\"It\'sourwedding-cake,Tom.\"
\"Yes——Iwishitwasasbigasabarrel,forit\'sallwe\'vegot.\"
\"Isaveditfromthepicnicforustodreamon,Tom,thewaygrown-uppeopledowithwedding-cake——butit\'llbeour——\"
Shedroppedthesentencewhereitwas.TomdividedthecakeandBeckyatewithgoodappetite,whileTomnibbledathismoiety.Therewasabundanceofcoldwatertofinishthefeastwith.By-and-byBeckysuggestedthattheymoveonagain.Tomwassilentamoment.Thenhesaid:
\"Becky,canyoubearitifItellyousomething?\"
Becky\'sfacepaled,butshethoughtshecould.
\"Well,then,Becky,wemuststayhere,wherethere\'swatertodrink.Thatlittlepieceisourlastcandle!\"
Beckygaveloosetotearsandwailings.Tomdidwhathecouldtocomforther,butwithlittleeffect.AtlengthBeckysaid:
\"Tom!\"
\"Well,Becky?\"
\"They\'llmissusandhuntforus!\"
\"Yes,theywill!Certainlytheywill!\"
\"Maybethey\'rehuntingforusnow,Tom.\"
\"Why,Ireckonmaybetheyare.Ihopetheyare.\"
\"Whenwouldtheymissus,Tom?\"
\"Whentheygetbacktotheboat,Ireckon.\"
\"Tom,itmightbedarkthen——wouldtheynoticewehadn\'tcome?\"
\"Idon\'tknow.Butanyway,yourmotherwouldmissyouassoonastheygothome.\"
AfrightenedlookinBecky\'sfacebroughtTomtohissensesandhesawthathehadmadeablunder.Beckywasnottohavegonehomethatnight!Thechildrenbecamesilentandthoughtful.InamomentanewburstofgrieffromBeckyshowedTomthatthethinginhismindhadstruckhersalso——thattheSabbathmorningmightbehalfspentbeforeMrs.ThatcherdiscoveredthatBeckywasnotatMrs.Harper\'s.
Thechildrenfastenedtheireyesupontheirbitofcandleandwatcheditmeltslowlyandpitilesslyaway;sawthehalfinchofwickstandaloneatlast;sawthefeebleflameriseandfall,climbthethincolumnofsmoke,lingeratitstopamoment,andthen——thehorrorofutterdarknessreigned!
HowlongafterwarditwasthatBeckycametoaslowconsciousnessthatshewascryinginTom\'sarms,neithercouldtell.Allthattheyknewwas,thatafterwhatseemedamightystretchoftime,bothawokeoutofadeadstuporofsleepandresumedtheirmiseriesoncemore.TomsaiditmightbeSunday,now——maybeMonday.HetriedtogetBeckytotalk,buthersorrowsweretoooppressive,allherhopesweregone.Tomsaidthattheymusthavebeenmissedlongago,andnodoubtthesearchwasgoingon.Hewouldshoutandmaybesomeonewouldcome.Hetriedit;butinthedarknessthedistantechoessoundedsohideouslythathetrieditnomore.
Thehourswastedaway,andhungercametotormentthecaptivesagain.AportionofTom\'shalfofthecakewasleft;theydividedandateit.Buttheyseemedhungrierthanbefore.Thepoormorseloffoodonlywhetteddesire.
By-and-byTomsaid:
\"Sh!Didyouhearthat?\"
Bothheldtheirbreathandlistened.Therewasasoundlikethefaintest,far-offshout.InstantlyTomansweredit,andleadingBeckybythehand,startedgropingdownthecorridorinitsdirection.Presentlyhelistenedagain;againthesoundwasheard,andapparentlyalittlenearer.
\"It\'sthem!\"saidTom;\"they\'recoming!Comealong,Becky——we\'reallrightnow!\"
Thejoyoftheprisonerswasalmostoverwhelming.Theirspeedwasslow,however,becausepitfallsweresomewhatcommon,andhadtobeguardedagainst.Theyshortlycametooneandhadtostop.Itmightbethreefeetdeep,itmightbeahundred——therewasnopassingitatanyrate.Tomgotdownonhisbreastandreachedasfardownashecould.Nobottom.Theymuststaythereandwaituntilthesearcherscame.Theylistened;evidentlythedistantshoutingsweregrowingmoredistant!amomentortwomoreandtheyhadgonealtogether.Theheart-sinkingmiseryofit!Tomwhoopeduntilhewashoarse,butitwasofnouse.HetalkedhopefullytoBecky;butanageofanxiouswaitingpassedandnosoundscameagain.
Thechildrengropedtheirwaybacktothespring.Thewearytimedraggedon;theysleptagain,andawokefamishedandwoe-stricken.TombelieveditmustbeTuesdaybythistime.
