Whenbreakfastwasreadywelolledonthegrassandeatitsmokinghot。
Jimlaiditinwithallhismight,forhewasmostaboutstarved。Thenwhenwehadgotprettywellstuffed,welaidoffandlazied。ByandbyJimsays:
“Butlookyhere,Huck,whowuzitdat”uzkilledindatshantyefitwarn”tyou?“
ThenItoldhimthewholething,andhesaiditwassmart。HesaidTomSawyercouldn”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。HonestINJUN,Iwill。PeoplewouldcallmealowdownAbolitionistanddespisemeforkeepingmum——butthatdon”tmakenodifference。Iain”ta-goingtotell,andIain”ta-goingbackthere,anyways。So,now,le”sknowallaboutit。”
“Well,yousee,it”uzdisway。Olemissus——dat”sMissWatson——shepecksonmealldetime,entreatsmepootyrough,butsheawluzsaidshewouldn”sellmedowntoOrleans。ButInoticeddeywuzaniggertraderroun”deplaceconsidablelately,enIbegintogitoneasy。Well,onenightIcreepstodedo”pootylate,endedo”warn”tquiteshet,enIhearoldmissustelldewiddershegwynetosellmedowntoOrleans,butshedidn”
wantto,butshecouldgiteighthund”ddollarsforme,enit”uzsichabigstacko”moneyshecouldn”resis”。Dewiddershetrytogithertosayshewouldn”doit,butIneverwaitedtohearderes”。Ilitoutmightyquick,Itellyou。
“Ituckoutenshindowndehill,en”spectostealaskift”longdesho”som”ers”bovedetown,butdeywuzpeoplea-stirringyit,soIhidindeoletumble-downcooper-shopondebanktowaitforeverybodytogo”way。Well,Iwuzdahallnight。Deywuzsomebodyroun”alldetime。”Long”boutsixindemawnin”skiftsbegintogoby,en”bouteighternineeveryskiftdatwent”longwuztalkin””bouthowyo”papcomeovertodetownensayyou”skilled。Deselas”skiftswuzfullo”ladiesengenlmena-goin”
overfortoseedeplace。Sometimesdey”dpullupatdesho”entakeares”b”fo”deystartedacrost,sobydetalkIgottoknowall”boutdekillin”。I”uzpowerfulsorryyou”skilled,Huck,butIain”tnomo”now。
“Ilaiddahunderdeshavin”sallday。I”uzhungry,butIwarn”tafeard;
bekaseIknowedolemissusendewidderwuzgoin”tostarttodecampmeet”n”
rightarterbreakfas”enbegoneallday,endeyknowsIgoesoffwiddecattle”boutdaylight,sodeywouldn””spectoseemeroun”deplace,ensodeywouldn”missmetellarterdarkindeevenin”。Deyutherservantswouldn”missme,kasedey”dshinoutentakeholidaysoonasdeolefolks”uzout”ndeway。
“Well,whenitcomedarkItuckoutupderiverroad,enwent”bouttwomileermoretowhahdeywarn”tnohouses。I”dmadeupmymine”boutwhatI”sagwynetodo。Yousee,efIkep”ontryin”togitawayafoot,dedogs”udtrackme;efIstoleaskifttocrossover,dey”dmissdatskift,yousee,endey”dknow”boutwhahI”dlan”ondeyutherside,enwhahtopickupmytrack。SoIsays,araffiswhatI”sarter;itdoan”
MAKEnotrack。
“Iseealighta-comin”roun”dep”intbymeby,soIwade”inenshove”
alogaheado”meenswummore”nhalfwayacrostderiver,engotin”mongstdedriftwood,enkep”myheaddownlow,enkinderswumagindecurrenttellderaffcomealong。DenIswumtodesternuvitentucka-holt。Itcloudedupen”uzpootydarkforalittlewhile。SoIclumbupenlaiddownondeplanks。Demen”uzall”wayyonderindemiddle,whahdelanternwuz。Deriverwuzarisin”,endeywuzagoodcurrent;soIreck”n”d”atbyfo”indemawnin”I”dbetwenty-fivemiledownderiver,endenI”dslipinjisb”fo”daylightenswimasho”,entaketodewoodsondeIllinoisside。
“ButIdidn”havenoluck。Whenwe”uzmos”downtodeheaderdeislan”
amanbegintocomeaftwiddelantern,Iseeitwarn”tnousefertowait,soIslidoverboardenstruckoutferdeislan”。Well,IhadanotionI
couldlan”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”vehadtokeepinthewoodsallthetime,ofcourse。
Didyouhear”emshootingthecannon?“
“Oh,yes。Iknoweddeywasarteryou。Iseeumgobyheah——watchedumthoodebushes。”
Someyoungbirdscomealong,flyingayardortwoatatimeandlighting。
Jimsaiditwasasignitwasgoingtorain。Hesaiditwasasignwhenyoungchickensflewthatway,andsohereckoneditwasthesamewaywhenyoungbirdsdoneit。Iwasgoingtocatchsomeofthem,butJimwouldn”tletme。Hesaiditwasdeath。Hesaidhisfatherlaidmightysickonce,andsomeofthemcatchedabird,andhisoldgrannysaidhisfatherwoulddie,andhedid。
AndJimsaidyoumustn”tcountthethingsyouaregoingtocookfordinner,becausethatwouldbringbadluck。Thesameifyoushookthetable-clothaftersundown。Andhesaidifamanownedabeehiveandthatmandied,thebeesmustbetoldaboutitbeforesun-upnextmorning,orelsethebeeswouldallweakendownandquitworkanddie。Jimsaidbeeswouldn”tstingidiots;butIdidn”tbelievethat,becauseIhadtriedthemlotsoftimesmyself,andtheywouldn”tstingme。
Ihadheardaboutsomeofthesethingsbefore,butnotallofthem。
Jimknowedallkindsofsigns。Hesaidheknowedmosteverything。Isaiditlookedtomelikeallthesignswasaboutbadluck,andsoIaskedhimiftherewarn”tanygood-lucksigns。Hesays:
“Mightyfew——an”DEYain”tnousetoabody。Whatyouwanttoknowwhengoodluck”sa-comin”for?Wanttokeepitoff?“Andhesaid:“Efyou”sgothairyarmsenahairybreas”,it”sasigndatyou”sagwynetoberich。
Well,dey”ssomeuseinasignlikedat,”kaseit”ssofurahead。Yousee,maybeyou”sgottobepo”alongtimefust,ensoyoumightgitdiscourage”
enkillyo”sef”fyoudidn”knowbydesigndatyougwynetoberichbymeby。”
“Haveyougothairyarmsandahairybreast,Jim?“
“What”sdeusetoaxdatquestion?Don”tyouseeIhas?“
“Well,areyourich?“
“No,butIbenrichwunst,andgwynetoberichagin。WunstIhadfoteendollars,butItucktospecalat”n”,engotbustedout。”
“Whatdidyouspeculatein,Jim?“
“Well,fustItackledstock。”
“Whatkindofstock?“
“Why,livestock——cattle,youknow。Iputtendollarsinacow。ButIain”gwynetoresknomo”moneyinstock。Decowup”n”diedonmyhan”s。”
“Soyoulostthetendollars。”
“No,Ididn”tloseitall。Ion”ylos””boutnineofit。Isoledehideentallerforadollarentencents。”
“Youhadfivedollarsandtencentsleft。Didyouspeculateanymore?“
“Yes。Youknowthatone-laiggedniggerdatb”longstooldMistoBradish?
