\"Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby,andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld,ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams.Howfairy-likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision!Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast.Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior,allisvanity,theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul,nowgratesharshlyuponherear;theball-roomhaslostitscharms;andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart,sheturnsawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul!\"
Andsoforthandsoon.Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading,accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof\"Howsweet!\"\"Howeloquent!\"\"Sotrue!\"etc.,andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic.
Thenaroseaslim,melancholygirl,whosefacehadthe\"interesting\"palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion,andreada\"poem.\"Twostanzasofitwilldo:
\"AMISSOURIMAIDEN\'SFAREWELLTOALABAMA
\"Alabama,good-bye!Ilovetheewell!
ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow!
Sad,yes,sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell,
Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow!
ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods;
HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa\'sstream;
HavelistenedtoTallassee\'swarringfloods,
AndwooedonCoosa\'ssideAurora\'sbeam.
\"YetshameInottobearano\'er-fullheart,
Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes;
\'TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart,
\'TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs.
WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState,
WhosevalesIleave——whosespiresfadefastfromme
Andcoldmustbemineeyes,andheart,andtête,
When,dearAlabama!theyturncoldonthee!\"
Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat\"tête\"meant,butthepoemwasverysatisfactory,nevertheless.
Nextappearedadark-complexioned,black-eyed,black-hairedyounglady,whopausedanimpressivemoment,assumedatragicexpression,andbegantoreadinameasured,solemntone:
\"AVISION
\"Darkandtempestuouswasnight.Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered;butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear;whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven,seemingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin!Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes,andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene.
\"Atsuchatime,sodark,sodreary,forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed;butinsteadthereof,
\"\'Mydearestfriend,mycounsellor,mycomforterandguide
Myjoyingrief,mysecondblissinjoy,\'cametomyside.
Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy\'sEdenbytheromanticandyoung,aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness.Sosoftwasherstep,itfailedtomakeevenasound,andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch,asotherunobtrusivebeauties,shewouldhaveglidedawayun-perceived——unsought.Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures,likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember,asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout,andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented.\"
Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon-Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize.Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening.Themayorofthevillage,indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit,madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost\"eloquent\"thinghehadeverlistenedto,andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit.
Itmayberemarked,inpassing,thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword\"beauteous\"wasover-fondled,andhumanexperiencereferredtoas\"life\'spage,\"wasuptotheusualaverage.
Nowthemaster,mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality,puthischairaside,turnedhisbacktotheaudience,andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard,toexercisethegeographyclassupon.Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand,andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse.Heknewwhatthematterwas,andsethimselftorightit.Hespongedoutlinesandremadethem;butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever,andthetitteringwasmorepronounced.Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork,now,asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth.Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim;heimaginedhewassucceeding,andyetthetitteringcontinued;itevenmanifestlyincreased.Andwellitmight.Therewasagarretabove,piercedwithascuttleoverhishead;anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat,suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring;shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing;assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring,sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair.Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher——thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher\'shead——down,down,alittlelower,andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws,clungtoit,andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession!Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster\'sbaldpate——forthesign-painter\'sboyhadgildedit!
Thatbrokeupthemeeting.Theboyswereavenged.Vacationhadcome.
[NOTE:——Thepretended\"compositions\"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled\"ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady\"——buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern,andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe.]
CHAPTERXXII
TOMjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance,beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir\"regalia.\"Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking,chewing,andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember.Nowhefoundoutanewthing——namely,thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything.Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear;thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder.FourthofJulywascoming;buthesoongavethatup——gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty-eighthours——andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer,justiceofthepeace,whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral,sincehewassohighanofficial.DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge\'sconditionandhungryfornewsofit.Sometimeshishopesranhigh——sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelookingglass.ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating.Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend——andthenconvalescent.Tomwasdisgusted;andfeltasenseofinjury,too.Hehandedinhisresignationatonce——andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied.Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain.