Nowanideastruckhim.Thereweresomesidepassagesnearathand.Itwouldbebettertoexploresomeofthesethanbeartheweightoftheheavytimeinidleness.Hetookakite-linefromhispocket,tiedittoaprojection,andheandBeckystarted,Tominthelead,unwindingthelineashegropedalong.Attheendoftwentystepsthecorridorendedina\"jumping-offplace.\"Tomgotdownonhiskneesandfeltbelow,andthenasfararoundthecornerashecouldreachwithhishandsconveniently;hemadeanefforttostretchyetalittlefarthertotheright,andatthatmoment,nottwentyyardsaway,ahumanhand,holdingacandle,appearedfrombehindarock!Tomliftedupagloriousshout,andinstantlythathandwasfollowedbythebodyitbelongedto——InjunJoe\'s!Tomwasparalyzed;hecouldnotmove.Hewasvastlygratifiedthenextmoment,toseethe\"Spaniard\"taketohisheelsandgethimselfoutofsight.TomwonderedthatJoehadnotrecognizedhisvoiceandcomeoverandkilledhimfortestifyingincourt.Buttheechoesmusthavedisguisedthevoice.Withoutdoubt,thatwasit,hereasoned.Tom\'sfrightweakenedeverymuscleinhisbody.Hesaidtohimselfthatifhehadstrengthenoughtogetbacktothespringhewouldstaythere,andnothingshouldtempthimtoruntheriskofmeetingInjunJoeagain.HewascarefultokeepfromBeckywhatitwashehadseen.Hetoldherhehadonlyshouted\"forluck.\"
Buthungerandwretchednessrisesuperiortofearsinthelongrun.Anothertediouswaitatthespringandanotherlongsleepbroughtchanges.Thechildrenawoketorturedwitharaginghunger.TombelievedthatitmustbeWednesdayorThursdayorevenFridayorSaturday,now,andthatthesearchhadbeengivenover.Heproposedtoexploreanotherpassage.HefeltwillingtoriskInjunJoeandallotherterrors.ButBeckywasveryweak.Shehadsunkintoadrearyapathyandwouldnotberoused.Shesaidshewouldwait,now,whereshewas,anddie——itwouldnotbelong.ShetoldTomtogowiththekite-lineandexploreifhechose;butsheimploredhimtocomebackeverylittlewhileandspeaktoher;andshemadehimpromisethatwhentheawfultimecame,hewouldstaybyherandholdherhanduntilallwasover.
Tomkissedher,withachokingsensationinhisthroat,andmadeashowofbeingconfidentoffindingthesearchersoranescapefromthecave;thenhetookthekite-lineinhishandandwentgropingdownoneofthepassagesonhishandsandknees,distressedwithhungerandsickwithbodingsofcomingdoom.
CHAPTERXXXII
TUESDAYafternooncame,andwanedtothetwilight.ThevillageofSt.Petersburgstillmourned.Thelostchildrenhadnotbeenfound.Publicprayershadbeenofferedupforthem,andmanyandmanyaprivateprayerthathadthepetitioner\'swholeheartinit;butstillnogoodnewscamefromthecave.Themajorityofthesearchershadgivenupthequestandgonebacktotheirdailyavocations,sayingthatitwasplainthechildrencouldneverbefound.Mrs.Thatcherwasveryill,andagreatpartofthetimedelirious.Peoplesaiditwasheartbreakingtohearhercallherchild,andraiseherheadandlistenawholeminuteatatime,thenlayitwearilydownagainwithamoan.AuntPollyhaddroopedintoasettledmelancholy,andhergrayhairhadgrownalmostwhite.ThevillagewenttoitsrestonTuesdaynight,sadandforlorn.
Awayinthemiddleofthenightawildpealburstfromthevillagebells,andinamomentthestreetswereswarmingwithfrantichalf-cladpeople,whoshouted,\"Turnout!turnout!they\'refound!they\'refound!\"Tinpansandhornswereaddedtothedin,thepopulationmasseditselfandmovedtowardtheriver,metthechildrencominginanopencarriagedrawnbyshoutingcitizens,throngedaroundit,joineditshomewardmarch,andsweptmagnificentlyupthemainstreetroaringhuzzahafterhuzzah!
Thevillagewasilluminated;nobodywenttobedagain;itwasthegreatestnightthelittletownhadeverseen.Duringthefirsthalf-houraprocessionofvillagersfiledthroughJudgeThatcher\'shouse,seizedthesavedonesandkissedthem,squeezedMrs.Thatcher\'shand,triedtospeakbutcouldn\'t——anddriftedoutrainingtearsallovertheplace.