Well,hesotupabank,ensayanybodydatputinadollarwouldgitfo”
dollarsmo”atdeen”erdeyear。Well,alldeniggerswentin,butdeydidn”thavemuch。Iwuzdeon”yonedathadmuch。SoIstuckoutformo”
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,dathadketchedawoodflat,enhismarsterdidn”knowit;enIboughtitoff”nhimentoldhimtotakedethirty-fivedollarswhendeen”erdeyearcome;butsomebodystoledewood-flatdatnight,ennexdaydeone-laiggedniggersaydebank”sbusted。Sodeydidn”noneuvusgitnomoney。”
“Whatdidyoudowiththetencents,Jim?“
“Well,I”uzgwynetospen”it,butIhadadream,endedreamtolemetogiveittoaniggername”Balum——Balum”sAssdeycallhimforshort;
he”soneerdemchuckleheads,youknow。Buthe”slucky,deysay,enIseeIwarn”tlucky。DedreamsayletBaluminves”detencentsenhe”dmakearaiseforme。Well,Balumhetuckdemoney,enwhenhewuzinchurchheheardepreachersaydatwhoevergivetodepo”len”todeLord,enboun”togithismoneybackahund”dtimes。SoBalumhetuckengivedetencentstodepo”,enlaidlowtoseewhatwuzgwynetocomeofit。”
“Well,whatdidcomeofit,Jim?“
“Nuffnnevercomeofit。Icouldn”managetok”leckdatmoneynoway;
enBalumhecouldn”。Iain”gwynetolen”nomo”money”doutIseedesecurity。
Boun”togityo”moneybackahund”dtimes,depreachersays!EfIcouldgitdetenCENTSback,I”dcallitsquah,enbegladerdechanst。”
“Well,it”sallrightanyway,Jim,longasyou”regoingtoberichagainsometimeorother。”
“Yes;enI”srichnow,cometolookatit。Iownsmysef,enI”swutheighthund”ddollars。IwishtIhaddemoney,Iwouldn”wantnomo”。”
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter9Chapter9IWANTEDtogoandlookataplacerightaboutthemiddleoftheislandthatI”dfoundwhenIwasexploring;sowestartedandsoongottoit,becausetheislandwasonlythreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide。
Thisplacewasatolerablelong,steephillorridgeaboutfortyfoothigh。Wehadaroughtimegettingtothetop,thesideswassosteepandthebushessothick。Wetrampedandclumbaroundalloverit,andbyandbyfoundagoodbigcavernintherock,mostuptothetoponthesidetowardsIllinois。Thecavernwasasbigastwoorthreeroomsbunchedtogether,andJimcouldstandupstraightinit。Itwascoolinthere。Jimwasforputtingourtrapsinthererightaway,butIsaidwedidn”twanttobeclimbingupanddownthereallthetime。
Jimsaidifwehadthecanoehidinagoodplace,andhadallthetrapsinthecavern,wecouldrushthereifanybodywastocometotheisland,andtheywouldneverfinduswithoutdogs。And,besides,hesaidthemlittlebirdshadsaiditwasgoingtorain,anddidIwantthethingstogetwet?
Sowewentbackandgotthecanoe,andpaddledupabreastthecavern,andluggedallthetrapsupthere。Thenwehuntedupaplaceclosebytohidethecanoein,amongstthethickwillows。Wetooksomefishoffofthelinesandsetthemagain,andbeguntogetreadyfordinner。
Thedoorofthecavernwasbigenoughtorollahogsheadin,andononesideofthedoorthefloorstuckoutalittlebit,andwasflatandagoodplacetobuildafireon。Sowebuiltitthereandcookeddinner。
Wespreadtheblanketsinsideforacarpet,andeatourdinnerinthere。
Weputalltheotherthingshandyatthebackofthecavern。Prettysoonitdarkenedup,andbeguntothunderandlighten;sothebirdswasrightaboutit。Directlyitbeguntorain,anditrainedlikeallfury,too,andIneverseethewindblowso。Itwasoneoftheseregularsummerstorms。
Itwouldgetsodarkthatitlookedallblue-blackoutside,andlovely;
andtherainwouldthrashalongbysothickthatthetreesoffalittlewayslookeddimandspiderwebby;andherewouldcomeablastofwindthatwouldbendthetreesdownandturnupthepaleundersideoftheleaves;
andthenaperfectripperofagustwouldfollowalongandsetthebranchestotossingtheirarmsasiftheywasjustwild;andnext,whenitwasjustaboutthebluestandblackest——FST!itwasasbrightasglory,andyou”dhavealittleglimpseoftreetopsa-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,Itwasmightycoolandshadyinthedeepwoods,evenifthesunwasblazingoutside。
Wewentwindinginandoutamongstthetrees,andsometimesthevineshungsothickwehadtobackawayandgosomeotherway。Well,oneveryoldbroken-downtreeyoucouldseerabbitsandsnakesandsuchthings;andwhentheislandhadbeenoverflowedadayortwotheygotsotame,onaccountofbeinghungry,thatyoucouldpaddlerightupandputyourhandonthemifyouwantedto;butnotthesnakesandturtles——theywouldslideoffinthewater。Theridgeourcavernwasinwasfullofthem。Wecouldahadpetsenoughifwe”dwantedthem。
Onenightwecatchedalittlesectionofalumberraft——nicepineplanks。Itwastwelvefootwideandaboutfifteenorsixteenfootlong,andthetopstoodabovewatersixorseveninches——asolid,levelfloor。
Wecouldseesaw-logsgobyinthedaylightsometimes,butweletthemgo;wedidn”tshowourselvesindaylight。
Anothernightwhenwewasupattheheadoftheisland,justbeforedaylight,herecomesaframe-housedown,onthewestside。Shewasatwo-story,andtiltedoverconsiderable。Wepaddledoutandgotaboard——clumbinatanupstairswindow。Butitwastoodarktoseeyet,sowemadethecanoefastandsetinhertowaitfordaylight。
Thelightbeguntocomebeforewegottothefootoftheisland。Thenwelookedinatthewindow。Wecouldmakeoutabed,andatable,andtwooldchairs,andlotsofthingsaroundaboutonthefloor,andtherewasclotheshangingagainstthewall。Therewassomethinglayingonthefloorinthefarcornerthatlookedlikeaman。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;andalloverthewallswastheignorantestkindofwordsandpicturesmadewithcharcoal。Therewastwoolddirtycalicodresses,andasun-bonnet,andsomewomen”sunderclotheshangingagainstthewall,andsomemen”sclothing,too。Weputthelotintothecanoe——itmightcomegood。Therewasaboy”soldspeckledstrawhatonthefloor;Itookthat,too。Andtherewasabottlethathadhadmilkinit,andithadaragstopperforababytosuck。Wewouldatookthebottle,butitwasbroke。Therewasaseedyoldchest,andanoldhairtrunkwiththehingesbroke。Theystoodopen,buttherewarn”tnothingleftinthemthatwasanyaccount。Thewaythingswasscatteredaboutwereckonedthepeopleleftinahurry,andwarn”tfixedsoastocarryoffmostoftheirstuff。
Wegotanoldtinlantern,andabutcher-knifewithoutanyhandle,andabran-newBarlowknifeworthtwobitsinanystore,andalotoftallowcandles,andatincandlestick,andagourd,andatincup,andarattyoldbedquiltoffthebed,andareticulewithneedlesandpinsandbeeswaxandbuttonsandthreadandallsuchtruckinit,andahatchetandsomenails,andafishlineasthickasmylittlefingerwithsomemonstroushooksonit,andarollofbuckskin,andaleatherdog-collar,andahorseshoe,andsomevialsofmedicinethatdidn”thavenolabelonthem;andjustaswewasleavingIfoundatolerablegoodcurry-comb,andJimhefoundarattyoldfiddle-bow,andawoodenleg。Thestrapswasbrokeoffofit,but,barringthat,itwasagoodenoughleg,thoughitwastoolongformeandnotlongenoughforJim,andwecouldn”tfindtheotherone,thoughwehuntedallaround。
Andso,takeitallaround,wemadeagoodhaul。Whenwewasreadytoshoveoffwewasaquarterofamilebelowtheisland,anditwasprettybroadday;soImadeJimlaydowninthecanoeandcoverupwiththequilt,becauseifhesetuppeoplecouldtellhewasaniggeragoodwaysoff。
IpaddledovertotheIllinoisshore,anddrifteddownmostahalfamiledoingit。Icreptupthedeadwaterunderthebank,andhadn”tnoaccidentsanddidn”tseenobody。Wegothomeallsafe。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter10Chapter10AFTERbreakfastIwantedtotalkaboutthedeadmanandguessouthowhecometobekilled,butJimdidn”twantto。Hesaiditwouldfetchbadluck;
andbesides,hesaid,hemightcomeandha”ntus;hesaidamanthatwarn”tburiedwasmorelikelytogoaha”ntingaroundthanonethatwasplantedandcomfortable。Thatsoundedprettyreasonable,soIdidn”tsaynomore;
butIcouldn”tkeepfromstudyingoveritandwishingIknowedwhoshottheman,andwhattheydoneitfor。
Werummagedtheclotheswe”dgot,andfoundeightdollarsinsilversewedupintheliningofanoldblanketovercoat。Jimsaidhereckonedthepeopleinthathousestolethecoat,becauseifthey”daknowedthemoneywastheretheywouldn”taleftit。IsaidIreckonedtheykilledhim,too;butJimdidn”twanttotalkaboutthat。Isays:
“Nowyouthinkit”sbadluck;butwhatdidyousaywhenIfetchedinthesnake-skinthatIfoundonthetopoftheridgedaybeforeyesterday?
