Huckwasalreadyuponhiswatchwhentheferry-boat\'slightswentglintingpastthewharf.Heheardnonoiseonboard,fortheyoungpeoplewereassubduedandstillaspeopleusuallyarewhoarenearlytiredtodeath.Hewonderedwhatboatitwas,andwhyshedidnotstopatthewharf——andthenhedroppedheroutofhismindandputhisattentionuponhisbusiness.Thenightwasgrowingcloudyanddark.Teno\'clockcame,andthenoiseofvehiclesceased,scatteredlightsbegantowinkout,allstragglingfoot-passengersdisappeared,thevillagebetookitselftoitsslumbersandleftthesmallwatcheralonewiththesilenceandtheghosts.Eleveno\'clockcame,andthetavernlightswereputout;darknesseverywhere,now.Huckwaitedwhatseemedawearylongtime,butnothinghappened.Hisfaithwasweakening.Wasthereanyuse?Wastherereallyanyuse?Whynotgiveitupandturnin?
Anoisefelluponhisear.Hewasallattentioninaninstant.Thealleydoorclosedsoftly.Hesprangtothecornerofthebrickstore.Thenextmomenttwomenbrushedbyhim,andoneseemedtohavesomethingunderhisarm.Itmustbethatbox!Sotheyweregoingtoremovethetreasure.WhycallTomnow?Itwouldbeabsurd——themenwouldgetawaywiththeboxandneverbefoundagain.No,hewouldsticktotheirwakeandfollowthem;hewouldtrusttothedarknessforsecurityfromdiscovery.Socommuningwithhimself,Hucksteppedoutandglidedalongbehindthemen,cat-like,withbarefeet,allowingthemtokeepjustfarenoughaheadnottobeinvisible.
Theymoveduptheriverstreetthreeblocks,thenturnedtotheleftupacross-street.Theywentstraightahead,then,untiltheycametothepaththatledupCardiffHill;thistheytook.TheypassedbytheoldWelshman\'shouse,half-wayupthehill,withouthesitating,andstillclimbedupward.Good,thoughtHuck,theywillburyitintheoldquarry.Buttheyneverstoppedatthequarry.Theypassedon,upthesummit.Theyplungedintothenarrowpathbetweenthetallsumachbushes,andwereatoncehiddeninthegloom.Huckclosedupandshortenedhisdistance,now,fortheywouldneverbeabletoseehim.Hetrottedalongawhile;thenslackenedhispace,fearinghewasgainingtoofast;movedonapiece,thenstoppedaltogether;listened;nosound;none,savethatheseemedtohearthebeatingofhisownheart.Thehootingofanowlcameoverthehill——ominoussound!Butnofootsteps.Heavens,waseverythinglost!Hewasabouttospringwithwingedfeet,whenamanclearedhisthroatnotfourfeetfromhim!Huck\'sheartshotintohisthroat,butheswalloweditagain;andthenhestoodthereshakingasifadozenagueshadtakenchargeofhimatonce,andsoweakthathethoughthemustsurelyfalltotheground.Heknewwherehewas.HeknewhewaswithinfivestepsofthestileleadingintoWidowDouglas\'grounds.Verywell,hethought,letthemburyitthere;itwon\'tbehardtofind.
Nowtherewasavoice——averylowvoice——InjunJoe\'s:
\"Damnher,maybeshe\'sgotcompany——there\'slights,lateasitis.\"
\"Ican\'tseeany.\"
Thiswasthatstranger\'svoice——thestrangerofthehauntedhouse.AdeadlychillwenttoHuck\'sheart——this,then,wasthe\"revenge\"job!Histhoughtwas,tofly.ThenherememberedthattheWidowDouglashadbeenkindtohimmorethanonce,andmaybethesemenweregoingtomurderher.Hewishedhedaredventuretowarnher;butheknewhedidn\'tdare——theymightcomeandcatchhim.Hethoughtallthisandmoreinthemomentthatelapsedbetweenthestranger\'sremarkandInjunJoe\'snext——whichwas——
\"Becausethebushisinyourway.Now——thisway——nowyousee,don\'tyou?\"
\"Yes.Well,thereIScompanythere,Ireckon.Bettergiveitup.\"
\"Giveitup,andIjustleavingthiscountryforever!Giveitupandmaybeneverhaveanotherchance.Itellyouagain,asI\'vetoldyoubefore,Idon\'tcareforherswag——youmayhaveit.Butherhusbandwasroughonme——manytimeshewasroughonme——andmainlyhewasthejusticeofthepeacethatjuggedmeforavagrant.Andthatain\'tall.Itain\'tamillionthpartofit!Hehadmehorsewhipped!——horsewhippedinfrontofthejail,likeanigger!——withallthetownlookingon!horsewhipped!——doyouunderstand?Hetookadvantageofmeanddied.ButI\'lltakeitoutofher.\"
\"Oh,don\'tkillher!Don\'tdothat!\"
\"Kill?Whosaidanythingaboutkilling?Iwouldkillhimifhewashere;butnother.Whenyouwanttogetrevengeonawomanyoudon\'tkillher——bosh!yougoforherlooks.Youslithernostrils——younotchherearslikeasow!\"
\"ByGod,that\'s——\"
\"Keepyouropiniontoyourself!Itwillbesafestforyou.I\'lltiehertothebed.Ifshebleedstodeath,isthatmyfault?I\'llnotcry,ifshedoes.Myfriend,you\'llhelpmeinthisthing——formysake——that\'swhyyou\'rehere——Imightn\'tbeablealone.Ifyouflinch,I\'llkillyou.Doyouunderstandthat?AndifIhavetokillyou,I\'llkillher——andthenIreckonnobody\'lleverknowmuchaboutwhodonethisbusiness.\"
\"Well,ifit\'sgottobedone,let\'sgetatit.Thequickerthebetter——I\'mallinashiver.\"
\"Doitnow?Andcompanythere?Lookhere——I\'llgetsuspiciousofyou,firstthingyouknow.No——we\'llwaittillthelightsareout——there\'snohurry.\"
Huckfeltthatasilencewasgoingtoensue——athingstillmoreawfulthananyamountofmurderoustalk;soheheldhisbreathandsteppedgingerlyback;plantedhisfootcarefullyandfirmly,afterbalancing,one-legged,inaprecariouswayandalmosttopplingover,firstononesideandthenontheother.Hetookanotherstepback,withthesameelaborationandthesamerisks;thenanotherandanother,and——atwigsnappedunderhisfoot!Hisbreathstoppedandhelistened.Therewasnosound——thestillnesswasperfect.Hisgratitudewasmeasureless.Nowheturnedinhistracks,betweenthewallsofsumachbushes——turnedhimselfascarefullyasifhewereaship——andthensteppedquicklybutcautiouslyalong.Whenheemergedatthequarryhefeltsecure,andsohepickeduphisnimbleheelsandflew.Down,downhesped,tillhereachedtheWelshman\'s.Hebangedatthedoor,andpresentlytheheadsoftheoldmanandhistwostalwartsonswerethrustfromwindows.
\"What\'stherowthere?Who\'sbanging?Whatdoyouwant?\"
\"Letmein——quick!I\'lltelleverything.\"
\"Why,whoareyou?\"
\"HuckleberryFinn——quick,letmein!\"
\"HuckleberryFinn,indeed!Itain\'tanametoopenmanydoors,Ijudge!Butlethimin,lads,andlet\'sseewhat\'sthetrouble.\"
\"Pleasedon\'tevertellItoldyou,\"wereHuck\'sfirstwordswhenhegotin.\"Pleasedon\'t——I\'dbekilled,sure——butthewidow\'sbeengoodfriendstomesometimes,andIwanttotell——Iwilltellifyou\'llpromiseyouwon\'teversayitwasme.\"
\"ByGeorge,hehasgotsomethingtotell,orhewouldn\'tactso!\"exclaimedtheoldman;\"outwithitandnobodyhere\'llevertell,lad.\"
Threeminuteslatertheoldmanandhissons,wellarmed,wereupthehill,andjustenteringthesumachpathontiptoe,theirweaponsintheirhands.Huckaccompaniedthemnofurther.Hehidbehindagreatbowlderandfelltolistening.Therewasalagging,anxioussilence,andthenallofasuddentherewasanexplosionoffirearmsandacry.
Huckwaitedfornoparticulars.Hesprangawayandspeddownthehillasfastashislegscouldcarryhim.
CHAPTERXXX
AStheearliestsuspicionofdawnappearedonSundaymorning,HuckcamegropingupthehillandrappedgentlyattheoldWelshman\'sdoor.Theinmateswereasleep,butitwasasleepthatwassetonahair-trigger,onaccountoftheexcitingepisodeofthenight.Acallcamefromawindow:
\"Who\'sthere!\"
Huck\'sscaredvoiceansweredinalowtone:
\"Pleaseletmein!It\'sonlyHuckFinn!\"
\"It\'sanamethatcanopenthisdoornightorday,lad!——andwelcome!\"
Thesewerestrangewordstothevagabondboy\'sears,andthepleasantesthehadeverheard.Hecouldnotrecollectthattheclosingwordhadeverbeenappliedinhiscasebefore.Thedoorwasquicklyunlocked,andheentered.Huckwasgivenaseatandtheoldmanandhisbraceoftallsonsspeedilydressedthemselves.
