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