Thefuneralwasafinething.TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy.Tomwasafreeboyagain,however——therewassomethinginthat.Hecoulddrinkandswear,now——butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto.Thesimplefactthathecould,tookthedesireaway,andthecharmofit.
Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands.
Heattemptedadiary——butnothinghappenedduringthreedays,andsoheabandonedit.
Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown,andmadeasensation.TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays.
EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure,foritrainedhard,therewasnoprocessioninconsequence,andthegreatestmanintheworldasTomsupposed,Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenator,provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment——forhewasnottwenty-fivefeethigh,norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit.
Acircuscame.Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting——admission,threepinsforboys,twoforgirls——andthencircusingwasabandoned.
Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame——andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever.
Thereweresomeboys-and-girls\'parties,buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder.
BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation——sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere.
Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery.Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain.
Thencamethemeasles.
DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner,deadtotheworldanditshappenings.Hewasveryill,hewasinterestedinnothing.Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown-town,amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature.Therehadbeena\"revival,\"andeverybodyhad\"gotreligion,\"notonlytheadults,buteventheboysandgirls.Tomwentabout,hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface,butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere.HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament,andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle.HesoughtBenRogers,andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts.HehuntedupJimHollis,whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning.Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression;andwhen,indesperation,heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation,hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost,foreverandforever.
Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm,withdrivingrain,awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning.Hecoveredhisheadwiththebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom;forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim.Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult.Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery,butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself.
Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject.Theboy\'sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful,andreform.Hissecondwastowait——fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms.
Thenextdaythedoctorswereback;Tomhadrelapsed.Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage.Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared,rememberinghowlonelywashisestate,howcompanionlessandforlornhewas.HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder,inthepresenceofhervictim,abird.HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon.Poorlads!they——likeTom——hadsufferedarelapse.
CHAPTERXXIII
ATlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred——andvigorously:themurdertrialcameoninthecourt.Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately.Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit.Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart,forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas\"feelers\";hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder,butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip.Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime.HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim.Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile;todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer.Moreover,hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet.
\"Huck,haveyouevertoldanybodyabout——that?\"
\"\'Boutwhat?\"
\"Youknowwhat.\"
\"Oh——\'courseIhaven\'t.\"
\"Neveraword?\"
\"Neverasolitaryword,sohelpme.Whatmakesyouask?\"
\"Well,Iwasafeard.\"
\"Why,TomSawyer,wewouldn\'tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout.Youknowthat.\"
Tomfeltmorecomfortable.Afterapause:
\"Huck,theycouldn\'tanybodygetyoutotell,couldthey?\"
\"Getmetotell?Why,ifIwantedthathalf-breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell.Theyain\'tnodifferentway.\"
\"Well,that\'sallright,then.Ireckonwe\'resafeaslongaswekeepmum.Butlet\'sswearagain,anyway.It\'smoresurer.\"
\"I\'magreed.\"
Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities.
\"Whatisthetalkaround,Huck?I\'veheardapowerofit.\"
\"Talk?Well,it\'sjustMuffPotter,MuffPotter,MuffPotterallthetime.Itkeepsmeinasweat,constant,so\'sIwanttohidesom\'ers.\"
\"That\'sjustthesamewaytheygoonroundme.Ireckonhe\'sagoner.Don\'tyoufeelsorryforhim,sometimes?\"
\"Mostalways——mostalways.Heain\'tnoaccount;butthenhehain\'teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody.Justfishesalittle,togetmoneytogetdrunkon——andloafsaroundconsiderable;butlord,wealldothat——leastwaysmostofus——preachersandsuchlike.Buthe\'skindofgood——hegivemehalfafish,once,whentherewarn\'tenoughfortwo;andlotsoftimeshe\'skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck.\"
\"Well,he\'smendedkitesforme,Huck,andknittedhooksontomyline.Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere.\"
\"My!wecouldn\'tgethimout,Tom.Andbesides,\'twouldn\'tdoanygood;they\'dketchhimagain.\"
\"Yes——sotheywould.ButIhatetohear\'emabusehimsolikethedickenswhenheneverdone——that.\"
\"Idotoo,Tom.Lord,Ihear\'emsayhe\'sthebloodiestlookingvillaininthiscountry,andtheywonderhewasn\'teverhungbefore.\"
\"Yes,theytalklikethat,allthetime.I\'veheard\'emsaythatifhewastogetfreethey\'dlynchhim.\"
\"Andthey\'ddoit,too.\"
Theboyshadalongtalk,butitbroughtthemlittlecomfort.Asthetwilightdrewon,theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail,perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties.Butnothinghappened;thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive.
Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore——wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches.Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards.
Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore——itcutdeeperthanever,thistime.TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid:
\"You\'vebeenmightygoodtome,boys——better\'nanybodyelseinthistown.AndIdon\'tforgetit,Idon\'t.OftenIsaystomyself,saysI,\'Iusedtomendalltheboys\'kitesandthings,andshow\'emwherethegoodfishin\'placeswas,andbefriend\'emwhatIcould,andnowthey\'veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe\'sintrouble;butTomdon\'t,andHuckdon\'t——theydon\'tforgethim,saysI,\'andIdon\'tforgetthem.\'Well,boys,Idoneanawfulthing——drunkandcrazyatthetime——that\'stheonlywayIaccountforit——andnowIgottoswingforit,andit\'sright.Right,andbest,too,Ireckon——hopeso,anyway.Well,wewon\'ttalkaboutthat.Idon\'twanttomakeyoufeelbad;you\'vebefriendedme.ButwhatIwanttosay,is,don\'tyouevergetdrunk——thenyouwon\'tevergethere.Standalitterfurderwest——so——that\'sit;it\'saprimecomforttoseefacesthat\'sfriendlywhenabody\'sinsuchamuckoftrouble,andtheredon\'tnonecomeherebutyourn.Goodfriendlyfaces——goodfriendlyfaces.Gitupononeanother\'sbacksandletmetouch\'em.That\'sit.Shakehands——yourn\'llcomethroughthebars,butmine\'stoobig.Littlehands,andweak——butthey\'vehelpedMuffPotterapower,andthey\'dhelphimmoreiftheycould.\"
Tomwenthomemiserable,andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors.Thenextdayandthedayafter,hehungaboutthecourt-room,drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin,butforcinghimselftostayout.Huckwashavingthesameexperience.Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother.Eachwanderedaway,fromtimetotime,butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently.Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom,butinvariablyhearddistressingnews——thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter.AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe\'sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken,andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury\'sverdictwouldbe.
Tomwasoutlate,thatnight,andcametobedthroughthewindow.Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement.Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep.Allthevillageflockedtothecourt-housethenextmorning,forthiswastobethegreatday.Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience.Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces;shortlyafterward,Potter,paleandhaggard,timidandhopeless,wasbroughtin,withchainsuponhim,andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim;nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe,stolidasever.Therewasanotherpause,andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt.Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed.Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating.
NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook,atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered,andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway.Aftersomefurtherquestioning,counselfortheprosecutionsaid:
\"Takethewitness.\"
Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment,butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid:
\"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim.\"
Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse.Counselfortheprosecutionsaid:
\"Takethewitness.\"
\"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim,\"Potter\'slawyerreplied.
AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter\'spossession.
\"Takethewitness.\"
CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim.Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance.Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient\'slifewithoutaneffort?
SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter\'sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder.Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross-questioned.
Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses,butnoneofthemwerecrossexaminedbyPotter\'slawyer.Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench.Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid:
\"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion,wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime,beyondallpossibilityofquestion,upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar.Werestourcasehere.\"
AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro,whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt-room.Manymenweremoved,andmanywomen\'scompassiontestifieditselfintears.Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid:
\"Yourhonor,inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial,weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink.Wehavechangedourmind.Weshallnotofferthatplea.\"[Thentotheclerk:]\"CallThomasSawyer!\"
Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse,notevenexceptingPotter\'s.EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand.Theboylookedwildenough,forhewasbadlyscared.Theoathwasadministered.
