Isaysyes；andhimandsomeotherslaughed，andsaid，“Stuff！“
Well，thentheysailedinonthegeneralinvestigation，andtherewehadit，upanddown，hourin，hourout，andnobodyneversaidawordaboutsupper，noreverseemedtothinkaboutit——andsotheykeptitup，andkeptitup；anditWAStheworstmixed-upthingyoueversee。Theymadethekingtellhisyarn，andtheymadetheoldgentlemantellhis”n；andanybodybutalotofprejudicedchuckleheadswouldaSEENthattheoldgentlemanwasspinningtruthandt”otheronelies。AndbyandbytheyhadmeuptotellwhatIknowed。Thekinghegivemealeft-handedlookoutofthecornerofhiseye，andsoIknowedenoughtotalkontherightside。
IbeguntotellaboutSheffield，andhowwelivedthere，andallabouttheEnglishWilkses，andsoon；butIdidn”tgetprettyfurtillthedoctorbeguntolaugh；andLeviBell，thelawyer，says：
“Setdown，myboy；Iwouldn”tstrainmyselfifIwasyou。Ireckonyouain”tusedtolying，itdon”tseemtocomehandy；whatyouwantispractice。
Youdoitprettyawkward。”
Ididn”tcarenothingforthecompliment，butIwasgladtobeletoff，anyway。
Thedoctorhestartedtosaysomething，andturnsandsays：
“Ifyou”dbeenintownatfirst，LeviBell——“Thekingbrokeinandreachedouthishand，andsays：
“Why，isthismypoordeadbrother”soldfriendthathe”swrotesooftenabout？“
Thelawyerandhimshookhands，andthelawyersmiledandlookedpleased，andtheytalkedrightalongawhile，andthengottoonesideandtalkedlow；andatlastthelawyerspeaksupandsays：
“That”llfixit。I”lltaketheorderandsendit，alongwithyourbrother”s，andthenthey”llknowit”sallright。”
Sotheygotsomepaperandapen，andthekinghesetdownandtwistedhisheadtooneside，andchawedhistongue，andscrawledoffsomething；
andthentheygivethepentotheduke——andthenforthefirsttimethedukelookedsick。Buthetookthepenandwrote。Sothenthelawyerturnstothenewoldgentlemanandsays：
“Youandyourbrotherpleasewritealineortwoandsignyournames。”
Theoldgentlemanwrote，butnobodycouldn”treadit。Thelawyerlookedpowerfulastonished，andsays：
“Well，itbeatsME——andsnakedalotofoldlettersoutofhispocket，andexaminedthem，andthenexaminedtheoldman”swriting，andthenTHEM
again；andthensays：“TheseoldlettersisfromHarveyWilks；andhere”sTHESEtwohandwritings，andanybodycanseetheydidn”twritethem“(thekingandthedukelookedsoldandfoolish，Itellyou，toseehowthelawyerhadtookthemin)，“andhere”sTHISoldgentleman”shandwriting，andanybodycantell，easyenough，HEdidn”twritethem——factis，thescratcheshemakesain”tproperlyWRITINGatall。Now，here”ssomelettersfrom”
Thenewoldgentlemansays：
“Ifyouplease，letmeexplain。Nobodycanreadmyhandbutmybrotherthere——sohecopiesforme。It”sHIShandyou”vegotthere，notmine。”
“WELL！“saysthelawyer，“thisISastateofthings。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！Ithoughtwewasrightonthetrackofaslution，butit”sgonetograss，partly。Butanyway，onethingisproved——THESEtwoain”teitherof”emWilkses“——andhewaggedhisheadtowardsthekingandtheduke。
Well，whatdoyouthink？Thatmuleheadedoldfoolwouldn”tgiveinTHEN！
Indeedhewouldn”t。Saiditwarn”tnofairtest。SaidhisbrotherWilliamwasthecussedestjokerintheworld，andhadn”ttriedtowrite——HEseeWilliamwasgoingtoplayoneofhisjokestheminuteheputthepentopaper。AndsohewarmedupandwentwarblingrightalongtillhewasactulybeginningtobelievewhathewassayingHIM-SELF；butprettysoonthenewgentlemanbrokein，andsays：
“I”vethoughtofsomething。Isthereanybodyherethathelpedtolayoutmybr——helpedtolayoutthelatePeterWilksforburying？“