AuntPolly\'shappinesswascomplete,andMrs.Thatcher\'snearlyso.Itwouldbecomplete,however,assoonasthemessengerdispatchedwiththegreatnewstothecaveshouldgetthewordtoherhusband.Tomlayuponasofawithaneagerauditoryabouthimandtoldthehistoryofthewonderfuladventure,puttinginmanystrikingadditionstoadornitwithal;andclosedwithadescriptionofhowheleftBeckyandwentonanexploringexpedition;howhefollowedtwoavenuesasfarashiskite-linewouldreach;howhefollowedathirdtothefulleststretchofthekite-line,andwasabouttoturnbackwhenheglimpsedafar-offspeckthatlookedlikedaylight;droppedthelineandgropedtowardit,pushedhisheadandshouldersthroughasmallhole,andsawthebroadMississippirollingby!Andifithadonlyhappenedtobenighthewouldnothaveseenthatspeckofdaylightandwouldnothaveexploredthatpassageanymore!HetoldhowhewentbackforBeckyandbrokethegoodnewsandshetoldhimnottofretherwithsuchstuff,forshewastired,andknewshewasgoingtodie,andwantedto.Hedescribedhowhelaboredwithherandconvincedher;andhowshealmostdiedforjoywhenshehadgropedtowheresheactuallysawthebluespeckofdaylight;howhepushedhiswayoutattheholeandthenhelpedherout;howtheysatthereandcriedforgladness;howsomemencamealonginaskiffandTomhailedthemandtoldthemtheirsituationandtheirfamishedcondition;howthemendidn\'tbelievethewildtaleatfirst,\"because,\"saidthey,\"youarefivemilesdowntheriverbelowthevalleythecaveisin\"——thentookthemaboard,rowedtoahouse,gavethemsupper,madethemresttilltwoorthreehoursafterdarkandthenbroughtthemhome.
Beforeday-dawn,JudgeThatcherandthehandfulofsearcherswithhimweretrackedout,inthecave,bythetwineclewstheyhadstrungbehindthem,andinformedofthegreatnews.
Threedaysandnightsoftoilandhungerinthecavewerenottobeshakenoffatonce,asTomandBeckysoondiscovered.TheywerebedriddenallofWednesdayandThursday,andseemedtogrowmoreandmoretiredandworn,allthetime.Tomgotabout,alittle,onThursday,wasdown-townFriday,andnearlyaswholeaseverSaturday;butBeckydidnotleaveherroomuntilSunday,andthenshelookedasifshehadpassedthroughawastingillness.
TomlearnedofHuck\'ssicknessandwenttoseehimonFriday,butcouldnotbeadmittedtothebedroom;neithercouldheonSaturdayorSunday.Hewasadmitteddailyafterthat,butwaswarnedtokeepstillabouthisadventureandintroducenoexcitingtopic.TheWidowDouglasstayedbytoseethatheobeyed.AthomeTomlearnedoftheCardiffHillevent;alsothatthe\"raggedman\'s\"bodyhadeventuallybeenfoundintheriverneartheferrylanding;hehadbeendrownedwhiletryingtoescape,perhaps.
AboutafortnightafterTom\'srescuefromthecave,hestartedofftovisitHuck,whohadgrownplentystrongenough,now,tohearexcitingtalk,andTomhadsomethatwouldinteresthim,hethought.JudgeThatcher\'shousewasonTom\'sway,andhestoppedtoseeBecky.TheJudgeandsomefriendssetTomtotalking,andsomeoneaskedhimironicallyifhewouldn\'tliketogotothecaveagain.Tomsaidhethoughthewouldn\'tmindit.TheJudgesaid:
\"Well,thereareothersjustlikeyou,Tom,I\'venottheleastdoubt.Butwehavetakencareofthat.Nobodywillgetlostinthatcaveanymore.\"
\"Why?\"
\"BecauseIhaditsbigdoorsheathedwithboilerirontwoweeksago,andtriple-locked——andI\'vegotthekeys.\"
Tomturnedaswhiteasasheet.
\"What\'sthematter,boy!Here,run,somebody!Fetchaglassofwater!\"
ThewaterwasbroughtandthrownintoTom\'sface.
\"Ah,nowyou\'reallright.Whatwasthematterwithyou,Tom?\"
\"Oh,Judge,InjunJoe\'sinthecave!\"
CHAPTERXXXIII
WITHINafewminutesthenewshadspread,andadozenskiff-loadsofmenwereontheirwaytoMcDougal\'scave,andtheferry-boat,wellfilledwithpassengers,soonfollowed.TomSawyerwasintheskiffthatboreJudgeThatcher.
Whenthecavedoorwasunlocked,asorrowfulsightpresenteditselfinthedimtwilightoftheplace.InjunJoelaystretchedupontheground,dead,withhisfaceclosetothecrackofthedoor,asifhislongingeyeshadbeenfixed,tothelatestmoment,uponthelightandthecheerofthefreeworldoutside.Tomwastouched,forheknewbyhisownexperiencehowthiswretchhadsuffered.Hispitywasmoved,butneverthelesshefeltanaboundingsenseofreliefandsecurity,now,whichrevealedtohiminadegreewhichhehadnotfullyappreciatedbeforehowvastaweightofdreadhadbeenlyinguponhimsincethedayheliftedhisvoiceagainstthisbloody-mindedoutcast.
