AdventuresOfHuckleberryFinn

ByMarkTwain

AdventuresofHuckleberryFinn

CHAPTERI.

YOUdon'tknowaboutmewithoutyouhavereadabookbythenameofTheAdventuresofTomSawyer;butthatain'tnomatter.ThatbookwasmadebyMr.Mark Twain, and he told the truth,mainly. There was things which hestretched,butmainlyhetoldthetruth.Thatisnothing.Ineverseenanybodybut lied one time or another, without it was Aunt Polly, or the widow, ormaybe Mary. Aunt Polly—Tom's Aunt Polly, she is—and Mary, and theWidowDouglas is all told about in that book,which ismostly a true book,withsomestretchers,asIsaidbefore.Nowthewaythatthebookwindsupisthis:Tomandmefoundthemoneythattherobbershidinthecave,anditmadeusrich.Wegotsixthousanddollarsapiece—allgold.Itwasanawfulsightofmoneywhenitwaspiledup.Well,JudgeThatcherhetookitandputitoutatinterest,anditfetchedusadollaradayapieceall theyearround—more thanabodycould tellwhat todowith.TheWidowDouglasshetookmeforherson,andallowedshewouldsivilizeme;butitwasroughlivinginthehouseallthetime,consideringhowdismalregular and decent the widowwas in all her ways; and so when I couldn'tstand it no longer I lit out. I got into my old rags andmy sugar-hogsheadagain,andwasfreeandsatisfied.ButTomSawyerhehuntedmeupandsaid

hewasgoingtostartabandofrobbers,andImightjoinifIwouldgobacktothewidowandberespectable.SoIwentback.Thewidowshecriedoverme,andcalledmeapoorlostlamb,andshecalledmealotofothernames,too,butshenevermeantnoharmbyit.Sheputmeinthemnewclothesagain,andIcouldn'tdonothingbutsweatandsweat,andfeelallcrampedup.Well,then,theoldthingcommencedagain.Thewidowrungabellforsupper,andyouhadtocometotime.Whenyougottothetableyoucouldn'tgorighttoeating,butyouhadtowaitforthewidowtotuckdownherheadandgrumblealittleoverthevictuals,thoughtherewarn'treallyanythingthematterwiththem,—thatis, nothing only everythingwas cookedbyitself.Inabarrelofoddsandendsitisdifferent;thingsgetmixedup,andthejuicekindofswapsaround,andthethingsgobetter.After supper she got out her book and learned me about Moses and theBulrushers,andIwasinasweattofindoutallabouthim;butbyandbysheletitoutthatMoseshadbeendeadaconsiderablelongtime;sothenIdidn'tcarenomoreabouthim,becauseIdon'ttakenostockindeadpeople.Pretty soon I wanted to smoke, and asked the widow to let me. But shewouldn't.Shesaiditwasameanpracticeandwasn'tclean,andImusttrytonotdoitanymore.Thatisjustthewaywithsomepeople.Theygetdownonathingwhentheydon'tknownothingaboutit.Hereshewasa-botheringaboutMoses,whichwasnokintoher,andnousetoanybody,beinggone,yousee,yetfindingapoweroffaultwithmefordoingathingthathadsomegoodinit.And she took snuff, too; of course that was all right, because she done itherself.Hersister,MissWatson,a tolerableslimoldmaid,withgoggleson,hadjustcome to livewith her, and took a set atme nowwith a spelling-book. Sheworkedmemiddling hard for about an hour, and then thewidowmade hereaseup.Icouldn'tstooditmuchlonger.Thenforanhouritwasdeadlydull,and I was fidgety. Miss Watson would say, "Don't put your feet up there,Huckleberry;"and"Don'tscrunchuplikethat,Huckleberry—setupstraight;"andprettysoonshewouldsay,"Don'tgapandstretchlikethat,Huckleberry—whydon'tyoutrytobehave?"Thenshetoldmeallaboutthebadplace,andIsaidIwishedIwasthere.Shegotmadthen,butIdidn'tmeannoharm.AllIwantedwastogosomewheres;allIwantedwasachange,Iwarn'tparticular.She said it waswicked to saywhat I said; said shewouldn't say it for thewhole world; she was going to live so as to go to the good place.Well, Icouldn't see no advantage in goingwhere shewas going, so Imade upmymind Iwouldn't try for it.But I never said so, because itwould onlymaketrouble,andwouldn'tdonogood.Nowshehadgotastart,andshewentonandtoldmeallaboutthegoodplace.Shesaidallabodywouldhavetodotherewastogoaroundalldaylong with

aharpandsing,foreverandever.SoIdidn'tthinkmuchofit.ButIneversaidso.IaskedherifshereckonedTomSawyerwouldgothere,andshesaidnotbyaconsiderablesight.Iwasgladaboutthat,becauseIwantedhimandmetobetogether.MissWatson shekept pecking atme, and it got tiresomeand lonesome.Byandby theyfetched theniggers inandhadprayers,and theneverybodywasofftobed.Iwentuptomyroomwithapieceofcandle,andputitonthetable.Then I set down in a chair by thewindow and tried to think of somethingcheerful,butitwarn'tnouse.IfeltsolonesomeImostwishedIwasdead.Thestarswereshining,andtheleavesrustledinthewoodseversomournful;andIheardanowl,awayoff,who-whooingaboutsomebody thatwasdead,andawhippowillandadogcryingaboutsomebodythatwasgoing todie;and thewindwastryingtowhispersomethingtome,andIcouldn'tmakeoutwhatitwas,andsoitmadethecoldshiversrunoverme.ThenawayoutinthewoodsI heard that kind of a sound that a ghostmakeswhen itwants to tell aboutsomethingthat'sonitsmindandcan'tmakeitselfunderstood,andsocan'tresteasyinitsgrave,andhastogoaboutthatwayeverynightgrieving.Igotsodown-heartedandscaredIdidwishIhadsomecompany.Prettysoonaspiderwentcrawlingupmyshoulder,andIflippeditoffanditlitinthecandle;andbeforeIcouldbudgeitwasallshriveledup.Ididn'tneedanybodytotellmethatthatwasanawfulbadsignandwouldfetchmesomebadluck,soIwasscaredandmostshooktheclothesoffofme.Igotupandturnedaroundinmytracksthreetimesandcrossedmybreasteverytime;andthenItiedupalittlelock of my hair with a thread to keep witches away. But I hadn't noconfidence. You do that when you've lost a horseshoe that you've found,insteadofnailing itupover thedoor,but Ihadn'teverheardanybodysay itwasanywaytokeepoffbadluckwhenyou'dkilledaspider.Isetdownagain,a-shakingallover,andgotoutmypipeforasmoke;forthehousewasallasstillasdeathnow,andsothewidowwouldn'tknow.Well,afteralongtimeIheardtheclockawayoffinthetowngoboom—boom—boom—twelvelicks;andallstillagain—stillerthanever.PrettysoonIheardatwigsnapdowninthedarkamongstthetrees—somethingwasastirring.Isetstillandlistened.DirectlyIcouldjustbarelyheara"me-yow! me-yow!"down there.Thatwasgood!Says I, "me-yow!me-yow!" as soft as I could,andthenIputoutthelightandscrambledoutofthewindowontotheshed.ThenIslippeddowntothegroundandcrawledinamongthetrees,and,sureenough,therewasTomSawyerwaitingforme.

CHAPTERII.

WEwenttiptoeingalongapathamongstthetreesbacktowardstheendofthewidow'sgarden,stoopingdownsoasthebrancheswouldn'tscrapeourheads.WhenwewaspassingbythekitchenIfelloverarootandmadeanoise.Wescrouched down and laid still. Miss Watson's big nigger, named Jim, wassettinginthekitchendoor;wecouldseehimprettyclear,becausetherewasalight behind him. He got up and stretched his neck out about a minute,listening.Thenhesays:"Whodah?"Helistenedsomemore;thenhecometiptoeingdownandstoodrightbetweenus;wecoulda touchedhim,nearly.Well, likely itwasminutesandminutesthattherewarn'tasound,andwealltheresoclosetogether.Therewasaplaceonmyanklethatgottoitching,butIdasn'tscratchit;andthenmyearbeguntoitch;andnextmyback,rightbetweenmyshoulders.SeemedlikeI'ddieifIcouldn't scratch.Well, I've noticed that thing plenty times since. If you arewiththequality,oratafuneral,ortryingtogotosleepwhenyouain'tsleepy—ifyouareanywhereswhereitwon'tdoforyoutoscratch,whyyouwillitchalloverinupwardsofathousandplaces.PrettysoonJimsays:"Say,who isyou?Whar isyou?Dogmycatsef Ididn'hearsumf'n.Well, IknowwhatI'sgwynetodo:I'sgwynetosetdownhereandlistentellIhearsitagin."SohesetdownonthegroundbetwixtmeandTom.Heleanedhisbackupagainstatree,andstretchedhislegsouttilloneofthemmosttouchedoneofmine.Mynosebeguntoitch.Ititchedtillthetearscomeintomyeyes.ButIdasn't scratch. Then it begun to itch on the inside. Next I got to itchingunderneath.Ididn'tknowhowIwasgoingtosetstill.Thismiserablenesswentonasmuchassixorsevenminutes;butitseemedasightlongerthanthat.Iwas itching in eleven different places now. I reckoned I couldn't stand itmore'naminutelonger,butIsetmyteethhardandgotreadytotry.JustthenJimbegun tobreatheheavy; next hebegun to snore—and then Iwasprettysooncomfortableagain.Tomhemade a sign tome—kind of a little noisewith hismouth—andwewentcreepingawayonourhandsandknees.WhenwewastenfootoffTomwhisperedtome,andwantedto tieJimto thetreeforfun.ButIsaidno;hemightwakeandmakeadisturbance,andthenthey'dfindoutIwarn'tin.ThenTomsaidhehadn'tgotcandlesenough,andhewouldslipinthekitchenandgetsomemore.Ididn'twanthimtotry.IsaidJimmightwakeupandcome.ButTomwantedtoreskit;soweslidinthereandgotthreecandles,andTomlaidfivecentsonthetableforpay.Thenwegotout,andIwasinasweattogetaway;butnothingwoulddoTombuthemustcrawltowhereJimwas,onhis hands andknees, andplay somethingonhim. Iwaited, and it seemed agoodwhile,everythingwassostillandlonesome.

AssoonasTomwasbackwecutalongthepath,aroundthegardenfence,andbyandbyfetcheduponthesteeptopofthehilltheothersideofthehouse.TomsaidheslippedJim'shatoffofhisheadandhungitonalimbrightoverhim,andJimstirredalittle,buthedidn'twake.AfterwardsJimsaidthewitchesbewitchedhimandputhiminatrance,androdehimallovertheState,andthensethimunderthetreesagain,andhunghishatonalimbtoshowwhodoneit.AndnexttimeJimtoldithesaidtheyrodehimdowntoNewOrleans;and,afterthat,everytimehetoldithespreaditmoreandmore,tillbyandbyhesaidtheyrodehimallovertheworld,andtiredhimmosttodeath,andhisbackwasalloversaddle-boils.Jimwasmonstrousproudaboutit,andhegotsohewouldn'thardlynoticetheotherniggers.NiggerswouldcomemilestohearJimtellaboutit,andhewasmorelookeduptothananyniggerinthatcountry.Strangeniggerswouldstandwiththeirmouthsopenandlookhimallover,sameasifhewas a wonder. Niggers is always talkingaboutwitches in thedarkby thekitchen fire;butwheneveronewas talkingand lettingon to knowall about such things, Jimwouldhappen in and say,"Hm!Whatyouknow'boutwitches?"andthatniggerwascorkedupandhadtotakeabackseat.Jimalwayskeptthatfive-centerpieceroundhisneckwithastring,andsaiditwasacharmthedevilgivetohimwithhisownhands,andtoldhimhecouldcureanybodywithitandfetchwitcheswheneverhewantedtojustbysayingsomethingto it;buthenever toldwhat itwashesaidtoit.Niggerswould come fromall around there andgive Jimanything theyhad,justforasightofthatfive-centerpiece;buttheywouldn'ttouchit,becausethedevilhadhadhishandsonit.Jimwasmostruinedforaservant,becausehegotstuckuponaccountofhavingseenthedevilandbeenrodebywitches.Well,whenTomandmegottotheedgeofthehilltopwelookedawaydownintothevillageandcouldseethreeorfourlightstwinkling,wheretherewassickfolks,maybe;andthestarsoveruswassparklingeversofine;anddownbythevillagewastheriver,awholemilebroad,andawfulstillandgrand.Wewent down the hill and found JoHarper andBenRogers, and two or threemoreof theboys,hid in theold tanyard.Soweunhitchedaskiffandpulleddowntheriver twomileandahalf, to thebigscaron thehillside,andwentashore.Wewent toaclumpofbushes,andTommadeeverybodyswear tokeep thesecret,andthenshowedthemaholeinthehill,rightinthethickestpartofthebushes.Thenwelit thecandles,andcrawledinonourhandsandknees.Wewentabouttwohundredyards,andthenthecaveopenedup.Tompokedaboutamongst the passages, and pretty soon ducked under a wall where youwouldn'tanoticed that therewasahole.Wewentalonganarrowplaceandgotintoakindofroom,alldampandsweatyandcold,andtherewestopped.Tomsays:

"Now, we'll start this band of robbers and call it Tom Sawyer's Gang.Everybody thatwants to joinhasgot to takeanoath, andwritehisname inblood."Everybodywaswilling.SoTomgotoutasheetofpaperthathehadwrotetheoathon,andreadit.Itsworeeveryboytosticktotheband,andnevertell anyofthesecrets;andifanybodydoneanythingtoanyboyintheband,whicheverboywasorderedtokillthatpersonandhisfamilymustdoit,andhemustn'teat and hemustn't sleep till he had killed them and hacked a cross in theirbreasts,whichwasthesignoftheband.Andnobodythatdidn'tbelongtotheband could use thatmark, and if he did hemust be sued; and if he done itagain hemust be killed.And if anybody that belonged to the band told thesecrets,hemusthavehisthroatcut,andthenhavehiscarcassburntupandtheashesscatteredallaround,andhisnameblottedoffofthelistwithbloodandnevermentionedagainby thegang,buthaveacurseputon itandbeforgotforever.Everybodysaiditwasarealbeautifuloath,andaskedTomifhegotitoutofhis ownhead.He said, some of it, but the restwas out of pirate-books androbber-books,andeverygangthatwashigh-tonedhadit.Somethoughtitwouldbegoodtokillthefamiliesofboysthattoldthesecrets.Tomsaid itwasagood idea, sohe tookapencil andwrote it in.ThenBenRogerssays:"Here'sHuckFinn,hehain'tgotnofamily;whatyougoingtodo'bouthim?""Well,hain'thegotafather?"saysTomSawyer."Yes,he'sgotafather,butyoucan'tneverfindhimthesedays.Heusedtolaydrunkwiththehogsinthetanyard,buthehain'tbeenseeninthesepartsforayearormore."Theytalkeditover,andtheywasgoingtorulemeout,becausetheysaideveryboymust have a family or somebody to kill, or else itwouldn't be fair andsquarefortheothers.Well,nobodycouldthinkofanythingtodo—everybodywasstumped,andsetstill.Iwasmostreadytocry;butallatonceIthoughtofaway, and so I offered themMissWatson—they could kill her. Everybodysaid:"Oh,she'lldo.That'sallright.Huckcancomein."Thentheyallstuckapinintheirfingerstogetbloodtosignwith,andImademymarkonthepaper."Now,"saysBenRogers,"what'sthelineofbusinessofthisGang?""Nothingonlyrobberyandmurder,"Tomsaid."Butwhoarewegoingtorob?—houses,orcattle,or—"

"Stuff! stealing cattle and such things ain't robbery; it's burglary," saysTomSawyer."Weain'tburglars.Thatain'tnosortofstyle.Wearehighwaymen.Westopstagesandcarriagesontheroad,withmaskson,andkillthepeopleandtaketheirwatchesandmoney.""Mustwealwayskillthepeople?""Oh, certainly. It's best. Some authorities think different, but mostly it'sconsideredbesttokillthem—exceptsomethatyoubringtothecavehere,andkeepthemtillthey'reransomed.""Ransomed?What'sthat?""Idon'tknow.Butthat'swhattheydo.I'veseenitinbooks;andsoofcoursethat'swhatwe'vegottodo.""Buthowcanwedoitifwedon'tknowwhatitis?""Why,blameitall,we'vegottodoit.Don'tItellyouit'sinthebooks?Doyouwant to go to doing different from what's in the books, and get things allmuddledup?""Oh, that'sallveryfine tosay,TomSawyer,buthowin thenationare thesefellowsgoingtoberansomedifwedon'tknowhowtodoittothem?—that'sthethingIwanttogetat.Now,whatdoyoureckonitis?""Well, I don't know. But per'aps if we keep them till they're ransomed, itmeansthatwekeepthemtillthey'redead.""Now,that'ssomethinglike.That'llanswer.Whycouldn'tyousaidthatbefore?We'llkeepthemtillthey'reransomedtodeath;andabothersomelotthey'llbe,too—eatingupeverything,andalwaystryingtogetloose.""Howyoutalk,BenRogers.Howcantheygetloosewhenthere'saguardoverthem,readytoshootthemdowniftheymoveapeg?""Aguard!Well,thatisgood.Sosomebody'sgottosetupallnightandnevergetanysleep,justsoastowatchthem.Ithinkthat'sfoolishness.Whycan'tabodytakeaclubandransomthemassoonastheygethere?""Becauseitain'tinthebooksso—that'swhy.Now,BenRogers,doyouwanttodothingsregular,ordon'tyou?—that'stheidea.Don'tyoureckonthatthepeople that made the books knows what's the correct thing to do? Do youreckonyoucanlearn'emanything?Notbyagooddeal.No,sir,we'lljustgoonandransomthemintheregularway.""Allright.Idon'tmind;butIsayit'safoolway,anyhow.Say,dowekillthewomen,too?""Well, Ben Rogers, if I was as ignorant as you I wouldn't let on. Kill thewomen?No;nobodyeversawanythinginthebookslikethat.Youfetchthemtothecave,andyou'realwaysaspoliteaspietothem;andbyandbytheyfall

inlovewithyou,andneverwanttogohomeanymore.""Well,ifthat'sthewayI'magreed,butIdon'ttakenostockinit.Mightysoonwe'll have the cave so cluttered upwithwomen, and fellowswaiting to beransomed,thattherewon'tbenoplacefortherobbers.Butgoahead,Iain'tgotnothingtosay."LittleTommyBarneswasasleepnow,andwhen theywakedhimuphewasscared,andcried,andsaidhewantedtogohometohisma,anddidn'twanttobearobberanymore.Sotheyallmadefunofhim,andcalledhimcry-baby,andthatmadehimmad,andhesaidhewouldgostraightandtellallthesecrets.ButTomgivehimfivecentstokeepquiet,andsaidwewouldallgohomeandmeetnextweek,androbsomebodyandkillsomepeople.BenRogerssaidhecouldn'tgetoutmuch,onlySundays,andsohewantedtobegin next Sunday; but all the boys said it would be wicked to do it onSunday,andthatsettledthething.Theyagreedtogettogetherandfixadayassoon as they could, and then we elected Tom Sawyer first captain and JoHarpersecondcaptainoftheGang,andsostartedhome.Iclumbuptheshedandcreptintomywindowjustbeforedaywasbreaking.Mynewclotheswasallgreasedupandclayey,andIwasdog-tired.

CHAPTERIII.

WELL, I got a good going-over in the morning from oldMissWatson onaccountofmyclothes;butthewidowshedidn'tscold,butonlycleanedoffthegreaseandclay,andlookedsosorrythatIthoughtIwouldbehaveawhileifIcould.ThenMissWatson she tookme in thecloset andprayed,butnothingcomeofit.Shetoldmetoprayeveryday,andwhateverIaskedforIwouldgetit.Butitwarn'tso.Itriedit.OnceIgotafish-line,butnohooks.Itwarn'tanygood tomewithouthooks. I tried for thehooks threeor four times,butsomehowIcouldn'tmakeitwork.Byandby,oneday,IaskedMissWatsontotry forme,but shesaid Iwasa fool.Shenever toldmewhy,and Icouldn'tmakeitoutnoway.Isetdownonetimebackinthewoods,andhadalongthinkaboutit.Isaystomyself,ifabodycangetanythingtheyprayfor,whydon'tDeaconWinngetback themoney he lost on pork?Why can't the widow get back her silversnuffboxthatwasstole?Whycan'tMissWatsonfatup?No,saysItomyself,thereain'tnothinginit.Iwentandtoldthewidowabout it,andshesaidthething a body could get by praying for it was "spiritual gifts." Thiswas toomanyforme,butshetoldmewhatshemeant—Imusthelpotherpeople,and

doeverythingIcouldforotherpeople,andlookoutforthemallthetime,andneverthinkaboutmyself.ThiswasincludingMissWatson,asItookit.Iwentoutinthewoodsandturneditoverinmymindalongtime,butIcouldn'tseeno advantage about it—except for the other people; so at last I reckoned Iwouldn't worry about it anymore, but just let it go. Sometimes thewidowwouldtakemeonesideandtalkaboutProvidenceinawaytomakeabody'smouthwater;butmaybenextdayMissWatsonwouldtakeholdandknockitall down again. I judged I could see that therewas two Providences, and apoorchapwouldstandconsiderableshowwiththewidow'sProvidence,butifMissWatson'sgothimtherewarn'tnohelpforhimanymore.Ithoughtitallout, and reckoned Iwouldbelong to thewidow's ifhewantedme, though Icouldn'tmakeouthowhewasa-goingtobeanybetteroffthenthanwhathewasbefore,seeingIwassoignorant,andsokindoflow-downandornery.Paphehadn'tbeenseenformorethanayear,andthatwascomfortableforme;Ididn'twanttoseehimnomore.Heusedtoalwayswhalemewhenhewassoberandcouldgethishandsonme;thoughIusedtotaketothewoodsmostof the timewhenhewas around.Well, about this timehewas found in theriverdrownded,abouttwelvemileabovetown,sopeoplesaid.Theyjudgeditwashim,anyway;saidthisdrowndedmanwasjusthissize,andwasragged,andhaduncommonlonghair,whichwasalllikepap;buttheycouldn'tmakenothingoutoftheface,becauseithadbeeninthewatersolongitwarn'tmuchlikeafaceatall.Theysaidhewasfloatingonhisbackinthewater.Theytookhim and buried him on the bank. But I warn't comfortable long, because Ihappenedtothinkofsomething.Iknowedmightywellthatadrowndedmandon'tfloatonhisback,butonhisface.SoIknowed,then,thatthiswarn'tpap,butawomandressedupinaman'sclothes.SoIwasuncomfortableagain.Ijudged the old man would turn up again by and by, though I wished hewouldn't.Weplayedrobbernowandthenaboutamonth,andthenIresigned.Alltheboysdid.Wehadn'trobbednobody,hadn'tkilledanypeople,butonlyjustpretended.Weusedtohopoutofthewoodsandgochargingdownonhog-driversandwomenincartstakinggardenstufftomarket,butweneverhivedanyofthem.TomSawyercalledthehogs"ingots,"andhecalledtheturnipsandstuff"julery,"andwewouldgotothecaveandpowwowoverwhatwehaddone,andhowmanypeoplewehadkilledandmarked.ButIcouldn'tseenoprofitinit.OnetimeTomsentaboytorunabouttownwithablazingstick,whichhecalledaslogan(whichwasthesignfortheGangtogettogether),andthenhesaidhehadgotsecretnewsbyhisspiesthatnextdayawholeparcelofSpanishmerchantsandrichA-rabswasgoingtocampinCaveHollowwithtwohundredelephants,andsixhundredcamels,andoverathousand"sumter"mules,allloadeddownwithdi'monds,andtheydidn'thaveonlyaguardoffourhundredsoldiers,andsowewouldlayinambuscade,as

hecalledit,andkillthelotandscoopthethings.Hesaidwemustslickupourswordsandguns,andgetready.Henevercouldgoafterevenaturnip-cartbuthemusthavetheswordsandgunsallscouredupforit,thoughtheywasonlylathandbroomsticks,andyoumightscouratthemtillyourotted,andthentheywarn'tworthamouthfulofashesmorethanwhattheywasbefore.Ididn't believe we could lick such a crowd of Spaniards and A-rabs, but Iwantedtoseethecamelsandelephants,soIwasonhandnextday,Saturday,intheambuscade;andwhenwegotthewordwerushedoutofthewoodsanddownthehill.But therewarn'tnoSpaniardsandA-rabs,andtherewarn'tnocamelsnornoelephants. Itwarn't anythingbut aSunday-school picnic, andonly a primer-class at that.Webusted it up, and chased the children up thehollow;butwenevergotanythingbutsomedoughnutsandjam,thoughBenRogersgotaragdoll,andJoHarpergotahymn-bookandatract;andthentheteacherchargedin,andmadeusdropeverythingandcut.Ididn'tseenodi'monds,andItoldTomSawyerso.Hesaidtherewasloadsofthemthere,anyway;andhesaidtherewasA-rabsthere,too,andelephantsandthings.Isaid,whycouldn'tweseethem,then?HesaidifIwarn'tsoignorant,buthadreadabookcalledDonQuixote,Iwouldknowwithoutasking.Hesaiditwasalldonebyenchantment.Hesaidtherewashundredsofsoldiersthere,andelephantsandtreasure,andsoon,butwehadenemieswhichhecalledmagicians;andtheyhadturnedthewholethingintoaninfantSunday-school,justoutofspite.Isaid,allright;thenthethingforustodowastogoforthemagicians.TomSawyersaidIwasanumskull."Why,"saidhe,"amagiciancouldcallupalotofgenies,andtheywouldhashyouuplikenothingbeforeyoucouldsayJackRobinson.Theyareastallasatreeandasbigaroundasachurch.""Well,"Isays,"s'posewegotsomegeniestohelpus—can'twelicktheothercrowdthen?""Howyougoingtogetthem?""Idon'tknow.Howdotheygetthem?""Why, they rub an old tin lamp or an iron ring, and then the genies cometearing in,with the thunderand lightninga-rippingaroundand thesmokea-rolling,andeverything they're told todo theyupanddo it.Theydon't thinknothingofpullingashot-towerupbytheroots,andbeltingaSunday-schoolsuperintendentovertheheadwithit—oranyotherman.""Whomakesthemteararoundso?""Why,whoever rubs the lampor the ring.Theybelong towhoever rubs thelampor the ring,and they'vegot todowhateverhesays. Ifhe tells them tobuildapalacefortymileslongoutofdi'monds,andfillitfullofchewing-gum,orwhateveryouwant,andfetchanemperor'sdaughterfromChinaforyouto

marry, they've got to do it—and they've got to do it before sun-up nextmorning, too. And more: they've got to waltz that palace around over thecountrywhereveryouwantit,youunderstand.""Well,"saysI,"Ithinktheyareapackofflat-headsfornotkeepingthepalacethemselves 'steadoffoolingthemawaylikethat.Andwhat'smore—ifIwasoneofthemIwouldseeamaninJerichobeforeIwoulddropmybusinessandcometohimfortherubbingofanoldtinlamp.""How you talk, Huck Finn. Why, you'd have to come when he rubbed it,whetheryouwantedtoornot.""What!andIashighasatreeandasbigasachurch?Allright,then;Iwouldcome; but I lay I'd make that man climb the highest tree there was in thecountry.""Shucks, it ain't no use to talk to you,HuckFinn.You don't seem to knowanything,somehow—perfectsaphead."Ithoughtallthisoverfortwoorthreedays,andthenIreckonedIwouldseeiftherewasanythinginit.Igotanoldtinlampandanironring,andwentoutinthewoodsandrubbedandrubbedtillIsweatlikeanInjun,calculatingtobuildapalaceandsell it;but itwarn'tnouse,noneof thegeniescome.So thenIjudgedthatallthatstuffwasonlyjustoneofTomSawyer'slies.IreckonedhebelievedintheA-rabsandtheelephants,butasformeIthinkdifferent.IthadallthemarksofaSunday-school.

CHAPTERIV.

WELL,threeorfourmonthsrunalong,anditwaswellintothewinternow.Ihadbeentoschoolmostallthetimeandcouldspellandreadandwritejustalittle,andcouldsaythemultiplicationtableuptosixtimessevenisthirty-five,andIdon'treckonIcouldevergetanyfurtherthanthatifIwastoliveforever.Idon'ttakenostockinmathematics,anyway.AtfirstIhatedtheschool,butbyandbyIgotsoIcouldstandit.WheneverIgotuncommontiredIplayedhookey,andthehidingIgotnextdaydonemegoodandcheeredmeup.SothelongerIwenttoschooltheeasieritgottobe.Iwasgettingsortofusedtothewidow'sways,too,andtheywarn'tsoraspyon me. Living in a house and sleeping in a bed pulled on me pretty tightmostly,butbeforethecoldweatherIusedtoslideoutandsleepinthewoodssometimes,andsothatwasaresttome.Ilikedtheoldwaysbest,butIwasgettingsoIlikedthenewones,too,alittlebit.ThewidowsaidIwascomingalongslowbutsure,anddoingverysatisfactory.Shesaidshewarn'tashamedofme.

OnemorningIhappenedtoturnoverthesalt-cellaratbreakfast.IreachedforsomeofitasquickasIcouldtothrowovermyleftshoulderandkeepoffthebadluck,butMissWatsonwasinaheadofme,andcrossedmeoff.Shesays,"Takeyourhandsaway,Huckleberry;whatamessyouarealwaysmaking!"Thewidowput inagoodwordforme,but thatwarn'tgoing tokeepoff thebad luck, I knowed that well enough. I started out, after breakfast, feelingworriedandshaky,andwonderingwhereitwasgoingtofallonme,andwhatitwasgoingtobe.Thereiswaystokeepoffsomekindsofbadluck,butthiswasn'toneofthemkind;soInevertriedtodoanything,butjustpokedalonglow-spiritedandonthewatch-out.Iwentdowntothefrontgardenandclumboverthestilewhereyougothroughthehighboard fence.Therewas an inchof new snowon the ground, and Iseensomebody'stracks.Theyhadcomeupfromthequarryandstoodaroundthestileawhile,andthenwentonaroundthegardenfence.Itwasfunnytheyhadn't come in, after standingaround so. I couldn'tmake it out. Itwasverycurious,somehow.Iwasgoingtofollowaround,butIstoopeddowntolookatthe tracks first. I didn't notice anything at first, but next I did. Therewas acrossintheleftboot-heelmadewithbignails,tokeepoffthedevil.Iwasup inasecondandshinningdownthehill. I lookedovermyshouldereverynowandthen,butIdidn'tseenobody.IwasatJudgeThatcher'sasquickasIcouldgetthere.Hesaid:"Why,myboy,youarealloutofbreath.Didyoucomeforyourinterest?""No,sir,"Isays;"istheresomeforme?""Oh,yes,ahalf-yearlyisinlastnight—overahundredandfiftydollars.Quiteafortuneforyou.Youhadbetterletmeinvestitalongwithyoursixthousand,becauseifyoutakeityou'llspendit.""No,sir," Isays,"Idon'twant tospend it. Idon'twant it atall—nor thesixthousand, nuther. I want you to take it; I want to give it to you—the sixthousandandall."Helookedsurprised.Hecouldn'tseemtomakeitout.Hesays:"Why,whatcanyoumean,myboy?"Isays,"Don'tyouaskmenoquestionsaboutit,please.You'll take it—won'tyou?"Hesays:"Well,I'mpuzzled.Issomethingthematter?""Pleasetakeit,"saysI,"anddon'taskmenothing—thenIwon'thavetotellnolies."Hestudiedawhile,andthenhesays:

"Oho-o! I thinkIsee.Youwant tosellallyourproperty tome—notgive it.That'sthecorrectidea."Thenhewrotesomethingonapaperandreaditover,andsays:"There;yousee it says 'foraconsideration.'Thatmeans I havebought it ofyouandpaidyouforit.Here'sadollarforyou.Nowyousignit."SoIsignedit,andleft.MissWatson'snigger,Jim,hadahair-ballasbigasyourfist,whichhadbeentookoutofthefourthstomachofanox,andheusedtodomagicwithit.Hesaidtherewasaspiritinsideofit,anditknowedeverything.SoIwenttohimthatnightandtoldhimpapwashereagain,forIfoundhistracksinthesnow.WhatIwantedtoknowwas,whathewasgoingtodo,andwashegoingtostay?Jimgotouthishair-ballandsaidsomethingoverit,andthenhehelditupanddroppeditonthefloor.Itfellprettysolid, and only rolled about aninch.Jimtrieditagain,andthenanothertime,anditactedjustthesame.Jimgotdownonhisknees,andputhisearagainstitandlistened.Butitwarn'tnouse; he said it wouldn't talk. He said sometimes it wouldn't talk withoutmoney. I told him I had anold slick counterfeit quarter thatwarn't no goodbecause the brass showed through the silver a little, and it wouldn't passnohow,evenifthebrassdidn'tshow,becauseitwassoslickitfeltgreasy,andso thatwould tellon itevery time. (I reckonedIwouldn't saynothingaboutthedollarIgotfromthejudge.)Isaiditwasprettybadmoney,butmaybethehair-ballwould take it, becausemaybe itwouldn't know the difference. Jimsmelt it and bit it and rubbed it, and said hewouldmanage so the hair-ballwouldthinkitwasgood.HesaidhewouldsplitopenarawIrishpotatoandstickthequarterinbetweenandkeepitthereallnight,andnextmorningyoucouldn'tseenobrass,anditwouldn'tfeelgreasynomore,andsoanybodyintownwouldtakeitinaminute,letaloneahair-ball.Well,Iknowedapotatowoulddothatbefore,butIhadforgotit.Jimputthequarterunderthehair-ball,andgotdownandlistenedagain.Thistimehesaidthehair-ballwasallright.HesaiditwouldtellmywholefortuneifIwanteditto.Isays,goon.Sothehair-balltalkedtoJim,andJimtoldittome.Hesays:"Yo' ole father doan' knowyitwhat he's a-gwyne todo.Sometimeshe speche'llgo'way,endenaginhespeche'llstay.Debes'wayistores'easyenletdeolemantakehisownway.Dey'stwoangelshoverin'roun''bouthim.Oneuv'emiswhiteenshiny,ent'otheroneisblack.Dewhiteonegitshimtogorighta littlewhile,dendeblackonesail inenbust it allup.Abodycan't tellyitwhichonegwyne to fetchhimatde las'.Butyou isall right.Yougwyne tohaveconsidabletroubleinyo'life,enconsidablejoy.Sometimesyougwynetogithurt,ensometimesyougwynetogitsick;buteverytimeyou'sgwyneto

gitwellagin.Dey'stwogalsflyin''boutyouinyo'life.Oneuv'em'slightent'otheroneisdark.Oneisrichent'otherispo'.You'sgwynetomarrydepo'one fust en de rich one by en by.Youwants to keep 'way fumdewater asmuch as you kin, en don't run no resk, 'kase it's down in de bills dat you'sgwynetogithung."WhenIlitmycandleandwentuptomyroomthatnighttheresatpaphisownself!

CHAPTERV.

Ihad shut thedoor to.Then I turnedaroundand therehewas. Iused tobescared of him all the time, he tannedme somuch. I reckoned Iwas scarednow,too;butinaminuteIseeIwasmistaken—thatis,afterthefirstjolt,asyoumay say,whenmy breath sort of hitched, he being so unexpected; butrightawayafterIseeIwarn'tscaredofhimworthbothringabout.Hewasmostfifty,andhelookedit.Hishairwaslongandtangledandgreasy,andhungdown,andyoucouldseehiseyesshiningthroughlikehewasbehindvines. Itwas all black, no gray; sowas his long,mixed-upwhiskers. Therewarn't no color in his face, where his face showed; it was white; not likeanotherman'swhite,butawhitetomakeabodysick,awhitetomakeabody'sflesh crawl—a tree-toad white, a fish-belly white. As for his clothes—justrags, thatwasall.Hehadoneankle restingon t'otherknee; thebooton thatfootwasbusted,andtwoofhistoesstuckthrough,andheworkedthemnowand then.Hishatwas layingon the floor—anoldblack slouchwith the topcavedin,likealid.Istooda-lookingathim;hesettherea-lookingatme,withhischairtiltedbackalittle.Isetthecandledown.Inoticedthewindowwasup;sohehadclumbinbytheshed.Hekepta-lookingmeallover.Byandbyhesays:"Starchyclothes—very.Youthinkyou'reagooddealofabig-bug,don'tyou?""MaybeIam,maybeIain't,"Isays."Don'tyougivemenoneo'yourlip,"sayshe."You'veputonconsiderablemanyfrillssinceIbeenaway.I'lltakeyoudownapegbeforeIgetdonewithyou.You'reeducated,too,theysay—canreadandwrite.Youthinkyou'rebetter'nyour father,now,don'tyou,becausehecan't? I'll take it outofyou.Who toldyouyoumightmeddlewithsuchhifalut'n foolishness,hey?—whotoldyouyoucould?""Thewidow.Shetoldme.""Thewidow,hey?—andwhotoldthewidowshecouldputinhershovelabout

athingthatain'tnoneofherbusiness?""Nobodynevertoldher.""Well, I'll learn her how tomeddle.And lookyhere—youdrop that school,youhear?I'lllearnpeopletobringupaboytoputonairsoverhisownfatherandletontobebetter'nwhatheis.Youlemmecatchyoufoolingaroundthatschool again, you hear? Your mother couldn't read, and she couldn't write,nuther,beforeshedied.Noneofthefamilycouldn'tbeforetheydied.Ican't;andhereyou'rea-swellingyourselfup like this. Iain't theman to stand it—youhear?Say,lemmehearyouread."I took up a book and begun something about GeneralWashington and thewars.WhenI'dreadaboutahalfaminute,hefetchedthebookawhackwithhishandandknockeditacrossthehouse.Hesays:"It'sso.Youcandoit.Ihadmydoubtswhenyoutoldme.Nowlookyhere;youstopthatputtingonfrills.Iwon'thaveit.I'lllayforyou,mysmarty;andif I catchyou about that school I'll tan yougood.First youknowyou'll getreligion,too.Ineverseesuchason."Hetookupalittleblueandyallerpictureofsomecowsandaboy,andsays:"What'sthis?""It'ssomethingtheygivemeforlearningmylessonsgood."Hetoreitup,andsays:"I'llgiveyousomethingbetter—I'llgiveyouacowhide."Hesettherea-mumblinganda-growlingaminute,andthenhesays:"Ain'tyouasweet-scenteddandy,though?Abed;andbedclothes;andalook'n'-glass;andapieceofcarpetonthefloor—andyourownfathergottosleepwiththehogsinthetanyard.Ineverseesuchason.IbetI'lltakesomeo'thesefrillsouto'youbeforeI'mdonewithyou.Why,thereain'tnoendtoyourairs—theysayyou'rerich.Hey?—how'sthat?""Theylie—that'show.""Lookyhere—mindhowyoutalktome;I'ma-standingaboutallIcanstandnow—sodon'tgimmenosass.I'vebeenintowntwodays,andIhain'theardnothingbut about youbein' rich. I heard about it away down the river, too.That'swhyIcome.Yougitmethatmoneyto-morrow—Iwantit.""Ihain'tgotnomoney.""It'salie.JudgeThatcher'sgotit.Yougitit.Iwantit.""Ihain'tgotnomoney, I tellyou.YouaskJudgeThatcher;he'll tellyou thesame.""Allright.I'llaskhim;andI'llmakehimpungle,too,orI'llknowthereason

why.Say,howmuchyougotinyourpocket?Iwantit.""Ihain'tgotonlyadollar,andIwantthatto—""Itdon'tmakenodifferencewhatyouwantitfor—youjustshellitout."Hetookitandbitittoseeifitwasgood,andthenhesaidhewasgoingdowntowntogetsomewhisky;saidhehadn'thadadrinkallday.Whenhehadgotouton theshedheputhishead inagain,andcussedmeforputtingonfrillsandtryingtobebetterthanhim;andwhenIreckonedhewasgonehecomebackandputhisheadinagain,andtoldmetomindaboutthatschool,becausehewasgoingtolayformeandlickmeifIdidn'tdropthat.Nextdayhewasdrunk,andhewenttoJudgeThatcher'sandbullyraggedhim,andtriedtomakehimgiveupthemoney;buthecouldn't,andthenhesworehe'dmakethelawforcehim.Thejudgeandthewidowwenttolawtogetthecourttotakemeawayfromhimandletoneofthembemyguardian;butitwasanewjudgethathadjustcome,andhedidn'tknowtheoldman;sohesaidcourtsmustn'tinterfereandseparatefamiliesiftheycouldhelpit;saidhe'ddruthernottakeachildawayfromitsfather.SoJudgeThatcherandthewidowhadtoquitonthebusiness.Thatpleasedtheoldmantillhecouldn't rest.Hesaidhe'dcowhidemetill Iwas black and blue if I didn't raise somemoney for him. I borrowed threedollars from Judge Thatcher, and pap took it and got drunk, and went a-blowingaroundandcussingandwhoopingandcarryingon;andhekeptitupallovertown,withatinpan,tillmostmidnight;thentheyjailedhim,andnextdaytheyhadhimbeforecourt,andjailedhimagainforaweek.Buthesaidhewassatisfied;saidhewasbossofhisson,andhe'dmakeitwarmforhim.Whenhegotoutthenewjudgesaidhewasa-goingtomakeamanofhim.Sohetookhimtohisownhouse,anddressedhimupcleanandnice,andhadhimto breakfast and dinner and supperwith the family, andwas just old pie tohim,sotospeak.Andaftersupperhetalkedtohimabouttemperanceandsuchthings till theoldmancried,andsaidhe'dbeena fool, and fooledawayhislife; but nowhewas a-going to turn over a new leaf and be aman nobodywouldn'tbeashamedof,andhehopedthejudgewouldhelphimandnotlookdownonhim.Thejudgesaidhecouldhughimforthemwords;sohecried,andhiswifeshecriedagain;papsaidhe'dbeenamanthathadalwaysbeenmisunderstoodbefore,andthejudgesaidhebelievedit.Theoldmansaidthatwhatamanwantedthatwasdownwassympathy,andthejudgesaiditwasso;sotheycriedagain.Andwhenitwasbedtimetheoldmanroseupandheldouthishand,andsays:"Lookatit,gentlemenandladiesall;takea-holdofit;shakeit.There'sahandthatwasthehandofahog;butitain'tsonomore;it'sthehandofamanthat'sstartedinonanewlife,and'lldiebeforehe'llgoback.Youmarkthemwords

—don'tforgetIsaidthem.It'sacleanhandnow;shakeit—don'tbeafeard."So theyshook it,oneafter theother,all around,andcried.The judge'swifeshekissedit.Thentheoldmanhesignedapledge—madehismark.Thejudgesaiditwastheholiesttimeonrecord,orsomethinglikethat.Thentheytuckedtheoldmanintoabeautifulroom,whichwasthespareroom,andinthenightsometimehegotpowerfulthirstyandclumboutontotheporch-roofandsliddowna stanchionand tradedhisnewcoat for a jugof forty-rod, andclumbback again and had a good old time; and towards daylight he crawled outagain,drunkasafiddler,androlledofftheporchandbrokehisleftarmintwoplaces,andwasmostfrozetodeathwhensomebodyfoundhimaftersun-up.Andwhen theycome to lookat that spare room theyhad to take soundingsbeforetheycouldnavigateit.Thejudgehefeltkindofsore.Hesaidhereckonedabodycouldreformtheoldmanwithashotgun,maybe,buthedidn'tknownootherway.

CHAPTERVI.

WELL,prettysoon theoldmanwasupandaroundagain,and thenhewentforJudgeThatcherinthecourtstomakehimgiveupthatmoney,andhewentforme, too, for not stopping school. He catchedme a couple of times andthrashedme,butIwenttoschooljustthesame,anddodgedhimoroutrunhimmostofthetime.Ididn'twanttogotoschoolmuchbefore,butIreckonedI'dgonowtospitepap.That lawtrialwasaslowbusiness—appeared like theywarn'tevergoingtogetstartedonit;soeverynowandthenI'dborrowtwoorthreedollarsoffofthejudgeforhim,tokeepfromgettingacowhiding.Everytimehegotmoneyhegotdrunk;andeverytimehegotdrunkheraisedCainaroundtown;andeverytimeheraisedCainhegotjailed.Hewasjustsuited—thiskindofthingwasrightinhisline.Hegot tohangingaround thewidow's toomuchand so she toldhimat lastthatifhedidn'tquitusingaroundthereshewouldmaketroubleforhim.Well,wasn't hemad?He said he would showwhowas Huck Finn's boss. So hewatchedoutformeonedayinthespring,andcatchedme,andtookmeuptheriveraboutthreemileinaskiff,andcrossedovertotheIllinoisshorewhereitwaswoodyandtherewarn'tnohousesbutanoldloghutinaplacewherethetimberwassothickyoucouldn'tfinditifyoudidn'tknowwhereitwas.Hekeptmewithhimallthetime,andInevergotachancetorunoff.Welivedinthatoldcabin,andhealwayslockedthedoorandputthekeyunderhisheadnights.Hehadagunwhichhehadstole,Ireckon,andwefishedandhunted,and thatwaswhatwe livedon.Every littlewhilehe lockedme inandwent

down to the store, three miles, to the ferry, and traded fish and game forwhisky,and fetched ithomeandgotdrunkandhadagood time,and lickedme.ThewidowshefoundoutwhereIwasbyandby,andshesentamanovertotrytogetholdofme;butpapdrovehimoffwiththegun,anditwarn'tlongafter that till I was used to being where I was, and liked it—all but thecowhidepart.It was kind of lazy and jolly, laying off comfortable all day, smoking andfishing, and no books nor study. Two months or more run along, and myclothesgottobeallragsanddirt,andIdidn'tseehowI'devergottolikeitsowellatthewidow's,whereyouhadtowash,andeatonaplate,andcombup,andgo tobedandgetupregular,andbeforeverbotheringoverabook,andhaveoldMissWatsonpeckingatyouallthetime.Ididn'twanttogobacknomore.Ihadstoppedcussing,becausethewidowdidn'tlikeit;butnowItooktoitagainbecausepaphadn'tnoobjections.Itwasprettygoodtimesupinthewoodsthere,takeitallaround.Butbyandbypapgottoohandywithhishick'ry,andIcouldn'tstandit.Iwasalloverwelts.Hegottogoingawaysomuch,too,andlockingmein.Oncehelockedmeinandwasgonethreedays.Itwasdreadfullonesome.Ijudgedhehadgotdrownded,andIwasn'tevergoingtogetoutanymore.Iwasscared.ImadeupmymindIwouldfixupsomewaytoleavethere.Ihadtriedtogetout of that cabin many a time, but I couldn't find no way. There warn't awindow to it big enough for a dog to get through. I couldn't get up thechimbly; it was too narrow. The door was thick, solid oak slabs. Pap wasprettycarefulnottoleaveaknifeoranythinginthecabinwhenhewasaway;IreckonIhadhuntedtheplaceoverasmuchasahundredtimes;well,Iwasmostall the timeat it,because itwasabout theonlywaytoput in the time.ButthistimeIfoundsomethingatlast;Ifoundanoldrustywood-sawwithoutanyhandle; itwas laid inbetweena rafter and the clapboardsof the roof. Igreaseditupandwenttowork.Therewasanoldhorse-blanketnailedagainstthe logs at the far endof the cabinbehind the table, to keep thewind fromblowing through thechinksandputting thecandleout. Igotunder the tableandraisedtheblanket,andwenttoworktosawasectionofthebigbottomlogout—bigenough to letme through.Well, itwas a good long job, but IwasgettingtowardstheendofitwhenIheardpap'sguninthewoods.Igotridofthe signs ofmywork, and dropped the blanket and hidmy saw, and prettysoonpapcomein.Papwarn'tinagoodhumor—sohewashisnaturalself.Hesaidhewasdowntown,andeverythingwasgoingwrong.Hislawyersaidhereckonedhewouldwinhislawsuitandgetthemoneyiftheyevergotstartedonthetrial;butthentherewaswaystoputitoffalongtime,andJudgeThatcherknowedhowtodoit.Andhesaidpeopleallowedthere'dbeanothertrialtogetmeawayfrom

himandgivemetothewidowformyguardian,andtheyguesseditwouldwinthistime.Thisshookmeupconsiderable,becauseIdidn'twanttogobacktothewidow'sanymoreandbesocrampedupandsivilized,as theycalled it.Then the oldman got to cussing, and cussed everything and everybody hecould think of, and then cussed them all over again tomake sure he hadn'tskipped any, and after that he polishedoffwith a kindof a general cuss allround, including a considerable parcel of people which he didn't know thenamesof,andsocalledthemwhat's-his-namewhenhegottothem,andwentrightalongwithhiscussing.Hesaidhewouldliketoseethewidowgetme.Hesaidhewouldwatchout,andiftheytriedtocomeanysuchgameonhimheknowedofaplacesixorsevenmileofftostowmein,wheretheymighthunttilltheydroppedandtheycouldn'tfindme.Thatmademeprettyuneasyagain,butonlyforaminute;IreckonedIwouldn'tstayonhandtillhegotthatchance.Theoldmanmademegototheskiffandfetchthethingshehadgot.Therewasafifty-poundsackofcornmeal,andasideofbacon,ammunition,andafour-gallonjugofwhisky,andanoldbookandtwonewspapersforwadding,besidessometow.Itotedupaload,andwentbackandsetdownonthebowoftheskifftorest.Ithoughtitallover,andIreckonedIwouldwalkoffwiththegun and some lines, and take to the woods when I run away. I guessed Iwouldn'tstayinoneplace,butjusttramprightacrossthecountry,mostlynighttimes,andhuntandfishtokeepalive,andsogetsofarawaythattheoldmannorthewidowcouldn'teverfindmeanymore.IjudgedIwouldsawoutandleavethatnightifpapgotdrunkenough,andIreckonedhewould.IgotsofullofitIdidn'tnoticehowlongIwasstayingtilltheoldmanholleredandaskedmewhetherIwasasleepordrownded.Igot the thingsallup to thecabin,and then itwasaboutdark.While Iwascookingsuppertheoldmantookaswigortwoandgotsortofwarmedup,andwenttorippingagain.Hehadbeendrunkoverintown,andlaidinthegutterallnight,andhewasasighttolookat.AbodywouldathoughthewasAdam—hewas just allmud.Whenever his liquor begun towork hemost alwayswentforthegovment,thistimehesays:"Callthisagovment!why,justlookatitandseewhatit'slike.Here'sthelawa-standingreadytotakeaman'ssonawayfromhim—aman'sownson,whichhehashadall the trouble andall theanxiety andall the expenseof raising.Yes, justas thatmanhasgot thatsonraisedat last,andreadytogotoworkandbegin todosuthin' forhimandgivehimarest, the lawupandgoesforhim.Andtheycallthatgovment!Thatain'tall,nuther.ThelawbacksthatoldJudgeThatcherupandhelpshimtokeepmeouto'myproperty.Here'swhatthelawdoes:Thelawtakesamanworthsixthousanddollarsandup'ards,andjamshimintoanoldtrapofacabinlikethis,andletshimgoroundinclothes

thatain'tfittenforahog.Theycallthatgovment!Amancan'tgethisrightsinagovmentlikethis.SometimesI'veamightynotiontojustleavethecountryforgoodandall.Yes,andItold'emso;ItoldoldThatchersotohisface.Lotsof 'emheardme,andcantellwhatIsaid.SaysI, for twocents I'd leave theblamedcountryandnevercomea-nearitagin.Them'stheverywords.Isayslookatmyhat—ifyoucallitahat—butthelidraisesupandtherestofitgoesdowntillit'sbelowmychin,andthenitain'trightlyahatatall,butmorelikemyheadwasshovedupthroughajinto'stove-pipe.Lookatit,saysI—suchahatformetowear—oneofthewealthiestmeninthistownifIcouldgitmyrights."Oh,yes,thisisawonderfulgovment,wonderful.Why,lookyhere.TherewasafreeniggertherefromOhio—amulatter,mostaswhiteasawhiteman.Hehadthewhitestshirtonyoueversee,too,andtheshiniesthat;andthereain'tamaninthattownthat'sgotasfineclothesaswhathehad;andhehadagoldwatch and chain, and a silver-headed cane—the awfulest old gray-headednabobintheState.Andwhatdoyouthink?Theysaidhewasap'fessor inacollege, and could talk all kinds of languages, andknowed everything.Andthatain'tthewust.Theysaidhecouldvotewhenhewasathome.Well,thatletmeout.ThinksI,what is thecountrya-comingto?Itwas 'lectionday,andIwas just about to go and votemyself if Iwarn't too drunk to get there; butwhentheytoldmetherewasaStateinthiscountrywherethey'dletthatniggervote,Idrawedout.Isays I'llnevervoteagin.Them's theverywordsIsaid;theyallheardme;andthecountrymayrotforallme—I'llnevervoteaginaslongasIlive.Andtoseethecoolwayofthatnigger—why,hewouldn'tagivemetheroad if Ihadn'tshovedhimouto' theway.Isays to thepeople,whyain'tthisniggerputupatauctionandsold?—that'swhatIwanttoknow.Andwhatdoyoureckontheysaid?Why,theysaidhecouldn'tbesoldtillhe'dbeenintheStatesixmonths,andhehadn'tbeentherethatlongyet.There,now—that'saspecimen.Theycallthatagovmentthatcan'tsellafreeniggertillhe'sbeenintheStatesixmonths.Here'sagovmentthatcallsitselfagovment,andletsontobeagovment,andthinksitisagovment,andyet'sgottosetstock-still for sixwholemonths before it can take a hold of a prowling, thieving,infernal,white-shirtedfreenigger,and—"Papwasagoingonsohenevernoticedwherehisoldlimberlegswastakinghimto,sohewentheadoverheelsoverthetubofsaltporkandbarkedbothshins,andtherestofhisspeechwasallthehottestkindoflanguage—mostlyhove at the nigger and the govment, though he give the tub some, too, allalong,hereandthere.Hehoppedaroundthecabinconsiderable,firstononelegandthenontheother,holdingfirstoneshinandthentheotherone,andatlastheletoutwithhis leftfootallofasuddenandfetchedthetubarattlingkick.Butitwarn'tgoodjudgment,becausethatwasthebootthathadacoupleofhistoesleakingoutofthefrontendofit;sonowheraisedahowlthatfairly

madeabody'shairraise,anddownhewentinthedirt,androlledthere,andheld his toes; and the cussing he done then laid over anything he had everdoneprevious.Hesaidsohisownselfafterwards.HehadheardoldSowberryHaganinhisbestdays,andhesaiditlaidoverhim,too;butIreckonthatwassortofpilingiton,maybe.Aftersupperpap took the jug,andsaidhehadenoughwhisky there for twodrunks and one delirium tremens. That was always his word. I judged hewouldbeblinddrunkinaboutanhour,andthenIwouldstealthekey,orsawmyself out, one or t'other. He drank and drank, and tumbled down on hisblanketsbyandby;butluckdidn'trunmyway.Hedidn'tgosoundasleep,butwasuneasy.Hegroanedandmoanedandthrashedaroundthiswayandthatforalongtime.AtlastIgotsosleepyIcouldn'tkeepmyeyesopenallIcoulddo,andsobeforeIknowedwhatIwasaboutIwassoundasleep,andthecandleburning.Idon'tknowhow long Iwasasleep,butallofa sudden therewasanawfulscreamandIwasup.Therewaspaplookingwild,andskippingaroundeverywhichwayandyellingaboutsnakes.Hesaid theywascrawlinguphis legs;and thenhewouldgivea jumpandscream,andsayonehadbithimon thecheek—butIcouldn'tseenosnakes.Hestartedandrunroundandroundthecabin, hollering "Takehimoff! takehimoff! he's bitingmeon theneck!" Ineverseeamanlooksowildintheeyes.Prettysoonhewasallfaggedout,and fell downpanting; thenhe rolledover andoverwonderful fast, kickingthingseverywhichway,andstrikingandgrabbingat theairwithhishands,andscreamingandsayingtherewasdevilsa-holdofhim.Heworeoutbyandby, and laid still a while, moaning. Then he laid stiller, and didn't make asound. I could hear the owls and thewolves away off in thewoods, and itseemedterriblestill.Hewaslayingoverbythecorner.Byandbyheraiseduppartwayandlistened,withhisheadtooneside.Hesays,verylow:"Tramp—tramp—tramp; that's the dead; tramp—tramp—tramp; they'recoming after me; but I won't go. Oh, they're here! don't touch me—don't!handsoff—they'recold;letgo.Oh,letapoordevilalone!"Then he went down on all fours and crawled off, begging them to let himalone,andherolledhimselfupinhisblanketandwallowedinundertheoldpine table, still a-begging; and then he went to crying. I could hear himthroughtheblanket.Byandbyherolledoutandjumpeduponhisfeetlookingwild,andheseemeandwentforme.Hechasedmeroundandroundtheplacewithaclasp-knife,calling me the Angel of Death, and saying he would kill me, and then Icouldn'tcomeforhimnomore.Ibegged,andtoldhimIwasonlyHuck;buthelaughedsuchascreechylaugh,androaredandcussed,andkeptonchasingmeup.OncewhenI turnedshortanddodgedunderhisarmhemadeagrab

andgotmebythejacketbetweenmyshoulders,andIthoughtIwasgone;butI slid out of the jacket quick as lightning, and savedmyself. Pretty soonhewasalltiredout,anddroppeddownwithhisbackagainstthedoor,andsaidhewouldrestaminuteandthenkillme.Heputhisknifeunderhim,andsaidhewouldsleepandgetstrong,andthenhewouldseewhowaswho.Sohedozedoffpretty soon.Byandby Igot theold split-bottomchair andclumbupaseasyasIcould,nottomakeanynoise,andgotdownthegun.Islippedtheramroddownittomakesureitwasloaded,thenIlaiditacrosstheturnipbarrel,pointingtowardspap,andsetdownbehindittowaitforhimtostir.Andhowslowandstillthetimediddragalong.

CHAPTERVII.

"GITup!Whatyou'bout?"Iopenedmyeyesandlookedaround,tryingtomakeoutwhereIwas.Itwasaftersun-up,andIhadbeensoundasleep.Papwasstandingovermelookingsourandsick,too.Hesays:"Whatyoudoin'withthisgun?"Ijudgedhedidn'tknownothingaboutwhathehadbeendoing,soIsays:"Somebodytriedtogetin,soIwaslayingforhim.""Whydidn'tyouroustmeout?""Well,Itriedto,butIcouldn't;Icouldn'tbudgeyou.""Well,allright.Don'tstandtherepalaveringallday,butoutwithyouandseeifthere'safishonthelinesforbreakfast.I'llbealonginaminute."He unlocked the door, and I cleared out up the river-bank. I noticed somepiecesoflimbsandsuchthingsfloatingdown,andasprinklingofbark;soIknowedtheriverhadbeguntorise.IreckonedIwouldhavegreattimesnowifIwasoveratthetown.TheJuneriseusedtobealwaysluckforme;becauseassoonasthatrisebeginsherecomescordwoodfloatingdown,andpiecesoflografts—sometimesadozenlogstogether;soallyouhavetodoistocatchthemandsellthemtothewood-yardsandthesawmill.Iwentalongupthebankwithoneeyeoutforpapandt'otheroneoutforwhattherisemightfetchalong.Well,allatonceherecomesacanoe;justabeauty,too,aboutthirteenorfourteenfootlong,ridinghighlikeaduck.Ishothead-firstoffofthebanklikeafrog,clothesandallon,andstruckoutforthecanoe.I just expected there'dbe somebody layingdown in it,becausepeopleoftendonethattofoolfolks,andwhenachaphadpulledaskiffoutmosttoitthey'd

raiseupandlaughathim.Butitwarn'tsothistime.Itwasadrift-canoesureenough,andIclumbinandpaddledherashore.ThinksI,theoldmanwillbegladwhenheseesthis—she'sworthtendollars.ButwhenIgottoshorepapwasn'tinsightyet,andasIwasrunningherintoalittlecreeklikeagully,allhungoverwithvinesandwillows,Istruckanotheridea:IjudgedI'dhidehergood,andthen,'steadoftakingtothewoodswhenIrunoff,I'dgodowntheriver about fiftymile and camp in one place for good, and not have such aroughtimetrampingonfoot.Itwasprettyclosetotheshanty,andIthoughtIheardtheoldmancomingallthe time; but I got her hid; and then I out and looked around a bunch ofwillows,andtherewastheoldmandownthepathapiecejustdrawingabeadonabirdwithhisgun.Sohehadn'tseenanything.Whenhegot along Iwashard at it takingup a "trot" line.Heabusedmealittle for being so slow; but I told him I fell in the river, and thatwaswhatmademeso long. I knowedhewould see Iwaswet, and thenhewouldbeaskingquestions.Wegotfivecatfishoffthelinesandwenthome.Whilewelaidoffafterbreakfasttosleepup,bothofusbeingaboutworeout,Igot to thinkingthat ifIcouldfixupsomewaytokeeppapandthewidowfromtryingtofollowme,itwouldbeacertainerthingthantrustingtolucktogetfarenoughoffbefore theymissedme;yousee,allkindsof thingsmighthappen.Well,Ididn'tseenowayforawhile,butbyandbypapraisedupaminutetodrinkanotherbarrelofwater,andhesays:"Another time a man comes a-prowling round here you roust me out, youhear?Thatmanwarn'therefornogood.I'dashothim.Next timeyouroustmeout,youhear?"Thenhedroppeddownandwenttosleepagain;butwhathehadbeensayinggivemetheveryideaIwanted.Isaystomyself,Icanfixitnowsonobodywon'tthinkoffollowingme.Abouttwelveo'clockweturnedoutandwentalongupthebank.Theriverwascomingupprettyfast,andlotsofdriftwoodgoingbyontherise.Byandbyalongcomespartofalograft—ninelogsfasttogether.Wewentoutwiththeskiff and towed it ashore. Then we had dinner. Anybody but pap would awaited and seen the day through, so as to catchmore stuff; but that warn'tpap'sstyle.Nine logswasenough forone time;hemust shove rightover totownandsell.Sohelockedmeinandtooktheskiff,andstartedofftowingtheraftabouthalf-pastthree.Ijudgedhewouldn'tcomebackthatnight.Iwaitedtill I reckonedhehadgotagoodstart; then Ioutwithmysaw,andwent toworkonthatlogagain.Beforehewast'othersideoftheriverIwasoutofthehole;himandhisraftwasjustaspeckonthewaterawayoffyonder.I took the sack of corn meal and took it to where the canoe was hid, and

shovedthevinesandbranchesapartandputit in; thenIdonethesamewiththe sideofbacon; then thewhisky-jug. I took all the coffee and sugar therewas,andalltheammunition;Itookthewadding;Itookthebucketandgourd;Itookadipperandatincup,andmyoldsawandtwoblankets,andtheskilletandthecoffee-pot.Itookfish-linesandmatchesandotherthings—everythingthatwasworthacent.Icleanedouttheplace.Iwantedanaxe,buttherewasn'tany,onlytheoneoutatthewoodpile,andIknowedwhyIwasgoingtoleavethat.Ifetchedoutthegun,andnowIwasdone.Ihadworethegroundagooddealcrawlingoutoftheholeanddraggingoutso many things. So I fixed that as good as I could from the outside byscattering dust on the place, which covered up the smoothness and thesawdust.ThenIfixedthepieceof logbackinto itsplace,andput tworocksunderitandoneagainstittoholditthere,foritwasbentupatthatplaceanddidn'tquitetouchground.Ifyoustoodfourorfivefootawayanddidn'tknowitwassawed,youwouldn'tnevernoticeit;andbesides, thiswasthebackofthecabin,anditwarn'tlikelyanybodywouldgofoolingaroundthere.Itwasallgrasscleartothecanoe,soIhadn'tleftatrack.Ifollowedaroundtosee.Istoodonthebankandlookedoutovertheriver.Allsafe.SoItookthegun andwent up a piece into thewoods, andwas hunting around for somebirdswhenIseeawildpig;hogssoonwentwildinthembottomsaftertheyhad got away from the prairie farms. I shot this fellow and took him intocamp.Itooktheaxeandsmashedinthedoor.Ibeatitandhackeditconsiderablea-doingit.Ifetchedthepigin,andtookhimbacknearlytothetableandhackedintohisthroatwiththeaxe,andlaidhimdownonthegroundtobleed;Isaygroundbecauseitwasground—hardpacked,andnoboards.Well,nextItookanoldsackandputalotofbigrocksinit—allIcoulddrag—andIstarteditfromthepig,anddragged it to thedoorand through thewoodsdownto theriveranddumpeditin,anddownitsunk,outofsight.Youcouldeasyseethatsomething had been dragged over the ground. I did wish Tom Sawyer wasthere;Iknowedhewouldtakeaninterestinthiskindofbusiness,andthrowinthe fancy touches.Nobodycould spreadhimself likeTomSawyer in suchathingasthat.Well,lastIpulledoutsomeofmyhair,andbloodedtheaxegood,andstuckitonthebackside,andslungtheaxeinthecorner.ThenItookupthepigandheldhim tomybreastwithmy jacket (sohe couldn't drip) till I got a goodpiecebelowthehouseandthendumpedhimintotheriver.NowIthoughtofsomethingelse.SoIwentandgotthebagofmealandmyoldsawoutofthecanoe,andfetchedthemtothehouse.Itookthebagtowhereitusedtostand,andrippedaholeinthebottomofitwiththesaw,fortherewarn'tnoknivesand forks on the place—pap done everythingwith his clasp-knife about the

cooking.ThenIcarried thesackaboutahundredyardsacross thegrassandthrough thewillows east of the house, to a shallow lake thatwas fivemilewideandfullof rushes—andducks too,youmightsay, in theseason.Therewas a slough or a creek leading out of it on the other side thatwentmilesaway,Idon'tknowwhere,butitdidn'tgototheriver.Themealsiftedoutandmadealittletrackallthewaytothelake.Idroppedpap'swhetstonetheretoo,soas to looklike ithadbeendonebyaccident.ThenI tieduptherip in themealsackwithastring,soitwouldn'tleaknomore,andtookitandmysawtothecanoeagain.It was about dark now; so I dropped the canoe down the river under somewillowsthathungoverthebank,andwaitedforthemoontorise.Imadefasttoawillow;thenItookabitetoeat,andbyandbylaiddowninthecanoetosmokeapipeandlayoutaplan.Isays tomyself, they'll followthe trackofthatsackfulofrocks to theshoreandthendragtheriverforme.And they'llfollowthatmealtracktothelakeandgobrowsingdownthecreekthatleadsoutofittofindtherobbersthatkilledmeandtookthethings.Theywon'teverhunttheriverforanythingbutmydeadcarcass.They'llsoongettiredofthat,andwon'tbothernomoreaboutme.Allright;IcanstopanywhereIwantto.Jackson's Island is good enough forme; I know that island prettywell, andnobodyevercomesthere.AndthenIcanpaddleovertotownnights,andslinkaroundandpickupthingsIwant.Jackson'sIsland'stheplace.Iwasprettytired,andthefirstthingIknowedIwasasleep.WhenIwokeupIdidn't knowwhere I was for aminute. I set up and looked around, a littlescared. Then I remembered. The river looked miles and miles across. ThemoonwassobrightIcouldacountedthedriftlogsthatwenta-slippingalong,blackandstill,hundredsofyardsoutfromshore.Everythingwasdeadquiet,and it looked late,andsmelt late.YouknowwhatImean—Idon'tknowthewordstoputitin.Itookagoodgapandastretch,andwasjustgoingtounhitchandstartwhenIheardasoundawayoverthewater.Ilistened.PrettysoonImadeitout.Itwasthatdull kindof a regular sound that comes fromoarsworking in rowlockswhenit'sastillnight.Ipeepedout throughthewillowbranches,andthereitwas—askiff,awayacrossthewater.Icouldn'ttellhowmanywasinit.Itkepta-coming,andwhenitwasabreastofmeIseetherewarn'tbutonemaninit.Think's I,maybe it'spap, though Iwarn't expectinghim.Hedroppedbelowmewiththecurrent,andbyandbyhecamea-swingingupshoreintheeasywater,andhewentbysocloseIcouldareachedoutthegunandtouchedhim.Well,itwaspap,sureenough—andsober,too,bythewayhelaidhisoars.Ididn'tlosenotime.ThenextminuteIwasa-spinningdownstreamsoftbutquickintheshadeofthebank.Imadetwomileandahalf,andthenstruckouta quarter of amile ormore towards themiddle of the river, because pretty

soonIwouldbepassingtheferrylanding,andpeoplemightseemeandhailme.Igotoutamongstthedriftwood,andthenlaiddowninthebottomofthecanoeandletherfloat.Ilaidthere,andhadagoodrestandasmokeoutofmypipe,lookingawayintothesky;notacloudinit.Theskylookseversodeepwhenyoulaydownonyourbackinthemoonshine;Ineverknoweditbefore.Andhowfarabodycanhearonthewatersuchnights!Iheardpeopletalkingattheferrylanding.Iheardwhattheysaid,too—everywordofit.Onemansaiditwasgettingtowardsthelongdaysandtheshortnightsnow.T'otheronesaidthiswarn'toneoftheshortones,hereckoned—andthentheylaughed,andhesaiditoveragain,andtheylaughedagain;thentheywakedupanotherfellowandtoldhim,andlaughed,buthedidn'tlaugh;herippedoutsomethingbrisk,andsaidlethimalone.Thefirstfellowsaidhe'lowedtotellittohisoldwoman—shewouldthinkitwasprettygood;buthesaidthatwarn'tnothingtosomethingshehadsaidinhistime.Iheardonemansayitwasnearlythreeo'clock,andhehopeddaylightwouldn'twaitmorethanaboutaweeklonger.Afterthatthetalkgotfurtherandfurtheraway,andIcouldn'tmakeoutthewordsanymore;butIcouldhearthemumble,andnowandthenalaugh,too,butitseemedalongwaysoff.Iwas away below the ferry now. I rose up, and therewas Jackson's Island,abouttwomileandahalfdownstream,heavytimberedandstandingupoutofthemiddleof theriver,biganddarkandsolid, likeasteamboatwithoutanylights.Therewarn't anysignsof thebarat thehead—itwasallunderwaternow.Itdidn't takeme long toget there. I shotpast theheadat a ripping rate, thecurrentwassoswift,andthenIgotintothedeadwaterandlandedonthesidetowardstheIllinoisshore.IrunthecanoeintoadeepdentinthebankthatIknowedabout;Ihadtopart thewillowbranchestoget in;andwhenImadefastnobodycouldaseenthecanoefromtheoutside.Iwentupandsetdownonalogattheheadoftheisland,andlookedoutonthebig riverand theblackdriftwoodandawayover to the town, threemileaway,wheretherewasthreeorfourlightstwinkling.Amonstrousbiglumber-raftwas about amile up stream, coming along down,with a lantern in themiddleofit.Iwatcheditcomecreepingdown,andwhenitwasmostabreastof where I stood I heard a man say, "Stern oars, there! heave her head tostabboard!"Iheardthatjustasplainasifthemanwasbymyside.Therewasalittlegrayintheskynow;soIsteppedintothewoods,andlaiddownforanapbeforebreakfast.