Yousaiditwastheworstbadluckintheworldtotouchasnake-skinwithmyhands。Well,here”syourbadluck!We”verakedinallthistruckandeightdollarsbesides。Iwishwecouldhavesomebadlucklikethiseveryday,Jim。”
“Neveryoumind,honey,neveryoumind。Don”tyougittoopeart。It”sa-comin”。MindItellyou,it”sa-comin”。”
Itdidcome,too。ItwasaTuesdaythatwehadthattalk。Well,afterdinnerFridaywewaslayingaroundinthegrassattheupperendoftheridge,andgotoutoftobacco。Iwenttothecaverntogetsome,andfoundarattlesnakeinthere。Ikilledhim,andcurledhimuponthefootofJim”sblanket,eversonatural,thinkingthere”dbesomefunwhenJimfoundhimthere。Well,bynightIforgotallaboutthesnake,andwhenJimflunghimselfdownontheblanketwhileIstruckalightthesnake”smatewasthere,andbithim。
Hejumpedupyelling,andthefirstthingthelightshowedwasthevarmintcurledupandreadyforanotherspring。Ilaidhimoutinasecondwithastick,andJimgrabbedpap”swhisky-jugandbeguntopouritdown。
Hewasbarefooted,andthesnakebithimrightontheheel。Thatallcomesofmybeingsuchafoolastonotrememberthatwhereveryouleaveadeadsnakeitsmatealwayscomesthereandcurlsaroundit。Jimtoldmetochopoffthesnake”sheadandthrowitaway,andthenskinthebodyandroastapieceofit。Idoneit,andheeatitandsaiditwouldhelpcurehim。Hemademetakeofftherattlesandtiethemaroundhiswrist,too。Hesaidthatthatwouldhelp。ThenIslidoutquietandthrowedthesnakesclearawayamongstthebushes;forIwarn”tgoingtoletJimfindoutitwasallmyfault,notifIcouldhelpit。
Jimsuckedandsuckedatthejug,andnowandthenhegotoutofhisheadandpitchedaroundandyelled;buteverytimehecometohimselfhewenttosuckingatthejugagain。Hisfootswelledupprettybig,andsodidhisleg;butbyandbythedrunkbeguntocome,andsoIjudgedhewasallright;butI”ddrutherbeenbitwithasnakethanpap”swhisky。
Jimwaslaidupforfourdaysandnights。Thentheswellingwasallgoneandhewasaroundagain。ImadeupmymindIwouldn”tevertakea-holtofasnake-skinagainwithmyhands,nowthatIseewhathadcomeofit。
JimsaidhereckonedIwouldbelievehimnexttime。Andhesaidthathandlingasnakeskinwassuchawfulbadluckthatmaybewehadn”tgottotheendofityet。Hesaidhedrutherseethenewmoonoverhisleftshoulderasmuchasathousandtimesthantakeupasnake-skininhishand。Well,I
wasgettingtofeelthatwaymyself,thoughI”vealwaysreckonedthatlookingatthenewmoonoveryourleftshoulderisoneofthecarelessestandfoolishestthingsabodycando。OldHankBunkerdoneitonce,andbraggedaboutit;
andinlessthantwoyearshegotdrunkandfelloffoftheshot-tower,andspreadhimselfoutsothathewasjustakindofalayer,asyoumaysay;andtheyslidhimedgewaysbetweentwobarndoorsforacoffin,andburiedhimso,sotheysay,butIdidn”tseeit。Paptoldme。Butanywayitallcomeoflookingatthemoonthatway,likeafool。
Well,thedayswentalong,andtheriverwentdownbetweenitsbanksagain;andaboutthefirstthingwedonewastobaitoneofthebighookswithaskinnedrabbitandsetitandcatchacatfishthatwasasbigasaman,beingsixfoottwoincheslong,andweighedovertwohundredpounds。
Wecouldn”thandlehim,ofcourse;hewouldaflungusintoIllinois。Wejustsetthereandwatchedhimripandteararoundtillhedrownded。Wefoundabrassbuttoninhisstomachandaroundball,andlotsofrubbage。
Wesplittheballopenwiththehatchet,andtherewasaspoolinit。Jimsaidhe”dhadittherealongtime,tocoatitoversoandmakeaballofit。ItwasasbigafishaswasevercatchedintheMississippi,Ireckon。
Jimsaidhehadn”teverseenabiggerone。Hewouldabeenworthagooddealoveratthevillage。Theypeddleoutsuchafishasthatbythepoundinthemarkethousethere;everybodybuyssomeofhim;hismeat”saswhiteassnowandmakesagoodfry。
NextmorningIsaiditwasgettingslowanddull,andIwantedtogetastirringupsomeway。IsaidIreckonedIwouldslipovertheriverandfindoutwhatwasgoingon。Jimlikedthatnotion;buthesaidImustgointhedarkandlooksharp。Thenhestudieditoverandsaid,couldn”tIputonsomeofthemoldthingsanddressuplikeagirl?Thatwasagoodnotion,too。Soweshorteneduponeofthecalicogowns,andIturnedupmytrouser-legstomykneesandgotintoit。Jimhitcheditbehindwiththehooks,anditwasafairfit。Iputonthesun-bonnetandtieditundermychin,andthenforabodytolookinandseemyfacewaslikelookingdownajointofstovepipe。Jimsaidnobodywouldknowme,eveninthedaytime,hardly。Ipracticedaroundalldaytogetthehangofthethings,andbyandbyIcoulddoprettywellinthem,onlyJimsaidIdidn”twalklikeagirl;andhesaidImustquitpullingupmygowntogetatmybritches-pocket。
Itooknotice,anddonebetter。
IstarteduptheIllinoisshoreinthecanoejustafterdark。
Istartedacrosstothetownfromalittlebelowtheferry-landing,andthedriftofthecurrentfetchedmeinatthebottomofthetown。I
tiedupandstartedalongthebank。Therewasalightburninginalittleshantythathadn”tbeenlivedinforalongtime,andIwonderedwhohadtookupquartersthere。Islippedupandpeepedinatthewindow。Therewasawomanaboutfortyyearoldinthereknittingbyacandlethatwasonapinetable。Ididn”tknowherface;shewasastranger,foryoucouldn”tstartafaceinthattownthatIdidn”tknow。Nowthiswaslucky,becauseIwasweakening;IwasgettingafraidIhadcome;peoplemightknowmyvoiceandfindmeout。ButifthiswomanhadbeeninsuchalittletowntwodaysshecouldtellmeallIwantedtoknow;soIknockedatthedoor,andmadeupmymindIwouldn”tforgetIwasagirl。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter11Chapter11“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,andoutofmoneyandeverything,andIcometotellmyuncleAbnerMoore。Helivesattheupperendofthetown,shesays。
Ihain”teverbeenherebefore。Doyouknowhim?“
“No;butIdon”tknoweverybodyyet。Ihaven”tlivedherequitetwoweeks。It”saconsiderablewaystotheupperendofthetown。Youbetterstayhereallnight。Takeoffyourbonnet。”
“No,“Isays;“I”llrestawhile,Ireckon,andgoon。Iain”tafearedofthedark。”
Shesaidshewouldn”tletmegobymyself,butherhusbandwouldbeinbyandby,maybeinahourandahalf,andshe”dsendhimalongwithme。Thenshegottotalkingaboutherhusband,andaboutherrelationsuptheriver,andherrelationsdowntheriver,andabouthowmuchbetterofftheyusedtowas,andhowtheydidn”tknowbutthey”dmadeamistakecomingtoourtown,insteadoflettingwellalone——andsoonandsoon,tillIwasafeardIhadmadeamistakecomingtohertofindoutwhatwasgoingoninthetown;butbyandbyshedroppedontopapandthemurder,andthenIwasprettywillingtoletherclatterrightalong。ShetoldaboutmeandTomSawyerfindingthesixthousanddollars(onlyshegotitten)andallaboutpapandwhatahardlothewas,andwhatahardlotIwas,andatlastshegotdowntowhereIwasmurdered。Isays:
“Whodoneit?We”veheardconsiderableaboutthesegoingsondowninHookerville,butwedon”tknowwho”twasthatkilledHuckFinn。”
“Well,Ireckonthere”sarightsmartchanceofpeopleHEREthat”dliketoknowwhokilledhim。SomethinkoldFinndoneithimself。”
“No——isthatso?“
“Mosteverybodythoughtitatfirst。He”llneverknowhownighhecometogettinglynched。ButbeforenighttheychangedaroundandjudgeditwasdonebyarunawayniggernamedJim。”