InjunJoe\'sbowie-knifelaycloseby,itsbladebrokenintwo.Thegreatfoundation-beamofthedoorhadbeenchippedandhackedthrough,withtediouslabor;uselesslabor,too,itwas,forthenativerockformedasilloutsideit,anduponthatstubbornmaterialtheknifehadwroughtnoeffect;theonlydamagedonewastotheknifeitself.Butiftherehadbeennostonyobstructiontherethelaborwouldhavebeenuselessstill,forifthebeamhadbeenwhollycutawayInjunJoecouldnothavesqueezedhisbodyunderthedoor,andheknewit.Sohehadonlyhackedthatplaceinordertobedoingsomething——inordertopassthewearytime——inordertoemployhistorturedfaculties.Ordinarilyonecouldfindhalfadozenbitsofcandlestuckaroundinthecrevicesofthisvestibule,lefttherebytourists;buttherewerenonenow.Theprisonerhadsearchedthemoutandeatenthem.Hehadalsocontrivedtocatchafewbats,andthese,also,hehadeaten,leavingonlytheirclaws.Thepoorunfortunatehadstarvedtodeath.Inoneplace,nearathand,astalagmitehadbeenslowlygrowingupfromthegroundforages,buildedbythewater-dripfromastalactiteoverhead.Thecaptivehadbrokenoffthestalagmite,anduponthestumphadplacedastone,whereinhehadscoopedashallowhollowtocatchthepreciousdropthatfellonceineverythreeminuteswiththedrearyregularityofaclock-tick——adessertspoonfulonceinfourandtwentyhours.ThatdropwasfallingwhenthePyramidswerenew;whenTroyfell;whenthefoundationsofRomewerelaidwhenChristwascrucified;whentheConquerorcreatedtheBritishempire;whenColumbussailed;whenthemassacreatLexingtonwas\"news.\"Itisfallingnow;itwillstillbefallingwhenallthesethingsshallhavesunkdowntheafternoonofhistory,andthetwilightoftradition,andbeenswallowedupinthethicknightofoblivion.Haseverythingapurposeandamission?Didthisdropfallpatientlyduringfivethousandyearstobereadyforthisflittinghumaninsect\'sneed?andhasitanotherimportantobjecttoaccomplishtenthousandyearstocome?Nomatter.Itismanyandmanyayearsincethehaplesshalf-breedscoopedoutthestonetocatchthepricelessdrops,buttothisdaythetouriststareslongestatthatpatheticstoneandthatslow-droppingwaterwhenhecomestoseethewondersofMcDougal\'scave.InjunJoe\'scupstandsfirstinthelistofthecavern\'smarvels;even\"Aladdin\'sPalace\"cannotrivalit.
InjunJoewasburiednearthemouthofthecave;andpeopleflockedthereinboatsandwagonsfromthetownsandfromallthefarmsandhamletsforsevenmilesaround;theybroughttheirchildren,andallsortsofprovisions,andconfessedthattheyhadhadalmostassatisfactoryatimeatthefuneralastheycouldhavehadatthehanging.
Thisfuneralstoppedthefurthergrowthofonething——thepetitiontothegovernorforInjunJoe\'spardon.Thepetitionhadbeenlargelysigned;manytearfulandeloquentmeetingshadbeenheld,andacommitteeofsappywomenbeenappointedtogoindeepmourningandwailaroundthegovernor,andimplorehimtobeamercifulassandtramplehisdutyunderfoot.InjunJoewasbelievedtohavekilledfivecitizensofthevillage,butwhatofthat?IfhehadbeenSatanhimselftherewouldhavebeenplentyofweaklingsreadytoscribbletheirnamestoapardon-petition,anddripatearonitfromtheirpermanentlyimpairedandleakywater-works.
ThemorningafterthefuneralTomtookHucktoaprivateplacetohaveanimportanttalk.HuckhadlearnedallaboutTom\'sadventurefromtheWelshmanandtheWidowDouglas,bythistime,butTomsaidhereckonedtherewasonethingtheyhadnottoldhim;thatthingwaswhathewantedtotalkaboutnow.Huck\'sfacesaddened.Hesaid:
\"Iknowwhatitis.YougotintoNo.2andneverfoundanythingbutwhiskey.Nobodytoldmeitwasyou;butIjustknoweditmust\'a\'benyou,soonasIheard\'boutthatwhiskeybusiness;andIknowedyouhadn\'tgotthemoneybecuzyou\'d\'a\'gotatmesomewayorotherandtoldmeevenifyouwasmumtoeverybodyelse.Tom,something\'salwaystoldmewe\'dnevergetholtofthatswag.\"
\"Why,Huck,Inevertoldonthattavern-keeper.YOUknowhistavernwasallrighttheSaturdayIwenttothepicnic.Don\'tyourememberyouwastowatchtherethatnight?\"
\"Ohyes!Why,itseems\'boutayearago.ItwasthatverynightthatIfolleredInjunJoetothewidder\'s.\"
\"YOUfollowedhim?\"
\"Yes——butyoukeepmum.IreckonInjunJoe\'sleftfriendsbehindhim,andIdon\'twant\'emsouringonmeanddoingmemeantricks.Ifithadn\'tbenformehe\'dbedowninTexasnow,allright.\"
ThenHucktoldhisentireadventureinconfidencetoTom,whohadonlyheardoftheWelshman\'spartofitbefore.