CHAPTERVIII.

THEsunwasupsohighwhenIwakedthatIjudgeditwasaftereighto'clock.Ilaidthereinthegrassandthecoolshadethinkingaboutthings,andfeelingrestedandruthercomfortableandsatisfied.Icouldsee thesunoutatoneortwoholes,butmostlyitwasbigtreesallabout,andgloomyinthereamongstthem.Therewas freckled places on the groundwhere the light sifted downthrough the leaves, and the freckled places swapped about a little, showingthere was a little breeze up there. A couple of squirrels set on a limb andjabberedatmeveryfriendly.I was powerful lazy and comfortable—didn't want to get up and cookbreakfast.Well,IwasdozingoffagainwhenIthinksIhearsadeepsoundof"boom!" awayup the river. I rouses up, and rests onmy elbow and listens;prettysoonIhearsitagain.Ihoppedup,andwentandlookedoutataholeintheleaves,andIseeabunchofsmokelayingonthewateralongwaysup—about abreast the ferry. And there was the ferryboat full of people floatingalong down. I knowed what was the matter now. "Boom!" I see the whitesmokesquirtoutoftheferryboat'sside.Yousee,theywasfiringcannonoverthewater,tryingtomakemycarcasscometothetop.Iwasprettyhungry,but itwarn'tgoing todo forme to start a fire,becausetheymightseethesmoke.SoIset thereandwatchedthecannon-smokeandlistened to the boom. The riverwas amilewide there, and it always lookspretty on a summermorning—so I was having a good enough time seeingthemhuntformyremaindersifIonlyhadabitetoeat.Well,thenIhappenedtothinkhowtheyalwaysputquicksilverinloavesofbreadandfloatthemoff,becausetheyalwaysgorighttothedrowndedcarcassandstopthere.So,saysI, I'll keep a lookout, and if anyof them's floating around afterme I'll givethema show. I changed to the Illinois edgeof the island to seewhat luck Icould have, and Iwarn't disappointed.A big double loaf come along, and Imostgotitwithalongstick,butmyfootslippedandshefloatedoutfurther.Ofcourse Iwaswhere thecurrent set in theclosest to the shore—Iknowedenoughforthat.Butbyandbyalongcomesanotherone,andthistimeIwon.Itookouttheplugandshookoutthelittledabofquicksilver,andsetmyteethin.Itwas"baker'sbread"—whatthequalityeat;noneofyourlow-downcorn-pone.Igotagoodplaceamongst the leaves,andset thereona log,munching thebread and watching the ferry-boat, and very well satisfied. And thensomething struck me. I says, now I reckon the widow or the parson orsomebodyprayedthatthisbreadwouldfindme,andhereithasgoneanddoneit.Sothereain'tnodoubtbutthereissomethinginthatthing—thatis,there'ssomethinginitwhenabodylikethewidowor theparsonprays,but itdon't

workforme,andIreckonitdon'tworkforonlyjusttherightkind.Ilitapipeandhadagoodlongsmoke,andwentonwatching.Theferryboatwasfloatingwiththecurrent,andIallowedI'dhaveachancetoseewhowasaboardwhen she come along, because shewould come in close,where thebreaddid.Whenshe'dgotprettywellalongdowntowardsme, IputoutmypipeandwenttowhereIfishedoutthebread,andlaiddownbehindalogonthebankinalittleopenplace.WherethelogforkedIcouldpeepthrough.Byandbyshecomealong,andshedriftedinsoclosethattheycouldarunoutaplankandwalkedashore.Mosteverybodywasontheboat.Pap,andJudgeThatcher,andBessieThatcher,andJoHarper,andTomSawyer,andhisoldAuntPolly,andSidandMary,andplentymore.Everybodywastalkingaboutthemurder,butthecaptainbrokeinandsays:"Looksharp,now;thecurrentsetsintheclosesthere,andmaybehe'swashedashore and got tangled amongst the brush at the water's edge. I hope so,anyway."Ididn'thopeso.Theyallcrowdedupandleanedovertherails,nearlyinmyface,andkeptstill,watchingwithall theirmight.Icouldsee themfirst-rate,buttheycouldn'tseeme.Thenthecaptainsungout:"Standaway!"andthecannonletoffsuchablastrightbeforemethatitmademedeefwith thenoiseandprettynearblindwith thesmoke,andI judgedIwasgone.Ifthey'dahadsomebulletsin,Ireckonthey'dagotthecorpsetheywasafter.Well,IseeIwarn'thurt,thankstogoodness.Theboatfloatedonandwentoutofsightaroundtheshoulderoftheisland.Icouldheartheboomingnowandthen,furtherandfurtheroff,andbyandby,afteranhour,Ididn'thearitnomore.Theislandwasthreemilelong.Ijudgedtheyhadgottothefoot,andwasgivingitup.Buttheydidn'tyetawhile.TheyturnedaroundthefootoftheislandandstartedupthechannelontheMissouriside,understeam,andboomingonceinawhileastheywent.Icrossedovertothatsideandwatchedthem.When they got abreast the head of the island they quit shooting anddroppedovertotheMissourishoreandwenthometothetown.IknowedIwasallrightnow.Nobodyelsewouldcomea-huntingafterme.Igotmytrapsoutofthecanoeandmademeanicecampinthethickwoods.Imadeakindofa tentoutofmyblankets toputmy thingsunderso the raincouldn'tgetat them.Icatchedacatfishandhaggledhimopenwithmysaw,andtowardssundownIstartedmycampfireandhadsupper.ThenIsetoutalinetocatchsomefishforbreakfast.When it was dark I set by my camp fire smoking, and feeling pretty wellsatisfied;butbyandbyitgotsortoflonesome,andsoIwentandsetonthebankandlistenedtothecurrentswashingalong,andcountedthestarsanddriftlogsandraftsthatcomedown,andthenwenttobed;thereain'tnobetterway

toputintimewhenyouarelonesome;youcan'tstayso,yousoongetoverit.Andsoforthreedaysandnights.Nodifference—justthesamething.ButthenextdayIwentexploringarounddownthroughtheisland.Iwasbossofit;itallbelongedtome,sotosay,andIwantedtoknowallaboutit;butmainlyIwanted to put in the time. I found plenty strawberries, ripe and prime; andgreen summer grapes, and green razberries; and the green blackberrieswasjustbeginningtoshow.Theywouldallcomehandybyandby,Ijudged.Well,IwentfoolingalonginthedeepwoodstillIjudgedIwarn'tfarfromthefootof the island. I hadmygun along, but I hadn't shot nothing; itwas forprotection; thought I would kill some game nigh home. About this time Imightynearsteppedonagood-sizedsnake,anditwentslidingoffthroughthegrassandflowers,andIafterit,tryingtogetashotatit.Iclippedalong,andallof a sudden Ibounded righton to the ashesof a camp fire thatwas stillsmoking.Myheartjumpedupamongstmylungs.Ineverwaitedfortolookfurther,butuncocked my gun and went sneaking back on my tiptoes as fast as ever Icould.Everynowand then I stoppedasecondamongst the thick leavesandlistened,butmybreathcomesohardIcouldn'thearnothingelse.Islunkalonganother piece further, then listened again; and so on, and so on. If I see astump,Itookitforaman;ifItrodonastickandbrokeit,itmademefeellikeapersonhadcutoneofmybreaths in twoandIonlygothalf,andtheshorthalf,too.WhenIgottocampIwarn'tfeelingverybrash,therewarn'tmuchsandinmycraw;butIsays,thisain'tnotimetobefoolingaround.SoIgotallmytrapsintomycanoeagainsoastohavethemoutofsight,andIputoutthefireandscatteredtheashesaroundtolooklikeanoldlastyear'scamp,andthenclumbatree.IreckonIwasupinthetreetwohours;butIdidn'tseenothing,Ididn'thearnothing—IonlythoughtIheardandseenasmuchasathousandthings.Well,Icouldn't stay up there forever; so at last I got down, but I kept in the thickwoodsandonthelookoutallthetime.AllIcouldgettoeatwasberriesandwhatwasleftoverfrombreakfast.BythetimeitwasnightIwasprettyhungry.SowhenitwasgoodanddarkIslidout fromshorebeforemoonriseandpaddledover to the Illinoisbank—aboutaquarterofamile.Iwentoutinthewoodsandcookedasupper,andIhad about made up my mind I would stay there all night when I hear aplunkety-plunk,plunkety-plunk,andsaystomyself,horsescoming;andnextIhearpeople'svoices.IgoteverythingintothecanoeasquickasIcould,andthenwentcreepingthroughthewoodstoseewhatIcouldfindout.Ihadn'tgotfarwhenIhearamansay:

"Webettercamphereifwecanfindagoodplace;thehorsesisaboutbeatout.Let'slookaround."Ididn'twait,butshovedoutandpaddledawayeasy.Itiedupintheoldplace,andreckonedIwouldsleepinthecanoe.Ididn'tsleepmuch.Icouldn't,somehow,forthinking.AndeverytimeIwakedupIthoughtsomebodyhadmebytheneck.Sothesleepdidn'tdomenogood.ByandbyIsaystomyself,Ican'tlivethisway;I'ma-goingtofindoutwhoitis that'shereon the islandwithme; I'll find itoutorbust.Well, I feltbetterrightoff.SoItookmypaddleandslidoutfromshorejustasteportwo,andthenletthecanoe drop along down amongst the shadows. The moon was shining, andoutsideoftheshadowsitmadeitmostaslightasday.Ipokedalongwellontoanhour,everythingstill as rocksandsoundasleep.Well,by this time Iwasmostdowntothefootoftheisland.Alittleripply,coolbreezebeguntoblow,andthatwasasgoodassayingthenightwasaboutdone.Igiveheraturnwiththepaddleandbrunghernosetoshore;thenIgotmygunandslippedoutandintotheedgeofthewoods.Isatdownthereonalog,andlookedoutthroughtheleaves.Iseethemoongooffwatch,andthedarknessbegintoblankettheriver.ButinalittlewhileIseeapalestreakoverthetreetops,andknowedthedaywascoming.SoI tookmygunandslippedoff towardswhereIhadrunacrossthatcampfire,stoppingeveryminuteortwotolisten.ButIhadn'tnolucksomehow;Icouldn'tseemtofindtheplace.Butbyandby,sureenough,Icatchedaglimpseof fireaway through the trees. Iwent for it, cautious andslow.ByandbyIwascloseenoughtohavealook,andtherelaidamanontheground.Itmostgivemethefan-tods.Hehadablanketaroundhishead,andhisheadwasnearlyinthefire.Isettherebehindaclumpofbushes,inaboutsixfootofhim,andkeptmyeyesonhimsteady.Itwasgettinggraydaylightnow.Pretty soon he gapped and stretched himself and hove off the blanket,anditwasMissWatson'sJim!IbetIwasgladtoseehim.Isays:"Hello,Jim!"andskippedout.Hebouncedupandstaredatmewild.Thenhedropsdownonhisknees,andputshishandstogetherandsays:"Doan'hurtme—don't! I hain't ever donenoharm to aghos'. I alwuz likeddeadpeople,endoneallIcouldfor'em.Yougoengitinderiveragin,whahyoub'longs,endoan'donuffntoOleJim,'at'uzawluzyo'fren'."Well,Iwarn'tlongmakinghimunderstandIwarn'tdead.IwaseversogladtoseeJim. Iwarn't lonesomenow.I toldhim Iwarn't afraidofhim telling thepeoplewhere Iwas. I talked along, but he only set there and looked atme;neversaidnothing.ThenIsays:"It'sgooddaylight.Le'sgetbreakfast.Makeupyourcampfiregood."

"What'sdeuseermakin'updecampfiretocookstrawbriesensichtruck?Butyougotagun,hain'tyou?Denwekingitsumfnbetterdenstrawbries.""Strawberriesandsuchtruck,"Isays."Isthatwhatyouliveon?""Icouldn'gitnuffnelse,"hesays."Why,howlongyoubeenontheisland,Jim?""Icomeheahdenightarteryou'skilled.""What,allthattime?""Yes—indeedy.""Andain'tyouhadnothingbutthatkindofrubbagetoeat?""No,sah—nuffnelse.""Well,youmustbemoststarved,ain'tyou?""Ireck'nIcouldeatahoss.IthinkIcould.Howlongyoubenondeislan'?""SincethenightIgotkilled.""No!W'y,whathasyoulivedon?Butyougotagun.Oh,yes,yougotagun.Dat'sgood.NowyoukillsumfnenI'llmakeupdefire."Sowewentovertowherethecanoewas,andwhilehebuiltafireinagrassyopenplaceamongstthetrees,Ifetchedmealandbaconandcoffee,andcoffee-pot and frying-pan, and sugar and tin cups, and the nigger was set backconsiderable,becausehereckoneditwasalldonewithwitchcraft.Icatchedagoodbigcatfish,too,andJimcleanedhimwithhisknife,andfriedhim.Whenbreakfastwasreadywelolledonthegrassandeatitsmokinghot.Jimlaiditinwithallhismight,forhewasmostaboutstarved.Thenwhenwehadgotprettywellstuffed,welaidoffandlazied.ByandbyJimsays:"But looky here, Huck, whowuz it dat 'uz killed in dat shanty ef it warn'tyou?"Then I told him the whole thing, and he said it was smart. He said TomSawyercouldn'tgetupnobetterplanthanwhatIhad.ThenIsays:"Howdoyoucometobehere,Jim,andhow'dyougethere?"Helookedprettyuneasy,anddidn'tsaynothingforaminute.Thenhesays:"MaybeIbetternottell.""Why,Jim?""Well,dey'sreasons.Butyouwouldn'tellonmeefIuztotellyou,wouldyou,Huck?""BlamedifIwould,Jim.""Well,Ib'lieveyou,Huck.I—Irunoff."

"Jim!""Butmind,yousaidyouwouldn' tell—youknowyousaidyouwouldn' tell,Huck.""Well,Idid.IsaidIwouldn't,andI'llsticktoit.Honest injun,Iwill.Peoplewouldcallmealow-downAbolitionistanddespisemeforkeepingmum—butthatdon'tmakenodifference. Iain'ta-going to tell,andIain'ta-goingbackthere,anyways.So,now,le'sknowallaboutit.""Well,yousee,it 'uzdisway.Olemissus—dat'sMissWatson—shepecksonmealldetime,entreatsmepootyrough,butsheawluzsaidshewouldn'sellme down to Orleans. But I noticed dey wuz a nigger trader roun' de placeconsidable lately,enIbegin togitoneasy.Well,onenight Icreeps todedo'pootylate,endedo'warn'tquiteshet,enIhearoldmissustelldewiddershegwyne to sellme down toOrleans, but she didn'want to, but she could giteight hund'd dollars forme, en it 'uz sich a big stack o'money she couldn'resis'.Dewiddershetrytogithertosayshewouldn'doit,butIneverwaitedtohearderes'.Ilitoutmightyquick,Itellyou."Ituckoutenshindowndehill,en'spectostealaskift'longdesho'som'ers'bove de town, but deywuz people a-stirring yit, so I hid in de ole tumble-downcooper-shopondebanktowaitforeverybodytogo 'way.Well,Iwuzdah all night. Dey wuz somebody roun' all de time. 'Long 'bout six in demawnin'skiftsbegintogoby,en'bouteighternineeveryskiftdatwent'longwuztalkin''bouthowyo'papcomeovertodetownensayyou'skilled.Deselas' skifts wuz full o' ladies en genlmen a-goin' over for to see de place.Sometimesdey'dpullupatdesho'entakeares'b'fo'deystartedacrost,sobyde talk I got to know all 'bout de killin'. I 'uz powerful sorry you's killed,Huck,butIain'tnomo'now."Ilaiddahunderdeshavin'sallday.I'uzhungry,butIwarn'tafeard;bekaseIknowedolemissus endewidderwuzgoin' to start tode camp-meet'n' rightarterbreakfas'enbegoneallday,endeyknowsIgoesoffwiddecattle'boutdaylight, so deywouldn' 'spec to seeme roun' de place, en so deywouldn'missmetellarterdarkindeevenin'.Deyutherservantswouldn'missme,kasedey'dshinoutentakeholidaysoonasdeolefolks'uzout'ndeway."Well,whenitcomedarkItuckoutupderiverroad,enwent'bouttwomileermore to whah dey warn't no houses. I'd made up my mine 'bout what I'sagwynetodo.Yousee,efIkep'ontryin'togitawayafoot,dedogs'udtrackme;efIstoleaskifttocrossover,dey'dmissdatskift,yousee,endey'dknow'boutwhahI'dlan'ondeyutherside,enwhahtopickupmytrack.SoIsays,araffiswhatI'sarter;itdoan'makenotrack."I see a light a-comin' roun' de p'int bymeby, so Iwade' in en shove' a logaheado'meen swummore'nhalfwayacrost de river, engot in 'mongstde

drift-wood,enkep'myheaddownlow,enkinderswumagindecurrenttellderaffcomealong.DenIswumtodesternuvitentucka-holt.Itcloudedupen'uzpootydarkforalittlewhile.SoIclumbupenlaiddownondeplanks.Demen 'uzall 'wayyonderindemiddle,whahdelanternwuz.Deriverwuza-risin',endeywuzagoodcurrent;soIreck'n'd'atbyfo'indemawnin'I'dbetwenty-fivemile downde river, en den I'd slip in jis b'fo' daylight en swimasho',entaketodewoodsondeIllinoisside."But Ididn'haveno luck.Whenwe 'uzmos'down todeheaderde islan'amanbegintocomeaftwiddelantern,Iseeitwarn'tnousefer towait,soIslidoverboardenstruckoutferdeislan'.Well,IhadanotionIcouldlan'mos'anywhers,butIcouldn't—banktoobluff.I'uzmos'todefooterdeislan'b'fo'Ifound'agoodplace.IwentintodewoodsenjedgedIwouldn'foolwidraffsnomo',longasdeymovedelanternroun'so.Ihadmypipeenaplugerdog-leg,ensomematchesinmycap,endeywarn'twet,soI'uzallright.""Andsoyouain'thadnomeatnorbreadtoeatallthistime?Whydidn'tyougetmud-turkles?""Howyougwynetogit 'm?Youcan'tslipuponumengrabum;enhow'sabodygwynetohitumwidarock?Howcouldabodydoitindenight?EnIwarn'tgwynetoshowmysefondebankindedaytime.""Well,that'sso.You'vehadtokeepinthewoodsall thetime,ofcourse.Didyouhear'emshootingthecannon?""Oh,yes.Iknoweddeywasarteryou.Iseeumgobyheah—watchedumthoodebushes."Someyoungbirdscomealong,flyingayardortwoatatimeandlighting.Jimsaid it was a sign it was going to rain. He said it was a sign when youngchickensflewthatway,andsohereckoneditwasthesamewaywhenyoungbirdsdoneit.Iwasgoingtocatchsomeofthem,butJimwouldn'tletme.Hesaiditwasdeath.Hesaidhisfatherlaidmightysickonce,andsomeofthemcatchedabird,andhisoldgrannysaidhisfatherwoulddie,andhedid.AndJimsaidyoumustn'tcount the thingsyouaregoing tocookfordinner,becausethatwouldbringbadluck.Thesameifyoushookthetable-clothaftersundown.Andhesaidifamanownedabeehiveandthatmandied,thebeesmustbe toldabout itbeforesun-upnextmorning,orelse thebeeswouldallweakendownandquitworkanddie.Jimsaidbeeswouldn'tstingidiots;butIdidn't believe that, because I had tried them lots of timesmyself, and theywouldn'tstingme.Ihadheardaboutsomeofthesethingsbefore,butnotallofthem.Jimknowedallkindsofsigns.Hesaidheknowedmosteverything.Isaiditlookedtomelikeall thesignswasaboutbad luck,andsoIaskedhimif therewarn'tanygood-lucksigns.Hesays:

"Mighty few—an'deyain'tnouse toabody.Whatyouwant toknowwhengood luck's a-comin' for?Want to keep it off?"And he said: "Ef you's gothairyarmsenahairybreas',it'sasigndatyou'sagwynetoberich.Well,dey'ssomeuseinasignlikedat,'kaseit'ssofurahead.Yousee,maybeyou'sgottobepo' a long time fust, en soyoumightgitdiscourage' enkillyo'sef 'f youdidn'knowbydesigndatyougwynetoberichbymeby.""Haveyougothairyarmsandahairybreast,Jim?""What'sdeusetoaxdatquestion?Don'tyouseeIhas?""Well,areyourich?""No, but I ben rich wunst, and gwyne to be rich agin.Wunst I had foteendollars,butItucktospecalat'n',engotbustedout.""Whatdidyouspeculatein,Jim?""Well,fustItackledstock.""Whatkindofstock?""Why, live stock—cattle, you know. I put ten dollars in a cow. But I ain'gwynetoresknomo'moneyinstock.Decowup'n'diedonmyhan's.""Soyoulostthetendollars.""No,Ididn'tloseitall.Ion'ylos''boutnineofit.Isoledehideentallerforadollarentencents.""Youhadfivedollarsandtencentsleft.Didyouspeculateanymore?""Yes.You know that one-laigged nigger dat b'longs to old Misto Bradish?Well,hesotupabank,ensayanybodydatputinadollarwouldgitfo'dollarsmo'atdeen'erdeyear.Well,alldeniggerswentin,butdeydidn'thavemuch.Iwuzdeon'yonedathadmuch.SoIstuckout formo'danfo'dollars,enIsaid 'fIdidn'gititI'dstartabankmysef.Well,o'coursedatniggerwant' tokeepmeouterdebusiness,bekasehesaysdeywarn'tbusiness'noughfortwobanks,sohesayIcouldputinmyfivedollarsenhepaymethirty-fiveatdeen'erdeyear."SoIdoneit.DenIreck'n'dI'dinves'dethirty-fivedollarsrightoffenkeepthingsa-movin'.Deywuzaniggername'Bob,dathadketchedawood-flat,enhismarsterdidn'knowit;enIboughtitoff'nhimentoldhimtotakedethirty-fivedollarswhendeen'erdeyearcome;butsomebodystoledewood-flatdatnight, en nex day de one-laigged nigger say de bank's busted. Sodeydidn'noneuvusgitnomoney.""Whatdidyoudowiththetencents,Jim?""Well,I'uzgwynetospen'it,butIhadadream,endedreamtolemetogiveittoaniggername'Balum—Balum'sAssdeycallhimforshort;he'soneerdem

chuckleheads,youknow.Buthe's lucky,deysay,enIseeIwarn't lucky.Dedream say letBalum inves' de ten cents en he'dmake a raise forme.Well,Balumhetuckdemoney,enwhenhewuzinchurchheheardepreachersaydatwhoevergivetodepo' len' todeLord,enboun' togithismoneybackahund'dtimes.SoBalumhetuckengivedetencentstodepo',enlaidlowtoseewhatwuzgwynetocomeofit.""Well,whatdidcomeofit,Jim?""Nuffn never come of it. I couldn'manage to k'leck datmoney noway; enBalumhecouldn'.Iain'gwyne to len'nomo'money 'dout Iseedesecurity.Boun'togityo'moneybackahund'dtimes,depreachersays!EfIcouldgitdetencentsback,I'dcallitsquah,enbegladerdechanst.""Well, it's all right anyway, Jim, longasyou'regoing tobe richagain sometimeorother.""Yes;enI'srichnow,cometolookatit.Iownsmysef,enI'swutheighthund'ddollars.IwishtIhaddemoney,Iwouldn'wantnomo'."

CHAPTERIX.

IwantedtogoandlookataplacerightaboutthemiddleoftheislandthatI'dfound when I was exploring; so we started and soon got to it, because theislandwasonlythreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide.Thisplacewasa tolerable long,steephillorridgeaboutfortyfoothigh.Wehadaroughtimegettingtothetop,thesideswassosteepandthebushessothick.Wetrampedandclumbaroundalloverit,andbyandbyfoundagoodbig cavern in the rock,most up to the top on the side towards Illinois.Thecavernwasasbigastwoorthreeroomsbunchedtogether,andJimcouldstandup straight in it. Itwas cool in there. Jimwas for putting our traps in thererightaway,butIsaidwedidn'twanttobeclimbingupanddownthereallthetime.Jimsaidifwehadthecanoehidinagoodplace,andhadallthetrapsinthecavern,wecould rush there if anybodywas to come to the island, and theywouldneverfinduswithoutdogs.And,besides,hesaidthemlittlebirdshadsaiditwasgoingtorain,anddidIwantthethingstogetwet?Sowewentbackandgot thecanoe,andpaddledupabreast thecavern,andluggedallthetrapsupthere.Thenwehuntedupaplaceclosebytohidethecanoein,amongstthethickwillows.Wetooksomefishoffofthelinesandsetthemagain,andbeguntogetreadyfordinner.Thedoorofthecavernwasbigenoughtorollahogsheadin,andononeside

of the door the floor stuck out a little bit, andwas flat and a goodplace tobuildafireon.Sowebuiltitthereandcookeddinner.Wespreadtheblanketsinsideforacarpet,andeatourdinnerinthere.Weputalltheotherthingshandyatthebackofthecavern.Prettysoonitdarkenedup,andbegun to thunderand lighten;so thebirdswas rightabout it.Directly itbeguntorain,anditrainedlikeallfury,too,andIneverseethewindblowso.Itwasoneoftheseregularsummerstorms.Itwouldgetsodarkthatitlookedallblue-blackoutside,andlovely;andtherainwouldthrashalongbysothickthat thetreesoffa littlewayslookeddimandspider-webby;andherewouldcome a blast ofwind thatwould bend the trees down and turn up the paleundersideoftheleaves;andthenaperfectripperofagustwouldfollowalongandset thebranches to tossing theirarmsas if theywas justwild;andnext,whenitwasjustaboutthebluestandblackest—FST!itwasasbrightasglory,andyou'dhavealittleglimpseoftree-topsa-plungingaboutawayoffyonderinthestorm,hundredsofyardsfurtherthanyoucouldseebefore;darkassinagaininasecond,andnowyou'dhearthethunderletgowithanawfulcrash,andthengorumbling,grumbling, tumbling,downtheskytowardstheundersideoftheworld,likerollingemptybarrelsdownstairs—whereit'slongstairsandtheybounceagooddeal,youknow."Jim,thisisnice,"Isays."Iwouldn'twanttobenowhereelsebuthere.Passmealonganotherhunkoffishandsomehotcorn-bread.""Well,youwouldn'tabenhere'fithadn'tabenforJim.You'dabendowndahindewoodswidoutanydinner,engittn'mos'drownded,too;datyouwould,honey.Chickensknowswhenit'sgwynetorain,ensododebirds,chile."Theriverwentonraisingandraisingfortenortwelvedays,tillatlastitwasoverthebanks.ThewaterwasthreeorfourfootdeepontheislandinthelowplacesandontheIllinoisbottom.Onthatsideitwasagoodmanymileswide,butontheMissourisideitwasthesameolddistanceacross—ahalfamile—becausetheMissourishorewasjustawallofhighbluffs.Daytimeswepaddledallovertheislandinthecanoe,Itwasmightycoolandshady in the deep woods, even if the sun was blazing outside. We wentwindinginandoutamongstthetrees,andsometimesthevineshungsothickwehadtobackawayandgosomeotherway.Well,oneveryoldbroken-downtreeyoucouldseerabbitsandsnakesandsuchthings;andwhentheislandhadbeenoverflowedadayortwotheygotsotame,onaccountofbeinghungry,thatyoucouldpaddlerightupandputyourhandonthemifyouwantedto;butnot the snakes and turtles—theywould slideoff in thewater.The ridgeourcavernwas inwasfullof them.Wecouldahadpetsenough ifwe'dwantedthem.Onenightwecatchedalittlesectionofalumberraft—nicepineplanks.Itwas

twelve foot wide and about fifteen or sixteen foot long, and the top stoodabovewatersixorseveninches—asolid, levelfloor.Wecouldseesaw-logsgobyinthedaylightsometimes,butweletthemgo;wedidn'tshowourselvesindaylight.Anothernightwhenwewasupattheheadoftheisland,justbeforedaylight,herecomesaframe-housedown,onthewestside.Shewasa two-story,andtilted over considerable. We paddled out and got aboard—clumb in at anupstairswindow.Butitwastoodarktoseeyet,sowemadethecanoefastandsetinhertowaitfordaylight.The light begun to come before we got to the foot of the island. Then welookedinatthewindow.Wecouldmakeoutabed,andatable,andtwooldchairs, and lots of things around about on the floor, and there was clotheshangingagainst thewall.Therewassomething layingon thefloor in thefarcornerthatlookedlikeaman.SoJimsays:"Hello,you!"Butitdidn'tbudge.SoIholleredagain,andthenJimsays:"Demanain'tasleep—he'sdead.Youholdstill—I'llgoensee."Hewent,andbentdownandlooked,andsays:"It'sadeadman.Yes,indeedy;naked,too.He'sbenshotindeback.Ireck'nhe'sbendeadtwoerthreedays.Comein,Huck,butdoan'lookathisface—it'stoogashly."Ididn'tlookathimatall.Jimthrowedsomeoldragsoverhim,butheneedn'tdoneit;Ididn'twanttoseehim.Therewasheapsofoldgreasycardsscatteredaroundoverthefloor,andoldwhiskybottles,andacoupleofmasksmadeoutofblackcloth;andallover thewallswas the ignorantestkindofwordsandpicturesmadewith charcoal. Therewas two old dirty calico dresses, and asun-bonnet, and some women's underclothes hanging against the wall, andsomemen'sclothing,too.Weputthelotintothecanoe—itmightcomegood.Therewasaboy'sold speckled strawhaton the floor; I took that, too.Andtherewasabottlethathadhadmilkinit,andithadaragstopperforababytosuck.Wewould a took the bottle, but itwas broke. Therewas a seedy oldchest,andanoldhairtrunkwiththehingesbroke.Theystoodopen,buttherewarn'tnothingleftinthemthatwasanyaccount.Thewaythingswasscatteredaboutwereckonedthepeopleleftinahurry,andwarn'tfixedsoastocarryoffmostoftheirstuff.Wegotanoldtinlantern,andabutcher-knifewithoutanyhandle,andabran-newBarlowknifeworthtwobitsinanystore,andalotoftallowcandles,anda tincandlestick,andagourd,anda tincup,anda rattyoldbedquiltoff thebed,andareticulewithneedlesandpinsandbeeswaxandbuttonsandthread

andallsuchtruckinit,andahatchetandsomenails,andafishlineasthickasmylittlefingerwithsomemonstroushooksonit,andarollofbuckskin,andaleather dog-collar, and a horseshoe, and some vials of medicine that didn'thaveno labelon them;and just aswewas leaving I founda tolerablegoodcurry-comb,andJimhefoundarattyoldfiddle-bow,andawoodenleg.Thestrapswasbrokeoffofit,but,barringthat,itwasagoodenoughleg,thoughitwas too long forme andnot long enough for Jim, andwe couldn't find theotherone,thoughwehuntedallaround.Andso,takeitallaround,wemadeagoodhaul.Whenwewasreadytoshoveoffwewasaquarterofamilebelowtheisland,anditwasprettybroadday;soImadeJimlaydowninthecanoeandcoverupwiththequilt,becauseifhesetuppeoplecould tellhewasaniggeragoodwaysoff. Ipaddledover to theIllinoisshore,anddrifteddownmostahalfamiledoingit.Icreptupthedeadwaterunderthebank,andhadn'tnoaccidentsanddidn'tseenobody.Wegothomeallsafe.

CHAPTERX.

AFTERbreakfastIwantedtotalkaboutthedeadmanandguessouthowhecometobekilled,butJimdidn'twantto.Hesaiditwouldfetchbadluck;andbesides,hesaid,hemightcomeandha'ntus;hesaidamanthatwarn'tburiedwas more likely to go a-ha'nting around than one that was planted andcomfortable.That sounded pretty reasonable, so I didn't say nomore; but Icouldn'tkeepfromstudyingoveritandwishingIknowedwhoshottheman,andwhattheydoneitfor.Werummagedtheclotheswe'dgot,andfoundeightdollarsinsilversewedupintheliningofanoldblanketovercoat.Jimsaidhereckonedthepeopleinthathouse stole the coat, because if they'd a knowed themoneywas there theywouldn'taleftit.IsaidIreckonedtheykilledhim,too;butJimdidn'twanttotalkaboutthat.Isays:"Now you think it's bad luck; but what did you say when I fetched in thesnake-skinthatIfoundonthetopoftheridgedaybeforeyesterday?Yousaiditwas theworstbadluckin theworld to touchasnake-skinwithmyhands.Well, here's your bad luck! We've raked in all this truck and eight dollarsbesides.Iwishwecouldhavesomebadlucklikethiseveryday,Jim.""Never you mind, honey, never you mind. Don't you git too peart. It's a-comin'.MindItellyou,it'sa-comin'."It did come, too. It was a Tuesday thatwe had that talk.Well, after dinnerFridaywewaslayingaroundinthegrassattheupperendoftheridge,andgot

outof tobacco. Iwent to the cavern toget some, and founda rattlesnake inthere. I killed him, and curled him up on the foot of Jim's blanket, ever sonatural,thinkingthere'dbesomefunwhenJimfoundhimthere.Well,bynightIforgotallaboutthesnake,andwhenJimflunghimselfdownontheblanketwhileIstruckalightthesnake'smatewasthere,andbithim.He jumped up yelling, and the first thing the light showedwas the varmintcurledupandreadyforanotherspring.Ilaidhimoutinasecondwithastick,andJimgrabbedpap'swhisky-jugandbeguntopouritdown.Hewasbarefooted,andthesnakebithimrightontheheel.Thatallcomesofmybeingsuchafoolastonotrememberthatwhereveryouleaveadeadsnakeitsmatealwayscomesthereandcurlsaroundit.Jimtoldmetochopoff thesnake'sheadandthrowitaway,andthenskinthebodyandroastapieceofit.Idoneit,andheeatitandsaiditwouldhelpcurehim.Hemademetakeofftherattlesandtiethemaroundhiswrist,too.Hesaidthatthatwouldhelp.ThenIslid out quiet and throwed the snakes clear away amongst the bushes; for Iwarn'tgoingtoletJimfindoutitwasallmyfault,notifIcouldhelpit.Jimsuckedandsuckedatthejug,andnowandthenhegotoutofhisheadandpitched around and yelled; but every time he come to himself he went tosuckingatthejugagain.Hisfootswelledupprettybig,andsodidhisleg;butbyandbythedrunkbeguntocome,andsoIjudgedhewasallright;butI'ddrutherbeenbitwithasnakethanpap'swhisky.Jimwaslaidupforfourdaysandnights.Thentheswellingwasallgoneandhe was around again. I made upmymind I wouldn't ever take a-holt of asnake-skinagainwithmyhands,nowthatIseewhathadcomeofit.JimsaidhereckonedIwouldbelievehimnexttime.Andhesaidthathandlingasnake-skinwassuchawfulbadluckthatmaybewehadn'tgottotheendofityet.Hesaidhedrutherseethenewmoonoverhisleftshoulderasmuchasathousandtimes than takeup a snake-skin inhis hand.Well, Iwasgetting to feel thatwaymyself, thoughI'vealwaysreckonedthat lookingat thenewmoonoveryourleftshoulderisoneofthecarelessestandfoolishestthingsabodycando.OldHankBunker done it once, and bragged about it; and in less than twoyearshegotdrunkandfelloffoftheshot-tower,andspreadhimselfoutsothathewas just a kind of a layer, as youmay say; and they slid him edgewaysbetween two barn doors for a coffin, and buried him so, so they say, but Ididn'tseeit.Paptoldme.Butanywayitallcomeoflookingatthemoonthatway,likeafool.Well,thedayswentalong,andtheriverwentdownbetweenitsbanksagain;and about the first thing we done was to bait one of the big hooks with askinnedrabbitandsetitandcatchacatfishthatwasasbigasaman,beingsixfoot two inches long, and weighed over two hundred pounds. We couldn'thandlehim,ofcourse;hewouldaflungusintoIllinois.Wejustsetthereand

watchedhimripandteararoundtillhedrownded.Wefoundabrassbuttoninhisstomachandaroundball,andlotsofrubbage.Wesplittheballopenwiththehatchet,andtherewasaspoolinit.Jimsaidhe'dhadittherealongtime,tocoatitoversoandmakeaballofit.Itwasasbigafishaswasevercatchedin theMississippi, I reckon. Jim said he hadn't ever seen a bigger one. Hewouldabeenworthagooddealoverat thevillage.Theypeddleout suchafishasthatbythepoundinthemarket-housethere;everybodybuyssomeofhim;hismeat'saswhiteassnowandmakesagoodfry.NextmorningIsaiditwasgettingslowanddull,andIwantedtogetastirringupsomeway.IsaidIreckonedIwouldslipovertheriverandfindoutwhatwasgoingon.Jimlikedthatnotion;buthesaidImustgointhedarkandlooksharp.Thenhe studied it over and said, couldn't I put on someof themoldthingsanddressuplikeagirl?Thatwasagoodnotion,too.Soweshorteneduponeofthecalicogowns,andIturnedupmytrouser-legstomykneesandgotintoit.Jimhitcheditbehindwiththehooks,anditwasafairfit.Iputonthesun-bonnetandtieditundermychin,andthenforabodytolookinandseemy face was like looking down a joint of stove-pipe. Jim said nobodywouldknowme,eveninthedaytime,hardly.Ipracticedaroundalldaytogetthehangofthethings,andbyandbyIcoulddoprettywellinthem,onlyJimsaidIdidn'twalklikeagirl;andhesaidImustquitpullingupmygowntogetatmybritches-pocket.Itooknotice,anddonebetter.IstarteduptheIllinoisshoreinthecanoejustafterdark.Istartedacrosstothetownfromalittlebelowtheferry-landing,andthedriftof thecurrent fetchedme inat thebottomof the town. I tiedupandstartedalong thebank.Therewas a light burning in a little shanty that hadn't beenlived in for a long time, and Iwonderedwho had took up quarters there. Islippedupandpeepedinatthewindow.Therewasawomanaboutfortyyearold in thereknittingbya candle thatwasonapine table. Ididn't knowherface;shewasastranger,foryoucouldn'tstartafaceinthattownthatIdidn'tknow.Now thiswas lucky, because Iwasweakening; Iwasgetting afraid Ihadcome;peoplemightknowmyvoiceandfindmeout.But if thiswomanhadbeeninsuchalittletowntwodaysshecouldtellmeallIwantedtoknow;soIknockedatthedoor,andmadeupmymindIwouldn'tforgetIwasagirl.

CHAPTERXI.

"COMEin,"saysthewoman,andIdid.Shesays:"Takeacheer."Idoneit.Shelookedmealloverwithherlittleshinyeyes,andsays:"Whatmightyournamebe?"

"SarahWilliams.""Where'boutsdoyoulive?Inthisneighborhood?'"No'm.InHookerville,sevenmilebelow.I'vewalkedallthewayandI'malltiredout.""Hungry,too,Ireckon.I'llfindyousomething.""No'm,Iain'thungry.IwassohungryIhadtostoptwomilesbelowhereatafarm;soIain'thungrynomore.It'swhatmakesmesolate.Mymother'sdownsick, and out ofmoney and everything, and I come to tellmy uncleAbnerMoore.Helivesattheupperendofthetown,shesays.Ihain'teverbeenherebefore.Doyouknowhim?""No;butIdon'tknoweverybodyyet.Ihaven'tlivedherequitetwoweeks.It'sa considerable ways to the upper end of the town. You better stay here allnight.Takeoffyourbonnet.""No,"Isays;"I'llrestawhile,Ireckon,andgoon.Iain'tafearedofthedark."Shesaid shewouldn't letmegobymyself,butherhusbandwouldbe inbyandby,maybeinahourandahalf,andshe'dsendhimalongwithme.Thenshegottotalkingaboutherhusband,andaboutherrelationsuptheriver,andherrelationsdowntheriver,andabouthowmuchbetterofftheyusedtowas,and how they didn't know but they'd made a mistake coming to our town,insteadoflettingwellalone—andsoonandsoon,tillIwasafeardIhadmadeamistakecomingtohertofindoutwhatwasgoingoninthetown;butbyandbyshedroppedontopapandthemurder,andthenIwasprettywillingtolether clatter right along. She told about me and Tom Sawyer finding the sixthousanddollars(onlyshegotitten)andallaboutpapandwhatahardlothewas, and what a hard lot I was, and at last she got down to where I wasmurdered.Isays:"Who done it? We've heard considerable about these goings on down inHookerville,butwedon'tknowwho'twasthatkilledHuckFinn.""Well,Ireckonthere'sarightsmartchanceofpeopleherethat'dliketoknowwhokilledhim.SomethinkoldFinndoneithimself.""No—isthatso?""Most everybody thought it at first.He'll never knowhownighhe come togettinglynched.ButbeforenighttheychangedaroundandjudgeditwasdonebyarunawayniggernamedJim.""Whyhe—"Istopped.I reckonedIbetterkeepstill.Sherunon,andnevernoticedIhadputinatall:"TheniggerrunofftheverynightHuckFinnwaskilled.Sothere'sareward

outforhim—threehundreddollars.Andthere'sarewardoutforoldFinn,too—two hundred dollars. You see, he come to town the morning after themurder,andtoldaboutit,andwasoutwith'emontheferryboathunt,andrightawayafterheupandleft.Beforenighttheywantedtolynchhim,buthewasgone,yousee.Well,nextdaytheyfoundouttheniggerwasgone;theyfoundout hehadn't ben seen sence teno'clock thenight themurderwasdone.Sothentheyputitonhim,yousee;andwhiletheywasfullofit,nextday,backcomesoldFinn,andwentboo-hooingtoJudgeThatchertogetmoneytohuntfor the nigger all over Illinois with. The judge gave him some, and thatevening he got drunk, and was around till after midnight with a couple ofmighty hard-looking strangers, and thenwent offwith them.Well, he hain'tcomebacksence,andtheyain'tlookingforhimbacktillthisthingblowsoveralittle,forpeoplethinksnowthathekilledhisboyandfixedthingssofolkswouldthinkrobbersdoneit,andthenhe'dgetHuck'smoneywithouthavingtobotheralongtimewithalawsuit.Peopledosayhewarn'tanytoogoodtodoit.Oh,he'ssly,Ireckon.Ifhedon'tcomebackforayearhe'llbeallright.Youcan'tproveanythingonhim,youknow;everythingwillbequieteddownthen,andhe'llwalkinHuck'smoneyaseasyasnothing.""Yes,Ireckonso,'m.Idon'tseenothinginthewayofit.Haseverybodyquitthinkingtheniggerdoneit?""Oh, no, not everybody.A goodmany thinks he done it.But they'll get theniggerprettysoonnow,andmaybetheycanscareitoutofhim.""Why,aretheyafterhimyet?""Well,you'reinnocent,ain'tyou!Doesthreehundreddollarslayaroundeverydayforpeopletopickup?Somefolksthinktheniggerain'tfarfromhere.I'moneofthem—butIhain'ttalkeditaround.AfewdaysagoIwastalkingwithanoldcouplethatlivesnextdoorinthelogshanty,andtheyhappenedtosayhardlyanybodyevergoes to that islandoveryonder that theycall Jackson'sIsland.Don't anybody live there? says I.No, nobody, says they. I didn't sayanymore,butIdonesomethinking.IwasprettynearcertainI'dseensmokeoverthere,abouttheheadoftheisland,adayortwobeforethat,soIsaystomyself,likeasnotthatnigger'shidingoverthere;anyway,saysI,it'sworththetrouble to give the place a hunt. I hain't seen any smoke sence, so I reckonmaybe he's gone, if it was him; but husband's going over to see—him andanotherman.Hewasgoneuptheriver;buthegotbackto-day,andItoldhimassoonashegotheretwohoursago."IhadgotsouneasyIcouldn'tsetstill.Ihadtodosomethingwithmyhands;soItookupaneedleoffofthetableandwenttothreadingit.Myhandsshook,andIwasmakingabadjobofit.WhenthewomanstoppedtalkingIlookedup,andshewaslookingatmeprettycuriousandsmilingalittle.Iputdowntheneedleandthread,andletontobeinterested—andIwas,too—andsays:

"Threehundreddollarsisapowerofmoney.Iwishmymothercouldgetit.Isyourhusbandgoingoverthereto-night?""Oh,yes.Hewentup-townwiththemanIwastellingyouof,togetaboatandseeiftheycouldborrowanothergun.They'llgooveraftermidnight.""Couldn'ttheyseebetteriftheywastowaittilldaytime?""Yes.And couldn't the nigger see better, too?Aftermidnight he'll likely beasleep,andtheycansliparoundthroughthewoodsandhuntuphiscampfireallthebetterforthedark,ifhe'sgotone.""Ididn'tthinkofthat."The woman kept looking at me pretty curious, and I didn't feel a bitcomfortable.Prettysoonshesays,"Whatdidyousayyournamewas,honey?""M—MaryWilliams."Somehowitdidn'tseemtomethatIsaiditwasMarybefore,soIdidn'tlookup—seemed to me I said it was Sarah; so I felt sort of cornered, and wasafearedmaybeIwaslookingit,too.Iwishedthewomanwouldsaysomethingmore;thelongershesetstilltheuneasierIwas.Butnowshesays:"Honey,IthoughtyousaiditwasSarahwhenyoufirstcomein?""Oh,yes'm,Idid.SarahMaryWilliams.Sarah'smyfirstname.SomecallsmeSarah,somecallsmeMary.""Oh,that'sthewayofit?""Yes'm."Iwasfeelingbetter then,butIwishedIwasoutof there,anyway.Icouldn'tlookupyet.Well,thewomanfelltotalkingabouthowhardtimeswas,andhowpoortheyhad to live,andhow the ratswasas freeas if theyowned theplace,andsoforthandsoon,andthenIgoteasyagain.Shewasrightabouttherats.You'dseeonestickhisnoseoutofahole in thecornerevery littlewhile.Shesaidshehad tohave thingshandy to throwat themwhenshewasalone,or theywouldn't give her no peace. She showedme a bar of lead twisted up into aknot,andsaidshewasagoodshotwithitgenerly,butshe'dwrenchedherarmadayortwoago,anddidn'tknowwhethershecouldthrowtruenow.Butshewatchedforachance,anddirectlybangedawayatarat;butshemissedhimwide,andsaid"Ouch!"ithurtherarmso.Thenshetoldmetotryforthenextone.Iwantedtobegettingawaybeforetheoldmangotback,butofcourseIdidn'tleton.Igotthething,andthefirstratthatshowedhisnoseIletdrive,andifhe'dastayedwherehewashe'dabeenatolerablesickrat.Shesaidthatwasfirst-rate,andshereckonedIwouldhivethenextone.Shewentandgot

thelumpofleadandfetcheditback,andbroughtalongahankofyarnwhichshewantedmetohelpherwith.Iheldupmytwohandsandsheputthehankoverthem,andwentontalkingaboutherandherhusband'smatters.Butshebrokeofftosay:"Keepyoureyeontherats.Youbetterhavetheleadinyourlap,handy."Soshedropped the lumpintomylap justat thatmoment,andIclappedmylegstogetheronitandshewentontalking.Butonlyaboutaminute.Thenshetookoff thehankand lookedmestraight in the face,andverypleasant,andsays:"Come,now,what'syourrealname?""Wh—what,mum?""What'syourrealname?IsitBill,orTom,orBob?—orwhatisit?"IreckonIshooklikealeaf,andIdidn'tknowhardlywhattodo.ButIsays:"Pleasetodon'tpokefunatapoorgirllikeme,mum.IfI'minthewayhere,I'll—""No,youwon't.Setdownandstaywhereyouare. I ain't going tohurt you,andIain'tgoingtotellonyou,nuther.Youjusttellmeyoursecret,andtrustme.I'llkeepit;and,what'smore,I'llhelpyou.So'llmyoldmanifyouwanthimto.Yousee,you'rearunaway'prentice,that'sall.Itain'tanything.Thereain'tnoharm in it.You'vebeen treatedbad, andyoumadeupyourmind tocut.Blessyou,child,Iwouldn'ttellonyou.Tellmeallaboutitnow,that'sagoodboy."So I said itwouldn'tbenouse to try toplay itany longer,and Iwould justmake a clean breast and tell her everything, but shemusn't go back on herpromise. Then I told hermy father andmother was dead, and the law hadboundmeout toameanoldfarmer in thecountry thirtymilebackfromtheriver,andhetreatedmesobadIcouldn'tstanditnolonger;hewentawaytobe gone a couple of days, and so I took my chance and stole some of hisdaughter'soldclothesandclearedout,andIhadbeenthreenightscomingthethirtymiles.Itravelednights,andhiddaytimesandslept,andthebagofbreadandmeatIcarriedfromhomelastedmealltheway,andIhada-plenty.IsaidIbelievedmyuncleAbnerMoorewouldtakecareofme,andsothatwaswhyIstruckoutforthistownofGoshen."Goshen,child?This ain'tGoshen.This isSt.Petersburg.Goshen's tenmilefurtheruptheriver.WhotoldyouthiswasGoshen?""Why,amanImetatdaybreakthismorning,justasIwasgoingtoturnintothewoodsformyregularsleep.HetoldmewhentheroadsforkedImusttaketherighthand,andfivemilewouldfetchmetoGoshen."

"Hewasdrunk,Ireckon.Hetoldyoujustexactlywrong.""Well, he did act like hewas drunk, but it ain't nomatter now. I got to bemovingalong.I'llfetchGoshenbeforedaylight.""Holdonaminute.I'llputyouupasnacktoeat.Youmightwantit."Sosheputmeupasnack,andsays:"Say,whenacow's layingdown,whichendofhergetsupfirst?Answeruppromptnow—don'tstoptostudyoverit.Whichendgetsupfirst?""Thehindend,mum.""Well,then,ahorse?""Thefor'rardend,mum.""Whichsideofatreedoesthemossgrowon?""Northside.""If fifteencows isbrowsingonahillside,howmanyof themeatswith theirheadspointedthesamedirection?""Thewholefifteen,mum.""Well,Ireckonyouhavelivedinthecountry.Ithoughtmaybeyouwastryingtohocusmeagain.What'syourrealname,now?""GeorgePeters,mum.""Well, try to remember it, George. Don't forget and tell me it's Elexanderbeforeyougo,andthengetoutbysayingit'sGeorgeElexanderwhenIcatchyou.Anddon'tgoaboutwomeninthatoldcalico.Youdoagirltolerablepoor,butyoumightfoolmen,maybe.Blessyou,child,whenyousetouttothreadaneedledon'tholdthethreadstillandfetchtheneedleuptoit;holdtheneedlestillandpokethethreadatit;that'sthewayawomanmostalwaysdoes,butamanalwaysdoest'otherway.Andwhenyouthrowataratoranything,hitchyourselfupatiptoeandfetchyourhandupoveryourheadasawkwardasyoucan, andmiss your rat about six or seven foot. Throw stiff-armed from theshoulder,liketherewasapivotthereforittoturnon,likeagirl;notfromthewrist and elbow,withyour armout toone side, like a boy.And,mindyou,whenagirltriestocatchanythinginherlapshethrowsherkneesapart;shedon'tclapthemtogether,thewayyoudidwhenyoucatchedthelumpoflead.Why, I spotted you for a boy when you was threading the needle; and Icontrivedtheotherthingsjusttomakecertain.Nowtrotalongtoyouruncle,SarahMaryWilliamsGeorgeElexanderPeters,andifyougetintotroubleyousendwordtoMrs.JudithLoftus,whichisme,andI'lldowhatIcantogetyououtofit.Keeptheriverroadalltheway,andnexttimeyoutramptakeshoesand socks with you. The river road's a rocky one, and your feet'll be in aconditionwhenyougettoGoshen,Ireckon."

Iwent up the bank about fifty yards, and then I doubled onmy tracks andslippedbacktowheremycanoewas,agoodpiecebelowthehouse.Ijumpedin,andwasoffinahurry.Iwentup-streamfarenoughtomaketheheadoftheisland,andthenstartedacross.Itookoffthesun-bonnet,forIdidn'twantnoblinders on then.When I was about the middle I heard the clock begin tostrike,soIstopsandlistens;thesoundcomefaintoverthewaterbutclear—eleven.WhenIstrucktheheadoftheislandIneverwaitedtoblow,thoughIwasmostwinded,butIshovedrightintothetimberwheremyoldcampusedtobe,andstartedagoodfirethereonahighanddryspot.ThenIjumpedinthecanoeanddugoutforourplace,amileandahalfbelow,as hard as I could go. I landed, and slopped through the timber and up theridgeandintothecavern.ThereJimlaid,soundasleepontheground.Irousedhimoutandsays:"Gitupandhumpyourself,Jim!Thereain'taminutetolose.They'reafterus!"Jimneveraskednoquestions,heneversaidaword;butthewayheworkedforthe next half an hour showed about how he was scared. By that timeeverything we had in the world was on our raft, and she was ready to beshovedoutfromthewillowcovewhereshewashid.Weputoutthecampfireatthecavernthefirstthing,anddidn'tshowacandleoutsideafterthat.Itookthecanoeoutfromtheshorealittlepiece,andtookalook;butiftherewasaboataroundIcouldn'tseeit,forstarsandshadowsain'tgoodtoseeby.Thenwegotouttheraftandslippedalongdownintheshade,pastthefootoftheislanddeadstill—neversayingaword.

CHAPTERXII.

ITmustabeencloseontooneo'clockwhenwegotbelowtheislandatlast,andtheraftdidseemtogomightyslow.Ifaboatwastocomealongwewasgoingto take to thecanoeandbreakfor theIllinoisshore;anditwaswellaboatdidn'tcome,forwehadn'teverthoughttoputtheguninthecanoe,orafishing-line,oranythingtoeat.Wewasinruthertoomuchofasweattothinkofsomanythings.Itwarn'tgoodjudgmenttoputeverythingontheraft.IfthemenwenttotheislandIjustexpecttheyfoundthecampfireIbuilt,andwatcheditallnightforJimtocome.Anyways,theystayedawayfromus,andifmybuildingthefireneverfooledthemitwarn'tnofaultofmine.IplayeditaslowdownonthemasIcould.Whenthefirststreakofdaybegantoshowwetieduptoatowheadinabigbend on the Illinois side, and hacked off cottonwood branches with thehatchet,andcovereduptheraftwiththemsoshelookedliketherehadbeena

cave-ininthebankthere.Atow-headisasandbarthathascottonwoodsonitasthickasharrow-teeth.WehadmountainsontheMissourishoreandheavytimberontheIllinoisside,andthechannelwasdowntheMissourishoreatthatplace,sowewarn'tafraidofanybodyrunningacrossus.Welaidthereallday,andwatchedtheraftsandsteamboatsspindowntheMissourishore,andup-boundsteamboatsfightthebigriverinthemiddle.ItoldJimallaboutthetimeIhadjabberingwiththatwoman; and Jim said shewas a smart one, and if shewas to start after usherself shewouldn't set down andwatch a camp fire—no, sir, she'd fetch adog.Well,then,Isaid,whycouldn'tshetellherhusbandtofetchadog?Jimsaidhebetshedidthinkofitbythetimethemenwasreadytostart,andhebelievedtheymustagoneup-towntogetadogandsotheylostallthattime,orelsewewouldn'tbehereonatowheadsixteenorseventeenmilebelowthevillage—no, indeedy,wewouldbe in that sameold town again.So I said Ididn'tcarewhatwasthereasontheydidn'tgetusaslongastheydidn't.When it was beginning to come on dark we poked our heads out of thecottonwoodthicket,andlookedupanddownandacross;nothinginsight;soJimtookupsomeofthetopplanksoftheraftandbuiltasnugwigwamtogetunder in blazingweather and rainy, and to keep the things dry. Jimmade afloorforthewigwam,andraiseditafootormoreabovetheleveloftheraft,so now the blankets and all the trapswas out of reach of steamboatwaves.Rightinthemiddleofthewigwamwemadealayerofdirtaboutfiveorsixinchesdeepwithaframearounditfortoholdittoitsplace;thiswastobuildafire on in sloppy weather or chilly; the wigwamwould keep it from beingseen.Wemadeanextrasteering-oar,too,becauseoneoftheothersmightgetbrokeonasnagorsomething.Wefixedupashortforkedsticktohangtheoldlantern on, because we must always light the lantern whenever we see asteamboat coming down-stream, to keep from getting run over; but wewouldn't have to light it for up-streamboats unlesswe seewewas inwhattheycalla"crossing";fortheriverwasprettyhighyet,verylowbanksbeingstillalittleunderwater;soup-boundboatsdidn'talwaysrunthechannel,buthuntedeasywater.Thissecondnightwerunbetweensevenandeighthours,withacurrent thatwasmakingoverfourmileanhour.Wecatchedfishandtalked,andwetookaswim now and then to keep off sleepiness. It was kind of solemn, driftingdownthebig,still river, layingonourbacks lookingupat thestars,andwedidn'teverfeelliketalkingloud,anditwarn'toftenthatwelaughed—onlyalittlekindofalowchuckle.Wehadmightygoodweatherasageneralthing,andnothingeverhappenedtousatall—thatnight,northenext,northenext.Every night we passed towns, some of them away up on black hillsides,nothing but just a shiny bed of lights; not a house could you see. The fifth

night we passed St. Louis, and it was like the whole world lit up. In St.PetersburgtheyusedtosaytherewastwentyorthirtythousandpeopleinSt.Louis,butIneverbelievedit tillIseethatwonderfulspreadoflightsat twoo'clockthatstillnight.Therewarn'tasoundthere;everybodywasasleep.EverynightnowIusedtoslipashoretowardsteno'clockatsomelittlevillage,andbuytenorfifteencents'worthofmealorbaconorotherstufftoeat;andsometimes I lifted a chicken thatwarn't roosting comfortable, and took himalong.Papalwayssaid,takeachickenwhenyougetachance,becauseifyoudon'twant himyourself you can easy find somebody that does, and a gooddeedain'teverforgot.Ineverseepapwhenhedidn'twantthechickenhimself,butthatiswhatheusedtosay,anyway.Mornings before daylight I slipped into cornfields and borrowed awatermelon,oramushmelon,orapunkin,orsomenewcorn,orthingsofthatkind.Papalwayssaiditwarn'tnoharmtoborrowthingsifyouwasmeaningtopaythembacksometime;butthewidowsaiditwarn'tanythingbutasoftnameforstealing,andnodecentbodywoulddoit.Jimsaidhereckonedthewidowwaspartlyrightandpapwaspartlyright;sothebestwaywouldbeforus topickout twoor three things from the list and saywewouldn'tborrowthem any more—then he reckoned it wouldn't be no harm to borrow theothers.Sowetalkeditoverallonenight,driftingalongdowntheriver,tryingtomakeupourmindswhethertodropthewatermelons,orthecantelopes,orthe mushmelons, or what. But towards daylight we got it all settledsatisfactory, and concluded to drop crabapples and p'simmons. We warn'tfeeling just right before that, but itwas all comfortablenow. Iwasglad thewayitcomeout, too,becausecrabapplesain'tevergood,andthep'simmonswouldn'tberipefortwoorthreemonthsyet.We shot awater-fowl nowand then that got up too early in themorningordidn'tgotobedearlyenoughintheevening.Takeitallround,welivedprettyhigh.The fifth night below St. Louis we had a big storm after midnight, with apowerofthunderandlightning,andtherainpoureddowninasolidsheet.Westayed in thewigwamand let the raft takecareof itself.When the lightningglaredoutwecouldseeabigstraight riverahead,andhigh, rockybluffsonbothsides.ByandbysaysI,"Hel-lo,Jim,lookyyonder!"Itwasasteamboatthathadkilledherselfona rock.Wewasdriftingstraightdownforher.Thelightning showed her very distinct. She was leaning over, with part of herupperdeckabovewater,andyoucouldseeeverylittlechimbly-guycleanandclear,andachairbythebigbell,withanoldslouchhathangingonthebackofit,whentheflashescome.Well,itbeingawayinthenightandstormy,andallsomysterious-like,IfeltjustthewayanyotherboywouldafeltwhenIseethatwrecklayingthereso

mournfuland lonesomein themiddleof theriver. Iwanted togetaboardofherandslinkaroundalittle,andseewhattherewasthere.SoIsays:"Le'slandonher,Jim."ButJimwasdeadagainstitatfirst.Hesays:"I doan'want to go fool'n 'long er nowrack.We's doin' blame'well, enwebetter let blame' well alone, as de good book says. Like as not dey's awatchmanondatwrack.""Watchman your grandmother," I says; "there ain't nothing towatch but thetexasandthepilot-house;anddoyoureckonanybody'sgoingtoreskhislifeforatexasandapilot-housesuchanightasthis,whenit'slikelytobreakupandwashoffdowntheriveranyminute?"Jimcouldn'tsaynothingtothat,sohedidn'ttry."Andbesides,"Isays,"wemightborrowsomethingworthhavingoutofthecaptain'sstateroom.Seegars,Ibetyou—andcostfivecentsapiece,solidcash.Steamboatcaptains isalways rich,andget sixtydollarsamonth,andtheydon'tcareacentwhatathingcosts,youknow,longastheywantit.Stickacandleinyourpocket;Ican'trest,Jim,tillwegiveherarummaging.Do you reckon Tom Sawyer would ever go by this thing? Not for pie, hewouldn't.He'dcall itanadventure—that'swhathe'dcall it;andhe'd landonthatwreckifitwashislastact.Andwouldn'thethrowstyleintoit?—wouldn'thespreadhimself,nornothing?Why,you'dthinkitwasChristopherC'lumbusdiscoveringKingdom-Come.IwishTomSawyerwashere."Jimhegrumbledalittle,butgivein.Hesaidwemustn'ttalkanymorethanwecouldhelp,andthentalkmightylow.Thelightningshowedusthewreckagainjustintime,andwefetchedthestabboardderrick,andmadefastthere.The deck was high out here. We went sneaking down the slope of it tolabboard, in thedark, towards the texas, feelingourwayslowwithour feet,and spreading our hands out to fend off the guys, for it was so dark wecouldn't see no sign of them. Pretty soonwe struck the forward end of theskylight, and clumb on to it; and the next step fetched us in front of thecaptain's door, which was open, and by Jimminy, away down through thetexas-hall we see a light! and all in the same secondwe seem to hear lowvoicesinyonder!Jimwhispered and said hewas feeling powerful sick, and toldme to comealong.Isays,allright,andwasgoingtostartfortheraft;butjustthenIheardavoicewailoutandsay:"Oh,pleasedon't,boys;IswearIwon'tevertell!"Anothervoicesaid,prettyloud:"It'salie,JimTurner.You'veactedthiswaybefore.Youalwayswantmore'nyourshareofthetruck,andyou'vealwaysgotit,too,becauseyou'veswore't

if you didn't you'd tell.But this time you've said it jest one time toomany.You'rethemeanest,treacherousesthoundinthiscountry."BythistimeJimwasgonefortheraft.Iwasjusta-bilingwithcuriosity;andIsaystomyself,TomSawyerwouldn'tbackoutnow,andsoIwon'teither;I'ma-goingtoseewhat'sgoingonhere.SoIdroppedonmyhandsandkneesinthelittlepassage,andcreptaftinthedarktill therewarn'tbutonestateroombetwixtmeandthecross-hallofthetexas.TheninthereIseeamanstretchedonthefloorandtiedhandandfoot,andtwomenstandingoverhim,andoneofthemhadadimlanterninhishand,andtheotheronehadapistol.Thisonekeptpointingthepistolattheman'sheadonthefloor,andsaying:"I'dliketo!AndIorter,too—ameanskunk!"Themanonthefloorwouldshrivelupandsay,"Oh,pleasedon't,Bill;Ihain'tevergoin'totell."Andeverytimehesaidthatthemanwiththelanternwouldlaughandsay:"'Deedyouain't!Youneversaidnotruerthing'nthat,youbetyou."Andoncehesaid:"Hearhimbeg!andyitifwehadn'tgotthebestofhimandtiedhimhe'dakilledusboth.Andwhatfor?Jistfornoth'n.Jistbecausewestoodonourrights—that'swhatfor.ButIlayyouain'ta-goin'tothreatennobodyanymore,JimTurner.Putupthatpistol,Bill."Billsays:"I don't want to, Jake Packard. I'm for killin' him—and didn't he kill oldHatfieldjistthesameway—anddon'thedeserveit?""ButIdon'twanthimkilled,andI'vegotmyreasonsforit.""Bless yo' heart for themwords, JakePackard! I'll never forgit you long's Ilive!"saysthemanonthefloor,sortofblubbering.Packard didn't take no notice of that, but hung up his lantern on a nail andstarted towardswhere Iwas there in thedark, andmotionedBill to come. Icrawfished as fast as I could about twoyards, but theboat slanted so that Icouldn'tmakeverygoodtime;sotokeepfromgettingrunoverandcatchedIcrawledintoastateroomontheupperside.Themancamea-pawingalonginthedark,andwhenPackardgottomystateroom,hesays:"Here—comeinhere."And in he come, andBill after him.But before they got in Iwas up in theupper berth, cornered, and sorry I come. Then they stood there, with theirhandsontheledgeoftheberth,andtalked.Icouldn'tseethem,butIcouldtellwhere theywasby thewhisky they'dbeenhaving. Iwasglad I didn't drinkwhisky; but itwouldn'tmademuch difference anyway, becausemost of thetimetheycouldn'tatreedmebecauseIdidn'tbreathe.Iwastooscared.And,

besides, a body couldn't breathe and hear such talk. They talked low andearnest.BillwantedtokillTurner.Hesays:"He'ssaidhe'lltell,andhewill.Ifwewastogivebothoursharestohimnowitwouldn'tmakenodifferenceafter the rowand thewaywe've servedhim.Shore's you're born, he'll turn State's evidence; now you hear me. I'm forputtinghimoutofhistroubles.""So'mI,"saysPackard,veryquiet."Blameit,I'dsorterbeguntothinkyouwasn't.Well,then,that'sallright.Le'sgoanddoit.""Holdonaminute;Ihain'thadmysayyit.Youlistentome.Shooting'sgood,butthere'squieterwaysifthething'sgottobedone.ButwhatIsayisthis:itain'tgoodsensetogocourt'naroundafterahalterifyoucangitatwhatyou'reuptoinsomewaythat'sjistasgoodandatthesametimedon'tbringyouintonoresks.Ain'tthatso?""Youbetitis.Buthowyougoin'tomanageitthistime?""Well, my idea is this: we'll rustle around and gather up whatever pickinswe'veoverlooked in the staterooms, and shove for shoreandhide the truck.Thenwe'llwait.Now I say it ain't a-goin' tobemore'n twohoursbefo' thiswrackbreaksupandwashesoffdowntheriver.See?He'llbedrownded,andwon't have nobody to blame for it but his own self. I reckon that's aconsiderble sight better 'n killin' of him. I'm unfavorable to killin' aman aslongasyoucangitaroun' it; itain'tgoodsense, itain'tgoodmorals.Ain't Iright?""Yes,Ireck'nyouare.Buts'poseshedon'tbreakupandwashoff?""Well,wecanwaitthetwohoursanywayandsee,can'twe?""Allright,then;comealong."Sotheystarted,andIlitout,allinacoldsweat,andscrambledforward.Itwasdark as pitch there; but I said, in a kindof a coarsewhisper, "Jim!" andheansweredup,rightatmyelbow,withasortofamoan,andIsays:"Quick,Jim,itain'tnotimeforfoolingaroundandmoaning;there'sagangofmurderers in yonder, and ifwe don't hunt up their boat and set her driftingdowntheriversothesefellowscan'tgetawayfromthewreckthere'soneof'emgoingtobeinabadfix.Butifwefindtheirboatwecanputallof'eminabadfix—forthesheriff 'llget 'em.Quick—hurry!I'llhuntthelabboardside,youhuntthestabboard.Youstartattheraft,and—""Oh,my lordy, lordy! raf'?Deyain'noraf'nomo';shedonebroke looseengoneI—enhereweis!"

CHAPTERXIII.

WELL,Icatchedmybreathandmostfainted.Shutuponawreckwithsuchagangasthat!Butitwarn'tnotimetobesentimentering.We'dgottofindthatboat now—had to have it for ourselves. Sowewent a-quaking and shakingdown thestabboardside,andslowwork itwas, too—seemedaweekbeforewegottothestern.Nosignofaboat.Jimsaidhedidn'tbelievehecouldgoanyfurther—soscaredhehadn'thardlyanystrengthleft,hesaid.But Isaid,comeon,ifwegetleftonthiswreckweareinafix,sure.Soonweprowledagain.We struck for the sternof the texas, and found it, and then scrabbledalongforwardsontheskylight,hangingonfromshuttertoshutter,fortheedgeof the skylightwas in thewater.Whenwegot pretty close to the cross-halldoortherewastheskiff,sureenough!Icouldjustbarelyseeher.Ifelteversothankful. In another second Iwould a been aboard of her, but just then thedooropened.Oneof themenstuckhisheadoutonlyaboutacoupleoffootfromme,andIthoughtIwasgone;buthejerkeditinagain,andsays:"Heavethatblamelanternouto'sight,Bill!"He flung a bag of something into the boat, and then got in himself and setdown. ItwasPackard.ThenBillhecomeoutandgot in.Packardsays, inalowvoice:"Allready—shoveoff!"Icouldn'thardlyhangontotheshutters,Iwassoweak.ButBillsays:"Holdon—'dyougothroughhim?""No.Didn'tyou?""No.Sohe'sgothisshareo'thecashyet.""Well,then,comealong;nousetotaketruckandleavemoney.""Say,won'thesuspicionwhatwe'reupto?""Maybehewon't.Butwegottohaveitanyway.Comealong."Sotheygotoutandwentin.Thedoorslammedtobecauseitwasonthecareenedside;andinahalfsecondIwasintheboat,andJimcometumblingafterme.Ioutwithmyknifeandcuttherope,andawaywewent!We didn't touch an oar, and we didn't speak nor whisper, nor hardly evenbreathe.Wewentglidingswiftalong,deadsilent,past the tipof thepaddle-box,andpastthestern;theninasecondortwomorewewasahundredyardsbelowthewreck,andthedarknesssoakedherup,everylastsignofher,andwewassafe,andknowedit.

