn”tgivemyhandsnoshowtogetwellofthesores,andwedidn”tseemtomakenoheadway,hardly;soTomsays:

  “Iknowhowtofixit。Wegottohavearockforthecoatofarmsandmournfulinscriptions,andwecankilltwobirdswiththatsamerock。There”sagaudybiggrindstonedownatthemill,andwe”llsmouchit,andcarvethethingsonit,andfileoutthepensandthesawonit,too。”

  Itwarn”tnoslouchofanidea;anditwarn”tnoslouchofagrindstonenuther;butweallowedwe”dtackleit。Itwarn”tquitemidnightyet,soweclearedoutforthemill,leavingJimatwork。Wesmouchedthegrindstone,andsetouttorollherhome,butitwasamostnationtoughjob。Sometimes,dowhatwecould,wecouldn”tkeepherfromfallingover,andshecomemightynearmashinguseverytime。Tomsaidshewasgoingtogetoneofus,sure,beforewegotthrough。Wegotherhalfway;andthenwewasplumbplayedout,andmostdrowndedwithsweat。Weseeitwarn”tnouse;wegottogoandfetchJimSoheraiseduphisbedandslidthechainoffofthebed-leg,andwraptitroundandroundhisneck,andwecrawledoutthroughourholeanddownthere,andJimandmelaidintothatgrindstoneandwalkedheralonglikenothing;andTomsuperintended。Hecouldout-superintendanyboyIeversee。Heknowedhowtodoeverything。

  Ourholewasprettybig,butitwarn”tbigenoughtogetthegrindstonethrough;butJimhetookthepickandsoonmadeitbigenough。ThenTommarkedoutthemthingsonitwiththenail,andsetJimtoworkonthem,withthenailforachiselandanironboltfromtherubbageinthelean-toforahammer,andtoldhimtoworktilltherestofhiscandlequitonhim,andthenhecouldgotobed,andhidethegrindstoneunderhisstrawtickandsleeponit。Thenwehelpedhimfixhischainbackonthebed-leg,andwasreadyforbedourselves。ButTomthoughtofsomething,andsays:

  “Yougotanyspidersinhere,Jim?“

  “No,sah,thankstogoodnessIhain”t,MarsTom。”

  “Allright,we”llgetyousome。”

  “Butblessyou,honey,Idoan”WANTnone。I”safeardunum。Ijis””ssoonhaverattlesnakesaroun”。”

  Tomthoughtaminuteortwo,andsays:

  “It”sagoodidea。AndIreckonit”sbeendone。ItMUSTabeendone;

  itstandstoreason。Yes,it”saprimegoodidea。Wherecouldyoukeepit?“

  “Keepwhat,MarsTom?“

  “Why,arattlesnake。”

  “Degoodnessgraciousalive,MarsTom!Why,ifdeywasarattlesnaketocomeinheahI”dtakeenbustrightoutthoodatlogwall,Iwould,widmyhead。”

  Why,Jim,youwouldn”tbeafraidofitafteralittle。Youcouldtameit。”

  “TAMEit!“

  “Yes——easyenough。Everyanimalisgratefulforkindnessandpetting,andtheywouldn”tTHINKofhurtingapersonthatpetsthem。Anybookwilltellyouthat。Youtry——that”sallIask;justtryfortwoorthreedays。

  Why,youcangethimsoinalittlewhilethathe”llloveyou;andsleepwithyou;andwon”tstayawayfromyouaminute;andwillletyouwraphimroundyourneckandputhisheadinyourmouth。”

  “PLEASE,MarsTom——DOAN”talkso!Ican”tSTAN”it!He”dLETmeshovehisheadinmymouf——ferafavor,hain”tit?Ilayhe”dwaitapow”fullongtime”fo”IASThim。Enmo”endat,Idoan”WANThimtosleepwidme。”

  “Jim,don”tactsofoolish。Aprisoner”sGOTtohavesomekindofadumbpet,andifarattlesnakehain”teverbeentried,why,there”smoreglorytobegainedinyourbeingthefirsttoevertryitthananyotherwayyoucouldeverthinkoftosaveyourlife。”

  “Why,MarsTom,Idoan”WANTnosichglory。Snaketake”nbiteJim”schinoff,denWHAHisdeglory?No,sah,Idoan”wantnosichdoin”s。”

  “Blameit,can”tyouTRY?IonlyWANTyoutotry——youneedn”tkeepitupifitdon”twork。”

  “ButdetroubleallDONEefdesnakebitemewhileI”satryin”him。

  MarsTom,I”swillin”totacklemos”anything”atain”tonreasonable,butefyouenHuckfetchesarattlesnakeinheahformetotame,I”sgwynetoLEAVE,dat”sSHORE。”

  “Well,then,letitgo,letitgo,ifyou”resobullheadedaboutit。

  Wecangetyousomegarter-snakes,andyoucantiesomebuttonsontheirtails,andletonthey”rerattlesnakes,andIreckonthat”llhavetodo。”