\"ThomasSawyer,wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune,aboutthehourofmidnight?\"
TomglancedatInjunJoe\'sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim.Theaudiencelistenedbreathless,butthewordsrefusedtocome.Afterafewmoments,however,theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback,andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear:
\"Inthegraveyard!\"
\"Alittlebitlouder,please.Don\'tbeafraid.Youwere——\"
\"Inthegraveyard.\"
AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe\'sface.
\"WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams\'grave?\"
\"Yes,sir.\"
\"Speakup——justatriflelouder.Hownearwereyou?\"
\"NearasIamtoyou.\"
\"Wereyouhidden,ornot?\"
\"Iwashid.\"
\"Where?\"
\"Behindtheelmsthat\'sontheedgeofthegrave.\"
InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart.
\"Anyonewithyou?\"
\"Yes,sir.Iwenttherewith——\"
\"Wait——waitamoment.Nevermindmentioningyourcompanion\'sname.Wewillproducehimatthepropertime.Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou.\"
Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused.
\"Speakout,myboy——don\'tbediffident.Thetruthisalwaysrespectable.Whatdidyoutakethere?\"
\"Onlya——a——deadcat.\"
Therewasarippleofmirth,whichthecourtchecked.
\"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat.Now,myboy,telluseverythingthatoccurred——tellitinyourownway——don\'tskipanything,anddon\'tbeafraid.\"
Tombegan——hesitatinglyatfirst,butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily;inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice;everyeyefixeditselfuponhim;withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords,takingnonoteoftime,raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale.Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid:
\"——andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell,InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand——\"
Crash!Quickaslightningthehalf-breedsprangforawindow,torehiswaythroughallopposers,andwasgone!
CHAPTERXXIV
TOMwasaglitteringherooncemore——thepetoftheold,theenvyoftheyoung.Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint,forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim.ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident,yet,ifheescapedhanging.
Asusual,thefickle,unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore.Butthatsortofconductistotheworld\'scredit;thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit.
Tom\'sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim,buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror.InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams,andalwayswithdoominhiseye.Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall.PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror,forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial,andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout,yet,notwithstandingInjunJoe\'sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt.Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy,butwhatofthat?SinceTom\'sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer\'shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths,Huck\'sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell-nighobliterated.
DailyMuffPotter\'sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken;butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue.
HalfthetimeTomwasafraidInjunJoewouldneverbecaptured;theotherhalfhewasafraidhewouldbe.Hefeltsurehenevercoulddrawasafebreathagainuntilthatmanwasdeadandhehadseenthecorpse.
Rewardshadbeenoffered,thecountryhadbeenscoured,butnoInjunJoewasfound.Oneofthoseomniscientandawe-inspiringmarvels,adetective,cameupfromSt.Louis,mousedaround,shookhishead,lookedwise,andmadethatsortofastoundingsuccesswhichmembersofthatcraftusuallyachieve.Thatistosay,he\"foundaclew.\"Butyoucan\'thanga\"clew\"formurder,andsoafterthatdetectivehadgotthroughandgonehome,Tomfeltjustasinsecureashewasbefore.
Theslowdaysdriftedon,andeachleftbehinditaslightlylightenedweightofapprehension.
CHAPTERXXV
THEREcomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy\'slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure.ThisdesiresuddenlycameuponTomoneday.HesalliedouttofindJoeHarper,butfailedofsuccess.NexthesoughtBenRogers;hehadgonefishing.PresentlyhestumbleduponHuckFinntheRed-Handed.Huckwouldanswer.Tomtookhimtoaprivateplaceandopenedthemattertohimconfidentially.Huckwaswilling.Huckwasalwayswillingtotakeahandinanyenterprisethatofferedentertainmentandrequirednocapital,forhehadatroublesomesuperabundanceofthatsortoftimewhichisnotmoney.\"Where\'llwedig?\"saidHuck.