“Yes，“sayssomebody，“meandAbTurnerdoneit。We”rebothhere。”
Thentheoldmanturnstowardstheking，andsays：
“Perapsthisgentlemancantellmewhatwastattooedonhisbreast？“
Blamedifthekingdidn”thavetobraceupmightyquick，orhe”dasqusheddownlikeabluffbankthattheriverhascutunder，ittookhimsosudden；
and，mindyou，itwasathingthatwascalculatedtomakemostANYBODY
squshtogetfetchedsuchasolidoneasthatwithoutanynotice，becausehowwasHEgoingtoknowwhatwastattooedontheman？Hewhitenedalittle；
hecouldn”thelpit；anditwasmightystillinthere，andeverybodybendingalittleforwardsandgazingathim。SaysItomyself，NOWhe”llthrowupthesponge——thereain”tnomoreuse。Well，didhe？Abodycan”thardlybelieveit，buthedidn”t。Ireckonhethoughthe”dkeepthethinguptillhetiredthempeopleout，sothey”dthinout，andhimandthedukecouldbreaklooseandgetaway。Anyway，hesetthere，andprettysoonhebeguntosmile，andsays：
“Mf！It”saVERYtoughquestion，AIN”Tit！YES，sir，Ik”ntellyouwhat”stattooedonhisbreast。It”sjestasmall，thin，bluearrow——that”swhatitis；andifyoudon”tlookclost，youcan”tseeit。NOWwhatdoyousay——hey？“
Well，Ineverseeanythinglikethatoldblisterforcleanout-and-outcheek。
ThenewoldgentlemanturnsbrisktowardsAbTurnerandhispard，andhiseyelightsuplikehejudgedhe”dgotthekingTHIStime，andsays：
“There——you”veheardwhathesaid！WasthereanysuchmarkonPeterWilks”breast？“
Bothofthemspokeupandsays：
“Wedidn”tseenosuchmark。”
“Good！“saystheoldgentleman。“Now，whatyouDIDseeonhisbreastwasasmalldimP，andaB(whichisaninitialhedroppedwhenhewasyoung)，andaW，withdashesbetweenthem，so：P——B——W“——andhemarkedthemthatwayonapieceofpaper。“Come，ain”tthatwhatyousaw？“
Bothofthemspokeupagain，andsays：
“No，weDIDN”T。Weneverseenanymarksatall。”
Well，everybodyWASinastateofmindnow，andtheysingsout：
“ThewholeBILIN”of”m”sfrauds！Le”sduck”em！le”sdrown”em！le”sride”emonarail！“andeverybodywaswhoopingatonce，andtherewasarattlingpowwow。Butthelawyerhejumpsonthetableandyells，andsays：
“Gentlemen——gentleMEN！Hearmejustaword——justaSINGLEword——
ifyouPLEASE！There”sonewayyet——let”sgoanddigupthecorpseandlook。”
Thattookthem。
“Hooray！“theyallshouted，andwasstartingrightoff；butthelawyerandthedoctorsungout：
“Holdon，holdon！Collarallthesefourmenandtheboy，andfetchTHEMalong，too！“
“We”lldoit！“theyallshouted；“andifwedon”tfindthemmarkswe”lllynchthewholegang！“
IWASscared，now，Itellyou。Buttherewarn”tnogettingaway，youknow。Theygrippedusall，andmarchedusrightalong，straightforthegraveyard，whichwasamileandahalfdowntheriver，andthewholetownatourheels，forwemadenoiseenough，anditwasonlynineintheevening。
AswewentbyourhouseIwishedIhadn”tsentMaryJaneoutoftown；
becausenowifIcouldtipherthewinkshe”dlightoutandsaveme，andblowonourdead-beats。
Well，weswarmedalongdowntheriverroad，justcarryingonlikewildcats；
andtomakeitmorescarytheskywasdarkingup，andthelightningbeginningtowinkandflitter，andthewindtoshiveramongsttheleaves。ThiswasthemostawfultroubleandmostdangersomeIeverwasin；andIwaskinderstunned；everythingwasgoingsodifferentfromwhatIhadallowedfor；
steadofbeingfixedsoIcouldtakemyowntimeifIwantedto，andseeallthefun，andhaveMaryJaneatmybacktosavemeandsetmefreewhentheclose-fitcome，herewasnothingintheworldbetwixtmeandsuddendeathbutjustthemtattoo-marks。Iftheydidn”tfindthem——