“WhyHE”
Istopped。IreckonedIbetterkeepstill。Sherunon,andnevernoticedIhadputinatall:
“TheniggerrunofftheverynightHuckFinnwaskilled。Sothere”sarewardoutforhim——threehundreddollars。Andthere”sarewardoutforoldFinn,too——twohundreddollars。Yousee,hecometotownthemorningafterthemurder,andtoldaboutit,andwasoutwith”emontheferryboathunt,andrightawayafterheupandleft。Beforenighttheywantedtolynchhim,buthewasgone,yousee。Well,nextdaytheyfoundouttheniggerwasgone;theyfoundouthehadn”tbenseensenceteno”clockthenightthemurderwasdone。Sothentheyputitonhim,yousee;andwhiletheywasfullofit,nextday,backcomesoldFinn,andwentboo-hooingtoJudgeThatchertogetmoneytohuntfortheniggeralloverIllinoiswith。Thejudgegavehimsome,andthateveninghegotdrunk,andwasaroundtillaftermidnightwithacoupleofmightyhard-lookingstrangers,andthenwentoffwiththem。Well,hehain”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。Haseverybodyguitthinkingtheniggerdoneit?“
“Oh,no,noteverybody。Agoodmanythinkshedoneit。Butthey”llgettheniggerprettysoonnow,andmaybetheycanscareitoutofhim。”
“Why,aretheyafterhimyet?“
“Well,you”reinnocent,ain”tyou!Doesthreehundreddollarslayaroundeverydayforpeopletopickup?Somefolksthinktheniggerain”tfarfromhere。I”moneofthem——butIhain”ttalkeditaround。AfewdaysagoIwastalkingwithanoldcouplethatlivesnextdoorinthelogshanty,andtheyhappenedtosayhardlyanybodyevergoestothatislandoveryonderthattheycallJackson”sIsland。Don”tanybodylivethere?saysI。No,nobody,saysthey。Ididn”tsayanymore,butIdonesomethinking。IwasprettynearcertainI”dseensmokeoverthere,abouttheheadoftheisland,adayortwobeforethat,soIsaystomyself,likeasnotthatnigger”shidingoverthere;anyway,saysI,it”sworththetroubletogivetheplaceahunt。Ihain”tseenanysmokesence,soIreckonmaybehe”sgone,ifitwashim;buthusband”sgoingovertosee——himandanotherman。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。Andcouldn”ttheniggerseebetter,too?Aftermidnighthe”lllikelybeasleep,andtheycansliparoundthroughthewoodsandhuntuphiscampfireallthebetterforthedark,ifhe”sgotone。”
“Ididn”tthinkofthat。”
Thewomankeptlookingatmeprettycurious,andIdidn”tfeelabitcomfortable。Prettysoonshesays“
“Whatdidyousayyournamewas,honey?“
“M——MaryWilliams。”
Somehowitdidn”tseemtomethatIsaiditwasMarybefore,soIdidn”tlookup——seemedtomeIsaiditwasSarah;soIfeltsortofcornered,andwasafearedmaybeIwaslookingit,too。Iwishedthewomanwouldsaysomethingmore;thelongershesetstilltheuneasierIwas。Butnowshesays:
“Honey,IthoughtyousaiditwasSarahwhenyoufirstcomein?“
“Oh,yes”m,Idid。SarahMaryWilliams。Sarah”smyfirstname。SomecallsmeSarah,somecallsmeMary。”
“Oh,that”sthewayofit?“
“Yes”m。”
Iwasfeelingbetterthen,butIwishedIwasoutofthere,anyway。
Icouldn”tlookupyet。
Well,thewomanfelltotalkingabouthowhardtimeswas,andhowpoortheyhadtolive,andhowtheratswasasfreeasiftheyownedtheplace,andsoforthandsoon,andthenIgoteasyagain。Shewasrightabouttherats。You”dseeonestickhisnoseoutofaholeinthecornereverylittlewhile。Shesaidshehadtohavethingshandytothrowatthemwhenshewasalone,ortheywouldn”tgivehernopeace。Sheshowedmeabarofleadtwistedupintoaknot,andsaidshewasagoodshotwithitgenerly,butshe”dwrenchedherarmadayortwoago,anddidn”tknowwhethershecouldthrowtruenow。Butshewatchedforachance,anddirectlybangedawayatarat;butshemissedhimwide,andsaid“Ouch!“ithurtherarmso。Thenshetoldmetotryforthenextone。Iwantedtobegettingawaybeforetheoldmangotback,butofcourseIdidn”tleton。Igotthething,andthefirstratthatshowedhisnoseIletdrive,andifhe”dastayedwherehewashe”dabeenatolerablesickrat。Shesaidthatwasfirst-rate,andshereckonedIwouldhivethenextone。Shewentandgotthelumpofleadandfetcheditback,andbroughtalongahankofyarnwhichshewantedmetohelpherwith。Iheldupmytwohandsandsheputthehankoverthem,andwentontalkingaboutherandherhusband”smatters。Butshebrokeofftosay:
“Keepyoureyeontherats。Youbetterhavetheleadinyourlap,handy。”
Soshedroppedthelumpintomylapjustatthatmoment,andIclappedmylegstogetheronitandshewentontalking。Butonlyaboutaminute。
Thenshetookoffthehankandlookedmestraightintheface,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。Iain”tgoingtohurtyou,andIain”tgoingtotellonyou,nuther。Youjusttellmeyoursecret,andtrustme。I”llkeepit;and,what”smore,I”llhelpyou。So”llmyoldmanifyouwanthimto。Yousee,you”rearunaway”prentice,that”sall。
Itain”tanything。Thereain”tnoharminit。You”vebeentreatedbad,andyoumadeupyourmindtocut。Blessyou,child,Iwouldn”ttellonyou。Tellmeallaboutitnow,that”sagoodboy。”
SoIsaiditwouldn”tbenousetotrytoplayitanylonger,andI
wouldjustmakeacleanbreastandtellhereverything,butshemusn”tgobackonherpromise。ThenItoldhermyfatherandmotherwasdead,andthelawhadboundmeouttoameanoldfarmerinthecountrythirtymilebackfromtheriver,andhetreatedmesobadIcouldn”tstanditnolonger;hewentawaytobegoneacoupleofdays,andsoItookmychanceandstolesomeofhisdaughter”soldclothesandclearedout,andIhadbeenthreenightscomingthethirtymiles。Itravelednights,andhiddaytimesandslept,andthebagofbreadandmeatIcarriedfromhomelastedmealltheway,andIhada-plenty。IsaidIbelievedmyuncleAbnerMoorewouldtakecareofme,andsothatwaswhyIstruckoutforthistownofGoshen。
“Goshen,child?Thisain”tGoshen。ThisisSt。Petersburg。Goshen”stenmilefurtheruptheriver。WhotoldyouthiswasGoshen?“
“Why,amanImetatdaybreakthismorning,justasIwasgoingtoturnintothewoodsformyregularsleep。HetoldmewhentheroadsforkedI
musttaketherighthand,andfivemilewouldfetchmetoGoshen。”
“Hewasdrunk,Ireckon。Hetoldyoujustexactlywrong。”
“Well,,hedidactlikehewasdrunk,butitain”tnomatternow。Igottobemovingalong。I”llfetchGoshenbeforedaylight。”
“Holdonaminute。I”llputyouupasnacktoeat。Youmightwantit。”
Sosheputmeupasnack,andsays:
“Say,whenacow”slayingdown,whichendofhergetsupfirst?Answeruppromptnow——don”tstoptostudyoverit。Whichendgetsupfirst?“
“Thehindend,mum。”
“Well,then,ahorse?“
“Thefor”rardend,mum。”
“Whichsideofatreedoesthemossgrowon?“
“Northside。”
“Iffifteencowsisbrowsingonahillside,howmanyofthemeatswiththeirheadspointedthesamedirection?“
“Thewholefifteen,mum。”
“Well,IreckonyouHAVElivedinthecountry。Ithoughtmaybeyouwastryingtohocusmeagain。What”syourrealname,now?“
“GeorgePeters,mum。”
“Well,trytorememberit,George。Don”tforgetandtellmeit”sElexanderbeforeyougo,andthengetoutbysayingit”sGeorgeElexanderwhenI