\"Oh,mostanywhere.\"
\"Why,isithidallaround?\"
\"No,indeeditain\'t.It\'shidinmightyparticularplaces,Huck——sometimesonislands,sometimesinrottenchestsundertheendofalimbofanolddeadtree,justwheretheshadowfallsatmidnight;butmostlyunderthefloorinha\'ntedhouses.\"
\"Whohidesit?\"
\"Why,robbers,ofcourse——who\'dyoureckon?Sunday-schoolsup\'rintendents?\"
\"Idon\'tknow.If\'twasmineIwouldn\'thideit;I\'dspenditandhaveagoodtime.\"
\"SowouldI.Butrobbersdon\'tdothatway.Theyalwayshideitandleaveitthere.\"
\"Don\'ttheycomeafteritanymore?\"
\"No,theythinktheywill,buttheygenerallyforgetthemarks,orelsetheydie.Anyway,itlaystherealongtimeandgetsrusty;andbyandbysomebodyfindsanoldyellowpaperthattellshowtofindthemarks——apaperthat\'sgottobecipheredoveraboutaweekbecauseit\'smostlysignsandhy\'roglyphics.\"
\"HyroQwhich?\"
\"Hy\'roglyphics——picturesandthings,youknow,thatdon\'tseemtomeananything.\"
\"Haveyougotoneofthempapers,Tom?\"
\"No.\"
\"Wellthen,howyougoingtofindthemarks?\"
\"Idon\'twantanymarks.Theyalwaysburyitunderaha\'ntedhouseoronanisland,orunderadeadtreethat\'sgotonelimbstickingout.Well,we\'vetriedJackson\'sIslandalittle,andwecantryitagainsometime;andthere\'stheoldha\'ntedhouseuptheStill-Housebranch,andthere\'slotsofdeadlimbtrees——deadloadsof\'em.\"
\"Isitunderallofthem?\"
\"Howyoutalk!No!\"
\"Thenhowyougoingtoknowwhichonetogofor?\"
\"Goforallof\'em!\"
\"Why,Tom,it\'lltakeallsummer.\"
\"Well,whatofthat?Supposeyoufindabrasspotwithahundreddollarsinit,allrustyandgray,orrottenchestfullofdi\'monds.How\'sthat?\"
Huck\'seyesglowed.
\"That\'sbully.Plentybullyenoughforme.JustyougimmethehundreddollarsandIdon\'twantnodi\'monds.\"
\"Allright.ButIbetyouIain\'tgoingtothrowoffondi\'monds.Someof\'em\'sworthtwentydollarsapiece——thereain\'tany,hardly,but\'sworthsixbitsoradollar.\"
\"No!Isthatso?\"
\"Cert\'nly——anybody\'lltellyouso.Hain\'tyoueverseenone,Huck?\"
\"NotasIremember.\"
\"Oh,kingshaveslathersofthem.\"
\"Well,Idon\'knownokings,Tom.\"
\"Ireckonyoudon\'t.ButifyouwastogotoEuropeyou\'dseearaftof\'emhoppingaround.\"
\"Dotheyhop?\"
\"Hop?——yourgranny!No!\"
\"Well,whatdidyousaytheydid,for?\"
\"Shucks,Ionlymeantyou\'dsee\'em——nothopping,ofcourse——whatdotheywanttohopfor?——butImeanyou\'djustsee\'em——scatteredaround,youknow,inakindofageneralway.LikethatoldhumpbackedRichard.\"
\"Richard?What\'shisothername?\"
\"Hedidn\'thaveanyothername.Kingsdon\'thaveanybutagivenname.\"
\"No?\"
\"Buttheydon\'t.\"
\"Well,iftheylikeit,Tom,allright;butIdon\'twanttobeakingandhaveonlyjustagivenname,likeanigger.Butsay——whereyougoingtodigfirst?\"
\"Well,Idon\'tknow.S\'posewetacklethatolddead-limbtreeonthehillt\'othersideofStill-Housebranch?\"
\"I\'magreed.\"
Sotheygotacrippledpickandashovel,andsetoutontheirthree-miletramp.Theyarrivedhotandpanting,andthrewthemselvesdownintheshadeofaneighboringelmtorestandhaveasmoke.