Whenwewas three or four hundred yards down-streamwe see the lanternshowlikealittlesparkatthetexasdoorforasecond,andweknowedbythatthat the rascalshadmissed their boat, andwasbeginning tounderstand thattheywasinjustasmuchtroublenowasJimTurnerwas.ThenJimmannedtheoars,andwetookoutafterourraft.Nowwasthefirsttime that I begun to worry about the men—I reckon I hadn't had time tobefore.Ibeguntothinkhowdreadfulitwas,evenformurderers,tobeinsuchafix.Isaystomyself,thereain'tnotellingbutImightcometobeamurderermyselfyet,andthenhowwouldIlikeit?SosaysItoJim:"The first lightwe seewe'll land a hundredyards below it or above it, in aplacewhereit'sagoodhiding-placeforyouandtheskiff,andthenI'llgoandfixupsomekindofayarn,andgetsomebodytogoforthatgangandgetthemoutoftheirscrape,sotheycanbehungwhentheirtimecomes."But that ideawasa failure; forprettysoon itbegun tostormagain,and thistime worse than ever. The rain poured down, and never a light showed;everybody inbed, I reckon.Weboomedalongdown the river,watching forlights and watching for our raft. After a long time the rain let up, but theclouds stayed, and the lightning kept whimpering, and by and by a flashshowedusablackthingahead,floating,andwemadeforit.Itwastheraft,andmightygladwaswetogetaboardof itagain.Weseenalightnowawaydowntotheright,onshore.SoIsaidIwouldgofor it.Theskiffwashalffullofplunderwhichthatganghadstolethereonthewreck.Wehustleditontotheraftinapile,andItoldJimtofloatalongdown,andshowalightwhenhejudgedhehadgoneabouttwomile,andkeepitburningtillIcome;thenImannedmyoarsandshovedforthelight.AsIgotdowntowardsit threeor fourmore showed—uponahillside. Itwas a village. I closed inabovetheshorelight,andlaidonmyoarsandfloated.AsIwentbyIsee itwasa lanternhangingonthe jackstaffofadouble-hull ferryboat. Iskimmedaroundforthewatchman,a-wonderingwhereaboutsheslept;andbyandbyIfound him roosting on the bitts forward, with his head down between hisknees.Igavehisshouldertwoorthreelittleshoves,andbeguntocry.Hestirredupinakindofastartlishway;butwhenheseeitwasonlymehetookagoodgapandstretch,andthenhesays:"Hello,what'sup?Don'tcry,bub.What'sthetrouble?"Isays:"Pap,andmam,andsis,and—"ThenIbrokedown.Hesays:"Oh,dangitnow,don'ttakeonso;weallhastohaveourtroubles,andthis'n'llcomeoutallright.What'sthematterwith'em?"

"They're—they're—areyouthewatchmanoftheboat?""Yes," he says, kind of pretty-well-satisfied like. "I'm the captain and theowner and the mate and the pilot and watchman and head deck-hand; andsometimesI'mthefreightandpassengers.Iain'tasrichasoldJimHornback,andIcan'tbesoblame'generousandgoodtoTom,Dick,andHarryaswhathe is, and slamaroundmoney thewayhedoes; but I've toldhimamany atime'tIwouldn'ttradeplaceswithhim;for,saysI,asailor'slife'sthelifeforme,andI'mdernedifI'dlivetwomileouto'town,wherethereain'tnothingevergoin'on,notforallhisspondulicksandasmuchmoreontopofit.SaysI—"Ibrokeinandsays:"They'reinanawfulpeckoftrouble,and—""Whois?""Why,papandmamandsisandMissHooker;andifyou'dtakeyourferryboatandgoupthere—""Upwhere?Wherearethey?""Onthewreck.""Whatwreck?""Why,thereain'tbutone.""What,youdon'tmeantheWalterScott?""Yes.""Goodland!whataretheydoin'there,forgracioussakes?""Well,theydidn'tgotherea-purpose.""Ibet theydidn't!Why,greatgoodness, thereain'tnochancefor 'emif theydon'tgitoffmightyquick!Why,howinthenationdidtheyevergitintosuchascrape?""Easyenough.MissHookerwasa-visitinguptheretothetown—""Yes,Booth'sLanding—goon.""She was a-visiting there at Booth's Landing, and just in the edge of theeveningshestartedoverwithherniggerwomaninthehorse-ferrytostayallnight at her friend's house,MissWhat-you-may-call-her I disremember hername—andtheylosttheirsteering-oar,andswungaroundandwenta-floatingdown, stern first, about twomile, and saddle-baggsedon thewreck, and theferrymanandtheniggerwomanandthehorseswasalllost,butMissHookershemadeagrabandgotaboardthewreck.Well,aboutanhourafterdarkwecomealongdowninourtrading-scow,anditwassodarkwedidn'tnoticethewreck till wewas right on it; and sowe saddle-baggsed; but all of uswas

savedbutBillWhipple—andoh,hewasthebestcretur!—Imostwish'tithadbeenme,Ido.""MyGeorge!It'sthebeatenestthingIeverstruck.Andthenwhatdidyoualldo?""Well, we hollered and took on, but it's so wide there we couldn't makenobodyhear.Sopapsaidsomebodygottogetashoreandgethelpsomehow.Iwastheonlyonethatcouldswim,soImadeadashforit,andMissHookershesaid if Ididn't strikehelp sooner, comehereandhuntupheruncle,andhe'dfixthething.Imadethelandaboutamilebelow,andbeenfoolingalongeversince,tryingtogetpeopletodosomething,buttheysaid,'What,insuchanight and such a current?There ain't no sense in it; go for the steam ferry.'Nowifyou'llgoand—""ByJackson,I'dliketo,and,blameit,Idon'tknowbutIwill;butwhointhedingnation'sa-going'topayforit?Doyoureckonyourpap—""Why that's all right. Miss Hooker she tole me, particular, that her uncleHornback—""Greatguns!isheheruncle?Lookyhere,youbreakforthatlightoveryonder-way,andturnoutwestwhenyougitthere,andaboutaquarterofamileoutyou'llcometothetavern;tell'emtodartyououttoJimHornback's,andhe'llfoot thebill.Anddon'tyou foolaroundany,becausehe'llwant toknowthenews.Tell him I'll have his niece all safe before he can get to town.Humpyourself, now; I'm a-going up around the corner here to roust out myengineer."Istruckforthelight,butassoonasheturnedthecornerIwentbackandgotintomyskiffandbailedherout, and thenpulledupshore in theeasywateraboutsixhundredyards,andtuckedmyselfinamongsomewoodboats;forIcouldn't resteasy till Icouldsee the ferryboat start.But take itallaround, Iwas feeling ruthercomfortableonaccountsof takingall this trouble for thatgang, fornotmanywouldadone it. Iwished thewidowknowedabout it. Ijudged she would be proud of me for helping these rapscallions, becauserapscallionsanddeadbeats is thekindthewidowandgoodpeople takes themostinterestin.Well,beforelongherecomesthewreck,dimanddusky,slidingalongdown!Akindofcoldshiverwentthroughme,andthenIstruckoutforher.Shewasverydeep,andIseeinaminutetherewarn'tmuchchanceforanybodybeingaliveinher.Ipulledallaroundherandholleredalittle,but therewasn'tanyanswer;alldeadstill. I felt a littlebitheavy-heartedabout thegang,butnotmuch,forIreckonediftheycouldstanditIcould.Thenherecomes the ferryboat; so I shoved for themiddleof the riveronalongdown-streamslant;andwhenIjudgedIwasoutofeye-reachIlaidonmy

oars, and looked back and see her go and smell around thewreck forMissHooker's remainders, because the captain would know her uncle Hornbackwouldwantthem;andthenprettysoontheferryboatgiveitupandwentfortheshore,andIlaidintomyworkandwenta-boomingdowntheriver.ItdidseemapowerfullongtimebeforeJim'slightshowedup;andwhenitdidshowitlookedlikeitwasathousandmileoff.BythetimeIgottheretheskywasbeginningtogeta littlegrayintheeast;sowestruckforanisland,andhidtheraft,andsunktheskiff,andturnedinandsleptlikedeadpeople.

CHAPTERXIV.

BYandby,whenwegotup,weturnedoverthetrucktheganghadstoleoffofthewreck,and foundboots, andblankets, andclothes, andall sortsofotherthings, and a lot of books, and a spyglass, and three boxes of seegars.Wehadn'teverbeenthisrichbeforeinneitherofourlives.Theseegarswasprime.Welaidoffalltheafternooninthewoodstalking,andmereadingthebooks,andhavingageneralgoodtime.ItoldJimallaboutwhathappenedinsidethewreckandattheferryboat,andIsaidthesekindsofthingswasadventures;buthe saidhedidn'twantnomore adventures.He said thatwhen Iwent in thetexasandhecrawledbacktogetontheraftandfoundhergonehenearlydied,becausehejudgeditwasallupwithhimanywayitcouldbefixed;for ifhedidn't get saved he would get drownded; and if he did get saved, whoeversavedhimwouldsendhimbackhomesoastogetthereward,andthenMissWatsonwouldsellhimSouth, sure.Well,hewas right;hewasmostalwaysright;hehadanuncommonlevelheadforanigger.IreadconsiderabletoJimaboutkingsanddukesandearlsandsuch,andhowgaudy theydressed, andhowmuch style theyput on, and called eachotheryourmajesty,andyourgrace,andyour lordship,andsoon, 'steadofmister;andJim'seyesbuggedout,andhewasinterested.Hesays:"I didn' know dey was so many un um. I hain't hearn 'bout none un um,skasely,butoleKingSollermun,onlessyoucountsdemkingsdat'sinapackerk'yards.Howmuchdoakinggit?""Get?"Isays;"why,theygetathousanddollarsamonthiftheywantit;theycanhavejustasmuchastheywant;everythingbelongstothem.""Ain'datgay?Enwhatdeygottodo,Huck?""Theydon'tdonothing!Why,howyoutalk!Theyjustsetaround.""No;isdatso?""Of course it is. They just set around—except, maybe, when there's a war;

thentheygotothewar.Butothertimestheyjustlazyaround;orgohawking—justhawkingandsp—Sh!—d'youhearanoise?"We skipped out and looked; but it warn't nothing but the flutter of asteamboat'swheelawaydown,comingaroundthepoint;sowecomeback."Yes," says I, "and other times, when things is dull, they fuss with theparlyment; and if everybodydon't go just sohewhacks theirheadsoff.Butmostlytheyhangroundtheharem.""Roun'dewhich?""Harem.""What'sdeharem?""The place where he keeps his wives. Don't you know about the harem?Solomonhadone;hehadaboutamillionwives.""Why,yes,dat'sso; I—I'ddoneforgot it.Aharem'sabo'd'n-house, I reck'n.Mos'likelydeyhasracketytimesindenussery.EnIreck'ndewivesquarrelsconsidable;endat'creasederacket.YitdeysaySollermundewises'mandateverlive'.Idoan'takenostockindat.Bekasewhy:wouldawisemanwanttoliveindemids'ersichablim-blammin'alldetime?No—'deedhewouldn't.Awiseman'udtakeenbuil'abiler-factry;endenhecouldshetdowndebiler-factrywhenhewanttores'.""Well,buthewasthewisestman,anyway;becausethewidowshetoldmeso,herownself.""Idoank'yerwhatdewiddersay,hewarn'tnowisemannuther.Hehadsomeerdedad-fetchedes'waysIeversee.Doesyouknow'boutdatchiledathe'uzgwynetochopintwo?""Yes,thewidowtoldmeallaboutit.""Well,den!Warn'datdebeatenes'notionindeworl'?Youjes'takeenlookatitaminute.Dah'sdestump,dah—dat'soneerdewomen;heah'syou—dat'sdeyutherone;I'sSollermun;endishyerdollarbill'sdechile.Bofeunyouclaimsit.WhatdoesIdo?DoesIshinaroun'mongs'deneighborsenfineoutwhichunyoudebilldob'longto,enhan'itovertoderightone,allsafeensoun',dewaydatanybodydathadanygumptionwould?No;Itakeenwhackdebillintwo,engivehalfunittoyou,endeyutherhalftodeyutherwoman.Dat'sdewaySollermunwasgwynetodowiddechile.NowIwanttoastyou:what'sdeuseerdathalfabill?—can'tbuynoth'nwidit.Enwhatuseisahalfachile?Iwouldn'giveadernforamillionunum.""Buthangit,Jim,you'vecleanmissedthepoint—blameit,you'vemisseditathousandmile.""Who?Me?Go'long.Doan'talktome'boutyo'pints.Ireck'nIknowssense

whenIseesit;endeyain'nosenseinsichdoin'sasdat.De'sputewarn't'boutahalfachile,de 'sputewas 'boutawholechile;endemandat thinkhekinsettle a 'spute 'bout awhole chilewid a half a chile doan' know enough tocomeinout'nderain.Doan'talktome'boutSollermun,Huck,Iknowshimbydeback.""ButItellyouyoudon'tgetthepoint.""Blamedepoint!Ireck'nIknowswhatIknows.Enmineyou,derealpintisdownfurder—it'sdowndeeper.It lays indewaySollermunwasraised.Youtakeamandat'sgoton'yoneortwochillen;isdatmangwynetobewasefulo'chillen?No,heain't;hecan't'fordit.Heknowhowtovalue'em.Butyoutakeamandat'sgot'boutfivemillionchillenrunnin'roun'dehouse,enit'sdiffunt.Heassoonchopachileintwoasacat.Dey'splentymo'.Achileertwo,mo'erless,warn'tnoconsekenstoSollermun,dadfatchhim!"Ineverseesuchanigger.Ifhegotanotioninhisheadonce,therewarn'tnogettingitoutagain.HewasthemostdownonSolomonofanyniggerIeversee.SoIwenttotalkingaboutotherkings,andletSolomonslide.ItoldaboutLouisSixteenth thatgothisheadcutoff inFrance long timeago;andabouthislittleboythedolphin,thatwouldabeenaking,buttheytookandshuthimupinjail,andsomesayhediedthere."Po'littlechap.""Butsomesayshegotoutandgotaway,andcometoAmerica.""Dat's good! But he'll be pooty lonesome—dey ain' no kings here, is dey,Huck?""No.""Denhecain'tgitnosituation.Whathegwynetodo?""Well,Idon'tknow.Someofthemgetsonthepolice,andsomeofthemlearnspeoplehowtotalkFrench.""Why,Huck,doan'deFrenchpeopletalkdesamewaywedoes?""No,Jim;youcouldn'tunderstandawordtheysaid—notasingleword.""Well,now,Ibeding-busted!Howdodatcome?""Idon'tknow;but it's so. Igot someof their jabberoutof abook.S'poseamanwastocometoyouandsayPolly-voo-franzy—whatwouldyouthink?""Iwouldn'thinknuff'n;I'dtakeenbusthimoverdehead—datis,ifhewarn'twhite.Iwouldn't'lownoniggertocallmedat.""Shucks, it ain't callingyouanything. It's only saying, doyouknowhow totalkFrench?""Well,den,whycouldn'thesayit?"

"Why,heisa-sayingit.That'saFrenchman'swayofsayingit.""Well,it'sablameridicklousway,enIdoan'wanttohearnomo''boutit.Deyain'nosenseinit.""Lookyhere,Jim;doesacattalklikewedo?""No,acatdon't.""Well,doesacow?""No,acowdon't,nuther.""Doesacattalklikeacow,oracowtalklikeacat?""No,deydon't.""It'snaturalandrightfor'emtotalkdifferentfromeachother,ain'tit?""Course.""Andain'titnaturalandrightforacatandacowtotalkdifferentfromus?""Why,mos'sholyitis.""Well, then,why ain't it natural and right for a Frenchman to talk differentfromus?Youanswermethat.""Isacataman,Huck?""No.""Well,den,deyain'tnosenseinacattalkin'likeaman.Isacowaman?—erisacowacat?""No,sheain'teitherofthem.""Well,den,sheain'tgotnobusinesstotalklikeeitheroneertheyutherof'em.IsaFrenchmanaman?""Yes.""Well,den!Dadblameit,whydoan'hetalklikeaman?Youanswermedat!"Iseeitwarn'tnousewastingwords—youcan't learnaniggertoargue.SoIquit.

CHAPTERXV.

WEjudged that threenightsmorewould fetchus toCairo,at thebottomofIllinois,wheretheOhioRivercomesin,andthatwaswhatwewasafter.WewouldselltheraftandgetonasteamboatandgowayuptheOhioamongstthefreeStates,andthenbeoutoftrouble.Well,thesecondnightafogbeguntocomeon,andwemadeforatowheadto

tieto,foritwouldn'tdototrytoruninafog;butwhenIpaddledaheadinthecanoe,withthelinetomakefast,therewarn'tanythingbutlittlesaplingstotieto.Ipassedthelinearoundoneofthemrightontheedgeofthecutbank,buttherewasastiffcurrent,andtheraftcomeboomingdownsolivelyshetoreitoutbytherootsandawayshewent.Iseethefogclosingdown,anditmademesosickandscaredIcouldn'tbudgeformostahalfaminuteitseemedtome—and then therewarn't no raft in sight; you couldn't see twenty yards. Ijumpedintothecanoeandrunbacktothestern,andgrabbedthepaddleandsetherbackastroke.Butshedidn'tcome.IwasinsuchahurryIhadn'tuntiedher.Igotupandtriedtountieher,butIwassoexcitedmyhandsshooksoIcouldn'thardlydoanythingwiththem.AssoonasIgotstartedItookoutaftertheraft,hotandheavy,rightdownthetowhead. That was all right as far as it went, but the towhead warn't sixtyyards long, and theminute I flew by the foot of it I shot out into the solidwhitefog,andhadn'tnomoreideawhichwayIwasgoingthanadeadman.ThinksI,itwon'tdotopaddle;firstIknowI'llrunintothebankoratowheadorsomething;Igottosetstillandfloat,andyetit'smightyfidgetybusinesstohave to hold your hands still at such a time. Iwhooped and listened.Awaydown there somewheres I hears a smallwhoop, and up comesmy spirits. Iwenttearingafterit, listeningsharptohearitagain.Thenext timeitcomeIsee Iwarn'theading for it,butheadingaway to the rightof it.And thenexttimeIwasheadingawaytotheleftofit—andnotgainingonitmucheither,forIwasflyingaround,thiswayandthatandt'other,butitwasgoingstraightaheadallthetime.Ididwishthefoolwouldthinktobeatatinpan,andbeatitallthetime,butheneverdid,anditwasthestillplacesbetweenthewhoopsthatwasmakingthetroubleforme.Well,Ifoughtalong,anddirectlyIhearsthewhoopbehindme.I was tangled good now. That was somebody else's whoop, or else I wasturnedaround.Ithrowedthepaddledown.Iheardthewhoopagain;itwasbehindmeyet,butin a different place; it kept coming, and kept changing its place, and I keptanswering,tillbyandbyitwasinfrontofmeagain,andIknowedthecurrenthadswungthecanoe'sheaddown-stream,andIwasallrightif thatwasJimandnotsomeotherraftsmanhollering.Icouldn'ttellnothingaboutvoicesinafog,fornothingdon'tlooknaturalnorsoundnaturalinafog.Thewhoopingwenton,andinaboutaminuteIcomea-boomingdownonacutbankwithsmokyghostsofbigtreesonit,andthecurrentthrowedmeoffto the leftandshotby,amongsta lotofsnags thatfairlyroared, thecurrrentwastearingbythemsoswift.Inanothersecondortwoitwassolidwhiteandstillagain.Isetperfectlystill

then,listeningtomyheartthump,andIreckonIdidn'tdrawabreathwhileitthumpedahundred.I just give up then. I knowed what the matter was. That cut bank was anisland,andJimhadgonedownt'othersideofit.Itwarn'tnotowheadthatyoucouldfloatbyintenminutes.Ithadthebigtimberofaregularisland;itmightbefiveorsixmileslongandmorethanhalfamilewide.I kept quiet, with my ears cocked, about fifteen minutes, I reckon. I wasfloatingalong,ofcourse,fourorfivemilesanhour;butyoudon'teverthinkofthat.No,youfeellikeyouarelayingdeadstillonthewater;andifalittleglimpseofasnagslipsbyyoudon't thinktoyourselfhowfastyou'regoing,butyoucatchyourbreathandthink,my!howthatsnag'stearingalong.Ifyouthink it ain't dismal and lonesome out in a fog that way by yourself in thenight,youtryitonce—you'llsee.Next, for about a half an hour, I whoops now and then; at last I hears theansweralongwaysoff,andtriestofollowit,butIcouldn'tdoit,anddirectlyIjudgedI'dgotintoanestoftowheads,forIhadlittledimglimpsesofthemonbothsidesofme—sometimesjustanarrowchannelbetween,andsomethatIcouldn't see I knowed was there because I'd hear the wash of the currentagainst theolddeadbrushandtrashthathungover thebanks.Well,Iwarn'tlongloosingthewhoopsdownamongstthetowheads;andIonlytriedtochasethem a little while, anyway, because it was worse than chasing a Jack-o'-lantern.Youneverknowedasounddodgearoundso,andswapplacessoquickandsomuch.Ihadtoclawawayfromthebankprettylivelyfourorfivetimes,tokeepfromknockingtheislandsoutoftheriver;andsoIjudgedtheraftmustbebuttingintothebankeverynowandthen,orelseitwouldgetfurtheraheadandclearoutofhearing—itwasfloatingalittlefasterthanwhatIwas.Well,Iseemedtobeintheopenriveragainbyandby,butIcouldn'thearnosignofawhoopnowheres.IreckonedJimhadfetcheduponasnag,maybe,anditwasallupwithhim.Iwasgoodandtired,soIlaiddowninthecanoeandsaidIwouldn'tbothernomore.Ididn'twanttogotosleep,ofcourse;butIwassosleepyIcouldn'thelpit;soIthoughtIwouldtakejestonelittlecat-nap.But I reckon itwasmore thanacat-nap, forwhen Iwakedup thestarswasshiningbright,thefogwasallgone,andIwasspinningdownabigbendsternfirst.First I didn't knowwhere Iwas; I thought Iwas dreaming; andwhenthings began to come back tome they seemed to come up dim out of lastweek.It was a monstrous big river here, with the tallest and the thickest kind oftimberonbothbanks; justasolidwall,aswellas Icouldseeby thestars. I

lookedawaydown-stream,andseenablackspeckonthewater.Itookafterit;but when I got to it it warn't nothing but a couple of sawlogs made fasttogether.ThenIseeanotherspeck,andchasedthat;thenanother,andthistimeIwasright.Itwastheraft.WhenIgottoitJimwassettingtherewithhisheaddownbetweenhisknees,asleep,with his right arm hanging over the steering-oar. The other oarwassmashedoff,andtheraftwaslitteredupwithleavesandbranchesanddirt.Soshe'dhadaroughtime.ImadefastandlaiddownunderJim'snoseontheraft,andbegantogap,andstretchmyfistsoutagainstJim,andsays:"Hello,Jim,haveIbeenasleep?Whydidn'tyoustirmeup?""Goodnessgracious,isdatyou,Huck?Enyouain'dead—youain'drownded—you'sbackagin?It'stoogoodfortrue,honey,it'stoogoodfortrue.Lemmelookatyouchile,lemmefeelo'you.No,youain'dead!you'sbackagin,'liveensoun',jisdesameoleHuck—desameoleHuck,thankstogoodness!""What'sthematterwithyou,Jim?Youbeena-drinking?""Drinkin'?HasIbena-drinkin'?HasIhadachancetobea-drinkin'?""Well,then,whatmakesyoutalksowild?""HowdoesItalkwild?""How?Why,hain'tyoubeentalkingaboutmycomingback,andallthatstuff,asifI'dbeengoneaway?""Huck—HuckFinn,youlookmeindeeye;lookmeindeeye.Hain'tyoubengoneaway?""Gone away? Why, what in the nation do you mean? I hain't been goneanywheres.WherewouldIgoto?""Well,lookyhere,boss,dey'ssumf'nwrong,deyis.IsIme,orwhoisI?IsIheah,orwhahisI?Nowdat'swhatIwantstoknow.""Well,Ithinkyou'rehere,plainenough,butIthinkyou'reatangle-headedoldfool,Jim.""Iis,isI?Well,youanswermedis:Didn'tyoutoteoutdelineindecanoefertomakefas'todetow-head?""No,Ididn't.Whattow-head?Ihain'tseenotow-head.""Youhain'tseennotowhead?Lookyhere,didn'tdelinepulllooseenderaf'goa-hummin'downderiver,enleaveyouendecanoebehineindefog?""Whatfog?""Why, de fog!—de fogdat's been aroun' all night.En didn't youwhoop, en

didn'tIwhoop,tellwegotmix'upindeislandsenoneunusgotlos'ent'otheronewasjis'asgoodaslos','kasehedidn'knowwhahhewuz?Endidn'tIbustup agin a lot er dem islands en have a turrible time enmos' git drownded?Nowain'datso,boss—ain'titso?Youanswermedat.""Well,thisistoomanyforme,Jim.Ihain'tseennofog,nornoislands,nornotroubles, nor nothing. I been setting here talkingwith you all night till youwent to sleep about ten minutes ago, and I reckon I done the same. Youcouldn'tagotdrunkinthattime,soofcourseyou'vebeendreaming.""Dadfetchit,howisIgwynetodreamalldatintenminutes?""Well,hangitall,youdiddreamit,becausetheredidn'tanyofithappen.""But,Huck,it'salljis'asplaintomeas—""Itdon'tmakenodifferencehowplain it is; thereain'tnothingin it. Iknow,becauseI'vebeenhereallthetime."Jimdidn't saynothing for about fiveminutes,but set there studyingover it.Thenhesays:"Well, den, I reck'n I did dream it, Huck; but dog my cats ef it ain't depowerfullestdreamIeversee.EnIhain'teverhadnodreamb'fo'dat's tiredmelikedisone.""Oh,well, that's all right, because a dreamdoes tire a body like everythingsometimes.Butthisonewasastavingdream;tellmeallaboutit,Jim."So Jim went to work and told me the whole thing right through, just as ithappened,onlyhepainteditupconsiderable.Thenhesaidhemuststartinand"'terpret"it,becauseitwassentforawarning.Hesaidthefirsttowheadstoodforamanthatwouldtrytodoussomegood,butthecurrentwasanothermanthatwouldgetusawayfromhim.Thewhoopswaswarningsthatwouldcometouseverynowandthen,andifwedidn'ttryhardtomakeouttounderstandthemthey'djusttakeusintobadluck,'steadofkeepingusoutofit.Thelotoftowheadswastroubleswewasgoingtogetintowithquarrelsomepeopleandallkindsofmeanfolks,butifwemindedourbusinessanddidn'ttalkbackandaggravatethem,wewouldpullthroughandgetoutofthefogandintothebigclearriver,whichwasthefreeStates,andwouldn'thavenomoretrouble.IthadcloudedupprettydarkjustafterIgotontotheraft,butitwasclearingupagainnow."Oh,well,that'sallinterpretedwellenoughasfarasitgoes,Jim,"Isays;"butwhatdoesthesethingsstandfor?"Itwastheleavesandrubbishontheraftandthesmashedoar.Youcouldseethemfirst-ratenow.Jimlookedatthetrash,andthenlookedatme,andbackatthetrashagain.He

hadgotthedreamfixedsostronginhisheadthathecouldn'tseemtoshakeitlooseandgetthefactsbackintoitsplaceagainrightaway.Butwhenhedidgetthethingstraightenedaroundhelookedatmesteadywithouteversmiling,andsays:"Whatdodeystan'for?I'segwyne to tellyou.WhenIgotallworeoutwidwork, enwidde callin' foryou, enwent to sleep,myheartwuzmos' brokebekaseyouwuzlos',enIdidn'k'yerno'mo'whatbecomeermeenderaf'.EnwhenIwakeupenfineyoubackagin,allsafeensoun',detearscome,enIcouldagotdownonmykneesenkissyo'foot,I'ssothankful.Enallyouwuzthinkin''boutwuzhowyoucouldmakeafooluvoleJimwidalie.Dat truckdahistrash;entrashiswhatpeopleisdatputsdirtondeheaderdeyfren'senmakes'emashamed."Thenhegot up slowandwalked to thewigwam, andwent in therewithoutsaying anything but that. But that was enough. It made me feel so mean Icouldalmostkissedhisfoottogethimtotakeitback.ItwasfifteenminutesbeforeIcouldworkmyselfuptogoandhumblemyselftoanigger;but Idone it,andIwarn'teversorry for itafterwards,neither. Ididn't do him no more mean tricks, and I wouldn't done that one if I'd aknoweditwouldmakehimfeelthatway.

CHAPTERXVI.

WE slept most all day, and started out at night, a little ways behind amonstrous longraft thatwasas longgoingbyasaprocession.Shehadfourlong sweeps at each end, so we judged she carried asmany as thirtymen,likely.Shehadfivebigwigwamsaboard,wideapart,andanopencampfireinthemiddle,andatallflag-poleateachend.Therewasapowerofstyleabouther.Itamountedtosomethingbeingaraftsmanonsuchacraftasthat.Wewentdriftingdownintoabigbend,andthenightcloudedupandgothot.Theriverwasverywide,andwaswalledwithsolidtimberonbothsides;youcouldn't seeabreak in ithardlyever,ora light.We talkedaboutCairo, andwondered whether we would know it when we got to it. I said likely wewouldn't,becauseIhadheardsaytherewarn'tbutaboutadozenhousesthere,andiftheydidn'thappentohavethemlitup,howwaswegoingtoknowwewaspassingatown?Jimsaidif thetwobigrivers joinedtogether there, thatwouldshow.ButIsaidmaybewemightthinkwewaspassingthefootofanislandandcomingintothesameoldriveragain.ThatdisturbedJim—andmetoo.Sothequestionwas,whattodo?Isaid,paddleashorethefirsttimealightshowed,andtellthempapwasbehind,comingalongwithatrading-scow,and

wasagreenhandatthebusiness,andwantedtoknowhowfaritwastoCairo.Jimthoughtitwasagoodidea,sowetookasmokeonitandwaited.Therewarn't nothing todonowbut to lookout sharp for the town, andnotpassitwithoutseeingit.Hesaidhe'dbemightysuretoseeit,becausehe'dbeafreemantheminuteheseenit,butifhemissedithe'dbeinaslavecountryagainandnomoreshowforfreedom.Everylittlewhilehejumpsupandsays:"Dahsheis?"Butitwarn't.ItwasJack-o'-lanterns,orlightningbugs;sohesetdownagain,andwenttowatching,sameasbefore.Jimsaiditmadehimallovertremblyandfeverishtobesoclosetofreedom.Well,Icantellyouitmademeallovertremblyandfeverish, too, tohearhim,becauseIbeguntoget it throughmyheadthathewasmostfree—andwhowastoblameforit?Why,me.Icouldn'tgetthatoutofmyconscience,nohownornoway.ItgottotroublingmesoIcouldn'trest;Icouldn'tstaystillinoneplace.Ithadn'tevercomehometomebefore,whatthisthingwasthatIwasdoing.Butnowitdid;anditstayedwithme, and scorched memore and more. I tried to make out to myself that Iwarn't to blame, because I didn't run Jimoff fromhis rightful owner; but itwarn'tnouse,conscienceupandsays,everytime,"Butyouknowedhewasrunningforhisfreedom,andyoucouldapaddledashoreandtoldsomebody."Thatwas so—I couldn't get around that noway.Thatwaswhere it pinched.Conscience says tome, "What had poorMissWatson done to you that youcould see her nigger go off right under your eyes and never say one singleword?What did that poor oldwomando to you that you could treat her somean?Why, she tried to learn you your book, she tried to learn you yourmanners,shetriedtobegoodtoyoueverywaysheknowedhow.That'swhatshedone."IgottofeelingsomeanandsomiserableImostwishedIwasdead.Ifidgetedupanddowntheraft,abusingmyselftomyself,andJimwasfidgetingupanddownpastme.Weneitherofuscouldkeepstill.Everytimehedancedaroundandsays,"Dah'sCairo!"itwentthroughmelikeashot,andIthoughtifitwasCairoIreckonedIwoulddieofmiserableness.JimtalkedoutloudallthetimewhileIwastalkingtomyself.Hewassayinghow the first thinghewoulddowhenhegot toa freeStatehewouldgo tosavingupmoneyandneverspendasinglecent,andwhenhegotenoughhewouldbuyhiswife,whichwasownedonafarmclosetowhereMissWatsonlived; and then theywould bothwork to buy the two children, and if theirmasterwouldn'tsellthem,they'dgetanAb'litionisttogoandstealthem.Itmostfrozemetohearsuchtalk.Hewouldn'teverdaredtotalksuchtalkinhislifebefore.Justseewhatadifferenceitmadeinhimtheminutehejudgedhewasaboutfree.Itwasaccordingtotheoldsaying,"Giveaniggeraninch

andhe'll takeanell."Thinks I, this iswhatcomesofmynot thinking.Herewasthisnigger,whichIhadasgoodashelpedtorunaway,comingrightoutflat-footedandsayinghewouldstealhischildren—childrenthatbelongedtoamanIdidn'tevenknow;amanthathadn'teverdonemenoharm.IwassorrytohearJimsaythat,itwassuchaloweringofhim.Myconsciencegottostirringmeuphotterthanever,untilatlastIsaystoit,"Letuponme—itain'ttoolateyet—I'llpaddleashoreatthefirstlightandtell."Ifelteasyandhappy and light as a feather right off.Allmy troubleswas gone. Iwent tolooking out sharp for a light, and sort of singing tomyself. By and by oneshowed.Jimsingsout:"We'ssafe,Huck,we'ssafe!Jumpupandcrackyo'heels!Dat'sdegoodoleCairoatlas',Ijisknowsit!"Isays:"I'lltakethecanoeandgoandsee,Jim.Itmightn'tbe,youknow."Hejumpedandgotthecanoeready,andputhisoldcoatinthebottomformetoseton,andgivemethepaddle;andasIshovedoff,hesays:"PootysoonI'llbea-shout'n'forjoy,enI'llsay,it'sallonaccountso'Huck;I'safreeman,enIcouldn'teverbenfreeefithadn'benforHuck;Huckdoneit.Jimwon'teverforgityou,Huck;you'sdebes'fren'Jim'severhad;enyou'sdeonlyfren'oleJim'sgotnow."I was paddling off, all in a sweat to tell on him; but when he says this, itseemedtokindof take the tuckalloutofme.Iwentalongslowthen,andIwarn't right down certain whether I was glad I started or whether I warn't.WhenIwasfiftyyardsoff,Jimsays:"Dah you goes, de ole true Huck; de on'y white genlman dat ever kep' hispromisetooleJim."Well,Ijustfeltsick.ButIsays,Igottodoit—Ican'tgetoutofit.Rightthenalong comes a skiff with twomen in it with guns, and they stopped and Istopped.Oneofthemsays:"What'sthatyonder?""Apieceofaraft,"Isays."Doyoubelongonit?""Yes,sir.""Anymenonit?""Onlyone,sir.""Well, there's fiveniggers runoff to-nightupyonder, above theheadof thebend.Isyourmanwhiteorblack?"

Ididn'tanswerupprompt.Itriedto,butthewordswouldn'tcome.Itriedforasecondortwotobraceupandoutwithit,butIwarn'tmanenough—hadn'tthespunkofarabbit.IseeIwasweakening;soIjustgiveuptrying,andupandsays:"He'swhite.""Ireckonwe'llgoandseeforourselves.""Iwishyouwould,"saysI,"becauseit'spapthat'sthere,andmaybeyou'dhelpmetowtheraftashorewherethelightis.He'ssick—andsoismamandMaryAnn.""Oh,thedevil!we'reinahurry,boy.ButIs'posewe'vegotto.Come,buckletoyourpaddle,andlet'sgetalong."Ibuckledtomypaddleandtheylaidtotheiroars.Whenwehadmadeastrokeortwo,Isays:"Pap'llbemightymuchobleegedtoyou,Icantellyou.EverybodygoesawaywhenIwantthemtohelpmetowtheraftashore,andIcan'tdoitbymyself.""Well, that's infernalmean.Odd, too.Say, boy,what's thematterwith yourfather?""It'sthe—a—the—well,itain'tanythingmuch."Theystoppedpulling.Itwarn'tbutamighty littleways to theraftnow.Onesays:"Boy,that'salie.What is thematterwithyourpap?Answerupsquarenow,andit'llbethebetterforyou.""I will, sir, I will, honest—but don't leave us, please. It's the—the—Gentlemen,ifyou'llonlypullahead,andletmeheaveyoutheheadline,youwon'thavetocomea-neartheraft—pleasedo.""Setherback,John,setherback!"saysone.Theybackedwater."Keepaway,boy—keeptolooard.Confoundit,Ijustexpectthewindhasblowedittous.Yourpap'sgotthesmall-pox,andyouknowitpreciouswell.Whydidn'tyoucomeoutandsayso?Doyouwanttospreaditallover?""Well," says I, a-blubbering, "I've toldeverybodybefore, and they justwentawayandleftus.""Poordevil,there'ssomethinginthat.Wearerightdownsorryforyou,butwe—well,hangit,wedon'twantthesmall-pox,yousee.Lookhere,I'lltellyouwhat todo.Don't you try to landbyyourself, oryou'll smasheverything topieces.Youfloatalongdownabouttwentymiles,andyou'llcometoatownontheleft-handsideoftheriver.Itwillbelongaftersun-upthen,andwhenyouaskforhelpyoutellthemyourfolksarealldownwithchillsandfever.Don'tbeafoolagain,andletpeopleguesswhatisthematter.Nowwe'retryingtodo

youakindness;soyoujustputtwentymilesbetweenus,that'sagoodboy.Itwouldn'tdoanygoodtolandyonderwherethelightis—it'sonlyawood-yard.Say,Ireckonyourfather'spoor,andI'mboundtosayhe'sinprettyhardluck.Here,I'llputatwenty-dollargoldpieceonthisboard,andyougetitwhenitfloatsby.Ifeelmightymeantoleaveyou;butmykingdom!itwon'tdotofoolwithsmall-pox,don'tyousee?""Holdon,Parker,"saystheotherman,"here'satwentytoputontheboardforme.Good-bye,boy;youdoasMr.Parkertoldyou,andyou'llbeallright.""That'sso,myboy—good-bye,good-bye.Ifyouseeanyrunawayniggersyougethelpandnabthem,andyoucanmakesomemoneybyit.""Good-bye,sir,"saysI;"Iwon'tletnorunawayniggersgetbymeifIcanhelpit."TheywentoffandIgotaboardtheraft,feelingbadandlow,becauseIknowedverywellIhaddonewrong,andIseeitwarn'tnouseformetotrytolearntodoright;abodythatdon'tgetstartedrightwhenhe'slittleain'tgotnoshow—whenthepinchcomesthereain'tnothingtobackhimupandkeephimtohiswork,andsohegetsbeat.ThenIthoughtaminute,andsaystomyself,holdon;s'poseyou'dadonerightandgiveJimup,wouldyoufeltbetterthanwhatyoudonow?No, says I, I'd feel bad—I'd feel just the sameway I do now.Well, then, says I, what's the use you learning to do right when it'stroublesometodorightandain'tnotroubletodowrong,andthewagesisjustthesame?Iwasstuck.Icouldn'tanswerthat.SoIreckonedIwouldn'tbothernomoreaboutit,butafterthisalwaysdowhichevercomehandiestatthetime.I went into the wigwam; Jim warn't there. I looked all around; he warn'tanywhere.Isays:"Jim!""HereIis,Huck.Isdeyouto'sightyit?Don'ttalkloud."Hewasintheriverunderthesternoar,withjusthisnoseout.Itoldhimtheywereoutofsight,sohecomeaboard.Hesays:"Iwasa-listenin'toalldetalk,enIslipsintoderiverenwasgwynetoshoveforsho' ifdeycomeaboard.DenIwasgwyne toswimtoderaf'aginwhendeywasgone.But lawsy,howyoudidfool 'em,Huck!Datwuzdesmartes'dodge! I tell you, chile, I'spec it save' ole Jim—ole Jimain't going to forgityoufordat,honey."Thenwe talkedabout themoney. Itwasaprettygood raise—twentydollarsapiece. Jim said we could take deck passage on a steamboat now, and themoneywould last us as far as wewanted to go in the free States. He saidtwentymilemorewarn'tfarfortherafttogo,buthewishedwewasalreadythere.

Towardsdaybreakwetiedup,andJimwasmightyparticularabouthidingtheraft good. Then heworked all day fixing things in bundles, and getting allreadytoquitrafting.Thatnightabouttenwehoveinsightofthelightsofatownawaydowninaleft-handbend.Iwentoff in thecanoe toaskabout it.PrettysoonI foundamanout in theriverwithaskiff,settingatrot-line.Irangedupandsays:"Mister,isthattownCairo?""Cairo?no.Youmustbeablame'fool.""Whattownisit,mister?""Ifyouwanttoknow,goandfindout.Ifyoustayherebotherin'aroundmeforaboutahalfaminutelongeryou'llgetsomethingyouwon'twant."Ipaddledtotheraft.Jimwasawfuldisappointed,butIsaidnevermind,Cairowouldbethenextplace,Ireckoned.Wepassedanothertownbeforedaylight,andIwasgoingoutagain;butitwashighground,soIdidn'tgo.NohighgroundaboutCairo,Jimsaid.Ihadforgotit.Welaidupforthedayonatowheadtolerableclosetotheleft-handbank.Ibeguntosuspicionsomething.SodidJim.Isays:"MaybewewentbyCairointhefogthatnight."Hesays:"Doan'le'stalkaboutit,Huck.Po'niggerscan'thavenoluck.Iawluz'specteddatrattlesnake-skinwarn'tdonewiditswork.""IwishI'dneverseenthatsnake-skin,Jim—IdowishI'dneverlaideyesonit.""Itain'tyo'fault,Huck;youdidn'know.Don'tyoublameyo'self'boutit."Whenitwasdaylight,herewastheclearOhiowaterinshore,sureenough,andoutsidewastheoldregularMuddy!SoitwasallupwithCairo.Wetalkeditallover.Itwouldn'tdototaketotheshore;wecouldn'ttaketheraftup the stream,of course.Therewarn't nowaybut towait fordark, andstartbackinthecanoeandtakethechances.Sowesleptalldayamongstthecottonwoodthicket,soastobefreshforthework,andwhenwewentbacktotheraftaboutdarkthecanoewasgone!Wedidn'tsayawordforagoodwhile.Therewarn'tanythingtosay.Webothknowedwellenoughitwassomemoreworkoftherattlesnake-skin;sowhatwastheusetotalkaboutit?Itwouldonlylooklikewewasfindingfault,andthatwouldbeboundtofetchmorebadluck—andkeeponfetchingit,too,tillweknowedenoughtokeepstill.

Byandbywetalkedaboutwhatwebetterdo,andfoundtherewarn'tnowaybutjusttogoalongdownwiththerafttillwegotachancetobuyacanoetogobackin.Wewarn'tgoingtoborrowitwhentherewarn'tanybodyaround,thewaypapwoulddo,forthatmightsetpeopleafterus.Soweshovedoutafterdarkontheraft.Anybody that don't believe yet that it's foolishness to handle a snake-skin,afterallthatthatsnake-skindoneforus,willbelieveitnowiftheyreadonandseewhatmoreitdoneforus.Theplacetobuycanoesisoffofraftslayingupatshore.Butwedidn'tseenoraftslayingup;sowewentalongduringthreehoursandmore.Well,thenightgotgrayandrutherthick,whichisthenextmeanestthingtofog.Youcan'ttelltheshapeoftheriver,andyoucan'tseenodistance.Itgottobeverylateandstill, and then along comes a steamboat up the river.We lit the lantern, andjudgedshewouldseeit.Up-streamboatsdidn'tgenerlycomeclosetous;theygooutandfollowthebarsandhuntforeasywaterunderthereefs;butnightslikethistheybullrightupthechannelagainstthewholeriver.We could hear her pounding along, butwe didn't see her good till shewasclose.Sheaimedrightforus.Oftentheydothatandtrytoseehowclosetheycancomewithouttouching;sometimesthewheelbitesoffasweep,andthenthepilot stickshisheadout and laughs, and thinkshe'smighty smart.Well,hereshecomes,andwesaidshewasgoingtotryandshaveus;butshedidn'tseem to be sheering off a bit. Shewas a big one, and shewas coming in ahurry,too,lookinglikeablackcloudwithrowsofglow-wormsaroundit;butallofasuddenshebulgedout,bigandscary,witha longrowofwide-openfurnacedoorsshininglikered-hot teeth,andhermonstrousbowsandguardshangingrightoverus.Therewasayellatus,andajinglingofbellstostoptheengines, a powwow of cussing, and whistling of steam—and as Jim wentoverboardononesideandIontheother,shecomesmashingstraightthroughtheraft.Idived—andIaimedtofindthebottom,too,forathirty-footwheelhadgottogooverme,andIwantedittohaveplentyofroom.Icouldalwaysstayunderwateraminute;thistimeIreckonIstayedunderaminuteandahalf.ThenIbouncedfor the top inahurry, for Iwasnearlybusting. Ipoppedout tomyarmpitsandblowedthewateroutofmynose,andpuffedabit.Ofcoursetherewasaboomingcurrent;andofcourse thatboatstartedherenginesagaintenseconds after she stopped them, for they never caredmuch for raftsmen; sonow shewas churning along up the river, out of sight in the thickweather,thoughIcouldhearher.I sung out for Jim about a dozen times, but I didn't get any answer; so IgrabbedaplankthattouchedmewhileIwas"treadingwater,"andstruckout

forshore,shovingitaheadofme.ButImadeout tosee that thedriftof thecurrentwastowardstheleft-handshore,whichmeantthatIwasinacrossing;soIchangedoffandwentthatway.Itwasoneof these long, slanting, two-milecrossings; so Iwasagood longtimeingettingover.Imadeasafelanding,andclumbupthebank.Icouldn'tseebutalittleways,butIwentpokingalongoverroughgroundforaquarterofamileormore,andthenIrunacrossabigold-fashioneddoublelog-housebefore I noticed it. I was going to rush by and get away, but a lot of dogsjumpedoutandwenttohowlingandbarkingatme,andIknowedbetterthantomoveanotherpeg.

CHAPTERXVII.

INaboutaminutesomebodyspokeoutofawindowwithoutputtinghisheadout,andsays:"Bedone,boys!Who'sthere?"Isays:"It'sme.""Who'sme?""GeorgeJackson,sir.""Whatdoyouwant?""Idon'twantnothing,sir. Ionlywant togoalongby,but thedogswon't letme.""Whatareyouprowlingaroundherethistimeofnightfor—hey?""Iwarn'tprowlingaround,sir,Ifelloverboardoffofthesteamboat.""Oh,youdid,didyou?Strikealightthere,somebody.Whatdidyousayyournamewas?""GeorgeJackson,sir.I'monlyaboy.""Look here, if you're telling the truth you needn't be afraid—nobody'll hurtyou.But don't try to budge; stand rightwhere you are. Rouse out Bob andTom,someofyou,andfetchtheguns.GeorgeJackson,isthereanybodywithyou?""No,sir,nobody."Iheardthepeoplestirringaroundinthehousenow,andseealight.Themansungout:

"Snatchthatlightaway,Betsy,youoldfool—ain'tyougotanysense?Putitonthe floor behind the front door. Bob, if you and Tom are ready, take yourplaces.""Allready.""Now,GeorgeJackson,doyouknowtheShepherdsons?""No,sir;Ineverheardofthem.""Well, thatmay be so, and itmayn't. Now, all ready. Step forward,GeorgeJackson.Andmind, don't youhurry—comemighty slow. If there's anybodywithyou, lethimkeepback—ifheshowshimselfhe'llbeshot.Comealongnow.Comeslow;pushthedooropenyourself—justenoughtosqueezein,d'youhear?"Ididn'thurry;Icouldn'tifI'dawantedto.Itookoneslowstepatatimeandtherewarn'tasound,onlyIthoughtIcouldhearmyheart.Thedogswereasstill as the humans, but they followed a little behindme.When I got to thethreelogdoorstepsIheardthemunlockingandunbarringandunbolting.Iputmyhandonthedoorandpusheditalittleandalittlemoretillsomebodysaid,"There, that'senough—putyourhead in."Idone it,but I judgedtheywouldtakeitoff.Thecandlewasonthefloor,andtheretheyallwas,lookingatme,andmeatthem,foraboutaquarterofaminute:Threebigmenwithgunspointedatme,whichmademewince, I tellyou; theoldest,grayandabout sixty, theothertwo thirty or more—all of them fine and handsome—and the sweetest oldgray-headedlady,andbackofhertwoyoungwomenwhichIcouldn'tseerightwell.Theoldgentlemansays:"There;Ireckonit'sallright.Comein."Assoonas Iwas in theoldgentlemanhe locked thedoorandbarred it andboltedit,andtoldtheyoungmentocomeinwiththeirguns,andtheyallwentin a bigparlor that had anew rag carpet on the floor, andgot together in acornerthatwasoutof therangeofthefrontwindows—therewarn'tnoneontheside.Theyheldthecandle,andtookagoodlookatme,andallsaid,"Why,heain'taShepherdson—no,thereain'tanyShepherdsonabouthim."ThentheoldmansaidhehopedIwouldn'tmindbeingsearchedforarms,becausehedidn'tmeannoharmbyit—itwasonlytomakesure.Sohedidn'tpryintomypockets,butonlyfeltoutsidewithhishands,andsaiditwasallright.Hetoldme tomakemyself easy andat home, and tell all aboutmyself; but theoldladysays:"Why, bless you, Saul, the poor thing's aswet as he can be; and don't youreckonitmaybehe'shungry?""Trueforyou,Rachel—Iforgot."

Sotheoldladysays:"Betsy"(thiswasaniggerwoman),"youflyaroundandgethimsomethingtoeatasquickasyoucan,poorthing;andoneofyougirlsgoandwakeupBuckandtellhim—oh,hereheishimself.Buck,takethislittlestrangerandgetthewetclothesofffromhimanddresshimupinsomeofyoursthat'sdry."Bucklookedaboutasoldasme—thirteenorfourteenoralongthere, thoughhewasalittlebiggerthanme.Hehadn'tonanythingbutashirt,andhewasveryfrowzy-headed.Hecameingapinganddiggingonefistintohiseyes,andhewasdraggingagunalongwiththeotherone.Hesays:"Ain'ttheynoShepherdsonsaround?"Theysaid,no,'twasafalsealarm."Well,"hesays,"ifthey'dabensome,IreckonI'dagotone."Theyalllaughed,andBobsays:"Why,Buck,theymighthavescalpedusall,you'vebeensoslowincoming.""Well,nobodycomeafterme,anditain'trightI'malwayskeptdown;Idon'tgetnoshow.""Nevermind,Buck,myboy,"saystheoldman,"you'llhaveshowenough,allingoodtime,don'tyoufretaboutthat.Go'longwithyounow,anddoasyourmothertoldyou."Whenwegotup-stairstohisroomhegotmeacoarseshirtandaroundaboutandpantsofhis,andIput themon.WhileIwasat itheaskedmewhatmynamewas,butbeforeIcouldtellhimhestartedtotellmeaboutabluejayandayoungrabbithehadcatchedinthewoodsdaybeforeyesterday,andheaskedmewhereMoseswaswhenthecandlewentout.IsaidIdidn'tknow;Ihadn'theardaboutitbefore,noway."Well,guess,"hesays."How'mIgoingtoguess,"saysI,"whenIneverheardtellofitbefore?""Butyoucanguess,can'tyou?It'sjustaseasy.""Whichcandle?"Isays."Why,anycandle,"hesays."Idon'tknowwherehewas,"saysI;"wherewashe?""Why,hewasinthedark!That'swherehewas!""Well,ifyouknowedwherehewas,whatdidyouaskmefor?""Why,blame it, it's a riddle,don't you see?Say,how longareyougoing tostay here?You got to stay always.We can just have booming times—theydon'thavenoschoolnow.Doyouownadog?I'vegotadog—andhe'llgoin

the river and bring out chips that you throw in. Do you like to comb upSundays,andall thatkindoffoolishness?YoubetIdon't,butmashemakesme.Confoundtheseolebritches!IreckonI'dbetterput'emon,butI'druthernot,it'ssowarm.Areyouallready?Allright.Comealong,oldhoss."Coldcorn-pone,coldcorn-beef,butterandbuttermilk—thatiswhattheyhadformedown there, and there ain't nothing better that ever I've come acrossyet. Buck and hisma and all of them smoked cob pipes, except the niggerwoman,whichwas gone, and the two youngwomen. They all smoked andtalked,and Ieatand talked.Theyoungwomenhadquilts around them,andtheirhairdowntheirbacks.Theyallaskedmequestions,andItoldthemhowpapandmeandallthefamilywaslivingonalittlefarmdownatthebottomofArkansaw, andmy sisterMaryAnn run off and gotmarried and neverwasheardofnomore,andBillwenttohuntthemandhewarn'theardofnomore,andTomandMortdied,andthentherewarn'tnobodybutjustmeandpapleft,andhewasjusttrimmeddowntonothing,onaccountofhistroubles;sowhenhediedI tookwhat therewas left,because thefarmdidn'tbelongtous,andstarteduptheriver,deckpassage,andfelloverboard;andthatwashowIcometobehere.SotheysaidIcouldhaveahomethereaslongasIwantedit.Thenitwasmostdaylightandeverybodywenttobed,andIwenttobedwithBuck,andwhenIwakedupinthemorning,drat itall, Ihadforgotwhatmynamewas.SoIlaidthereaboutanhourtryingtothink,andwhenBuckwakedupIsays:"Canyouspell,Buck?""Yes,"hesays."Ibetyoucan'tspellmyname,"saysI."IbetyouwhatyoudareIcan,"sayshe."Allright,"saysI,"goahead.""G-e-o-r-g-eJ-a-x-o-n—therenow,"hesays."Well,"saysI,"youdoneit,butIdidn'tthinkyoucould.Itain'tnoslouchofanametospell—rightoffwithoutstudying."Isetitdown,private,becausesomebodymightwantmetospellitnext,andsoIwantedtobehandywithitandrattleitofflikeIwasusedtoit.Itwas amighty nice family, and amighty nice house, too. Ihadn't seennohouse out in the country before thatwas so nice and had somuch style. Itdidn'thaveanironlatchonthefrontdoor,norawoodenonewithabuckskinstring,butabrassknobtoturn,thesameashousesintown.Therewarn'tnobedintheparlor,norasignofabed;butheapsofparlorsintownshasbedsinthem.Therewasabigfireplacethatwasbrickedonthebottom,andthebrickswas kept clean and red by pouringwater on them and scrubbing themwith

anotherbrick;sometimestheywashthemoverwithredwater-paintthattheycallSpanish-brown, same as theydo in town.They had big brass dog-ironsthat could hold up a saw-log. There was a clock on the middle of themantelpiece,withapictureofatownpaintedonthebottomhalfoftheglassfront,andaroundplaceinthemiddleofitforthesun,andyoucouldseethependulum swinging behind it. It was beautiful to hear that clock tick; andsometimeswhenoneofthesepeddlershadbeenalongandscouredherupandgotheringoodshape,shewouldstartinandstrikeahundredandfiftybeforeshegottuckeredout.Theywouldn'ttookanymoneyforher.Well,therewasabigoutlandishparrotoneachsideoftheclock,madeoutofsomething likechalk,andpaintedupgaudy.Byoneof theparrotswasacatmade of crockery, and a crockery dog by the other; andwhen you presseddownonthemtheysqueaked,butdidn'topentheirmouthsnorlookdifferentnorinterested.Theysqueakedthroughunderneath.Therewasacoupleofbigwild-turkey-wing fans spread out behind those things. On the table in themiddleoftheroomwasakindofalovelycrockerybasketthathadapplesandoranges and peaches and grapes piled up in it,whichwasmuch redder andyellowerandprettierthanrealonesis,buttheywarn'trealbecauseyoucouldseewherepieceshadgotchippedoffandshowedthewhitechalk,orwhateveritwas,underneath.This table had a cover made out of beautiful oilcloth, with a red and bluespread-eaglepaintedonit,andapaintedborderallaround.ItcomeallthewayfromPhiladelphia, they said.Therewas somebooks, too, piled upperfectlyexact,oneachcornerofthetable.OnewasabigfamilyBiblefullofpictures.OnewasPilgrim'sProgress,aboutamanthatlefthisfamily,itdidn'tsaywhy.I read considerable in it now and then. The statements was interesting, buttough.Anotherwas Friendship'sOffering, full of beautiful stuff and poetry;butIdidn'treadthepoetry.AnotherwasHenryClay'sSpeeches,andanotherwasDr. Gunn's FamilyMedicine, which told you all aboutwhat to do if abodywassickordead.Therewasahymnbook,andalotofotherbooks.Andtherewasnicesplit-bottomchairs,andperfectlysound,too—notbaggeddowninthemiddleandbusted,likeanoldbasket.They had pictures hung on the walls—mainlyWashingtons and Lafayettes,and battles, andHighlandMarys, and one called "Signing theDeclaration."Therewas some that theycalledcrayons,whichoneof thedaughterswhichwasdeadmadeherownselfwhenshewasonlyfifteenyearsold.Theywasdifferent from any pictures I ever see before—blacker, mostly, than iscommon.One was a woman in a slim black dress, belted small under thearmpits,withbulges likeacabbage in themiddleof thesleeves,anda largeblack scoop-shovel bonnetwith a black veil, andwhite slim ankles crossedaboutwithblacktape,andveryweeblackslippers,likeachisel,andshewas

leaningpensiveona tombstoneonherrightelbow,underaweepingwillow,andherotherhandhangingdownhersideholdingawhitehandkerchiefandareticule, and underneath the picture it said "Shall I Never See Thee MoreAlas."Anotheronewasayoungladywithherhairallcombedupstraighttothetopofherhead,andknottedthereinfrontofacomblikeachair-back,andshewascryingintoahandkerchiefandhadadeadbirdlayingonitsbackinher other handwith its heels up, and underneath the picture it said "I ShallNeverHearThySweetChirrupMoreAlas."Therewas onewhere a youngladywas at awindow looking up at themoon, and tears running down hercheeks; and she had an open letter in one hand with black sealing waxshowingononeedgeof it, and shewasmashinga locketwith a chain to itagainsthermouth,andunderneaththepictureitsaid"AndArtThouGoneYesThou Art Gone Alas." These was all nice pictures, I reckon, but I didn'tsomehowseemtotaketothem,becauseifeverIwasdownalittletheyalwaysgivemethefan-tods.Everybodywassorryshedied,becauseshehadlaidoutalotmoreofthesepicturestodo,andabodycouldseebywhatshehaddonewhattheyhadlost.ButIreckonedthatwithherdispositionshewashavingabetter time in the graveyard. She was at work on what they said was hergreatestpicturewhenshetooksick,andeverydayandeverynightitwasherprayertobeallowedtolivetillshegotitdone,butshenevergotthechance.Itwasapictureofayoungwomaninalongwhitegown,standingontherailofabridgeallreadytojumpoff,withherhairalldownherback,andlookingupto the moon, with the tears running down her face, and she had two armsfolded acrossher breast, and twoarms stretchedout in front, and twomorereachinguptowardsthemoon—andtheideawastoseewhichpairwouldlookbest, and then scratch out all the other arms; but, as Iwas saying, she diedbeforeshegothermindmadeup,andnowtheykeptthispictureovertheheadofthebedinherroom,andeverytimeherbirthdaycometheyhungflowersonit.Othertimesitwashidwithalittlecurtain.Theyoungwomaninthepicturehadakindofanicesweetface,buttherewassomanyarmsitmadeherlooktoospidery,seemedtome.This young girl kept a scrap-book when she was alive, and used to pasteobituaries and accidents and cases of patient suffering in it out of thePresbyterianObserver,andwritepoetryafterthemoutofherownhead.Itwasverygoodpoetry.ThisiswhatshewroteaboutaboybythenameofStephenDowlingBotsthatfelldownawellandwasdrownded:ODETOSTEPHENDOWLINGBOTS,DEC'DAnddidyoungStephensicken,AnddidyoungStephendie?Anddidthesadheartsthicken,

Anddidthemournerscry?No;suchwasnotthefateofYoungStephenDowlingBots;Thoughsadheartsroundhimthickened,'Twasnotfromsickness'shots.Nowhooping-coughdidrackhisframe,Normeaslesdrearwithspots;NottheseimpairedthesacrednameOfStephenDowlingBots.DespisedlovestrucknotwithwoeThatheadofcurlyknots,Norstomachtroubleslaidhimlow,YoungStephenDowlingBots.Ono.Thenlistwithtearfuleye,WhilstIhisfatedotell.HissouldidfromthiscoldworldflyByfallingdownawell.Theygothimoutandemptiedhim;Alasitwastoolate;HisspiritwasgonefortosportaloftIntherealmsofthegoodandgreat.IfEmmelineGrangerfordcouldmakepoetrylikethatbeforeshewasfourteen,there ain't no tellingwhat she could adoneby andby.Buck said shecouldrattleoffpoetrylikenothing.Shedidn'teverhavetostoptothink.Hesaidshewould slap down a line, and if she couldn't find anything to rhymewith itwouldjustscratchitoutandslapdownanotherone,andgoahead.Shewarn'tparticular; she could write about anything you choose to give her to writeaboutjustsoitwassadful.Everytimeamandied,orawomandied,orachilddied,shewouldbeonhandwithher"tribute"beforehewascold.Shecalledthemtributes.Theneighborssaiditwasthedoctorfirst,thenEmmeline,thentheundertaker—theundertakernevergotinaheadofEmmelinebutonce,andthenshehungfireonarhymeforthedeadperson'sname,whichwasWhistler.She warn't ever the same after that; she never complained, but she kinderpinedawayanddidnotlivelong.Poorthing,many'sthetimeImademyselfgoup to the little room thatused tobehersandgetoutherpoorold scrap-

book and read in it when her pictures had been aggravating me and I hadsoured on her a little. I liked all that family, dead ones and all, and warn'tgoingtoletanythingcomebetweenus.PoorEmmelinemadepoetryaboutallthedeadpeoplewhenshewasalive,anditdidn'tseemrightthattherewarn'tnobodytomakesomeabouthernowshewasgone;soItriedtosweatoutaverseor twomyself,but Icouldn't seem tomake itgosomehow.They keptEmmeline'sroomtrimandnice,andallthethingsfixedinitjustthewayshelikedtohavethemwhenshewasalive,andnobodyeversleptthere.Theoldladytookcareoftheroomherself,thoughtherewasplentyofniggers,andshesewedthereagooddealandreadherBibletheremostly.Well, as I was saying about the parlor, there was beautiful curtains on thewindows:white,withpicturespaintedonthemofcastleswithvinesalldownthewalls,andcattlecomingdowntodrink.Therewasalittleoldpiano,too,thathadtinpansinit,Ireckon,andnothingwaseversolovelyastoheartheyoungladiessing"TheLastLinkisBroken"andplay"TheBattleofPrague"on it.Thewallsofall the roomswasplastered,andmosthadcarpetson thefloors,andthewholehousewaswhitewashedontheoutside.Itwasadoublehouse,and thebigopenplacebetwixt themwas roofedandfloored,andsometimesthetablewassetthereinthemiddleoftheday,anditwas a cool, comfortable place. Nothing couldn't be better. And warn't thecookinggood,andjustbushelsofittoo!

CHAPTERXVIII.

COL.Grangerfordwas a gentleman, you see.Hewas a gentleman all over;andsowashisfamily.Hewaswellborn,asthesayingis,andthat'sworthasmuchinamanasitisinahorse,sotheWidowDouglassaid,andnobodyeverdeniedthatshewasofthefirstaristocracyinourtown;andpaphealwayssaidit, too, though he warn't no more quality than a mudcat himself. Col.Grangerfordwasverytallandveryslim,andhadadarkish-palycomplexion,notasignofredinitanywheres;hewascleanshavedeverymorningalloverhis thin face, and he had the thinnest kind of lips, and the thinnest kind ofnostrils,andahighnose,andheavyeyebrows,andtheblackestkindofeyes,sunk sodeepback that they seemed like theywas lookingoutof cavernsatyou, as you may say. His forehead was high, and his hair was black andstraightandhungtohisshoulders.Hishandswaslongandthin,andeverydayofhislifeheputonacleanshirtandafullsuitfromheadtofootmadeoutoflinensowhiteithurtyoureyestolookatit;andonSundaysheworeabluetail-coatwithbrass buttonson it.He carried amahogany canewith a silverhead to it.Therewarn't no frivolishness about him, not a bit, and hewarn't

everloud.Hewasaskindashecouldbe—youcouldfeelthat,youknow,andsoyouhadconfidence.Sometimeshesmiled,anditwasgoodtosee;butwhenhe straightened himself up like a liberty-pole, and the lightning begun toflickeroutfromunderhiseyebrows,youwantedtoclimbatreefirst,andfindoutwhat thematterwas afterwards.He didn't ever have to tell anybody tomind their manners—everybodywas always good-mannered where he was.Everybody loved tohavehimaround, too; hewas sunshinemost always—Imeanhemadeitseemlikegoodweather.Whenheturnedintoacloudbankitwasawfuldarkforhalfaminute,andthatwasenough;therewouldn'tnothinggowrongagainforaweek.Whenhimandtheoldladycomedowninthemorningall thefamilygotupoutoftheirchairsandgivethemgood-day,anddidn'tsetdownagaintilltheyhadsetdown.ThenTomandBobwent to the sideboardwhere thedecanterwas,andmixedaglassofbittersandhanded it tohim,andheheld it inhishand andwaited till Tom's andBob'swasmixed, and then they bowed andsaid,"Ourduty toyou,sir,andmadam;"and theybowed the leastbit in theworld and said thank you, and so they drank, all three, and Bob and Tompoured a spoonful of water on the sugar and the mite of whisky or applebrandy in thebottomof their tumblers, andgive it tomeandBuck, andwedranktotheoldpeopletoo.Bob was the oldest and Tom next—tall, beautiful men with very broadshouldersandbrownfaces,andlongblackhairandblackeyes.Theydressedin white linen from head to foot, like the old gentleman, and wore broadPanamahats.Then therewasMissCharlotte; shewas twenty-five, and tall andproudandgrand,butasgoodasshecouldbewhenshewarn'tstirredup;butwhenshewasshehada look thatwouldmakeyouwilt inyour tracks, likeher father.Shewasbeautiful.Sowashersister,MissSophia,butitwasadifferentkind.Shewasgentleandsweetlikeadove,andshewasonlytwenty.Eachpersonhadtheirownniggertowaitonthem—Bucktoo.Myniggerhadamonstrouseasytime,becauseIwarn'tusedtohavinganybodydoanythingforme,butBuck'swasonthejumpmostofthetime.Thiswas all therewasof the familynow,but there used to bemore—threesons;theygotkilled;andEmmelinethatdied.The old gentleman owned a lot of farms and over a hundred niggers.Sometimesastackofpeoplewouldcomethere,horseback,fromtenorfifteenmilearound,andstayfiveorsixdays,andhavesuchjunketingsroundaboutandon theriver,anddancesandpicnics in thewoodsdaytimes,andballsatthe house nights.These peoplewasmostly kinfolks of the family.Themen

broughttheirgunswiththem.Itwasahandsomelotofquality,Itellyou.There was another clan of aristocracy around there—five or six families—mostly of the nameof Shepherdson.Theywas as high-toned andwell bornand rich and grand as the tribe of Grangerfords. The Shepherdsons andGrangerfords used the same steamboat landing, which was about two mileaboveourhouse;sosometimeswhenIwentuptherewithalotofourfolksIusedtoseealotoftheShepherdsonsthereontheirfinehorses.OnedayBuckandmewasawayoutinthewoodshunting,andheardahorsecoming.Wewascrossingtheroad.Bucksays:"Quick!Jumpforthewoods!"Wedoneit,andthenpeepeddownthewoodsthroughtheleaves.Prettysoonasplendidyoungmancomegallopingdowntheroad,settinghishorseeasyandlooking like a soldier. He had his gun across his pommel. I had seen himbefore. ItwasyoungHarneyShepherdson. I heardBuck's gungooff atmyear,andHarney'shattumbledofffromhishead.Hegrabbedhisgunandrodestraighttotheplacewherewewashid.Butwedidn'twait.Westartedthroughthewoodsonarun.Thewoodswarn'tthick,soIlookedovermyshouldertododgethebullet,andtwiceIseenHarneycoverBuckwithhisgun;andthenherodeawaythewayhecome—togethishat,Ireckon,butIcouldn'tsee.Wenever stopped running tillwe got home. The old gentleman's eyes blazed aminute—'twas pleasure, mainly, I judged—then his face sort of smootheddown,andhesays,kindofgentle:"Idon't like that shooting frombehindabush.Whydidn't you step into theroad,myboy?""TheShepherdsonsdon't,father.Theyalwaystakeadvantage."MissCharlottesheheldherheaduplikeaqueenwhileBuckwastellinghistale,andhernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapped.Thetwoyoungmenlookeddark,butneversaidnothing.MissSophiasheturnedpale,butthecolorcomebackwhenshefoundthemanwarn'thurt.SoonasIcouldgetBuckdownbythecorn-cribsunderthetreesbyourselves,Isays:"Didyouwanttokillhim,Buck?""Well,IbetIdid.""Whatdidhedotoyou?""Him?Heneverdonenothingtome.""Well,then,whatdidyouwanttokillhimfor?""Why,nothing—onlyit'sonaccountofthefeud."

"What'safeud?""Why,wherewasyouraised?Don'tyouknowwhatafeudis?""Neverheardofitbefore—tellmeaboutit.""Well,"saysBuck,"afeudisthisway:Amanhasaquarrelwithanotherman,andkillshim;thenthatotherman'sbrotherkillshim;thentheotherbrothers,onbothsides,goesforoneanother;thenthecousinschipin—andbyandbyeverybody'skilledoff,andthereain'tnomorefeud.Butit'skindofslow,andtakesalongtime.""Hasthisonebeengoingonlong,Buck?""Well,Ishouldreckon!Itstartedthirtyyearago,orsom'ersalongthere.Therewastrouble'boutsomething,andthenalawsuittosettleit;andthesuitwentaginoneofthemen,andsoheupandshotthemanthatwonthesuit—whichhewouldnaturallydo,ofcourse.Anybodywould.""Whatwasthetroubleabout,Buck?—land?""Ireckonmaybe—Idon'tknow.""Well,whodonetheshooting?WasitaGrangerfordoraShepherdson?""Laws,howdoIknow?Itwassolongago.""Don'tanybodyknow?""Oh,yes,paknows,Ireckon,andsomeoftheotheroldpeople;buttheydon'tknownowwhattherowwasaboutinthefirstplace.""Hastherebeenmanykilled,Buck?""Yes;rightsmartchanceoffunerals.Buttheydon'talwayskill.Pa'sgotafewbuckshotinhim;buthedon'tmindit'cuzhedon'tweighmuch,anyway.Bob'sbeencarvedupsomewithabowie,andTom'sbeenhurtonceortwice.""Hasanybodybeenkilledthisyear,Buck?""Yes;wegotoneand theygotone. 'Bout threemonthsagomycousinBud,fourteenyear old,was riding through thewoodson t'other sideof the river,anddidn'thavenoweaponwithhim,whichwasblame'foolishness,andinalonesome place he hears a horse a-coming behind him, and sees old BaldyShepherdsona-linkin'afterhimwithhisguninhishandandhiswhitehaira-flying in the wind; and 'stead of jumping off and taking to the brush, Bud'lowed he could out-run him; so they had it, nip and tuck, for fivemile ormore,theoldmana-gainingallthetime;soatlastBudseenitwarn'tanyuse,so he stopped and faced around so as to have the bullet holes in front, youknow,andtheoldmanherodeupandshothimdown.Buthedidn'tgitmuchchancetoenjoyhisluck,forinsideofaweekourfolkslaidhimout.""Ireckonthatoldmanwasacoward,Buck."