\"Well,\"saidHuck,presently,comingbacktothemainquestion,\"whoevernippedthewhiskeyinNo.2,nippedthemoney,too,Ireckon——anywaysit\'sagonerforus,Tom.\"
\"Huck,thatmoneywasn\'teverinNo.2!\"
\"What!\"Hucksearchedhiscomrade\'sfacekeenly.\"Tom,haveyougotonthetrackofthatmoneyagain?\"
\"Huck,it\'sinthecave!\"
Huck\'seyesblazed.
\"Sayitagain,Tom.\"
\"Themoney\'sinthecave!\"
\"Tom——honestinjun,now——isitfun,orearnest?\"
\"Earnest,Huck——justasearnestaseverIwasinmylife.Willyougointherewithmeandhelpgetitout?\"
\"IbetIwill!Iwillifit\'swherewecanblazeourwaytoitandnotgetlost.\"
\"Huck,wecandothatwithouttheleastlittlebitoftroubleintheworld.\"
\"Goodaswheat!Whatmakesyouthinkthemoney\'s——\"
\"Huck,youjustwaittillwegetinthere.Ifwedon\'tfinditI\'llagreetogiveyoumydrumandeverythingI\'vegotintheworld.Iwill,byjings.\"
\"Allright——it\'sawhiz.Whendoyousay?\"
\"Rightnow,ifyousayit.Areyoustrongenough?\"
\"Isitfarinthecave?Ibenonmypinsalittle,threeorfourdays,now,butIcan\'twalkmore\'namile,Tom——leastIdon\'tthinkIcould.\"
\"It\'saboutfivemileintotherethewayanybodybutmewouldgo,Huck,butthere\'samightyshortcutthattheydon\'tanybodybutmeknowabout.Huck,I\'lltakeyourighttoitinaskiff.I\'llfloattheskiffdownthere,andI\'llpullitbackagainallbymyself.Youneedn\'teverturnyourhandover.\"
\"Lessstartrightoff,Tom.\"
\"Allright.Wewantsomebreadandmeat,andourpipes,andalittlebagortwo,andtwoorthreekite-strings,andsomeofthesenew-fangledthingstheycalllucifermatches.Itellyou,many\'sthetimeIwishedIhadsomewhenIwasintherebefore.\"
Atrifleafternoontheboysborrowedasmallskifffromacitizenwhowasabsent,andgotunderwayatonce.Whentheywereseveralmilesbelow\"CaveHollow,\"Tomsaid:
\"Nowyouseethisbluffherelooksallalikeallthewaydownfromthecavehollow——nohouses,nowoodyards,bushesallalike.Butdoyouseethatwhiteplaceupyonderwherethere\'sbeenalandslide?Well,that\'soneofmymarks.We\'llgetashore,now.\"
Theylanded.