\"Ilikethis,\"saidTom.
\"SodoI.\"
\"Say,Huck,ifwefindatreasurehere,whatyougoingtodowithyourshare?\"
\"Well,I\'llhavepieandaglassofsodaeveryday,andI\'llgotoeverycircusthatcomesalong.IbetI\'llhaveagaytime.\"
\"Well,ain\'tyougoingtosaveanyofit?\"
\"Saveit?Whatfor?\"
\"Why,soastohavesomethingtoliveon,byandby.\"
\"Oh,thatain\'tanyuse.Papwouldcomebacktothish-yertownsomedayandgethisclawsonitifIdidn\'thurryup,andItellyouhe\'dcleanitoutprettyquick.Whatyougoingtodowithyourn,Tom?\"
\"I\'mgoingtobuyanewdrum,andasure-\'noughsword,andarednecktieandabullpup,andgetmarried.\"
\"Married!\"
\"That\'sit.\"
\"Tom,you——why,youain\'tinyourrightmind.\"
\"Wait——you\'llsee.\"
\"Well,that\'sthefoolishestthingyoucoulddo.Lookatpapandmymother.Fight!Why,theyusedtofightallthetime.Iremember,mightywell.\"
\"Thatain\'tanything.ThegirlI\'mgoingtomarrywon\'tfight.\"
\"Tom,Ireckonthey\'reallalike.They\'llallcombabody.Nowyoubetterthink\'boutthisawhile.Itellyouyoubetter.What\'sthenameofthegal?\"
\"Itain\'tagalatall——it\'sagirl.\"
\"It\'sallthesame,Ireckon;somesaysgal,somesaysgirl——both\'sright,likeenough.Anyway,what\'shername,Tom?\"
\"I\'lltellyousometime——notnow.\"
\"Allright——that\'lldo.OnlyifyougetmarriedI\'llbemorelonesomerthanever.\"
\"Noyouwon\'t.You\'llcomeandlivewithme.Nowstiroutofthisandwe\'llgotodigging.\"
Theyworkedandsweatedforhalfanhour.Noresult.Theytoiledanotherhalf-hour.Stillnoresult.Hucksaid:
\"Dotheyalwaysburyitasdeepasthis?\"
\"Sometimes——notalways.Notgenerally.Ireckonwehaven\'tgottherightplace.\"
Sotheychoseanewspotandbeganagain.Thelabordraggedalittle,butstilltheymadeprogress.Theypeggedawayinsilenceforsometime.FinallyHuckleanedonhisshovel,swabbedthebeadeddropsfromhisbrowwithhissleeve,andsaid:
\"Whereyougoingtodignext,afterwegetthisone?\"
\"Ireckonmaybewe\'lltackletheoldtreethat\'soveryonderonCardiffHillbackofthewidow\'s.\"
\"Ireckonthat\'llbeagoodone.Butwon\'tthewidowtakeitawayfromus,Tom?It\'sonherland.\"
\"Shetakeitaway!Maybeshe\'dliketotryitonce.Whoeverfindsoneofthesehidtreasures,itbelongstohim.Itdon\'tmakeanydifferencewhoselandit\'son.\"
Thatwassatisfactory.Theworkwenton.ByandbyHucksaid:
\"Blameit,wemustbeinthewrongplaceagain.Whatdoyouthink?\"
\"Itismightycurious,Huck.Idon\'tunderstandit.Sometimeswitchesinterfere.Ireckonmaybethat\'swhat\'sthetroublenow.\"
\"Shucks!Witchesain\'tgotnopowerinthedaytime.\"
\"Well,that\'sso.Ididn\'tthinkofthat.Oh,Iknowwhatthematteris!Whatablamedlotoffoolsweare!Yougottofindoutwheretheshadowofthelimbfallsatmidnight,andthat\'swhereyoudig!\"
\"Thenconsoundit,we\'vefooledawayallthisworkfornothing.Nowhangitall,wegottocomebackinthenight.It\'sanawfullongway.Canyougetout?\"