catchyou。Anddon”tgoaboutwomeninthatoldcalico。Youdoagirltolerablepoor,butyoumightfoolmen,maybe。Blessyou,child,whenyousetouttothreadaneedledon”tholdthethreadstillandfetchtheneedleuptoit;holdtheneedlestillandpokethethreadatit;that”sthewayawomanmostalwaysdoes,butamanalwaysdoest”otherway。Andwhenyouthrowataratoranything,hitchyourselfupatiptoeandfetchyourhandupoveryourheadasawkwardasyoucan,andmissyourrataboutsixorsevenfoot。Throwstiff-armedfromtheshoulder,liketherewasapivotthereforittoturnon,likeagirl;notfromthewristandelbow,withyourarmouttooneside,likeaboy。And,mindyou,whenagirltriestocatchanythinginherlapshethrowsherkneesapart;shedon”tclapthemtogether,thewayyoudidwhenyoucatchedthelumpoflead。Why,Ispottedyouforaboywhenyouwasthreadingtheneedle;andIcontrivedtheotherthingsjusttomakecertain。Nowtrotalongtoyouruncle,SarahMaryWilliamsGeorgeElexanderPeters,andifyougetintotroubleyousendwordtoMrs。JudithLoftus,whichisme,andI”lldowhatIcantogetyououtofit。Keeptheriverroadalltheway,andnexttimeyoutramptakeshoesandsockswithyou。Theriverroad”sarockyone,andyourfeet”llbeinaconditionwhenyougettoGoshen,Ireckon。”
Iwentupthebankaboutfiftyyards,andthenIdoubledonmytracksandslippedbacktowheremycanoewas,agoodpiecebelowthehouse。I
jumpedin,andwasoffinahurry。Iwentup-streamfarenoughtomaketheheadoftheisland,andthenstartedacross。Itookoffthesun-bonnet,forIdidn”twantnoblindersonthen。WhenIwasaboutthemiddleIheardtheclockbegintostrike,soIstopsandlistens;thesoundcomefaintoverthewaterbutclear——eleven。WhenIstrucktheheadoftheislandIneverwaitedtoblow,thoughIwasmostwinded,butIshovedrightintothetimberwheremyoldcampusedtobe,andstartedagoodfirethereonahighanddryspot。
ThenIjumpedinthecanoeanddugoutforourplace,amileandahalfbelow,ashardasIcouldgo。Ilanded,andsloppedthroughthetimberanduptheridgeandintothecavern。ThereJimlaid,soundasleepontheground。Irousedhimoutandsays:
“Gitupandhumpyourself,Jim!Thereain”taminutetolose。They”reafterus!“
Jimneveraskednoquestions,heneversaidaword;butthewayheworkedforthenexthalfanhourshowedabouthowhewasscared。Bythattimeeverythingwehadintheworldwasonourraft,andshewasreadytobeshovedoutfromthewillowcovewhereshewashid。Weputoutthecampfireatthecavernthefirstthing,anddidn”tshowacandleoutsideafterthat。
Itookthecanoeoutfromtheshorealittlepiece,andtookalook;
butiftherewasaboataroundIcouldn”tseeit,forstarsandshadowsain”tgoodtoseeby。Thenwegotouttheraftandslippedalongdownintheshade,pastthefootoftheislanddeadstill——neversayingaword。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter12Chapter12ITmustabeencloseontooneo”clockwhenwegotbelowtheislandatlast,andtheraftdidseemtogomightyslow。IfaboatwastocomealongwewasgoingtotaketothecanoeandbreakfortheIllinoisshore;anditwaswellaboatdidn”tcome,forwehadn”teverthoughttoputtheguninthecanoe,orafishing-line,oranythingtoeat。Wewasinruthertoomuchofasweattothinkofsomanythings。Itwarn”tgoodjudgmenttoputEVERYTHINGontheraft。
IfthemenwenttotheislandIjustexpecttheyfoundthecampfireIbuilt,andwatcheditallnightforJimtocome。Anyways,theystayedawayfromus,andifmybuildingthefireneverfooledthemitwarn”tnofaultofmine。IplayeditaslowdownonthemasIcould。
WhenthefirststreakofdaybegantoshowwetieduptoatowheadinabigbendontheIllinoisside,andhackedoffcottonwoodbrancheswiththehatchet,andcovereduptheraftwiththemsoshelookedliketherehadbeenacave-ininthebankthere。Atowheadisasandbarthathascottonwoodsonitasthickasharrow-teeth。
WehadmountainsontheMissourishoreandheavytimberontheIllinoisside,andthechannelwasdowntheMissourishoreatthatplace,sowewarn”tafraidofanybodyrunningacrossus。Welaidthereallday,andwatchedtheraftsandsteamboatsspindowntheMissourishore,andup-boundsteamboatsfightthebigriverinthemiddle。ItoldJimallaboutthetimeIhadjabberingwiththatwoman;andJimsaidshewasasmartone,andifshewastostartafterusherselfshewouldn”tsetdownandwatchacampfire——no,sir,she”dfetchadog。Well,then,Isaid,whycouldn”tshetellherhusbandtofetchadog?Jimsaidhebetshedidthinkofitbythetimethemenwasreadytostart,andhebelievedtheymustagoneup-towntogetadogandsotheylostallthattime,orelsewewouldn”tbehereonatowheadsixteenorseventeenmilebelowthevillage——no,indeedy,wewouldbeinthatsameoldtownagain。SoIsaidIdidn”tcarewhatwasthereasontheydidn”tgetusaslongastheydidn”t。
Whenitwasbeginningtocomeondarkwepokedourheadsoutofthecottonwoodthicket,andlookedupanddownandacross;nothinginsight;
soJimtookupsomeofthetopplanksoftheraftandbuiltasnugwigwamtogetunderinblazingweatherandrainy,andtokeepthethingsdry。
Jimmadeafloorforthewigwam,andraiseditafootormoreabovetheleveloftheraft,sonowtheblanketsandallthetrapswasoutofreachofsteamboatwaves。Rightinthemiddleofthewigwamwemadealayerofdirtaboutfiveorsixinchesdeepwithaframearounditfortoholdittoitsplace;thiswastobuildafireoninsloppyweatherorchilly;
thewigwamwouldkeepitfrombeingseen。Wemadeanextrasteering-oar,too,becauseoneoftheothersmightgetbrokeonasnagorsomething。
Wefixedupashortforkedsticktohangtheoldlanternon,becausewemustalwayslightthelanternwheneverweseeasteamboatcomingdown-stream,tokeepfromgettingrunover;butwewouldn”thavetolightitforup-streamboatsunlessweseewewasinwhattheycalla“crossing“;fortheriverwasprettyhighyet,verylowbanksbeingstillalittleunderwater;soup-boundboatsdidn”talwaysrunthechannel,buthuntedeasywater。
Thissecondnightwerunbetweensevenandeighthours,withacurrentthatwasmakingoverfourmileanhour。Wecatchedfishandtalked,andwetookaswimnowandthentokeepoffsleepiness。Itwaskindofsolemn,driftingdownthebig,stillriver,layingonourbackslookingupatthestars,andwedidn”teverfeelliketalkingloud,anditwarn”toftenthatwelaughed——onlyalittlekindofalowchuckle。Wehadmightygoodweatherasageneralthing,andnothingeverhappenedtousatall——thatnight,northenext,northenext。
Everynightwepassedtowns,someofthemawayuponblackhillsides,nothingbutjustashinybedoflights;notahousecouldyousee。ThefifthnightwepassedSt。Louis,anditwaslikethewholeworldlitup。
InSt。PetersburgtheyusedtosaytherewastwentyorthirtythousandpeopleinSt。Louis,butIneverbelievedittillIseethatwonderfulspreadoflightsattwoo”clockthatstillnight。Therewarn”tasoundthere;everybodywasasleep。
EverynightnowIusedtoslipashoretowardsteno”clockatsomelittlevillage,andbuytenorfifteencents”worthofmealorbaconorotherstufftoeat;andsometimesIliftedachickenthatwarn”troostingcomfortable,andtookhimalong。Papalwayssaid,takeachickenwhenyougetachance,becauseifyoudon”twanthimyourselfyoucaneasyfindsomebodythatdoes,andagooddeedain”teverforgot。Ineverseepapwhenhedidn”twantthechickenhimself,butthatiswhatheusedtosay,anyway。
MorningsbeforedaylightIslippedintocornfieldsandborrowedawatermelon,oramushmelon,orapunkin,orsomenewcorn,orthingsofthatkind。