Icouldn”tbeartothinkaboutit；andyet，somehow，Icouldn”tthinkaboutnothingelse。Itgotdarkeranddarker，anditwasabeautifultimetogivethecrowdtheslip；butthatbighuskyhadmebythewrist——Hines——andabodymightaswelltrytogiveGoliartheslip。Hedraggedmerightalong，hewassoexcited，andIhadtoruntokeepup。
Whentheygottheretheyswarmedintothegraveyardandwashedoveritlikeanoverflow。Andwhentheygottothegravetheyfoundtheyhadaboutahundredtimesasmanyshovelsastheywanted，butnobodyhadn”tthoughttofetchalantern。Buttheysailedintodigginganywaybytheflickerofthelightning，andsentamantothenearesthouse，ahalfamileoff，toborrowone。
Sotheydugandduglikeeverything；anditgotawfuldark，andtherainstarted，andthewindswishedandswushedalong，andthelightningcomebriskerandbrisker，andthethunderboomed；butthempeoplenevertooknonoticeofit，theywassofullofthisbusiness；andoneminuteyoucouldseeeverythingandeveryfaceinthatbigcrowd，andtheshovelfulsofdirtsailingupoutofthegrave，andthenextsecondthedarkwipeditallout，andyoucouldn”tseenothingatall。
Atlasttheygotoutthecoffinandbeguntounscrewthelid，andthensuchanothercrowdingandshoulderingandshovingastherewas，toscrougeinandgetasight，youneversee；andinthedark，thatway，itwasawful。
Hineshehurtmywristdreadfulpullingandtuggingso，andIreckonhecleanforgotIwasintheworld，hewassoexcitedandpanting。
Allofasuddenthelightningletgoaperfectsluiceofwhiteglare，andsomebodysingsout：
“Bythelivingjingo，here”sthebagofgoldonhisbreast！“
Hinesletoutawhoop，likeeverybodyelse，anddroppedmywristandgiveabigsurgetobusthiswayinandgetalook，andthewayIlitoutandshinnedfortheroadinthedarkthereain”tnobodycantell。
Ihadtheroadalltomyself，andIfairlyflew——leastways，Ihaditalltomyselfexceptthesoliddark，andthenow-and-thenglares，andthebuzzingoftherain，andthethrashingofthewind，andthesplittingofthethunder；andsureasyouarebornIdidclipitalong！
WhenIstruckthetownIseetherewarn”tnobodyoutinthestorm，soIneverhuntedfornobackstreets，buthumpeditstraightthroughthemainone；andwhenIbeguntogettowardsourhouseIaimedmyeyeandsetit。Nolightthere；thehousealldark——whichmademefeelsorryanddisappointed，Ididn”tknowwhy。Butatlast，justasIwassailingby，FLASHcomesthelightinMaryJane”swindow！andmyheartswelledupsudden，liketobust；andthesamesecondthehouseandallwasbehindmeinthedark，andwasn”tevergoingtobebeforemenomoreinthisworld。
SheWASthebestgirlIeversee，andhadthemostsand。
TheminuteIwasfarenoughabovethetowntoseeIcouldmakethetowhead，Ibeguntolooksharpforaboattoborrow，andthefirsttimethelightningshowedmeonethatwasn”tchainedIsnatcheditandshoved。Itwasacanoe，andwarn”tfastenedwithnothingbutarope。Thetowheadwasarattlingbigdistanceoff，awayoutthereinthemiddleoftheriver，butIdidn”tlosenotime；andwhenIstrucktheraftatlastIwassofaggedIwouldajustlaiddowntoblowandgaspifIcouldaffordedit。ButIdidn”t。
AsIsprungaboardIsungout：
“Outwithyou，Jim，andsetherloose！Glorybetogoodness，we”reshutofthem！“
Jimlitout，andwasa-comingformewithbotharmsspread，hewassofullofjoy；butwhenIglimpsedhiminthelightningmyheartshotupinmymouthandIwentoverboardbackwards；forIforgothewasoldKingLearandadrowndedA-raballinone，anditmostscaredtheliversandlightsoutofme。ButJimfishedmeout，andwasgoingtohugmeandblessme，andsoon，hewassogladIwasbackandwewasshutofthekingandtheduke，butIsays：
“Notnow；haveitforbreakfast，haveitforbreakfast！Cutlooseandletherslide！“
Sointwosecondsawaywewenta-slidingdowntheriver，anditDID