\"Now,Huck,wherewe\'rea-standingyoucouldtouchthatholeIgotoutofwithafishing-pole.Seeifyoucanfindit.\"
Hucksearchedalltheplaceabout,andfoundnothing.Tomproudlymarchedintoathickclumpofsumachbushesandsaid:
\"Hereyouare!Lookatit,Huck;it\'sthesnuggestholeinthiscountry.Youjustkeepmumaboutit.AllalongI\'vebeenwantingtobearobber,butIknewI\'dgottohaveathinglikethis,andwheretorunacrossitwasthebother.We\'vegotitnow,andwe\'llkeepitquiet,onlywe\'llletJoeHarperandBenRogersin——becauseofcoursethere\'sgottobeaGang,orelsetherewouldn\'tbeanystyleaboutit.TomSawyer\'sGang——itsoundssplendid,don\'tit,Huck?\"
\"Well,itjustdoes,Tom.Andwho\'llwerob?\"
\"Oh,mostanybody.Waylaypeople——that\'smostlytheway.\"
\"Andkillthem?\"
\"No,notalways.Hivetheminthecavetilltheyraisearansom.\"
\"What\'saransom?\"
\"Money.Youmakethemraisealltheycan,off\'ntheirfriends;andafteryou\'vekeptthemayear,ifitain\'traisedthenyoukillthem.That\'sthegeneralway.Onlyyoudon\'tkillthewomen.Youshutupthewomen,butyoudon\'tkillthem.They\'realwaysbeautifulandrich,andawfullyscared.Youtaketheirwatchesandthings,butyoualwaystakeyourhatoffandtalkpolite.Theyain\'tanybodyaspoliteasrobbers——you\'llseethatinanybook.Well,thewomengettolovingyou,andafterthey\'vebeeninthecaveaweekortwoweekstheystopcryingandafterthatyoucouldn\'tgetthemtoleave.Ifyoudrovethemoutthey\'dturnrightaroundandcomeback.It\'ssoinallthebooks.\"
\"Why,it\'srealbully,Tom.Ibelieveit\'sbetter\'ntobeapirate.\"
\"Yes,it\'sbetterinsomeways,becauseit\'sclosetohomeandcircusesandallthat.\"
Bythistimeeverythingwasreadyandtheboysenteredthehole,Tominthelead.Theytoiledtheirwaytothefartherendofthetunnel,thenmadetheirsplicedkite-stringsfastandmovedon.Afewstepsbroughtthemtothespring,andTomfeltashudderquiverallthroughhim.HeshowedHuckthefragmentofcandle-wickperchedonalumpofclayagainstthewall,anddescribedhowheandBeckyhadwatchedtheflamestruggleandexpire.
Theboysbegantoquietdowntowhispers,now,forthestillnessandgloomoftheplaceoppressedtheirspirits.Theywenton,andpresentlyenteredandfollowedTom\'sothercorridoruntiltheyreachedthe\"jumping-offplace.\"Thecandlesrevealedthefactthatitwasnotreallyaprecipice,butonlyasteepclayhilltwentyorthirtyfeethigh.Tomwhispered:
\"NowI\'llshowyousomething,Huck.\"
Heheldhiscandlealoftandsaid:
\"Lookasfararoundthecornerasyoucan.Doyouseethat?There——onthebigrockoveryonder——donewithcandle-smoke.\"
\"Tom,it\'sacross!\"
\"NOWwhere\'syourNumberTwo?\'underthecross,\'hey?Rightyonder\'swhereIsawInjunJoepokeuphiscandle,Huck!\"
Huckstaredatthemysticsignawhile,andthensaidwithashakyvoice:
\"Tom,lessgitoutofhere!\"
\"What!andleavethetreasure?\"
\"Yes——leaveit.InjunJoe\'sghostisroundaboutthere,certain.\"
\"Noitain\'t,Huck,noitain\'t.Itwouldha\'nttheplacewherehedied——awayoutatthemouthofthecave——fivemilefromhere.\"
\"No,Tom,itwouldn\'t.Itwouldhangroundthemoney.Iknowthewaysofghosts,andsodoyou.\"
TombegantofearthatHuckwasright.Misgivingsgatheredinhismind.Butpresentlyanideaoccurredtohim——
\"Lookyhere,Huck,whatfoolswe\'remakingofourselves!InjunJoe\'sghostain\'tagoingtocomearoundwherethere\'sacross!\"
Thepointwaswelltaken.Ithaditseffect.
\"Tom,Ididn\'tthinkofthat.Butthat\'sso.It\'sluckforus,thatcrossis.Ireckonwe\'llclimbdownthereandhaveahuntforthatbox.\"
Tomwentfirst,cuttingrudestepsintheclayhillashedescended.Huckfollowed.Fouravenuesopenedoutofthesmallcavernwhichthegreatrockstoodin.Theboysexaminedthreeofthemwithnoresult.Theyfoundasmallrecessintheonenearestthebaseoftherock,withapalletofblanketsspreaddowninit;alsoanoldsuspender,somebaconrind,andthewell-gnawedbonesoftwoorthreefowls.Buttherewasnomoney-box.Theladssearchedandresearchedthisplace,butinvain.Tomsaid:
\"Hesaidunderthecross.Well,thiscomesnearesttobeingunderthecross.Itcan\'tbeundertherockitself,becausethatsetssolidontheground.\"
Theysearchedeverywhereoncemore,andthensatdowndiscouraged.Huckcouldsuggestnothing.By-and-byTomsaid:
\"Lookyhere,Huck,there\'sfootprintsandsomecandle-greaseontheclayaboutonesideofthisrock,butnotontheothersides.Now,what\'sthatfor?IbetyouthemoneyISundertherock.I\'mgoingtodigintheclay.\"
\"Thatain\'tnobadnotion,Tom!\"saidHuckwithanimation.
Tom\'s\"realBarlow\"wasoutatonce,andhehadnotdugfourinchesbeforehestruckwood.