Papalwayssaiditwarn”tnoharmtoborrowthingsifyouwasmeaningtopaythembacksometime;butthewidowsaiditwarn”tanythingbutasoftnameforstealing,andnodecentbodywoulddoit。Jimsaidhereckonedthewidowwaspartlyrightandpapwaspartlyright;sothebestwaywouldbeforustopickouttwoorthreethingsfromthelistandsaywewouldn”tborrowthemanymore——thenhereckoneditwouldn”tbenoharmtoborrowtheothers。Sowetalkeditoverallonenight,driftingalongdowntheriver,tryingtomakeupourmindswhethertodropthewatermelons,orthecantelopes,orthemushmelons,orwhat。Buttowardsdaylightwegotitallsettledsatisfactory,andconcludedtodropcrabapplesandp”simmons。
Wewarn”tfeelingjustrightbeforethat,butitwasallcomfortablenow。
Iwasgladthewayitcomeout,too,becausecrabapplesain”tevergood,andthep”simmonswouldn”tberipefortwoorthreemonthsyet。
Weshotawater-fowlnowandthenthatgotuptooearlyinthemorningordidn”tgotobedearlyenoughintheevening。Takeitallround,welivedprettyhigh。
ThefifthnightbelowSt。Louiswehadabigstormaftermidnight,withapowerofthunderandlightning,andtherainpoureddowninasolidsheet。
Westayedinthewigwamandlettherafttakecareofitself。Whenthelightningglaredoutwecouldseeabigstraightriverahead,andhigh,rockybluffsonbothsides。ByandbysaysI,“Hel-LO,Jim,lookyyonder!“
Itwasasteamboatthathadkilledherselfonarock。Wewasdriftingstraightdownforher。Thelightningshowedherverydistinct。Shewasleaningover,withpartofherupperdeckabovewater,andyoucouldseeeverylittlechimbly-guycleanandclear,andachairbythebigbell,withanoldslouchhathangingonthebackofit,whentheflashescome。
Well,itbeingawayinthenightandstormy,andallsomysterious-like,IfeltjustthewayanyotherboywouldafeltwhenIseethatwrecklayingtheresomournfulandlonesomeinthemiddleoftheriver。Iwantedtogetaboardofherandslinkaroundalittle,andseewhattherewasthere。
SoIsays:
“Le”slandonher,Jim。”
ButJimwasdeadagainstitatfirst。Hesays:
“Idoan”wanttogofool”n”longernowrack。We”sdoin”blame”well,enwebetterletblame”wellalone,asdegoodbooksays。Likeasnotdey”sawatchmanondatwrack。”
“Watchmanyourgrandmother,“Isays;“thereain”tnothingtowatchbutthetexasandthepilothouse;anddoyoureckonanybody”sgoingtoreskhislifeforatexasandapilot-housesuchanightasthis,whenit”slikelytobreakupandwashoffdowntheriveranyminute?“Jimcouldn”tsaynothingtothat,sohedidn”ttry。“Andbesides,“Isays,“wemightborrowsomethingworthhavingoutofthecaptain”sstateroom。Seegars,Ibetyou——andcostfivecentsapiece,solidcash。Steamboatcaptainsisalwaysrich,andgetsixtydollarsamonth,andTHEYdon”tcareacentwhatathingcosts,youknow,longastheywantit。Stickacandleinyourpocket;Ican”trest,Jim,tillwegiveherarummaging。DoyoureckonTomSawyerwouldevergobythisthing?Notforpie,hewouldn”t。He”dcallitanadventure——that”swhathe”dcallit;andhe”dlandonthatwreckifitwashislastact。Andwouldn”thethrowstyleintoit?——wouldn”thespreadhimself,nornothing?Why,you”dthinkitwasChristopherC”lumbusdiscoveringKingdom-Come。IwishTomSawyerWAShere。”
Jimhegrumbledalittle,butgivein。Hesaidwemustn”ttalkanymorethanwecouldhelp,andthentalkmightylow。Thelightningshowedusthewreckagainjustintime,andwefetchedthestabboardderrick,andmadefastthere。
Thedeckwashighouthere。Wewentsneakingdowntheslopeofittolabboard,inthedark,towardsthetexas,feelingourwayslowwithourfeet,andspreadingourhandsouttofendofftheguys,foritwassodarkwecouldn”tseenosignofthem。Prettysoonwestrucktheforwardendoftheskylight,andclumbontoit;andthenextstepfetchedusinfrontofthecaptain”sdoor,whichwasopen,andbyJimminy,awaydownthroughthetexas-hallweseealight!andallinthesamesecondweseemtohearlowvoicesinyonder!
Jimwhisperedandsaidhewasfeelingpowerfulsick,andtoldmetocomealong。Isays,allright,andwasgoingtostartfortheraft;butjustthenIheardavoicewailoutandsay:
“Oh,pleasedon”t,boys;IswearIwon”tevertell!“
Anothervoicesaid,prettyloud:
“It”salie,JimTurner。You”veactedthiswaybefore。Youalwayswantmore”nyourshareofthetruck,andyou”vealwaysgotit,too,becauseyou”veswore”tifyoudidn”tyou”dtell。Butthistimeyou”vesaiditjestonetimetoomany。You”rethemeanest,treacherousesthoundinthiscountry。”
BythistimeJimwasgonefortheraft。Iwasjusta-bilingwithcuriosity;
andIsaystomyself,TomSawyerwouldn”tbackoutnow,andsoIwon”teither;I”ma-goingtoseewhat”sgoingonhere。SoIdroppedonmyhandsandkneesinthelittlepassage,andcreptaftinthedarktilltherewarn”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:
“Idon”twantto,JakePackard。I”mforkillin”him——anddidn”thekilloldHatfieldjistthesameway——anddon”thedeserveit?“
“ButIdon”tWANThimkilled,andI”vegotmyreasonsforit。”
“Blessyo”heartforthemwords,JakePackard!I”llneverforgityoulong”sIlive!“saysthemanonthefloor,sortofblubbering。
Packarddidn”ttakenonoticeofthat,buthunguphislanternonanailandstartedtowardswhereIwasthereinthedark,andmotionedBilltocome。IcrawfishedasfastasIcouldabouttwoyards,buttheboatslantedsothatIcouldn”tmakeverygoodtime;sotokeepfromgettingrunoverandcatchedIcrawledintoastateroomontheupperside。Themancameapawingalonginthedark,andwhenPackardgottomystateroom,hesays:
“Here——comeinhere。”
Andinhecome,andBillafterhim。ButbeforetheygotinIwasupintheupperberth,cornered,andsorryIcome。Thentheystoodthere,withtheirhandsontheledgeoftheberth,andtalked。Icouldn”tseethem,butIcouldtellwheretheywasbythewhiskythey”dbeenhaving。
IwasgladIdidn”tdrinkwhisky;butitwouldn”tmademuchdifferenceanyway,becausemostofthetimetheycouldn”tatreedmebecauseIdidn”tbreathe。Iwastooscared。And,besides,abodyCOULDN”Tbreatheandhearsuchtalk。Theytalkedlowandearnest。BillwantedtokillTurner。Hesays:
“He”ssaidhe”lltell,andhewill。IfwewastogivebothoursharestohimNOWitwouldn”tmakenodifferenceaftertherowandthewaywe”veservedhim。Shore”syou”reborn,he”llturnState”sevidence;nowyouhearME。I”mforputtinghimoutofhistroubles。”
“So”mI,“saysPackard,veryquiet。
“Blameit,I”dsorterbeguntothinkyouwasnÕ;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,myideaisthis:we”llrustlearoundandgatherupwhateverpickinswe”veoverlookedinthestaterooms,andshoveforshoreandhidethetruck。
Thenwe”llwait。NowIsayitain”ta-goin”tobemore”ntwohoursbefo”
thiswrackbreaksupandwashesoffdowntheriver。See?He”llbedrownded,andwon”thavenobodytoblameforitbuthisownself。Ireckonthat”saconsiderblesightbetter”nkillin”ofhim。I”munfavorabletokillin”
amanaslongasyoucangitaroun”it;itain”tgoodsense,itain”tgoodmorals。Ain”tIright?“
“Yes,Ireck”nyouare。Buts”posesheDON”Tbreakupandwashoff?“
“Well,wecanwaitthetwohoursanywayandsee,can”twe?“
“Allright,then;comealong。”
Sotheystarted,andIlitout,allinacoldsweat,andscrambledforward。