"I reckon he warn't a coward. Not by a blame' sight. There ain't a cowardamongstthemShepherdsons—notaone.Andthereain'tnocowardsamongsttheGrangerfordseither.Why,thatoldmankep'uphisendinafightonedayforhalfanhouragainst threeGrangerfords,andcomeoutwinner.Theywasall a-horseback; he lit off of his horse andgot behind a littlewoodpile, andkep'hishorsebeforehimtostop thebullets;but theGrangerfordsstayedontheirhorsesandcaperedaroundtheoldman,andpepperedawayathim,andhepeppered awayat them.Him and his horse bothwent homepretty leakyand crippled, but theGrangerfords had to befetched home—and one of 'emwasdead,andanotherdied thenextday.No, sir; ifabody'southunting forcowards he don't want to fool away any time amongst them Shepherdsons,becuztheydon'tbreedanyofthatkind."NextSundayweallwenttochurch,aboutthreemile,everybodya-horseback.The men took their guns along, so did Buck, and kept them between theirkneesorstoodthemhandyagainstthewall.TheShepherdsonsdonethesame.It was pretty ornery preaching—all about brotherly love, and such-liketiresomeness;buteverybodysaiditwasagoodsermon,andtheyalltalkeditover going home, and had such a powerful lot to say about faith and goodworksandfreegraceandpreforeordestination,andIdon'tknowwhatall,thatitdidseemtometobeoneoftheroughestSundaysIhadrunacrossyet.Aboutanhourafterdinnereverybodywasdozingaround,someintheirchairsand some in their rooms, and it got to be pretty dull. Buck and a dogwasstretchedoutonthegrassinthesunsoundasleep.Iwentuptoourroom,andjudgedIwouldtakeanapmyself.IfoundthatsweetMissSophiastandinginherdoor,whichwasnext toours,andshe tookmeinherroomandshut thedoorverysoft,andaskedmeifIlikedher,andIsaidIdid;andsheaskedmeifIwoulddosomethingforherandnottellanybody,andIsaidIwould.Thenshesaidshe'd forgotherTestament,and left it in theseatatchurchbetweentwootherbooks,andwouldIslipoutquietandgothereandfetchittoher,andnotsaynothingtonobody.IsaidIwould.SoIslidoutandslippedoffuptheroad,andtherewarn'tanybodyatthechurch,exceptmaybeahogortwo,fortherewarn'tanylockonthedoor,andhogslikesapuncheonfloorinsummer-timebecauseit'scool.Ifyounotice,mostfolksdon'tgotochurchonlywhenthey'vegotto;butahogisdifferent.SaysItomyself,something'sup;itain'tnaturalforagirltobeinsuchasweataboutaTestament.SoIgive itashake,andoutdropsa littlepieceofpaperwith "HALF-PAST TWO" wrote on it with a pencil. I ransacked it, butcouldn'tfindanythingelse.Icouldn'tmakeanythingoutof that,soIput thepaper in the book again, andwhen I got home and upstairs therewasMissSophia inherdoorwaitingforme.Shepulledmeinandshutthedoor; thenshelookedintheTestamenttillshefoundthepaper,andassoonasshereadit

shelookedglad;andbeforeabodycouldthinkshegrabbedmeandgivemeasqueeze,andsaidIwasthebestboyintheworld,andnottotellanybody.Shewasmightyredinthefaceforaminute,andhereyeslightedup,anditmadeherpowerfulpretty.Iwasagooddealastonished,butwhenIgotmybreathIaskedherwhatthepaperwasabout,andsheaskedmeifIhadreadit,andIsaid no, and she askedme if I could readwriting, and I told her "no, onlycoarse-hand,"andthenshesaidthepaperwarn'tanythingbutabook-marktokeepherplace,andImightgoandplaynow.Iwentoffdowntotheriver,studyingoverthisthing,andprettysoonInoticedthatmyniggerwasfollowingalongbehind.Whenwewasoutofsightofthehouse he looked back and around a second, and then comes a-running, andsays:"MarsJawge,ifyou'llcomedownintodeswampI'llshowyouawholestacko'water-moccasins."Thinks I, that's mighty curious; he said that yesterday. He oughter know abodydon'tlovewater-moccasinsenoughtogoaroundhuntingforthem.Whatisheupto,anyway?SoIsays:"Allright;trotahead."Ifollowedahalfamile;thenhestruckoutovertheswamp,andwadedankledeepasmuchasanotherhalf-mile.Wecometoalittleflatpieceoflandwhichwasdryandverythickwithtreesandbushesandvines,andhesays:"Youshove right indah jist a fewsteps,Mars Jawge;dah'swhahdey is. I'sseed'mbefo';Idon'tk'yertosee'emnomo'."Thenhesloppedrightalongandwentaway,andprettysoonthetreeshidhim.I poked into the place a-ways and come to a little open patch as big as abedroomallhungaroundwithvines,andfoundamanlaying thereasleep—and,byjings,itwasmyoldJim!Iwakedhimup,andIreckoneditwasgoingtobeagrandsurprisetohimtosee me again, but it warn't. He nearly cried he was so glad, but he warn'tsurprised.Saidheswumalongbehindmethatnight,andheardmeyelleverytime,butdasn'tanswer,becausehedidn'twantnobodytopickhimupandtakehimintoslaveryagain.Sayshe:"Igothurta little,encouldn'tswimfas',soIwuzaconsidablewaysbehineyoutowardsdelas';whenyoulandedIreck'nedIcouldketchupwidyouonde lan' 'dout havin' to shout at you, butwhen I see dat house I begin to goslow.I'uzofftoofurtohearwhatdeysaytoyou—Iwuz'fraido'dedogs;butwhen it 'uzallquietagin Iknowedyou's indehouse, so I struckout fordewoods towait forday.Early indemawnin' someerdeniggerscomealong,gwynetodefields,endeytukmeenshowedmedisplace,whahdedogscan't

trackmeonaccountso'dewater,endeybringsmetrucktoeateverynight,entellsmehowyou'sa-gitt'nalong.""Whydidn'tyoutellmyJacktofetchmeheresooner,Jim?""Well,'twarn'tnouseto'sturbyou,Huck,tellwecoulddosumfn—butwe'sallrightnow.Ibena-buyin'potsenpansenvittles,asIgotachanst,ena-patchin'upderaf'nightswhen—""Whatraft,Jim?""Ouroleraf'.""Youmeantosayouroldraftwarn'tsmashedalltoflinders?""No, shewarn't.Shewas tore up a good deal—one en' of herwas; but deywarn'tnogreatharmdone,on'yourtrapswasmos'alllos'.Efwehadn'dive'so deep en swum so fur underwater, en de night hadn' ben so dark, enwewarn'tsosk'yerd,enbensichpunkin-heads,asdesayin'is,we'daseedderaf'.Butit'sjis'aswellwedidn't,'kasenowshe'sallfixedupaginmos'asgoodasnew,enwe'sgotanewloto'stuff,indeplaceo'what'uzlos'.""Why,howdidyougetholdoftheraftagain,Jim—didyoucatchher?""HowIgwynetoketchherenIoutindewoods?No;someerdeniggersfoun'herketchedonasnagalongheahindeben',endeyhidherinacrick'mongstdewillows,endeywuzsomuch jawin' 'boutwhichun 'umsheb'long todemos'datIcometoheah'boutitpootysoon,soIupsensettlesdetroublebytellin''umshedon'tb'longtononeuvum,buttoyouenme;enIast'mifdeygwynetograbayoungwhitegenlman'spropaty,engitahid'nforit?DenIgin'mtencentsapiece,endey'uzmightywellsatisfied,enwishtsomemo'raf's'udcomealongenmake'mrichagin.Dey'smightygoodtome,deseniggersis,enwhateverIwants'mtodofurmeIdoan'havetoast'mtwice,honey.DatJack'sagoodnigger,enpootysmart.""Yes, he is.He ain't ever toldme youwas here; toldme to come, and he'dshowmealotofwater-moccasins.Ifanythinghappensheain'tmixedupinit.Hecansayheneverseenustogether,andit'llbethetruth."Idon'twanttotalkmuchaboutthenextday.IreckonI'llcutitprettyshort.Iwaked up about dawn, andwas a-going to turn over and go to sleep againwhen I noticed how still it was—didn't seem to be anybody stirring. Thatwarn't usual.Next I noticed thatBuckwasup andgone.Well, I gets up, a-wondering, and goes down stairs—nobody around; everything as still as amouse. Just the same outside. Thinks I, what does it mean? Down by thewood-pileIcomesacrossmyJack,andsays:"What'sitallabout?"Sayshe:

"Don'tyouknow,MarsJawge?""No,"saysI,"Idon't.""Well,den,MissSophia'srunoff!'deedshehas.Sherunoffindenightsometime—nobody don't know jis' when; run off to get married to dat youngHarneyShepherdson,youknow—leastways,sodey'spec.Defamblyfoun'itout 'bouthalf anhourago—maybea littlemo'—en' I tellyoudeywarn'tnotimelos'.Sichanotherhurryin'upgunsenhossesyouneversee!Dewomenfolkshasgonefortostirupderelations,enoleMarsSaulendeboystuckdeygunsenrodeupderiverroadfortotrytoketchdatyoungmanenkillhim'fo'hekingitacrostderiverwidMissSophia.Ireck'ndey'sgwynetobemightyroughtimes.""Buckwentoff'thoutwakingmeup.""Well,Ireck'nhedid!Deywarn'tgwynetomixyouupinit.MarsBuckheloadeduphisgunen'lowedhe'sgwynetofetchhomeaShepherdsonorbust.Well,dey'llbeplentyun'mdah,Ireck'n,enyoubetyouhe'llfetchoneefhegitsachanst."ItookuptheriverroadashardasIcouldput.ByandbyIbegintoheargunsagoodwaysoff.WhenIcomeinsightofthelogstoreandthewoodpilewherethesteamboats landsIworkedalongunder the treesandbrush till Igot toagoodplace,andthenIclumbupintotheforksofacottonwoodthatwasoutofreach, andwatched. There was a wood-rank four foot high a little ways infrontof the tree,andfirst Iwasgoing tohidebehind that;butmaybe itwasluckierIdidn't.Therewasfourorfivemencavortingaroundontheirhorsesintheopenplacebeforethelogstore,cussingandyelling,andtryingtogetatacoupleofyoungchapsthatwasbehindthewood-rankalongsideofthesteamboatlanding;buttheycouldn'tcomeit.Everytimeoneofthemshowedhimselfontheriversideof the woodpile he got shot at. The two boys was squatting back to backbehindthepile,sotheycouldwatchbothways.Byandbythemenstoppedcavortingaroundandyelling.Theystartedridingtowardsthestore;thenupgetsoneoftheboys,drawsasteadybeadoverthewood-rank,anddropsoneofthemoutofhissaddle.Allthemenjumpedoffoftheirhorsesandgrabbedthehurtoneandstartedtocarryhimtothestore;andthatminutethetwoboysstartedontherun.TheygothalfwaytothetreeIwasinbeforethemennoticed.Thenthemenseethem,andjumpedontheirhorsesandtookoutafterthem.Theygainedontheboys,butitdidn'tdonogood,theboyshad toogooda start; theygot to thewoodpile thatwas in frontofmytree,andslippedinbehindit,andsotheyhadthebulgeonthemenagain.Oneof the boyswasBuck, and the otherwas a slimyoung chap about nineteenyearsold.

Themenrippedaroundawhile,andthenrodeaway.AssoonastheywasoutofsightIsungouttoBuckandtoldhim.Hedidn'tknowwhattomakeofmyvoicecomingoutof the treeat first.Hewasawful surprised.He toldme towatchoutsharpandlethimknowwhenthemencomeinsightagain;saidtheywasuptosomedevilmentorother—wouldn'tbegonelong.IwishedIwasoutofthattree,butIdasn'tcomedown.Buckbeguntocryandrip,and'lowedthathimandhiscousinJoe(thatwastheotheryoungchap)wouldmakeupforthisdayyet.Hesaidhisfatherandhistwobrotherswaskilled,andtwoorthreeofthe enemy. Said the Shepherdsons laid for them in ambush. Buck said hisfatherandbrothersoughttowaitedfortheirrelations—theShepherdsonswastoostrongforthem.IaskedhimwhatwasbecomeofyoungHarneyandMissSophia.Hesaidthey'dgotacrosstheriverandwassafe.Iwasgladofthat;butthewayBuckdidtakeonbecausehedidn'tmanagetokillHarneythatdayheshotathim—Ihain'teverheardanythinglikeit.All of a sudden, bang! bang! bang! goes three or four guns—the men hadslipped around through the woods and come in from behind without theirhorses!Theboysjumpedfortheriver—bothofthemhurt—andastheyswumdownthecurrentthemenrunalongthebankshootingatthemandsingingout,"Killthem,killthem!"ItmademesosickImostfelloutofthetree.Iain'ta-going to tell all thathappened—itwouldmakemesickagain if Iwas todothat. IwishedIhadn'tevercomeashore thatnight toseesuch things. Iain'tevergoingtogetshutofthem—lotsoftimesIdreamaboutthem.Istayedinthetreetillitbeguntogetdark,afraidtocomedown.SometimesIheardgunsawayoffinthewoods;andtwiceIseenlittlegangsofmengalloppastthelogstorewithguns;soIreckonedthetroublewasstilla-goingon.Iwasmightydownhearted;soImadeupmymindIwouldn'tevergoanearthathouseagain,becauseIreckonedIwastoblame,somehow.Ijudgedthatthatpiece of papermeant thatMiss Sophiawas tomeetHarney somewheres athalf-past two and runoff; and I judged I ought to toldher father about thatpaperandthecuriouswaysheacted,andthenmaybehewouldalockedherup,andthisawfulmesswouldn'teverhappened.WhenIgotdownoutofthetreeIcreptalongdowntheriverbankapiece,andfoundthetwobodieslayingintheedgeofthewater,andtuggedatthemtillIgot them ashore; then I covered up their faces, and got away as quick as Icould.IcriedalittlewhenIwascoveringupBuck'sface,forhewasmightygoodtome.It was just dark now. I never went near the house, but struck through thewoodsandmadefortheswamp.Jimwarn'tonhisisland,soItrampedoffinahurryforthecrick,andcrowdedthroughthewillows,red-hottojumpaboardand get out of that awful country. The raft was gone!My souls, but I wasscared! I couldn't getmy breath formost aminute. Then I raised a yell.A

voicenottwenty-fivefootfrommesays:"Goodlan'!isdatyou,honey?Doan'makenonoise."ItwasJim'svoice—nothingeversoundedsogoodbefore.Irunalongthebankapieceandgotaboard,andJimhegrabbedmeandhuggedme,hewassogladtoseeme.Hesays:"Lawsblessyou,chile,I'uzrightdownsho'you'sdeadagin.Jack'sbeenheah;hesayhereck'nyou'sbenshot,kaseyoudidn'comehomenomo';soI'sjes'disminutea startin'de raf'down towardsdemouferdecrick, so's tobeallreadyfortoshoveoutenleavesoonasJackcomesaginentellsmeforcertainyouisdead.Lawsy,I'smightygladtogityoubackagain,honey."Isays:"Allright—that'smightygood;theywon'tfindme,andthey'llthinkI'vebeenkilled, and floated down the river—there's something up there that 'll helpthemthinkso—sodon'tyoulosenotime,Jim,but justshoveofffor thebigwaterasfastaseveryoucan."IneverfelteasytilltheraftwastwomilebelowthereandoutinthemiddleoftheMississippi.Thenwehungupoursignallantern,andjudgedthatwewasfreeandsafeoncemore.Ihadn'thadabitetoeatsinceyesterday,soJimhegotoutsomecorn-dodgersandbuttermilk,andporkandcabbageandgreens—thereain'tnothingintheworldsogoodwhenit'scookedright—andwhilstIeatmysupperwetalkedandhadagoodtime.Iwaspowerfulgladtogetawayfrom the feuds,andsowasJim togetaway from theswamp.We said therewarn'tnohomelikearaft,afterall.Otherplacesdoseemsocrampedupandsmothery,butaraftdon't.Youfeelmightyfreeandeasyandcomfortableonaraft.

CHAPTERXIX.

TWOor threedaysandnightswentby; I reckonImightsay theyswumby,theyslidalongsoquietandsmoothandlovely.Hereisthewayweputinthetime.Itwasamonstrousbigriverdownthere—sometimesamileandahalfwide;we run nights, and laid up and hid daytimes; soon as nightwasmostgone we stopped navigating and tied up—nearly always in the dead waterunder a towhead; and thencutyoungcottonwoodsandwillows, andhid theraftwiththem.Thenwesetoutthelines.Nextweslidintotheriverandhadaswim,soastofreshenupandcooloff;thenwesetdownonthesandybottomwherethewaterwasaboutkneedeep,andwatchedthedaylightcome.Notasoundanywheres—perfectlystill—justlikethewholeworldwasasleep,onlysometimes the bullfrogs a-cluttering,maybe. The first thing to see, looking

awayover thewater,wasakindofdull line—thatwas thewoodson t'otherside; you couldn'tmake nothing else out; then a pale place in the sky; thenmore paleness spreading around; then the river softened up away off, andwarn'tblackanymore,butgray;youcouldseelittledarkspotsdriftingalongever so far away—trading scows, and such things; and longblack streaks—rafts; sometimesyoucouldheara sweepscreaking;or jumbledupvoices, itwassostill,andsoundscomesofar;andbyandbyyoucouldseeastreakonthewaterwhichyouknowbythelookofthestreakthatthere'sasnagthereina swift currentwhichbreakson it andmakes that streak look thatway; andyouseethemistcurlupoffofthewater,andtheeastreddensup,andtheriver,andyoumakeoutalog-cabinintheedgeofthewoods,awayonthebankont'othersideoftheriver,beingawoodyard,likely,andpiledbythemcheatssoyou can throwadog through it anywheres; then thenicebreeze springsup,andcomesfanningyoufromoverthere,socoolandfreshandsweettosmellonaccountofthewoodsandtheflowers;butsometimesnotthatway,becausethey'veleftdeadfishlayingaround,garsandsuch,andtheydogetprettyrank;andnext you'vegot the full day, and everything smiling in the sun, and thesong-birdsjustgoingit!Alittlesmokecouldn'tbenoticednow,sowewouldtakesomefishoffofthelines and cook up a hot breakfast. And afterwards we would watch thelonesomenessof theriver,andkindof lazyalong,andbyandby lazyoff tosleep.Wake up by and by, and look to see what done it, andmaybe see asteamboat coughing along up-stream, so far off towards the other side youcouldn't tell nothing about her onlywhether shewas a stern-wheel or side-wheel;thenforaboutanhourtherewouldn'tbenothingtohearnornothingtosee—just solid lonesomeness. Next you'd see a raft sliding by, away offyonder,andmaybeagalootonitchopping,becausethey'remostalwaysdoingitonaraft;you'dseetheaxeflashandcomedown—youdon'thearnothing;youseethataxegoupagain,andbythetimeit'sabovetheman'sheadthenyouhearthek'chunk!—ithadtookallthattimetocomeoverthewater.Sowewouldputintheday,lazyingaround,listeningtothestillness.Oncetherewasathickfog,andtheraftsandthingsthatwentbywasbeatingtinpanssothesteamboats wouldn't run over them. A scow or a raft went by so close wecouldhearthemtalkingandcussingandlaughing—heardthemplain;butwecouldn't see no sign of them; it made you feel crawly; it was like spiritscarryingonthatwayintheair.Jimsaidhebelieveditwasspirits;butIsays:"No;spiritswouldn'tsay,'Dernthedernfog.'"Soonasitwasnightoutweshoved;whenwegotherouttoaboutthemiddleweletheralone,andletherfloatwhereverthecurrentwantedherto;thenwelit thepipes,anddangledourlegsinthewater,andtalkedaboutallkindsofthings—wewasalwaysnaked,dayandnight,wheneverthemosquitoeswould

let us—the new clothes Buck's folks made for me was too good to becomfortable,andbesidesIdidn'tgomuchonclothes,nohow.Sometimeswe'd have thatwhole river all to ourselves for the longest time.Yonderwasthebanksandtheislands,acrossthewater;andmaybeaspark—whichwasacandleinacabinwindow;andsometimesonthewateryoucouldseeasparkortwo—onaraftorascow,youknow;andmaybeyoucouldhearafiddleorasongcomingoverfromoneofthemcrafts.It'slovelytoliveonaraft.Wehad theskyup there,all speckledwithstars,andweused to layonourbacksandlookupat them,anddiscussaboutwhether theywasmadeoronly just happened. Jim he allowed they was made, but I allowed theyhappened;Ijudgeditwouldhavetooktoolongtomakesomany.Jimsaidthemooncouldalaidthem;well, that lookedkindofreasonable,soIdidn'tsaynothingagainst it,becauseI'veseenafroglaymostasmany,soofcourseitcouldbedone.Weusedtowatchthestars thatfell, too,andsee themstreakdown.Jimallowedthey'dgotspoiledandwashoveoutofthenest.Onceortwiceofanightwewouldseeasteamboatslippingalonginthedark,and now and then she would belch a whole world of sparks up out of herchimbleys,andtheywouldraindownintheriverandlookawfulpretty;thenshewouldturnacornerandherlightswouldwinkoutandherpowwowshutoffandleavetheriverstillagain;andbyandbyherwaveswouldgettous,along time after she was gone, and joggle the raft a bit, and after that youwouldn'thearnothing foryoucouldn't tellhow long,exceptmaybe frogsorsomething.Aftermidnight the people on shore went to bed, and then for two or threehours the shores was black—no more sparks in the cabin windows. Thesesparks was our clock—the first one that showed again meant morning wascoming,sowehuntedaplacetohideandtieuprightaway.OnemorningaboutdaybreakIfoundacanoeandcrossedoverachutetothemainshore—itwasonlytwohundredyards—andpaddledaboutamileupacrickamongstthecypresswoods,toseeifIcouldn'tgetsomeberries.JustasIwaspassingaplacewhereakindofacowpathcrossedthecrick,herecomesacoupleofmentearingupthepathastightastheycouldfootit.IthoughtIwasa goner, for whenever anybody was after anybody I judged it was me—ormaybeJim.Iwasabouttodigoutfromthereinahurry,but theywasprettyclosetomethen,andsungoutandbeggedmetosavetheir lives—saidtheyhadn'tbeendoingnothing,andwasbeingchasedfor it—said therewasmenanddogsa-coming.Theywantedtojumprightin,butIsays:"Don'tyoudoit.Idon'thearthedogsandhorsesyet;you'vegottimetocrowdthroughthebrushandgetupthecrickalittleways;thenyoutaketothewaterandwadedowntomeandgetin—that'llthrowthedogsoffthescent."

Theydone it, and soonas theywasaboard I litout forour towhead,and inaboutfiveortenminutesweheardthedogsandthemenawayoff,shouting.We heard them come along towards the crick, but couldn't see them; theyseemed to stop and fool around awhile; then, aswegot further and furtherawayallthetime,wecouldn'thardlyhearthematall;bythetimewehadleftamileofwoodsbehindus and struck the river, everythingwasquiet, andwepaddledovertothetowheadandhidinthecottonwoodsandwassafe.Oneofthesefellowswasaboutseventyorupwards,andhadabaldheadandverygraywhiskers.Hehadanoldbattered-upslouchhaton,andagreasybluewoollenshirt,andraggedoldbluejeansbritchesstuffedintohisboot-tops,andhome-knitgalluses—no,heonlyhadone.Hehadanoldlong-tailedbluejeanscoatwithslickbrassbuttonsflungoverhisarm,andbothofthemhadbig,fat,ratty-lookingcarpet-bags.Theotherfellowwasaboutthirty,anddressedaboutasornery.Afterbreakfastwealllaidoffandtalked,andthefirstthingthatcomeoutwasthatthesechapsdidn'tknowoneanother."Whatgotyouintotrouble?"saysthebaldheadtot'otherchap."Well, I'dbeen sellinganarticle to take the tartaroff the teeth—and it doestakeitoff,too,andgenerlytheenamelalongwithit—butIstayedaboutonenightlongerthanIoughtto,andwasjustintheactofslidingoutwhenIranacrossyouonthetrail thissideoftown,andyoutoldmetheywerecoming,andbeggedme tohelpyou togetoff.SoI toldyouIwasexpecting troublemyself,andwouldscatteroutwithyou.That'sthewholeyarn—what'syourn?"Well,I'dbena-running'alittletemperancerevivalthar'boutaweek,andwasthepetofthewomenfolks,bigandlittle,forIwasmakin'itmightywarmfortherummies,Itellyou,andtakin'asmuchasfiveorsixdollarsanight—tencentsahead,childrenandniggers free—andbusinessa-growin'all the time,whensomehoworanotheralittlereportgotaroundlastnightthatIhadawayofputtin'inmytimewithaprivatejugonthesly.Aniggerroustedmeoutthismornin',andtoldmethepeoplewasgetherin'onthequietwiththeirdogsandhorses,andthey'dbealongprettysoonandgiveme'bouthalfanhour'sstart,andthenrunmedowniftheycould;andiftheygotmethey'dtarandfeathermeandridemeonarail,sure.Ididn'twaitfornobreakfast—Iwarn'thungry.""Oldman,"said theyoungone,"I reckonwemightdouble-teamit together;whatdoyouthink?""Iain'tundisposed.What'syourline—mainly?""Jourprinterby trade;doa little inpatentmedicines; theater-actor—tragedy,youknow; takea turn tomesmerismandphrenologywhen there'sachance;teachsinging-geographyschoolforachange;slingalecturesometimes—oh,Ido lots of things—most anything that comes handy, so it ain'twork.What's

yourlay?""I'vedoneconsiderbleinthedoctoringwayinmytime.Layin'ono'handsismybestholt—forcancerandparalysis,andsichthings;andIk'ntellafortunepretty good when I've got somebody along to find out the facts for me.Preachin'smyline,too,andworkin'camp-meetin's,andmissionaryin'around."Nobodyneversaidanythingforawhile;thentheyoungmanhoveasighandsays:"Alas!""What'reyoualassin'about?"saysthebald-head."TothinkIshouldhavelivedtobeleadingsuchalife,andbedegradeddownintosuchcompany."Andhebeguntowipethecornerofhiseyewitharag."Dernyourskin,ain'tthecompanygoodenoughforyou?"saysthebaldhead,prettypertanduppish."Yes,itisgoodenoughforme;it'sasgoodasIdeserve;forwhofetchedmesolowwhenIwassohigh?Ididmyself.Idon'tblameyou,gentlemen—farfromit;Idon'tblameanybody.Ideserveitall.Letthecoldworlddoitsworst;onethingIknow—there'sagravesomewhereforme.Theworldmaygoonjustasit's always done, and take everything from me—loved ones, property,everything;butitcan'ttakethat.SomedayI'llliedowninitandforgetitall,andmypoorbrokenheartwillbeatrest."Hewentona-wiping."Drotyourporebrokenheart,"saysthebaldhead;"whatareyouheavingyourporebrokenheartatusf'r?wehain'tdonenothing.""No, I know you haven't. I ain't blaming you, gentlemen. I brought myselfdown—yes,Ididitmyself.It'srightIshouldsuffer—perfectlyright—Idon'tmakeanymoan.""Broughtyoudownfromwhar?Wharwasyoubroughtdownfrom?""Ah,youwouldnotbelieveme;theworldneverbelieves—letitpass—'tisnomatter.Thesecretofmybirth—""Thesecretofyourbirth!Doyoumeantosay—""Gentlemen,"saystheyoungman,verysolemn,"Iwillrevealittoyou,forIfeelImayhaveconfidenceinyou.ByrightsIamaduke!"Jim'seyesbuggedoutwhenheheard that;andI reckonminedid, too.Thenthebaldheadsays:"No!youcan'tmeanit?""Yes.Mygreat-grandfather,eldestsonoftheDukeofBridgewater,fledtothiscountryabout theendof the lastcentury, tobreathethepureairoffreedom;married here, and died, leaving a son, his own father dying about the sametime.Thesecondsonofthelatedukeseizedthetitlesandestates—theinfant

real duke was ignored. I am the lineal descendant of that infant—I am therightfulDukeofBridgewater;andhereamI,forlorn,tornfrommyhighestate,huntedofmen,despisedby thecoldworld, ragged,worn,heart-broken, anddegradedtothecompanionshipoffelonsonaraft!"Jimpitiedhimeversomuch,andsodidI.Wetriedtocomforthim,buthesaiditwarn'tmuchuse,hecouldn'tbemuchcomforted;saidifwewasamindtoacknowledgehim,thatwoulddohimmoregoodthanmostanythingelse;sowesaidwewould,ifhewouldtellushow.Hesaidweoughttobowwhenwespoketohim,andsay"YourGrace,"or"MyLord,"or"YourLordship"—andhewouldn'tminditifwecalledhimplain"Bridgewater,"which,hesaid,wasatitleanyway,andnotaname;andoneofusoughttowaitonhimatdinner,anddoanylittlethingforhimhewanteddone.Well,thatwasalleasy,sowedoneit.AllthroughdinnerJimstoodaroundandwaitedonhim,andsays,"Willyo'Gracehavesomeo'disorsomeo'dat?"andsoon,andabodycouldseeitwasmightypleasingtohim.But the oldman got pretty silent by and by—didn't havemuch to say, anddidn't lookprettycomfortableoverall thatpetting thatwasgoingonaroundthat duke. He seemed to have something on his mind. So, along in theafternoon,hesays:"Lookyhere,Bilgewater,"hesays,"I'mnationsorryforyou,butyouain'ttheonlypersonthat'shadtroubleslikethat.""No?""Noyou ain't.You ain't the only person that's ben snaked downwrongfullyout'nahighplace.""Alas!""No,youain'ttheonlypersonthat'shadasecretofhisbirth."And,byjings,hebeginstocry."Hold!Whatdoyoumean?""Bilgewater,kinItrustyou?"saystheoldman,stillsortofsobbing."Tothebitterdeath!"He took theoldmanby thehandandsqueezed it,andsays,"Thatsecretofyourbeing:speak!""Bilgewater,IamthelateDauphin!"Youbetyou,Jimandmestaredthistime.Thenthedukesays:"Youarewhat?""Yes,myfriend,itistootrue—youreyesislookin'atthisverymomentontheporedisappearedDauphin,LooytheSeventeen,sonofLooytheSixteenandMarryAntonette."

"You!Atyourage!No!Youmeanyou'rethelateCharlemagne;youmustbesixorsevenhundredyearsold,attheveryleast.""Troublehasdoneit,Bilgewater,troublehasdoneit;troublehasbrungthesegrayhairsandthisprematurebalditude.Yes,gentlemen,youseebeforeyou,in blue jeans and misery, the wanderin', exiled, trampled-on, and sufferin'rightfulKingofFrance."Well,hecriedandtookonsothatmeandJimdidn'tknowhardlywhattodo,wewassosorry—andsogladandproudwe'dgothimwithus,too.Sowesetin,likewedonebeforewiththeduke,andtriedtocomforthim.Buthesaiditwarn'tnouse,nothingbut tobedeadanddonewith itallcoulddohimanygood; thoughhe said it oftenmadehim feel easier andbetter for awhile ifpeopletreatedhimaccordingtohisrights,andgotdownononekneetospeakto him, and always called him "Your Majesty," and waited on him first atmeals,anddidn'tsetdowninhispresencetillheaskedthem.SoJimandmesettomajestyinghim,anddoingthisandthatandt'otherforhim,andstandinguptillhetolduswemightsetdown.Thisdonehimheapsofgood,andsohegotcheerfulandcomfortable.Butthedukekindofsouredonhim,anddidn'tlook a bit satisfiedwith theway thingswas going; still, the king acted realfriendly towardshim,and said theduke'sgreat-grandfatherandall theotherDukes of Bilgewater was a good deal thought of by his father, and wasallowedtocometothepalaceconsiderable;butthedukestayedhuffyagoodwhile,tillbyandbythekingsays:"Like as not we got to be together a blamed long time on this h-yer raft,Bilgewater, and sowhat's theuseo' your bein' sour? It 'll onlymake thingsoncomfortable. It ain'tmy fault Iwarn't born a duke, it ain't your fault youwarn'tbornaking—sowhat's theuse toworry?Make thebesto' things thewayyoufind'em,saysI—that'smymotto.Thisain'tnobadthingthatwe'vestruck here—plenty grub and an easy life—come, give us your hand, duke,andle'sallbefriends."Thedukedoneit,andJimandmewasprettygladtoseeit.Ittookawayalltheuncomfortablenessandwefeltmightygoodoverit,becauseitwouldabeenamiserablebusinesstohaveanyunfriendlinessontheraft;forwhatyouwant,aboveallthings,onaraft,isforeverybodytobesatisfied,andfeelrightandkindtowardstheothers.Itdidn'ttakemelongtomakeupmymindthattheseliarswarn'tnokingsnordukesatall,butjustlow-downhumbugsandfrauds.ButIneversaidnothing,never let on; kept it to myself; it's the best way; then you don't have noquarrels,anddon'tgetintonotrouble.Iftheywantedustocallthemkingsanddukes,Ihadn'tnoobjections,'longasitwouldkeeppeaceinthefamily;anditwarn'tnousetotellJim,soIdidn'ttellhim.IfIneverlearntnothingelseoutofpap,Ilearntthatthebestwaytogetalongwithhiskindofpeopleistolet

themhavetheirownway.

CHAPTERXX.

THEY asked us considerable many questions; wanted to know what wecovereduptheraftthatwayfor,andlaidbyinthedaytimeinsteadofrunning—wasJimarunawaynigger?SaysI:"Goodnesssakes!wouldarunawayniggerrunsouth?"No,theyallowedhewouldn't.Ihadtoaccountforthingssomeway,soIsays:"MyfolkswaslivinginPikeCounty,inMissouri,whereIwasborn,andtheyalldiedoffbutmeandpaandmybrotherIke.Pa,he'lowedhe'dbreakupandgodownand livewithUncleBen,who's got a little one-horseplaceon theriver,forty-fourmilebelowOrleans.Pawasprettypoor,andhadsomedebts;sowhenhe'dsquareduptherewarn'tnothingleftbutsixteendollarsandournigger, Jim. That warn't enough to take us fourteen hundred mile, deckpassagenornootherway.Well,when the river rosepahada streakof luckone day; he ketched this piece of a raft; so we reckoned we'd go down toOrleansonit.Pa'sluckdidn'tholdout;asteamboatrunovertheforrardcorneroftheraftonenight,andweallwentoverboardanddoveunderthewheel;Jimandmecomeupallright,butpawasdrunk,andIkewasonlyfouryearsold,so they never come up no more. Well, for the next day or two we hadconsiderable trouble, because people was always coming out in skiffs andtrying to take Jim away from me, saying they believed he was a runawaynigger.Wedon'trundaytimesnomorenow;nightstheydon'tbotherus."Thedukesays:"Leavemealonetocipheroutawaysowecanruninthedaytimeifwewantto.I'llthinkthethingover—I'llinventaplanthat'llfixit.We'llletitaloneforto-day,becauseofcoursewedon'twanttogobythattownyonderindaylight—itmightn'tbehealthy."Towardsnightitbeguntodarkenupandlooklikerain;theheatlightningwassquirtingaroundlowdowninthesky,andtheleaveswasbeginningtoshiver—itwasgoingtobeprettyugly,itwaseasytoseethat.Sothedukeandthekingwenttooverhaulingourwigwam,toseewhatthebedswaslike.MybedwasastrawtickbetterthanJim's,whichwasacorn-shucktick;there'salwayscobsaroundaboutinashucktick,andtheypokeintoyouandhurt;andwhenyourolloverthedryshuckssoundlikeyouwasrollingoverinapileofdeadleaves;itmakessucharustlingthatyouwakeup.Well,thedukeallowedhewouldtakemybed;butthekingallowedhewouldn't.Hesays:

"Ishouldareckonedthedifferenceinrankwouldasejestedtoyouthatacorn-shuckbedwarn't justfittenformetosleepon.YourGrace 'll taketheshuckbedyourself."Jimandmewasinasweatagainforaminute,beingafraidtherewasgoingtobe somemore trouble amongst them; sowewas pretty gladwhen the dukesays:"'Tis my fate to be always ground into the mire under the iron heel ofoppression.Misfortunehasbrokenmyoncehaughtyspirit; Iyield, Isubmit;'tismyfate.Iamaloneintheworld—letmesuffer;canbearit."Wegotawayassoonasitwasgoodanddark.Thekingtoldustostandwellout towards themiddle of the river, and not show a light tillwe got a longwaysbelowthetown.Wecomeinsightofthelittlebunchoflightsbyandby—thatwasthetown,youknow—andslidby,aboutahalfamileout,allright.Whenwewasthree-quartersofamilebelowwehoistedupoursignallantern;andaboutteno'clockitcomeontorainandblowandthunderandlightenlikeeverything;sothekingtoldustobothstayonwatchtilltheweathergotbetter;thenhimandthedukecrawledintothewigwamandturnedinforthenight.Itwasmywatchbelowtilltwelve,butIwouldn'taturnedinanywayifI'dhadabed,becauseabodydon'tseesuchastormasthateverydayintheweek,notbyalongsight.Mysouls,howthewinddidscreamalong!Andeverysecondortwothere'dcomeaglarethatlitupthewhite-capsforahalfamilearound,and you'd see the islands looking dusty through the rain, and the treesthrashing around in the wind; then comes a H-WHACK!—bum! bum!bumble-umble-um-bum-bum-bum-bum—and the thunderwouldgo rumblingandgrumblingaway,andquit—andthenRIPcomesanotherflashandanothersockdolager.Thewavesmostwashedmeoff theraftsometimes,butIhadn'tany clothes on, anddidn'tmind.Wedidn't haveno trouble about snags; thelightningwasglaringandflitteringaroundsoconstantthatwecouldseethemplentysoonenoughtothrowherheadthiswayorthatandmissthem.Ihadthemiddlewatch,youknow,butIwasprettysleepybythattime,soJimhesaidhewouldstandthefirsthalfofitforme;hewasalwaysmightygoodthatway,Jimwas.Icrawledintothewigwam,butthekingandthedukehadtheirlegssprawledaroundsotherewarn'tnoshowforme;soIlaidoutside—Ididn'tmind the rain, because itwaswarm, and thewaveswarn't running sohighnow.Abouttwotheycomeupagain,though,andJimwasgoingtocallme;buthechangedhismind,becausehe reckoned theywarn't highenoughyet todoanyharm;buthewasmistakenabout that, forpretty soonallof asuddenalongcomesaregularripperandwashedmeoverboard.ItmostkilledJima-laughing.Hewastheeasiestniggertolaughthateverwas,anyway.I tookthewatch,andJimhelaiddownandsnoredaway;andbyandbythestorm letup forgoodandall;and the firstcabin-light that showed I rousted

himout,andweslidtheraftintohidingquartersfortheday.Thekinggotoutanold rattydeckofcardsafterbreakfast, andhimand thedukeplayedseven-upawhile,fivecentsagame.Thentheygottiredofit,andallowed theywould "lay out a campaign," as they called it. The dukewentdownintohiscarpet-bag,andfetchedupa lotof littleprintedbillsandreadthemout loud.Onebill said, "The celebratedDr.ArmanddeMontalban, ofParis,"would"lectureontheScienceofPhrenology"atsuchandsuchaplace,on the blank day of blank, at ten cents admission, and "furnish charts ofcharacterattwenty-fivecentsapiece."Thedukesaidthatwashim.Inanotherbill he was the "world-renowned Shakespearian tragedian, Garrick theYounger,ofDruryLane,London."Inotherbillshehada lotofothernamesanddoneotherwonderfulthings,likefindingwaterandgoldwitha"divining-rod,""dissipatingwitchspells,"andsoon.Byandbyhesays:"But the histrionic muse is the darling. Have you ever trod the boards,Royalty?""No,"saystheking."You shall, then, before you're three days older, FallenGrandeur," says theduke."Thefirstgoodtownwecometowe'llhireahallanddotheswordfightin Richard III. and the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet. How does thatstrikeyou?""I'min,up to thehub, foranything thatwillpay,Bilgewater;but,yousee, Idon'tknownothingaboutplay-actin',andhain'teverseenmuchofit.Iwastoosmallwhenpapusedtohave'ematthepalace.Doyoureckonyoucanlearnme?""Easy!""Allright.I'mjista-freezn'forsomethingfresh,anyway.Le'scommencerightaway."So thedukehe toldhimallaboutwhoRomeowasandwhoJulietwas,andsaidhewasusedtobeingRomeo,sothekingcouldbeJuliet."ButifJuliet'ssuchayounggal,duke,mypeeledheadandmywhitewhiskersisgoin'tolookoncommonoddonher,maybe.""No, don't youworry; these country jakeswon't ever thinkof that.Besides,youknow,you'llbeincostume,andthatmakesallthedifferenceintheworld;Juliet'sinabalcony,enjoyingthemoonlightbeforeshegoestobed,andshe'sgotonhernight-gownandherrufflednightcap.Herearethecostumesfortheparts."He got out two or three curtain-calico suits, which he said was meedyevilarmorforRichardIII.andt'otherchap,andalongwhitecottonnightshirtanda rufflednightcap tomatch.Thekingwas satisfied; so the dukegot out his

bookandreadthepartsoverinthemostsplendidspread-eagleway,prancingaroundandactingatthesametime,toshowhowithadgottobedone;thenhegivethebooktothekingandtoldhimtogethispartbyheart.Therewasa littleone-horse townabout threemiledownthebend,andafterdinnerthedukesaidhehadcipheredouthisideaabouthowtorunindaylightwithoutitbeingdangersomeforJim;soheallowedhewouldgodowntothetown and fix that thing. The king allowed he would go, too, and see if hecouldn'tstrikesomething.Wewasoutofcoffee,soJimsaidIbettergoalongwiththeminthecanoeandgetsome.Whenwegot there therewarn'tnobodystirring; streetsempty,andperfectlydeadandstill,likeSunday.Wefoundasickniggersunninghimselfinabackyard,andhesaideverybodythatwarn'ttooyoungortoosickortoooldwasgone to camp-meeting, about twomileback in thewoods.Thekinggot thedirections, and allowed he'd go and work that camp-meeting for all it wasworth,andImightgo,too.Thedukesaidwhathewasafterwasaprinting-office.Wefoundit;alittlebitofaconcern,upoveracarpentershop—carpentersandprintersallgonetothemeeting, and no doors locked. It was a dirty, littered-up place, and had inkmarks,andhandbillswithpicturesofhorsesandrunawayniggersonthem,alloverthewalls.Thedukeshedhiscoatandsaidhewasallrightnow.Someandthekinglitoutforthecamp-meeting.Wegot there inaboutahalfanhourfairlydripping,for itwasamostawfulhot day. There was as much as a thousand people there from twenty milearound. The woods was full of teams and wagons, hitched everywheres,feeding out of thewagon-troughs and stomping to keep off the flies. Therewasshedsmadeoutofpolesandroofedoverwithbranches,wheretheyhadlemonade and gingerbread to sell, and piles ofwatermelons and green cornandsuch-liketruck.The preachingwas going on under the same kinds of sheds, only theywasbiggerandheldcrowdsofpeople.Thebencheswasmadeoutofoutsideslabsoflogs,withholesboredintheroundsidetodrivesticksintoforlegs.Theydidn'thavenobacks.Thepreachershadhighplatformstostandonatoneendof thesheds.Thewomenhadon sun-bonnets; and somehad linsey-woolseyfrocks,someginghamones,andafewoftheyoungoneshadoncalico.Someoftheyoungmenwasbarefooted,andsomeofthechildrendidn'thaveonanyclothesbut just a tow-linen shirt.Someof theoldwomenwasknitting, andsomeoftheyoungfolkswascourtingonthesly.Thefirstshedwecometo thepreacherwas liningoutahymn.He linedouttwolines,everybodysungit,anditwaskindofgrandtohearit,therewassomanyofthemandtheydoneit insucharousingway;thenhelinedouttwo

moreforthemtosing—andsoon.Thepeoplewokeupmoreandmore,andsunglouderandlouder;andtowardstheendsomebeguntogroan,andsomebeguntoshout.Thenthepreacherbeguntopreach,andbeguninearnest,too;andwentweavingfirsttoonesideoftheplatformandthentheother,andthena-leaningdownoverthefrontofit,withhisarmsandhisbodygoingall thetime,andshoutinghiswordsoutwithallhismight;andeverynowandthenhewouldholduphisBible and spread it open, andkindof pass it around thiswayandthat,shouting,"It'sthebrazenserpentinthewilderness!Lookuponitandlive!"Andpeoplewouldshoutout,"Glory!—A-a-men!"Andsohewenton,andthepeoplegroaningandcryingandsayingamen:"Oh,cometothemourners'bench!come,blackwithsin!(Amen!)come,sickand sore! (Amen!) come, lame andhalt andblind! (Amen!) come, pore andneedy, sunk in shame! (A-A-Men!) come, all that's worn and soiled andsuffering!—comewith a broken spirit! comewith a contrite heart! come inyourragsandsinanddirt!thewatersthatcleanseisfree,thedoorofheavenstands open—oh, enter in and be at rest!" (A-A-Men! Glory, GloryHallelujah!)And so on. You couldn't make out what the preacher said any more, onaccountof the shoutingandcrying.Folksgotupeverywheres in thecrowd,andworkedtheirwayjustbymainstrengthtothemourners'bench,withthetearsrunningdowntheirfaces;andwhenallthemournershadgotuptheretothe front benches in a crowd, they sung and shouted and flung themselvesdownonthestraw,justcrazyandwild.Well, the first I knowed the king got a-going, and you could hear himovereverybody; and next he went a-charging up on to the platform, and thepreacherhebeggedhimtospeaktothepeople,andhedoneit.Hetoldthemhewasapirate—beenapirateforthirtyyearsoutintheIndianOcean—andhiscrewwasthinnedoutconsiderablelastspringinafight,andhewashomenowtotakeoutsomefreshmen,andthankstogoodnesshe'dbeenrobbedlastnightandputashoreoffofasteamboatwithoutacent,andhewasgladofit;itwastheblessedestthingthateverhappenedtohim,becausehewasachangedmannow,andhappyforthefirsttimeinhislife;and,poorashewas,hewasgoingtostartrightoffandworkhiswaybacktotheIndianOcean,andputintherestofhislifetryingtoturnthepiratesintothetruepath;forhecoulddoitbetterthananybodyelse,beingacquaintedwithallpiratecrews in thatocean;andthoughitwouldtakehimalongtimetogettherewithoutmoney,hewouldgetthere anyway, and every time he convinced a pirate he would say to him,"Don'tyouthankme,don'tyougivemenocredit;itallbelongstothemdearpeople in Pokeville camp-meeting, natural brothers and benefactors of therace,andthatdearpreacherthere,thetruestfriendapirateeverhad!"And then he busted into tears, and so did everybody.Then somebody sings

out,"Takeupacollectionforhim,takeupacollection!"Well,ahalfadozenmadeajumptodoit,butsomebodysingsout,"Lethimpassthehataround!"Theneverybodysaidit,thepreachertoo.So thekingwent all through thecrowdwithhishat swabbinghis eyes, andblessingthepeopleandpraisingthemandthankingthemforbeingsogoodtothepoorpiratesawayoffthere;andeverylittlewhiletheprettiestkindofgirls,withthetearsrunningdowntheircheeks,wouldupandaskhimwouldheletthemkisshimfor to rememberhimby;andhealwaysdone it;andsomeofthemhehuggedandkissedasmanyasfiveorsixtimes—andhewasinvitedto stay aweek; and everybodywanted him to live in their houses, and saidthey'dthinkitwasanhonor;buthesaidasthiswasthelastdayofthecamp-meetinghecouldn'tdonogood,andbesideshewas inasweat toget to theIndianOceanrightoffandgotoworkonthepirates.When we got back to the raft and he come to count up he found he hadcollectedeighty-sevendollarsandseventy-fivecents.Andthenhehadfetchedawayathree-gallonjugofwhisky,too,thathefoundunderawagonwhenhewasstartinghomethroughthewoods.Thekingsaid,takeitallaround,itlaidoveranydayhe'deverputininthemissionaryingline.Hesaiditwarn'tnousetalking,heathensdon'tamounttoshucksalongsideofpiratestoworkacamp-meetingwith.Thedukewasthinkinghe'dbeendoingprettywelltillthekingcometoshowup,butafterthathedidn'tthinksosomuch.Hehadsetupandprintedofftwolittlejobsforfarmersinthatprinting-office—horsebills—andtookthemoney,four dollars.And he had got in ten dollars'worth of advertisements for thepaper, which he said hewould put in for four dollars if theywould pay inadvance—sotheydoneit.Thepriceofthepaperwastwodollarsayear,buthetookinthreesubscriptionsforhalfadollarapieceonconditionofthempayinghiminadvance;theyweregoingtopayincordwoodandonionsasusual,buthesaidhehadjustboughttheconcernandknockeddownthepriceaslowashecouldaffordit,andwasgoingtorunitforcash.Hesetupalittlepieceofpoetry,whichhemade,himself,outofhisownhead—threeverses—kindofsweetandsaddish—thenameofitwas,"Yes,crush,coldworld,thisbreakingheart"—andhe left thatall setupand ready toprint in thepaper, anddidn'tchargenothing for it.Well, he took inninedollars andahalf, and saidhe'ddoneaprettysquareday'sworkforit.Then he showed us another little job he'd printed and hadn't charged for,becauseitwasforus.Ithadapictureofarunawayniggerwithabundleonastickoverhisshoulder,and"$200reward"underit.ThereadingwasallaboutJim, and just described him to a dot. It said he run away from St. Jacques'plantation,fortymilebelowNewOrleans, lastwinter,andlikelywentnorth,andwhoeverwouldcatchhimand sendhimbackhecouldhave the reward

andexpenses."Now,"saystheduke,"afterto-nightwecanruninthedaytimeifwewantto.WheneverweseeanybodycomingwecantieJimhandandfootwitharope,andlayhiminthewigwamandshowthishandbillandsaywecapturedhimuptheriver,andweretoopoortotravelonasteamboat,sowegotthislittleraft on credit from our friends and are going down to get the reward.Handcuffsandchainswould lookstillbetteron Jim,but itwouldn'tgowellwith the story of us being so poor. Too much like jewelry. Ropes are thecorrectthing—wemustpreservetheunities,aswesayontheboards."Weallsaidthedukewasprettysmart,andtherecouldn'tbenotroubleaboutrunningdaytimes.We judgedwecouldmakemiles enough thatnight togetoutofthereachofthepowwowwereckonedtheduke'sworkintheprintingofficewasgoingtomakeinthatlittletown;thenwecouldboomrightalongifwewantedto.Welaidlowandkeptstill,andnevershovedouttillnearlyteno'clock;thenweslidby,prettywideaway from the town, anddidn't hoistour lantern tillwewasclearoutofsightofit.WhenJimcalledmetotakethewatchatfourinthemorning,hesays:"Huck,doesyoureck'nwegwynetorunacrostanymo'kingsondistrip?""No,"Isays,"Ireckonnot.""Well,"sayshe,"dat'sallright,den.Idoan'mineoneertwokings,butdat'senough.Disone'spowerfuldrunk,endedukeain'muchbetter."IfoundJimhadbeentryingtogethimtotalkFrench,sohecouldhearwhatitwas like; but he saidhehadbeen in this country so long, andhad somuchtrouble,he'dforgotit.

CHAPTERXXI.

ITwasaftersun-upnow,butwewentrightonanddidn'ttieup.Thekingandthe duke turned out by and by looking pretty rusty; but after they'd jumpedoverboardandtookaswimitchipperedthemupagooddeal.Afterbreakfastthekinghetookaseatonthecorneroftheraft,andpulledoffhisbootsandrolled up his britches, and let his legs dangle in the water, so as to becomfortable, and lit his pipe, and went to getting his Romeo and Juliet byheart.Whenhehadgot itprettygoodhimand thedukebegun topractice ittogether. The duke had to learn him over and over again how to say everyspeech;andhemadehimsigh,andputhishandonhisheart,andafterawhilehesaidhedoneitprettywell;"only,"hesays,"youmustn'tbellowoutRomeo!

thatway,likeabull—youmustsayitsoftandsickandlanguishy,so—R-o-o-meo!thatistheidea;forJuliet'sadearsweetmerechildofagirl,youknow,andshedoesn'tbraylikeajackass."Well,nexttheygotoutacoupleoflongswordsthatthedukemadeoutofoaklaths,andbeguntopracticetheswordfight—thedukecalledhimselfRichardIII.;and theway they laidonandprancedaround the raftwasgrand tosee.Butbyandbythekingtrippedandfelloverboard,andafterthat theytookarest, and had a talk about all kinds of adventures they'd had in other timesalongtheriver.Afterdinnerthedukesays:"Well,Capet,we'llwanttomakethisafirst-classshow,youknow,soIguesswe'lladdalittlemoretoit.Wewantalittlesomethingtoanswerencoreswith,anyway.""What'sonkores,Bilgewater?"Theduketoldhim,andthensays:"I'll answer by doing theHighland fling or the sailor's hornpipe; andyou—well,letmesee—oh,I'vegotit—youcandoHamlet'ssoliloquy.""Hamlet'swhich?""Hamlet'ssoliloquy,youknow;themostcelebratedthinginShakespeare.Ah,it'ssublime,sublime!Alwaysfetchesthehouse.Ihaven'tgotitinthebook—I'veonlygotonevolume—but I reckon I canpiece itout frommemory. I'lljust walk up and down a minute, and see if I can call it back fromrecollection'svaults."Sohewent tomarchingupanddown, thinking,andfrowninghorribleeverynowandthen;thenhewouldhoistuphiseyebrows;nexthewouldsqueezehishandonhisforeheadandstaggerbackandkindofmoan;nexthewouldsigh,andnexthe'dletontodropatear.Itwasbeautifultoseehim.Byandbyhegotit.Hetoldustogiveattention.Thenhestrikesamostnobleattitude,withonelegshovedforwards,andhisarmsstretchedawayup,andhisheadtiltedback, lookingup at the sky; and thenhebegins to rip and rave andgrit histeeth;andafterthat,allthroughhisspeech,hehowled,andspreadaround,andswelleduphischest,andjustknockedthespotsoutofanyactingeverIseebefore.Thisisthespeech—Ilearnedit,easyenough,whilehewaslearningittotheking:Tobe,ornottobe;thatisthebarebodkinThatmakescalamityofsolonglife;Forwhowouldfardelsbear,tillBirnamWooddocometoDunsinane,ButthatthefearofsomethingafterdeathMurderstheinnocentsleep,

Greatnature'ssecondcourse,AndmakesusratherslingthearrowsofoutrageousfortuneThanflytoothersthatweknownotof.There'stherespectmustgiveuspause:WakeDuncanwiththyknocking!Iwouldthoucouldst;Forwhowouldbearthewhipsandscornsoftime,Theoppressor'swrong,theproudman'scontumely,Thelaw'sdelay,andthequietuswhichhispangsmighttake.Inthedeadwasteandmiddleofthenight,whenchurchyardsyawnIncustomarysuitsofsolemnblack,Butthattheundiscoveredcountryfromwhosebournenotravelerreturns,Breathesforthcontagionontheworld,Andthusthenativehueofresolution,likethepoorcati'theadage,Issickliedo'erwithcare.Andallthecloudsthatloweredo'erourhousetops,Withthisregardtheircurrentsturnawry,Andlosethenameofaction.'Tisaconsummationdevoutlytobewished.Butsoftyou,thefairOphelia:Openotthyponderousandmarblejaws.Butgettheetoanunnery—go!Well,theoldmanhelikedthatspeech,andhemightysoongotitsohecoulddoitfirstrate.Itseemedlikehewasjustbornforit;andwhenhehadhishandinandwasexcited,itwasperfectlylovelythewayhewouldripandtearandrairupbehindwhenhewasgettingitoff.The first chancewegot, thedukehehadsomeshowbillsprinted;andafterthat,fortwoorthreedaysaswefloatedalong,theraftwasamostuncommonlively place, for therewarn't nothing but sword-fighting and rehearsing—asthedukecalledit—goingonall the time.Onemorning,whenwewasprettywelldowntheStateofArkansaw,wecomeinsightofalittleone-horsetownin a big bend; sowe tied up about three-quarters of amile above it, in themouthofacrickwhichwasshutinlikeatunnelbythecypresstrees,andallofusbutJimtookthecanoeandwentdowntheretoseeiftherewasanychanceinthatplaceforourshow.Westruckitmightylucky;therewasgoingtobeacircustherethatafternoon,

andthecountrypeoplewasalreadybeginningtocomein, inallkindsofoldshacklywagons, andonhorses.Thecircuswould leavebeforenight, soourshowwouldhaveaprettygoodchance.Thedukehehiredthecourthouse,andwewentaroundandstuckupourbills.Theyreadlikethis:ShakspereanRevival!!!WonderfulAttraction!ForOneNightOnly!Theworldrenownedtragedians,DavidGarricktheyounger,ofDruryLaneTheatre,London,andEdmundKeantheelder,oftheRoyalHaymarketTheatre,Whitechapel,PuddingLane,Piccadilly,London,andtheRoyalContinentalTheatres,intheirsublimeShakspereanSpectacleentitledTheBalconySceneinRomeoandJuliet!!!Romeo......................................Mr.Garrick.Juliet.....................................Mr.Kean.Assistedbythewholestrengthofthecompany!Newcostumes,newscenery,newappointments!Also:Thethrilling,masterly,andblood-curdlingBroad-swordconflictInRichardIII.!!!RichardIII................................Mr.Garrick.Richmond...................................Mr.Kean.also:(byspecialrequest,)Hamlet'sImmortalSoliloquy!!BytheIllustriousKean!Donebyhim300consecutivenightsinParis!ForOneNightOnly,OnaccountofimperativeEuropeanengagements!Admission25cents;childrenandservants,10cents.Thenwewentloafingaroundthetown.Thestoresandhouseswasmostalloldshacklydried-upframeconcernsthathadn'teverbeenpainted;theywassetupthreeorfourfootabovegroundonstilts,soastobeoutofreachofthewater

whentheriverwasoverflowed.Thehouseshadlittlegardensaroundthem,butthey didn't seem to raise hardly anything in them but jimpson weeds, andsunflowers, and ash-piles, and old curled-up boots and shoes, and pieces ofbottles,and rags,andplayed-out tin-ware.The fenceswasmadeofdifferentkindsofboards,nailedonatdifferenttimes;andtheyleanedeverywhich-way,andhadgatesthatdidn'tgenerlyhavebutonehinge—aleatherone.Someofthefenceshadbeenwhitewashed,sometimeoranother,but thedukesaid itwas inClumbus's time, like enough.Therewas generly hogs in the garden,andpeopledrivingthemout.Allthestoreswasalongonestreet.Theyhadwhitedomesticawningsinfront,and the country people hitched their horses to the awning-posts. Therewasemptydrygoodsboxesundertheawnings,andloafersroostingonthemalldaylong, whittling them with their Barlow knives; and chawing tobacco, andgapingandyawningandstretching—amightyornerylot.Theygenerlyhadonyellowstrawhatsmostaswideasanumbrella,butdidn'twearnocoatsnorwaistcoats, they called one anotherBill, andBuck, andHank, and Joe, andAndy, and talked lazy and drawly, and used considerablemany cusswords.Therewasasmanyasoneloaferleaningupagainsteveryawning-post,andhemost always had his hands in his britches-pockets, except when he fetchedthem out to lend a chaw of tobacco or scratch. What a body was hearingamongstthemallthetimewas:"Gimmeachaw'vtobacker,Hank.""Cain't;Ihain'tgotbutonechawleft.AskBill."MaybeBill hegiveshima chaw;maybehe lies and sayshe ain't got none.Someof themkindsof loafersneverhasacent in theworld,norachawoftobaccooftheirown.Theygetalltheirchawingbyborrowing;theysaytoafellow, "I wisht you'd len' me a chaw, Jack, I jist this minute give BenThompsonthelastchawIhad"—whichisalieprettymucheverytime;itdon'tfoolnobodybutastranger;butJackain'tnostranger,sohesays:"Yougivehima chaw,didyou?Sodidyour sister's cat'sgrandmother.Youpaymebackthechawsyou'veawreadyborry'doff'nme,LafeBuckner,thenI'llloanyouoneortwotonofit,andwon'tchargeyounobackintrust,nuther.""Well,Ididpayyoubacksomeofitwunst.""Yes, you did—'bout six chaws. You borry'd store tobacker and paid backnigger-head."Store tobacco is flat black plug, but these fellowsmostly chaws the naturalleaf twisted.When they borrow a chaw they don't generly cut it offwith aknife,butsetthepluginbetweentheirteeth,andgnawwiththeirteethandtugattheplugwiththeirhandstilltheygetitintwo;thensometimestheonethatowns the tobacco looks mournful at it when it's handed back, and says,

sarcastic:"Here,gimmethechaw,andyoutaketheplug."Allthestreetsandlaneswasjustmud;theywarn'tnothingelsebutmud—mudasblackas tar andnighabout a footdeep in someplaces, and twoor threeinches deep in all the places. The hogs loafed and grunted aroundeverywheres.You'dseeamuddysowandalitterofpigscomelazyingalongthestreetandwhollopherselfrightdownintheway,wherefolkshadtowalkaroundher,andshe'dstretchoutandshuthereyesandwaveherearswhilstthepigswasmilkingher,andlookashappyasifshewasonsalary.Andprettysoonyou'dhearaloafersingout,"Hi!soboy!sickhim,Tige!"andawaythesowwouldgo, squealingmosthorrible,withadogor twoswinging toeachear, and threeor fourdozenmorea-coming;and thenyouwould seeall theloafersgetupandwatchthethingoutofsight,andlaughatthefunandlookgratefulforthenoise.Thenthey'dsettlebackagaintilltherewasadogfight.Therecouldn'tanythingwakethemupallover,andmakethemhappyallover,like a dog fight—unless it might be putting turpentine on a stray dog andsetting fire to him, or tying a tin pan to his tail and see him run himself todeath.Ontheriverfrontsomeofthehouseswasstickingoutoverthebank,andtheywasbowedandbent,andaboutreadytotumblein.Thepeoplehadmovedoutofthem.Thebankwascavedawayunderonecornerofsomeothers,andthatcornerwas hanging over. People lived in them yet, but it was dangersome,because sometimes a strip of land as wide as a house caves in at a time.Sometimesabeltoflandaquarterofamiledeepwillstartinandcavealongandcavealong till itallcaves into theriver inonesummer.Sucha townasthat has to be alwaysmoving back, and back, and back, because the river'salwaysgnawingatit.Theneareritgottonoonthatdaythethickerandthickerwasthewagonsandhorses in the streets, and more coming all the time. Families fetched theirdinnerswith themfrom thecountry,andeat them in thewagons.Therewasconsiderable whisky drinking going on, and I seen three fights. By and bysomebodysingsout:"HerecomesoldBoggs!—infromthecountryforhislittleoldmonthlydrunk;herehecomes,boys!"All the loafers looked glad; I reckoned theywas used to having fun out ofBoggs.Oneofthemsays:"Wonderwhohe'sa-gwynetochawupthistime.Ifhe'da-chawedupallthemen he's ben a-gwyne to chaw up in the last twenty year he'd haveconsiderableruputationnow."Another one says, "I wisht old Boggs 'd threaten me, 'cuz then I'd know I

warn'tgwynetodieforathousan'year."Boggscomesa-tearingalongonhishorse,whoopingandyellinglikeanInjun,andsingingout:"Clerthetrack,thar.I'monthewaw-path,andthepriceuvcoffinsisa-gwynetoraise."Hewasdrunk,andweavingaboutinhissaddle;hewasoverfiftyyearold,andhadaveryredface.Everybodyyelledathimandlaughedathimandsassedhim,andhesassedback,andsaidhe'dattendtothemandlaythemoutintheirregularturns,buthecouldn'twaitnowbecausehe'dcometotowntokilloldColonelSherburn,andhismottowas,"Meatfirst,andspoonvittlestotopoffon."Heseeme,androdeupandsays:"Whar'dyoucomef'm,boy?Youpreparedtodie?"Thenherodeon.Iwasscared,butamansays:"Hedon'tmeannothing;he'salwaysa-carryin'on like thatwhenhe'sdrunk.He'sthebestnaturedestoldfoolinArkansaw—neverhurtnobody,drunknorsober."Boggsrodeupbeforethebiggeststoreintown,andbenthisheaddownsohecouldseeunderthecurtainoftheawningandyells:"Come out here, Sherburn! Come out and meet the man you've swindled.You'rethehoun'I'mafter,andI'ma-gwynetohaveyou,too!"And sohewent on, callingSherburn everythinghe could layhis tongue to,andthewholestreetpackedwithpeoplelisteningandlaughingandgoingon.Byandbyaproud-lookingmanaboutfifty-five—andhewasaheapthebestdressedman in that town, too—steps out of the store, and the crowd dropsbackoneachsidetolethimcome.HesaystoBoggs,mightyca'mandslow—hesays:"I'mtiredofthis,butI'llendureittilloneo'clock.Tilloneo'clock,mind—nolonger.Ifyouopenyourmouthagainstmeonlyonceafterthattimeyoucan'ttravelsofarbutIwillfindyou."Thenhe turns andgoes in.Thecrowd lookedmighty sober;nobody stirred,andtherewarn'tnomorelaughing.BoggsrodeoffblackguardingSherburnasloudashecouldyell,alldownthestreet;andprettysoonbackhecomesandstopsbeforethestore,stillkeepingitup.Somemencrowdedaroundhimandtried to get him to shut up, but hewouldn't; they told him itwould be oneo'clock inaboutfifteenminutes,andsohemustgohome—hemustgorightaway. But it didn't do no good. He cussed away with all his might, andthrowedhishatdown in themudand rodeover it, andpretty soonawayhe

went a-raging down the street again,with his gray hair a-flying.Everybodythatcouldgetachanceathimtriedtheirbesttocoaxhimoffofhishorsesotheycouldlockhimupandgethimsober;butitwarn'tnouse—upthestreethewouldtearagain,andgiveSherburnanothercussing.Byandbysomebodysays:"Go for his daughter!—quick, go for his daughter; sometimes he'll listen toher.Ifanybodycanpersuadehim,shecan."Sosomebodystartedona run. Iwalkeddownstreet awaysandstopped. Inabout fiveor tenminutesherecomesBoggsagain,butnotonhishorse.Hewasa-reelingacrossthestreettowardsme,bare-headed,withafriendonbothsides of him a-holt of his arms and hurrying him along.Hewas quiet, andlooked uneasy; and hewarn't hanging back any, butwas doing someof thehurryinghimself.Somebodysingsout:"Boggs!"I lookedover there toseewhosaid it,and itwas thatColonelSherburn.Hewas standing perfectly still in the street, and had a pistol raised in his righthand—not aiming it, but holding it outwith thebarrel tiltedup towards thesky.ThesamesecondIseeayounggirlcomingontherun,andtwomenwithher.Boggsand themen turned round toseewhocalledhim,andwhen theysee the pistol themen jumped to one side, and the pistol-barrel comedownslowandsteadytoalevel—bothbarrelscocked.Boggsthrowsupbothofhishands and says, "O Lord, don't shoot!" Bang! goes the first shot, and hestaggersback,clawingattheair—bang!goesthesecondone,andhetumblesbackwardsontotheground,heavyandsolid,withhisarmsspreadout.Thatyounggirlscreamedoutandcomesrushing,anddownshethrowsherselfonher father, crying, and saying, "Oh, he's killed him, he's killed him!" Thecrowdcloseduparoundthem,andshoulderedandjammedoneanother,withtheirnecks stretched, trying to see, andpeopleon the inside trying to shovethembackandshouting,"Back,back!givehimair,givehimair!"ColonelSherburnhetossedhispistolontotheground,andturnedaroundonhisheelsandwalkedoff.They took Boggs to a little drug store, the crowd pressing around just thesame,andthewholetownfollowing,andIrushedandgotagoodplaceatthewindow,whereIwasclosetohimandcouldseein.TheylaidhimonthefloorandputonelargeBibleunderhishead,andopenedanotheroneandspreaditonhis breast; but they toreopenhis shirt first, and I seenwhereoneof thebulletswentin.Hemadeaboutadozenlonggasps,hisbreastliftingtheBibleupwhenhedrawedinhisbreath,andlettingitdownagainwhenhebreatheditout—andafter thathe laid still;hewasdead.Then theypulledhis daughteraway from him, screaming and crying, and took her off. She was about

sixteen,andverysweetandgentlelooking,butawfulpaleandscared.Well, pretty soon the whole town was there, squirming and scrouging andpushingandshovingtogetatthewindowandhavealook,butpeoplethathadtheplaceswouldn't give themup, and folks behind themwas saying all thetime,"Say,now,you'velookedenough,youfellows;'tain'trightand'tain'tfairforyoutostaytharallthetime,andnevergivenobodyachance;otherfolkshastheirrightsaswellasyou."Therewasconsiderablejawingback,soIslidout, thinkingmaybetherewasgoing to be trouble. The streets was full, and everybody was excited.Everybodythatseentheshootingwastellinghowithappened,andtherewasabigcrowdpackedaroundeachoneofthesefellows,stretchingtheirnecksandlistening.One long, lankyman,with longhairandabigwhite furstovepipehat on the back of his head, and a crooked-handled cane, marked out theplaceson thegroundwhereBoggsstoodandwhereSherburnstood,and thepeople following him around from one place to t'other and watchingeverything he done, and bobbing their heads to show they understood, andstoopingalittleandrestingtheirhandsontheirthighstowatchhimmarktheplaces on the groundwith his cane; and then he stood up straight and stiffwhereSherburnhad stood, frowningandhavinghishat-brimdownoverhiseyes,andsungout,"Boggs!"andthenfetchedhiscanedownslowtoalevel,andsays"Bang!"staggeredbackwards,says"Bang!"again,andfelldownflatonhisback.Thepeoplethathadseenthethingsaidhedoneitperfect;saiditwasjustexactlythewayitallhappened.Thenasmuchasadozenpeoplegotouttheirbottlesandtreatedhim.Well, by and by somebody said Sherburn ought to be lynched. In about aminute everybody was saying it; so away they went, mad and yelling, andsnatchingdowneveryclothes-linetheycometotodothehangingwith.

CHAPTERXXII.