\"Hey,Huck!——youhearthat?\"
Huckbegantodigandscratchnow.Someboardsweresoonuncoveredandremoved.Theyhadconcealedanaturalchasmwhichledundertherock.Tomgotintothisandheldhiscandleasfarundertherockashecould,butsaidhecouldnotseetotheendoftherift.Heproposedtoexplore.Hestoopedandpassedunder;thenarrowwaydescendedgradually.Hefolloweditswindingcourse,firsttotheright,thentotheleft,Huckathisheels.Tomturnedashortcurve,by-and-by,andexclaimed:
\"Mygoodness,Huck,lookyhere!\"
Itwasthetreasure-box,sureenough,occupyingasnuglittlecavern,alongwithanemptypowder-keg,acoupleofgunsinleathercases,twoorthreepairsofoldmoccasins,aleatherbelt,andsomeotherrubbishwellsoakedwiththewater-drip.
\"Gotitatlast!\"saidHuck,ploughingamongthetarnishedcoinswithhishand.\"My,butwe\'rerich,Tom!\"
\"Huck,Ialwaysreckonedwe\'dgetit.It\'sjusttoogoodtobelieve,butwehavegotit,sure!Say——let\'snotfoolaroundhere.Let\'ssnakeitout.LemmeseeifIcanliftthebox.\"
Itweighedaboutfiftypounds.Tomcouldliftit,afteranawkwardfashion,butcouldnotcarryitconveniently.
\"Ithoughtso,\"hesaid;\"Theycarrieditlikeitwasheavy,thatdayattheha\'ntedhouse.Inoticedthat.IreckonIwasrighttothinkoffetchingthelittlebagsalong.\"
Themoneywassooninthebagsandtheboystookituptothecrossrock.
\"Nowlessfetchthegunsandthings,\"saidHuck.
\"No,Huck——leavethemthere.They\'rejustthetrickstohavewhenwegotorobbing.We\'llkeepthemthereallthetime,andwe\'llholdourorgiesthere,too.It\'sanawfulsnugplacefororgies.\"
\"Whatorgies?\"
\"Idono.Butrobbersalwayshaveorgies,andofcoursewe\'vegottohavethem,too.Comealong,Huck,we\'vebeeninherealongtime.It\'sgettinglate,Ireckon.I\'mhungry,too.We\'lleatandsmokewhenwegettotheskiff.\"
Theypresentlyemergedintotheclumpofsumachbushes,lookedwarilyout,foundthecoastclear,andweresoonlunchingandsmokingintheskiff.Asthesundippedtowardthehorizontheypushedoutandgotunderway.Tomskimmeduptheshorethroughthelongtwilight,chattingcheerilywithHuck,andlandedshortlyafterdark.
\"Now,Huck,\"saidTom,\"we\'llhidethemoneyintheloftofthewidow\'swoodshed,andI\'llcomeupinthemorningandwe\'llcountitanddivide,andthenwe\'llhuntupaplaceoutinthewoodsforitwhereitwillbesafe.JustyoulayquiethereandwatchthestufftillIrunandhookBennyTaylor\'slittlewagon;Iwon\'tbegoneaminute.\"
Hedisappeared,andpresentlyreturnedwiththewagon,putthetwosmallsacksintoit,threwsomeoldragsontopofthem,andstartedoff,dragginghiscargobehindhim.WhentheboysreachedtheWelshman\'shouse,theystoppedtorest.Justastheywereabouttomoveon,theWelshmansteppedoutandsaid:
\"Hallo,who\'sthat?\"
\"HuckandTomSawyer.\"
\"Good!Comealongwithme,boys,youarekeepingeverybodywaiting.Here——hurryup,trotahead——I\'llhaulthewagonforyou.Why,it\'snotaslightasitmightbe.Gotbricksinit?——oroldmetal?\"
\"Oldmetal,\"saidTom.
\"Ijudgedso;theboysinthistownwilltakemoretroubleandfoolawaymoretimehuntingupsixbits\'worthofoldirontoselltothefoundrythantheywouldtomaketwicethemoneyatregularwork.Butthat\'shumannature——hurryalong,hurryalong!\"
Theboyswantedtoknowwhatthehurrywasabout.
\"Nevermind;you\'llsee,whenwegettotheWidowDouglas\'.\"
Hucksaidwithsomeapprehension——forhewaslongusedtobeingfalselyaccused:
\"Mr.Jones,wehaven\'tbeendoingnothing.\"
TheWelshmanlaughed.
\"Well,Idon\'tknow,Huck,myboy.Idon\'tknowaboutthat.Ain\'tyouandthewidowgoodfriends?\"
\"Yes.Well,she\'sbengoodfriendstome,anyway.\"
\"Allright,then.Whatdoyouwanttobeafraidfor?\"
ThisquestionwasnotentirelyansweredinHuck\'sslowmindbeforehefoundhimselfpushed,alongwithTom,intoMrs.Douglas\'drawing-room.Mr.Jonesleftthewagonnearthedoorandfollowed.
