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.
CHAPTERIX
AThalf-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.
CHAPTERX
THEtwoboysflewonandon,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.
\"HuckFinnand
TomSawyerswears
theywillkeepmum
aboutThisandThey
wishTheymayDrop
downdeadinTheir
TracksifTheyever
TellandRot.
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.
CHAPTERXI
CLOSEuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews.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.\"Iwantedtorunaway,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.\"nightyousaid,\'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.
CHAPTERXII
ONEofthereasonswhyTom\'smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas,thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout.BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool.Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays,andtriedto\"whistleherdownthewind,\"butfailed.Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather\'shouse,nights,andfeelingverymiserable.Shewasill.Whatifsheshoulddie!Therewasdistractioninthethought.Henolongertookaninterestinwar,noreveninpiracy.Thecharmoflifewasgone;therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft.