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