seemsogoodtobefreeagainandallbyourselvesonthebigriver，andnobodytobotherus。Ihadtoskiparoundabit，andjumpupandcrackmyheelsafewtimes——Icouldn”thelpit；butaboutthethirdcrackI
noticedasoundthatIknowedmightywell，andheldmybreathandlistenedandwaited；andsureenough，whenthenextflashbustedoutoverthewater，heretheycome！——andjustalayingtotheiroarsandmakingtheirskiffhum！Itwasthekingandtheduke。
SoIwiltedrightdownontotheplanksthen，andgiveup；anditwasallIcoulddotokeepfromcrying。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter30Chapter30WHENtheygotaboardthekingwentforme，andshookmebythecollar，andsays：
“Tryin”togiveustheslip，wasye，youpup！Tiredofourcompany，hey？“
Isays：
“No，yourmajesty，wewarn”t——PLEASEdon”t，yourmajesty！“
“Quick，then，andtelluswhatWASyouridea，orI”llshaketheinsidesouto”you！“
“Honest，I”lltellyoueverythingjustasithappened，yourmajesty。
Themanthathada-holtofmewasverygoodtome，andkeptsayinghehadaboyaboutasbigasmethatdiedlastyear，andhewassorrytoseeaboyinsuchadangerousfix；andwhentheywasalltookbysurprisebyfindingthegold，andmadearushforthecoffin，heletsgoofmeandwhispers，”Heelitnow，orthey”llhangye，sure！”andIlitout。Itdidn”tseemnogoodforMEtostay——Icouldn”tdonothing，andIdidn”twanttobehungifIcouldgetaway。SoIneverstoppedrunningtillIfoundthecanoe；andwhenIgothereItoldJimtohurry，orthey”dcatchmeandhangmeyet，andsaidIwasafeardyouandthedukewasn”talivenow，andIwasawfulsorry，andsowasJim，andwasawfulgladwhenweseeyoucoming；youmayaskJimifIdidn”t。”
Jimsaiditwasso；andthekingtoldhimtoshutup，andsaid，“Oh，yes，it”sMIGHTYlikely！“andshookmeupagain，andsaidhereckonedhe”ddrowndme。Butthedukesays：
“Leggotheboy，youoldidiot！WouldYOUadoneanydifferent？DidyouinquirearoundforHIMwhenyougotloose？Idon”trememberit。”
Sothekingletgoofme，andbeguntocussthattownandeverybodyinit。Butthedukesays：
“Youbetterablame”sightgiveYOURSELFagoodcussing，foryou”retheonethat”sentitledtoitmost。Youhain”tdoneathingfromthestartthathadanysenseinit，exceptcomingoutsocoolandcheekywiththatimaginaryblue-arrowmark。ThatWASbright——itwasrightdownbully；
anditwasthethingthatsavedus。Forifithadn”tbeenforthatthey”dajailedustillthemEnglishmen”sbaggagecome——andthen——thepenitentiary，youbet！Butthattricktook”emtothegraveyard，andthegolddoneusastillbiggerkindness；foriftheexcitedfoolshadn”tletgoallholtsandmadethatrushtogetalookwe”dasleptinourcravatsto-night——
cravatswarrantedtoWEAR，too——longerthanWE”Dneed”em。”
Theywasstillaminute——thinking；thenthekingsays，kindofabsent-mindedlike：
“Mf！AndwereckonedtheNIGGERSstoleit！“
Thatmademesquirm！
“Yes，“saystheduke，kinderslowanddeliberateandsarcastic，“WE
did。”
Afteraboutahalfaminutethekingdrawlsout：
“Leastways，Idid。”
Thedukesays，thesameway：
“Onthecontrary，Idid。”
Thekingkindofrufflesup，andsays：
“Lookyhere，Bilgewater，what”ryoureferrin”to？“
Thedukesays，prettybrisk：
“Whenitcomestothat，maybeyou”llletmeask，whatwasYOUreferringto？“
“Shucks！“saystheking，verysarcastic；“butIdon”tknow——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。”
“Waitjestaminute，duke——answermethisonequestion，honestandfair；ifyoudidn”tputthemoneythere，sayit，andI”llb”lieveyou，andtakebackeverythingIsaid。”
“Youoldscoundrel，Ididn”t，andyouknowIdidn”t。There，now！“
“Well，then，Ib”lieveyou。Butanswermeonlyjestthisonemore——
nowDON”Tgitmad；didn”tyouhaveitinyourmindtohookthemoneyandhideit？“