  “Ik”nstan”DEM,MarsTom,butblame””fIcouldn”getalongwidoutum,Itellyoudat。Ineverknowedb”fo””twassomuchbotherandtroubletobeaprisoner。”

  “Well,itALWAYSiswhenit”sdoneright。Yougotanyratsaroundhere?“

  “No,sah,Ihain”tseednone。”

  “Well,we”llgetyousomerats。”

  “Why,MarsTom,Idoan”WANTnorats。Dey”sdedadblamedestcretursto”sturbabody,enrustleroun”over”im,enbitehisfeet,whenhe”stryin”tosleep,Ieversee。No,sah,gimmeg”yarter-snakes,”fI”sgottohave”m,butdoan”gimmenorats;Ihain”gotnousef”rum,skasely。”

  “But,Jim,youGOTtohave”em——theyalldo。Sodon”tmakenomorefussaboutit。Prisonersain”teverwithoutrats。Thereain”tnoinstanceofit。Andtheytrainthem,andpetthem,andlearnthemtricks,andtheygettobeassociableasflies。Butyougottoplaymusictothem。Yougotanythingtoplaymusicon?“

  “Iain”gotnuffnbutacoasecombenapieceo”paper,enajuice-harp;

  butIreck”ndeywouldn”takenostockinajuice-harp。”

  “Yestheywould。THEYdon”tcarewhatkindofmusic”tis。Ajews-harp”splentygoodenoughforarat。Allanimalslikemusic——inaprisontheydoteonit。Specially,painfulmusic;andyoucan”tgetnootherkindoutofajews-harp。Italwaysintereststhem;theycomeouttoseewhat”sthematterwithyou。Yes,you”reallright;you”refixedverywell。Youwanttosetonyourbednightsbeforeyougotosleep,andearlyinthemornings,andplayyourjewsharp;play”TheLastLinkisBroken”——that”sthethingthat”llscooparatquicker”nanythingelse;andwhenyou”veplayedabouttwominutesyou”llseealltherats,andthesnakes,andspiders,andthingsbegintofeelworriedaboutyou,andcome。Andthey”lljustfairlyswarmoveryou,andhaveanoblegoodtime。”

  “Yes,DEYwill,Ireck”n,MarsTom,butwhatkineertimeisJIMhavin”?

  BlestifIkinseedepint。ButI”lldoitefIgotto。Ireck”nIbetterkeepdeanimalssatisfied,ennothavenotroubleindehouse。”

  Tomwaitedtothinkitover,andseeiftherewasn”tnothingelse;andprettysoonhesays:

  “Oh,there”sonethingIforgot。Couldyouraiseaflowerhere,doyoureckon?“

  “IdoanknowbutmaybeIcould,MarsTom;butit”stolabledarkinheah,enIain”gotnousef”rnoflower,nohow,enshe”dbeapow”fulsighto”trouble。”

  “Well,youtryit,anyway。Someotherprisonershasdoneit。”

  “Oneerdembigcat-tail-lookin”mullen-stalkswouldgrowinheah,MarsTom,Ireck”n,butshewouldn”tbewuthhalfdetroubleshe”dcoss。”

  “Don”tyoubelieveit。We”llfetchyoualittleoneandyouplantitinthecorneroverthere,andraiseit。Anddon”tcallitmullen,callitPitchiola——that”sitsrightnamewhenit”sinaprison。Andyouwanttowateritwithyourtears。”

  “Why,Igotplentyspringwater,MarsTom。”

  “Youdon”tWANTspringwater;youwanttowateritwithyourtears。

  It”sthewaytheyalwaysdo。”

  “Why,MarsTom,IlayIkinraiseoneerdemmullen-stalkstwystewidspringwaterwhilesanotherman”saSTART”Nonewidtears。”

  “Thatain”ttheidea。YouGOTtodoitwithtears。”

  “She”lldieonmyhan”s,MarsTom,shesholywill;kaseIdoan”skaselyevercry。”

  SoTomwasstumped。Buthestudieditover,andthensaidJimwouldhavetoworryalongthebesthecouldwithanonion。Hepromisedhewouldgototheniggercabinsanddropone,private,inJim”scoffeepot,inthemorning。Jimsaidhewould“jis””ssoonhavetobackerinhiscoffee;“

  andfoundsomuchfaultwithit,andwiththeworkandbotherofraisingthemullen,andjews-harpingtherats,andpettingandflatteringupthesnakesandspidersandthings,ontopofalltheotherworkhehadtodoonpens,andinscriptions,andjournals,andthings,whichmadeitmoretroubleandworryandresponsibilitytobeaprisonerthananythingheeverundertook,thatTommostlostallpatiencewithhim;andsaidhewasjustloadeneddownwithmoregaudierchancesthanaprisonereverhadintheworldtomakeanameforhimself,andyethedidn”tknowenoughtoappreciatethem,andtheywasjustaboutwastedonhim。SoJimhewassorry,andsaidhewouldn”tbehavesonomore,andthenmeandTomshovedforbed。

  TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter39Chapter39INthemorningwewentuptothevillageandboughtawirerat-trapandfetcheditdown,andunstoppedthebestrat-hole,andinaboutanhourwehadfifteenofthebulliestkindofones;andthenwetookitandputitinasafeplaceunderAuntSally”sbed。ButwhilewewasgoneforspiderslittleThomasFranklinBenjaminJeffersonElexanderPhelpsfounditthere,andopenedthedoorofittoseeiftheratswouldcomeout,andtheydid;

  andAuntSallyshecomein,andwhenwegotbackshewasa-standingontopofthebedraisingCain,andtheratswasdoingwhattheycouldtokeepoffthedulltimesforher。Soshetookanddustedusbothwiththehickry,andwewasasmuchastwohourscatchinganotherfifteenorsixteen,dratthatmeddlesomecub,andtheywarn”tthelikeliest,nuther,becausethefirsthaulwasthepickoftheflock。Ineverseealikelierlotofratsthanwhatthatfirsthaulwas。

  Wegotasplendidstockofsortedspiders,andbugs,andfrogs,andcaterpillars,andonethingoranother;andweliketogotahornet”snest,butwedidn”t。Thefamilywasathome。Wedidn”tgiveitrightup,butstayedwiththemaslongaswecould;becauseweallowedwe”dtirethemoutorthey”dgottotireusout,andtheydoneit。Thenwegotallycumpainandrubbedontheplaces,andwasprettynearallrightagain,butcouldn”tsetdownconvenient。Andsowewentforthesnakes,andgrabbedacoupleofdozengartersandhouse-snakes,andputtheminabag,andputitinourroom,andbythattimeitwassuppertime,andarattlinggoodhonestday”swork:andhungry?——oh,no,Ireckonnot!Andtherewarn”tablessedsnakeuptherewhenwewentback——wedidn”thalftiethesack,andtheyworkedoutsomehow,andleft。Butitdidn”tmattermuch,becausetheywasstillonthepremisessomewheres。Sowejudgedwecouldgetsomeofthemagain。No,therewarn”tnorealscarcityofsnakesaboutthehouseforaconsiderablespell。You”dseethemdrippingfromtheraftersandplaceseverynowandthen;andtheygenerlylandedinyourplate,ordownthebackofyourneck,andmostofthetimewhereyoudidn”twantthem。Well,theywashandsomeandstriped,andtherewarn”tnoharminamillionofthem;butthatnevermadenodifferencetoAuntSally;shedespisedsnakes,bethebreedwhattheymight,andshecouldn”tstandthemnowayyoucouldfixit;andeverytimeoneofthemfloppeddownonher,itdidn”tmakenodifferencewhatshewasdoing,shewouldjustlaythatworkdownandlightout。Ineverseesuchawoman。AndyoucouldhearherwhooptoJericho。

  Youcouldn”tgethertotakea-holtofoneofthemwiththetongs。Andifsheturnedoverandfoundoneinbedshewouldscrambleoutandliftahowlthatyouwouldthinkthehousewasafire。Shedisturbedtheoldmansothathesaidhecouldmostwishtherehadn”teverbeennosnakescreated。Why,aftereverylastsnakehadbeengoneclearoutofthehouseforasmuchasaweekAuntSallywarn”toverityet;shewarn”tnearoverit;whenshewassettingthinkingaboutsomethingyoucouldtouchheronthebackofherneckwithafeatherandshewouldjumprightoutofherstockings。Itwasverycurious。ButTomsaidallwomenwasjustso。Hesaidtheywasmadethatwayforsomereasonorother。

  Wegotalickingeverytimeoneofoursnakescomeinherway,andsheallowedtheselickingswarn”tnothingtowhatshewoulddoifweeverloadeduptheplaceagainwiththem。Ididn”tmindthelickings,becausetheydidn”tamounttonothing;butImindedthetroublewehadtolayinanotherlot。Butwegotthemlaidin,andalltheotherthings;andyouneverseeacabinasblithesomeasJim”swaswhenthey”dallswarmoutformusicandgoforhim。Jimdidn”tlikethespiders,andthespidersdidn”tlikeJim;andsothey”dlayforhim,andmakeitmightywarmforhim。Andhesaidthatbetweentheratsandthesnakesandthegrindstonetherewarn”tnoroominbedforhim,skasely;andwhentherewas,abodycouldn”tsleep,itwassolively,anditwasalwayslively,hesaid,becauseTHEYneverallsleptatonetime,buttookturnabout,sowhenthesnakeswasasleeptheratswasondeck,andwhentheratsturnedinthesnakescomeonwatch,sohealwayshadonegangunderhim,inhisway,andt”otherganghavingacircusoverhim,andifhegotuptohuntanewplacethespiderswouldtakeachanceathimashecrossedover。Hesaidifheevergotoutthistimehewouldn”teverbeaprisoneragain,notforasalary。

  Well,bytheendofthreeweekseverythingwasinprettygoodshape。

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