THEY swarmed up towards Sherburn's house, a-whooping and raging likeInjuns, and everything had to clear theway or get run over and tromped tomush, and it was awful to see. Children was heeling it ahead of the mob,screamingandtryingtogetoutoftheway;andeverywindowalongtheroadwasfullofwomen'sheads,andtherewasniggerboysineverytree,andbucksand wenches looking over every fence; and as soon as the mob would getnearly to them theywouldbreakand skaddlebackoutof reach.Lotsof thewomenandgirlswascryingandtakingon,scaredmosttodeath.They swarmed up in front of Sherburn's palings as thick as they could jam

together, and you couldn't hear yourself think for the noise. It was a littletwenty-footyard.Somesungout"Teardownthefence!teardownthefence!"Then therewasa racketof rippingand tearingandsmashing,anddownshegoes,andthefrontwallofthecrowdbeginstorollinlikeawave.Just then Sherburn steps out on to the roof of his little front porch, with adouble-barrel gun in his hand, and takes his stand, perfectly ca'm anddeliberate,notsayingaword.Theracketstopped,andthewavesuckedback.Sherburnneversaidaword—juststoodthere,lookingdown.Thestillnesswasawfulcreepyanduncomfortable.Sherburnrunhiseyeslowalongthecrowd;and wherever it struck the people tried a little to out-gaze him, but theycouldn't; they dropped their eyes and looked sneaky. Then pretty soonSherburnsortof laughed;not thepleasantkind,but thekind thatmakesyoufeellikewhenyouareeatingbreadthat'sgotsandinit.Thenhesays,slowandscornful:"The idea of you lynching anybody! It's amusing.The idea of you thinkingyouhadpluckenoughtolynchaman!Becauseyou'rebraveenoughtotarandfeather poor friendless cast-outwomen that come along here, did thatmakeyouthinkyouhadgritenoughtolayyourhandsonaman?Why,aman'ssafeinthehandsoftenthousandofyourkind—aslongasit'sdaytimeandyou'renotbehindhim."Do I know you? I know you clear through. I was born and raised in theSouth, and I've lived in the North; so I know the average all around. Theaverage man's a coward. In the North he lets anybody walk over him thatwantsto,andgoeshomeandpraysforahumblespirittobearit.IntheSouthonemanallbyhimself,hasstoppedastage fullofmen in thedaytime,androbbed the lot. Your newspapers call you a brave people somuch that youthinkyouarebraverthananyotherpeople—whereasyou'rejustasbrave,andnobraver.Whydon'tyour jurieshangmurderers?Because they'reafraid theman'sfriendswillshootthemintheback,inthedark—andit'sjustwhattheywoulddo."So they always acquit; and then a man goes in the night, with a hundredmaskedcowardsathisbackandlynchestherascal.Yourmistakeis,thatyoudidn'tbringamanwithyou;that'sonemistake,andtheotheristhatyoudidn'tcome in the dark and fetch yourmasks.You brought part of aman—BuckHarkness,there—andifyouhadn'thadhimtostartyou,you'datakenitoutinblowing."Youdidn'twanttocome.Theaveragemandon'tliketroubleanddanger.Youdon't like trouble and danger. But if only half aman—likeBuckHarkness,there—shouts 'Lynch him! lynch him!' you're afraid to back down—afraidyou'llbefoundouttobewhatyouare—cowards—andsoyouraiseayell,and

hang yourselves on to that half-a-man's coat-tail, and come raging up here,swearingwhatbigthingsyou'regoingtodo.Thepitifulestthingoutisamob;that'swhat an army is—amob; they don't fightwith courage that's born inthem, but with courage that's borrowed from their mass, and from theirofficers.Butamobwithoutanymanat theheadof it isbeneathpitifulness.Nowthethingforyoutodoistodroopyourtailsandgohomeandcrawlinahole. If any real lynching's going to be done it will be done in the dark,Southernfashion;andwhen theycomethey'llbring theirmasks,andfetchamanalong.Nowleave—andtakeyourhalf-a-manwithyou"—tossinghisgunupacrosshisleftarmandcockingitwhenhesaysthis.Thecrowdwashedbacksudden,andthenbrokeallapart,andwenttearingoffeverywhichway,andBuckHarknessheheeleditafterthem,lookingtolerablecheap.IcouldastayedifIwantedto,butIdidn'twantto.Iwenttothecircusandloafedaroundthebacksidetillthewatchmanwentby,andthendivedinunderthetent.Ihadmytwenty-dollargoldpieceandsomeothermoney,butIreckonedIbettersaveit,becausethereain'tnotellinghowsoon you are going to need it, away fromhome and amongst strangers thatway.Youcan'tbetoocareful.Iain'topposedtospendingmoneyoncircuseswhenthereain'tnootherway,butthereain'tnouseinwastingitonthem.Itwasarealbullycircus.Itwasthesplendidestsightthateverwaswhentheyallcomeridingin,twoandtwo,agentlemanandlady,sidebyside,themenjust in their drawers and undershirts, and no shoes nor stirrups, and restingtheirhandsontheirthighseasyandcomfortable—theremustabeentwentyofthem—andeveryladywithalovelycomplexion,andperfectlybeautiful,andlookingjustlikeagangofrealsure-enoughqueens,anddressedinclothesthatcostmillionsofdollars,andjustlitteredwithdiamonds.Itwasapowerfulfinesight; I never see anything so lovely.And then one by one they got up andstood,andwenta-weavingaroundtheringsogentleandwavyandgraceful,themen looking ever so tall and airy and straight,with their headsbobbingandskimmingalong,awayupthereunderthetent-roof,andeverylady'srose-leafydress flapping soft and silkyaroundherhips, and she looking like themostloveliestparasol.Andthenfasterandfastertheywent,allofthemdancing,firstonefootoutinthe air and then the other, the horses leaning more and more, and theringmaster going round and round the center-pole, cracking his whip andshouting"Hi!—hi!"andtheclowncrackingjokesbehindhim;andbyandbyallhandsdroppedthereins,andeveryladyputherknucklesonherhipsandeverygentlemanfoldedhisarms,andthenhowthehorsesdid leanoverandhumpthemselves!Andsooneaftertheothertheyallskippedoffintothering,andmadethesweetestbowIeversee,andthenscamperedout,andeverybodyclappedtheirhandsandwentjustaboutwild.

Well,allthroughthecircustheydonethemostastonishingthings;andallthetimethatclowncarriedonsoitmostkilledthepeople.Theringmastercouldn'tever say a word to him but he was back at him quick as a wink with thefunniestthingsabodyeversaid;andhowheevercouldthinkofsomanyofthem,andsosuddenandsopat,waswhatIcouldn'tnowayunderstand.Why,Icouldn'tathoughtoftheminayear.Andbyandbyadrunkmantriedtogetinto the ring—saidhewanted to ride; saidhecould rideaswellasanybodythateverwas.Theyarguedandtriedtokeephimout,buthewouldn't listen,and thewholeshowcometoastandstill.Then thepeoplebegun tohollerathimandmakefunofhim,and thatmadehimmad,andhebegun to ripandtear;sothatstirredupthepeople,andalotofmenbeguntopiledownoffofthe benches and swarm towards the ring, saying, "Knock him down! throwhimout!"andoneortwowomenbeguntoscream.So,then,theringmasterhemadealittlespeech,andsaidhehopedtherewouldn'tbenodisturbance,andifthemanwouldpromisehewouldn'tmakenomoretroublehewouldlethimrideifhethoughthecouldstayonthehorse.Soeverybodylaughedandsaidallright,andthemangoton.Theminutehewason,thehorsebeguntoripandtearandjumpandcavortaround,withtwocircusmenhangingontohisbridletryingtoholdhim,andthedrunkmanhangingontohisneck,andhisheelsflying in the air every jump, and the whole crowd of people standing upshoutingandlaughingtilltearsrolleddown.Andatlast,sureenough,allthecircusmencoulddo, thehorsebroke loose,andawayhewent like theverynation, round and round the ring, with that sot laying down on him andhangingtohisneck,withfirstoneleghangingmosttothegroundononeside,andthent'otheroneont'otherside,andthepeoplejustcrazy.Itwarn'tfunnytome, though; I was all of a tremble to see his danger. But pretty soon hestruggledupastraddleandgrabbedthebridle,a-reelingthiswayandthat;andthenextminutehesprungupanddroppedthebridleandstood!andthehorsea-goinglikeahouseafiretoo.Hejuststoodupthere,a-sailingaroundaseasyandcomfortableas ifhewarn'teverdrunkinhis life—andthenhebeguntopulloffhisclothesandslingthem.Heshedthemsothicktheykindofcloggedup the air, and altogether he shed seventeen suits.And, then, there hewas,slimandhandsome,anddressedthegaudiestandprettiestyoueversaw,andhe lit into that horse with his whip and made him fairly hum—and finallyskipped off, and made his bow and danced off to the dressing-room, andeverybodyjusta-howlingwithpleasureandastonishment.Then the ringmasterhe seehowhehadbeen fooled, andhewas the sickestringmasteryoueversee,Ireckon.Why, itwasoneofhisownmen!Hehadgotupthatjokealloutofhisownhead,andneverletontonobody.Well,Ifeltsheepish enough to be took in so, but Iwouldn't a been in that ringmaster'splace,notfora thousanddollars. Idon'tknow;theremaybebulliercircusesthanwhat thatonewas,butIneverstruckthemyet.Anyways, itwasplenty

goodenoughforme;andwhereverIrunacrossit,itcanhaveallofmycustomeverytime.Well, thatnightwehadourshow;but therewarn'tonlyabout twelvepeoplethere—justenough topayexpenses.And they laughedall the time,and thatmade thedukemad;andeverybody left, anyway,before theshowwasover,but one boywhichwas asleep. So the duke said theseArkansaw lunkheadscouldn't come up to Shakespeare;what theywantedwas low comedy—andmaybe something ruther worse than low comedy, he reckoned. He said hecould size their style.So nextmorning he got some big sheets ofwrappingpaperandsomeblackpaint,anddrawedoffsomehandbills,andstuckthemupalloverthevillage.Thebillssaid:

CHAPTERXXIII.

WELL, all day him and the king was hard at it, rigging up a stage and acurtainandarowofcandlesforfootlights;andthatnightthehousewasjamfullofmeninnotime.Whentheplacecouldn'tholdnomore,thedukehequittending door andwent around the backway and come on to the stage andstood up before the curtain and made a little speech, and praised up thistragedy,andsaiditwasthemostthrillingestonethateverwas;andsohewenton a-bragging about the tragedy, and about EdmundKean the Elder,whichwastoplaythemainprincipalpartinit;andatlastwhenhe'dgoteverybody'sexpectationsuphighenough,herolledupthecurtain,andthenextminutetheking come a-prancing out on all fours, naked; and hewas painted all over,ring-streaked-and-striped,allsortsofcolors,assplendidasarainbow.And—butnevermindtherestofhisoutfit;itwasjustwild,butitwasawfulfunny.The people most killed themselves laughing; and when the king got donecapering and capered off behind the scenes, they roared and clapped andstormedandhaw-hawed till he comebackanddone it over again, andafterthattheymadehimdoitanothertime.Well,itwouldmakeacowlaughtoseetheshinesthatoldidiotcut.Thenthedukeheletsthecurtaindown,andbowstothepeople,andsaysthegreattragedywillbeperformedonlytwonightsmore,onaccountsofpressingLondonengagements,wheretheseatsisallsoldalreadyforitinDruryLane;andthenhemakesthemanotherbow,andsaysifhehassucceededinpleasingthemandinstructingthem,hewillbedeeplyobleegediftheywillmentionittotheirfriendsandgetthemtocomeandseeit.Twentypeoplesingsout:"What,isitover?Isthatall?"

Thedukesaysyes.Thentherewasafinetime.Everybodysingsout,"Sold!"and roseupmad,andwasa-going for that stageand them tragedians.Butabig,finelookingmanjumpsuponabenchandshouts:"Holdon! Just aword, gentlemen." They stopped to listen. "We are sold—mightybadlysold.Butwedon'twant tobe the laughingstockof thiswholetown, I reckon, andneverhear the lastof this thingas longaswe live.No.Whatwewantistogooutofherequiet,andtalkthisshowup,andselltherestofthetown!Thenwe'llallbeinthesameboat.Ain'tthatsensible?"("Youbetitis!—thejedgeisright!"everybodysingsout.)"Allright,then—notawordabout any sell. Go along home, and advise everybody to come and see thetragedy."Next day you couldn't hear nothing around that town but how splendid thatshowwas.Housewas jammed again that night, andwe sold this crowd thesameway.Whenmeandthekingandthedukegothometotheraftweallhadasupper;andbyandby,aboutmidnight,theymadeJimandmebackheroutandfloatherdownthemiddleoftheriver,andfetchherinandhideherabouttwomilebelowtown.The thirdnight thehousewascrammedagain—and theywarn'tnew-comersthistime,butpeoplethatwasattheshowtheothertwonights.Istoodbytheduke at the door, and I see that every man that went in had his pocketsbulging, or something muffled up under his coat—and I see it warn't noperfumery,neither,notbyalongsight.Ismeltsicklyeggsbythebarrel,androttencabbages,andsuchthings;andifIknowthesignsofadeadcatbeingaround,andIbetIdo,therewassixty-fourofthemwentin.Ishovedinthereforaminute,butitwastoovariousforme;Icouldn'tstandit.Well,whentheplace couldn't holdnomorepeople thedukehegive a fellowaquarter andtold him to tend door for him aminute, and then he started around for thestage door, I after him; but theminutewe turned the corner andwas in thedarkhesays:"Walkfastnowtillyougetawayfromthehouses,and thenshinfor theraftlikethedickenswasafteryou!"Idoneit,andhedonethesame.Westrucktheraftatthesametime,andinlessthantwosecondswewasglidingdownstream,alldarkandstill,andedgingtowards themiddleof the river, nobody saying aword. I reckoned thepoorkingwasinforagaudytimeofitwiththeaudience,butnothingofthesort;prettysoonhecrawlsoutfromunderthewigwam,andsays:"Well,how'dtheoldthingpanoutthistime,duke?"Hehadn'tbeenup-townatall.Wenevershowedalighttillwewasabouttenmilebelowthevillage.Thenwelitupandhadasupper,andthekingandthedukefairlylaughedtheirbones

looseoverthewaythey'dservedthempeople.Thedukesays:"Greenhorns, flatheads! I knew the first housewould keepmumand let therestofthetowngetropedin;andIknewthey'dlayforusthethirdnight,andconsideritwastheirturnnow.Well,itistheirturn,andI'dgivesomethingtoknow how much they'd take for it. I would just like to know how they'reputting in theiropportunity.They can turn it into a picnic if theywant to—theybroughtplentyprovisions."Them rapscallions took in four hundred and sixty-five dollars in that threenights.Ineverseemoneyhauledinbythewagon-loadlikethatbefore.Byandby,whentheywasasleepandsnoring,Jimsays:"Don'tits'priseyoudewaydemkingscarrieson,Huck?""No,"Isays,"itdon't.""Whydon'tit,Huck?""Well,itdon't,becauseit'sinthebreed.Ireckonthey'reallalike.""But,Huck, dese kings o' ourn is reglar rapscallions; dat's jist what dey is;dey'sreglarrapscallions.""Well,that'swhatI'ma-saying;allkingsismostlyrapscallions,asfurasIcanmakeout.""Isdatso?""Youreadabout themonce—you'llsee.LookatHenry theEight; this 'n 'saSunday-schoolSuperintendenttohim.AndlookatCharlesSecond,andLouisFourteen, and Louis Fifteen, and James Second, and Edward Second, andRichardThird,andfortymore;besidesallthemSaxonheptarchiesthatusedtoriparoundsoinoldtimesandraiseCain.My,yououghttoseenoldHenrytheEightwhenhewasinbloom.Hewasablossom.Heusedtomarryanewwifeevery day, and chopoff her headnextmorning.Andhewoulddo it just asindifferentasifhewasorderingupeggs.'FetchupNellGwynn,'hesays.Theyfetchherup.Nextmorning,'Chopoffherhead!'Andtheychopitoff. 'Fetchup Jane Shore,' he says; and up she comes, Next morning, 'Chop off herhead'—and theychop itoff. 'RingupFairRosamun.'FairRosamunanswersthebell.Nextmorning, 'Chopoffherhead.'Andhemadeeveryoneofthemtellhimataleeverynight;andhekeptthatuptillhehadhoggedathousandand one tales that way, and then he put them all in a book, and called itDomesday Book—which was a good name and stated the case. You don'tknow kings, Jim, but I know them; and this old rip of ourn is one of thecleanestI'vestruckinhistory.Well,Henryhetakesanotionhewantstogetupsometroublewiththiscountry.Howdoeshegoatit—givenotice?—givethecountryashow?No.Allofasuddenheheavesall the tea inBostonHarboroverboard,andwhacksoutadeclarationof independence,anddaresthemto

come on. That was his style—he never give anybody a chance. He hadsuspicionsofhis father, theDukeofWellington.Well,whatdidhedo?Askhimtoshowup?No—drowndedhiminabuttofmamsey, likeacat.S'posepeopleleftmoneylayingaroundwherehewas—whatdidhedo?Hecollaredit.S'posehecontractedtodoa thing,andyoupaidhim,anddidn'tsetdownthereandseethathedoneit—whatdidhedo?Healwaysdonetheotherthing.S'poseheopenedhismouth—whatthen?Ifhedidn'tshutituppowerfulquickhe'd losea lieeverytime.That's thekindofabugHenrywas;andifwe'dahadhimalong 'steadofourkingshe'da fooled that townaheapworse thanourndone.Idon'tsaythatournislambs,becausetheyain't,whenyoucomerightdowntothecoldfacts;buttheyain'tnothingtothatoldram,anyway.AllIsayis,kingsiskings,andyougottomakeallowances.Takethemallaround,they'reamightyornerylot.It'sthewaythey'reraised.""Butdisonedosmellsolikedenation,Huck.""Well,theyalldo,Jim.Wecan'thelpthewayakingsmells;historydon'ttellnoway.""Nowdeduke,he'satolerblelikelymaninsomeways.""Yes,aduke'sdifferent.Butnotverydifferent.Thisone'samiddlinghardlotfor a duke.When he's drunk there ain't no near-sightedman could tell himfromaking.""Well, anyways, I doan' hanker for nomo' un um, Huck. Dese is all I kinstan'.""It'sthewayIfeel,too,Jim.Butwe'vegotthemonourhands,andwegottorememberwhat theyare, andmakeallowances.Sometimes Iwishwe couldhearofacountrythat'soutofkings."WhatwastheusetotellJimthesewarn'trealkingsanddukes?Itwouldn'tadonenogood;and,besides,itwasjustasIsaid:youcouldn'ttellthemfromtherealkind.Iwent to sleep, and Jimdidn't callmewhen itwasmy turn.Heoftendonethat.When I waked up just at daybreak he was sitting there with his headdownbetwixthisknees,moaningandmourningtohimself.Ididn'ttakenoticenorleton.Iknowedwhatitwasabout.Hewasthinkingabouthiswifeandhischildren, awayupyonder, andhewas lowandhomesick;becausehehadn'teverbeenawayfromhomebeforeinhislife;andIdobelievehecaredjustasmuchforhispeopleaswhitefolksdoesfortheir'n.Itdon'tseemnatural,butIreckonit'sso.Hewasoftenmoaningandmourningthatwaynights,whenhejudged I was asleep, and saying, "Po' little 'Lizabeth! po' little Johnny! it'smightyhard;Ispec'Iain'tevergwynetoseeyounomo',nomo'!"Hewasamightygoodnigger,Jimwas.

ButthistimeIsomehowgottotalkingtohimabouthiswifeandyoungones;andbyandbyhesays:"Whatmakesmefeelsobaddistime'uzbekaseIhearsumpnoveryonderondebanklikeawhack,eraslam,whileago,enitminemeerdetimeItreatmylittle 'Lizabeth so ornery. Shewarn't on'y 'bout fo' year ole, en she tuck desk'yarletfever,enhadapowfulroughspell;butshegotwell,enonedayshewasa-stannin'aroun',enIsaystoher,Isays:"'Shetdedo'.'"Sheneverdoneit;jis'stooddah,kinersmilin'upatme.Itmakememad;enIsaysagin,mightyloud,Isays:"'Doan'youhearme?Shetdedo'!'"Shejisstooddesameway,kinersmilin'up.Iwasa-bilin'!Isays:"'IlayImakeyoumine!'"EnwiddatIfetch'heraslapsidedeheaddatsonthera-sprawlin'.DenIwentintodeyutherroom,en'uzgone'bouttenminutes;enwhenIcomebackdahwasdatdo'a-stannin'openyit,endatchilestannin'mos'rightinit,a-lookin'downandmournin', ende tears runnin'down.My,but Iwuzmad! Iwas a-gwynefordechile,butjis'den—itwasado'datopeninnerds—jis'den,'longcomedewindenslamitto,behinedechile,ker-BLAM!—enmylan',dechilenevermove'!My breffmos' hop outerme; en I feel so—so—I doan' knowHOWIfeel.Icropeout,alla-tremblin',encropearoun'enopendedo'easyenslow,enpokemyheadinbehinedechile,sof'enstill,enalluvasuddenIsaysPOW! jis' as loudas Icouldyell.Sheneverbudge!Oh,Huck, Ibustouta-cryin'engrabherupinmyarms,ensay,'Oh,depo'littlething!DeLordGodAmightyfogivepo'oleJim,kazehenevergwynetofogivehisselfaslong'shelive!'Oh,shewasplumbdeefendumb,Huck,plumbdeefendumb—enI'dbena-treat'nherso!"

CHAPTERXXIV.

NEXTday,towardsnight,welaidupunderalittlewillowtowheadoutinthemiddle,wheretherewasavillageoneachsideoftheriver,andthedukeandthekingbeguntolayoutaplanforworkingthemtowns.Jimhespoketotheduke,andsaidhehopeditwouldn'ttakebutafewhours,becauseitgotmightyheavyandtiresometohimwhenhehadtolayalldayinthewigwamtiedwiththerope.You see,whenwe left himall alonewehad to tiehim,because ifanybodyhappenedontohimallbyhimselfandnottieditwouldn'tlookmuchlikehewasarunawaynigger,youknow.Sothedukesaiditwaskindofhard

tohavetolayropedallday,andhe'dcipheroutsomewaytogetaroundit.Hewasuncommonbright,thedukewas,andhesoonstruckit.HedressedJimupinKingLear'soutfit—itwasalongcurtain-calicogown,andawhitehorse-hairwig andwhiskers; and then he took his theater paint and painted Jim'sfaceandhandsandearsandneckalloveradead,dull,solidblue,likeamanthat's been drownded nine days. Blamed if he warn't the horriblest lookingoutrageIeversee.Thentheduketookandwroteoutasignonashingleso:SickArab—butharmlesswhennotoutofhishead.Andhenailedthatshingletoalath,andstoodthelathupfourorfivefootinfrontofthewigwam.Jimwassatisfied.Hesaiditwasasightbetterthanlyingtiedacoupleofyearseveryday,andtremblingallovereverytimetherewasasound.Theduketoldhimtomakehimselffreeandeasy,andifanybodyevercomemeddlingaround,hemusthopoutofthewigwam,andcarryonalittle,andfetchahowlor two likeawildbeast,andhereckoned theywould lightoutandleavehimalone.Whichwassoundenoughjudgment;butyoutaketheaverageman,andhewouldn'twaitforhimtohowl.Why,hedidn'tonlylooklikehewasdead,helookedconsiderablemorethanthat.These rapscallionswanted to try theNonesuch again, because therewas somuchmoney in it, but they judged it wouldn't be safe, because maybe thenewsmight aworkedalongdownby this time.Theycouldn'thitnoprojectthatsuitedexactly;soatlastthedukesaidhereckonedhe'dlayoffandworkhis brains an hour or two and see if he couldn't put up something on theArkansaw village; and the king he allowed he would drop over to t'othervillagewithoutanyplan,butjusttrustinProvidencetoleadhimtheprofitableway—meaningthedevil,Ireckon.Wehadallboughtstoreclotheswherewestoppedlast;andnowthekingputhis'non,andhetoldmetoputmineon.Idone it,ofcourse.Theking'sdudswasallblack,andhedid look real swellandstarchy. Ineverknowedhowclothescouldchangeabodybefore.Why,before,helookedliketheorneriestoldripthateverwas;butnow,whenhe'dtakeoffhisnewwhitebeaverandmakeabowanddoasmile,helookedthatgrandandgoodandpious thatyou'dsayhehadwalkedrightoutof theark,andmaybewasoldLeviticushimself.Jimcleanedupthecanoe,andIgotmypaddleready.Therewasabigsteamboatlayingattheshoreawayupunderthepoint,aboutthreemileabovethetown—beenthereacoupleofhours,takingonfreight.Saystheking:"Seein'howI'mdressed,IreckonmaybeIbetterarrivedownfromSt.LouisorCincinnati,orsomeotherbigplace.Goforthesteamboat,Huckleberry;we'llcomedowntothevillageonher."Ididn'thavetobeorderedtwicetogoandtakeasteamboatride.Ifetchedtheshoreahalfamileabovethevillage,andthenwentscootingalongthebluff

bankintheeasywater.Prettysoonwecometoaniceinnocent-lookingyoungcountry jake setting on a log swabbing the sweat off of his face, for itwaspowerfulwarmweather;andhehadacoupleofbigcarpet-bagsbyhim."Runhernoseinshore,"saystheking.Idoneit."Wher'youboundfor,youngman?""Forthesteamboat;goingtoOrleans.""Gitaboard,"saystheking."Holdonaminute,myservant 'llhe'pyouwiththembags.Jumpoutandhe'pthegentleman,Adolphus"—meaningme,Isee.Idoneso,andthenweallthreestartedonagain.Theyoungchapwasmightythankful;saiditwastoughworktotinghisbaggagesuchweather.Heaskedthekingwherehewasgoing,andthekingtoldhimhe'dcomedowntheriverandlandedattheothervillagethismorning,andnowhewasgoingupafewmiletoseeanoldfriendonafarmupthere.Theyoungfellowsays:"When I first see you I says to myself, 'It's Mr.Wilks, sure, and he comemightyneargettinghereintime.'ButthenIsaysagain, 'No,Ireckonitain'thim,orelsehewouldn'tbepaddlinguptheriver.'Youain'thim,areyou?""No, my name's Blodgett—Elexander Blodgett—Reverend ElexanderBlodgett,Is'poseImustsay,asI'moneo' theLord'spoorservants.ButstillI'mjistasabletobesorryforMr.Wilksfornotarrivingintime,allthesame,ifhe'smissedanythingbyit—whichIhopehehasn't.""Well,hedon'tmissanypropertybyit,becausehe'llgetthatallright;buthe'smissedseeinghisbrotherPeterdie—whichhemayn'tmind,nobodycantellastothat—buthisbrotherwouldagiveanythinginthisworldtoseehimbeforehedied;nevertalkedaboutnothingelseallthesethreeweeks;hadn'tseenhimsincetheywasboystogether—andhadn'teverseenhisbrotherWilliamatall—that'sthedeefanddumbone—Williamain'tmorethanthirtyorthirty-five.Peter and George were the only ones that come out here; George was themarriedbrother;himandhiswifebothdied lastyear.HarveyandWilliam'sthe only ones that's left now; and, as Iwas saying, they haven't got here intime.""Didanybodysend'emword?""Oh,yes;amonthor twoago,whenPeterwasfirst took;becausePetersaidthenthathesorterfelt likehewarn'tgoingtogetwellthistime.Yousee,hewasprettyold,andGeorge'sg'yirlswas tooyoung tobemuchcompany forhim,exceptMary Jane, the red-headedone;and sohewaskinder lonesomeafterGeorgeandhiswifedied,anddidn'tseemtocaremuchtolive.HemostdesperatelywantedtoseeHarvey—andWilliam,too,forthatmatter—becausehewasoneofthemkindthatcan'tbeartomakeawill.Heleftaletterbehindfor Harvey, and said he'd told in it where his moneywas hid, and how he

wanted the rest of the property divided up soGeorge's g'yirls would be allright—forGeorgedidn'tleavenothing.Andthatletterwasalltheycouldgethimtoputapento.""WhydoyoureckonHarveydon'tcome?Wher'doeshelive?""Oh,helivesinEngland—Sheffield—preachesthere—hasn'teverbeeninthiscountry.Hehasn'thadanytoomuchtime—andbesideshemightn'tagottheletteratall,youknow.""Toobad,toobadhecouldn'talivedtoseehisbrothers,poorsoul.YougoingtoOrleans,yousay?""Yes,butthatain'tonlyapartofit.I'mgoinginaship,nextWednesday,forRyoJaneero,wheremyunclelives.""It's a pretty long journey.But it'll be lovely;wisht Iwas a-going. IsMaryJanetheoldest?Howoldistheothers?""MaryJane'snineteen,Susan'sfifteen,andJoanna'saboutfourteen—that'stheonethatgivesherselftogoodworksandhasahare-lip.""Poorthings!tobeleftaloneinthecoldworldso.""Well,theycouldbeworseoff.OldPeterhadfriends,andtheyain'tgoingtoletthemcometonoharm.There'sHobson,theBabtis'preacher;andDeaconLot Hovey, and Ben Rucker, and Abner Shackleford, and Levi Bell, thelawyer;andDr.Robinson,andtheirwives,andthewidowBartley,and—well,there'sa lotof them;but thesearetheonesthatPeterwasthickestwith,andused to write about sometimes, when he wrote home; so Harvey 'll knowwheretolookforfriendswhenhegetshere."Well, the old man went on asking questions till he just fairly emptied thatyoungfellow.Blamedifhedidn't inquireabouteverybodyandeverythinginthat blessed town, and all about theWilkses; and about Peter's business—whichwas a tanner; and aboutGeorge's—whichwas a carpenter; and aboutHarvey's—whichwasadissenteringminister;andsoon,andsoon.Thenhesays:"Whatdidyouwanttowalkallthewayuptothesteamboatfor?""Because she's abigOrleansboat, and Iwasafeard shemightn't stop there.Whenthey'redeeptheywon'tstopforahail.ACincinnatiboatwill,butthisisaSt.Louisone.""WasPeterWilkswelloff?""Oh, yes, prettywell off.He had houses and land, and it's reckoned he leftthreeorfourthousandincashhidupsom'ers.""Whendidyousayhedied?"

"Ididn'tsay,butitwaslastnight.""Funeralto-morrow,likely?""Yes,'boutthemiddleoftheday.""Well,it'sallterriblesad;butwe'veallgottogo,onetimeoranother.Sowhatwewanttodoistobeprepared;thenwe'reallright.""Yes,sir,it'sthebestway.Mausedtoalwayssaythat."Whenwestrucktheboatshewasaboutdoneloading,andprettysoonshegotoff.Thekingneversaidnothingaboutgoingaboard,soI lostmyride,afterall.When theboatwasgone thekingmademepaddleupanothermile toalonesomeplace,andthenhegotashoreandsays:"Nowhustleback,rightoff,andfetchthedukeuphere,andthenewcarpet-bags.Andifhe'sgoneovertot'otherside,gooverthereandgithim.Andtellhimtogithimselfupregardless.Shovealong,now."Iseewhathewasupto;butIneversaidnothing,ofcourse.WhenIgotbackwiththedukewehidthecanoe,andthentheysetdownonalog,andthekingtoldhimeverything,justliketheyoungfellowhadsaidit—everylastwordofit.Andallthetimehewasa-doingithetriedtotalklikeanEnglishman;andhedone itprettywell, too, foraslouch. Ican't imitatehim,andsoIain'ta-goingtotryto;buthereallydoneitprettygood.Thenhesays:"Howareyouonthedeefanddumb,Bilgewater?"Thedukesaid,leavehimaloneforthat;saidhehadplayedadeefanddumbpersononthehistronicboards.Sothentheywaitedforasteamboat.Aboutthemiddleoftheafternoonacoupleoflittleboatscomealong,buttheydidn'tcomefromhighenoughuptheriver;butatlasttherewasabigone,andtheyhailedher.Shesentoutheryawl,andwewentaboard,andshewasfromCincinnati;andwhentheyfoundweonlywantedtogofourorfivemiletheywasboomingmad,andgaveusacussing,andsaidtheywouldn'tlandus.Butthekingwasca'm.Hesays:"Ifgentlemenkinaffordtopayadollaramileapiecetobetookonandputoffinayawl,asteamboatkinaffordtocarry'em,can'tit?"Sotheysofteneddownandsaiditwasallright;andwhenwegottothevillagetheyyawledusashore.Abouttwodozenmenflockeddownwhentheyseetheyawla-coming,andwhenthekingsays:"Kinanyofyougentlementellmewher'Mr.PeterWilkslives?"theygiveaglanceatoneanother,andnoddedtheirheads,asmuchastosay,"Whatd' Itellyou?"Thenoneofthemsays,kindofsoftandgentle:"I'msorrysir,butthebestwecandoistotellyouwherehedidliveyesterdayevening."

Suddenaswinkingtheorneryoldcreturwentantosmash,andfellupagainsttheman,andputhischinonhisshoulder,andcrieddownhisback,andsays:"Alas,alas,ourpoorbrother—gone,andwenevergottoseehim;oh,it'stoo,toohard!"Thenheturnsaround,blubbering,andmakesalotofidioticsignstothedukeonhishands,andblamedifhedidn'tdropacarpet-bagandbustouta-crying.Iftheywarn'tthebeatenestlot,themtwofrauds,thateverIstruck.Well,themengatheredaroundandsympathizedwiththem,andsaidallsortsofkindthingstothem,andcarriedtheircarpet-bagsupthehillforthem,andlet them lean on them and cry, and told the king all about his brother's lastmoments,andthekinghetolditalloveragainonhishandstotheduke,andboth of them took on about that dead tanner like they'd lost the twelvedisciples.Well,ifeverIstruckanythinglikeit,I'manigger.Itwasenoughtomakeabodyashamedofthehumanrace.

CHAPTERXXV.

THEnewswas all over town in twominutes, andyou could see thepeopletearingdownontherunfromeverywhichway,someofthemputtingontheircoatsastheycome.Prettysoonwewasinthemiddleofacrowd,andthenoiseof the trampingwas like a soldiermarch. Thewindows and dooryardswasfull;andeveryminutesomebodywouldsay,overafence:"Isitthem?"Andsomebodytrottingalongwiththegangwouldanswerbackandsay:"Youbetitis."Whenwegot to thehouse thestreet in frontof itwaspacked,and the threegirlswasstandinginthedoor.MaryJanewasred-headed,butthatdon'tmakenodifference,shewasmostawfulbeautiful,andherfaceandhereyeswasalllituplikeglory,shewassogladheruncleswascome.Thekinghespreadhisarms, andMary Jane she jumped for them, and the hare-lip jumped for theduke,andtheretheyhadit!Everybodymost,leastwayswomen,criedforjoytoseethemmeetagainatlastandhavesuchgoodtimes.Then the king he hunched the duke private—I see him do it—and then helookedaroundandseethecoffin,overinthecornerontwochairs;sothenhimand the duke,with a hand across each other's shoulder, and t'other hand totheir eyes,walked slowand solemnover there, everybodydroppingback togivethemroom,andallthetalkandnoisestopping,peoplesaying"Sh!"andallthementakingtheirhatsoffanddroopingtheirheads,soyoucouldaheard

apinfall.Andwhen theygot there theybentoverand looked in thecoffin,andtookonesight,andthentheybustouta-cryingsoyoucouldaheardthemtoOrleans,most;andthentheyputtheirarmsaroundeachother'snecks,andhung their chins over each other's shoulders; and then for threeminutes, ormaybe four, I never see twomen leak theway they done. And, mind you,everybody was doing the same; and the place was that damp I never seeanythinglikeit.Thenoneofthemgotononesideofthecoffin,andt'otheront'other side,and theykneeleddownand rested their foreheadson thecoffin,andletontoprayalltothemselves.Well,whenitcometothatitworkedthecrowdlikeyouneverseeanythinglikeit,andeverybodybrokedownandwenttosobbingrightoutloud—thepoorgirls,too;andeverywoman,nearly,wentup to the girls, without saying a word, and kissed them, solemn, on theforehead,andthenputtheirhandontheirhead,andlookeduptowardsthesky,with the tears runningdown, and thenbustedout andwent off sobbing andswabbing, and give the next woman a show. I never see anything sodisgusting.Well, by and by the king he gets up and comes forward a little, andworkshimselfupandslobbersoutaspeech,allfulloftearsandflapdoodleaboutitsbeingasoretrialforhimandhispoorbrothertolosethediseased,andtomissseeingdiseased alive after the long journeyof four thousandmile, but it's atrialthat'ssweetenedandsanctifiedtousbythisdearsympathyandtheseholytears, and so he thanks them out of his heart and out of his brother's heart,becauseoutoftheirmouthstheycan't,wordsbeingtooweakandcold,andallthatkindofrotandslush,tillitwasjustsickening;andthenheblubbersoutapious goody-goodyAmen, and turns himself loose andgoes to crying fit tobust.Andtheminutethewordswereoutofhismouthsomebodyoverinthecrowdstruckup thedoxolojer, andeverybody joined inwithall theirmight, and itjustwarmedyouupandmadeyoufeelasgoodaschurchlettingout.Musicisagoodthing;andafterallthatsoul-butterandhogwashIneverseeitfreshenupthingsso,andsoundsohonestandbully.Thenthekingbeginstoworkhisjawagain,andsayshowhimandhisnieceswouldbegladifafewofthemainprincipalfriendsofthefamilywouldtakesupper here with them this evening, and help set up with the ashes of thediseased; and says if his poor brother laying yonder could speak he knowswho he would name, for they was names that was very dear to him, andmentionedofteninhisletters;andsohewillnamethesame,towit,asfollows,vizz.:—Rev.Mr.Hobson, andDeaconLotHovey, andMr.BenRucker, andAbnerShackleford,andLeviBell,andDr.Robinson,andtheirwives,andthewidowBartley.Rev.Hobson andDr.Robinsonwas down to the end of the town a-hunting

together—thatis,Imeanthedoctorwasshippingasickmantot'otherworld,and the preacher was pinting him right. Lawyer Bell was away up toLouisville on business.But the restwas on hand, and so they all come andshookhandswiththekingandthankedhimandtalkedtohim;andthentheyshookhandswiththedukeanddidn'tsaynothing,butjustkepta-smilingandbobbingtheirheadslikeapasselofsapheadswhilsthemadeallsortsofsignswithhishandsandsaid"Goo-goo—goo-goo-goo"allthetime,likeababythatcan'ttalk.So the king he blattered along, and managed to inquire about pretty mucheverybody and dog in town, by his name, and mentioned all sorts of littlethingsthathappenedonetimeoranotherinthetown,ortoGeorge'sfamily,ortoPeter.AndhealwaysletonthatPeterwrotehimthethings;butthatwasalie:hegoteveryblessedoneofthemoutofthatyoungflatheadthatwecanoeduptothesteamboat.ThenMaryJaneshefetchedtheletterherfather leftbehind,andthekingheread it out loud and cried over it. It give the dwelling-house and threethousanddollars,gold,tothegirls;anditgivethetanyard(whichwasdoingagood business), alongwith some other houses and land (worth about seventhousand),andthreethousanddollarsingoldtoHarveyandWilliam,andtoldwhere the six thousand cashwas hid down cellar. So these two frauds saidthey'd go and fetch it up, and have everything square and above-board; andtoldmetocomewithacandle.Weshutthecellardoorbehindus,andwhentheyfoundthebagtheyspiltitoutonthefloor,anditwasalovelysight,allthemyaller-boys.My,thewaytheking'seyesdidshine!Heslapsthedukeontheshoulderandsays:"Oh,thisain'tbullynornoth'n!Oh,no,Ireckonnot!Why,bully,itbeatstheNonesuch,don'tit?"Thedukealloweditdid.Theypawedtheyaller-boys,andsiftedthemthroughtheirfingersandletthemjingledownonthefloor;andthekingsays:"Itain'tnousetalkin';bein'brotherstoarichdeadmanandrepresentativesoffurrinheirsthat'sgotleftisthelineforyouandme,Bilge.Thishyercomesoftrust'ntoProvidence.It'sthebestway,inthelongrun.I'vetried 'emall,andther'ain'tnobetterway."Mosteverybodywouldabeensatisfiedwiththepile,andtookitontrust;butno, theymustcount it.So theycounts it,and itcomesout fourhundredandfifteendollarsshort.Saystheking:"Dernhim,Iwonderwhathedonewiththatfourhundredandfifteendollars?"Theyworriedoverthatawhile,andransackedallaroundforit.Thenthedukesays:

"Well,hewasaprettysickman,andlikelyhemadeamistake—Ireckonthat'sthewayofit.Thebestway'stoletitgo,andkeepstillaboutit.Wecanspareit.""Oh,shucks,yes,wecanspareit.Idon'tk'yernoth'n'boutthat—it'sthecountI'm thinkin' about.We want to be awful square and open and above-boardhere,youknow.Wewanttolugthish-yermoneyupstairsandcountitbeforeeverybody—then ther' ain't noth'n suspicious. But when the deadman saysther'ssixthous'ndollars,youknow,wedon'twantto—""Holdon,"saystheduke."Le'smakeupthedeffisit,"andhebeguntohauloutyaller-boysoutofhispocket."It's amost amaz'n'good idea,duke—youhavegot a rattlin' cleverheadonyou,"saystheking."BlestiftheoldNonesuchain'taheppin'usoutagin,"andhebeguntohauloutyaller-jacketsandstackthemup.Itmostbustedthem,buttheymadeupthesixthousandcleanandclear."Say," says the duke, "I got another idea. Le's go up stairs and count thismoney,andthentakeandgiveittothegirls.""Goodland,duke,lemmehugyou!It'sthemostdazzlingidea'ateveramanstruck.Youhavecert'nlygot themostastonishin'headIeversee.Oh,this isthe boss dodge, ther' ain't no mistake 'bout it. Let 'em fetch along theirsuspicionsnowiftheywantto—this'lllay'emout."Whenwegotup-stairseverybodygetheredaroundthetable,andthekinghecounted it andstacked itup, threehundreddollars inapile—twentyelegantlittlepiles.Everybodylookedhungryat it,andlickedtheirchops.Then theyraked it into thebagagain, and I see thekingbegin to swellhimselfup foranotherspeech.Hesays:"Friends all, my poor brother that lays yonder has done generous by themthat'sleftbehindinthevaleofsorrers.Hehasdonegenerousbytheseyerpoorlittle lambs that he loved and sheltered, and that's left fatherless andmotherless.Yes,andwethatknowedhimknowsthathewouldadonemoregenerousby'emifhehadn'tbenafeardo'woundin'hisdearWilliamandme.Now,wouldn'the?Ther'ain'tnoquestion'boutitinmymind.Well,then,whatkindo'brotherswoulditbethat'dstandinhiswayatsechatime?Andwhatkind o' uncleswould it be that 'd rob—yes, rob—sech poor sweet lambs asthese'athelovedsoatsechatime?IfIknowWilliam—andIthinkIdo—he—well,I'lljestaskhim."Heturnsaroundandbeginstomakealotofsignstothe duke with his hands, and the duke he looks at him stupid and leather-headedawhile;thenallofasuddenheseemstocatchhismeaning,andjumpsfortheking,goo-gooingwithallhismightforjoy,andhugshimaboutfifteentimes before he lets up. Then the king says, "I knowed it; I reckon that 'llconvinceanybodythewayhefeelsaboutit.Here,MaryJane,Susan,Joanner,

take the money—take it all. It's the gift of him that lays yonder, cold butjoyful."Mary Jane shewent for him,Susan and thehare-lipwent for theduke, andthen such another hugging and kissing I never see yet. And everybodycrowdedupwiththetearsintheireyes,andmostshookthehandsoffofthemfrauds,sayingallthetime:"Youdeargoodsouls!—howlovely!—howcouldyou!"Well, then,prettysoonallhandsgot totalkingaboutthediseasedagain,andhowgoodhewas,andwhatalosshewas,andallthat;andbeforelongabigiron-jawedmanworked himself in there fromoutside, and stood a-listeningand looking, and not saying anything; and nobody saying anything to himeither,becausethekingwastalkingandtheywasallbusylistening.Thekingwassaying—inthemiddleofsomethinghe'dstartedinon—"—theybein'particklerfriendso'thediseased.That'swhythey'reinvitedherethisevenin';buttomorrowwewantalltocome—everybody;forherespectedeverybody,helikedeverybody,andsoit'sfittenthathisfuneralorgiessh'dbepublic."Andsohewenta-mooningonandon, likingtohearhimself talk,andeverylittlewhilehefetchedinhisfuneralorgiesagain,tillthedukehecouldn'tstanditnomore;sohewritesonalittlescrapofpaper,"Obsequies,youoldfool,"andfoldsitup,andgoestogoo-gooingandreachingitoverpeople'sheadstohim.Thekinghereadsitandputsitinhispocket,andsays:"Poor William, afflicted as he is, his heart's aluz right. Asks me to inviteeverybodytocometothefuneral—wantsmetomake'emallwelcome.Butheneedn'taworried—itwasjestwhatIwasat."Then he weaves along again, perfectly ca'm, and goes to dropping in hisfuneralorgiesagaineverynowandthen,justlikehedonebefore.Andwhenhedoneitthethirdtimehesays:"I sayorgies, not because it's the common term,because it ain't—obsequiesbein'thecommonterm—butbecauseorgiesistherightterm.Obsequiesain'tusedinEnglandnomorenow—it'sgoneout.WesayorgiesnowinEngland.Orgiesisbetter,becauseitmeansthethingyou'reaftermoreexact.It'sawordthat'smadeupout'n theGreekorgo, outside, open, abroad; and theHebrewjeesum,toplant,coverup;henceinter.So,yousee,funeralorgiesisanopenerpublicfuneral."HewastheworstIeverstruck.Well,theiron-jawedmanhelaughedrightinhisface.Everybodywasshocked.Everybodysays,"Why,doctor!"andAbnerShacklefordsays:"Why,Robinson,hain'tyouheardthenews?ThisisHarveyWilks."

Thekinghesmiledeager,andshovedouthisflapper,andsays:"Isitmypoorbrother'sdeargoodfriendandphysician?I—""Keepyourhandsoffofme!"saysthedoctor."YoutalklikeanEnglishman,don't you? It's the worst imitation I ever heard. You PeterWilks's brother!You'reafraud,that'swhatyouare!"Well,howtheyalltookon!Theycrowdedaroundthedoctorandtriedtoquiethimdown,andtriedtoexplaintohimandtellhimhowHarvey'dshowedinforty ways that he was Harvey, and knowed everybody by name, and thenames of the very dogs, and begged and begged him not to hurt Harvey'sfeelings and the poor girl's feelings, and all that. But it warn't no use; hestormedrightalong,andsaidanymanthatpretendedtobeanEnglishmanandcouldn'timitatethelingonobetterthanwhathedidwasafraudandaliar.Thepoorgirlswashangingtothekingandcrying;andallofasuddenthedoctorupsandturnsonthem.Hesays:"Iwasyourfather'sfriend,andI'myourfriend;andIwarnyouasafriend,andanhonestonethatwantstoprotectyouandkeepyououtofharmandtrouble,to turn your backs on that scoundrel and have nothing to dowith him, theignorant tramp,with his idioticGreek andHebrew, as he calls it.He is thethinnestkindofan impostor—hascomeherewitha lotofemptynamesandfactswhichhepickedupsomewheres,andyoutakethemforproofs,andarehelped to fool yourselves by these foolish friends here,who ought to knowbetter.MaryJaneWilks,youknowmeforyourfriend,andforyourunselfishfriend,too.Nowlistentome;turnthispitifulrascalout—Ibegyoutodoit.Willyou?"MaryJanestraightenedherselfup,andmy,butshewashandsome!Shesays:"Hereismyanswer."Shehoveup thebagofmoneyandput it in theking'shands, and says, "Take this six thousand dollars, and invest forme andmysistersanywayyouwantto,anddon'tgiveusnoreceiptforit."Thensheputherarmaroundthekingononeside,andSusanandthehare-lipdone the sameon theother.Everybodyclapped theirhandsand stompedonthe floor like a perfect storm, whilst the king held up his head and smiledproud.Thedoctorsays:"All right; Iwashmyhandsof thematter.But Iwarnyou all that a time 'scomingwhenyou'regoingtofeelsickwheneveryouthinkofthisday."Andawayhewent."Allright,doctor,"saystheking,kindermockinghim;"we'lltryandget 'emto send for you;"whichmade them all laugh, and they said itwas a primegoodhit.

CHAPTERXXVI.

WELL,whentheywasallgonethekingheasksMaryJanehowtheywasofffor spare rooms, and she said she had one spare room,whichwould do forUncleWilliam,andshe'dgiveherown room toUncleHarvey,whichwasalittlebigger,andshewouldturnintotheroomwithhersistersandsleeponacot; and up garret was a little cubby, with a pallet in it. The king said thecubbywoulddoforhisvalley—meaningme.SoMaryJanetookusup,andsheshowedthemtheirrooms,whichwasplainbutnice.Shesaidshe'dhaveherfrocksandalotofothertrapstookoutofherroomif theywasinUncleHarvey'sway,buthesaidtheywarn't.Thefrockswashungalong thewall, andbefore themwas a curtainmadeoutof calicothathungdowntothefloor.Therewasanoldhairtrunkinonecorner,andaguitar-boxinanother,andallsortsoflittleknickknacksandjimcracksaround,likegirlsbriskenuparoomwith.Thekingsaiditwasallthemorehomelyandmorepleasanterforthesefixings,andsodon'tdisturbthem.Theduke'sroomwasprettysmall,butplentygoodenough,andsowasmycubby.Thatnighttheyhadabigsupper,andallthemmenandwomenwasthere,andI stood behind the king and the duke's chairs andwaited on them, and theniggerswaited on the rest.Mary Jane she set at the head of the table,withSusanalongsideofher,andsaidhowbadthebiscuitswas,andhowmeanthepreserveswas,andhoworneryandtoughthefriedchickenswas—andallthatkindofrot,thewaywomenalwaysdofortoforceoutcompliments;andthepeopleallknowedeverythingwastiptop,andsaidso—said"Howdoyougetbiscuitstobrownsonice?"and"Where,fortheland'ssake,didyougettheseamaz'npickles?"andall thatkindofhumbug talky-talk, just thewaypeoplealwaysdoesatasupper,youknow.Andwhenitwasalldonemeandthehare-liphadsupperinthekitchenoffoftheleavings,whilsttheotherswashelpingtheniggerscleanupthethings.Thehare-lipshegottopumpingmeaboutEngland,andblest ifIdidn't thinktheicewasgettingmightythinsometimes.Shesays:"Didyoueverseetheking?""Who?WilliamFourth?Well,IbetIhave—hegoestoourchurch."Iknowedhe was dead years ago, but I never let on. So when I says he goes to ourchurch,shesays:"What—regular?""Yes—regular.Hispew'srightoveroppositeourn—ont'othersidethepulpit.""IthoughthelivedinLondon?"

"Well,hedoes.Wherewouldhelive?""ButIthoughtyoulivedinSheffield?"IseeIwasupastump.Ihadtoletontogetchokedwithachickenbone,soastogettimetothinkhowtogetdownagain.ThenIsays:"Imeanhegoes toourchurchregularwhenhe's inSheffield.That's only inthesummertime,whenhecomestheretotaketheseabaths.""Why,howyoutalk—Sheffieldain'tonthesea.""Well,whosaiditwas?""Why,youdid.""Ididn'tnuther.""Youdid!""Ididn't.""Youdid.""Ineversaidnothingofthekind.""Well,whatdidyousay,then?""Saidhecometotaketheseabaths—that'swhatIsaid.""Well,then,how'shegoingtotaketheseabathsifitain'tonthesea?""Lookyhere,"Isays;"didyoueverseeanyCongress-water?""Yes.""Well,didyouhavetogotoCongresstogetit?""Why,no.""Well,neitherdoesWilliamFourthhavetogototheseatogetaseabath.""Howdoeshegetit,then?""GetsitthewaypeopledownheregetsCongress-water—inbarrels.There inthepalaceatSheffieldthey'vegotfurnaces,andhewantshiswaterhot.Theycan'tbilethatamountofwaterawayoffthereatthesea.Theyhaven'tgotnoconveniencesforit.""Oh,Isee,now.Youmightasaidthatinthefirstplaceandsavedtime."When she said that I see I was out of the woods again, and so I wascomfortableandglad.Next,shesays:"Doyougotochurch,too?""Yes—regular.""Wheredoyouset?"

"Why,inourpew.""Whosepew?""Why,ourn—yourUncleHarvey's.""His'n?Whatdoeshewantwithapew?""Wantsittosetin.Whatdidyoureckonhewantedwithit?""Why,Ithoughthe'dbeinthepulpit."Rothim,Iforgothewasapreacher.IseeIwasupastumpagain,soIplayedanotherchickenboneandgotanotherthink.ThenIsays:"Blameit,doyousupposethereain'tbutonepreachertoachurch?""Why,whatdotheywantwithmore?""What!—to preach before a king? I never did see such a girl as you. Theydon'thavenolessthanseventeen.""Seventeen!My land!Why, Iwouldn't set out such a string as that, not if Inevergottoglory.Itmusttake'emaweek.""Shucks,theydon'tallof'empreachthesameday—onlyoneof'em.""Well,then,whatdoestherestof'emdo?""Oh,nothingmuch.Lollaround,passtheplate—andonethingoranother.Butmainlytheydon'tdonothing.""Well,then,whataretheyfor?""Why,they'reforstyle.Don'tyouknownothing?""Well, I don't want to know no such foolishness as that. How is servantstreatedinEngland?Dotheytreat'embetter'nwetreatourniggers?""No!Aservantain'tnobodythere.Theytreatthemworsethandogs.""Don't they give 'em holidays, the way we do, Christmas and New Year'sweek,andFourthofJuly?""Oh, just listen!A body could tell you hain't ever been to England by that.Why,Hare-l—why,Joanna,theyneverseeaholidayfromyear'sendtoyear'send;nevergotothecircus,northeater,norniggershows,nornowheres.""Norchurch?""Norchurch.""Butyoualwayswenttochurch."Well, I was gone up again. I forgot I was the old man's servant. But nextminute Iwhirled in on a kind of an explanation how a valleywas differentfromacommonservantandhadtogotochurchwhetherhewantedtoornot,andsetwiththefamily,onaccountofitsbeingthelaw.ButIdidn'tdoitpretty

good,andwhenIgotdoneIseeshewarn'tsatisfied.Shesays:"Honestinjun,now,hain'tyoubeentellingmealotoflies?""Honestinjun,"saysI."Noneofitatall?""Noneofitatall.Notalieinit,"saysI."Layyourhandonthisbookandsayit."Iseeitwarn'tnothingbutadictionary,soIlaidmyhandonitandsaidit.Sothenshelookedalittlebettersatisfied,andsays:"Well, then, I'll believe some of it; but I hope to gracious if I'll believe therest.""What is ityouwon'tbelieve,Joe?"saysMaryJane,stepping inwithSusanbehindher."Itain'trightnorkindforyoutotalksotohim,andhimastrangerandsofarfromhispeople.Howwouldyouliketobetreatedso?""That'salwaysyourway,Maim—alwayssailing in tohelpsomebodybeforethey'rehurt.Ihain'tdonenothingtohim.He'stoldsomestretchers,Ireckon,andIsaidIwouldn'tswallowitall;andthat'severybitandgrainIdidsay.Ireckonhecanstandalittlethinglikethat,can'the?""Idon'tcarewhether 'twas littleorwhether 'twasbig;he'shere inourhouseandastranger,anditwasn'tgoodofyoutosayit. Ifyouwasinhisplaceitwouldmakeyoufeelashamed;andsoyououghtn't tosayathingtoanotherpersonthatwillmakethemfeelashamed.""Why,Mam,hesaid—""Itdon'tmakenodifferencewhathesaid—thatain'tthething.Thethingisforyoutotreathimkind,andnotbesayingthingstomakehimrememberheain'tinhisowncountryandamongsthisownfolks."I says tomyself, this is a girl that I'm letting that old reptile rob her of hermoney!ThenSusanshewaltzedin;andifyou'llbelieveme,shedidgiveHare-lipharkfromthetomb!Says I tomyself, and this is another one that I'm lettinghim robher of hermoney!ThenMaryJaneshetookanotherinning,andwentinsweetandlovelyagain—whichwasherway;butwhenshegotdonetherewarn'thardlyanythinglefto'poorHare-lip.Soshehollered."Allright,then,"saystheothergirls;"youjustaskhispardon."Shedoneit,too;andshedoneitbeautiful.Shedoneitsobeautifulitwasgood

tohear;andIwishedIcouldtellherathousandlies,soshecoulddoitagain.Isaystomyself,thisisanotheronethatI'mlettinghimrobherofhermoney.Andwhenshegotthroughtheyalljestlaidtheirselvesouttomakemefeelathome and know Iwas amongst friends. I felt so ornery and low down andmeanthatIsaystomyself,mymind'smadeup;I'llhivethatmoneyforthemorbust.SothenIlitout—forbed,Isaid,meaningsometimeoranother.WhenIgotbymyselfIwenttothinkingthethingover.Isaystomyself,shallIgotothatdoctor,private, andblowon these frauds?No—thatwon't do.Hemight tellwhotoldhim;thenthekingandthedukewouldmakeitwarmforme.ShallIgo,private,andtellMaryJane?No—Idasn'tdoit.Herfacewouldgivethema hint, sure; they've got themoney, and they'd slide right out and get awaywith it. Ifshewas to fetch inhelpI'dgetmixedup in thebusinessbefore itwasdonewith,Ijudge.No;thereain'tnogoodwaybutone.Igottostealthatmoney,somehow;andIgottostealitsomewaythattheywon'tsuspicionthatI done it.They've got a good thing here, and they ain't a-going to leave tillthey've played this family and this town for all they're worth, so I'll find achance time enough. I'll steal it and hide it; and by and by,when I'm awaydowntheriver,I'llwritealetterandtellMaryJanewhereit'shid.ButIbetterhiveittonightifIcan,becausethedoctormaybehasn'tletupasmuchasheletsonhehas;hemightscarethemoutofhereyet.So, thinksI, I'llgoandsearchthemrooms.Upstairs thehallwasdark,but Ifound the duke's room, and started to paw around it with my hands; but Irecollecteditwouldn'tbemuchlikethekingtoletanybodyelsetakecareofthatmoney but his own self; so then Iwent to his room and begun to pawaround there.But I see I couldn't do nothingwithout a candle, and I dasn'tlightone,ofcourse.SoIjudgedI'dgottodotheotherthing—layforthemandeavesdrop.About that time Ihears their footstepscoming,andwasgoing toskipunderthebed;Ireachedforit,butitwasn'twhereIthoughtitwouldbe;but I touched thecurtain thathidMaryJane's frocks, so I jumped inbehindthatandsnuggledinamongstthegowns,andstoodthereperfectlystill.Theycomeinandshutthedoor;andthefirstthingthedukedonewastogetdownandlookunderthebed.ThenIwasgladIhadn'tfoundthebedwhenIwantedit.Andyet,youknow,it'skindofnaturaltohideunderthebedwhenyouareuptoanythingprivate.Theysetsdownthen,andthekingsays:"Well, what is it?And cut itmiddlin' short, because it's better for us to bedowntherea-whoopin'upthemournin'thanupheregivin''emachancetotalkusover.""Well,thisisit,Capet.Iain'teasy;Iain'tcomfortable.Thatdoctorlaysonmymind.Iwantedtoknowyourplans.I'vegotanotion,andIthinkit'sasound

one.""Whatisit,duke?""Thatwebetterglideoutofthisbeforethreeinthemorning,andclipitdowntheriverwithwhatwe'vegot.Specially,seeingwegotitsoeasy—givenbacktous,flungatourheads,asyoumaysay,whenofcourseweallowedtohavetostealitback.I'mforknockingoffandlightingout."Thatmademe feelprettybad.About anhour or two ago itwould a been alittledifferent,butnowitmademefeelbadanddisappointed,Thekingripsoutandsays:"What!Andnot sell out the rest o' the property?March off like a passel offoolsand leaveeightornine thous'n'dollars'wortho'property layin'aroundjestsufferin'tobescoopedin?—andallgood,salablestuff,too."Thedukehegrumbled;saidthebagofgoldwasenough,andhedidn'twanttogonodeeper—didn'twanttorobalotoforphansofeverythingtheyhad."Why,howyoutalk!"saystheking."Wesha'n'trob'emofnothingatallbutjestthismoney.Thepeoplethatbuysthepropertyisthesuff'rers;becauseassoon'sit'sfoundout'atwedidn'townit—whichwon'tbelongafterwe'veslid—thesalewon'tbevalid,andit'llallgobacktotheestate.Theseyerorphans'll git their house back agin, and that's enough for them; they're young andspry,andk'neasyearna livin'. theyain't a-goin to suffer.Why, jest think—there's thous'n'sandthous'n's thatain'tnighsowelloff.Blessyou, theyain'tgotnoth'n'tocomplainof."Well,thekinghetalkedhimblind;soatlasthegivein,andsaidallright,butsaid he believed it was blamed foolishness to stay, and that doctor hangingoverthem.Butthekingsays:"Cuss the doctor!What dowe k'yer for him?Hain'twe got all the fools intownonourside?Andain'tthatabigenoughmajorityinanytown?"Sotheygotreadytogodownstairsagain.Thedukesays:"Idon'tthinkweputthatmoneyinagoodplace."Thatcheeredmeup.I'dbeguntothinkIwarn'tgoingtogetahintofnokindtohelpme.Thekingsays:"Why?""BecauseMaryJane'llbeinmourningfromthisout;andfirstyouknowtheniggerthatdoesuptheroomswillgetanordertoboxthesedudsupandput'emaway;anddoyoureckonaniggercanrunacrossmoneyandnotborrowsomeofit?""Yourhead'slevelagin,duke,"saystheking;andhecomesa-fumblingunderthecurtain twoor three foot fromwhere Iwas. I stuck tight to thewalland

keptmighty still, thoughquivery; and Iwonderedwhat them fellowswouldsaytomeiftheycatchedme;andItriedtothinkwhatI'dbetterdoiftheydidcatchme.ButthekinghegotthebagbeforeIcouldthinkmorethanaboutahalfathought,andheneversuspicionedIwasaround.Theytookandshovedthe bag through a rip in the straw tick that was under the feather-bed, andcrammedit inafootortwoamongstthestrawandsaiditwasallrightnow,becauseaniggeronlymakesupthefeather-bed,anddon'tturnoverthestrawtickonlyabouttwiceayear,andsoitwarn'tinnodangerofgettingstolenow.ButIknowedbetter.Ihaditoutoftherebeforetheywashalf-waydownstairs.Igropedalonguptomycubby,andhidittheretillIcouldgetachancetodobetter. I judged I better hide it outside of the house somewheres, because iftheymissed it theywould give the house a good ransacking: I knowed thatverywell.Then I turned in,withmyclothesallon;but I couldn't agone tosleepifI'dawantedto,Iwasinsuchasweattogetthroughwiththebusiness.ByandbyIheardthekingandthedukecomeup;soIrolledoffmypalletandlaidwithmychinat thetopofmyladder,andwaitedtoseeifanythingwasgoingtohappen.Butnothingdid.SoIheldon tillall the latesoundshadquitand theearlyoneshadn'tbegunyet;andthenIslippeddowntheladder.

CHAPTERXXVII.

Icrept to theirdoorsand listened; theywassnoring.So I tiptoedalong,andgotdownstairsallright.Therewarn'tasoundanywheres.Ipeepedthroughacrackofthedining-roomdoor,andseethementhatwaswatchingthecorpseallsoundasleepontheirchairs.Thedoorwasopenintotheparlor,wherethecorpsewaslaying,andtherewasacandleinbothrooms.Ipassedalong,andthe parlor door was open; but I see there warn't nobody in there but theremaindersofPeter;soIshovedonby;butthefrontdoorwaslocked,andthekeywasn't there. Just then I heard somebody coming down the stairs, backbehindme.Irunintheparlorandtookaswiftlookaround,andtheonlyplaceIseetohidethebagwasinthecoffin.Thelidwasshovedalongaboutafoot,showingthedeadman'sfacedowninthere,withawetclothoverit,andhisshroudon.Ituckedthemoney-baginunderthelid,justdownbeyondwherehishandswascrossed,whichmademecreep,theywassocold,andthenIrunbackacrosstheroomandinbehindthedoor.The person coming wasMary Jane. She went to the coffin, very soft, andkneeleddownandlookedin;thensheputupherhandkerchief,andIseeshebeguntocry,thoughIcouldn'thearher,andherbackwastome.Islidout,andasIpassedthedining-roomIthoughtI'dmakesurethemwatchershadn'tseen

me;soI lookedthroughthecrack,andeverythingwasall right.Theyhadn'tstirred.Islippedup tobed, feelingrutherblue,onaccountsof the thingplayingoutthatwayafterIhadtooksomuchtroubleandrunsomuchreskaboutit.SaysI,ifitcouldstaywhereitis,allright;becausewhenwegetdowntheriverahundredmileortwoIcouldwritebacktoMaryJane,andshecoulddighimupagain andget it; but that ain't the thing that's going tohappen; the thingthat'sgoingtohappenis,themoney'llbefoundwhentheycometoscrewonthelid.Thentheking 'llget itagain,andit 'llbea longdaybeforehegivesanybodyanotherchance tosmouch it fromhim.Ofcourse Iwanted toslidedownandget it out of there, but I dasn't try it.Everyminute itwasgettingearliernow,andprettysoonsomeofthemwatcherswouldbegintostir,andImightgetcatched—catchedwithsixthousanddollarsinmyhandsthatnobodyhadn'thiredmetotakecareof.Idon'twishtobemixedupinnosuchbusinessasthat,Isaystomyself.When I got down stairs in the morning the parlor was shut up, and thewatcherswasgone.Therewarn'tnobodyaroundbutthefamilyandthewidowBartley and our tribe. I watched their faces to see if anything had beenhappening,butIcouldn'ttell.Towardsthemiddleofthedaytheundertakercomewithhisman,andtheysetthecoffininthemiddleoftheroomonacoupleofchairs,andthensetallourchairs in rows, and borrowedmore from the neighbors till the hall and theparlor and thedining-roomwas full. I see the coffin lidwas theway itwasbefore,butIdasn'tgotolookinunderit,withfolksaround.Thenthepeoplebeguntoflockin,andthebeatsandthegirlstookseatsinthefront row at the head of the coffin, and for a half an hour the people filedaroundslow,insinglerank,andlookeddownatthedeadman'sfaceaminute,andsomedroppedinatear,anditwasallverystillandsolemn,onlythegirlsandthebeatsholdinghandkerchiefstotheireyesandkeepingtheirheadsbent,andsobbingalittle.Therewarn'tnoothersoundbutthescrapingofthefeetonthe floor and blowing noses—because people always blows themmore at afuneralthantheydoatotherplacesexceptchurch.When the placewas packed full the undertaker he slid around in his blackgloveswithhissoftysootheringways,puttingonthelasttouches,andgettingpeopleandthingsallship-shapeandcomfortable,andmakingnomoresoundthanacat.Heneverspoke;hemovedpeoplearound,hesqueezedinlateones,heopeneduppassageways,anddoneitwithnods,andsignswithhishands.Thenhe tookhisplaceover against thewall.Hewas the softest,glidingest,stealthiestmanIeversee;andtherewarn'tnomoresmiletohimthanthereistoaham.

Theyhadborrowedamelodeum—asickone;andwheneverythingwasreadyayoungwomansetdownandworkedit,anditwasprettyskreekyandcolicky,andeverybodyjoinedinandsung,andPeterwastheonlyonethathadagoodthing, according tomynotion.Then theReverendHobson opened up, slowandsolemn,andbeguntotalk;andstraightoffthemostoutrageousrowbustedoutinthecellarabodyeverheard;itwasonlyonedog,buthemadeamostpowerfulracket,andhekeptituprightalong;theparsonhehadtostandthere,overthecoffin,andwait—youcouldn'thearyourselfthink.Itwasrightdownawkward,andnobodydidn't seemtoknowwhat todo.Butprettysoon theyseethatlong-leggedundertakermakeasigntothepreacherasmuchastosay,"Don'tyouworry—justdependonme."Thenhestoopeddownandbeguntoglidealongthewall,justhisshouldersshowingoverthepeople'sheads.Soheglidedalong,andthepowwowandracketgettingmoreandmoreoutrageousallthetime;andatlast,whenhehadgonearoundtwosidesoftheroom,hedisappearsdowncellar.Theninabouttwosecondsweheardawhack,andthedoghefinishedupwithamostamazinghowlortwo,andtheneverythingwasdeadstill,andtheparsonbegunhissolemntalkwhereheleftoff.Inaminuteortwoherecomesthisundertaker'sbackandshouldersglidingalongthewallagain;andsoheglidedandglidedaround three sidesof the room,and thenrose up, and shaded his mouth with his hands, and stretched his neck outtowardsthepreacher,overthepeople'sheads,andsays,inakindofacoarsewhisper, "He had a rat!" Then he drooped down and glided along the wallagain to his place. You could see it was a great satisfaction to the people,because naturally they wanted to know. A little thing like that don't costnothing,andit'sjustthelittlethingsthatmakesamantobelookeduptoandliked.Therewarn't nomore popularman in town thanwhat that undertakerwas.Well,thefuneralsermonwasverygood,butpisonlongandtiresome;andthenthekingheshovedinandgotoffsomeofhisusualrubbage,andatlastthejobwas through, and the undertaker begun to sneak up on the coffin with hisscrew-driver.Iwasinasweatthen,andwatchedhimprettykeen.Buthenevermeddled at all; just slid the lid along as soft asmush, and screwed it downtightandfast.SothereIwas!Ididn'tknowwhetherthemoneywasinthereornot.So,saysI,s'posesomebodyhashoggedthatbagon thesly?—nowhowdoIknowwhethertowritetoMaryJaneornot?S'poseshedughimupanddidn'tfindnothing,whatwouldshethinkofme?Blameit,Isays,Imightgethuntedupandjailed;I'dbetterlaylowandkeepdark,andnotwriteatall;thething'sawfulmixednow;tryingtobetterit,I'veworseneditahundredtimes,andIwishtogoodnessI'djustletitalone,dadfetchthewholebusiness!Theyburiedhim,andwecomebackhome,andIwenttowatchingfacesagain—Icouldn'thelpit,andIcouldn'tresteasy.Butnothingcomeofit;thefacesdidn'ttellmenothing.