Thedukeneversaidnothingforalittlebit；thenhesays：
“Well，Idon”tcareifIDID，Ididn”tDOit，anyway。Butyounotonlyhaditinmindtodoit，butyouDONEit。”
“IwishtIneverdieifIdoneit，duke，andthat”shonest。Iwon”tsayIwarn”tgoin”todoit，becauseIWAS；butyou——Imeansomebody——gotinaheado”me。”
“It”salie！Youdoneit，andyougottoSAYyoudoneit，or”
Thekingbegantogurgle，andthenhegaspsout：
“”Nough！——IOWNUP！“
Iwasverygladtohearhimsaythat；itmademefeelmuchmoreeasierthanwhatIwasfeelingbefore。Sotheduketookhishandsoffandsays：
“IfyoueverdenyitagainI”lldrownyou。It”sWELLforyoutosetthereandblubberlikeababy——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。“AndNOWyouseewhatyouGOTbyit。They”vegotalltheirownmoneyback，andallofOURNbutashekelortwoBESIDES。G”longtobed，anddon”tyoudeffersitMEnomoredeffersits，long”sYOUlive！“
Sothekingsneakedintothewigwamandtooktohisbottleforcomfort，andbeforelongtheduketackledHISbottle；andsoinaboutahalfanhourtheywasasthickasthievesagain，andthetightertheygotthelovingertheygot，andwentoffa-snoringineachother”sarms。Theybothgotpowerfulmellow，butInoticedthekingdidn”tgetmellowenoughtoforgettoremembertonotdenyabouthidingthemoney-bagagain。Thatmademefeeleasyandsatisfied。Ofcoursewhentheygottosnoringwehadalonggabble，andItoldJimeverything。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter31Chapter31WEdasn”tstopagainatanytownfordaysanddays；keptrightalongdowntheriver。Wewasdownsouthinthewarmweathernow，andamightylongwaysfromhome。WebeguntocometotreeswithSpanishmossonthem，hangingdownfromthelimbslikelong，graybeards。ItwasthefirstIeverseeitgrowing，anditmadethewoodslooksolemnanddismal。Sonowthefraudsreckonedtheywasoutofdanger，andtheybeguntoworkthevillagesagain。
Firsttheydonealectureontemperance；buttheydidn”tmakeenoughforthembothtogetdrunkon。Theninanothervillagetheystartedadancing-school；
buttheydidn”tknownomorehowtodancethanakangaroodoes；sothefirstprancetheymadethegeneralpublicjumpedinandprancedthemoutoftown。Anothertimetheytriedtogoatyellocution；buttheydidn”tyellocutelongtilltheaudiencegotupandgivethemasolidgoodcussing，andmadethemskipout。Theytackledmissionarying，andmesmerizing，anddoctoring，andtellingfortunes，andalittleofeverything；buttheycouldn”tseemtohavenoluck。Soatlasttheygotjustaboutdeadbroke，andlaidaroundtheraftasshefloatedalong，thinkingandthinking，andneversayingnothing，bythehalfadayatatime，anddreadfulblueanddesperate。
Andatlasttheytookachangeandbeguntolaytheirheadstogetherinthewigwamandtalklowandconfidentialtwoorthreehoursatatime。
Jimandmegotuneasy。Wedidn”tlikethelookofit。Wejudgedtheywasstudyingupsomekindofworsedeviltrythanever。Weturneditoverandover，andatlastwemadeupourmindstheywasgoingtobreakintosomebody”shouseorstore，orwasgoingintothecounterfeitmoneybusiness，orsomething。
Sothenwewasprettyscared，andmadeupanagreementthatwewouldn”thavenothingintheworldtodowithsuchactions，andifweevergottheleastshowwewouldgivethemthecoldshakeandclearoutandleavethembehind。Well，earlyonemorningwehidtheraftinagood，safeplaceabouttwomilebelowalittlebitofashabbyvillagenamedPikesville，andthekinghewentashoreandtoldusalltostayhidwhilsthewentuptotownandsmeltaroundtoseeifanybodyhadgotanywindoftheRoyalNonesuchthereyet。(“Housetorob，youMEAN，“saysItomyself；“andwhenyougetthroughrobbingityou”llcomebackhereandwonderwhathasbecomeofmeandJimandtheraft——andyou”llhavetotakeitoutinwondering。”)