\"Now,myboy,Ihopeyou\'regoodandhungry,becausebreakfastwillbereadyassoonasthesun\'sup,andwe\'llhaveapipinghotone,too——makeyourselfeasyaboutthat!Iandtheboyshopedyou\'dturnupandstopherelastnight.\"
\"Iwasawfulscared,\"saidHuck,\"andIrun.Itookoutwhenthepistolswentoff,andIdidn\'tstopforthreemile.I\'vecomenowbecuzIwantedtoknowaboutit,youknow;andIcomebeforedaylightbecuzIdidn\'twanttorunacrossthemdevils,eveniftheywasdead.\"
\"Well,poorchap,youdolookasifyou\'dhadahardnightofit——butthere\'sabedhereforyouwhenyou\'vehadyourbreakfast.No,theyain\'tdead,lad——wearesorryenoughforthat.Youseeweknewrightwheretoputourhandsonthem,byyourdescription;sowecreptalongontiptoetillwegotwithinfifteenfeetofthem——darkasacellarthatsumachpathwas——andjustthenIfoundIwasgoingtosneeze.Itwasthemeanestkindofluck!Itriedtokeepitback,butnouse——\'twasboundtocome,anditdidcome!Iwasintheleadwithmypistolraised,andwhenthesneezestartedthosescoundrelsa-rustlingtogetoutofthepath,Isungout,\'Fireboys!\'andblazedawayattheplacewheretherustlingwas.Sodidtheboys.Buttheywereoffinajiffy,thosevillains,andweafterthem,downthroughthewoods.Ijudgewenevertouchedthem.Theyfiredashotapieceastheystarted,buttheirbulletswhizzedbyanddidn\'tdousanyharm.Assoonaswelostthesoundoftheirfeetwequitchasing,andwentdownandstirreduptheconstables.Theygotapossetogether,andwentofftoguardtheriverbank,andassoonasitislightthesheriffandagangaregoingtobeatupthewoods.Myboyswillbewiththempresently.Iwishwehadsomesortofdescriptionofthoserascals——\'twouldhelpagooddeal.Butyoucouldn\'tseewhattheywerelike,inthedark,lad,Isuppose?\"
\"Ohyes;Isawthemdown-townandfolleredthem.\"
\"Splendid!Describethem——describethem,myboy!\"
\"One\'stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat\'sbenaroundhereonceortwice,andt\'other\'samean-looking,ragged——\"
\"That\'senough,lad,weknowthemen!Happenedontheminthewoodsbackofthewidow\'soneday,andtheyslunkaway.Offwithyou,boys,andtellthesheriff——getyourbreakfastto-morrowmorning!\"
TheWelshman\'ssonsdepartedatonce.AstheywereleavingtheroomHucksprangupandexclaimed:
\"Oh,pleasedon\'ttellANYbodyitwasmethatblowedonthem!Oh,please!\"
\"Allrightifyousayit,Huck,butyououghttohavethecreditofwhatyoudid.\"
\"Ohno,no!Pleasedon\'ttell!\"
Whentheyoungmenweregone,theoldWelshmansaid:
\"Theywon\'ttell——andIwon\'t.Butwhydon\'tyouwantitknown?\"
Huckwouldnotexplain,furtherthantosaythathealreadyknewtoomuchaboutoneofthosemenandwouldnothavethemanknowthatheknewanythingagainsthimforthewholeworld——hewouldbekilledforknowingit,sure.
Theoldmanpromisedsecrecyoncemore,andsaid:
\"Howdidyoucometofollowthesefellows,lad?Weretheylookingsuspicious?\"
Huckwassilentwhileheframedadulycautiousreply.Thenhesaid:
\"Well,yousee,I\'makindofahardlot,——leasteverybodysaysso,andIdon\'tseenothingaginit——andsometimesIcan\'tsleepmuch,onaccountofthinkingaboutitandsortoftryingtostrikeoutanewwayofdoing.Thatwasthewayofitlastnight.Icouldn\'tsleep,andsoIcomealongup-street\'boutmidnight,a-turningitallover,andwhenIgottothatoldshacklybrickstorebytheTemperanceTavern,Ibackedupaginthewalltohaveanotherthink.Well,justthenalongcomesthesetwochapsslippingalongclosebyme,withsomethingundertheirarm,andIreckonedthey\'dstoleit.Onewasa-smoking,andt\'otheronewantedalight;sotheystoppedrightbeforemeandthecigarslituptheirfacesandIseethatthebigonewasthedeafanddumbSpaniard,byhiswhitewhiskersandthepatchonhiseye,andt\'otheronewasarusty,ragged-lookingdevil.\"
\"Couldyouseetheragsbythelightofthecigars?\"
ThisstaggeredHuckforamoment.Thenhesaid:
\"Well,Idon\'tknow——butsomehowitseemsasifIdid.\"
\"Thentheywenton,andyou——\"
\"Follered\'em——yes.Thatwasit.Iwantedtoseewhatwasup——theysneakedalongso.Idogged\'emtothewidder\'sstile,andstoodinthedarkandheardtheraggedonebegforthewidder,andtheSpaniardswearhe\'dspileherlooksjustasItoldyouandyourtwo——\"
\"What!TheDEAFANDDUMBmansaidallthat!\"
Huckhadmadeanotherterriblemistake!HewastryinghisbesttokeeptheoldmanfromgettingthefaintesthintofwhotheSpaniardmightbe,andyethistongueseemeddeterminedtogethimintotroubleinspiteofallhecoulddo.Hemadeseveraleffortstocreepoutofhisscrape,buttheoldman\'seyewasuponhimandhemadeblunderafterblunder.PresentlytheWelshmansaid:
\"Myboy,don\'tbeafraidofme.Iwouldn\'thurtahairofyourheadforalltheworld.No——I\'dprotectyou——I\'dprotectyou.ThisSpaniardisnotdeafanddumb;you\'veletthatslipwithoutintendingit;youcan\'tcoverthatupnow.YouknowsomethingaboutthatSpaniardthatyouwanttokeepdark.Nowtrustme——tellmewhatitis,andtrustme——Iwon\'tbetrayyou.\"
Hucklookedintotheoldman\'shonesteyesamoment,thenbentoverandwhisperedinhisear:
\"\'Tain\'taSpaniard——it\'sInjunJoe!\"
TheWelshmanalmostjumpedoutofhischair.Inamomenthesaid:
\"It\'sallplainenough,now.WhenyoutalkedaboutnotchingearsandslittingnosesIjudgedthatthatwasyourownembellishment,becausewhitemendon\'ttakethatsortofrevenge.ButanInjun!That\'sadifferentmatteraltogether.\"
Duringbreakfastthetalkwenton,andinthecourseofittheoldmansaidthatthelastthingwhichheandhissonshaddone,beforegoingtobed,wastogetalanternandexaminethestileanditsvicinityformarksofblood.Theyfoundnone,butcapturedabulkybundleof——
\"OfWHAT?\"
IfthewordshadbeenlightningtheycouldnothaveleapedwithamorestunningsuddennessfromHuck\'sblanchedlips.Hiseyeswerestaringwide,now,andhisbreathsuspended——waitingfortheanswer.TheWelshmanstarted——staredinreturn——threeseconds——fiveseconds——ten——thenreplied:
\"Ofburglar\'stools.Why,what\'stheMATTERwithyou?\"
Hucksankback,pantinggently,butdeeply,unutterablygrateful.TheWelshmaneyedhimgravely,curiously——andpresentlysaid:
\"Yes,burglar\'stools.Thatappearstorelieveyouagooddeal.Butwhatdidgiveyouthatturn?WhatwereYOUexpectingwe\'dfound?\"
Huckwasinacloseplace——theinquiringeyewasuponhim——hewouldhavegivenanythingformaterialforaplausibleanswer——nothingsuggesteditself——theinquiringeyewasboringdeeperanddeeper——asenselessreplyoffered——therewasnotimetoweighit,soataventureheutteredit——feebly:
\"Sunday-schoolbooks,maybe.\"
PoorHuckwastoodistressedtosmile,buttheoldmanlaughedloudandjoyously,shookupthedetailsofhisanatomyfromheadtofoot,andendedbysayingthatsuchalaughwasmoneyina-man\'spocket,becauseitcutdownthedoctor\'sbilllikeeverything.Thenheadded:
\"Pooroldchap,you\'rewhiteandjaded——youain\'twellabit——nowonderyou\'realittleflightyandoffyourbalance.Butyou\'llcomeoutofit.Restandsleepwillfetchyououtallright,Ihope.\"
Huckwasirritatedtothinkhehadbeensuchagooseandbetrayedsuchasuspiciousexcitement,forhehaddroppedtheideathattheparcelbroughtfromthetavernwasthetreasure,assoonashehadheardthetalkatthewidow\'sstile.Hehadonlythoughtitwasnotthetreasure,however——hehadnotknownthatitwasn\'t——andsothesuggestionofacapturedbundlewastoomuchforhisself-possession.Butonthewholehefeltgladthelittleepisodehadhappened,fornowheknewbeyondallquestionthatthatbundlewasnotTHEbundle,andsohismindwasatrestandexceedinglycomfortable.Infact,everythingseemedtobedriftingjustintherightdirection,now;thetreasuremustbestillinNo.2,themenwouldbecapturedandjailedthatday,andheandTomcouldseizethegoldthatnightwithoutanytroubleoranyfearofinterruption.