Thekinghevisitedaroundintheevening,andsweetenedeverybodyup,andmadehimselfeversofriendly;andhegiveouttheideathathiscongregationoverinEnglandwouldbeinasweatabouthim,sohemusthurryandsettleuptheestaterightawayandleaveforhome.Hewasverysorryhewassopushed,and sowaseverybody; theywishedhecould stay longer,but they said theycouldseeitcouldn'tbedone.AndhesaidofcoursehimandWilliamwouldtakethegirlshomewiththem;andthatpleasedeverybodytoo,becausethenthegirlswouldbewellfixedandamongsttheirownrelations;anditpleasedthegirls,too—tickledthemsotheycleanforgottheyeverhadatroubleintheworld;andtoldhimtoselloutasquickashewantedto,theywouldbeready.Thempoorthingswasthatgladandhappyitmademyheartachetoseethemgettingfooledandliedtoso,butIdidn'tseenosafewayformetochipinandchangethegeneraltune.Well, blamed if the king didn't bill the house and the niggers and all thepropertyforauctionstraightoff—saletwodaysafterthefuneral;butanybodycouldbuyprivatebeforehandiftheywantedto.Sothenextdayafterthefuneral,alongaboutnoon-time,thegirls'joygotthefirst jolt.Acoupleofnigger traderscomealong,and thekingsold them theniggersreasonable,forthree-daydraftsastheycalledit,andawaytheywent,the two sons up the river toMemphis, and their mother down the river toOrleans.Ithoughtthempoorgirlsandthemniggerswouldbreaktheirheartsforgrief;theycriedaroundeachother,andtookonsoitmostmademedownsick to see it. The girls said they hadn't ever dreamed of seeing the familyseparatedorsoldawayfromthetown.Ican'tevergetitoutofmymemory,thesight of them poormiserable girls and niggers hanging around each other'snecksandcrying;andIreckonIcouldn'tastooditall,butwouldahadtobustoutandtellonourgangifIhadn'tknowedthesalewarn'tnoaccountandtheniggerswouldbebackhomeinaweekortwo.The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a good many come outflatfootedandsaid itwasscandaloustoseparate themotherandthechildrenthatway. It injured the frauds some; but the old fool he bulled right along,spite of all the duke could say or do, and I tell you the dukewas powerfuluneasy.Nextdaywasauctionday.Aboutbroaddayin themorningthekingandthedukecomeupinthegarretandwokemeup,andIseebytheirlookthattherewastrouble.Thekingsays:"Wasyouinmyroomnightbeforelast?""No, yourmajesty"—whichwas theway I always called himwhen nobodybutourgangwarn'taround."Wasyouinthereyisterdayerlastnight?"

"No,yourmajesty.""Honorbright,now—nolies.""Honorbright,yourmajesty,I'mtellingyouthetruth.Ihain'tbeena-nearyourroomsinceMissMaryJanetookyouandthedukeandshowedittoyou."Thedukesays:"Haveyouseenanybodyelsegointhere?""No,yourgrace,notasIremember,Ibelieve.""Stopandthink."Istudiedawhileandseemychance;thenIsays:"Well,Iseetheniggersgointhereseveraltimes."Bothofthemgavealittlejump,andlookedliketheyhadn'teverexpectedit,andthenliketheyhad.Thenthedukesays:"What,allofthem?""No—leastways,notallatonce—thatis,Idon'tthinkIeverseethemallcomeoutatoncebutjustonetime.""Hello!Whenwasthat?""Itwasthedaywehadthefuneral.Inthemorning.Itwarn'tearly,becauseIoverslept.Iwasjuststartingdowntheladder,andIseethem.""Well,goon,goon!Whatdidtheydo?How'dtheyact?""They didn't do nothing.And they didn't act anywaymuch, as fur as I see.Theytiptoedaway;soIseen,easyenough,thatthey'dshovedintheretodoupyourmajesty'sroom,orsomething,s'posingyouwasup;andfoundyouwarn'tup,andsotheywashopingtoslideoutofthewayoftroublewithoutwakingyouup,iftheyhadn'talreadywakedyouup.""Greatguns,thisisago!"saystheking;andbothofthemlookedprettysickand tolerable silly.They stood there a-thinking and scratching their heads aminute,andthedukehebustintoakindofalittleraspychuckle,andsays:"Itdoesbeatallhowneattheniggersplayedtheirhand.Theyletontobesorrytheywasgoingoutofthisregion!AndIbelievedtheywassorry,andsodidyou,andsodideverybody.Don'tevertellmeanymorethataniggerain'tgotany histrionic talent. Why, the way they played that thing it would foolanybody.Inmyopinion,there'safortunein'em.IfIhadcapitalandatheater,Iwouldn'twantabetterlay-outthanthat—andherewe'vegoneandsold'emfor a song.Yes, and ain't privileged to sing the songyet. Say,where is thatsong—thatdraft?""Inthebankfortobecollected.Wherewoulditbe?"

"Well,that'sallrightthen,thankgoodness."SaysI,kindoftimid-like:"Issomethinggonewrong?"Thekingwhirlsonmeandripsout:"Noneo'yourbusiness!Youkeepyourheadshet,andmindy'rownaffairs—ifyou got any. Long as you're in this town don't you forgit that—you hear?"Thenhesaystotheduke,"Wegottojestswalleritandsaynoth'n':mum'sthewordforus."Astheywasstartingdowntheladderthedukehechucklesagain,andsays:"Quicksalesandsmallprofits!It'sagoodbusiness—yes."Thekingsnarlsaroundonhimandsays:"Iwas trying todo for thebest in sellin' 'emout soquick. If theprofitshasturnedouttobenone,lackin'considable,andnonetocarry,isitmyfaultanymore'nit'syourn?""Well,they'dbeinthishouseyetandwewouldn'tifIcouldagotmyadvicelistenedto."Thekingsassedbackasmuchaswassafeforhim,andthenswappedaroundandlitintomeagain.Hegivemedownthebanksfornotcomingandtellinghim I see the niggers come out of his room acting thatway—said any foolwouldaknowedsomethingwasup.Andthenwaltzedinandcussedhimselfawhile,andsaiditallcomeofhimnotlayinglateandtakinghisnaturalrestthatmorning,andhe'dbeblamedifhe'deverdoitagain.Sotheywentoffa-jawing;andIfeltdreadfulgladI'dworkeditalloffontotheniggers,andyethadn'tdonetheniggersnoharmbyit.

CHAPTERXXVIII.

BYandbyitwasgetting-uptime.SoIcomedowntheladderandstartedfordown-stairs; but as I come to the girls' room the doorwas open, and I seeMary Jane setting by her old hair trunk, which was open and she'd beenpackingthingsinit—gettingreadytogotoEngland.Butshehadstoppednowwith a folded gown in her lap, and had her face in her hands, crying. I feltawfulbadtoseeit;ofcourseanybodywould.Iwentinthereandsays:"MissMaryJane,youcan'ta-beartoseepeopleintrouble,andIcan't—mostalways.Tellmeaboutit."So she done it. And it was the niggers—I just expected it. She said thebeautifultriptoEnglandwasmostaboutspoiledforher;shedidn'tknowhow

shewas evergoing tobehappy there, knowing themother and the childrenwarn'tevergoingtoseeeachothernomore—andthenbustedoutbittererthanever,andflungupherhands,andsays:"Oh,dear,dear,tothinktheyain'tevergoingtoseeeachotheranymore!""Buttheywill—andinsideoftwoweeks—andIknowit!"saysI.Laws, itwasoutbefore Icould think!Andbefore Icouldbudgeshe throwsherarmsaroundmyneckandtoldmetosayitagain,sayitagain,sayitagain!Isee Ihadspoke toosuddenandsaid toomuch,andwas inacloseplace. Iasked her to let me think a minute; and she set there, very impatient andexcitedandhandsome,butlookingkindofhappyandeased-up,likeapersonthat'shadatoothpulledout.SoIwent tostudyingitout. Isaystomyself,Ireckonabodythatupsandtellsthetruthwhenheisinatightplaceistakingconsiderablemany resks, though I ain't hadnoexperience, andcan't say forcertain;butitlookssotome,anyway;andyethere'sacasewhereI'mblestifitdon'tlooktomelikethetruthisbetterandactulysaferthanalie.Imustlayitbyinmymind,andthinkitoversometimeorother,it'ssokindofstrangeandunregular.Ineverseenothinglikeit.Well,Isaystomyselfatlast,I'ma-goingtochanceit;I'llupandtellthetruththistime,thoughitdoesseemmostlike setting down on a kag of powder and touching it off just to seewhereyou'llgoto.ThenIsays:"MissMaryJane,isthereanyplaceoutoftownalittlewayswhereyoucouldgoandstaythreeorfourdays?""Yes;Mr.Lothrop's.Why?""Nevermindwhy yet. If I'll tell you how I know the niggerswill see eachotheragaininsideoftwoweeks—hereinthishouse—andprovehowIknowit—willyougotoMr.Lothrop'sandstayfourdays?""Fourdays!"shesays;"I'llstayayear!""Allright,"Isays,"Idon'twantnothingmoreoutofyouthanjustyourword—I druther have it than another man's kiss-the-Bible." She smiled andreddenedupverysweet,andIsays,"Ifyoudon'tmindit,I'llshutthedoor—andboltit."ThenIcomebackandsetdownagain,andsays:"Don'tyouholler.Justsetstillandtakeitlikeaman.Igottotellthetruth,andyouwanttobraceup,MissMary,becauseit'sabadkind,andgoingtobehardtotake,butthereain'tnohelpforit.Theseunclesofyournain'tnounclesatall;they'reacoupleoffrauds—regulardead-beats.There,nowwe'reovertheworstofit,youcanstandtherestmiddlingeasy."Itjoltedheruplikeeverything,ofcourse;butIwasovertheshoalwaternow,

so Iwent rightalong,hereyesa-blazinghigherandhigherall the time,andtoldhereveryblamething,fromwherewefirststruckthatyoungfoolgoinguptothesteamboat,clearthroughtowheresheflungherselfontotheking'sbreastatthefrontdoorandhekissedhersixteenorseventeentimes—andthenupshejumps,withherfaceafirelikesunset,andsays:"The brute! Come, don't waste a minute—not a second—we'll have themtarredandfeathered,andflungintheriver!"SaysI:"Cert'nly.ButdoyoumeanbeforeyougotoMr.Lothrop's,or—""Oh," she says, "what am I thinking about!" she says, and set right downagain. "Don't mind what I said—please don't—you won't, now, will you?"Layingher silkyhandonmine in thatkindofaway that I said Iwoulddiefirst."Ineverthought,Iwassostirredup,"shesays;"nowgoon,andIwon'tdosoanymore.Youtellmewhattodo,andwhateveryousayI'lldoit.""Well," Isays,"it'sa roughgang, themtwofrauds,andI'mfixedsoIgot totravelwith themawhile longer,whether Iwant toornot—Idruthernot tellyouwhy;andifyouwastoblowonthemthistownwouldgetmeoutoftheirclaws,andI'dbeallright;but there'dbeanotherpersonthatyoudon'tknowaboutwho'dbeinbigtrouble.Well,wegottosavehim,hain'twe?Ofcourse.Well,then,wewon'tblowonthem."Sayingthemwordsputagoodideainmyhead.IseehowmaybeIcouldgetmeandJimridofthefrauds;getthemjailedhere,andthenleave.ButIdidn'twant to run the raft in the daytime without anybody aboard to answerquestionsbutme;soIdidn'twanttheplantobeginworkingtillprettylateto-night.Isays:"MissMaryJane,I'lltellyouwhatwe'lldo,andyouwon'thavetostayatMr.Lothrop'ssolong,nuther.Howfurisit?""Alittleshortoffourmiles—rightoutinthecountry,backhere.""Well, that 'll answer.Now you go along out there, and lay low till nine orhalf-past to-night, and then get them to fetch you home again—tell themyou'vethoughtofsomething.Ifyougetherebeforeelevenputacandleinthiswindow, and if I don't turnupwait till eleven, and then if I don't turnup itmeansI'mgone,andoutoftheway,andsafe.Thenyoucomeoutandspreadthenewsaround,andgetthesebeatsjailed.""Good,"shesays,"I'lldoit.""And if it just happens so that I don't get away, but get took up alongwiththem, youmust up and say I told you thewhole thingbeforehand, andyoumuststandbymeallyoucan."

"Standbyyou!indeedIwill.Theysha'n'ttouchahairofyourhead!"shesays,andIseehernostrilsspreadandhereyessnapwhenshesaidit,too."IfIgetawayIsha'n'tbehere,"Isays,"toprovetheserapscallionsain'tyouruncles, and I couldn't do it if Iwas here. I could swear theywas beats andbummers,that'sall,thoughthat'sworthsomething.Well,there'sotherscandothatbetterthanwhatIcan,andthey'repeoplethatain'tgoingtobedoubtedasquickasI'dbe.I'lltellyouhowtofindthem.Gimmeapencilandapieceofpaper. There—'Royal Nonesuch, Bricksville.' Put it away, and don't lose it.Whenthecourtwantstofindoutsomethingaboutthesetwo,letthemsenduptoBricksville and say they've got themen that played theRoyalNonesuch,and ask for some witnesses—why, you'll have that entire town down herebeforeyoucanhardlywink,MissMary.Andthey'llcomea-biling,too."Ijudgedwehadgoteverythingfixedaboutrightnow.SoIsays:"Justlettheauctiongorightalong,anddon'tworry.Nobodydon'thavetopayfor the things theybuy till awholeday after the auctiononaccountsof theshortnotice,andtheyain'tgoingoutofthistill theygetthatmoney;andthewaywe'vefixeditthesaleain'tgoingtocount,andtheyain'tgoingtogetnomoney.It'sjustlikethewayitwaswiththeniggers—itwarn'tnosale,andtheniggerswill be back before long.Why, they can't collect themoney for theniggersyet—they'reintheworstkindofafix,MissMary.""Well,"shesays,"I'llrundowntobreakfastnow,andthenI'llstartstraightforMr.Lothrop's.""'Deed,thatain'ttheticket,MissMaryJane,"Isays,"bynomannerofmeans;gobeforebreakfast.""Why?""WhatdidyoureckonIwantedyoutogoatallfor,MissMary?""Well,Ineverthought—andcometothink,Idon'tknow.Whatwasit?""Why,it'sbecauseyouain'toneof theseleather-facepeople.Idon'twantnobetterbookthanwhatyourface is.Abodycansetdownandreaditoff likecoarseprint.Doyoureckonyoucangoandfaceyouruncleswhentheycometokissyougood-morning,andnever—""There, there,don't!Yes, I'll gobeforebreakfast—I'll beglad to.And leavemysisterswiththem?""Yes;nevermindaboutthem.They'vegottostandityetawhile.Theymightsuspicionsomethingifallofyouwastogo.Idon'twantyoutoseethem,noryour sisters, nor nobody in this town; if a neighborwas to askhow is youruncles thismorningyourfacewouldtellsomething.No,yougorightalong,MissMaryJane,andI'llfixitwithallofthem.I'lltellMissSusantogiveyourlovetoyourunclesandsayyou'vewentawayforafewhoursfortogetalittle

restandchange,ortoseeafriend,andyou'llbebackto-nightorearlyinthemorning.""Gonetoseeafriendisallright,butIwon'thavemylovegiventothem.""Well,then,itsha'n'tbe."Itwaswellenoughtotellherso—noharminit.Itwas only a little thing to do, and no trouble; and it's the little things thatsmoothspeople'sroadsthemost,downherebelow;itwouldmakeMaryJanecomfortable, and it wouldn't cost nothing. Then I says: "There's one morething—thatbagofmoney.""Well,they'vegotthat;anditmakesmefeelprettysillytothinkhowtheygotit.""No,you'reout,there.Theyhain'tgotit.""Why,who'sgotit?""IwishIknowed,butIdon't.Ihadit,becauseIstoleitfromthem;andIstoleit to give to you; and I knowwhere I hid it, but I'm afraid it ain't there nomore.I'mawfulsorry,MissMaryJane,I'mjustassorryasIcanbe;butIdonethebestIcould;Ididhonest.Icomenighgettingcaught,andIhadtoshoveitintothefirstplaceIcometo,andrun—anditwarn'tagoodplace.""Oh, stopblamingyourself—it's toobad todo it, and Iwon't allow it—youcouldn'thelpit;itwasn'tyourfault.Wheredidyouhideit?"I didn't want to set her to thinking about her troubles again; and I couldn'tseemtogetmymouthtotellherwhatwouldmakeherseethatcorpselayinginthecoffinwiththatbagofmoneyonhisstomach.SoforaminuteIdidn'tsaynothing;thenIsays:"I'druthernottellyouwhereIputit,MissMaryJane,ifyoudon'tmindlettingmeoff;butI'llwriteitforyouonapieceofpaper,andyoucanreaditalongtheroadtoMr.Lothrop's,ifyouwantto.Doyoureckonthat'lldo?""Oh,yes."SoIwrote:"Iputitinthecoffin.Itwasintherewhenyouwascryingthere,awayinthenight.Iwasbehindthedoor,andIwasmightysorryforyou,MissMaryJane."Itmademyeyeswatera little torememberhercryingthereallbyherself inthenight,andthemdevilslayingthererightunderherownroof,shamingherand robbing her; andwhen I folded it up and give it to her I see thewatercomeintohereyes,too;andsheshookmebythehand,hard,andsays:"Good-bye. I'mgoing todoeverything justasyou've toldme;and if Idon'teverseeyouagain,Isha'n'teverforgetyouandI'llthinkofyouamanyandamanyatime,andI'llprayforyou,too!"—andshewasgone.Pray forme! I reckoned if she knowedme she'd take a job that wasmore

nearerhersize.But Ibet shedone it, just the same—shewas just thatkind.ShehadthegrittoprayforJudusifshetookthenotion—therewarn'tnoback-downtoher,I judge.Youmaysaywhatyouwant to,but inmyopinionshehadmoresandinherthananygirlIeversee;inmyopinionshewasjustfullofsand. It sounds like flattery,but itain'tno flattery.Andwhen it comes tobeauty—and goodness, too—she lays over them all. I hain't ever seen hersince that time that I see her go out of that door; no, I hain't ever seen hersince,butIreckonI'vethoughtofheramanyandamanyamilliontimes,andofhersayingshewouldprayforme;andifeverI'dathoughtitwoulddoanygoodformetoprayforher,blamedifIwouldn'tadoneitorbust.Well,MaryJaneshelitoutthebackway,Ireckon;becausenobodyseehergo.WhenIstruckSusanandthehare-lip,Isays:"What'sthenameofthempeopleoveront'othersideoftheriverthatyouallgoestoseesometimes?"Theysays:"There'sseveral;butit'stheProctors,mainly.""That'sthename,"Isays;"Imostforgotit.Well,MissMaryJaneshetoldmetotellyoushe'sgoneoverthereinadreadfulhurry—oneofthem'ssick.""Whichone?""Idon'tknow;leastways,Ikinderforget;butIthinksit's—""Sakesalive,Ihopeitain'tHanner?""I'msorrytosayit,"Isays,"butHanner'stheveryone.""Mygoodness,andshesowellonlylastweek!Isshetookbad?""Itain'tnonamefor it.Theysetupwithherallnight,MissMaryJanesaid,andtheydon'tthinkshe'lllastmanyhours.""Onlythinkofthat,now!What'sthematterwithher?"Icouldn'tthinkofanythingreasonable,rightoffthatway,soIsays:"Mumps.""Mumpsyourgranny!Theydon'tsetupwithpeoplethat'sgotthemumps.""They don't, don't they? You better bet they do with these mumps. Thesemumpsisdifferent.It'sanewkind,MissMaryJanesaid.""How'sitanewkind?""Becauseit'smixedupwithotherthings.""Whatotherthings?""Well, measles, and whooping-cough, and erysiplas, and consumption, andyallerjanders,andbrain-fever,andIdon'tknowwhatall."

"Myland!Andtheycallitthemumps?""That'swhatMissMaryJanesaid.""Well,whatinthenationdotheycallitthemumpsfor?""Why,becauseitisthemumps.That'swhatitstartswith.""Well, ther'ain'tnosense in it.Abodymight stumphis toe,and takepison,and fall down the well, and break his neck, and bust his brains out, andsomebody come along and askwhat killed him, and somenumskull up andsay,'Why,hestumpedhistoe.'Wouldther'beanysenseinthat?No.Andther'ain'tnosenseinthis,nuther.Isitketching?""Isitketching?Why,howyoutalk.Isaharrowcatching—inthedark?Ifyoudon't hitch on to one tooth, you're bound to on another, ain't you?Andyoucan'tget awaywith that toothwithout fetching thewholeharrowalong, canyou?Well,thesekindofmumpsisakindofaharrow,asyoumaysay—anditain'tnoslouchofaharrow,nuther,youcometogetithitchedongood.""Well,it'sawful,Ithink,"saysthehare-lip."I'llgotoUncleHarveyand—""Oh,yes,"Isays,"Iwould.OfcourseIwould.Iwouldn'tlosenotime.""Well,whywouldn'tyou?""Justlookatitaminute,andmaybeyoucansee.Hain'tyourunclesobleegdtogetalonghometoEnglandasfastastheycan?Anddoyoureckonthey'dbemeanenoughtogooffandleaveyoutogoallthatjourneybyyourselves?youknow they'llwait for you. So fur, so good.Your uncleHarvey's a preacher,ain'the?Verywell,then;isapreachergoingtodeceiveasteamboatclerk?ishegoingtodeceiveashipclerk?—soastogetthemtoletMissMaryJanegoaboard?Nowyouknowheain't.Whatwillhedo,then?Why,he'llsay,'It'sagreatpity,butmychurchmattershasgottogetalongthebestwaytheycan;formyniecehasbeenexposedtothedreadfulpluribus-unummumps,andsoit'smyboundenduty to setdownhereandwait the threemonths it takes toshowonherifshe'sgotit.'Butnevermind,ifyouthinkit'sbesttotellyouruncleHarvey—""Shucks, and stay fooling around here when we could all be having goodtimesinEnglandwhilstwewaswaitingtofindoutwhetherMaryJane'sgotitornot?Why,youtalklikeamuggins.""Well,anyway,maybeyou'dbettertellsomeoftheneighbors.""Listenatthat,now.Youdobeatallfornaturalstupidness.Can'tyouseethatthey'dgoandtell?Ther'ain'tnowaybutjusttonottellanybodyatall.""Well,maybeyou'reright—yes,Ijudgeyouareright.""ButIreckonweoughttotellUncleHarveyshe'sgoneoutawhile,anyway,sohewon'tbeuneasyabouther?"

"Yes,MissMaryJaneshewantedyoutodothat.Shesays,'TellthemtogiveUncleHarveyandWilliammyloveandakiss,andsayI'verunovertherivertoseeMr.'—Mr.—whatisthenameofthatrichfamilyyourunclePeterusedtothinksomuchof?—Imeantheonethat—""Why,youmustmeantheApthorps,ain'tit?""Ofcourse;botherthemkindofnames,abodycan'teverseemtorememberthem,halfthetime,somehow.Yes,shesaid,sayshehasrunoverfortoasktheApthorpstobesureandcometotheauctionandbuythishouse,becausesheallowedherunclePeterwouldruthertheyhaditthananybodyelse;andshe'sgoingtosticktothemtilltheysaythey'llcome,andthen,ifsheain'ttootired,she'scominghome;andifsheis,she'llbehomeinthemorninganyway.Shesaid, don't say nothing about the Proctors, but only about the Apthorps—which 'll be perfectly true, because she is going there to speak about theirbuyingthehouse;Iknowit,becauseshetoldmesoherself.""Allright,"theysaid,andclearedouttolayfortheiruncles,andgivethemtheloveandthekisses,andtellthemthemessage.Everything was all right now. The girls wouldn't say nothing because theywantedtogotoEngland;andthekingandthedukewouldrutherMaryJanewasoffworking for theauction thanaround in reachofDoctorRobinson. Ifelt very good; I judged I had done it pretty neat—I reckonedTomSawyercouldn'tadoneitnoneaterhimself.Ofcoursehewouldathrowedmorestyleintoit,butIcan'tdothatveryhandy,notbeingbrunguptoit.Well,theyheldtheauctioninthepublicsquare,alongtowardstheendoftheafternoon,and it strungalong,andstrungalong,and theoldmanhewasonhandand lookinghis levelpisonest,up there longsideof theauctioneer,andchippinginalittleScripturenowandthen,oralittlegoody-goodysayingofsome kind, and the duke he was around goo-gooing for sympathy all heknowedhow,andjustspreadinghimselfgenerly.But by and by the thing dragged through, and everything was sold—everythingbuta littleold trifling lot in thegraveyard.So they'dgot toworkthat off—I never see such a girafft as the kingwas forwanting to swalloweverything.Well,whilst theywasat ita steamboat landed,and inabout twominutesupcomesacrowda-whoopingandyellingandlaughingandcarryingon,andsingingout:"Here'syouroppositionline!here'syourtwosetso'heirstooldPeterWilks—andyoupaysyourmoneyandyoutakesyourchoice!"

CHAPTERXXIX.

THEY was fetching a very nice-looking old gentleman along, and a nice-lookingyounger one,withhis right arm in a sling.And,my souls, how thepeopleyelledandlaughed,andkeptitup.ButIdidn'tseenojokeaboutit,andI judged itwould strain the duke and the king some to see any. I reckonedthey'dturnpale.Butno,naryapaledidtheyturn.Thedukeheneverletonhesuspicioned what was up, but just went a goo-gooing around, happy andsatisfied,likeajugthat'sgooglingoutbuttermilk;andasfortheking,hejustgazed and gazed down sorrowful on them new-comers like it give him thestomach-acheinhisveryhearttothinktherecouldbesuchfraudsandrascalsintheworld.Oh,hedoneitadmirable.Lotsof theprincipalpeoplegetheredaroundtheking,tolethimseetheywasonhisside.Thatoldgentlemanthathadjustcomelookedallpuzzledtodeath.Prettysoonhebeguntospeak,andIseestraightoffhepronouncedlikeanEnglishman—nottheking'sway,thoughtheking'swasprettygoodforanimitation.Ican'tgivetheoldgent'swords,norIcan'timitatehim;butheturnedaroundtothecrowd,andsays,aboutlikethis:"This is a surprise tomewhich I wasn't looking for; and I'll acknowledge,candid and frank, I ain't very well fixed to meet it and answer it; for mybrotherandmehashadmisfortunes;he'sbrokehisarm,andourbaggagegotputoffata townabovehere lastnight in thenightbyamistake. IamPeterWilks' brotherHarvey, and this is his brotherWilliam,which can't hear norspeak—andcan'tevenmakesignstoamounttomuch,now'the'sonlygotonehandtoworkthemwith.Wearewhowesayweare;andinadayortwo,whenIgetthebaggage,Icanproveit.ButuptillthenIwon'tsaynothingmore,butgotothehotelandwait."Sohimandthenewdummystartedoff;andthekinghelaughs,andblethersout:"Brokehis arm—very likely, ain't it?—andveryconvenient, too, for a fraudthat's got to make signs, and ain't learnt how. Lost their baggage! That'smightygood!—andmightyingenious—underthecircumstances!"Sohelaughedagain;andsodideverybodyelse,exceptthreeorfour,ormaybehalfadozen.Oneof thesewas thatdoctor;anotheronewasasharp-lookinggentleman,with a carpet-bag of the old-fashioned kindmade out of carpet-stuff,thathadjustcomeoffofthesteamboatandwastalkingtohiminalowvoice,andglancingtowardsthekingnowandthenandnoddingtheirheads—itwasLeviBell, the lawyer thatwasgoneuptoLouisville;andanotheronewasabigroughhuskythatcomealongandlistenedtoall theoldgentlemansaid, and was listening to the king now. And when the king got done thishuskyupandsays:"Say,lookyhere;ifyouareHarveyWilks,when'dyoucometothistown?"

"Thedaybeforethefuneral,friend,"saystheking."Butwhattimeo'day?""Intheevenin'—'boutanhourertwobeforesundown.""How'dyoucome?""IcomedownontheSusanPowellfromCincinnati.""Well,then,how'dyoucometobeupatthePintinthemornin'—inacanoe?""Iwarn'tupatthePintinthemornin'.""It'salie."Severalofthemjumpedforhimandbeggedhimnottotalkthatwaytoanoldmanandapreacher."Preacherbehanged,he'safraudandaliar.HewasupatthePintthatmornin'.I liveupthere,don'tI?Well,Iwasupthere,andhewasupthere.Iseehimthere.Hecomeinacanoe,alongwithTimCollinsandaboy."Thedoctorheupandsays:"Wouldyouknowtheboyagainifyouwastoseehim,Hines?""I reckon I would, but I don't know.Why, yonder he is, now. I know himperfectlyeasy."Itwasmehepointedat.Thedoctorsays:"Neighbors,Idon'tknowwhetherthenewcoupleisfraudsornot;butifthesetwoain't frauds, Iamanidiot, that'sall. I thinkit'sourduty tosee that theydon'tgetawayfromheretillwe'velookedintothisthing.Comealong,Hines;comealong,therestofyou.We'lltakethesefellowstothetavernandaffrontthemwitht'othercouple,andIreckonwe'llfindoutsomethingbeforewegetthrough."Itwasnutsforthecrowd,thoughmaybenotfortheking'sfriends;soweallstarted.Itwasaboutsundown.Thedoctorhe ledmealongby thehand,andwasplentykindenough,butheneverletgomyhand.Weallgotinabigroominthehotel,andlitupsomecandles,andfetchedinthenewcouple.First,thedoctorsays:"Idon'twishtobetoohardonthesetwomen,butIthinkthey'refrauds,andthey may have complices that we don't know nothing about. If they have,won't thecomplicesgetawaywith thatbagofgoldPeterWilks left? Itain'tunlikely.Ifthesemenain'tfrauds,theywon'tobjecttosendingforthatmoneyandlettinguskeepittilltheyprovethey'reallright—ain'tthatso?"Everybodyagreedtothat.SoIjudgedtheyhadourganginaprettytightplacerightattheoutstart.Butthekingheonlylookedsorrowful,andsays:

"Gentlemen,Iwishthemoneywasthere,forIain'tgotnodispositiontothrowanything in thewayofa fair,open,out-and-out investigationo' thismisablebusiness;but, alas, themoneyain't there;youk'n sendand see, if youwantto.""Whereisit,then?""Well,whenmyniecegiveittometokeepforherItookandhiditinsideo'thestrawticko'mybed,notwishin'tobankitforthefewdayswe'dbehere,andconsiderin'thebedasafeplace,wenotbein'usedtoniggers,andsuppos'n''emhonest,likeservantsinEngland.Theniggersstoleittheverynextmornin'afterIhadwentdownstairs;andwhenIsold 'emIhadn'tmissedthemoneyyit, so they got clean away with it. My servant here k'n tell you 'bout it,gentlemen."The doctor and several said "Shucks!" and I see nobody didn't altogetherbelievehim.OnemanaskedmeifIseetheniggersstealit.Isaidno,butIseethemsneakingoutoftheroomandhustlingaway,andIneverthoughtnothing,onlyIreckonedtheywasafraidtheyhadwakedupmymasterandwastryingtogetawaybeforehemade troublewith them.Thatwas all they askedme.Thenthedoctorwhirlsonmeandsays:"AreyouEnglish,too?"Isaysyes;andhimandsomeotherslaughed,andsaid,"Stuff!"Well,thentheysailedinonthegeneralinvestigation,andtherewehadit,upanddown,hourin,hourout,andnobodyneversaidawordaboutsupper,noreverseemed to thinkabout it—andso theykept itup,andkept itup;and itwastheworstmixed-upthingyoueversee.Theymadethekingtellhisyarn,and they made the old gentleman tell his'n; and anybody but a lot ofprejudiced chuckleheads would a seen that the old gentlemanwas spinningtruthandt'otheronelies.AndbyandbytheyhadmeuptotellwhatIknowed.Thekinghegivemealeft-handedlookoutofthecornerofhiseye,andsoIknowedenoughto talkontherightside.Ibegun to tellaboutSheffield,andhowwelivedthere,andallabouttheEnglishWilkses,andsoon;butIdidn'tgetprettyfurtillthedoctorbeguntolaugh;andLeviBell,thelawyer,says:"Setdown,myboy;Iwouldn'tstrainmyself if Iwasyou.I reckonyouain'tusedtolying,itdon'tseemtocomehandy;whatyouwantispractice.Youdoitprettyawkward."Ididn'tcarenothingforthecompliment,butIwasgladtobeletoff,anyway.Thedoctorhestartedtosaysomething,andturnsandsays:"Ifyou'dbeenintownatfirst,LeviBell—"Thekingbrokeinandreachedouthishand,andsays:"Why,isthismypoordeadbrother'soldfriendthathe'swrotesooftenabout?"

Thelawyerandhimshookhands,andthelawyersmiledandlookedpleased,and they talked rightalongawhile,and thengot toonesideand talked low;andatlastthelawyerspeaksupandsays:"That 'll fix it. I'll take theorder and send it, alongwithyourbrother's, andthenthey'llknowit'sallright."Sotheygotsomepaperandapen,andthekinghesetdownandtwistedhishead to one side, and chawed his tongue, and scrawled off something; andthentheygivethepentotheduke—andthenforthefirsttimethedukelookedsick.Buthetookthepenandwrote.Sothenthelawyerturnstothenewoldgentlemanandsays:"Youandyourbrotherpleasewritealineortwoandsignyournames."The old gentleman wrote, but nobody couldn't read it. The lawyer lookedpowerfulastonished,andsays:"Well, it beats me"—and snaked a lot of old letters out of his pocket, andexamined them, and then examined the old man's writing, and then themagain;andthensays:"TheseoldlettersisfromHarveyWilks;andhere'sthesetwohandwritings,andanybodycanseetheydidn'twritethem"(thekingandtheduke lookedsoldandfoolish, I tellyou, toseehowthe lawyerhad tookthemin),"andhere'sthisoldgentleman'shandwriting,andanybodycantell,easy enough, he didn't write them—fact is, the scratches he makes ain'tproperlywritingatall.Now,here'ssomelettersfrom—"Thenewoldgentlemansays:"Ifyouplease,letmeexplain.Nobodycanreadmyhandbutmybrotherthere—sohecopiesforme.It'shishandyou'vegotthere,notmine.""Well!"says the lawyer,"this isastateof things. I'vegotsomeofWilliam'sletters,too;soifyou'llgethimtowritealineorsowecancom—""Hecan'twritewithhislefthand,"saystheoldgentleman."Ifhecouldusehisrighthand,youwouldseethathewrotehisownlettersandminetoo.Lookatboth,please—they'rebythesamehand."Thelawyerdoneit,andsays:"Ibelieveit'sso—andifitain'tso,there'saheapstrongerresemblancethanI'dnoticedbefore,anyway.Well,well,well!Ithoughtwewasrightonthetrackofasolution,butit'sgonetograss,partly.Butanyway,onethingisproved—these twoain't eitherof 'emWilkses"—andhewaggedhishead towards thekingandtheduke.Well, what do you think? That muleheaded old fool wouldn't give in then!Indeedhewouldn't.Saiditwarn'tnofairtest.SaidhisbrotherWilliamwasthecussedest joker in theworld, and hadn't tried towrite—he seeWilliamwas

goingtoplayoneofhisjokestheminuteheputthepentopaper.Andsohewarmed up and went warbling and warbling right along till he was actulybeginning to believe what he was saying himself; but pretty soon the newgentlemanbrokein,andsays:"I'vethoughtofsomething.Isthereanybodyherethathelpedtolayoutmybr—helpedtolayoutthelatePeterWilksforburying?""Yes,"sayssomebody,"meandAbTurnerdoneit.We'rebothhere."Thentheoldmanturnstowardstheking,andsays:"Perhapsthisgentlemancantellmewhatwastattooedonhisbreast?"Blamed if the king didn't have to brace upmighty quick, or he'd a squsheddownlikeabluffbankthattheriverhascutunder,ittookhimsosudden;and,mindyou,itwasathingthatwascalculatedtomakemostanybodysqushtoget fetchedsuchasolidoneas thatwithoutanynotice,becausehowwashegoingtoknowwhatwastattooedontheman?Hewhitenedalittle;hecouldn'thelp it; and it was mighty still in there, and everybody bending a littleforwardsandgazingathim.SaysItomyself,nowhe'llthrowupthesponge—thereain'tnomoreuse.Well, didhe?Abodycan't hardlybelieve it, but hedidn't.Ireckonhethoughthe'dkeepthethinguptillhetiredthempeopleout,so they'd thin out, and him and the duke could break loose and get away.Anyway,hesetthere,andprettysoonhebeguntosmile,andsays:"Mf!It'saverytoughquestion,ain'tit!yes,sir,Ik'ntellyouwhat'stattooedonhisbreast. It's jest a small, thin,bluearrow—that'swhat it is; and ifyoudon'tlookclost,youcan'tseeit.nowwhatdoyousay—hey?"Well,Ineverseeanythinglikethatoldblisterforcleanout-and-outcheek.Thenewoldgentleman turnsbrisk towardsAbTurnerandhispard,andhiseyelightsuplikehejudgedhe'dgotthekingthistime,andsays:"There—you'veheardwhathesaid!WasthereanysuchmarkonPeterWilks'breast?"Bothofthemspokeupandsays:"Wedidn'tseenosuchmark.""Good!"saystheoldgentleman."Now,whatyoudidseeonhisbreastwasasmalldimP,andaB(whichisaninitialhedroppedwhenhewasyoung),andaW,with dashes between them, so: P—B—W"—and hemarked them thatwayonapieceofpaper."Come,ain'tthatwhatyousaw?"Bothofthemspokeupagain,andsays:"No,wedidn't.Weneverseenanymarksatall."Well,everybodywasinastateofmindnow,andtheysingsout:

"Thewholebilin'of'm'sfrauds!Le'sduck'em!le'sdrown'em!le'sride'emon a rail!" and everybody was whooping at once, and there was a rattlingpowwow.Butthelawyerhejumpsonthetableandyells,andsays:"Gentlemen—gentlemen!Hear me just a word—just a single word—if youplease!There'sonewayyet—let'sgoanddigupthecorpseandlook."Thattookthem."Hooray!"theyallshouted,andwasstartingrightoff;butthelawyerandthedoctorsungout:"Hold on, hold on! Collar all these four men and the boy, and fetch themalong,too!""We'lldoit!"theyallshouted;"andifwedon'tfindthemmarkswe'lllynchthewholegang!"I was scared, now, I tell you. But there warn't no getting away, you know.Theygrippedus all, andmarchedus right along, straight for the graveyard,whichwasamileandahalfdowntheriver,andthewholetownatourheels,forwemadenoiseenough,anditwasonlynineintheevening.As we went by our house I wished I hadn't sent Mary Jane out of town;becausenowifIcouldtipherthewinkshe'dlightoutandsaveme,andblowonourdead-beats.Well,weswarmedalongdown the river road, justcarryingon likewildcats;andtomakeitmorescarytheskywasdarkingup,andthelightningbeginningtowinkand flitter, and thewind to shiver amongst the leaves.Thiswas themost awful trouble and most dangersome I ever was in; and I was kinderstunned;everythingwasgoingsodifferentfromwhatIhadallowedfor;steadofbeingfixedsoIcouldtakemyowntimeifIwantedto,andseeallthefun,andhaveMaryJaneatmybacktosavemeandsetmefreewhentheclose-fitcome, herewas nothing in theworld betwixtme and sudden death but justthemtattoo-marks.Iftheydidn'tfindthem—I couldn't bear to think about it; and yet, somehow, I couldn't think aboutnothingelse.Itgotdarkeranddarker,anditwasabeautifultimetogivethecrowd theslip;but thatbighuskyhadmeby thewrist—Hines—andabodymightaswelltrytogiveGoliartheslip.Hedraggedmerightalong,hewassoexcited,andIhadtoruntokeepup.Whentheygottheretheyswarmedintothegraveyardandwashedoveritlikean overflow.And when they got to the grave they found they had about ahundredtimesasmanyshovelsastheywanted,butnobodyhadn'tthoughttofetch a lantern. But they sailed into digging anyway by the flicker of thelightning,andsentamantothenearesthouse,ahalfamileoff,toborrowone.So they dug and dug like everything; and it got awful dark, and the rain

started, and the wind swished and swushed along, and the lightning comebriskerandbrisker,and the thunderboomed;but thempeoplenever tooknonoticeof it, theywasso fullof thisbusiness;andoneminuteyoucouldseeeverythingandeveryfaceinthatbigcrowd,andtheshovelfulsofdirtsailingup out of the grave, and the next second the darkwiped it all out, and youcouldn'tseenothingatall.At last they got out the coffin and begun to unscrew the lid, and then suchanothercrowdingandshoulderingandshovingastherewas,toscrougeinandgeta sight,youneversee;and in thedark, thatway, itwasawful.Hineshehurtmywristdreadfulpullingandtuggingso,andIreckonhecleanforgotIwasintheworld,hewassoexcitedandpanting.All of a sudden the lightning let go a perfect sluice of white glare, andsomebodysingsout:"Bythelivingjingo,here'sthebagofgoldonhisbreast!"Hinesletoutawhoop,likeeverybodyelse,anddroppedmywristandgiveabigsurgetobusthiswayinandgetalook,andthewayIlitoutandshinnedfortheroadinthedarkthereain'tnobodycantell.Ihadtheroadalltomyself,andIfairlyflew—leastways,Ihaditalltomyselfexceptthesoliddark,andthenow-and-thenglares,andthebuzzingoftherain,andthethrashingofthewind,andthesplittingofthethunder;andsureasyouarebornIdidclipitalong!WhenIstruckthetownIseetherewarn'tnobodyoutinthestorm,soIneverhuntedfornobackstreets,buthumpeditstraight throughthemainone;andwhen I begun toget towardsourhouse I aimedmyeye and set it.No lightthere;thehousealldark—whichmademefeelsorryanddisappointed,Ididn'tknowwhy.Butatlast,justasIwassailingby,flashcomesthelightinMaryJane'swindow! andmyheart swelledup sudden, like to bust; and the samesecondthehouseandallwasbehindmeinthedark,andwasn'tevergoingtobebeforemenomoreinthisworld.ShewasthebestgirlIeversee,andhadthemostsand.TheminuteIwasfarenoughabovethetowntoseeIcouldmakethetowhead,I begun to look sharp for a boat to borrow, and the first time the lightningshowedmeonethatwasn'tchainedIsnatcheditandshoved.Itwasacanoe,andwarn't fastenedwithnothingbuta rope.The towheadwasa rattlingbigdistanceoff,awayoutthereinthemiddleoftheriver,butIdidn'tlosenotime;andwhenIstrucktheraftatlastIwassofaggedIwouldajustlaiddowntoblowandgasp if Icouldafforded it.But Ididn't.AsIsprungaboardIsungout:"Outwith you, Jim, and set her loose!Glory be to goodness,we're shut ofthem!"

Jimlitout,andwasa-comingformewithbotharmsspread,hewassofullofjoy;butwhenIglimpsedhiminthelightningmyheartshotupinmymouthand I went overboard backwards; for I forgot he was old King Lear and adrowndedA-raballinone,anditmostscaredtheliversandlightsoutofme.ButJimfishedmeout,andwasgoingtohugmeandblessme,andsoon,hewassogladIwasbackandwewasshutofthekingandtheduke,butIsays:"Not now;have it for breakfast, have it for breakfast!Cut loose and let herslide!"Sointwosecondsawaywewenta-slidingdowntheriver,anditdidseemsogood to be free again and all by ourselves on the big river, and nobody tobotherus.Ihadtoskiparoundabit,andjumpupandcrackmyheelsafewtimes—I couldn't help it; but about the third crack I noticed a sound that Iknowedmightywell, and heldmybreath and listened andwaited; and sureenough,whenthenextflashbustedoutoverthewater,heretheycome!—andjusta-layingtotheiroarsandmakingtheirskiffhum!Itwasthekingandtheduke.So Iwilted right down on to the planks then, and give up; and itwas all Icoulddotokeepfromcrying.

CHAPTERXXX.

WHENtheygotaboardthekingwentforme,andshookmebythecollar,andsays:"Tryin'togiveustheslip,wasye,youpup!Tiredofourcompany,hey?"Isays:"No,yourmajesty,wewarn't—pleasedon't,yourmajesty!""Quick, then, and tell uswhatwasyour idea,or I'll shake the insidesouto'you!""Honest, I'll tell you everything just as it happened, yourmajesty. Themanthathada-holtofmewasverygoodtome,andkeptsayinghehadaboyaboutas big as me that died last year, and he was sorry to see a boy in such adangerousfix;andwhentheywasalltookbysurprisebyfindingthegold,andmade a rush for the coffin, he lets go ofme andwhispers, 'Heel it now, orthey'llhangye,sure!'andI litout. Itdidn't seemnogood forme tostay—Icouldn't do nothing, and I didn'twant to be hung if I could get away. So IneverstoppedrunningtillIfoundthecanoe;andwhenIgothereItoldJimtohurry,orthey'dcatchmeandhangmeyet,andsaidIwasafeardyouandthedukewasn'talivenow,andIwasawfulsorry,andsowasJim,andwasawful

gladwhenweseeyoucoming;youmayaskJimifIdidn't."Jimsaid itwasso;and theking toldhim to shutup,andsaid, "Oh,yes, it'smightylikely!"andshookmeupagain,andsaidhereckonedhe'ddrowndme.Butthedukesays:"Leggo the boy, you old idiot! Would you a done any different? Did youinquirearoundforhimwhenyougotloose?Idon'trememberit."Sothekingletgoofme,andbeguntocussthattownandeverybodyinit.Butthedukesays:"You better a blame' sight give yourself a good cussing, for you're the onethat'sentitled to itmost.Youhain'tdonea thing from the start thathadanysense in it, exceptcomingout socoolandcheekywith that imaginaryblue-arrowmark.Thatwasbright—itwas right downbully; and itwas the thingthat saved us. For if it hadn't been for that they'd a jailed us till themEnglishmen's baggage come—and then—the penitentiary, you bet! But thattricktook 'emtothegraveyard,andthegolddoneusastillbiggerkindness;foriftheexcitedfoolshadn'tletgoallholtsandmadethatrushtogetalookwe'd a slept in our cravats to-night—cravats warranted towear, too—longerthanwe'dneed'em."Theywasstillaminute—thinking;thenthekingsays,kindofabsent-mindedlike:"Mf!Andwereckonedtheniggersstoleit!"Thatmademesquirm!"Yes,"saystheduke,kinderslowanddeliberateandsarcastic,"wedid."Afteraboutahalfaminutethekingdrawlsout:"Leastways,Idid."Thedukesays,thesameway:"Onthecontrary,Idid."Thekingkindofrufflesup,andsays:"Lookyhere,Bilgewater,what'ryoureferrin'to?"Thedukesays,prettybrisk:"Whenitcomestothat,maybeyou'llletmeask,whatwasyoureferringto?""Shucks!" says the king, very sarcastic; "but I don't know—maybeyouwasasleep,anddidn'tknowwhatyouwasabout."Thedukebristlesupnow,andsays:"Oh,letuponthiscussednonsense;doyoutakemeforablame'fool?Don'tyoureckonIknowwhohidthatmoneyinthatcoffin?"

"Yes,sir!Iknowyoudoknow,becauseyoudoneityourself!""It'salie!"—andthedukewentforhim.Thekingsingsout:"Takey'rhandsoff!—leggomythroat!—Itakeitallback!"Thedukesays:"Well,youjustownup,first,thatyoudidhidethatmoneythere,intendingtogivemethesliponeofthesedays,andcomebackanddigitup,andhaveitalltoyourself.""Wait jest aminute, duke—answerme this one question, honest and fair; ifyou didn't put the money there, say it, and I'll b'lieve you, and take backeverythingIsaid.""Youoldscoundrel,Ididn't,andyouknowIdidn't.There,now!""Well,then,Ib'lieveyou.Butanswermeonlyjestthisonemore—nowdon'tgitmad;didn'tyouhaveitinyourmindtohookthemoneyandhideit?"Thedukeneversaidnothingforalittlebit;thenhesays:"Well, Idon'tcare ifIdid,Ididn'tdoit,anyway.Butyounotonlyhad it inmindtodoit,butyoudoneit.""Iwisht Ineverdie if Idone it,duke,and that'shonest. Iwon't sayIwarn'tgoin' to do it, because I was; but you—Imean somebody—got in ahead o'me.""It'salie!Youdoneit,andyougottosayyoudoneit,or—"Thekingbegantogurgle,andthenhegaspsout:"'Nough!—Iownup!"Iwasverygladtohearhimsaythat;itmademefeelmuchmoreeasierthanwhatIwasfeelingbefore.Sotheduketookhishandsoffandsays:"If you ever deny it again I'll drown you. It'swell for you to set there andblubberlikeababy—it'sfittenforyou,afterthewayyou'veacted.Ineverseesuchanoldostrichforwantingtogobbleeverything—andIa-trustingyouallthetime,likeyouwasmyownfather.Yououghttobeenashamedofyourselftostandbyandhearitsaddledontoalotofpoorniggers,andyouneversayawordfor'em.ItmakesmefeelridiculoustothinkIwassoftenoughtobelievethatrubbage.Cussyou,Icanseenowwhyyouwassoanxioustomakeupthedeffisit—youwantedtogetwhatmoneyI'dgotoutoftheNonesuchandonethingoranother,andscoopitall!"Thekingsays,timid,andstilla-snuffling:"Why,duke,itwasyouthatsaidmakeupthedeffisit;itwarn'tme.""Dryup!Idon'twanttohearnomoreoutofyou!"saystheduke."Andnow

youseewhatyouGOTbyit.They'vegotalltheirownmoneyback,andallofournbutashekelortwobesides.G'longtobed,anddon'tyoudeffersitmenomoredeffersits,long'syoulive!"Sothekingsneakedintothewigwamandtooktohisbottleforcomfort,andbefore long theduke tackledHISbottle;andso inaboutahalfanhour theywasas thickas thievesagain, and the tighter theygot the lovinger theygot,andwentoffa-snoringineachother'sarms.Theybothgotpowerfulmellow,butInoticedthekingdidn'tgetmellowenoughtoforgettoremembertonotdenyabouthidingthemoney-bagagain.Thatmademefeeleasyandsatisfied.Of course when they got to snoring we had a long gabble, and I told Jimeverything.

CHAPTERXXXI.

WEdasn'tstopagainatanytownfordaysanddays;keptrightalongdowntheriver.Wewasdownsouthinthewarmweathernow,andamightylongwaysfromhome.WebeguntocometotreeswithSpanishmossonthem,hangingdown from the limbs like long, gray beards. It was the first I ever see itgrowing,anditmadethewoods looksolemnanddismal.Sonowthefraudsreckonedtheywasoutofdanger,andtheybeguntoworkthevillagesagain.Firsttheydonealectureontemperance;buttheydidn'tmakeenoughforthemboth togetdrunkon.Then in anothervillage they started adancing-school;buttheydidn'tknownomorehowtodancethanakangaroodoes;sothefirstprancetheymadethegeneralpublicjumpedinandprancedthemoutoftown.Anothertimetheytriedtogoatyellocution;buttheydidn'tyellocutelongtilltheaudiencegotupandgivethemasolidgoodcussing,andmadethemskipout.Theytackledmissionarying,andmesmerizing,anddoctoring,andtellingfortunes,andalittleofeverything;buttheycouldn'tseemtohavenoluck.Soat last theygot justaboutdeadbroke,andlaidaroundtheraftasshefloatedalong,thinkingandthinking,andneversayingnothing,bythehalfadayatatime,anddreadfulblueanddesperate.And at last they took a change and begun to lay their heads together in thewigwamandtalk lowandconfidential twoor threehoursata time.Jimandmegotuneasy.Wedidn'tlikethelookofit.Wejudgedtheywasstudyingupsomekindofworsedeviltrythanever.Weturneditoverandover,andatlastwe made up our minds they was going to break into somebody's house orstore,orwasgoingintothecounterfeit-moneybusiness,orsomething.Sothenwe was pretty scared, and made up an agreement that we wouldn't havenothingintheworldtodowithsuchactions,andifweevergottheleastshowwewouldgivethemthecoldshakeandclearoutandleavethembehind.Well,

earlyonemorningwehidtheraftinagood,safeplaceabouttwomilebelowalittlebitofashabbyvillagenamedPikesville,andthekinghewentashoreandtoldus all to stayhidwhilst hewentup to townand smelt around to see ifanybodyhadgotanywindoftheRoyalNonesuchthereyet.("Housetorob,youmean,"saysItomyself;"andwhenyougetthroughrobbingityou'llcomeback here and wonder what has become of me and Jim and the raft—andyou'll have to take it out inwondering.")And he said if hewarn't back bymidday the duke andmewouldknow itwas all right, andwewas to comealong.Sowestayedwherewewas.Thedukehefrettedandsweatedaround,andwasinamightysourway.Hescoldedusforeverything,andwecouldn'tseemtodo nothing right; he found fault with every little thing. Something was a-brewing,sure.Iwasgoodandgladwhenmiddaycomeandnoking;wecouldhaveachange,anyway—andmaybeachanceforthechangeontopofit.Someandthedukewentuptothevillage,andhuntedaroundtherefortheking,andbyandbywe foundhim in theback roomofa little lowdoggery,verytight,andalotofloafersbullyragginghimforsport,andhea-cussinganda-threateningwithallhismight,andsotighthecouldn'twalk,andcouldn'tdonothingtothem.Thedukehebeguntoabusehimforanoldfool,andthekingbeguntosassback,andtheminutetheywasfairlyatitIlitoutandshookthereefsoutofmyhindlegs,andspundowntheriverroadlikeadeer,forIseeourchance;andImadeupmymindthat itwouldbea longdaybefore theyeverseemeandJimagain. Igotdown therealloutofbreathbut loadedupwithjoy,andsungout:"Setherloose,Jim!we'reallrightnow!"But therewarn't no answer, and nobody come out of thewigwam. Jimwasgone!Isetupashout—andthenanother—andthenanotherone;andrunthiswayandthat in thewoods,whoopingandscreeching;but itwarn'tnouse—oldJimwasgone.ThenIsetdownandcried;Icouldn'thelpit.ButIcouldn'tsetstilllong.PrettysoonIwentoutontheroad,tryingtothinkwhatIbetterdo,andIrunacrossaboywalking,andaskedhimifhe'dseenastrangeniggerdressedsoandso,andhesays:"Yes.""Whereabouts?"saysI."DowntoSilasPhelps'place,twomilebelowhere.He'sarunawaynigger,andthey'vegothim.Wasyoulookingforhim?""YoubetIain't!Irunacrosshiminthewoodsaboutanhourortwoago,andhesaidifIholleredhe'dcutmyliversout—andtoldmetolaydownandstaywhereIwas;andIdoneit.Beenthereeversince;afeardtocomeout.""Well,"hesays,"youneedn'tbeafeardnomore,becuzthey'vegothim.Herun

offf'mdownSouth,som'ers.""It'sagoodjobtheygothim.""Well,Ireckon!There'stwohunderddollarsrewardonhim.It'slikepickingupmoneyout'ntheroad.""Yes, it is—andIcouldahadit if I'dbeenbigenough;Iseehimfirst.Whonailedhim?""Itwasanoldfellow—astranger—andhesoldouthischanceinhimforfortydollars,becuzhe'sgot togoup the riverandcan'twait.Thinko' that,now!YoubetI'dwait,ifitwassevenyear.""That'sme, every time," says I. "Butmaybehis chance ain'tworthnomorethanthat,ifhe'llsellitsocheap.Maybethere'ssomethingain'tstraightaboutit.""But it is, though—straight as a string. I see the handbillmyself. It tells allabout him, to a dot—paints him like a picture, and tells the plantation he'sfrum, below Newrleans. No-sirree-bob, they ain't no trouble 'bout thatspeculation,youbetyou.Say,gimmeachawtobacker,won'tye?"Ididn'thavenone,soheleft.Iwenttotheraft,andsetdowninthewigwamtothink.ButIcouldn'tcometonothing.IthoughttillIworemyheadsore,butIcouldn'tseenowayoutofthetrouble.Afterallthislongjourney,andafterallwe'ddoneforthemscoundrels,hereitwasallcometonothing,everythingallbustedupandruined,because theycouldhave theheart toserveJimsuchatrickas that,andmakehimaslaveagainallhis life,andamongststrangers,too,forfortydirtydollars.OnceIsaidtomyselfitwouldbeathousandtimesbetterforJimtobeaslaveat homewhere his familywas, as long as he'd got to be a slave, and so I'dbetterwritealettertoTomSawyerandtellhimtotellMissWatsonwherehewas.ButIsoongiveupthatnotionfortwothings:she'dbemadanddisgustedat his rascality and ungratefulness for leaving her, and so she'd sell himstraightdowntheriveragain;and ifshedidn't,everybodynaturallydespisesanungratefulnigger,andthey'dmakeJimfeelitallthetime,andsohe'dfeelorneryanddisgraced.Andthenthinkofme!ItwouldgetallaroundthatHuckFinnhelpedaniggertogethisfreedom;andifIwasevertoseeanybodyfromthattownagainI'dbereadytogetdownandlickhisbootsforshame.That'sjusttheway:apersondoesalow-downthing,andthenhedon'twanttotakenoconsequencesof it.Thinks as longashe canhide it, it ain't nodisgrace.That was my fix exactly. The more I studied about this the more myconscience went to grinding me, and the more wicked and low-down andorneryIgottofeeling.Andatlast,whenithitmeallofasuddenthatherewastheplainhandofProvidenceslappingmeinthefaceandlettingmeknowmywickednesswasbeingwatchedallthetimefromupthereinheaven,whilstI

wasstealingapooroldwoman'sniggerthathadn'teverdonemenoharm,andnowwas showingme there'sOne that's always on the lookout, and ain't a-goingtoallownosuchmiserabledoingstogoonlyjustsofurandnofurther,Imostdropped inmy tracks Iwas so scared.Well, I tried thebest I could tokindersoftenitupsomehowformyselfbysayingIwasbrungupwicked,andsoIwarn'tsomuchtoblame;butsomethinginsideofmekeptsaying,"TherewastheSunday-school,youcouldagonetoit;andifyou'dadoneitthey'dalearntyoutherethatpeoplethatactsasI'dbeenactingaboutthatniggergoestoeverlastingfire."Itmademeshiver.AndIaboutmadeupmymindtopray,andseeifIcouldn'ttrytoquitbeingthekindofaboyIwasandbebetter.SoIkneeleddown.Butthewordswouldn'tcome.Whywouldn'tthey?Itwarn'tnousetotryandhideit fromHim.Nor fromme, neither. I knowed verywellwhy theywouldn'tcome.Itwasbecausemyheartwarn'tright;itwasbecauseIwarn'tsquare;itwasbecauseIwasplayingdouble. Iwas lettingon togiveupsin,butawayinsideofmeIwasholdingontothebiggestoneofall.IwastryingtomakemymouthsayIwoulddotherightthingandthecleanthing,andgoandwritetothatnigger'sownerandtellwherehewas;butdeepdowninmeIknoweditwasalie,andHeknowedit.Youcan'tprayalie—Ifoundthatout.SoIwasfulloftrouble,fullasIcouldbe;anddidn'tknowwhattodo.AtlastIhadanidea;andIsays,I'llgoandwritetheletter—andthenseeifIcanpray.Why,itwasastonishing,thewayIfeltaslightasafeatherrightstraightoff,andmytroublesallgone.SoIgotapieceofpaperandapencil,allgladandexcited,andsetdownandwrote:Miss Watson, your runaway nigger Jim is down here two mile belowPikesville,andMr.Phelpshasgothimandhewillgivehimupfortherewardifyousend.HuckFinn.IfeltgoodandallwashedcleanofsinforthefirsttimeIhadeverfeltsoinmylife,andIknowedIcouldpraynow.ButIdidn'tdoitstraightoff,butlaidthepaper down and set there thinking—thinking how good it was all thishappenedso,andhownearIcometobeinglostandgoingtohell.Andwenton thinking.Andgot to thinkingoverour tripdown the river;and I seeJimbeforemeallthetime:inthedayandinthenight-time,sometimesmoonlight,sometimesstorms,andwea-floatingalong,talkingandsingingandlaughing.ButsomehowIcouldn'tseemtostrikenoplacestohardenmeagainsthim,butonly theotherkind. I'd seehimstandingmywatchon topofhis'n, 'steadofcallingme,soIcouldgoonsleeping;andseehimhowgladhewaswhenIcomebackoutof the fog; andwhen I come tohimagain in the swamp,upthere where the feud was; and such-like times; and would always call mehoney,andpetmeanddoeverythinghecouldthinkofforme,andhowgood

healwayswas;andatlastIstruckthetimeIsavedhimbytellingthemenwehadsmall-poxaboard,andhewassograteful,andsaidIwas thebestfriendold Jim ever had in the world, and the only one he's got now; and then Ihappenedtolookaroundandseethatpaper.Itwasacloseplace.I tookitup,andheld it inmyhand. Iwasa-trembling,because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it. Istudiedaminute,sortofholdingmybreath,andthensaystomyself:"Allright,then,I'llgotohell"—andtoreitup.Itwasawfulthoughtsandawfulwords,buttheywassaid.AndIletthemstaysaid;andneverthoughtnomoreaboutreforming.Ishovedthewholethingoutofmyhead,andsaidIwouldtakeupwickednessagain,whichwasinmyline,beingbrunguptoit,andtheotherwarn't.AndforastarterIwouldgotoworkandstealJimoutofslaveryagain;and if Icould thinkupanythingworse, Iwoulddo that, too;becauseas longas Iwas in,and in forgood, Imightaswellgothewholehog.ThenIsettothinkingoverhowtogetatit,andturnedoversomeconsiderablemanywaysinmymind;andatlastfixedupaplanthatsuitedme.So thenItook thebearingsofawoody island thatwasdown the riverapiece,andassoonasitwasfairlydarkIcreptoutwithmyraftandwentfor it,andhiditthere,and then turned in. I slept thenight through,andgotupbefore itwaslight, and hadmybreakfast, and put onmy store clothes, and tied up someothersandonethingoranotherinabundle,andtookthecanoeandclearedforshore.IlandedbelowwhereIjudgedwasPhelps'splace,andhidmybundleinthewoods,andthenfilledupthecanoewithwater,andloadedrocksintoherandsunkherwhereIcouldfindheragainwhenIwantedher,aboutaquarterofamilebelowalittlesteamsawmillthatwasonthebank.Then I struck up the road, and when I passed the mill I see a sign on it,"Phelps'sSawmill,"andwhenIcometothefarm-houses,twoorthreehundredyards further along, I kept my eyes peeled, but didn't see nobody around,thoughitwasgooddaylightnow.ButIdidn'tmind,becauseIdidn'twant toseenobodyjustyet—Ionlywantedtogetthelayoftheland.Accordingtomyplan,Iwasgoingtoturnuptherefromthevillage,notfrombelow.SoIjusttookalook,andshovedalong,straightfortown.Well,theveryfirstmanIseewhen I got there was the duke. He was sticking up a bill for the RoyalNonesuch—three-night performance—like that other time. They had thecheek, them frauds! I was right on him before I could shirk. He lookedastonished,andsays:"Hel-lo!Where'd you come from?" Then he says, kind of glad and eager,"Where'stheraft?—gotherinagoodplace?"Isays:

"Why,that'sjustwhatIwasgoingtoaskyourgrace."Thenhedidn'tlooksojoyful,andsays:"Whatwasyourideaforaskingme?"hesays."Well,"Isays,"whenIseethekinginthatdoggeryyesterdayIsaystomyself,wecan'tgethimhomeforhours,tillhe'ssoberer;soIwenta-loafingaroundtowntoputinthetimeandwait.Amanupandofferedmetencentstohelphimpullaskiffovertheriverandbacktofetchasheep,andsoIwentalong;butwhenwewasdragginghimtotheboat,andthemanleftmea-holtoftheropeandwentbehindhimtoshovehimalong,hewastoostrongformeandjerkedlooseandrun,andweafterhim.Wedidn'thavenodog,andsowehadtochasehimalloverthecountrytillwetiredhimout.Wenevergothimtilldark; thenwe fetchedhimover, and I starteddown for the raft.WhenIgotthereandseeitwasgone,Isaystomyself,'They'vegotintotroubleandhadtoleave; and they've tookmy nigger, which is the only nigger I've got in theworld,andnowI'minastrangecountry,andain'tgotnopropertynomore,nornothing,andnowaytomakemyliving;'soIsetdownandcried.Isleptinthewoodsallnight.Butwhatdidbecomeoftheraft,then?—andJim—poorJim!""BlamedifIknow—thatis,what'sbecomeoftheraft.Thatoldfoolhadmadea trade and got forty dollars, and when we found him in the doggery theloafers hadmatched half-dollarswith him and got every cent butwhat he'dspentforwhisky;andwhenIgothimhomelatelastnightandfoundtheraftgone,wesaid, 'That little rascalhasstoleour raftandshookus,and runoffdowntheriver.'""Iwouldn't shakemynigger,would I?—theonlynigger I had in theworld,andtheonlyproperty.""Wenever thoughtof that.Fact is, I reckonwe'd come to consider himournigger;yes,wedidconsiderhimso—goodnessknowswehadtroubleenoughfor him.Sowhenwe see the raftwas gone andwe flat broke, therewarn'tanythingforitbuttotrytheRoyalNonesuchanothershake.AndI'vepeggedalongeversince,dryasapowder-horn.Where'sthattencents?Giveithere."Ihadconsiderablemoney,soIgivehimtencents,butbeggedhimtospenditforsomethingtoeat,andgivemesome,becauseitwasall themoneyIhad,and I hadn't had nothing to eat since yesterday.He never said nothing.Thenextminutehewhirlsonmeandsays:"Doyoureckonthatniggerwouldblowonus?We'dskinhimifhedonethat!""Howcanheblow?Hain'therunoff?""No! That old fool sold him, and never divided with me, and the money'sgone.""Soldhim?"Isays,andbeguntocry;"why,hewasmynigger,andthatwas

mymoney.Whereishe?—Iwantmynigger.""Well,youcan'tgetyournigger,that'sall—sodryupyourblubbering.Lookyhere—doyou thinkyou'dventure toblowonus?Blamed if I think I'd trustyou.Why,ifyouwastoblowonus—"He stopped, but I never see the duke look so ugly out of his eyes before. Iwentona-whimpering,andsays:"Idon'twanttoblowonnobody;andIain'tgotnotimetoblow,nohow.Igottoturnoutandfindmynigger."Helookedkinderbothered,andstoodtherewithhisbillsflutteringonhisarm,thinking,andwrinklinguphisforehead.Atlasthesays:"I'll tellyou something.Wegot tobehere threedays. If you'll promise youwon'tblow,andwon'tlettheniggerblow,I'lltellyouwheretofindhim."SoIpromised,andhesays:"AfarmerbythenameofSilasPh—"andthenhestopped.Yousee,hestartedto tellme the truth; butwhen he stopped thatway, and begun to study andthinkagain,Ireckonedhewaschanginghismind.Andsohewas.Hewouldn'ttrustme;hewantedtomakesureofhavingmeoutofthewaythewholethreedays.Soprettysoonhesays:"ThemanthatboughthimisnamedAbramFoster—AbramG.Foster—andhelivesfortymilebackhereinthecountry,ontheroadtoLafayette.""All right," I says, "I can walk it in three days. And I'll start this veryafternoon.""Noyouwont,you'llstartnow;anddon'tyouloseanytimeaboutit,neither,nor do any gabbling by theway. Just keep a tight tongue in your head andmoverightalong,andthenyouwon'tgetintotroublewithus,d'yehear?"ThatwastheorderIwanted,andthatwastheoneIplayedfor.Iwantedtobeleftfreetoworkmyplans."So clear out," he says; "andyou can tellMr.Fosterwhatever youwant to.MaybeyoucangethimtobelievethatJimisyournigger—someidiotsdon'trequiredocuments—leastways I'veheard there's suchdownSouthhere.Andwhen you tell him the handbill and the reward's bogus,maybe he'll believeyouwhenyouexplaintohimwhattheideawasforgetting'emout.Go'longnow,andtellhimanythingyouwantto;butmindyoudon'tworkyourjawanybetweenhereandthere."SoIleft,andstruckforthebackcountry.Ididn'tlookaround,butIkinderfeltlikehewaswatchingme.But I knowed I could tire himout at that. IwentstraightoutinthecountryasmuchasamilebeforeIstopped;thenIdoubledback through thewoods towards Phelps'. I reckoned I better start in onmy

planstraightoffwithoutfoolingaround,becauseIwantedtostopJim'smouthtill thesefellowscouldgetaway.Ididn'twantnotroublewith theirkind. I'dseenallIwantedtoofthem,andwantedtogetentirelyshutofthem.

CHAPTERXXXII.

WHENIgotthereitwasallstillandSunday-like,andhotandsunshiny;thehandswas gone to the fields; and therewas them kind of faint dronings ofbugsandfliesintheairthatmakesitseemsolonesomeandlikeeverybody'sdeadandgone;andifabreezefansalongandquiverstheleavesitmakesyoufeelmournful,becauseyoufeellikeit'sspiritswhispering—spiritsthat'sbeendeadeversomanyyears—andyoualwaysthinkthey'retalkingaboutyou.Asageneralthingitmakesabodywishhewasdead,too,anddonewithitall.Phelps'wasoneoftheselittleone-horsecottonplantations,andtheyalllookalike.Arail fencerounda two-acreyard;astilemadeoutof logssawedoffandup-endedinsteps,likebarrelsofadifferentlength,toclimboverthefencewith, and for thewomen to stand onwhen they are going to jump on to ahorse; somesicklygrass-patches in thebigyard,butmostly itwasbareandsmooth,likeanoldhatwiththenaprubbedoff;bigdoublelog-houseforthewhitefolks—hewedlogs,withthechinksstoppedupwithmudormortar,andthesemud-stripesbeenwhitewashedsometimeoranother;round-logkitchen,withabigbroad,openbutroofedpassagejoiningittothehouse;logsmoke-housebackof thekitchen; three little lognigger-cabins ina row t'other sidethesmoke-house;onelittlehutallbyitselfawaydownagainstthebackfence,andsomeoutbuildingsdownapiecetheotherside;ash-hopperandbigkettletobilesoapinbythelittlehut;benchbythekitchendoor,withbucketofwaterandagourd;houndasleepthereinthesun;morehoundsasleeproundabout;about three shade trees away off in a corner; some currant bushes andgooseberrybushesinoneplacebythefence;outsideofthefenceagardenanda watermelon patch; then the cotton fields begins, and after the fields thewoods.Iwentaroundandclumboverthebackstilebytheash-hopper,andstartedforthekitchen.WhenIgotalittlewaysIheardthedimhumofaspinning-wheelwailingalongupandsinkingalongdownagain;andthenIknowedforcertainIwishedIwasdead—forthatisthelonesomestsoundinthewholeworld.I went right along, not fixing up any particular plan, but just trusting toProvidence toput the rightwords inmymouthwhen the timecome; for I'dnoticedthatProvidencealwaysdidputtherightwordsinmymouthifIleftitalone.