Itwasdarkaspitchthere;butIsaid,inakindofacoarsewhisper,“Jim!“andheansweredup,rightatmyelbow,withasortofamoan,andIsays:
“Quick,Jim,itain”tnotimeforfoolingaroundandmoaning;there”sagangofmurderersinyonder,andifwedon”thuntuptheirboatandsetherdriftingdowntheriversothesefellowscan”tgetawayfromthewreckthere”soneof”emgoingtobeinabadfix。ButifwefindtheirboatwecanputALLof”eminabadfix——forthesheriff”llget”em。Quick——hurry!I”llhuntthelabboardside,youhuntthestabboard。Youstartattheraft,and”
“Oh,mylordy,lordy!RAF”?Deyain”noraf”nomo”;shedonebrokelooseengoneI——enhereweis!“
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter13Chapter13WELL,Icatchedmybreathandmostfainted。Shutuponawreckwithsuchagangasthat!Butitwarn”tnotimetobesentimentering。We”dGOTtofindthatboatnow——hadtohaveitforourselves。Sowewenta-quakingandshakingdownthestabboardside,andslowworkitwas,too——seemedaweekbeforewegottothestern。Nosignofaboat。Jimsaidhedidn”tbelievehecouldgoanyfurther——soscaredhehadn”thardlyanystrengthleft,hesaid。ButIsaid,comeon,ifwegetleftonthiswreckweareinafix,sure。Soonweprowledagain。Westruckforthesternofthetexas,andfoundit,andthenscrabbledalongforwardsontheskylight,hangingonfromshuttertoshutter,fortheedgeoftheskylightwasinthewater。Whenwegotprettyclosetothecross-halldoortherewastheskiff,sureenough!Icouldjustbarelyseeher。Ifelteversothankful。
InanothersecondIwouldabeenaboardofher,butjustthenthedooropened。Oneofthemenstuckhisheadoutonlyaboutacoupleoffootfromme,andIthoughtIwasgone;buthejerkeditinagain,andsays:
“Heavethatblamelanternouto”sight,Bill!“
Heflungabagofsomethingintotheboat,andthengotinhimselfandsetdown。ItwasPackard。ThenBillHEcomeoutandgotin。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!
Wedidn”ttouchanoar,andwedidn”tspeaknorwhisper,norhardlyevenbreathe。Wewentglidingswiftalong,deadsilent,pastthetipofthepaddlebox,andpastthestern;theninasecondortwomorewewasahundredyardsbelowthewreck,andthedarknesssoakedherup,everylastsignofher,andwewassafe,andknowedit。
Whenwewasthreeorfourhundredyardsdownstreamweseethelanternshowlikealittlesparkatthetexasdoorforasecond,andweknowedbythatthattherascalshadmissedtheirboat,andwasbeginningtounderstandthattheywasinjustasmuchtroublenowasJimTurnerwas。
ThenJimmannedtheoars,andwetookoutafterourraft。NowwasthefirsttimethatIbeguntoworryaboutthemen——IreckonIhadn”thadtimetobefore。Ibeguntothinkhowdreadfulitwas,evenformurderers,tobeinsuchafix。Isaystomyself,thereain”tnotellingbutImightcometobeamurderermyselfyet,andthenhowwouldIlikeit?SosaysItoJim:
“Thefirstlightweseewe”lllandahundredyardsbelowitoraboveit,inaplacewhereit”sagoodhiding-placeforyouandtheskiff,andthenI”llgoandfixupsomekindofayarn,andgetsomebodytogoforthatgangandgetthemoutoftheirscrape,sotheycanbehungwhentheirtimecomes。”
Butthatideawasafailure;forprettysoonitbeguntostormagain,andthistimeworsethanever。Therainpoureddown,andneveralightshowed;everybodyinbed,Ireckon。Weboomedalongdowntheriver,watchingforlightsandwatchingforourraft。Afteralongtimetherainletup,butthecloudsstayed,andthelightningkeptwhimpering,andbyandbyaflashshowedusablackthingahead,floating,andwemadeforit。
Itwastheraft,andmightygladwaswetogetaboardofitagain。Weseenalightnowawaydowntotheright,onshore。SoIsaidIwouldgoforit。Theskiffwashalffullofplunderwhichthatganghadstolethereonthewreck。Wehustleditontotheraftinapile,andItoldJimtofloatalongdown,andshowalightwhenhejudgedhehadgoneabouttwomile,andkeepitburningtillIcome;thenImannedmyoarsandshovedforthelight。AsIgotdowntowardsitthreeorfourmoreshowed——uponahillside。Itwasavillage。Iclosedinabovetheshorelight,andlaidonmyoarsandfloated。AsIwentbyIseeitwasalanternhangingonthejackstaffofadouble-hullferryboat。Iskimmedaroundforthewatchman,awonderingwhereaboutsheslept;andbyandbyIfoundhimroostingonthebittsforward,withhisheaddownbetweenhisknees。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,“hesays,kindofpretty-well-satisfiedlike。“I”mthecaptainandtheownerandthemateandthepilotandwatchmanandheaddeck-hand;
andsometimesI”mthefreightandpassengers。Iain”tasrichasoldJimHornback,andIcan”tbesoblame”generousandgoodtoTom,Dick,andHarryaswhatheis,andslamaroundmoneythewayhedoes;butI”vetoldhimamanyatime”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。”
“Ibettheydidn”t!Why,greatgoodness,thereain”tnochancefor”emiftheydon”tgitoffmightyquick!Why,howinthenationdidtheyevergitintosuchascrape?“
“Easyenough。MissHookerwasa-visitinguptheretothetown”
“Yes,Booth”sLanding——goon。”
“Shewasa-visitingthereatBooth”sLanding,andjustintheedgeoftheeveningshestartedoverwithherniggerwomaninthehorse-ferrytostayallnightatherfriend”shouse,MissWhat-you-may-call-herIdisrememberhername——andtheylosttheirsteeringoar,andswungaroundandwenta-floatingdown,sternfirst,abouttwomile,andsaddle-baggsedonthewreck,andtheferrymanandtheniggerwomanandthehorseswasalllost,butMissHookershemadeagrabandgotaboardthewreck。Well,aboutanhourafterdarkwecomealongdowninourtrading-scow,anditwassodarkwedidn”tnoticethewrecktillwewasrightonit;andsoWEsaddle-baggsed;
butallofuswassavedbutBillWhipple——andoh,heWASthebestcretur!——Imostwish”tithadbeenme,Ido。”
“MyGeorge!It”sthebeatenestthingIeverstruck。AndTHENwhatdidyoualldo?“
“Well,weholleredandtookon,butit”ssowidetherewecouldn”tmakenobodyhear。Sopapsaidsomebodygottogetashoreandgethelpsomehow。
Iwastheonlyonethatcouldswim,soImadeadashforit,andMissHookershesaidifIdidn”tstrikehelpsooner,comehereandhuntupheruncle,andhe”dfixthething。Imadethelandaboutamilebelow,andbeenfoolingalongeversince,tryingtogetpeopletodosomething,buttheysaid,”What,insuchanightandsuchacurrent?Thereain”tnosenseinit;
goforthesteamferry。”Nowifyou”llgoand”
“ByJackson,I”dLIKEto,and,blameit,Idon”tknowbutIwill;butwhointhedingnation”sa-going”toPAYforit?Doyoureckonyourpap”
“WhyTHAT”Sallright。MissHookershetoleme,PARTICULAR,thatheruncleHornback”
“Greatguns!isHEheruncle?Lookyhere,youbreakforthatlightoveryonder-way,andturnoutwestwhenyougitthere,andaboutaquarterofamileoutyou”llcometothetavern;tell”emtodartyououttoJimHornback”s,andhe”llfootthebill。Anddon”tyoufoolaroundany,becausehe”llwanttoknowthenews。TellhimI”llhavehisnieceallsafebeforehecangettotown。Humpyourself,now;I”magoinguparoundthecornerheretoroustoutmyengineer。”
Istruckforthelight,butassoonasheturnedthecornerIwentbackandgotintomyskiffandbailedherout,andthenpulledupshoreintheeasywateraboutsixhundredyards,andtuckedmyselfinamongsomewoodboats;