Justasbreakfastwascompletedtherewasaknockatthedoor.Huckjumpedforahiding-place,forhehadnomindtobeconnectedevenremotelywiththelateevent.TheWelshmanadmittedseveralladiesandgentlemen,amongthemtheWidowDouglas,andnoticedthatgroupsofcitizenswereclimbingupthehill——tostareatthestile.Sothenewshadspread.TheWelshmanhadtotellthestoryofthenighttothevisitors.Thewidow\'sgratitudeforherpreservationwasoutspoken.
\"Don\'tsayawordaboutit,madam.There\'sanotherthatyou\'remorebeholdentothanyouaretomeandmyboys,maybe,buthedon\'tallowmetotellhisname.Wewouldn\'thavebeentherebutforhim.\"
Ofcoursethisexcitedacuriositysovastthatitalmostbelittledthemainmatter——buttheWelshmanallowedittoeatintothevitalsofhisvisitors,andthroughthembetransmittedtothewholetown,forherefusedtopartwithhissecret.Whenallelsehadbeenlearned,thewidowsaid:
\"Iwenttosleepreadinginbedandsleptstraightthroughallthatnoise.Whydidn\'tyoucomeandwakeme?\"
\"Wejudgeditwarn\'tworthwhile.Thosefellowswarn\'tlikelytocomeagain——theyhadn\'tanytoolslefttoworkwith,andwhatwastheuseofwakingyouupandscaringyoutodeath?Mythreenegromenstoodguardatyourhousealltherestofthenight.They\'vejustcomeback.\"
Morevisitorscame,andthestoryhadtobetoldandretoldforacoupleofhoursmore.
TherewasnoSabbath-schoolduringday-schoolvacation,buteverybodywasearlyatchurch.Thestirringeventwaswellcanvassed.Newscamethatnotasignofthetwovillainshadbeenyetdiscovered.Whenthesermonwasfinished,JudgeThatcher\'swifedroppedalongsideofMrs.Harperasshemoveddowntheaislewiththecrowdandsaid:
\"IsmyBeckygoingtosleepallday?Ijustexpectedshewouldbetiredtodeath.\"
\"YourBecky?\"
\"Yes,\"withastartledlook——\"didn\'tshestaywithyoulastnight?\"
\"Why,no.\"
Mrs.Thatcherturnedpale,andsankintoapew,justasAuntPolly,talkingbrisklywithafriend,passedby.AuntPollysaid:
\"Good-morning,Mrs.Thatcher.Good-morning,Mrs.Harper.I\'vegotaboythat\'sturnedupmissing.IreckonmyTomstayedatyourhouselastnight——oneofyou.Andnowhe\'safraidtocometochurch.I\'vegottosettlewithhim.\"
Mrs.Thatchershookherheadfeeblyandturnedpalerthanever.
\"Hedidn\'tstaywithus,\"saidMrs.Harper,beginningtolookuneasy.AmarkedanxietycameintoAuntPolly\'sface.
\"JoeHarper,haveyouseenmyTomthismorning?\"
\"No\'m.\"
\"Whendidyouseehimlast?\"
Joetriedtoremember,butwasnotsurehecouldsay.Thepeoplehadstoppedmovingoutofchurch.Whisperspassedalong,andabodinguneasinesstookpossessionofeverycountenance.Childrenwereanxiouslyquestioned,andyoungteachers.TheyallsaidtheyhadnotnoticedwhetherTomandBeckywereonboardtheferryboatonthehomewardtrip;itwasdark;noonethoughtofinquiringifanyonewasmissing.Oneyoungmanfinallyblurtedouthisfearthattheywerestillinthecave!Mrs.Thatcherswoonedaway.AuntPollyfelltocryingandwringingherhands.
Thealarmsweptfromliptolip,fromgrouptogroup,fromstreettostreet,andwithinfiveminutesthebellswerewildlyclangingandthewholetownwasup!TheCardiffHillepisodesankintoinstantinsignificance,theburglarswereforgotten,horsesweresaddled,skiffsweremanned,theferryboatorderedout,andbeforethehorrorwashalfanhourold,twohundredmenwerepouringdownhighroadandrivertowardthecave.
Allthelongafternoonthevillageseemedemptyanddead.ManywomenvisitedAuntPollyandMrs.Thatcherandtriedtocomfortthem.Theycriedwiththem,too,andthatwasstillbetterthanwords.Allthetediousnightthetownwaitedfornews;butwhenthemorningdawnedatlast,allthewordthatcamewas,\"Sendmorecandles——andsendfood.\"Mrs.Thatcherwasalmostcrazed;andAuntPolly,also.JudgeThatchersentmessagesofhopeandencouragementfromthecave,buttheyconveyednorealcheer.