Andhesaidifhewarn”tbackbymiddaythedukeandmewouldknowitwasallright，andwewastocomealong。
Sowestayedwherewewas。Thedukehefrettedandsweatedaround，andwasinamightysourway。Hescoldedusforeverything，andwecouldn”tseemtodonothingright；hefoundfaultwitheverylittlething。Somethingwasa-brewing，sure。Iwasgoodandgladwhenmiddaycomeandnoking；
wecouldhaveachange，anyway——andmaybeachanceforTHEchanceontopofit。Someandthedukewentuptothevillage，andhuntedaroundtherefortheking，andbyandbywefoundhiminthebackroomofalittlelowdoggery，verytight，andalotofloafersbullyragginghimforsport，andhea-cussinganda-threateningwithallhismight，andsotighthecouldn”twalk，andcouldn”tdonothingtothem。Thedukehebeguntoabusehimforanoldfool，andthekingbeguntosassback，andtheminutetheywasfairlyatitIlitoutandshookthereefsoutofmyhindlegs，andspundowntheriverroadlikeadeer，forIseeourchance；andImadeupmymindthatitwouldbealongdaybeforetheyeverseemeandJimagain。Igotdowntherealloutofbreathbutloadedupwithjoy，andsungout：
“Setherloose，Jim！we”reallrightnow！“
Buttherewarn”tnoanswer，andnobodycomeoutofthewigwam。Jimwasgone！Isetupashout——andthenanother——andthenanotherone；andrunthiswayandthatinthewoods，whoopingandscreeching；butitwarn”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。
Herunofff”mdownSouth，som”ers。”
“It”sagoodjobtheygothim。”
“Well，IRECKON！There”stwohunderddollarsrewardonhim。It”slikepickingupmoneyout”ntheroad。”
“Yes，itis——andIcouldahaditifI”dbeenbigenough；IseehimFIRST。Whonailedhim？“
“Itwasanoldfellow——astranger——andhesoldouthischanceinhimforfortydollars，becuzhe”sgottogouptheriverandcan”twait。
Thinko”that，now！YoubetI”Dwait，ifitwassevenyear。”
“That”sme，everytime，“saysI。“Butmaybehischanceain”tworthnomorethanthat，ifhe”llsellitsocheap。Maybethere”ssomethingain”tstraightaboutit。”
“ButitIS，though——straightasastring。Iseethehandbillmyself。
Ittellsallabouthim，toadot——paintshimlikeapicture，andtellstheplantationhe”sfrum，belowNewrLEANS。No-sirree-BOB，theyain”tnotrouble”boutTHATspeculation，youbetyou。Say，gimmeachawtobacker，won”tye？“
Ididn”thavenone，soheleft。Iwenttotheraft，andsetdowninthewigwamtothink。ButIcouldn”tcometonothing。IthoughttillIworemyheadsore，butIcouldn”tseenowayoutofthetrouble。Afterallthislongjourney，andafterallwe”ddoneforthemscoundrels，hereitwasallcometonothing，everythingallbustedupandruined，becausetheycouldhavethehearttoserveJimsuchatrickasthat，andmakehimaslaveagainallhislife，andamongststrangers，too，forfortydirtydollars。
OnceIsaidtomyselfitwouldbeathousandtimesbetterforJimtobeaslaveathomewherehisfamilywas，aslongashe”dGOTtobeaslave，andsoI”dbetterwritealettertoTomSawyerandtellhimtotellMissWatsonwherehewas。ButIsoongiveupthatnotionfortwothings：she”dbemadanddisgustedathisrascalityandungratefulnessforleavingher，andsoshe”dsellhimstraightdowntheriveragain；andifshedidn”t，everybodynaturallydespisesanungratefulnigger，andthey”dmakeJimfeelitallthetime，andsohe”dfeelorneryanddisgraced。AndthenthinkofME！ItwouldgetallaroundthatHuckFinnhelpedaniggertogethisfreedom；andifIwasevertoseeanybodyfromthattownagainI”dbereadytogetdownandlickhisbootsforshame。That”sjusttheway：apersondoesalow-downthing，andthenhedon”twanttotakenoconsequencesofit。