WhenIgothalf-way,firstonehoundandthenanothergotupandwentforme,and of course I stopped and faced them, and kept still. And such anotherpowwowas theymade! Inaquarterof aminute Iwasakindof ahubofawheel,asyoumaysay—spokesmadeoutofdogs—circleof fifteenof thempacked togetheraroundme,with theirnecksandnosesstretchedup towardsme, a-barkingandhowling; andmorea-coming;youcould see themsailingoverfencesandaroundcornersfromeverywheres.A nigger woman come tearing out of the kitchen with a rolling-pin in herhand,singingout,"BegoneyouTige!youSpot!begonesah!"andshefetchedfirstoneandthenanotherofthemaclipandsentthemhowling,andthentherestfollowed;andthenextsecondhalfofthemcomeback,waggingtheirtailsaround me, and making friends with me. There ain't no harm in a hound,nohow.And behind thewoman comes a little nigger girl and two little nigger boyswithoutanythingonbut tow-linen shirts, and theyhungon to theirmother'sgown,andpeepedoutfrombehindheratme,bashful,thewaytheyalwaysdo.Andherecomesthewhitewomanrunningfromthehouse,aboutforty-fiveorfiftyyearold,bareheaded,andherspinning-stickinherhand;andbehindhercomes her little white children, acting the same way the little niggers wasdoing.Shewassmilingalloversoshecouldhardlystand—andsays:"It'syou,atlast!—ain'tit?"Ioutwitha"Yes'm"beforeIthought.Shegrabbedmeandhuggedmetight;andthengrippedmebybothhandsandshookandshook;andthetearscomeinhereyes,andrundownover;andshecouldn'tseemtohugandshakeenough,andkeptsaying,"Youdon't lookasmuchlikeyourmotherasIreckonedyouwould;butlawsakes,Idon'tcareforthat,I'msogladtoseeyou!Dear,dear,itdoesseemlikeIcouldeatyouup!Children,it'syourcousinTom!—tellhimhowdy."But they ducked their heads, and put their fingers in theirmouths, and hidbehindher.Sosherunon:"Lize,hurryupandgethimahotbreakfastrightaway—ordidyougetyourbreakfastontheboat?"IsaidIhadgotitontheboat.Sothenshestartedforthehouse,leadingmebythehand,andthechildrentaggingafter.Whenwegotthereshesetmedowninasplit-bottomedchair,andsetherselfdownonalittlelowstoolinfrontofme,holdingbothofmyhands,andsays:"NowIcanhaveagoodlookatyou;and,laws-a-me,I'vebeenhungryforitamanyandamanyatime,alltheselongyears,andit'scomeatlast!Webeenexpecting you a couple of days and more. What kep' you?—boat get

aground?""Yes'm—she—""Don'tsayyes'm—sayAuntSally.Where'dshegetaground?"I didn't rightly know what to say, because I didn't know whether the boatwouldbecominguptheriverordown.ButIgoagooddealoninstinct;andmyinstinctsaidshewouldbecomingup—fromdowntowardsOrleans.Thatdidn'thelpmemuch, though; for Ididn'tknowthenamesofbarsdownthatway.IseeI'dgottoinventabar,orforgetthenameoftheonewegotagroundon—or—NowIstruckanidea,andfetcheditout:"Itwarn'tthegrounding—thatdidn'tkeepusbackbutalittle.Weblowedoutacylinder-head.""Goodgracious!anybodyhurt?""No'm.Killedanigger.""Well, it's lucky; because sometimes people doget hurt.Twoyears ago lastChristmasyouruncleSilaswascomingupfromNewrleanson theoldLallyRook,andsheblowedoutacylinder-headandcrippledaman.AndIthinkhediedafterwards.HewasaBaptist.YouruncleSilasknowedafamilyinBatonRouge that knowed his people verywell.Yes, I remember now, he did die.Mortificationsetin,andtheyhadtoamputatehim.Butitdidn'tsavehim.Yes,itwasmortification—thatwasit.Heturnedblueallover,anddiedinthehopeof a glorious resurrection. They say hewas a sight to look at.Your uncle'sbeenuptothetowneverydaytofetchyou.Andhe'sgoneagain,notmore'nanhourago;he'llbebackanyminutenow.Youmustamethimontheroad,didn'tyou?—oldishman,witha—""No, Ididn't seenobody,AuntSally.Theboat landed justatdaylight,and Ileftmybaggageonthewharf-boatandwentlookingaroundthetownandoutapiece in thecountry, toput in the timeandnotgethere toosoon;andsoIcomedownthebackway.""Who'dyougivethebaggageto?""Nobody.""Why,child,it'llbestole!""NotwhereIhiditIreckonitwon't,"Isays."How'dyougetyourbreakfastsoearlyontheboat?"Itwaskinderthinice,butIsays:"Thecaptainseemestandingaround,andtoldmeIbetterhavesomethingtoeatbeforeIwentashore;sohetookmeinthetexastotheofficers'lunch,andgivemeallIwanted."

IwasgettingsouneasyIcouldn'tlistengood.Ihadmymindonthechildrenallthetime;Iwantedtogetthemouttoonesideandpumpthemalittle,andfindoutwhoIwas.ButIcouldn'tgetnoshow,Mrs.Phelpskeptitupandrunonso.Prettysoonshemadethecoldchillsstreakalldownmyback,becauseshesays:"Butherewe'rea-runningon thisway, andyouhain't toldmeawordaboutSis,noranyofthem.NowI'llrestmyworksalittle,andyoustartupyourn;justtellmeeverything—tellmeallabout'malleveryoneof'm;andhowtheyare,andwhatthey'redoing,andwhattheytoldyoutotellme;andeverylastthingyoucanthinkof."Well,IseeIwasupastump—andupitgood.Providencehadstoodbymethisfurallright,butIwashardandtightagroundnow.Iseeitwarn'tabitofusetotry to go ahead—I'd got to throw upmy hand. So I says to myself, here'sanotherplacewhereIgottoreskthetruth.Iopenedmymouthtobegin;butshegrabbedmeandhustledmeinbehindthebed,andsays:"Herehecomes!Stickyourheaddownlower—there, that'lldo;youcan'tbeseennow.Don'tyouletonyou'rehere.I'llplayajokeonhim.Children,don'tyousayaword."IseeIwasinafixnow.Butitwarn'tnousetoworry;therewarn'tnothingtodo but just hold still, and try and be ready to stand from under when thelightningstruck.Ihadjustonelittleglimpseof theoldgentlemanwhenhecomein; thenthebedhidhim.Mrs.Phelpsshejumpsforhim,andsays:"Hashecome?""No,"saysherhusband."Good-nessgracious!"shesays,"whatinthewarldcanhavebecomeofhim?""I can't imagine," says the old gentleman; "and I must say it makes medreadfuluneasy.""Uneasy!"shesays;"I'mreadytogodistracted!Hemustacome;andyou'vemissedhimalongtheroad.Iknowit'sso—somethingtellsmeso.""Why,Sally,Icouldn'tmisshimalongtheroad—youknowthat.""Butoh,dear,dear,whatwillSis say!Hemustacome!Youmust amissedhim.He—""Oh,don'tdistressmeanymore'nI'malreadydistressed.Idon'tknowwhatintheworldtomakeofit.I'matmywit'send,andIdon'tmindacknowledging'tI'mrightdownscared.Butthere'snohopethathe'scome;forhecouldn'tcomeandmemiss him.Sally, it's terrible—just terrible—something'shappened totheboat,sure!"

"Why,Silas!Lookyonder!—uptheroad!—ain'tthatsomebodycoming?"Hesprungtothewindowattheheadofthebed,andthatgiveMrs.Phelpsthechanceshewanted.Shestoopeddownquickatthefootofthebedandgivemeapull,andoutIcome;andwhenheturnedbackfromthewindowthereshestood,a-beaminganda-smilinglikeahouseafire,andIstandingprettymeekandsweatyalongside.Theoldgentlemanstared,andsays:"Why,who'sthat?""Whodoyoureckon'tis?""Ihain'tnoidea.Whoisit?""It'sTomSawyer!"Byjings,Imostslumpedthroughthefloor!Buttherewarn'tnotimetoswapknives;theoldmangrabbedmebythehandandshook,andkeptonshaking;andallthetimehowthewomandiddancearoundandlaughandcry;andthenhowtheybothdidfireoffquestionsaboutSid,andMary,andtherestofthetribe.But if theywas joyful, itwarn'tnothing towhat Iwas; for itwas likebeingbornagain,IwassogladtofindoutwhoIwas.Well,theyfrozetomefortwohours;andatlast,whenmychinwassotireditcouldn'thardlygoanymore,Ihadtoldthemmoreaboutmyfamily—ImeantheSawyerfamily—thaneverhappened to any six Sawyer families. And I explained all about how weblowedoutacylinder-headatthemouthofWhiteRiver,andittookusthreedaystofixit.Whichwasallright,andworkedfirst-rate;becausetheydidn'tknowbutwhatitwouldtakethreedaystofixit.IfI'dacalleditaboltheaditwouldadonejustaswell.Now I was feeling pretty comfortable all down one side, and prettyuncomfortablealluptheother.BeingTomSawyerwaseasyandcomfortable,anditstayedeasyandcomfortabletillbyandbyIhearasteamboatcoughingalongdowntheriver.ThenIsaystomyself,s'poseTomSawyercomesdownonthatboat?Ands'posehestepsinhereanyminute,andsingsoutmynamebeforeIcanthrowhimawinktokeepquiet?Well,Icouldn'thaveit thatway; itwouldn'tdoatall. Imustgouptheroadandwaylayhim.SoItoldthefolksIreckonedIwouldgouptothetownandfetchdownmybaggage.Theoldgentlemanwasforgoingalongwithme,butI said no, I could drive the horsemyself, and I druther hewouldn't take notroubleaboutme.

CHAPTERXXXIII.

SOIstartedfor towninthewagon,andwhenIwashalf-wayIseeawagoncoming,andsureenoughitwasTomSawyer,andIstoppedandwaitedtillhecomealong.Isays"Holdon!"anditstoppedalongside,andhismouthopenedup like a trunk, and stayed so; and he swallowed two or three times like apersonthat'sgotadrythroat,andthensays:"Ihain'teverdoneyounoharm.Youknowthat.So, then,whatyouwant tocomebackandha'ntmefor?"Isays:"Ihain'tcomeback—Ihain'tbeengone."Whenheheardmyvoiceitrightedhimupsome,buthewarn'tquitesatisfiedyet.Hesays:"Don'tyouplaynothingonme,becauseIwouldn'tonyou.Honestinjunnow,youain'taghost?""Honestinjun,Iain't,"Isays."Well—I—I—well,thatoughttosettleit,ofcourse;butIcan'tsomehowseemtounderstanditnoway.Lookyhere,warn'tyouevermurderedatall?""No.Iwarn'tevermurderedatall—Iplayeditonthem.Youcomeinhereandfeelofmeifyoudon'tbelieveme."Sohedone it; and it satisfiedhim;andhewas thatglad to seemeagainhedidn'tknowwhattodo.Andhewantedtoknowallaboutitrightoff,becauseitwasagrandadventure,andmysterious,andsoithithimwherehelived.ButIsaid,leaveitalonetillbyandby;andtoldhisdrivertowait,andwedroveoff a littlepiece, and I toldhim thekindof a fix Iwas in, andwhatdidhereckonwebetterdo?Hesaid, lethimaloneaminute,anddon'tdisturbhim.Sohethoughtandthought,andprettysoonhesays:"It'sallright;I'vegotit.Takemytrunkinyourwagon,andletonit'syour'n;andyouturnbackandfoolalongslow,soastogettothehouseaboutthetimeyououghtto;andI'llgotowardstownapiece,andtakeafreshstart,andgetthereaquarterorahalfanhourafteryou;andyouneedn'tletontoknowmeatfirst."Isays:"All right; butwait aminute. There's onemore thing—a thing that nobodydon'tknowbutme.Andthatis,there'saniggerherethatI'ma-tryingtostealoutofslavery,andhisnameisJim—oldMissWatson'sJim."Hesays:"What!Why,Jimis—"Hestoppedandwenttostudying.Isays:

"Iknowwhatyou'llsay.You'llsayit'sdirty,low-downbusiness;butwhatifitis?I'mlowdown;andI'ma-goingtostealhim,andIwantyoukeepmumandnotleton.Willyou?"Hiseyelitup,andhesays:"I'llhelpyoustealhim!"Well,Iletgoallholtsthen,likeIwasshot.ItwasthemostastonishingspeechI ever heard—and I'm bound to say Tom Sawyer fell considerable in myestimation.OnlyIcouldn'tbelieveit.TomSawyeranigger-stealer!"Oh,shucks!"Isays;"you'rejoking.""Iain'tjoking,either.""Well, then," I says, "jokingorno joking, if youhear anything said about arunawaynigger,don'tforget torememberthatyoudon'tknownothingabouthim,andIdon'tknownothingabouthim."Thenwetookthetrunkandputitinmywagon,andhedroveoffhiswayandIdrovemine.ButofcourseIforgotallaboutdrivingslowonaccountsofbeinggladandfullofthinking;soIgothomeaheaptooquickforthatlengthofatrip.Theoldgentlemanwasatthedoor,andhesays:"Why,thisiswonderful!Whoeverwouldathoughtitwasinthatmaretodoit? I wish we'd a timed her. And she hain't sweated a hair—not a hair. It'swonderful. Why, I wouldn't take a hundred dollars for that horse now—Iwouldn't,honest;andyetI'dasoldherforfifteenbefore,andthought'twasallshewasworth."That'sallhesaid.Hewastheinnocentest,bestoldsoulIeversee.Butitwarn'tsurprising;becausehewarn'tonly justa farmer,hewasapreacher, too,andhadalittleone-horselogchurchdownbackoftheplantation,whichhebuiltithimselfathisownexpense,forachurchandschoolhouse,andneverchargednothing for his preaching, and it was worth it, too. There was plenty otherfarmer-preacherslikethat,anddonethesameway,downSouth.InabouthalfanhourTom'swagondroveuptothefrontstile,andAuntSallysheseeitthroughthewindow,becauseitwasonlyaboutfiftyyards,andsays:"Why, there's somebody come! I wonder who 'tis?Why, I do believe it's astranger. Jimmy" (that's one of the children) "run and tell Lize to put onanotherplatefordinner."Everybodymadearushforthefrontdoor,because,ofcourse,astrangerdon'tcome every year, and so he lays over the yaller-fever, for interest,when hedoescome.Tomwasoverthestileandstartingforthehouse;thewagonwasspinninguptheroadforthevillage,andwewasallbunchedinthefrontdoor.Tomhadhisstoreclotheson,andanaudience—andthatwasalwaysnutsfor

TomSawyer.Inthemcircumstancesitwarn'tnotroubletohimtothrowinanamountofstylethatwassuitable.Hewarn'taboytomeekyalongupthatyardlikea sheep;no,hecomeca'mand important, like the ram.Whenhegot a-frontofusheliftshishateversograciousanddainty,likeitwasthelidofabox that had butterflies asleep in it and he didn'twant to disturb them, andsays:"Mr.ArchibaldNichols,Ipresume?""No,my boy," says the old gentleman, "I'm sorry to say 't your driver hasdeceivedyou;Nichols'splaceisdownamatterofthreemilemore.Comein,comein."Tomhe tooka lookbackoverhisshoulder,andsays,"Too late—he'soutofsight.""Yes,he'sgone,myson,andyoumustcomeinandeatyourdinnerwithus;andthenwe'llhitchupandtakeyoudowntoNichols's.""Oh,Ican'tmakeyousomuchtrouble;Icouldn'tthinkofit.I'llwalk—Idon'tmindthedistance.""But we won't let you walk—it wouldn't be Southern hospitality to do it.Comerightin.""Oh,do,"saysAuntSally;"itain'tabitoftroubletous,notabitintheworld.Youmuststay. It'sa long,dusty threemile,andwecan't letyouwalk.And,besides,I'vealreadytold'emtoputonanotherplatewhenIseeyoucoming;soyoumustn'tdisappointus.Comerightinandmakeyourselfathome."So Tom he thanked them very hearty and handsome, and let himself bepersuaded,andcomein;andwhenhewasinhesaidhewasastrangerfromHicksville,Ohio,andhisnamewasWilliamThompson—andhemadeanotherbow.Well, he run on, and on, and on, making up stuff about Hicksville andeverybodyinithecouldinvent,andIgettingalittlenervious,andwonderinghowthiswasgoingtohelpmeoutofmyscrape;andatlast,stilltalkingalong,he reached over and kissedAunt Sally right on themouth, and then settledbackagaininhischaircomfortable,andwasgoingontalking;butshejumpedupandwipeditoffwiththebackofherhand,andsays:"Youowdaciouspuppy!"Helookedkindofhurt,andsays:"I'msurprisedatyou,m'am.""You'res'rp—Why,whatdoyoureckonIam?I'veagoodnotiontotakeand—Say,whatdoyoumeanbykissingme?"Helookedkindofhumble,andsays:

"Ididn'tmeannothing,m'am.Ididn'tmeannoharm.I—I—thoughtyou'dlikeit.""Why,youbornfool!"Shetookupthespinningstick,anditlookedlikeitwasall she could do to keep from giving him a crackwith it. "Whatmade youthinkI'dlikeit?""Well,Idon'tknow.Only,they—they—toldmeyouwould.""TheytoldyouIwould.Whoevertoldyou'sanotherlunatic.Ineverheardthebeatofit.Who'sthey?""Why,everybody.Theyallsaidso,m'am."It was all she could do to hold in; and her eyes snapped, and her fingersworkedlikeshewantedtoscratchhim;andshesays:"Who's'everybody'?Outwiththeirnames,orther'llbeanidiotshort."Hegotupandlookeddistressed,andfumbledhishat,andsays:"I'm sorry, and Iwarn't expecting it. They toldme to. They all toldme to.Theyall said,kissher; and said she'd like it.Theyall said it—everyoneofthem.ButI'msorry,m'am,andIwon'tdoitnomore—Iwon't,honest.""Youwon't,won'tyou?Well,Ish'dreckonyouwon't!""No'm,I'mhonestaboutit;Iwon'teverdoitagain—tillyouaskme.""TillIaskyou!Well,Ineverseethebeatofitinmyborndays!Ilayyou'llbetheMethusalem-numskull of creationbefore ever I askyou—or the likesofyou.""Well,"hesays,"itdoessurprisemeso. Ican'tmake itout,somehow.Theysaid you would, and I thought you would. But—" He stopped and lookedaroundslow, likehewishedhecould runacrossa friendlyeyesomewheres,andfetchedupontheoldgentleman's,andsays,"Didn'tyouthinkshe'dlikemetokissher,sir?""Why,no;I—I—well,no,Ib'lieveIdidn't."Thenhelooksonaroundthesamewaytome,andsays:"Tom,didn'tyouthinkAuntSally 'dopenoutherarmsandsay, 'SidSawyer—'""Myland!"shesays,breakinginandjumpingforhim,"youimpudentyoungrascal,tofoolabodyso—"andwasgoingtohughim,buthefendedheroff,andsays:"No,nottillyou'veaskedmefirst."So she didn't lose no time, but asked him; and hugged him and kissed himover and over again, and then turned himover to the oldman, and he took

whatwasleft.Andaftertheygotalittlequietagainshesays:"Why,dearme,Ineverseesuchasurprise.Wewarn'tlookingforyouatall,butonlyTom.Sisneverwrotetomeaboutanybodycomingbuthim.""It'sbecauseitwarn'tintendedforanyofustocomebutTom,"hesays;"butIbeggedandbegged,andat the lastminuteshe letmecome, too;so,comingdowntheriver,meandTomthoughtitwouldbeafirst-ratesurpriseforhimtocomeheretothehousefirst,andformetobyandbytagalonganddropin,and let on to be a stranger. But it was amistake, Aunt Sally. This ain't nohealthyplaceforastrangertocome.""No—not impudentwhelps,Sid.Youought tohadyour jawsboxed; Ihain'tbeen so put out since I don't knowwhen.But I don't care, I don'tmind theterms—I'dbewillingtostandathousandsuchjokestohaveyouhere.Well,tothink of that performance! I don't deny it, I was most putrified withastonishmentwhenyougivemethatsmack."We had dinner out in that broad open passage betwixt the house and thekitchen;andtherewasthingsenoughonthattableforsevenfamilies—andallhot,too;noneofyourflabby,toughmeatthat'slaidinacupboardinadampcellar all night and tastes like a hunk of old cold cannibal in the morning.UncleSilasheaskedaprettylongblessingoverit,butitwasworthit;anditdidn'tcoolitabit,neither,thewayI'veseenthemkindofinterruptionsdolotsoftimes.Therewasaconsiderablegooddealoftalkalltheafternoon,andmeand Tom was on the lookout all the time; but it warn't no use, they didn'thappentosaynothingaboutanyrunawaynigger,andwewasafraidtotrytoworkuptoit.Butatsupper,atnight,oneofthelittleboyssays:"Pa,mayn'tTomandSidandmegototheshow?""No,"saystheoldman,"Ireckonthereain'tgoingtobeany;andyoucouldn'tgoiftherewas;becausetherunawayniggertoldBurtonandmeallaboutthatscandalousshow,andBurtonsaidhewouldtellthepeople;soIreckonthey'vedrovetheowdaciousloafersoutoftownbeforethistime."Sothereitwas!—butIcouldn'thelpit.Tomandmewastosleepinthesameroom and bed; so, being tired,we bid good-night andwent up to bed rightafter supper, and clumbout of thewindowanddown the lightning-rod, andshovedforthetown;forIdidn'tbelieveanybodywasgoingtogivethekingandthedukeahint,andsoifIdidn'thurryupandgivethemonethey'dgetintotroublesure.OntheroadTomhetoldmeallabouthowitwasreckonedIwasmurdered,andhowpapdisappearedprettysoon,anddidn'tcomebacknomore,andwhata stir there was when Jim run away; and I told Tom all about our RoyalNonesuchrapscallions,andasmuchoftheraftvoyageasIhadtimeto;andaswestruckintothetownandupthroughthethemiddleofit--itwasasmuchas

half-aftereight,then—herecomesaragingrushofpeoplewithtorches,andanawfulwhoopingandyelling,andbangingtinpansandblowinghorns;andwejumpedtoonesidetoletthemgoby;andastheywentbyIseetheyhadthekingandthedukeastraddleofarail—thatis,Iknoweditwasthekingandtheduke,thoughtheywasallovertarandfeathers,anddidn'tlooklikenothingintheworldthatwashuman—justlookedlikeacoupleofmonstrousbigsoldier-plumes.Well,itmademesicktoseeit;andIwassorryforthempoorpitifulrascals,itseemedlikeIcouldn'teverfeelanyhardnessagainstthemanymoreintheworld.Itwasadreadfulthingtosee.Humanbeingscanbeawfulcrueltooneanother.Weseewewastoolate—couldn'tdonogood.Weaskedsomestragglersaboutit,andtheysaideverybodywenttotheshowlookingveryinnocent;andlaidlowandkeptdarktillthepooroldkingwasinthemiddleofhiscavortingsonthe stage; then somebodygive a signal, and thehouse roseupandwent forthem.Sowepokedalongbackhome,andIwarn'tfeelingsobrashasIwasbefore,butkindofornery,andhumble,andtoblame,somehow—thoughIhadn'tdonenothing.Butthat'salwaystheway;itdon'tmakenodifferencewhetheryoudorightorwrong,aperson'sconscienceain'tgotnosense,andjustgoesforhimanyway. If I had a yaller dog that didn't know no more than a person'sconsciencedoesIwouldpisonhim.Ittakesupmoreroomthanalltherestofaperson'sinsides,andyetain'tnogood,nohow.TomSawyerhesaysthesame.

CHAPTERXXXIV.

WEstoppedtalking,andgottothinking.ByandbyTomsays:"Lookyhere,Huck,whatfoolswearetonotthinkofitbefore!IbetIknowwhereJimis.""No!Where?""Inthathutdownbytheash-hopper.Why,lookyhere.Whenwewasatdinner,didn'tyouseeaniggermangointherewithsomevittles?""Yes.""Whatdidyouthinkthevittleswasfor?""Foradog.""So'dI.Well,itwasn'tforadog.""Why?""Becausepartofitwaswatermelon."

"Soitwas—Inoticedit.Well,itdoesbeatallthatIneverthoughtaboutadognoteatingwatermelon.Itshowshowabodycanseeanddon'tseeatthesametime.""Well, the nigger unlocked the padlock when he went in, and he locked itagainwhen he came out.He fetched uncle a key about the timewe got upfrom table—same key, I bet.Watermelon showsman, lock shows prisoner;and it ain't likely there's twoprisonersonsucha littleplantation,andwherethepeople's all sokindandgood. Jim's theprisoner.All right—I'mgladwefounditoutdetectivefashion;Iwouldn'tgiveshucksforanyotherway.Nowyouworkyourmind,andstudyoutaplan to steal Jim,and Iwill studyoutone,too;andwe'lltaketheonewelikethebest."What a head for just a boy to have! If I hadTomSawyer's head Iwouldn'ttradeitofftobeaduke,normateofasteamboat,norclowninacircus,nornothingIcanthinkof.Iwenttothinkingoutaplan,butonlyjusttobedoingsomething;Iknowedverywellwheretherightplanwasgoingtocomefrom.PrettysoonTomsays:"Ready?""Yes,"Isays."Allright—bringitout.""Myplanisthis,"Isays."Wecaneasyfindoutifit'sJiminthere.Thengetupmycanoeto-morrownight,andfetchmyraftoverfromtheisland.Then thefirstdarknightthatcomesstealthekeyoutoftheoldman'sbritchesafterhegoestobed,andshoveoffdowntheriverontheraftwithJim,hidingdaytimesandrunningnights,thewaymeandJimusedtodobefore.Wouldn'tthatplanwork?""Work?Why, cert'nly itwouldwork, like rats a-fighting.But it's too blame'simple; thereain'tnothingtoit.What's thegoodofaplan thatain'tnomoretroublethanthat?It'sasmildasgoose-milk.Why,Huck,itwouldn'tmakenomoretalkthanbreakingintoasoapfactory."I never said nothing, because I warn't expecting nothing different; but Iknowedmightywellthatwheneverhegothisplanreadyitwouldn'thavenoneofthemobjectionstoit.And it didn't. He told me what it was, and I see in a minute it was worthfifteen of mine for style, and would make Jim just as free a man as minewould, andmaybe get us all killed besides. So Iwas satisfied, and saidwewould waltz in on it. I needn't tell what it was here, because I knowed itwouldn'tstaytheway,itwas.Iknowedhewouldbechangingitaroundeverywhichwayaswewentalong,andheavinginnewbullinesseswhereverhegotachance.Andthatiswhathedone.

Well,onethingwasdeadsure,andthatwasthatTomSawyerwasinearnest,andwas actuly going to help steal that nigger out of slavery. That was thethingthatwastoomanyforme.Herewasaboythatwasrespectableandwellbrungup;andhadacharactertolose;andfolksathomethathadcharacters;andhewasbrightandnotleather-headed;andknowingandnotignorant;andnotmean,butkind;andyetherehewas,withoutanymorepride,orrightness,orfeeling, thantostooptothisbusiness,andmakehimselfashame,andhisfamilyashame,beforeeverybody.Icouldn'tunderstanditnowayatall.Itwasoutrageous,andIknowedIoughttojustupandtellhimso;andsobehistruefriend,andlethimquitthethingrightwherehewasandsavehimself.AndIdidstarttotellhim;butheshutmeup,andsays:"Don't you reckon I knowwhat I'm about? Don't I generly knowwhat I'mabout?""Yes.""Didn'tIsayIwasgoingtohelpstealthenigger?""Yes.""Well,then."That's all he said, and that's all I said. It warn't no use to say any more;becausewhenhesaidhe'ddoathing,healwaysdoneit.ButIcouldn'tmakeout how he was willing to go into this thing; so I just let it go, and neverbotherednomoreaboutit.Ifhewasboundtohaveitso,Icouldn'thelpit.Whenwegothomethehousewasalldarkandstill;sowewentondowntothehutbytheash-hopperfortoexamineit.Wewentthroughtheyardsoastoseewhat the houndswould do. They knowed us, and didn'tmake nomorenoisethancountrydogsisalwaysdoingwhenanythingcomesbyinthenight.Whenwegottothecabinwetookalookatthefrontandthetwosides;andonthe side I warn't acquainted with—which was the north side—we found asquarewindow-hole,uptolerablehigh,withjustonestoutboardnailedacrossit.Isays:"Here'stheticket.Thishole'sbigenoughforJimtogetthroughifwewrenchofftheboard."Tomsays:"It's as simple as tit-tat-toe, three-in-a-row, and as easy as playing hooky. Ishouldhopewecanfindawaythat'salittlemorecomplicatedthanthat,HuckFinn.""Well,then,"Isays,"how'llitdotosawhimout,thewayIdonebeforeIwasmurderedthattime?""That'smorelike,"hesays."It'srealmysterious,andtroublesome,andgood,"

hesays;"butIbetwecanfindawaythat'stwiceaslong.Thereain'tnohurry;le'skeeponlookingaround."Betwixtthehutandthefence,onthebackside,wasalean-tothatjoinedthehut at the eaves, andwasmade out of plank. Itwas as long as the hut, butnarrow—onlyabout six footwide.Thedoor to itwas at the south end, andwas padlocked. Tom he went to the soap-kettle and searched around, andfetchedbacktheironthingtheyliftthelidwith;sohetookitandprizedoutoneofthestaples.Thechainfelldown,andweopenedthedoorandwentin,andshutit,andstruckamatch,andseetheshedwasonlybuiltagainstacabinand hadn't no connectionwith it; and therewarn't no floor to the shed, nornothing in itbutsomeoldrustyplayed-outhoesandspadesandpicksandacrippledplow.Thematchwentout,andsodidwe,andshoved in thestapleagain,andthedoorwaslockedasgoodasever.Tomwasjoyful.Hesays;"Nowwe'reallright.We'lldighimout.It'lltakeaboutaweek!"Thenwestartedforthehouse,andIwentinthebackdoor—youonlyhavetopull a buckskin latch-string, they don't fasten the doors—but that warn'tromanticalenoughforTomSawyer;nowaywoulddohimbuthemustclimbup the lightning-rod. But after he got up half way about three times, andmissedfireandfelleverytime,andthelasttimemostbustedhisbrainsout,hethoughthe'dgottogiveitup;butafterhewasrestedheallowedhewouldgiveheronemoreturnforluck,andthistimehemadethetrip.Inthemorningwewasupatbreakofday,anddowntotheniggercabinstopetthedogsandmakefriendswiththeniggerthatfedJim—ifitwasJimthatwasbeingfed.Theniggerswasjustgettingthroughbreakfastandstartingforthefields; and Jim's nigger was piling up a tin pan with bread and meat andthings;andwhilsttheotherswasleaving,thekeycomefromthehouse.This nigger had a good-natured, chuckle-headed face, and hiswoolwas alltiedupinlittlebuncheswiththread.Thatwastokeepwitchesoff.Hesaidthewitcheswaspesteringhimawfulthesenights,andmakinghimseeallkindsofstrange things, andhearallkindsof strangewordsandnoises, andhedidn'tbelievehewaseverwitchedsolongbeforeinhislife.Hegotsoworkedup,andgottorunningonsoabouthistroubles,heforgotallaboutwhathe'dbeena-goingtodo.SoTomsays:"What'sthevittlesfor?Goingtofeedthedogs?"Theniggerkindofsmiledaroundgraduallyoverhisface,likewhenyouheaveabrickbatinamud-puddle,andhesays:"Yes,MarsSid,Adog.Cur'usdog,too.Doesyouwanttogoenlookat'im?""Yes."IhunchedTom,andwhispers:

"Yougoing,righthereinthedaybreak?thatwarn'ttheplan.""No,itwarn't;butit'stheplannow."So, drat him,wewent along, but I didn't like itmuch.Whenwe got inwecouldn'thardlyseeanything, itwassodark;butJimwasthere,sureenough,andcouldseeus;andhesingsout:"Why,Huck!Engoodlan'!ain'datMistoTom?"Ijustknowedhowitwouldbe;Ijustexpectedit.Ididn'tknownothingtodo;andifIhadIcouldn'tadoneit,becausethatniggerbustedinandsays:"Why,degracioussakes!doheknowyougenlmen?"Wecouldseeprettywellnow.Tomhelookedatthenigger,steadyandkindofwondering,andsays:"Doeswhoknowus?""Why,dis-yerrunawaynigger.""Idon'treckonhedoes;butwhatputthatintoyourhead?""Whatputitdar?Didn'hejis'disminutesingoutlikeheknowedyou?"Tomsays,inapuzzled-upkindofway:"Well, that'smightycurious.Whosungout?whendidhesingout?whatdidhe sing out?" And turns to me, perfectly ca'm, and says, "Did you hearanybodysingout?"Ofcoursetherewarn'tnothingtobesaidbuttheonething;soIsays:"No;Iain'theardnobodysaynothing."Thenhe turns to Jim,and lookshimover likehenever seehimbefore, andsays:"Didyousingout?""No,sah,"saysJim;"Ihain'tsaidnothing,sah.""Notaword?""No,sah,Ihain'tsaidaword.""Didyoueverseeusbefore?""No,sah;notasIknowson."SoTomturnstothenigger,whichwaslookingwildanddistressed,andsays,kindofsevere:"Whatdoyou reckon's thematterwithyou, anyway?Whatmade you thinksomebodysungout?""Oh,it'sdedad-blame'witches,sah,enIwishtIwasdead,Ido.Dey'sawluz

atit,sah,endeydomos'killme,deysk'yersmeso.Pleasetodon'ttellnobody'boutitsah,eroleMarsSilashe'llscoleme;'kasehesaydeyain'tnowitches.Ijis'wishtogoodnesshewasheahnow—denwhatwouldhesay!Ijis'bethecouldn'finenowaytogitaroun'itdistime.Butit'sawluzjis'so;peopledat'ssot,stayssot;deywon't lookintonoth'n'enfineitoutf'rdeyselves,enwhenyoufineitoutentellum'boutit,deydoan'b'lieveyou."Tomgivehimadime,andsaidwewouldn'ttellnobody;andtoldhimtobuysomemorethreadtotieuphiswoolwith;andthenlooksatJim,andsays:"IwonderifUncleSilasisgoingtohangthisnigger.IfIwastocatchaniggerthatwasungratefulenoughtorunaway,Iwouldn'tgivehimup,I'dhanghim."Andwhilsttheniggersteppedtothedoortolookatthedimeandbiteittoseeifitwasgood,hewhisperstoJimandsays:"Don'teverletontoknowus.Andifyouhearanydigginggoingonnights,it'sus;we'regoingtosetyoufree."Jimonlyhadtimetograbusbythehandandsqueezeit;thentheniggercomeback,andwesaidwe'dcomeagainsometimeiftheniggerwantedusto;andhesaidhewould,moreparticularifitwasdark,becausethewitcheswentforhimmostlyinthedark,anditwasgoodtohavefolksaroundthen.

CHAPTERXXXV.

ITwouldbemostanhouryet tillbreakfast,sowe leftandstruckdownintothewoods;becauseTomsaidwegottohavesomelighttoseehowtodigby,anda lanternmakes toomuch,andmightgetus into trouble;whatwemusthavewasa lotof themrottenchunks that'scalled fox-fire,and justmakesasoftkindofaglowwhenyoulaytheminadarkplace.Wefetchedanarmfuland hid it in the weeds, and set down to rest, and Tom says, kind ofdissatisfied:"Blameit,thiswholethingisjustaseasyandawkwardasitcanbe.Andsoitmakesitsorottendifficulttogetupadifficultplan.Thereain'tnowatchmantobedrugged—nowthereoughttobeawatchman.Thereain'tevenadogtogiveasleeping-mixtureto.Andthere'sJimchainedbyoneleg,withaten-footchain,tothelegofhisbed:why,allyougottodoistoliftupthebedsteadandslipoff thechain.AndUncleSilashe trustseverybody;sends thekey to thepunkin-headednigger,anddon'tsendnobodytowatchthenigger.Jimcouldagotoutofthatwindow-holebeforethis,onlytherewouldn'tbenousetryingtotravelwith a ten-foot chainonhis leg.Why, drat it,Huck, it's the stupidestarrangement I ever see.Yougot to invent all the difficulties.Well,we can'thelp it;wegot todo thebestwecanwith thematerialswe'vegot.Anyhow,

there's one thing—there's more honor in getting him out through a lot ofdifficultiesanddangers,where therewarn'toneof themfurnished toyoubythepeoplewhoitwastheirdutytofurnishthem,andyouhadtocontrivethemalloutofyourownhead.Nowlookatjustthatonethingofthelantern.Whenyoucomedowntothecoldfacts,wesimplygottoletonthatalantern'sresky.Why,wecouldworkwitha torchlightprocessionifwewantedto,Ibelieve.Now,whilstIthinkofit,wegottohuntupsomethingtomakeasawoutofthefirstchanceweget.""Whatdowewantofasaw?""Whatdowewantofit?Hain'twegottosawthelegofJim'sbedoff,soastogetthechainloose?""Why,youjustsaidabodycouldliftupthebedsteadandslipthechainoff.""Well, if that ain't just like you, Huck Finn. You can get up the infant-schooliestwaysofgoingat a thing.Why,hain't you ever read anybooks atall?—BaronTrenck,norCasanova,norBenvenutoChelleeny,norHenri IV.,nornoneofthemheroes?Whoeverheardofgettingaprisonerlooseinsuchanold-maidywayasthat?No;thewayallthebestauthoritiesdoesistosawthebed-legintwo,andleaveitjustso,andswallowthesawdust,soitcan'tbefound, and put some dirt and grease around the sawed place so the verykeenestseneskalcan'tseenosignofit'sbeingsawed,andthinksthebed-legisperfectlysound.Then, thenightyou're ready, fetch the legakick,downshegoes;slipoffyourchain,andthereyouare.Nothingtodobuthitchyourropeladdertothebattlements,shindownit,breakyourleginthemoat—becausearopeladderisnineteenfoottooshort,youknow—andthere'syourhorsesandyourtrustyvassles,andtheyscoopyouupandflingyouacrossasaddle,andawayyougotoyournativeLangudoc,orNavarre,orwhereveritis.It'sgaudy,Huck.Iwish therewasamoat to thiscabin. Ifweget time, thenightof theescape,we'lldigone."Isays:"Whatdowewantofamoatwhenwe'regoingtosnakehimoutfromunderthecabin?"Butheneverheardme.Hehadforgotmeandeverythingelse.Hehadhischinin his hand, thinking. Pretty soon he sighs and shakes his head; then sighsagain,andsays:"No,itwouldn'tdo—thereain'tnecessityenoughforit.""Forwhat?"Isays."Why,tosawJim'slegoff,"hesays."Goodland!"Isays;"why,thereain'tnonecessityforit.Andwhatwouldyouwanttosawhislegofffor,anyway?"

"Well,someofthebestauthoritieshasdoneit.Theycouldn'tgetthechainoff,sotheyjustcuttheirhandoffandshoved.Andalegwouldbebetterstill.Butwegot to let thatgo.Thereain'tnecessityenough in thiscase;and,besides,Jim's a nigger, and wouldn't understand the reasons for it, and how it's thecustominEurope;sowe'llletitgo.Butthere'sonething—hecanhavearopeladder;wecan tearupour sheets andmakehima rope laddereasyenough.Andwe can send it to him in a pie; it'smostly done thatway.And I've etworsepies.""Why,TomSawyer, howyou talk," I says; "Jim ain't got no use for a ropeladder.""Hehasgotuseforit.Howyoutalk,youbettersay;youdon'tknownothingaboutit.He'sgottohavearopeladder;theyalldo.""Whatinthenationcanhedowithit?""Dowithit?Hecanhideitinhisbed,can'the?"That'swhattheyalldo;andhe's got to, too. Huck, you don't ever seem to want to do anything that'sregular;youwant tobestartingsomethingfreshall the time.S'posehedon'tdonothingwith it? ain't it there in his bed, for a clew, after he's gone? anddon'tyou reckon they'llwant clews?Ofcourse theywill.Andyouwouldn'tleavethemany?Thatwouldbeaprettyhowdy-do,wouldn'tit!Ineverheardofsuchathing.""Well," I says,"if it's in the regulations,andhe'sgot tohave it,all right, lethimhaveit;becauseIdon'twishtogobackonnoregulations;butthere'sonething, Tom Sawyer—if we go to tearing up our sheets tomake Jim a ropeladder,we'regoing toget into troublewithAuntSally, justassureasyou'reborn.Now, thewayI lookat it,ahickry-bark ladderdon'tcostnothing,anddon'twastenothing,and is justasgood to loadupapiewith,andhide inastraw tick, as any rag ladder you can start; and as for Jim, he ain't had noexperience,andsohedon'tcarewhatkindofa—""Oh,shucks,HuckFinn,ifIwasasignorantasyouI'dkeepstill—that'swhatI'Ddo.Whoeverheardofastateprisonerescapingbyahickry-barkladder?Why,it'sperfectlyridiculous.""Well,allright,Tom,fixityourownway;butifyou'lltakemyadvice,you'llletmeborrowasheetoffoftheclothesline."Hesaidthatwoulddo.Andthatgavehimanotheridea,andhesays:"Borrowashirt,too.""Whatdowewantofashirt,Tom?""WantitforJimtokeepajournalon.""Journalyourgranny—Jimcan'twrite."

"S'posehecan'twrite—hecanmakemarksontheshirt,can'the,ifwemakehimapenoutofanoldpewterspoonorapieceofanoldironbarrel-hoop?""Why,Tom,wecanpullafeatheroutofagooseandmakehimabetterone;andquicker,too.""Prisonersdon'thavegeeserunningaround thedonjon-keep topullpensoutof,youmuggins.They alwaysmake their pens out of the hardest, toughest,troublesomest pieceof oldbrass candlestickor something like that they cangettheirhandson;andittakesthemweeksandweeksandmonthsandmonthstofileitout,too,becausethey'vegottodoitbyrubbingitonthewall.Theywouldn'tuseagoose-quilliftheyhadit.Itain'tregular.""Well,then,what'llwemakehimtheinkoutof?""Many makes it out of iron-rust and tears; but that's the common sort andwomen;thebestauthoritiesusestheirownblood.Jimcandothat;andwhenhewants to send any little common ordinarymysteriousmessage to let theworldknowwherehe'scaptivated,hecanwriteitonthebottomofatinplatewithaforkandthrowitoutofthewindow.TheIronMaskalwaysdonethat,andit'sablame'goodway,too.""Jimain'tgotnotinplates.Theyfeedhiminapan.""Thatain'tnothing;wecangethimsome.""Can'tnobodyreadhisplates.""Thatain'tgotanythingtodowithit,HuckFinn.Allhe'sgottodoistowriteontheplateandthrowitout.Youdon'thavetobeabletoreadit.Why,halfthetime you can't read anything a prisoner writes on a tin plate, or anywhereelse.""Well,then,what'sthesenseinwastingtheplates?""Why,blameitall,itain'ttheprisoner'splates.""Butit'ssomebody'splates,ain'tit?""Well,spos'nitis?Whatdoestheprisonercarewhose—"He broke off there, because we heard the breakfast-horn blowing. So weclearedoutforthehouse.Along during the morning I borrowed a sheet and a white shirt off of theclothes-line;andIfoundanoldsackandputtheminit,andwewentdownandgot the fox-fire, and put that in too. I called it borrowing, because thatwaswhatpapalwayscalled it;butTomsaid itwarn'tborrowing, itwasstealing.Hesaidwewasrepresentingprisoners;andprisonersdon'tcarehowtheygetathingsotheygetit,andnobodydon'tblamethemforit,either.Itain'tnocrimeinaprisoner to steal the thingheneeds toget awaywith,Tomsaid; it'shisright;andso,aslongaswewasrepresentingaprisoner,wehadaperfectright

tostealanythingonthisplacewehadtheleastusefortogetourselvesoutofprisonwith.Hesaidifwewarn'tprisonersitwouldbeaverydifferentthing,andnobodybutamean,ornerypersonwouldstealwhenhewarn'taprisoner.Soweallowedwewouldstealeverythingtherewasthatcomehandy.Andyethemadeamightyfuss,oneday,afterthat,whenIstoleawatermelonoutofthenigger-patchandeat it;andhemademegoandgive theniggersadimewithout telling themwhat itwas for.Tom said thatwhat hemeantwas,wecouldstealanythingweneeded.Well,Isays,Ineededthewatermelon.ButhesaidIdidn'tneedittogetoutofprisonwith;there'swherethedifferencewas.HesaidifI'dawantedit tohideaknifein,andsmuggleit toJimtokill theseneskalwith,itwouldabeenallright.SoIletitgoatthat,thoughIcouldn'tseenoadvantageinmyrepresentingaprisonerifIgottosetdownandchawoveralotofgold-leafdistinctionslikethateverytimeIseeachancetohogawatermelon.Well,asIwassaying,wewaitedthatmorningtilleverybodywassettleddowntobusiness,andnobodyinsightaroundtheyard;thenTomhecarriedthesackintothelean-towhilstIstoodoffapiecetokeepwatch.Byandbyhecomeout,andwewentandsetdownonthewoodpiletotalk.Hesays:"Everything'sallrightnowexcepttools;andthat'seasyfixed.""Tools?"Isays."Yes.""Toolsforwhat?""Why,todigwith.Weain'ta-goingtognawhimout,arewe?""Ain'tthemoldcrippledpicksandthingsintheregoodenoughtodiganiggeroutwith?"Isays.Heturnsonme,lookingpityingenoughtomakeabodycry,andsays:"HuckFinn,didyoueverhearofaprisonerhavingpicksandshovels,andallthemodernconveniencesinhiswardrobetodighimselfoutwith?NowIwanttoaskyou—ifyougotanyreasonablenessinyouatall—whatkindofashowwouldthatgivehimtobeahero?Why,theymightaswelllendhimthekeyand done with it. Picks and shovels—why, they wouldn't furnish 'em to aking.""Well, then," I says, "if we don't want the picks and shovels, what do wewant?""Acoupleofcase-knives.""Todigthefoundationsoutfromunderthatcabinwith?""Yes.""Confoundit,it'sfoolish,Tom."

"Itdon'tmakenodifferencehowfoolishit is, it's therightway—andit's theregularway.Andthereain'tnootherway,thateverIheardof,andI'vereadallthebooksthatgivesanyinformationaboutthesethings.Theyalwaysdigoutwithacase-knife—andnot throughdirt,mindyou;generlyit's throughsolidrock.And it takes themweeksandweeksandweeks,andforeverandever.Why,lookatoneofthemprisonersinthebottomdungeonoftheCastleDeef,intheharborofMarseilles,thatdughimselfoutthatway;howlongwasheatit,youreckon?""Idon'tknow.""Well,guess.""Idon'tknow.Amonthandahalf.""Thirty-seven year—and he come out in China. That's the kind. I wish thebottomofthisfortresswassolidrock.""Jimdon'tknownobodyinChina.""What'sthatgottodowithit?Neitherdidthatotherfellow.Butyou'realwaysa-wanderingoffonasideissue.Whycan'tyousticktothemainpoint?""Allright—Idon'tcarewherehecomesout,sohecomesout;andJimdon't,either, I reckon.But there's one thing, anyway—Jim's tooold to bedugoutwithacase-knife.Hewon'tlast.""Yeshewilllast,too.Youdon'treckonit'sgoingtotakethirty-sevenyearstodigoutthroughadirtfoundation,doyou?""Howlongwillittake,Tom?""Well,wecan'treskbeingaslongasweoughtto,becauseitmayn'ttakeverylongforUncleSilastohearfromdowntherebyNewOrleans.He'llhearJimain't from there.Thenhis nextmovewill be to advertise Jim, or somethinglikethat.Sowecan'treskbeingaslongdigginghimoutasweoughtto.ByrightsIreckonweoughttobeacoupleofyears;butwecan't.Thingsbeingsouncertain,whatIrecommendisthis:thatwereallydigrightin,asquickaswecan;andafterthat,wecanleton,toourselves,thatwewasatit thirty-sevenyears.Thenwecansnatchhimoutandrushhimawaythefirsttimethere'sanalarm.Yes,Ireckonthat'llbethebestway.""Now,there'ssenseinthat,"Isays."Lettingondon'tcostnothing;lettingonain'tno trouble; and if it's anyobject, Idon'tmind lettingonwewasat it ahundredandfiftyyear.Itwouldn'tstrainmenone,afterIgotmyhandin.SoI'llmoseyalongnow,andsmouchacoupleofcase-knives.""Smouchthree,"hesays;"wewantonetomakeasawoutof.""Tom, if it ain't unregular and irreligious to sejest it," I says, "there's anoldrustysaw-bladearoundyonderstickingundertheweather-boardingbehindthe

smoke-house."Helookedkindofwearyanddiscouraged-like,andsays:"Itain'tnousetotrytolearnyounothing,Huck.Runalongandsmouchtheknives—threeofthem."SoIdoneit.

CHAPTERXXXVI.

ASsoonaswereckonedeverybodywasasleepthatnightwewentdownthelightning-rod,andshutourselvesupinthelean-to,andgotoutourpileoffox-fire, andwent towork.Weclearedeverythingoutof theway, about fourorfive foot along themiddleof thebottom log.Tom said hewas right behindJim's bed now, and we'd dig in under it, and when we got through therecouldn't nobody in the cabin ever know there was any hole there, becauseJim'scounter-pinhungdownmosttotheground,andyou'dhavetoraiseitupand lookunder tosee thehole.Soweduganddugwith thecase-knives tillmostmidnight;andthenwewasdog-tired,andourhandswasblistered,andyetyoucouldn'tseewe'ddoneanythinghardly.AtlastIsays:"This ain't no thirty-seven year job; this is a thirty-eight year job, TomSawyer."Heneversaidnothing.Buthesighed,andprettysoonhestoppeddigging,andthenforagoodlittlewhileIknowedthathewasthinking.Thenhesays:"Itain'tnouse,Huck, itain'ta-goingtowork. Ifwewasprisonersitwould,because thenwe'dhaveasmanyyears aswewanted, andnohurry; andwewouldn't get but a fewminutes to dig, every day,while theywas changingwatches,andsoourhandswouldn'tgetblistered,andwecouldkeepituprightalong,yearinandyearout,anddoitright,andthewayitoughttobedone.Butwecan't foolalong;wegot to rush;weain'tgotno time tospare. Ifwewastoputinanothernightthiswaywe'dhavetoknockoffforaweektoletourhandsgetwell—couldn'ttouchacase-knifewiththemsooner.""Well,then,whatwegoingtodo,Tom?""I'lltellyou.Itain'tright,anditain'tmoral,andIwouldn'tlikeittogetout;butthereain'tonlyjusttheoneway:wegottodighimoutwiththepicks,andletonit'scase-knives.""Nowyou'retalking!"Isays;"yourheadgetslevelerandlevelerallthetime,TomSawyer,"Isays."Picksisthething,moralornomoral;andasforme,Idon't care shucks for the morality of it, nohow. When I start in to steal anigger,orawatermelon,oraSunday-schoolbook, Iain'tnowaysparticularhow it's done so it's done.What Iwant ismynigger; orwhat Iwant ismy

watermelon; or what I want is my Sunday-school book; and if a pick's thehandiest thing, that's the thing I'm a-going to dig that nigger or thatwatermelonorthatSunday-schoolbookoutwith;andIdon'tgiveadeadratwhattheauthoritiesthinksaboutitnuther.""Well,"hesays,"there'sexcuseforpicksandletting-oninacaselikethis;ifitwarn'tso, Iwouldn'tapproveof it,norIwouldn'tstandbyandsee therulesbroke—because right is right, andwrong iswrong, and a body ain't got nobusiness doing wrong when he ain't ignorant and knows better. It mightanswerforyoutodigJimoutwithapick,withoutanylettingon,becauseyoudon'tknownobetter;butitwouldn'tforme,becauseIdoknowbetter.Gimmeacase-knife."Hehadhisownbyhim,butIhandedhimmine.Heflungitdown,andsays:"Gimmeacase-knife."Ididn'tknowjustwhattodo—butthenIthought.Iscratchedaroundamongsttheoldtools,andgotapickaxeandgiveittohim,andhetookitandwenttowork,andneversaidaword.Hewasalwaysjustthatparticular.Fullofprinciple.SothenIgotashovel,andthenwepickedandshoveled,turnabout,andmadethefurfly.Westucktoitaboutahalfanhour,whichwasaslongaswecouldstandup;butwehadagooddealofaholetoshowforit.WhenIgotupstairsI looked out at the window and see Tom doing his level best with thelightning-rod,buthecouldn'tcomeit,hishandswassosore.Atlasthesays:"Itain'tnouse,itcan'tbedone.WhatyoureckonIbetterdo?Can'tyouthinkofnoway?""Yes,"Isays,"butIreckonitain'tregular.Comeupthestairs,andletonit'salightning-rod."Sohedoneit.NextdayTomstoleapewterspoonandabrasscandlestickinthehouse,fortomakesomepensforJimoutof,andsixtallowcandles;andIhungaroundthenigger cabins and laid for a chance, and stole three tin plates. Tom says itwasn'tenough;butIsaidnobodywouldn'teverseetheplatesthatJimthrowedout, because they'd fall in the dog-fennel and jimpson weeds under thewindow-hole—then we could tote them back and he could use them overagain.SoTomwassatisfied.Thenhesays:"Now,thethingtostudyoutis,howtogetthethingstoJim.""Taketheminthroughthehole,"Isays,"whenwegetitdone."Heonlyjustlookedscornful,andsaidsomethingaboutnobodyeverheardofsuchanidioticidea,andthenhewenttostudying.Byandbyhesaidhehad

cipheredouttwoorthreeways,buttherewarn'tnoneedtodecideonanyofthemyet.Saidwe'dgottopostJimfirst.Thatnightwewentdownthe lightning-roda littleafter ten,andtookoneofthecandlesalong,andlistenedunderthewindow-hole,andheardJimsnoring;sowepitcheditin,anditdidn'twakehim.Thenwewhirledinwiththepickandshovel,andinabouttwohoursandahalfthejobwasdone.Wecrept inunder Jim'sbedand into thecabin, andpawedaroundand found thecandleand lit it, and stood over Jim awhile, and found him looking hearty andhealthy,andthenwewokehimupgentleandgradual.Hewassogladtoseeushemostcried;andcalledushoney,andall thepetnameshecould thinkof;andwasforhavingushuntupacold-chiseltocutthechainoffofhislegwithrightaway,andclearingoutwithoutlosinganytime.ButTomheshowedhimhowunregularitwouldbe,andsetdownandtoldhimallaboutourplans,andhowwecouldaltertheminaminuteanytimetherewasanalarm;andnottobetheleastafraid,becausewewouldseehegotaway,sure.SoJimhesaiditwasallright,andwesetthereandtalkedoveroldtimesawhile,andthenTomaskedalotofquestions,andwhenJimtoldhimUncleSilascomeineverydayortwotopraywithhim,andAuntSallycomeintoseeifhewascomfortableandhadplentytoeat,andbothofthemwaskindastheycouldbe,Tomsays:"NowIknowhowtofixit.We'llsendyousomethingsbythem."Isaid,"Don'tdonothingofthekind;it'soneofthemostjackassideasIeverstruck;"butheneverpaidnoattention tome;went righton. Itwashiswaywhenhe'dgothisplansset.So he told Jim howwe'd have to smuggle in the rope-ladder pie and otherlarge thingsbyNat, thenigger that fedhim,andhemustbeon the lookout,andnotbe surprised,andnot letNat seehimopen them;andwewouldputsmallthingsinuncle'scoat-pocketsandhemuststealthemout;andwewouldtiethingstoaunt'sapron-stringsorputtheminherapron-pocket,ifwegotachance;andtoldhimwhattheywouldbeandwhattheywasfor.Andtoldhimhow tokeep a journal on the shirtwithhis blood, and all that.He toldhimeverything.Jimhecouldn'tseenosenseinthemostofit,butheallowedwewaswhitefolksandknowedbetterthanhim;sohewassatisfied,andsaidhewoulddoitalljustasTomsaid.Jim had plenty corn-cob pipes and tobacco; so we had a right down goodsociabletime;thenwecrawledoutthroughthehole,andsohometobed,withhandsthatlookedlikethey'dbeenchawed.Tomwasinhighspirits.Hesaiditwasthebestfunheeverhadinhislife,andthemostintellectural;andsaidifheonlycouldseehiswaytoitwewouldkeepitupalltherestofourlivesandleaveJimtoourchildrentogetout;forhebelievedJimwouldcometolikeitbetterandbetterthemorehegotusedtoit.Hesaidthatinthatwayitcouldbestrungout toasmuchaseightyyear, andwouldbe thebest timeon record.

Andhesaiditwouldmakeusallcelebratedthathadahandinit.In the morning we went out to the woodpile and chopped up the brasscandlestick intohandysizes,andTomput themand thepewter spoon inhispocket.Thenwewent to theniggercabins,andwhile IgotNat'snoticeoff,Tomshovedapieceofcandlestickintothemiddleofacorn-ponethatwasinJim'span,andwewentalongwithNattoseehowitwouldwork,anditjustworkednoble;whenJimbitintoititmostmashedallhisteethout;andtherewarn'teveranythingcouldaworkedbetter.Tomsaidsohimself.Jimheneverletonbutwhat itwasonly just apieceof rockor something like that that'salwaysgetting intobread,youknow;butafter thatheneverbit intonothingbutwhathejabbedhisforkintoitinthreeorfourplacesfirst.Andwhilstwewasa-standingthereinthedimmishlight,herecomesacoupleofthehoundsbulginginfromunderJim'sbed;andtheykeptonpilingintilltherewaselevenof them, and therewarn't hardly room in there togetyourbreath.Byjings,weforgottofastenthatlean-todoor!TheniggerNatheonlyjust hollered "Witches" once, and keeled over on to the floor amongst thedogs, andbegun togroan likehewasdying.Tom jerked thedooropenandflungoutaslabofJim'smeat,andthedogswentforit,andintwosecondshewasouthimselfandbackagainandshutthedoor,andIknowedhe'dfixedtheotherdoortoo.Thenhewenttoworkonthenigger,coaxinghimandpettinghim,andaskinghimifhe'dbeenimagininghesawsomethingagain.Heraisedup,andblinkedhiseyesaround,andsays:"MarsSid,you'llsayI'safool,butifIdidn'tb'lieveIseemostamilliondogs,erdevils, er some'n, Iwisht Imaydie rightheah indese tracks. I did,mos'sholy.MarsSid,Ifeltum—Ifeltum,sah;deywasalloverme.Dadfetchit,Ijis' wisht I could git my han's on one er dem witches jis' wunst—on'y jis'wunst—it'sallI'dast.Butmos'lyIwishtdey'dlemme'lone,Idoes."Tomsays:"Well, I tell you what I think. What makes them come here just at thisrunawaynigger'sbreakfast-time?It'sbecausethey'rehungry;that'sthereason.Youmakethemawitchpie;that'sthethingforyoutodo.""Butmylan',MarsSid,how'sIgwynetomake'mawitchpie?Idoan'knowhowtomakeit.Ihain'teverhearnersichathingb'fo'.""Well,then,I'llhavetomakeitmyself.""Will you do it, honey?—will you? I'll wusshup de groun' und' yo' foot, Iwill!""Allright,I'lldoit,seeingit'syou,andyou'vebeengoodtousandshowedustherunawaynigger.Butyougottobemightycareful.Whenwecomearound,youturnyourback;andthenwhateverwe'veputinthepan,don'tyouleton

yousee it at all.Anddon't you lookwhen Jimunloads thepan—somethingmighthappen,Idon'tknowwhat.Andaboveall,don'tyouhandlethewitch-things.""Hannel'M,MarsSid?Whatisyoua-talkin''bout?Iwouldn'laydeweightermyfingeronum,notf'rtenhund'dthous'nbilliondollars,Iwouldn't."

CHAPTERXXXVII.

THATwasallfixed.Sothenwewentawayandwenttotherubbage-pileinthebackyard,wheretheykeeptheoldboots,andrags,andpiecesofbottles,andwore-outtinthings,andallsuchtruck,andscratchedaroundandfoundanoldtinwashpan,andstoppeduptheholesaswellaswecould,tobakethepiein,andtookitdowncellarandstoleitfullofflourandstartedforbreakfast,andfoundacoupleofshingle-nailsthatTomsaidwouldbehandyforaprisonertoscrabblehisnameandsorrowsonthedungeonwallswith,anddroppedoneoftheminAuntSally'sapron-pocketwhichwashangingonachair,andt'otherwestuckin thebandofUncleSilas'shat,whichwasonthebureau,becauseweheardthechildrensaytheirpaandmawasgoingtotherunawaynigger'shousethismorning,andthenwenttobreakfast,andTomdroppedthepewterspooninUncleSilas'scoat-pocket,andAuntSallywasn'tcomeyet,sowehadtowaitalittlewhile.Andwhenshecomeshewashotandredandcross,andcouldn'thardlywaitfor theblessing;and thenshewent tosluicingoutcoffeewithonehandandcrackingthehandiestchild'sheadwithherthimblewiththeother,andsays:"I'vehuntedhighandI'vehuntedlow,anditdoesbeatallwhathasbecomeofyourothershirt."Myheartfelldownamongstmylungsandliversandthings,andahardpieceofcorn-crust starteddownmy throatafter it andgotmeton the roadwithacough,andwasshotacrossthetable,andtookoneofthechildrenintheeyeandcurledhimuplikeafishing-worm,andletacryoutofhimthesizeofawarwhoop, and Tom he turned kinder blue around the gills, and it allamountedtoaconsiderablestateofthingsforaboutaquarterofaminuteorasmuchasthat,andIwouldasoldoutforhalfpriceiftherewasabidder.Butafterthatwewasallrightagain—itwasthesuddensurpriseofitthatknockedussokindofcold.UncleSilashesays:"It'smost uncommon curious, I can't understand it. I know perfectly well Itookitoff,because—""Becauseyouhain'tgotbutoneon.Justlistenattheman!Iknowyoutookitoff, and know it by a better way than your wool-gethering memory, too,

becauseitwasontheclo's-lineyesterday—Iseeittheremyself.Butit'sgone,that'sthelongandtheshortofit,andyou'lljusthavetochangetoaredflann'lonetillIcangettimetomakeanewone.Andit 'llbethethirdI'vemadeintwoyears.Itjustkeepsabodyonthejumptokeepyouinshirts;andwhateveryoudomanagetodowith'mallismore'nIcanmakeout.Abody'dthinkyouwouldlearntotakesomesortofcareof'ematyourtimeoflife.""I know it, Sally, and I do try all I can.But it oughtn't to be altogethermyfault,because,youknow,Idon'tsee themnorhavenothingtodowith themexceptwhenthey'reonme;andIdon'tbelieveI'veeverlostoneofthemoffofme.""Well, it ain'tyour fault ifyouhaven't,Silas;you'dadone it ifyoucould, Ireckon.Andtheshirtain'tallthat'sgone,nuther.Ther'saspoongone;andthatain't all. There was ten, and now ther's only nine. The calf got the shirt, Ireckon,butthecalfnevertookthespoon,that'scertain.""Why,whatelseisgone,Sally?""Ther'ssixcandlesgone—that'swhat.Theratscouldagotthecandles,andIreckontheydid;Iwonder theydon'twalkoffwith thewholeplace, thewayyou'realwaysgoingtostoptheirholesanddon'tdoit;andiftheywarn'tfoolsthey'dsleepinyourhair,Silas—you'dneverfinditout;butyoucan'tlaythespoonontherats,andthatIknow.""Well,Sally,I'minfault,andIacknowledgeit;I'vebeenremiss;butIwon'tletto-morrowgobywithoutstoppingupthemholes.""Oh,Iwouldn'thurry;nextyear'lldo.MatildaAngelinaAramintaPhelps!"Whackcomesthethimble,andthechildsnatchesherclawsoutofthesugar-bowlwithoutfoolingaroundany.Justthentheniggerwomanstepsontothepassage,andsays:"Missus,dey'sasheetgone.""Asheetgone!Well,fortheland'ssake!""I'llstopupthemholesto-day,"saysUncleSilas,lookingsorrowful."Oh,doshetup!—s'posetheratstookthesheet?where'sitgone,Lize?""Clah to goodness I hain't no notion, Miss' Sally. She wuz on de clo'slineyistiddy,butshedonegone:sheain'dahnomo'now.""I reckon theworld iscoming toanend. Ineversee thebeatof it inallmyborndays.Ashirt,andasheet,andaspoon,andsixcan—""Missus,"comesayoungyallerwench,"dey'sabrasscannelstickmiss'n.""Cleroutfromhere,youhussy,erI'lltakeaskillettoye!"Well, shewas justa-biling. I begun to lay for a chance; I reckoned Iwould

sneakoutandgoforthewoodstilltheweathermoderated.Shekepta-ragingrightalong,runningherinsurrectionallbyherself,andeverybodyelsemightymeekandquiet;andatlastUncleSilas,lookingkindoffoolish,fishesupthatspoonoutofhispocket.Shestopped,withhermouthopenandherhandsup;and as for me, I wished I was in Jeruslem or somewheres. But not long,becauseshesays:"It'sjustasIexpected.Soyouhadit inyourpocketall thetime;andlikeasnotyou'vegottheotherthingsthere,too.How'ditgetthere?""Ireelydon'tknow,Sally,"hesays,kindofapologizing,"oryouknowIwouldtell.Iwasa-studyingovermytext inActsSeventeenbeforebreakfast,andIreckonIputitinthere,notnoticing,meaningtoputmyTestamentin,anditmust be so, because my Testament ain't in; but I'll go and see; and if theTestamentiswhereIhadit,I'llknowIdidn'tputitin,andthatwillshowthatIlaidtheTestamentdownandtookupthespoon,and—""Oh,fortheland'ssake!Giveabodyarest!Go'longnow,thewholekitandbiling of ye; and don't come nigh me again till I've got back my peace ofmind."I'Daheardherifshe'dasaidittoherself,letalonespeakingitout;andI'dagot up and obeyed her if I'd a been dead. As we was passing through thesetting-roomtheoldmanhe tookuphishat,and theshingle-nail felloutonthefloor,andhejustmerelypickeditupandlaiditonthemantel-shelf,andneversaidnothing,andwentout.Tomseehimdoit,andrememberedaboutthespoon,andsays:"Well,itain'tnousetosendthingsbyhimnomore,heain'treliable."Thenhesays:"Buthedoneusagoodturnwiththespoon,anyway,withoutknowingit,and so we'll go and do him one without him knowing it—stop up his rat-holes."Therewasanoblegoodlotofthemdowncellar,andittookusawholehour,butwedonethejobtightandgoodandshipshape.Thenweheardstepsonthestairs,andblowedoutourlightandhid;andherecomestheoldman,withacandleinonehandandabundleofstuffint'other,lookingasabsent-mindedasyearbeforelast.Hewentamooningaround,firsttoonerat-holeandthenanother, tillhe'dbeentothemall.Thenhestoodaboutfiveminutes,pickingtallow-dripoffofhiscandleandthinking.Thenheturnsoffslowanddreamytowardsthestairs,saying:"Well, for the lifeofme I can't rememberwhen Idone it. I could showhernowthatIwarn'ttoblameonaccountoftherats.Butnevermind—letitgo.Ireckonitwouldn'tdonogood."Andsohewentona-mumblingupstairs,andthenweleft.Hewasamightyniceoldman.Andalwaysis.

Tomwasagooddealbotheredaboutwhattodoforaspoon,buthesaidwe'dgottohaveit;sohetookathink.Whenhehadciphereditouthetoldmehowwewas todo; thenwewentandwaitedaround the spoon-basket tillweseeAunt Sally coming, and then Tom went to counting the spoons and layingthemouttooneside,andIslidoneofthemupmysleeve,andTomsays:"Why,AuntSally,thereain'tbutninespoonsyet."Shesays:"Go 'long to your play, and don't bother me. I know better, I counted 'mmyself.""Well,I'vecountedthemtwice,Aunty,andIcan'tmakebutnine."She looked out of all patience, but of course she come to count—anybodywould."Ideclaretograciousther'ain'tbutnine!"shesays."Why,whatintheworld—plaguetakethethings,I'llcount'magain."SoIslippedbacktheoneIhad,andwhenshegotdonecounting,shesays:"Hang the troublesome rubbage, ther's ten now!" and she looked huffy andbotheredboth.ButTomsays:"Why,Aunty,Idon'tthinkthere'sten.""Younumskull,didn'tyouseemecount'm?""Iknow,but—""Well,I'llcount'magain."SoIsmouchedone,andtheycomeoutnine,sameastheothertime.Well,shewas in a tearing way—just a-trembling all over, she was so mad. But shecountedandcountedtillshegotthataddledshe'dstarttocountinthebasketfor a spoon sometimes; and so, three times they come out right, and threetimestheycomeoutwrong.Thenshegrabbedupthebasketandslammeditacrossthehouseandknockedthecatgalley-west;andshesaidcle'routandletherhavesomepeace,andifwecomebotheringaroundheragainbetwixtthatand dinner she'd skin us. So we had the odd spoon, and dropped it in herapron-pocketwhilstshewasa-givingusoursailingorders,andJimgotitallright,alongwithhershinglenail,beforenoon.Wewasverywellsatisfiedwiththisbusiness,andTomalloweditwasworthtwicethetroubleittook,becausehesaidnowshecouldn'tevercountthemspoonstwicealikeagaintosaveherlife; andwouldn't believe she'd counted them right if she did; and said thataftershe'daboutcountedherheadoffforthenextthreedayshejudgedshe'dgive it up andoffer tokill anybody thatwantedher to ever count themanymore.Soweputthesheetbackonthelinethatnight,andstoleoneoutofhercloset;

andkeptonputtingitbackandstealingitagainforacoupleofdays tillshedidn't know how many sheets she had any more, and she didn't care, andwarn'ta-goingtobullyragtherestofhersouloutaboutit,andwouldn'tcountthemagainnottosaveherlife;shedrutherdiefirst.Sowewasall rightnow,as to theshirtand thesheetand thespoonand thecandles,bythehelpofthecalfandtheratsandthemixed-upcounting;andastothecandlestick,itwarn'tnoconsequence,itwouldblowoverbyandby.Butthatpiewasajob;wehadnoendoftroublewiththatpie.Wefixeditupawaydowninthewoods,andcookeditthere;andwegotitdoneatlast,andverysatisfactory,too;butnotallinoneday;andwehadtouseupthreewash-pans full of flour beforewe got through, andwe got burnt prettymuch allover,inplaces,andeyesputoutwiththesmoke;because,yousee,wedidn'twant nothing but a crust, and we couldn't prop it up right, and she wouldalwayscavein.Butofcoursewethoughtoftherightwayatlast—whichwasto cook the ladder, too, in the pie. So thenwe laid inwith Jim the secondnight,andtoreupthesheetallinlittlestringsandtwistedthemtogether,andlongbeforedaylightwehadalovelyropethatyoucouldahungapersonwith.Weletonittookninemonthstomakeit.Andintheforenoonwetookitdowntothewoods,butitwouldn'tgointothepie.Beingmadeofawholesheet, thatway, therewasropeenoughforfortypies if we'd a wanted them, and plenty left over for soup, or sausage, oranythingyouchoose.Wecouldahadawholedinner.Butwedidn'tneedit.Allweneededwasjustenoughfor thepie,andsowethrowed the rest away.We didn't cook none of the pies in the wash-pan—afraidthesolderwouldmelt;butUncleSilashehadanoblebrasswarming-pan which he thought considerable of, because it belonged to one of hisancesters with a long wooden handle that come over from England withWilliamtheConquerorintheMayfloweroroneofthemearlyshipsandwashidawayupgarretwitha lotofotheroldpotsand things thatwasvaluable,notonaccountofbeinganyaccount,because theywarn't,butonaccountofthembeing relicts, you know, andwe snaked her out, private, and took herdownthere,butshefailedonthefirstpies,becausewedidn'tknowhow,butshecomeupsmilingonthelastone.Wetookandlinedherwithdough,andsetherinthecoals,andloadedherupwithragrope,andputonadoughroof,andshutdownthelid,andputhotembersontop,andstoodofffivefoot,withthelonghandle,coolandcomfortable,andinfifteenminutessheturnedoutapiethatwasasatisfactiontolookat.But thepersonthatet itwouldwant tofetch a couple of kags of toothpicks along, for if that rope ladder wouldn'tcramphimdowntobusinessIdon'tknownothingwhatI'mtalkingabout,andlayhiminenoughstomach-achetolasthimtillnexttime,too.Natdidn'tlookwhenweputthewitchpieinJim'span;andweputthethree

tinplatesinthebottomofthepanunderthevittles;andsoJimgoteverythingallright,andassoonashewasbyhimselfhebustedintothepieandhidtheropeladder insideofhisstrawtick,andscratchedsomemarksona tinplateandthroweditoutofthewindow-hole.