Theplacewasgrandlylighted,andeverybodythatwasofanyconsequenceinthevillagewasthere.TheThatcherswerethere,theHarpers,theRogerses,AuntPolly,Sid,Mary,theminister,theeditor,andagreatmanymore,andalldressedintheirbest.Thewidowreceivedtheboysasheartilyasanyonecouldwellreceivetwosuchlookingbeings.Theywerecoveredwithclayandcandle-grease.AuntPollyblushedcrimsonwithhumiliation,andfrownedandshookherheadatTom.Nobodysufferedhalfasmuchasthetwoboysdid,however.Mr.Jonessaid:
\"Tomwasn\'tathome,yet,soIgavehimup;butIstumbledonhimandHuckrightatmydoor,andsoIjustbroughtthemalonginahurry.\"
\"Andyoudidjustright,\"saidthewidow.\"Comewithme,boys.\"
Shetookthemtoabedchamberandsaid:
\"Nowwashanddressyourselves.Herearetwonewsuitsofclothes——shirts,socks,everythingcomplete.They\'reHuck\'s——no,nothanks,Huck——Mr.JonesboughtoneandItheother.Butthey\'llfitbothofyou.Getintothem.We\'llwait——comedownwhenyouareslickedupenough.\"
Thensheleft.
CHAPTERXXXIV
HUCKsaid:\"Tom,wecanslope,ifwecanfindarope.Thewindowain\'thighfromtheground.\"
\"Shucks!whatdoyouwanttoslopefor?\"
\"Well,Iain\'tusedtothatkindofacrowd.Ican\'tstandit.Iain\'tgoingdownthere,Tom.\"
\"Oh,bother!Itain\'tanything.Idon\'tminditabit.I\'lltakecareofyou.\"
Sidappeared.
\"Tom,\"saidhe,\"auntiehasbeenwaitingforyoualltheafternoon.MarygotyourSundayclothesready,andeverybody\'sbeenfrettingaboutyou.Say——ain\'tthisgreaseandclay,onyourclothes?\"
\"Now,Mr.Siddy,youjist\'tendtoyourownbusiness.What\'sallthisblow-outabout,anyway?\"
\"It\'soneofthewidow\'spartiesthatshe\'salwayshaving.Thistimeit\'sfortheWelshmanandhissons,onaccountofthatscrapetheyhelpedheroutoftheothernight.Andsay——Icantellyousomething,ifyouwanttoknow.\"
\"Well,what?\"
\"Why,oldMr.Jonesisgoingtotrytospringsomethingonthepeoplehereto-night,butIoverheardhimtellauntieto-dayaboutit,asasecret,butIreckonit\'snotmuchofasecretnow.Everybodyknows——thewidow,too,forallshetriestoletonshedon\'t.Mr.JoneswasboundHuckshouldbehere——couldn\'tgetalongwithhisgrandsecretwithoutHuck,youknow!\"
\"Secretaboutwhat,Sid?\"
\"AboutHucktrackingtherobberstothewidow\'s.IreckonMr.Joneswasgoingtomakeagrandtimeoverhissurprise,butIbetyouitwilldropprettyflat.\"
Sidchuckledinaverycontentedandsatisfiedway.
\"Sid,wasityouthattold?\"
\"Oh,nevermindwhoitwas.Somebodytold——that\'senough.\"
\"Sid,there\'sonlyonepersoninthistownmeanenoughtodothat,andthat\'syou.IfyouhadbeeninHuck\'splaceyou\'d\'a\'sneakeddownthehillandnevertoldanybodyontherobbers.Youcan\'tdoanybutmeanthings,andyoucan\'tbeartoseeanybodypraisedfordoinggoodones.There——nothanks,asthewidowsays\"——andTomcuffedSid\'searsandhelpedhimtothedoorwithseveralkicks.\"Nowgoandtellauntieifyoudare——andto-morrowyou\'llcatchit!\"
Someminuteslaterthewidow\'sguestswereatthesupper-table,andadozenchildrenwereproppedupatlittleside-tablesinthesameroom,afterthefashionofthatcountryandthatday.AtthepropertimeMr.Jonesmadehislittlespeech,inwhichhethankedthewidowforthehonorshewasdoinghimselfandhissons,butsaidthattherewasanotherpersonwhosemodesty——
Andsoforthandsoon.HesprunghissecretaboutHuck\'sshareintheadventureinthefinestdramaticmannerhewasmasterof,butthesurpriseitoccasionedwaslargelycounterfeitandnotasclamorousandeffusiveasitmighthavebeenunderhappiercircumstances.However,thewidowmadeaprettyfairshowofastonishment,andheapedsomanycomplimentsandsomuchgratitudeuponHuckthathealmostforgotthenearlyintolerablediscomfortofhisnewclothesintheentirelyintolerablediscomfortofbeingsetupasatargetforeverybody\'sgazeandeverybody\'slaudations.