\"IbetIwill.We\'vegottodoitto-night,too,becauseifsomebodyseestheseholesthey\'llknowinaminutewhat\'shereandthey\'llgoforit.\"
\"Well,I\'llcomearoundandmaowto-night.\"
\"Allright.Let\'shidethetoolsinthebushes.\"
Theboysweretherethatnight,abouttheappointedtime.Theysatintheshadowwaiting.Itwasalonelyplace,andanhourmadesolemnbyoldtraditions.Spiritswhisperedintherustlingleaves,ghostslurkedinthemurkynooks,thedeepbayingofahoundfloatedupoutofthedistance,anowlansweredwithhissepulchralnote.Theboysweresubduedbythesesolemnities,andtalkedlittle.Byandbytheyjudgedthattwelvehadcome;theymarkedwheretheshadowfell,andbegantodig.Theirhopescommencedtorise.Theirinterestgrewstronger,andtheirindustrykeptpacewithit.Theholedeepenedandstilldeepened,buteverytimetheirheartsjumpedtohearthepickstrikeuponsomething,theyonlysufferedanewdisappointment.Itwasonlyastoneorachunk.AtlastTomsaid:
\"Itain\'tanyuse,Huck,we\'rewrongagain.\"
\"Well,butwecan\'tbewrong.Wespottedtheshaddertoadot.\"
\"Iknowit,butthenthere\'sanotherthing.\"
\"What\'sthat?\".
\"Why,weonlyguessedatthetime.Likeenoughitwastoolateortooearly.\"
Huckdroppedhisshovel.
\"That\'sit,\"saidhe.\"That\'stheverytrouble.Wegottogivethisoneup.Wecan\'tevertelltherighttime,andbesidesthiskindofthing\'stooawful,herethistimeofnightwithwitchesandghostsa-flutteringaroundso.Ifeelasifsomething\'sbehindmeallthetime;andI\'mafeardtoturnaround,becuzmaybethere\'sothersinfronta-waitingforachance.Ibeencreepingallover,eversinceIgothere.\"
\"Well,I\'vebeenprettymuchso,too,Huck.Theymostalwaysputinadeadmanwhentheyburyatreasureunderatree,tolookoutforit.\"
\"Lordy!\"
\"Yes,theydo.I\'vealwaysheardthat.\"
\"Tom,Idon\'tliketofoolaroundmuchwherethere\'sdeadpeople.Abody\'sboundtogetintotroublewith\'em,sure.\"
\"Idon\'tliketostir\'emup,either.S\'posethisoneherewastostickhisskulloutandsaysomething!\"
\"Don\'tTom!It\'sawful.\"
\"Well,itjustis.Huck,Idon\'tfeelcomfortableabit.\"
\"Say,Tom,let\'sgivethisplaceup,andtrysomewhereselse.\"
\"Allright,Ireckonwebetter.\"
\"What\'llitbe?\"
Tomconsideredawhile;andthensaid:
\"Theha\'ntedhouse.That\'sit!\"
\"Blameit,Idon\'tlikeha\'ntedhouses,Tom.Why,they\'readernsightworse\'ndeadpeople.Deadpeoplemighttalk,maybe,buttheydon\'tcomeslidingaroundinashroud,whenyouain\'tnoticing,andpeepoveryourshoulderallofasuddenandgrittheirteeth,thewayaghostdoes.Icouldn\'tstandsuchathingasthat,Tom——nobodycould.\"
\"Yes,but,Huck,ghostsdon\'ttravelaroundonlyatnight.Theywon\'thenderusfromdiggingthereinthedaytime.\"
\"Well,that\'sso.Butyouknowmightywellpeopledon\'tgoaboutthatha\'ntedhouseinthedaynorthenight.\"