CHAPTERXXXVIII.

MAKINGthempenswasadistressidtoughjob,andsowasthesaw;andJimallowed the inscription was going to be the toughest of all. That's the onewhichtheprisonerhastoscrabbleonthewall.Buthehadtohaveit;Tomsaidhe'd got to; there warn't no case of a state prisoner not scrabbling hisinscriptiontoleavebehind,andhiscoatofarms."Look at Lady Jane Grey," he says; "look at Gilford Dudley; look at oldNorthumberland! Why, Huck, s'pose it is considerble trouble?—what yougoingtodo?—howyougoingtogetaroundit?Jim'sgottodohisinscriptionandcoatofarms.Theyalldo."Jimsays:"Why,MarsTom,Ihain'tgotnocoato'arm;Ihain'tgotnuffnbutdishyeroleshirt,enyouknowsIgottokeepdejournalondat.""Oh,youdon'tunderstand,Jim;acoatofarmsisverydifferent.""Well,"Isays,"Jim'sright,anyway,whenhesaysheain'tgotnocoatofarms,becausehehain't.""IreckonIknowedthat,"Tomsays,"butyoubethe'llhaveonebeforehegoesoutofthis—becausehe'sgoingoutright,andthereain'tgoingtobenoflawsinhisrecord."So whilst me and Jim filed away at the pens on a brickbat apiece, Jim a-makinghis'noutofthebrassandImakingmineoutofthespoon,Tomsettowork to think out the coat of arms.By and by he said he'd struck somanygoodoneshedidn'thardlyknowwhich to take,but therewasonewhichhereckonedhe'ddecideon.Hesays:"Onthescutcheonwe'llhaveabendorinthedexterbase,asaltiremurreyinthefess,withadog,couchant,forcommoncharge,andunderhisfootachainembattled, for slavery, with a chevron vert in a chief engrailed, and threeinvectedlinesonafieldazure,withthenombrilpointsrampantonadancetteindented;crest,arunawaynigger,sable,withhisbundleoverhisshoulderonabarsinister;andacoupleofgulesforsupporters,whichisyouandme;motto,MaggioreFretta,MinoreOtto.Gotitoutofabook—meansthemorehastethelessspeed."

"Geewhillikins,"Isays,"butwhatdoestherestofitmean?""Weain'tgotnotimetobotheroverthat,"hesays;"wegottodiginlikeallgit-out.""Well,anyway,"Isays,"what'ssomeofit?What'safess?""Afess—afessis—youdon'tneedtoknowwhatafessis.I'llshowhimhowtomakeitwhenhegetstoit.""Shucks,Tom,"Isays,"Ithinkyoumighttellaperson.What'sabarsinister?""Oh,Idon'tknow.Buthe'sgottohaveit.Allthenobilitydoes."That was just his way. If it didn't suit him to explain a thing to you, hewouldn'tdoit.Youmightpumpathimaweek,itwouldn'tmakenodifference.He'dgotallthatcoatofarmsbusinessfixed,sonowhestartedintofinishuptherestofthatpartofthework,whichwastoplanoutamournfulinscription—saidJimgot tohaveone, like theyalldone.Hemadeupa lot, andwrotethemoutonapaper,andreadthemoff,so:1.Hereacaptiveheartbusted.2.Hereapoorprisoner,forsookbytheworldandfriends,frettedhissorrowfullife.3.Herealonelyheartbroke,andawornspirit went to its rest, after thirty-seven years of solitary captivity. 4. Here,homelessandfriendless,afterthirty-sevenyearsofbittercaptivity,perishedanoblestranger,naturalsonofLouisXIV.Tom'svoice trembledwhilsthewasreading them,andhemostbrokedown.Whenhegotdonehecouldn'tnowaymakeuphismindwhichoneforJimtoscrabbleontothewall,theywasallsogood;butatlastheallowedhewouldlethimscrabblethemallon.Jimsaiditwouldtakehimayeartoscrabblesucha lot of truck on to the logs with a nail, and he didn't know how tomakeletters,besides;butTomsaidhewouldblock themout forhim,and thenhewouldn'thavenothingtodobutjustfollowthelines.Thenprettysoonhesays:"Come to think, the logs ain't a-going to do; they don't have logwalls in adungeon:wegottodigtheinscriptionsintoarock.We'llfetcharock."Jimsaid therockwasworse than the logs;hesaid itwould takehimsuchapisonlongtimetodigthemintoarockhewouldn'tevergetout.ButTomsaidhewouldletmehelphimdoit.ThenhetookalooktoseehowmeandJimwas getting alongwith the pens. It wasmost pesky tedious hard work andslow,anddidn'tgivemyhandsnoshowtogetwellofthesores,andwedidn'tseemtomakenoheadway,hardly;soTomsays:"Iknowhowtofixit.Wegottohavearockforthecoatofarmsandmournfulinscriptions, andwecankill twobirdswith that same rock.There's agaudybiggrindstonedownatthemill,andwe'llsmouchit,andcarvethethingsonit,andfileoutthepensandthesawonit,too."

Itwarn'tnoslouchofanidea;anditwarn'tnoslouchofagrindstonenuther;butweallowedwe'dtackleit.Itwarn'tquitemidnightyet,soweclearedoutforthemill,leavingJimatwork.Wesmouchedthegrindstone,andsetouttoroll her home, but itwas amost nation tough job. Sometimes, dowhatwecould, we couldn't keep her from falling over, and she come mighty nearmashinguseverytime.Tomsaidshewasgoingtogetoneofus,sure,beforewegotthrough.Wegotherhalfway;andthenwewasplumbplayedout,andmostdrowndedwith sweat.Wesee itwarn'tnouse;wegot togoand fetchJim.Soheraiseduphisbedandslidthechainoffofthebed-leg,andwraptitround and round his neck, andwe crawled out through our hole and downthere, and Jim and me laid into that grindstone and walked her along likenothing;andTomsuperintended.Hecouldout-superintendanyboyIeversee.Heknowedhowtodoeverything.Ourholewasprettybig,butitwarn'tbigenoughtogetthegrindstonethrough;butJimhetookthepickandsoonmadeitbigenough.ThenTommarkedoutthemthingsonitwiththenail,andsetJimtoworkonthem,withthenailforachiselandanironboltfromtherubbageinthelean-toforahammer,andtoldhimtoworktilltherestofhiscandlequitonhim,andthenhecouldgotobed,andhidethegrindstoneunderhisstrawtickandsleeponit.Thenwehelpedhimfixhischainbackon thebed-leg,andwas readyforbedourselves.ButTomthoughtofsomething,andsays:"Yougotanyspidersinhere,Jim?""No,sah,thankstogoodnessIhain't,MarsTom.""Allright,we'llgetyousome.""Butblessyou,honey,Idoan'wantnone.I'safeardunum.Ijis' 'ssoonhaverattlesnakesaroun'."Tomthoughtaminuteortwo,andsays:"It'sagoodidea.AndIreckonit'sbeendone.Itmustabeendone;itstandstoreason.Yes,it'saprimegoodidea.Wherecouldyoukeepit?""Keepwhat,MarsTom?""Why,arattlesnake.""De goodness gracious alive, Mars Tom!Why, if dey was a rattlesnake tocome in heah I'd take en bust right out thoo dat logwall, Iwould,widmyhead.""Why,Jim,youwouldn'tbeafraidofitafteralittle.Youcouldtameit.""Tameit!""Yes—easy enough. Every animal is grateful for kindness and petting, andtheywouldn'tthinkofhurtingapersonthatpetsthem.Anybookwilltellyou

that.Youtry—that'sallIask;justtryfortwoorthreedays.Why,youcangethimso,inalittlewhile,thathe'llloveyou;andsleepwithyou;andwon'tstayawayfromyouaminute;andwillletyouwraphimroundyourneckandputhisheadinyourmouth.""Please,MarsTom—doan'talkso!Ican'tstan'it!He'dletmeshovehisheadinmymouf—ferafavor,hain'tit?Ilayhe'dwaitapow'fullongtime'fo'Iasthim.Enmo'endat,Idoan'wanthimtosleepwidme.""Jim,don'tactsofoolish.Aprisoner'sgot tohavesomekindofadumbpet,andifarattlesnakehain'teverbeentried,why,there'smoreglorytobegainedinyourbeingthefirsttoevertryitthananyotherwayyoucouldeverthinkoftosaveyourlife.""Why,MarsTom,Idoan'wantnosichglory.Snaketake'nbiteJim'schinoff,denwhahisdeglory?No,sah,Idoan'wantnosichdoin's.""Blameit,can'tyoutry?Ionlywantyoutotry—youneedn'tkeepitupif itdon'twork.""ButdetroublealldoneefdesnakebitemewhileI'satryin'him.MarsTom,I'swillin' to tacklemos' anything 'at ain't onreasonable, but ef you enHuckfetchesarattlesnakeinheahformetotame,I'sgwynetoleave,dat'sshore.""Well,then,letitgo,letitgo,ifyou'resobull-headedaboutit.Wecangetyousome garter-snakes, and you can tie some buttons on their tails, and let onthey'rerattlesnakes,andIreckonthat'llhavetodo.""Ik'nstan'dem,MarsTom,butblame''fIcouldn'getalongwidoutum,Itellyou dat. I never knowed b'fo' 't was so much bother and trouble to be aprisoner.""Well,italwaysiswhenit'sdoneright.Yougotanyratsaroundhere?""No,sah,Ihain'tseednone.""Well,we'llgetyousomerats.""Why,MarsTom,Idoan'wantnorats.Dey'sdedadblamedestcretursto'sturbabody,enrustleroun'over'im,enbitehisfeet,whenhe'stryin'tosleep,Ieversee.No,sah,gimmeg'yarter-snakes,'fI'sgottohave'm,butdoan'gimmenorats;Ihain'gotnousef'rum,skasely.""But,Jim,yougottohave'em—theyalldo.Sodon'tmakenomorefussaboutit.Prisonersain'teverwithoutrats.Thereain'tnoinstanceofit.Andtheytrainthem,andpet them,and learn them tricks, and theyget tobeas sociableasflies.Butyougottoplaymusictothem.Yougotanythingtoplaymusicon?""Iain'gotnuffnbutacoasecombenapieceo'paper,ena juice-harp;but Ireck'ndeywouldn'takenostockinajuice-harp.""Yestheywouldtheydon'tcarewhatkindofmusic'tis.Ajews-harp'splenty

good enough for a rat.All animals likemusic—in a prison they dote on it.Specially,painfulmusic;andyoucan'tgetnootherkindoutofajews-harp.Italwaysinterests them;theycomeout toseewhat's thematterwithyou.Yes,you're all right; you're fixed verywell.Youwant to set on your bed nightsbeforeyougo to sleep, andearly in themornings, andplayyour jews-harp;play 'TheLastLinkisBroken'—that'sthethingthat 'llscooparatquicker 'nanything else; andwhen you've played about twominutes you'll see all therats,andthesnakes,andspiders,andthingsbegintofeelworriedaboutyou,and come. And they'll just fairly swarm over you, and have a noble goodtime.""Yes,deywill,Ireck'n,MarsTom,butwhatkineertimeisJimhavin'?BlestifI kin seedepint.But I'll do it ef I got to. I reck'n I better keep de animalssatisfied,ennothavenotroubleindehouse."Tomwaited to think it over, and see if therewasn't nothing else; andprettysoonhesays:"Oh,there'sonethingIforgot.Couldyouraiseaflowerhere,doyoureckon?""IdoanknowbutmaybeIcould,MarsTom;butit'stolabledarkinheah,enIain'gotnousef'rnoflower,nohow,enshe'dbeapow'fulsighto'trouble.""Well,youtryit,anyway.Someotherprisonershasdoneit.""Oneerdembigcat-tail-lookin'mullen-stalkswouldgrowinheah,MarsTom,Ireck'n,butshewouldn'tbewuthhalfdetroubleshe'dcoss.""Don'tyoubelieveit.We'llfetchyoualittleoneandyouplantitinthecornerover there, and raise it.And don't call itmullen, call it Pitchiola—that's itsrightnamewhenit'sinaprison.Andyouwanttowateritwithyourtears.""Why,Igotplentyspringwater,MarsTom.""Youdon'twantspringwater;youwanttowateritwithyourtears.It'sthewaytheyalwaysdo.""Why,MarsTom,IlayIkinraiseoneerdemmullen-stalkstwystewidspringwaterwhilesanotherman'sastart'nonewidtears.""Thatain'ttheidea.Yougottodoitwithtears.""She'lldieonmyhan's,MarsTom,shesholywill;kaseIdoan'skaselyevercry."SoTomwasstumped.Buthestudieditover,andthensaidJimwouldhavetoworryalongthebesthecouldwithanonion.Hepromisedhewouldgototheniggercabinsanddropone,private, inJim'scoffee-pot, in themorning. Jimsaidhewould "jis' 's soonhave tobacker inhis coffee;" and found somuchfaultwith it, andwith thework andbother of raising themullen, and jews-harping the rats, and petting and flattering up the snakes and spiders and

things,ontopofalltheotherworkhehadtodoonpens,andinscriptions,andjournals,andthings,whichmadeitmoretroubleandworryandresponsibilityto be a prisoner than anything he ever undertook, that Tom most lost allpatience with him; and said he was just loadened downwithmore gaudierchancesthanaprisonereverhadintheworldtomakeanameforhimself,andyethedidn'tknowenoughtoappreciatethem,andtheywasjustaboutwastedonhim.So Jimhewas sorry, and saidhewouldn't behave sonomore, andthenmeandTomshovedforbed.

CHAPTERXXXIX.

IN the morning we went up to the village and bought a wire rat-trap andfetcheditdown,andunstoppedthebestrat-hole,andinaboutanhourwehadfifteen of the bulliest kind of ones; and thenwe took it and put it in a safeplaceunderAuntSally'sbed.ButwhilewewasgoneforspiderslittleThomasFranklinBenjaminJeffersonElexanderPhelpsfounditthere,andopenedthedoorofittoseeiftheratswouldcomeout,andtheydid;andAuntSallyshecomein,andwhenwegotbackshewasa-standingontopofthebedraisingCain,andtheratswasdoingwhattheycouldtokeepoffthedulltimesforher.Soshetookanddustedusbothwiththehickry,andwewasasmuchastwohourscatchinganotherfifteenorsixteen,dratthatmeddlesomecub,andtheywarn't the likeliest,nuther,because thefirsthaulwasthepickof theflock.Ineverseealikelierlotofratsthanwhatthatfirsthaulwas.Wegotasplendidstockofsortedspiders,andbugs,andfrogs,andcaterpillars,andonethingoranother;andweliketogotahornet'snest,butwedidn't.Thefamilywasathome.Wedidn'tgiveitrightup,butstayedwiththemaslongaswecould;becauseweallowedwe'dtirethemoutorthey'dgottotireusout,andtheydoneit.Thenwegotallycumpainandrubbedontheplaces,andwasprettynearallrightagain,butcouldn'tsetdownconvenient.Andsowewentfor thesnakes,andgrabbedacoupleofdozengartersandhouse-snakes,andputtheminabag,andputitinourroom,andbythattimeitwassupper-time,andarattlinggoodhonestday'swork:andhungry?—oh,no,Ireckonnot!Andtherewarn'tablessedsnakeuptherewhenwewentback—wedidn'thalftiethesack,and theyworkedoutsomehow,and left.But itdidn'tmattermuch,because theywas stillon thepremises somewheres.Sowe judgedwecouldgetsomeofthemagain.No,therewarn'tnorealscarcityofsnakesaboutthehouse foraconsiderable spell.You'dsee themdripping from the raftersandplaceseverynowandthen;andtheygenerlylandedinyourplate,ordownthebackofyourneck, andmostof the timewhereyoudidn'twant them.Well,theywashandsomeandstriped,andtherewarn'tnoharminamillionofthem;

butthatnevermadenodifferencetoAuntSally;shedespisedsnakes,bethebreedwhattheymight,andshecouldn'tstandthemnowayyoucouldfixit;andeverytimeoneofthemfloppeddownonher,itdidn'tmakenodifferencewhatshewasdoing,shewouldjustlaythatworkdownandlightout.Ineverseesuchawoman.AndyoucouldhearherwhooptoJericho.Youcouldn'tgether to takea-holtofoneof themwith the tongs.And ifshe turnedoverandfoundoneinbedshewouldscrambleoutandliftahowlthatyouwouldthinkthehousewasafire.Shedisturbedtheoldmansothathesaidhecouldmostwishtherehadn'teverbeennosnakescreated.Why,aftereverylastsnakehadbeengoneclearoutofthehouseforasmuchasaweekAuntSallywarn'toverityet;shewarn'tnearoverit;whenshewassettingthinkingaboutsomethingyou could touch her on the back of her neckwith a feather and shewouldjumprightoutofherstockings.Itwasverycurious.ButTomsaidallwomenwasjustso.Hesaidtheywasmadethatwayforsomereasonorother.We got a licking every time one of our snakes come in her way, and sheallowedtheselickingswarn'tnothingtowhatshewoulddoifweeverloadedup theplaceagainwith them. Ididn'tmind the lickings,because theydidn'tamounttonothing;butImindedthetroublewehadtolayinanotherlot.Butwe got them laid in, and all the other things; and you never see a cabin asblithesomeasJim'swaswhenthey'dallswarmoutformusicandgoforhim.Jimdidn'tlikethespiders,andthespidersdidn'tlikeJim;andsothey'dlayforhim,andmakeitmightywarmforhim.Andhesaidthatbetweentheratsandthe snakes and thegrindstone therewarn't no room inbed for him, skasely;andwhentherewas,abodycouldn'tsleep,itwassolively,anditwasalwayslively,hesaid,becausetheyneverallsleptatonetime,buttookturnabout,sowhenthesnakeswasasleeptheratswasondeck,andwhentheratsturnedinthesnakescomeonwatch,sohealwayshadonegangunderhim,inhisway,andt'otherganghavingacircusoverhim,andifhegotuptohuntanewplacethespiderswouldtakeachanceathimashecrossedover.Hesaidifheevergotoutthistimehewouldn'teverbeaprisoneragain,notforasalary.Well,bytheendofthreeweekseverythingwasinprettygoodshape.Theshirtwassent inearly, inapie,andeverytimearatbitJimhewouldgetupandwritea little inhis journalwhilst the inkwas fresh; thepenswasmade, theinscriptionsandsoonwasallcarvedonthegrindstone;thebed-legwassawedintwo,andwehadetupthesawdust,anditgiveusamostamazingstomach-ache. We reckoned we was all going to die, but didn't. It was the mostundigestiblesawdustIeversee;andTomsaidthesame.ButasIwassaying,we'dgotall theworkdonenow,at last;andwewasallprettymuchfaggedout,too,butmainlyJim.TheoldmanhadwroteacoupleoftimestotheplantationbelowOrleanstocomeandgettheirrunawaynigger,but hadn't got no answer, because there warn't no such plantation; so he

allowedhewouldadvertiseJimintheSt.LouisandNewOrleanspapers;andwhenhementionedtheSt.Louisonesitgivemethecoldshivers,andIseewehadn'tnotimetolose.SoTomsaid,nowforthenonnamousletters."What'sthem?"Isays."Warnings to thepeople that something isup.Sometimes it'sdoneoneway,sometimes another. But there's always somebody spying around that givesnoticetothegovernorofthecastle.WhenLouisXVI.wasgoingtolightoutof the Tooleries, a servant-girl done it. It's a very good way, and so is thenonnamous letters. We'll use them both. And it's usual for the prisoner'smothertochangeclotheswithhim,andshestaysin,andheslidesoutinherclothes.We'lldothat,too.""Butlookyhere,Tom,whatdowewanttowarnanybodyforthatsomething'sup?Letthemfinditoutforthemselves—it'stheirlookout.""Yes, Iknow;butyoucan'tdependon them.It's theway they'veactedfromthe very start—left us to do everything. They're so confiding and mullet-headedtheydon'ttakenoticeofnothingatall.Soifwedon'tgivethemnoticetherewon't be nobody nor nothing to interferewith us, and so after all ourhard work and trouble this escape 'll go off perfectly flat; won't amount tonothing—won'tbenothingtoit.""Well,asforme,Tom,that'sthewayI'dlike.""Shucks!"hesays,andlookeddisgusted.SoIsays:"But I ain't going tomake no complaint. Anyway that suits you suitsme.Whatyougoingtodoabouttheservant-girl?""You'll beher.You slide in, in themiddleof thenight, andhook thatyallergirl'sfrock.""Why, Tom, that 'll make trouble next morning; because, of course, sheprob'blyhain'tgotanybutthatone.""I know; but you don'twant it but fifteenminutes, to carry the nonnamousletterandshoveitunderthefrontdoor.""Allright,then,I'lldoit;butIcouldcarryitjustashandyinmyowntogs.""Youwouldn'tlooklikeaservant-girlthen,wouldyou?""No,buttherewon'tbenobodytoseewhatIlooklike,anyway.""Thatain'tgotnothing todowith it.The thingforus todo is just todoourduty,andnotworryaboutwhetheranybodyseesusdoitornot.Hain'tyougotnoprincipleatall?""Allright,Iain'tsayingnothing;I'mtheservant-girl.Who'sJim'smother?""I'mhismother.I'llhookagownfromAuntSally."

"Well,then,you'llhavetostayinthecabinwhenmeandJimleaves.""Not much. I'll stuff Jim's clothes full of straw and lay it on his bed torepresenthismotherindisguise,andJim'lltaketheniggerwoman'sgownoffof me and wear it, and we'll all evade together. When a prisoner of styleescapes it's called an evasion. It's always called so when a king escapes,f'rinstance. And the same with a king's son; it don't make no differencewhetherhe'sanaturaloneoranunnaturalone."So Tom hewrote the nonnamous letter, and I smouched the yaller wench'sfrockthatnight,andputiton,andshoveditunderthefrontdoor,thewayTomtoldmeto.Itsaid:Beware.Troubleisbrewing.Keepasharplookout.UnknownFriend.Next nightwe stuck a picture, which Tom drawed in blood, of a skull andcrossbones on the front door; and next night another one of a coffin on thebackdoor. Ineverseea family insuchasweat.Theycouldn'tabeenworsescarediftheplacehadabeenfullofghostslayingforthembehindeverythingandunderthebedsandshiveringthroughtheair.Ifadoorbanged,AuntSallyshejumpedandsaid"ouch!"ifanythingfell,shejumpedandsaid"ouch!"ifyouhappenedtotouchher,whenshewarn'tnoticing,shedonethesame;shecouldn't face noway and be satisfied, because she allowed there wassomething behind her every time—so she was always a-whirling aroundsudden,andsaying"ouch,"andbeforeshe'dgottwo-thirdsaroundshe'dwhirlbackagain,andsayitagain;andshewasafraidtogotobed,butshedasn'tsetup.Sothethingwasworkingverywell,Tomsaid;hesaidheneverseeathingworkmoresatisfactory.Hesaiditshoweditwasdoneright.Sohesaid,nowforthegrandbulge!Sotheverynextmorningatthestreakofdawnwegotanotherletterready,andwaswonderingwhatwebetterdowithit,becauseweheard themsayat supper theywasgoing tohaveaniggeronwatch at both doors all night. Tom he went down the lightning-rod to spyaround;andtheniggeratthebackdoorwasasleep,andhestuckitinthebackofhisneckandcomeback.Thislettersaid:Don't betray me, I wish to be your friend. There is a desprate gang ofcutthroatsfromoverintheIndianTerritorygoingtostealyourrunawayniggerto-night, and they have been trying to scare you so as youwill stay in thehouseandnotbotherthem.Iamoneofthegang,buthavegotreliggionandwishtoquititandleadanhonestlifeagain,andwillbetraythehelishdesign.Theywillsneakdownfromnorthards,alongthefence,atmidnightexact,withafalsekey,andgointhenigger'scabintogethim.Iamtobeoffapieceandblowa tinhorn if I seeanydanger;but steadof that Iwillbaa likea sheepsoonastheygetinandnotblowatall;thenwhilsttheyaregettinghischainsloose,youslipthereandlockthemin,andcankillthematyourleasure.Don't

doanythingbut just theway I am tellingyou, ifyoudo theywill suspicionsomething and raise whoop-jamboreehoo. I do not wish any reward but toknowIhavedonetherightthing.UnknownFriend.

CHAPTERXL.

WEwasfeelingprettygoodafterbreakfast,andtookmycanoeandwentovertherivera-fishing,withalunch,andhadagoodtime,andtookalookattheraftand foundherall right, andgothome late to supper, and found them insuchasweatandworrytheydidn'tknowwhichendtheywasstandingon,andmadeusgorightofftobedtheminutewewasdonesupper,andwouldn'ttelluswhat the troublewas, and never let on a word about the new letter, butdidn'tneed to,becauseweknowedasmuchabout it asanybodydid,andassoonaswewashalfupstairsandherbackwas turnedweslidfor thecellarcupboardandloadedupagoodlunchandtookituptoourroomandwenttobed,andgotupabouthalf-pasteleven,andTomputonAuntSally'sdressthathestoleandwasgoingtostartwiththelunch,butsays:"Where'sthebutter?""Ilaidoutahunkofit,"Isays,"onapieceofacorn-pone.""Well,youleftitlaidout,then—itain'there.""Wecangetalongwithoutit,"Isays."Wecangetalongwithit,too,"hesays;"justyouslidedowncellarandfetchit.And thenmoseyrightdownthe lightning-rodandcomealong. I'llgoandstuff the straw into Jim's clothes to represent hismother indisguise, andbereadytobaalikeasheepandshovesoonasyougetthere."Soouthewent,anddowncellarwentI.Thehunkofbutter,bigasaperson'sfist,waswhereIhadleftit,soItookuptheslabofcorn-ponewithiton,andblowedoutmylight,andstartedupstairsverystealthy,andgotuptothemainfloor all right, but here comesAunt Sally with a candle, and I clapped thetruckinmyhat,andclappedmyhatonmyhead,andthenextsecondsheseeme;andshesays:"Youbeendowncellar?""Yes'm.""Whatyoubeendoingdownthere?""Noth'n.""Noth'n!""No'm."

"Well,then,whatpossessedyoutogodowntherethistimeofnight?""Idon'tknow'm.""Youdon'tknow?Don'tanswermethatway.Tom,Iwanttoknowwhatyoubeendoingdownthere.""Ihain'tbeendoingasinglething,AuntSally,IhopetograciousifIhave."Ireckonedshe'dletmegonow,andasagenerlthingshewould;butIs'posetherewassomanystrangethingsgoingonshewasjustinasweatabouteverylittlethingthatwarn'tyard-stickstraight;soshesays,verydecided:"Youjustmarchintothatsetting-roomandstaytheretillIcome.Youbeenuptosomethingyounobusiness to,andI lay I'll findoutwhat it isbefore I'Mdonewithyou."SoshewentawayasIopenedthedoorandwalkedintothesetting-room.My,buttherewasacrowdthere!Fifteenfarmers,andeveryoneofthemhadagun.Iwasmostpowerfulsick,andslunktoachairandsetdown.Theywassettingaround,someofthemtalkingalittle, inalowvoice,andallofthemfidgetyanduneasy,buttryingtolookliketheywarn't;butIknowedtheywas,becausetheywasalwaystakingofftheirhats,andputtingthemon,andscratchingtheirheads,andchangingtheirseats,andfumblingwiththeirbuttons.Iwarn'teasymyself,butIdidn'ttakemyhatoff,allthesame.IdidwishAuntSallywouldcome,andgetdonewithme,andlickme,ifshewanted to, and letmeget awayand tellTomhowwe'doverdone this thing,andwhatathunderinghornet's-nestwe'dgotourselvesinto,sowecouldstopfoolingaroundstraightoff,andclearoutwithJimbeforetheseripsgotoutofpatienceandcomeforus.At lastshecomeandbeguntoaskmequestions,but Icouldn'tanswer themstraight, I didn't knowwhich end ofmewas up; because thesemenwas insuchafidgetnowthatsomewaswantingtostartrightNOWandlayforthemdesperadoes, and saying itwarn't but a fewminutes tomidnight; andotherswastryingtogetthemtoholdonandwaitforthesheep-signal;andherewasAuntypeggingawayatthequestions,andmea-shakingalloverandreadytosink down inmy tracks I was that scared; and the place getting hotter andhotter,andthebutterbeginningtomeltandrundownmyneckandbehindmyears;andprettysoon,whenoneofthemsays,"I'Mforgoingandgettinginthecabin first and right now, and catching them when they come," I mostdropped;andastreakofbuttercomea-tricklingdownmyforehead,andAuntSallysheseeit,andturnswhiteasasheet,andsays:"Fortheland'ssake,whatisthematterwiththechild?He'sgotthebrain-feverasshoreasyou'reborn,andthey'reoozingout!"Andeverybody runs to see, andshe snatchesoffmyhat, andoutcomes the

breadandwhatwas left of thebutter, and shegrabbedme, andhuggedme,andsays:"Oh,whataturnyoudidgiveme!andhowgladandgratefulIamitain'tnoworse;forluck'sagainstus,anditneverrainsbutitpours,andwhenIseethattruckIthoughtwe'dlostyou,forIknowedbythecolorandallitwasjustlikeyourbrainswouldbeif—Dear,dear,whyd'ntyoutellmethatwaswhatyou'dbeendowntherefor,Iwouldn'tacared.Nowclerouttobed,anddon'tlemmeseenomoreofyoutillmorning!"Iwasup stairs in a second, anddown the lightning-rod in another one, andshinningthroughthedarkforthelean-to.Icouldn'thardlygetmywordsout,Iwassoanxious;butItoldTomasquickasIcouldwemustjumpforitnow,andnotaminutetolose—thehousefullofmen,yonder,withguns!Hiseyesjustblazed;andhesays:"No!—isthatso?ain'titbully!Why,Huck,ifitwastodooveragain,IbetIcouldfetchtwohundred!Ifwecouldputitofftill—""Hurry!Hurry!"Isays."Where'sJim?""Right at your elbow; if you reach out your arm you can touch him. He'sdressed, and everything's ready. Now we'll slide out and give the sheep-signal."Butthenweheardthetrampofmencomingtothedoor,andheardthembegintofumblewiththepad-lock,andheardamansay:"Itoldyouwe'dbetoosoon;theyhaven'tcome—thedoorislocked.Here,I'lllocksomeofyouintothecabin,andyoulayfor 'eminthedarkandkill 'emwhentheycome;andtherestscatteraroundapiece,andlistenifyoucanhear'emcoming."Sointheycome,butcouldn'tseeusinthedark,andmosttrodonuswhilstwewashustlingtogetunderthebed.Butwegotunderallright,andoutthroughthehole,swiftbutsoft—Jimfirst,menext,andTomlast,whichwasaccordingto Tom's orders.Nowwewas in the lean-to, and heard trampings close byoutside.Sowecrepttothedoor,andTomstoppedusthereandputhiseyetothecrack,butcouldn'tmakeoutnothing, itwas sodark;andwhisperedandsaidhewould listenfor thesteps toget further,andwhenhenudgedusJimmustglideoutfirst,andhimlast.Sohesethisear tothecrackandlistened,and listened, and listened, and the steps a-scraping around out there all thetime; and at last he nudged us, and we slid out, and stooped down, notbreathing, and not making the least noise, and slipped stealthy towards thefence in Injunfile,andgot to itall right,andmeandJimover it;butTom'sbritchescatched fastonasplinteron the top rail, and thenhehear thestepscoming,sohehadtopullloose,whichsnappedthesplinterandmadeanoise;

andashedroppedinourtracksandstartedsomebodysingsout:"Who'sthat?Answer,orI'llshoot!"Butwedidn'tanswer;wejustunfurledourheelsandshoved.Thentherewasarush,andaBang,Bang,Bang!andthebulletsfairlywhizzedaroundus!Weheardthemsingout:"Heretheyare!They'vebrokefortheriver!After'em,boys,andturnloosethedogs!"Soheretheycome,fulltilt.Wecouldhearthembecausetheyworebootsandyelled,butwedidn'twearnobootsanddidn'tyell.Wewasinthepathtothemill;andwhentheygotprettycloseontouswedodgedintothebushandletthemgoby,andthendroppedinbehindthem.They'dhadallthedogsshutup,sotheywouldn'tscareofftherobbers;butbythistimesomebodyhadletthemloose, and here they come,makingpowwowenough for amillion; but theywasourdogs;sowestoppedinourtrackstilltheycatchedup;andwhentheysee itwarn't nobodybutus, andnoexcitement tooffer them, theyonly justsaidhowdy,andtorerightaheadtowardstheshoutingandclattering;andthenwe up-steam again, andwhizzed along after them till wewas nearly to themill, and then struckup through the bush towheremy canoewas tied, andhoppedinandpulledfordear life towards themiddleof theriver,butdidn'tmakenomorenoisethanwewasobleegedto.Thenwestruckout,easyandcomfortable,fortheislandwheremyraftwas;andwecouldhearthemyellingandbarkingateachotherallupanddownthebank,tillwewassofarawaythesoundsgotdimanddiedout.AndwhenwesteppedontotheraftIsays:"Now,oldJim,you'reafreemanagain,andIbetyouwon'teverbeaslavenomore.""En amighty good job itwuz, too,Huck. It 'uz planned beautiful, en it 'uzdonebeautiful; endey ain't nobodykingit up aplandat'smo'mixed-up ensplendiddenwhatdatonewuz."Wewasallgladaswecouldbe,butTomwasthegladdestofallbecausehehadabulletinthecalfofhisleg.WhenmeandJimheardthatwedidn'tfeelsobrashaswhatwedidbefore.Itwas hurting him considerable, andbleeding; sowe laid him in thewigwamandtoreuponeoftheduke'sshirtsfortobandagehim,buthesays:"Gimmetherags;Icandoitmyself.Don'tstopnow;don'tfoolaroundhere,and the evasion booming along so handsome;man the sweeps, and set herloose!Boys,wedoneitelegant!—'deedwedid.Iwishwe'dahadthehandlingof Louis XVI., there wouldn't a been no 'Son of Saint Louis, ascend toheaven!'wrote down inhisbiography; no, sir,we'd awhoopedhimover theborder—that'swhatwe'dadonewithhim—anddoneitjustasslickasnothing

atall,too.Manthesweeps—manthesweeps!"But me and Jim was consulting—and thinking. And after we'd thought aminute,Isays:"Sayit,Jim."Sohesays:"Well,den,disisdewayitlooktome,Huck.Efitwuzhimdat'uzbein'sotfree, en one er de boyswuz to git shot,would he say, 'Go on en saveme,nemmine 'bout a doctor f'r to save dis one?' Is dat likeMarsTomSawyer?Wouldhesaydat?Youbethewouldn't!well,den,isJimgywnetosayit?No,sah—Idoan'budgeastepout'ndisplace'doutadoctor,notifit'sfortyyear!"Iknowedhewaswhiteinside,andIreckonedhe'dsaywhathedidsay—soitwas all right now, and I told Tom I was a-going for a doctor. He raisedconsiderablerowaboutit,butmeandJimstucktoitandwouldn'tbudge;sohewasforcrawlingoutandsettingtheraftloosehimself;butwewouldn'tlethim.Thenhegiveusapieceofhismind,butitdidn'tdonogood.Sowhenheseesmegettingthecanoeready,hesays:"Well,then,ifyou'reboundtogo,I'lltellyouthewaytodowhenyougettothevillage.Shutthedoorandblindfoldthedoctortightandfast,andmakehimswear tobesilentas thegrave,andputapursefullofgold inhishand,andthentakeandleadhimallaroundthebackalleysandeverywheresinthedark,andthenfetchhimhereinthecanoe,inaroundaboutwayamongsttheislands,andsearchhimand takehischalkaway fromhim,anddon'tgive itback tohimtillyougethimbacktothevillage,orelsehewillchalkthisraftsohecanfinditagain.It'sthewaytheyalldo."SoIsaidIwould,andleft,andJimwastohideinthewoodswhenheseethedoctorcomingtillhewasgoneagain.

CHAPTERXLI.

THEdoctorwas anoldman; a verynice, kind-lookingoldmanwhen I gothimup. I told himme andmy brotherwas over on Spanish Island huntingyesterday afternoon, and camped on a piece of a raft we found, and aboutmidnighthemustakickedhisguninhisdreams,foritwentoffandshothimintheleg,andwewantedhimtogooverthereandfixitandnotsaynothingaboutit,norletanybodyknow,becausewewantedtocomehomethiseveningandsurprisethefolks."Whoisyourfolks?"hesays.

"ThePhelpses,downyonder.""Oh,"hesays.Andafteraminute,hesays:"How'dyousayhegotshot?""Hehadadream,"Isays,"anditshothim.""Singulardream,"hesays.Sohelituphislantern,andgothissaddle-bags,andwestarted.Butwhenheseesthecanoehedidn'tlikethelookofher—saidshewasbigenoughforone,butdidn'tlookprettysafefortwo.Isays:"Oh,youneedn'tbeafeard,sir,shecarriedthethreeofuseasyenough.""Whatthree?""Why,meandSid,and—and—andtheguns;that'swhatImean.""Oh,"hesays.Butheputhisfootonthegunnelandrockedher,andshookhishead,andsaidhe reckonedhe'd lookaround forabiggerone.But theywas all lockedandchained;sohetookmycanoe,andsaidformetowaittillhecomeback,orIcould hunt around further, or maybe I better go down home and get themreadyforthesurpriseifIwantedto.ButIsaidIdidn't;soItoldhimjusthowtofindtheraft,andthenhestarted.Istruckanideaprettysoon.Isaystomyself,spos'nhecan'tfixthatlegjustinthreeshakesofasheep'stail,asthesayingis?spos'nittakeshimthreeorfourdays?Whatarewegoingtodo?—layaroundtheretillheletsthecatoutofthebag?No,sir;IknowwhatI'lldo.I'llwait,andwhenhecomesbackifhesayshe'sgottogoanymoreI'llgetdownthere,too,ifIswim;andwe'lltakeandtiehim,andkeephim,andshoveoutdown the river; andwhenTom'sdonewithhimwe'll givehimwhat it'sworth, or allwegot, and then let himgetashore.SothenIcreptintoalumber-piletogetsomesleep;andnexttimeIwakedupthesunwasawayupovermyhead!Ishotoutandwentforthedoctor'shouse,but they toldmehe'dgoneawayin thenightsometimeorother,andwarn'tbackyet.Well,thinksI,thatlookspowerfulbadforTom,andI'lldigoutforthe island right off. So away I shoved, and turned the corner, and nearlyrammedmyheadintoUncleSilas'sstomach!Hesays:"Why,Tom!Whereyoubeenallthistime,yourascal?""Ihain'tbeennowheres,"Isays,"onlyjusthuntingfortherunawaynigger—meandSid.""Why,whereeverdidyougo?"hesays."Youraunt'sbeenmightyuneasy.""Sheneedn't,"Isays,"becausewewasallright.Wefollowedthemenandthe

dogs,buttheyoutrunus,andwelostthem;butwethoughtweheardthemonthewater, sowe got a canoe and took out after them and crossed over, butcouldn'tfindnothingofthem;sowecruisedalongup-shoretillwegotkindoftiredandbeatout;andtiedupthecanoeandwenttosleep,andneverwakedup till about an hour ago; thenwe paddled over here to hear the news, andSid'satthepost-officetoseewhathecanhear,andI'ma-branchingouttogetsomethingtoeatforus,andthenwe'regoinghome."Sothenwewent to thepost-office toget"Sid";but justasIsuspicioned,hewarn't there; so theoldmanhegot a letteroutof theoffice, andwewaitedawhile longer,butSiddidn'tcome;so theoldmansaid,comealong, letSidfoot it home, or canoe it,when he got done fooling around—butwewouldride.Icouldn'tgethimtoletmestayandwaitforSid;andhesaidtherewarn'tnouseinit,andImustcomealong,andletAuntSallyseewewasallright.WhenwegothomeAuntSallywasthatgladtoseemeshelaughedandcriedboth, and huggedme, and giveme one of them lickings of hern that don'tamounttoshucks,andsaidshe'dserveSidthesamewhenhecome.Andtheplacewasplumfulloffarmersandfarmers'wives,todinner;andsuchanother clack a body never heard. Old Mrs. Hotchkiss was the worst; hertonguewasa-goingallthetime.Shesays:"Well,SisterPhelps,I'veransackedthat-aircabinover,an'Ib'lievetheniggerwascrazy.IsaystoSisterDamrell—didn'tI,SisterDamrell?—s'I,he'scrazy,s'I—them'stheverywordsIsaid.Youallhearnme:he'scrazy,s'I;everythingshowsit,s'I.Lookatthat-airgrindstone,s'I;wanttotellme'tanycretur't'sinhisrightmind'sagoin'toscrabbleallthemcrazythingsontoagrindstone,s'I?Heresich'n'sichapersonbustedhisheart;'n'hereso'n'sopeggedalongforthirty-seven year, 'n' all that—natcherl son o' Louis somebody, 'n' sicheverlast'nrubbage.He'splumbcrazy,s'I;it'swhatIsaysinthefustplace,it'swhatIsaysinthemiddle,'n'it'swhatIsayslast'n'allthetime—thenigger'scrazy—crazy'sNebokoodneezer,s'I.""An' lookat that-air laddermadeout'nrags,SisterHotchkiss,"saysoldMrs.Damrell;"whatinthenameo'goodnesscouldheeverwantof—""The very words I was a-sayin' no longer ago th'n this minute to SisterUtterback, 'n'she'lltellyousoherself.Sh-she,lookatthat-airragladder,sh-she;'n's'I,yes,lookatit,s'I—whatcouldhea-wantedofit,s'I.Sh-she,SisterHotchkiss,sh-she—""But how in the nation'd they ever git that grindstone in there, anyway? 'n'whodugthat-airhole?'n'who—""Myverywords,BrerPenrod!Iwasa-sayin'—passthat-airsassero'm'lasses,won'tye?—Iwasa-sayin' toSisterDunlap,jist thisminute,howdidtheygitthatgrindstoneinthere,s'I.Withouthelp,mindyou—'thouthelp!that'swher

'tis.Don't tellme,s'I; therewuzhelp,s'I; 'n' ther'wuzaplentyhelp, too,s'I;ther'sbenadozena-helpin'thatnigger,'n'IlayI'dskineverylastniggeronthisplacebutI'dfindoutwhodoneit,s'I;'n'moreover,s'I—""Adozensaysyou!—fortycouldn'tadoneeverythingthat'sbeendone.Lookat themcase-knife sawsand things,how tedious they'vebeenmade; lookatthatbed-legsawedoffwith'm,aweek'sworkforsixmen;lookatthatniggermadeout'nstrawonthebed;andlookat—""Youmaywellsayit,BrerHightower!It'sjistasIwasa-sayin'toBrerPhelps,hisownself.S'e,whatdoyouthinkofit,SisterHotchkiss,s'e?Thinko'what,BrerPhelps,s'I?Thinko'thatbed-legsawedoffthataway,s'e?thinkofit,s'I?Ilayitneversaweditselfoff,s'I—somebodysawedit,s'I;that'smyopinion,takeitorleaveit,itmayn'tbeno'count,s'I,butsichas 'tis,it'smyopinion,s'I,'n'ifanybodyk'nstartabetterone,s'I,lethimdoit,s'I,that'sall.IsaystoSisterDunlap,s'I—""Why,dogmycats,theymustabenahouse-fullo'niggersinthereeverynightforfourweekstoadoneallthatwork,SisterPhelps.Lookatthatshirt—everylastinchofitkiveredoverwithsecretAfricanwrit'ndonewithblood!Mustabenaraftuv'matitrightalong,allthetime,amost.Why,I'dgivetwodollarstohaveitreadtome;'n'asfortheniggersthatwroteit,I'lowI'dtake'n'lash'mt'll—""Peopletohelphim,BrotherMarples!Well,Ireckonyou'dthinksoifyou'dabeeninthishouseforawhileback.Why,they'vestoleeverythingtheycouldlaytheirhandson—andwea-watchingallthetime,mindyou.Theystolethatshirtrightoffo'theline!andasforthatsheettheymadetheragladderoutof,ther' ain't no telling how many times they didn't steal that; and flour, andcandles,andcandlesticks,andspoons,and theoldwarming-pan,andmostathousandthingsthatIdisremembernow,andmynewcalicodress;andmeandSilasandmySidandTomon theconstantwatchdayandnight,as Iwasa-tellingyou,andnotaoneofuscouldcatchhidenorhairnorsightnorsoundof them; andhere at the lastminute, lo andbeholdyou, they slides right inunder our noses and fools us, and not only foolsus but the Injun Territoryrobbers too, and actuly gets awaywith that nigger safe and sound, and thatwith sixteenmenand twenty-twodogs righton theirveryheels at that verytime!Itellyou,itjustbangsanythingIeverheardof.Why,speritscouldn'tadone better and been no smarter. And I reckon theymust a been sperits—because,youknowourdogs,and ther'ain'tnobetter;well, themdogsneverevengotonthetrackof'monce!Youexplainthattomeifyoucan!—anyofyou!""Well,itdoesbeat—""Lawsalive,Inever—"

"Sohelpme,Iwouldn'tabe—""House-thievesaswellas—""Goodnessgracioussakes,I'dabenafeardtoliveinsicha—""'Fraidtolive!—why,IwasthatscaredIdasn'thardlygotobed,orgetup,orlay down, or set down, Sister Ridgeway.Why, they'd steal the very—why,goodness sakes, you can guesswhat kind of a fluster I was in by the timemidnightcomelastnight.IhopetograciousifIwarn'tafraidthey'dstealsomeo' the family! Iwas just to that pass I didn't have no reasoning faculties nomore.Itlooksfoolishenoughnow,inthedaytime;butIsaystomyself,there'smytwopoorboysasleep,'wayupstairsinthatlonesomeroom,andIdeclaretogoodnessIwasthatuneasy'tIcrep'upthereandlocked'emin!Idid.Andanybody would. Because, you know, when you get scared that way, and itkeepsrunningon,andgettingworseandworseallthetime,andyourwitsgetsto addling, andyouget todoingall sortso'wild things, andbyandbyyouthinktoyourself,spos'nIwasaboy,andwasawayupthere,andthedoorain'tlocked, and you—" She stopped, looking kind of wondering, and then sheturnedherheadaroundslow,andwhenhereyelitonme—Igotupandtookawalk.SaysItomyself,Icanexplainbetterhowwecometonotbeinthatroomthismorning if Igoout toonesideandstudyover ita little.So Idone it.But Idasn'tgofur,orshe'dasentforme.Andwhenitwaslateinthedaythepeopleallwent,andthenIcomeinandtoldherthenoiseandshootingwakedupmeand"Sid,"andthedoorwaslocked,andwewantedtoseethefun,sowewentdown the lightning-rod, andbothofusgot hurt a little, andwedidn't neverwanttotrythatnomore.AndthenIwentonandtoldherallwhatItoldUncleSilas before; and then she said she'd forgive us, andmaybe itwas all rightenoughanyway,andaboutwhatabodymightexpectofboys,forallboyswasaprettyharum-scarumlotasfurasshecouldsee;andso,aslongasnoharmhadn'tcomeofit,shejudgedshebetterputinhertimebeinggratefulwewasaliveandwell and shehadus still, steadof frettingoverwhatwaspast anddone.Sothenshekissedme,andpattedmeonthehead,anddroppedintoakindofabrownstudy;andprettysoonjumpsup,andsays:"Why,lawsamercy,it'smostnight,andSidnotcomeyet!Whathasbecomeofthatboy?"Iseemychance;soIskipsupandsays:"I'llrunrightuptotownandgethim,"Isays."Noyouwon't,"shesays."You'llstayrightwher'youare;one'senoughtobelostatatime.Ifheain'theretosupper,youruncle'llgo."Well,hewarn'ttheretosupper;sorightaftersupperunclewent.

Hecomebackabouttenalittlebituneasy;hadn'trunacrossTom'strack.AuntSallywasagooddealuneasy;butUncleSilashesaidtherewarn'tnooccasionto be—boys will be boys, he said, and you'll see this one turn up in themorningallsoundandright.Soshehadtobesatisfied.Butshesaidshe'dsetupforhimawhileanyway,andkeepalightburningsohecouldseeit.AndthenwhenIwentuptobedshecomeupwithmeandfetchedhercandle,and tuckedme in,andmotheredmesogood I feltmean,and like Icouldn'tlookherintheface;andshesetdownonthebedandtalkedwithmealongtime,andsaidwhatasplendidboySidwas,anddidn'tseemtowant toeverstoptalkingabouthim;andkeptaskingmeeverynowandthenifIreckonedhecouldagot lost,orhurt,ormaybedrownded,andmightbe layingat thisminutesomewheressufferingordead,andshenotbyhimtohelphim,andsothe tearswoulddripdownsilent,and Iwould tellher thatSidwasall right,andwouldbehomeinthemorning,sure;andshewouldsqueezemyhand,ormaybekissme,andtellmetosayitagain,andkeeponsayingit,becauseitdone her good, and shewas in somuch trouble. Andwhen she was goingawayshelookeddowninmyeyessosteadyandgentle,andsays:"Thedoorain'tgoingtobelocked,Tom,andthere'sthewindowandtherod;butyou'llbegood,won'tyou?Andyouwon'tgo?Formysake."Laws knows I wanted to go bad enough to see about Tom, and was allintendingtogo;butafterthatIwouldn'tawent,notforkingdoms.ButshewasonmymindandTomwasonmymind,soIsleptveryrestless.And twiceIwentdowntherodaway in thenight,andslippedaroundfront,andseehersettingtherebyhercandle in thewindowwithhereyes towardstheroadandthetearsinthem;andIwishedIcoulddosomethingforher,butIcouldn't, only to swear that I wouldn't never do nothing to grieve her anymore.And the third time Iwaked up at dawn, and slid down, and shewasthereyet,andhercandlewasmostout,andheroldgrayheadwasrestingonherhand,andshewasasleep.

CHAPTERXLII.

THEoldmanwasuptownagainbeforebreakfast,butcouldn'tgetnotrackofTom;andbothof themsetat thetablethinking,andnotsayingnothing,andlookingmournful,andtheircoffeegettingcold,andnoteatinganything.Andbyandbytheoldmansays:"DidIgiveyoutheletter?""Whatletter?"

"TheoneIgotyesterdayoutofthepost-office.""No,youdidn'tgivemenoletter.""Well,Imustaforgotit."Soherummagedhispockets,andthenwentoffsomewhereswherehehadlaiditdown,andfetchedit,andgiveittoher.Shesays:"Why,it'sfromSt.Petersburg—it'sfromSis."Iallowedanotherwalkwoulddomegood;butIcouldn'tstir.Butbeforeshecouldbreakitopenshedroppeditandrun—forsheseesomething.AndsodidI.ItwasTomSawyeronamattress;andthatolddoctor;andJim,inhercalicodress, with his hands tied behind him; and a lot of people. I hid the letterbehindthefirstthingthatcomehandy,andrushed.SheflungherselfatTom,crying,andsays:"Oh,he'sdead,he'sdead,Iknowhe'sdead!"AndTomheturnedhisheadalittle,andmutteredsomethingorother,whichshowedhewarn'tinhisrightmind;thensheflungupherhands,andsays:"He'salive, thankGod!And that'senough!"andshesnatchedakissofhim,andflewforthehousetogetthebedready,andscatteringordersrightandleftattheniggersandeverybodyelse,asfastashertonguecouldgo,everyjumpoftheway.I followed themen to seewhat theywasgoing to dowith Jim; and theolddoctorandUncleSilasfollowedafterTomintothehouse.Themenwasveryhuffy,andsomeof themwanted tohangJimforanexample toall theotherniggers around there, so theywouldn't be trying to run away like Jimdone,andmakingsucharaftoftrouble,andkeepingawholefamilyscaredmosttodeathfordaysandnights.Buttheotherssaid,don'tdoit,itwouldn'tansweratall;heain'tournigger,andhisownerwouldturnupandmakeuspayforhim,sure.So thatcooled themdowna little,because thepeople that'salways themostanxiousfortohanganiggerthathain'tdonejustrightisalwaystheveryones that ain't the most anxious to pay for him when they've got theirsatisfactionoutofhim.TheycussedJimconsiderble,though,andgivehimacuffortwosidetheheadonceinawhile,butJimneversaidnothing,andheneverletontoknowme,and they took him to the same cabin, and put his own clothes on him, andchainedhimagain,andnot tonobed-legthis time,but toabigstapledroveinto the bottom log, and chained his hands, too, and both legs, and said hewarn'ttohavenothingbutbreadandwatertoeatafterthistillhisownercome,orhewassoldatauctionbecausehedidn'tcomeinacertainlengthof time,and filled up our hole, and said a couple of farmers with guns must standwatcharoundaboutthecabineverynight,andabulldogtiedtothedoorinthe

daytime;andaboutthistimetheywasthroughwiththejobandwastaperingoffwithakindofgenerlgood-byecussing,andthentheolddoctorcomesandtakesalook,andsays:"Don'tbenorougheronhimthanyou'reobleeged to,becauseheain'tabadnigger.WhenIgottowhereIfoundtheboyIseeIcouldn'tcutthebulletoutwithoutsomehelp,andhewarn'tinnoconditionformetoleavetogoandgethelp;andhegotalittleworseandalittleworse,andafteralongtimehewentoutofhishead,andwouldn'tletmecomea-nighhimanymore,andsaidifIchalkedhisrafthe'dkillme,andnoendofwildfoolishnesslikethat,andIseeIcouldn'tdoanythingatallwithhim;soIsays,Igottohavehelpsomehow;andtheminuteIsaysitoutcrawlsthisniggerfromsomewheresandsayshe'llhelp,andhedoneit,too,anddoneitverywell.OfcourseIjudgedhemustbearunawaynigger,andthereIwas!andthereIhadtostickrightstraightalongalltherestofthedayandallnight.Itwasafix,Itellyou!Ihadacoupleofpatientswith thechills,andofcourse I'dof liked to runup to townandseethem,butIdasn't,becausetheniggermightgetaway,andthenI'dbetoblame;andyetneveraskiffcomecloseenoughformetohail.SothereIhadtostickplumbuntildaylight thismorning;andIneverseeaniggerthatwasabetternuss or faithfuller, and yet hewas risking his freedom to do it, andwas alltired out, too, and I see plain enough he'd beenworkedmain hard lately. Iliked the nigger for that; I tell you, gentlemen, a nigger like that isworth athousanddollars—andkindtreatment,too.IhadeverythingIneeded,andtheboy was doing as well there as he would a done at home—better, maybe,because itwas so quiet; but there Iwas,with both of 'monmyhands, andthere I had to stick till about dawn thismorning; then somemen in a skiffcomeby,andasgoodluckwouldhaveittheniggerwassettingbythepalletwithhisheadproppedonhiskneessoundasleep;soImotionedtheminquiet,andtheyslippeduponhimandgrabbedhimandtiedhimbeforeheknowedwhathewasabout,andweneverhadnotrouble.Andtheboybeinginakindofaflightysleep,too,wemuffledtheoarsandhitchedtherafton,andtowedheroververyniceandquiet,andtheniggernevermadetheleastrownorsaidaword from the start.Heain'tnobadnigger,gentlemen; that'swhat I thinkabouthim."Somebodysays:"Well,itsoundsverygood,doctor,I'mobleegedtosay."Thentheotherssoftenedupalittle,too,andIwasmightythankfultothatolddoctor for doing Jim that good turn; and Iwasglad itwas according tomyjudgmentofhim,too;becauseIthoughthehadagoodheartinhimandwasagoodmanthefirsttimeIseehim.ThentheyallagreedthatJimhadactedverywell,andwasdeservingtohavesomenoticetookofit,andreward.Soeveryone of them promised, right out and hearty, that theywouldn't cuss him no

more.Then they come out and locked him up. I hoped theywas going to say hecouldhaveoneortwoofthechainstookoff,becausetheywasrottenheavy,orcouldhavemeatandgreenswithhisbreadandwater;buttheydidn'tthinkofit, and I reckoned it warn't best for me to mix in, but I judged I'd get thedoctor'syarn toAuntSallysomehoworotherassoonas I'dgot through thebreakers that was laying just ahead ofme—explanations, Imean, of how IforgottomentionaboutSidbeingshotwhenIwastellinghowhimandmeputinthatdrattednightpaddlingaroundhuntingtherunawaynigger.But Ihadplenty time.AuntSally she stuck to the sick-roomalldayandallnight,andeverytimeIseeUncleSilasmooningaroundIdodgedhim.NextmorningIheardTomwasagooddealbetter,and theysaidAuntSallywasgonetogetanap.SoIslipstothesick-room,andifIfoundhimawakeIreckonedwecouldputupayarnforthefamilythatwouldwash.Buthewassleeping,andsleepingverypeaceful,too;andpale,notfire-facedthewayhewaswhenhecome.SoIsetdownandlaidforhimtowake.Inabouthalfanhour Aunt Sally comes gliding in, and there I was, up a stump again! Shemotionedmetobestill,andsetdownbyme,andbeguntowhisper,andsaidwecouldallbejoyfulnow,becauseallthesymptomswasfirst-rate,andhe'dbeensleepinglikethatforeversolong,andlookingbetterandpeacefullerallthetime,andtentoonehe'dwakeupinhisrightmind.Soweset therewatching, andbyandbyhe stirs abit, andopenedhiseyesverynatural,andtakesalook,andsays:"Hello!—why,I'mathome!How'sthat?Where'stheraft?""It'sallright,"Isays."AndJim?""Thesame,"Isays,butcouldn'tsayitprettybrash.Buthenevernoticed,butsays:"Good!Splendid!Nowwe'reallrightandsafe!DidyoutellAunty?"Iwasgoingtosayyes;butshechippedinandsays:"Aboutwhat,Sid?""Why,aboutthewaythewholethingwasdone.""Whatwholething?""Why, thewhole thing.There ain't but one; howwe set the runawayniggerfree—meandTom.""Goodland!Set therun—What is thechild talkingabout!Dear,dear,outofhisheadagain!""No,Iain'toutofmyhead;IknowallwhatI'mtalkingabout.Wedidsethim

free—me and Tom.We laid out to do it, and we done it. And we done itelegant, too."He'd got a start, and she never checked him up, just set andstaredandstared,andlethimclipalong,andIseeitwarn'tnouseformetoput in. "Why, Aunty, it cost us a power of work—weeks of it—hours andhours,everynight,whilstyouwasallasleep.Andwehadtostealcandles,andthesheet,andtheshirt,andyourdress,andspoons,andtinplates,andcase-knives,andthewarming-pan,andthegrindstone,andflour,andjustnoendofthings,andyoucan'tthinkwhatworkitwastomakethesaws,andpens,andinscriptions,andonethingoranother,andyoucan'tthinkhalfthefunitwas.Andwe had tomake up the pictures of coffins and things, and nonnamousletters from the robbers, andgetupanddown the lightning-rod,anddig theholeintothecabin,andmadetheropeladderandsenditincookedupinapie,andsendinspoonsandthingstoworkwithinyourapronpocket—""Mercysakes!""—andloadupthecabinwithratsandsnakesandsoon,forcompanyforJim;andthenyoukeptTomheresolongwiththebutterinhishatthatyoucomenearspilingthewholebusiness,becausethemencomebeforewewasoutofthecabin,andwehadtorush,andtheyheardusandletdriveatus,andIgotmy share, andwedodgedoutof thepath and let themgoby, andwhen thedogscometheywarn'tinterestedinus,butwentforthemostnoise,andwegotourcanoe,andmadefortheraft,andwasallsafe,andJimwasafreeman,andwedoneitallbyourselves,andwasn'titbully,Aunty!""Well,Ineverheardthelikesofitinallmyborndays!Soitwasyou,youlittlerapscallions, that'sbeenmakingall this trouble, and turnedeverybody'switscleaninsideoutandscaredusallmosttodeath.I'veasgoodanotionaseverIhadinmylifetotakeitouto'youthisveryminute.Tothink,hereI'vebeen,nightafternight,a—youjustgetwellonce,youyoungscamp,andIlayI'lltantheOldHarryouto'botho'ye!"ButTom,hewassoproudandjoyful,hejustcouldn'tholdin,andhistonguejustwent it—shea-chipping in,andspitting fireallalong,andbothof themgoingitatonce,likeacatconvention;andshesays:"Well,yougetalltheenjoymentyoucanoutofitnow,formindItellyouifIcatchyoumeddlingwithhimagain—""Meddlingwithwho?"Tomsays,droppinghissmileandlookingsurprised."Withwho?Why,therunawaynigger,ofcourse.Who'dyoureckon?"Tomlooksatmeverygrave,andsays:"Tom,didn'tyoujusttellmehewasallright?Hasn'thegotaway?""Him?" saysAuntSally; "the runawaynigger? 'Deed he hasn't. They've gothimback,safeandsound,andhe'sinthatcabinagain,onbreadandwater,and

loadeddownwithchains,tillhe'sclaimedorsold!"Tom rose square up in bed, with his eye hot, and his nostrils opening andshuttinglikegills,andsingsouttome:"Theyhain'tnorighttoshuthimup!SHOVE!—anddon'tyouloseaminute.Turn him loose! he ain't no slave; he's as free as any cretur thatwalks thisearth!""Whatdoesthechildmean?""ImeaneverywordIsay,AuntSally,andifsomebodydon'tgo,I'llgo.I'veknowed him all his life, and so hasTom, there.OldMissWatson died twomonthsago,andshewasashamedsheeverwasgoing to sellhimdown theriver,andsaidso;andshesethimfreeinherwill.""Thenwhatonearthdidyouwanttosethimfreefor,seeinghewasalreadyfree?""Well,thatisaquestion,Imustsay;andjustlikewomen!Why,Iwantedtheadventureofit;andI'dawadedneck-deepinbloodto—goodnessalive,AuntPolly!"If shewarn't standing right there, just inside the door, looking as sweet andcontentedasanangelhalffullofpie,IwishImaynever!AuntSallyjumpedforher,andmosthuggedtheheadoffofher,andcriedoverher,andIfoundagoodenoughplaceformeunderthebed,foritwasgettingpretty sultry for us, seemed tome. And I peeped out, and in a little whileTom'sAuntPollyshookherself looseandstoodthere lookingacrossatTomoverherspectacles—kindofgrindinghimintotheearth,youknow.Andthenshesays:"Yes,youbetterturny'rheadaway—IwouldifIwasyou,Tom.""Oh,dearyme!"saysAuntSally;"Ishechangedso?Why,thatain'tTom,it'sSid;Tom's—Tom's—why,whereisTom?Hewashereaminuteago.""Youmeanwhere'sHuckFinn—that'swhatyoumean!IreckonIhain'traisedsuch a scamp asmyTom all these years not to know himwhen I see him.Thatwouldbeaprettyhowdy-do.Comeoutfromunderthatbed,HuckFinn."SoIdoneit.Butnotfeelingbrash.AuntSallyshewasoneofthemixed-upest-lookingpersonsIeversee—exceptone,andthatwasUncleSilas,whenhecomeinandtheytolditalltohim.Itkindofmadehimdrunk,asyoumaysay,andhedidn'tknownothingatalltherestoftheday,andpreachedaprayer-meetingsermonthatnightthatgavehimarattlingruputation,becausetheoldestmanintheworldcouldn'taunderstoodit.SoTom'sAuntPolly,shetoldallaboutwhoIwas,andwhat;andIhadtoupandtellhowIwasinsuchatightplacethatwhenMrs.Phelpstookmefor

TomSawyer—shechippedinandsays,"Oh,goonandcallmeAuntSally,I'musedtoitnow,and'tain'tnoneedtochange"—thatwhenAuntSallytookmeforTomSawyerIhadtostandit—therewarn'tnootherway,andIknowedhewouldn'tmind, because itwould be nuts for him, being amystery, andhe'dmakeanadventureoutof it,andbeperfectlysatisfied.Andso it turnedout,andheletontobeSid,andmadethingsassoftashecouldforme.AndhisAuntPollyshesaidTomwasrightaboutoldMissWatsonsettingJimfreeinherwill;andso,sureenough,TomSawyerhadgoneandtookallthattrouble and bother to set a free nigger free! and I couldn't ever understandbefore,untilthatminuteandthattalk,howhecouldhelpabodysetaniggerfreewithhisbringing-up.Well,AuntPollyshesaidthatwhenAuntSallywrotetoherthatTomandSidhadcomeallrightandsafe,shesaystoherself:"Look at that, now! I might have expected it, letting him go off that waywithoutanybodytowatchhim.SonowIgottogoandtrapseallthewaydowntheriver,elevenhundredmile,andfindoutwhatthatcreetur'suptothistime,aslongasIcouldn'tseemtogetanyansweroutofyouaboutit.""Why,Ineverheardnothingfromyou,"saysAuntSally."Well,Iwonder!Why,IwroteyoutwicetoaskyouwhatyoucouldmeanbySidbeinghere.""Well,Inevergot'em,Sis."AuntPollysheturnsaroundslowandsevere,andsays:"You,Tom!""Well—what?"hesays,kindofpettish."Don'tyouwhatme,youimpudentthing—handoutthemletters.""Whatletters?""Themletters.Ibebound,ifIhavetotakea-holtofyouI'll—""They'reinthetrunk.There,now.Andthey'rejustthesameastheywaswhenIgotthemoutoftheoffice.Ihain't lookedinto them,Ihain't touchedthem.ButIknowedthey'dmaketrouble,andIthoughtifyouwarn'tinnohurry,I'd—""Well, you do need skinning, there ain't no mistake about it. And I wroteanotheronetotellyouIwascoming;andIs'posehe—""No,itcomeyesterday;Ihain'treadityet,butit'sallright,I'vegotthatone."Iwanted tooffer tobet twodollars shehadn't,but I reckonedmaybe itwasjustassafetonotto.SoIneversaidnothing.

CHAPTERTHELAST

THEfirsttimeIcatchedTomprivateIaskedhimwhatwashisidea,timeoftheevasion?—what itwashe'dplannedtodoif theevasionworkedall rightandhemanagedtosetaniggerfreethatwasalreadyfreebefore?Andhesaid,whathehadplannedinhisheadfromthestart,ifwegotJimoutallsafe,wasforustorunhimdowntheriverontheraft,andhaveadventuresplumbtothemouthoftheriver,andthentellhimabouthisbeingfree,andtakehimbackup home on a steamboat, in style, and pay him for his lost time, andwritewordaheadandgetoutalltheniggersaround,andhavethemwaltzhimintotownwitha torchlightprocessionandabrass-band, and thenhewouldbeahero,andsowouldwe.ButIreckoneditwasaboutaswellthewayitwas.WehadJimoutofthechainsinnotime,andwhenAuntPollyandUncleSilasand Aunt Sally found out how good he helped the doctor nurse Tom, theymadeaheapof fussoverhim,and fixedhimupprime,andgivehimallhewantedtoeat,andagoodtime,andnothingtodo.Andwehadhimuptothesick-room, and had a high talk; and Tom give Jim forty dollars for beingprisonerforussopatient,anddoingitupsogood,andJimwaspleasedmosttodeath,andbustedout,andsays:"Dah,now,Huck,whatItellyou?—whatItellyouupdahonJacksonislan'?ItoleyouIgotahairybreas',enwhat'sdesignunit;enI toleyouIbenrichwunst,engwinetertoberichagin;enit'scometrue;enheahsheis!dah,now!doan'talktome—signsissigns,mineItellyou;enIknowedjis' 'swell 'atI'uzgwineterberichaginasI'sa-stannin'heahdisminute!"AndthenTomhetalkedalongandtalkedalong,andsays, le'sall threeslideoutofhereoneofthesenightsandgetanoutfit,andgoforhowlingadventuresamongsttheInjuns,overintheTerritory,foracoupleofweeksortwo;andIsays,allright,thatsuitsme,butIain'tgotnomoneyfortobuytheoutfit,andIreckon I couldn't get none from home, because it's likely pap's been backbeforenow,andgotitallawayfromJudgeThatcheranddrunkitup."No,hehain't,"Tomsays;"it'sall thereyet—sixthousanddollarsandmore;andyourpaphain'teverbeenbacksince.Hadn'twhenIcomeaway,anyhow."Jimsays,kindofsolemn:"Heain'ta-comin'backnomo',Huck."Isays:"Why,Jim?""Nemminewhy,Huck—butheain'tcomin'backnomo."ButIkeptathim;soatlasthesays:

"Doan'you'memberdehousedatwasfloat'ndownderiver,endeywuzamanindah,kiveredup,enIwentinenunkiveredhimanddidn'letyoucomein?Well,den,youkingityo'moneywhenyouwantsit,kasedatwuzhim."Tom'smostwellnow,andgothisbulletaroundhisneckonawatch-guardforawatch,andisalwaysseeingwhattimeitis,andsothereain'tnothingmoreto write about, and I am rotten glad of it, because if I'd a knowed what atroubleitwastomakeabookIwouldn'tatackledit,andain'ta-goingtonomore.ButIreckonIgottolightoutfortheTerritoryaheadoftherest,becauseAuntSallyshe'sgoingtoadoptmeandsivilizeme,andIcan'tstandit.Ibeentherebefore.THEEND.YOURSTRULY,HUCKFINN.

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