forIcouldn”tresteasytillIcouldseetheferryboatstart。Buttakeitallaround,Iwasfeelingruthercomfortableonaccountsoftakingallthistroubleforthatgang,fornotmanywouldadoneit。Iwishedthewidowknowedaboutit。Ijudgedshewouldbeproudofmeforhelpingtheserapscallions,becauserapscallionsanddeadbeatsisthekindthewidowandgoodpeopletakesthemostinterestin。
Well,beforelongherecomesthewreck,dimanddusky,slidingalongdown!Akindofcoldshiverwentthroughme,andthenIstruckoutforher。Shewasverydeep,andIseeinaminutetherewarn”tmuchchanceforanybodybeingaliveinher。Ipulledallaroundherandholleredalittle,buttherewasn”tanyanswer;alldeadstill。Ifeltalittlebitheavy-heartedaboutthegang,butnotmuch,forIreckonediftheycouldstanditIcould。
Thenherecomestheferryboat;soIshovedforthemiddleoftheriveronalongdown-streamslant;andwhenIjudgedIwasoutofeye-reachI
laidonmyoars,andlookedbackandseehergoandsmellaroundthewreckforMissHooker”sremainders,becausethecaptainwouldknowheruncleHornbackwouldwantthem;andthenprettysoontheferryboatgiveitupandwentfortheshore,andIlaidintomyworkandwenta-boomingdowntheriver。
ItdidseemapowerfullongtimebeforeJim”slightshowedup;andwhenitdidshowitlookedlikeitwasathousandmileoff。BythetimeIgottheretheskywasbeginningtogetalittlegrayintheeast;sowestruckforanisland,andhidtheraft,andsunktheskiff,andturnedinandsleptlikedeadpeople。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter14Chapter14BYandby,whenwegotup,weturnedoverthetrucktheganghadstoleoffofthewreck,andfoundboots,andblankets,andclothes,andallsortsofotherthings,andalotofbooks,andaspyglass,andthreeboxesofseegars。Wehadn”teverbeenthisrichbeforeinneitherofourlives。
Theseegarswasprime。Welaidoffalltheafternooninthewoodstalking,andmereadingthebooks,andhavingageneralgoodtime。ItoldJimallaboutwhathappenedinsidethewreckandattheferryboat,andIsaidthesekindsofthingswasadventures;buthesaidhedidn”twantnomoreadventures。
HesaidthatwhenIwentinthetexasandhecrawledbacktogetontheraftandfoundhergonehenearlydied,becausehejudgeditwasallupwithHIManywayitcouldbefixed;forifhedidn”tgetsavedhewouldgetdrownded;andifhedidgetsaved,whoeversavedhimwouldsendhimbackhomesoastogetthereward,andthenMissWatsonwouldsellhimSouth,sure。Well,hewasright;hewasmostalwaysright;hehadanuncommonlevelheadforanigger。
IreadconsiderabletoJimaboutkingsanddukesandearlsandsuch,andhowgaudytheydressed,andhowmuchstyletheyputon,andcalledeachotheryourmajesty,andyourgrace,andyourlordship,andsoon,”steadofmister;andJim”seyesbuggedout,andhewasinterested。Hesays:
“Ididn”knowdeywassomanyunum。Ihain”thearn”boutnoneunum,skasely,butoleKingSollermun,onlessyoucountsdemkingsdat”sinapackerk”yards。Howmuchdoakinggit?“
“Get?“Isays;“why,theygetathousanddollarsamonthiftheywantit;theycanhavejustasmuchastheywant;everythingbelongstothem。”
“AIN”datgay?Enwhatdeygottodo,Huck?“
“THEYdon”tdonothing!Why,howyoutalk!Theyjustsetaround。”
“No;isdatso?“
“Ofcourseitis。Theyjustsetaround——except,maybe,whenthere”sawar;thentheygotothewar。Butothertimestheyjustlazyaround;
orgohawking——justhawkingandsp——Sh!——d”youhearanoise?“
Weskippedoutandlooked;butitwarn”tnothingbuttheflutterofasteamboat”swheelawaydown,comingaroundthepoint;sowecomeback。
“Yes,“saysI,“andothertimes,whenthingsisdull,theyfusswiththeparlyment;andifeverybodydon”tgojustsohewhackstheirheadsoff。Butmostlytheyhangroundtheharem。”
“Roun”dewhich?“
“Harem。”
“What”sdeharem?“
“Theplacewherehekeepshiswives。Don”tyouknowabouttheharem?
Solomonhadone;hehadaboutamillionwives。”
“Why,yes,dat”sso;I——I”ddoneforgotit。Aharem”sabo”d”n-house,Ireck”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”nIknowssensewhenIseesit;endeyain”nosenseinsichdoin”sasdat。De”sputewarn”t”boutahalfachile,de”sputewas”boutawholechile;endemandatthinkhekinsettlea”spute”boutawholechilewidahalfachiledoan”knowenoughtocomeinout”nderain。Doan”talktome”boutSollermun,Huck,Iknowshimbydeback。”
“ButItellyouyoudon”tgetthepoint。”
“Blamedepoint!Ireck”nIknowswhatIknows。Enmineyou,deREAL
pintisdownfurder——it”sdowndeeper。ItlaysindewaySollermunwasraised。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。ItoldaboutLouisSixteenththatgothisheadcutoffinFrancelongtimeago;andabouthislittleboythedolphin,thatwouldabeenaking,buttheytookandshuthimupinjail,andsomesayhediedthere。
“Po”littlechap。”
“Butsomesayshegotoutandgotaway,andcometoAmerica。”
“Dat”sgood!Buthe”llbepootylonesome——deyain”nokingshere,isdey,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;butit”sso。Igotsomeoftheirjabberoutofabook。
S”poseamanwastocometoyouandsayPolly-voo-franzy——whatwouldyouthink?“
“Iwouldn”thinknuff”n;I”dtakeenbusthimoverdehead——datis,ifhewarn”twhite。Iwouldn”t”lownoniggertocallmedat。”
“Shucks,itain”tcallingyouanything。It”sonlysaying,doyouknowhowtotalkFrench?“
“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,whyain”titnaturalandrightforaFRENCHMANtotalkdifferentfromus?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”tlearnaniggertoargue。SoIquit。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter15Chapter15WEjudgedthatthreenightsmorewouldfetchustoCairo,atthebottomofIllinois,wheretheOhioRivercomesin,andthatwaswhatwewasafter。
WewouldselltheraftandgetonasteamboatandgowayuptheOhioamongstthefreeStates,andthenbeoutoftrouble。
Well,thesecondnightafogbeguntocomeon,andwemadeforatowheadtotieto,foritwouldn”tdototrytoruninafog;butwhenIpaddledaheadinthecanoe,withthelinetomakefast,therewarn”tanythingbutlittlesaplingstotieto。Ipassedthelinearoundoneofthemrightontheedgeofthecutbank,buttherewasastiffcurrent,andtheraftcomeboomingdownsolivelyshetoreitoutbytherootsandawayshewent。
Iseethefogclosingdown,anditmademesosickandscaredIcouldn”tbudgeformostahalfaminuteitseemedtome——andthentherewarn”tnoraftinsight;youcouldn”tseetwentyyards。Ijumpedintothecanoeandrunbacktothestern,andgrabbedthepaddleandsetherbackastroke。
Butshedidn”tcome。IwasinsuchahurryIhadn”tuntiedher。Igotupandtriedtountieher,butIwassoexcitedmyhandsshooksoIcouldn”thardlydoanythingwiththem。
AssoonasIgotstartedItookoutaftertheraft,hotandheavy,rightdownthetowhead。Thatwasallrightasfarasitwent,butthetowheadwarn”tsixtyyardslong,andtheminuteIflewbythefootofitIshotoutintothesolidwhitefog,andhadn”tnomoreideawhichwayIwasgoingthanadeadman。
ThinksI,itwon”tdotopaddle;firstIknowI”llrunintothebankoratowheadorsomething;Igottosetstillandfloat,andyetit”smightyfidgetybusinesstohavetoholdyourhandsstillatsuchatime。Iwhoopedandlistened。AwaydowntheresomewheresIhearsasmallwhoop,andupcomesmyspirits。Iwenttearingafterit,listeningsharptohearitagain。