TheoldWelshmancamehometowarddaylight,spatteredwithcandle-grease,smearedwithclay,andalmostwornout.HefoundHuckstillinthebedthathadbeenprovidedforhim,anddeliriouswithfever.Thephysicianswereallatthecave,sotheWidowDouglascameandtookchargeofthepatient.Shesaidshewoulddoherbestbyhim,because,whetherhewasgood,bad,orindifferent,hewastheLord\'s,andnothingthatwastheLord\'swasathingtobeneglected.TheWelshmansaidHuckhadgoodspotsinhim,andthewidowsaid:
\"Youcandependonit.That\'stheLord\'smark.Hedon\'tleaveitoff.Heneverdoes.Putsitsomewhereoneverycreaturethatcomesfromhishands.\"
Earlyintheforenoonpartiesofjadedmenbegantostraggleintothevillage,butthestrongestofthecitizenscontinuedsearching.Allthenewsthatcouldbegainedwasthatremotenessesofthecavernwerebeingransackedthathadneverbeenvisitedbefore;thateverycornerandcrevicewasgoingtobethoroughlysearched;thatwhereveronewanderedthroughthemazeofpassages,lightsweretobeseenflittinghitherandthitherinthedistance,andshoutingsandpistol-shotssenttheirhollowreverberationstotheeardownthesombreaisles.Inoneplace,farfromthesectionusuallytraversedbytourists,thenames\"BECKY&TOM\"hadbeenfoundtracedupontherockywallwithcandle-smoke,andnearathandagrease-soiledbitofribbon.Mrs.Thatcherrecognizedtheribbonandcriedoverit.Shesaiditwasthelastrelicsheshouldeverhaveofherchild;andthatnoothermemorialofhercouldeverbesoprecious,becausethisonepartedlatestfromthelivingbodybeforetheawfuldeathcame.Somesaidthatnowandthen,inthecave,afar-awayspeckoflightwouldglimmer,andthenagloriousshoutwouldburstforthandascoreofmengotroopingdowntheechoingaisle——andthenasickeningdisappointmentalwaysfollowed;thechildrenwerenotthere;itwasonlyasearcher\'slight.
Threedreadfuldaysandnightsdraggedtheirtedioushoursalong,andthevillagesankintoahopelessstupor.Noonehadheartforanything.Theaccidentaldiscovery,justmade,thattheproprietoroftheTemperanceTavernkeptliquoronhispremises,scarcelyflutteredthepublicpulse,tremendousasthefactwas.Inalucidinterval,Huckfeeblyleduptothesubjectoftaverns,andfinallyasked——dimlydreadingtheworst——ifanythinghadbeendiscoveredattheTemperanceTavernsincehehadbeenill.
\"Yes,\"saidthewidow.
Huckstartedupinbed,wild-eyed:
\"What?Whatwasit?\"
\"Liquor!——andtheplacehasbeenshutup.Liedown,child——whataturnyoudidgiveme!\"
\"Onlytellmejustonething——onlyjustone——please!WasitTomSawyerthatfoundit?\"
Thewidowburstintotears.\"Hush,hush,child,hush!I\'vetoldyoubefore,youmustnottalk.Youarevery,verysick!\"
Thennothingbutliquorhadbeenfound;therewouldhavebeenagreatpowwowifithadbeenthegold.Sothetreasurewasgoneforever——goneforever!Butwhatcouldshebecryingabout?Curiousthatsheshouldcry.
ThesethoughtsworkedtheirdimwaythroughHuck\'smind,andunderthewearinesstheygavehimhefellasleep.Thewidowsaidtoherself:
\"There——he\'sasleep,poorwreck.TomSawyerfindit!PitybutsomebodycouldfindTomSawyer!Ah,thereain\'tmanyleft,now,that\'sgothopeenough,orstrengthenough,either,togoonsearching.\"
CHAPTERXXXI
NOWtoreturntoTomandBecky\'sshareinthepicnic.Theytrippedalongthemurkyaisleswiththerestofthecompany,visitingthefamiliarwondersofthecave——wondersdubbedwithratherover-descriptivenames,suchas\"TheDrawing-Room,\"\"TheCathedral,\"\"Aladdin\'sPalace,\"andsoon.Presentlythehide-and-seekfrolickingbegan,andTomandBeckyengagedinitwithzealuntiltheexertionbegantogrowatriflewearisome;thentheywandereddownasinuousavenueholdingtheircandlesaloftandreadingthetangledweb-workofnames,dates,post-officeaddresses,andmottoeswithwhichtherockywallshadbeenfrescoedincandle-smoke.Stilldriftingalongandtalking,theyscarcelynoticedthattheywerenowinapartofthecavewhosewallswerenotfrescoed.Theysmokedtheirownnamesunderanoverhangingshelfandmovedon.Presentlytheycametoaplacewherealittlestreamofwater,tricklingoveraledgeandcarryingalimestonesedimentwithit,had,intheslow-draggingages,formedalacedandruffledNiagaraingleamingandimperishablestone.TomsqueezedhissmallbodybehinditinordertoilluminateitforBecky\'sgratification.Hefoundthatitcurtainedasortofsteepnaturalstairwaywhichwasenclosedbetweennarrowwalls,andatoncetheambitiontobeadiscovererseizedhim.Beckyrespondedtohiscall,andtheymadeasmoke-markforfutureguidance,andstartedupontheirquest.Theywoundthiswayandthat,fardownintothesecretdepthsofthecave,madeanothermark,andbranchedoffinsearchofnoveltiestotelltheupperworldabout.Inoneplacetheyfoundaspaciouscavern,fromwhoseceilingdependedamultitudeofshiningstalactitesofthelengthandcircumferenceofaman\'sleg;theywalkedallaboutit,wonderingandadmiring,andpresentlyleftitbyoneofthenumerouspassagesthatopenedintoit.Thisshortlybroughtthemtoabewitchingspring,whosebasinwasincrustedwithafrostworkofglitteringcrystals;itwasinthemidstofacavernwhosewallsweresupportedbymanyfantasticpillarswhichhadbeenformedbythejoiningofgreatstalactitesandstalagmitestogether,theresultoftheceaselesswater-dripofcenturies.Undertheroofvastknotsofbatshadpackedthemselvestogether,thousandsinabunch;thelightsdisturbedthecreaturesandtheycameflockingdownbyhundreds,squeakinganddartingfuriouslyatthecandles.Tomknewtheirwaysandthedangerofthissortofconduct.HeseizedBecky\'shandandhurriedherintothefirstcorridorthatoffered;andnonetoosoon,forabatstruckBecky\'slightoutwithitswingwhileshewaspassingoutofthecavern.Thebatschasedthechildrenagooddistance;butthefugitivesplungedintoeverynewpassagethatoffered,andatlastgotridoftheperilousthings.Tomfoundasubterraneanlake,shortly,whichstretcheditsdimlengthawayuntilitsshapewaslostintheshadows.Hewantedtoexploreitsborders,butconcludedthatitwouldbebesttositdownandrestawhile,first.Now,forthefirsttime,thedeepstillnessoftheplacelaidaclammyhanduponthespiritsofthechildren.Beckysaid:
\"Why,Ididn\'tnotice,butitseemseversolongsinceIheardanyoftheothers.\"
\"Cometothink,Becky,weareawaydownbelowthem——andIdon\'tknowhowfarawaynorth,orsouth,oreast,orwhicheveritis.Wecouldn\'thearthemhere.\"
Beckygrewapprehensive.
\"Iwonderhowlongwe\'vebeendownhere,Tom?Webetterstartback.\"
\"Yes,Ireckonwebetter.P\'rapswebetter.\"
\"Canyoufindtheway,Tom?It\'sallamixed-upcrookednesstome.\"
\"IreckonIcouldfindit——butthenthebats.Iftheyputourcandlesoutitwillbeanawfulfix.Let\'strysomeotherway,soasnottogothroughthere.\"
\"Well.ButIhopewewon\'tgetlost.Itwouldbesoawful!\"andthegirlshudderedatthethoughtofthedreadfulpossibilities.
Theystartedthroughacorridor,andtraverseditinsilencealongway,glancingateachnewopening,toseeiftherewasanythingfamiliaraboutthelookofit;buttheywereallstrange.EverytimeTommadeanexamination,Beckywouldwatchhisfaceforanencouragingsign,andhewouldsaycheerily:
\"Oh,it\'sallright.Thisain\'ttheone,butwe\'llcometoitrightaway!\"
Buthefeltlessandlesshopefulwitheachfailure,andpresentlybegantoturnoffintodivergingavenuesatsheerrandom,indesperatehopeoffindingtheonethatwaswanted.Hestillsaiditwas\"allright,\"buttherewassuchaleadendreadathisheartthatthewordshadlosttheirringandsoundedjustasifhehadsaid,\"Allislost!\"Beckyclungtohissideinananguishoffear,andtriedhardtokeepbackthetears,buttheywouldcome.Atlastshesaid:
\"Oh,Tom,nevermindthebats,let\'sgobackthatway!Weseemtogetworseandworseoffallthetime.\"
\"Listen!\"saidhe.
Profoundsilence;silencesodeepthateventheirbreathingswereconspicuousinthehush.Tomshouted.Thecallwentechoingdowntheemptyaislesanddiedoutinthedistanceinafaintsoundthatresembledarippleofmockinglaughter.
\"Oh,don\'tdoitagain,Tom,itistoohorrid,\"saidBecky.
\"Itishorrid,butIbetter,Becky;theymighthearus,youknow,\"andheshoutedagain.
The\"might\"wasevenachillierhorrorthantheghostlylaughter,itsoconfessedaperishinghope.Thechildrenstoodstillandlistened;buttherewasnoresult.Tomturneduponthebacktrackatonce,andhurriedhissteps.ItwasbutalittlewhilebeforeacertainindecisioninhismannerrevealedanotherfearfulfacttoBecky——hecouldnotfindhiswayback!
\"Oh,Tom,youdidn\'tmakeanymarks!\"
\"Becky,Iwassuchafool!Suchafool!Ineverthoughtwemightwanttocomeback!No——Ican\'tfindtheway.It\'sallmixedup.\"
\"Tom,Tom,we\'relost!we\'relost!Wenevercangetoutofthisawfulplace!Oh,whyDIDweeverleavetheothers!\"
ShesanktothegroundandburstintosuchafrenzyofcryingthatTomwasappalledwiththeideathatshemightdie,orloseherreason.Hesatdownbyherandputhisarmsaroundher;sheburiedherfaceinhisbosom,sheclungtohim,shepouredoutherterrors,herunavailingregrets,andthefarechoesturnedthemalltojeeringlaughter.Tombeggedhertopluckuphopeagain,andshesaidshecouldnot.Hefelltoblamingandabusinghimselfforgettingherintothismiserablesituation;thishadabettereffect.Shesaidshewouldtrytohopeagain,shewouldgetupandfollowwhereverhemightleadifonlyhewouldnottalklikethatanymore.Forhewasnomoretoblamethanshe,shesaid.
Sotheymovedonagain——aimlessly——simplyatrandom——alltheycoulddowastomove,keepmoving.Foralittlewhile,hopemadeashowofreviving——notwithanyreasontobackit,butonlybecauseitisitsnaturetorevivewhenthespringhasnotbeentakenoutofitbyageandfamiliaritywithfailure.
By-and-byTomtookBecky\'scandleandblewitout.Thiseconomymeantsomuch!Wordswerenotneeded.Beckyunderstood,andherhopediedagain.SheknewthatTomhadawholecandleandthreeorfourpiecesinhispockets——yethemusteconomize.
By-and-by,fatiguebegantoassertitsclaims;thechildrentriedtopayattention,foritwasdreadfultothinkofsittingdownwhentimewasgrowntobesoprecious,moving,insomedirection,inanydirection,wasatleastprogressandmightbearfruit;buttositdownwastoinvitedeathandshortenitspursuit.
AtlastBecky\'sfraillimbsrefusedtocarryherfarther.Shesatdown.Tomrestedwithher,andtheytalkedofhome,andthefriendsthere,andthecomfortablebedsand,aboveall,thelight!Beckycried,andTomtriedtothinkofsomewayofcomfortingher,butallhisencouragementsweregrownthreadbarewithuse,andsoundedlikesarcasms.FatigueboresoheavilyuponBeckythatshedrowsedofftosleep.Tomwasgrateful.Hesatlookingintoherdrawnfaceandsawitgrowsmoothandnaturalundertheinfluenceofpleasantdreams;andby-and-byasmiledawnedandrestedthere.Thepeacefulfacereflectedsomewhatofpeaceandhealingintohisownspirit,andhisthoughtswanderedawaytobygonetimesanddreamymemories.Whilehewasdeepinhismusings,Beckywokeupwithabreezylittlelaugh——butitwasstrickendeaduponherlips,andagroanfollowedit.
\"Oh,howcould!Isleep!IwishInever,neverhadwaked!No!No,Idon\'t,Tom!Don\'tlookso!Iwon\'tsayitagain.\"
\"I\'mgladyou\'veslept,Becky;you\'llfeelrested,now,andwe\'llfindthewayout.\"
\"Wecantry,Tom;butI\'veseensuchabeautifulcountryinmydream.Ireckonwearegoingthere.\"
\"Maybenot,maybenot.Cheerup,Becky,andlet\'sgoontrying.\"
Theyroseupandwanderedalong,handinhandandhopeless.Theytriedtoestimatehowlongtheyhadbeeninthecave,butalltheyknewwasthatitseemeddaysandweeks,andyetitwasplainthatthiscouldnotbe,fortheircandleswerenotgoneyet.Alongtimeafterthis——theycouldnottellhowlong——Tomsaidtheymustgosoftlyandlistenfordrippingwater——theymustfindaspring.Theyfoundonepresently,andTomsaiditwastimetorestagain.Bothwerecruellytired,yetBeckysaidshethoughtshecouldgoalittlefarther.ShewassurprisedtohearTomdissent.Shecouldnotunderstandit.Theysatdown,andTomfastenedhiscandletothewallinfrontofthemwithsomeclay.Thoughtwassoonbusy;nothingwassaidforsometime.ThenBeckybrokethesilence:
\"Tom,Iamsohungry!\"
Tomtooksomethingoutofhispocket.
\"Doyourememberthis?\"saidhe.
Beckyalmostsmiled.