Thinksaslongashecanhide，itain”tnodisgrace。Thatwasmyfixexactly。ThemoreIstudiedaboutthisthemoremyconsciencewenttogrindingme，andthemorewickedandlow-downandorneryIgottofeeling。Andatlast，whenithitmeallofasuddenthatherewastheplainhandofProvidenceslappingmeinthefaceandlettingmeknowmywickednesswasbeingwatchedallthetimefromupthereinheaven，whilstIwasstealingapooroldwoman”sniggerthathadn”teverdonemenoharm，andnowwasshowingmethere”sOnethat”salwaysonthelookout，andain”tagoingtoallownosuchmiserabledoingstogoonlyjustsofurandnofurther，ImostdroppedinmytracksIwassoscared。Well，ItriedthebestIcouldtokindersoftenitupsomehowformyselfbysayingIwasbrungupwicked，andsoIwarn”tsomuchtoblame；butsomethinginsideofmekeptsaying，“TherewastheSunday-school，youcouldagonetoit；andifyou”dadoneitthey”dalearntyoutherethatpeoplethatactsasI”dbeenactingaboutthatniggergoestoeverlastingfire。”
Itmademeshiver。AndIaboutmadeupmymindtopray，andseeifI
couldn”ttrytoquitbeingthekindofaboyIwasandbebetter。SoI
kneeleddown。Butthewordswouldn”tcome。Whywouldn”tthey？Itwarn”tnousetotryandhideitfromHim。NorfromME，neither。Iknowedverywellwhytheywouldn”tcome。Itwasbecausemyheartwarn”tright；itwasbecauseIwarn”tsquare；itwasbecauseIwasplayingdouble。IwaslettingONtogiveupsin，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：
MissWatson，yourrunawayniggerJimisdownheretwomilebelowPikesville，andMr。Phelpshasgothimandhewillgivehimupfortherewardifyousend。
HUCKFINN。
IfeltgoodandallwashedcleanofsinforthefirsttimeIhadeverfeltsoinmylife，andIknowedIcouldpraynow。ButIdidn”tdoitstraightoff，butlaidthepaperdownandsettherethinking——thinkinghowgooditwasallthishappenedso，andhownearIcometobeinglostandgoingtohell。Andwentonthinking。Andgottothinkingoverourtripdowntheriver；andIseeJimbeforemeallthetime：inthedayandinthenight-time，sometimesmoonlight，sometimesstorms，andwea-floatingalong，talkingandsingingandlaughing。ButsomehowIcouldn”tseemtostrikenoplacestohardenmeagainsthim，butonlytheotherkind。I”dseehimstandingmywatchontopofhis”n，”steadofcallingme，soIcouldgoonsleeping；
andseehimhowgladhewaswhenIcomebackoutofthefog；andwhenI
cometohimagainintheswamp，uptherewherethefeudwas；andsuch-liketimes；andwouldalwayscallmehoney，andpetmeanddoeverythinghecouldthinkofforme，andhowgoodhealwayswas；andatlastIstruckthetimeIsavedhimbytellingthemenwehadsmall-poxaboard，andhewassograteful，andsaidIwasthebestfriendoldJimeverhadintheworld，andtheONLYonehe”sgotnow；andthenIhappenedtolookaroundandseethatpaper。
Itwasacloseplace。Itookitup，andhelditinmyhand。Iwasa-trembling，becauseI”dgottodecide，forever，betwixttwothings，andIknowedit。
Istudiedaminute，sortofholdingmybreath，andthensaystomyself：
“Allright，then，I”llGOtohell“——andtoreitup。
Itwasawfulthoughtsandawfulwords，buttheywassaid。AndIletthemstaysaid；andneverthoughtnomoreaboutreforming。Ishovedthewholethingoutofmyhead，andsaidIwouldtakeupwickednessagain，whichwasinmyline，beingbrunguptoit，andtheotherwarn”t。AndforastarterIwouldgotoworkandstealJimoutofslaveryagain；andifIcouldthinkupanythingworse，Iwoulddothat，too；becauseaslongasIwasin，andinforgood，Imightaswellgothewholehog。
ThenIsettothinkingoverhowtogetatit，andturnedoversomeconsiderablemanywaysinmymind；andatlastfixedupaplanthatsuitedme。SothenItookthebearingsofawoodyislandthatwasdowntheriverapiece，andassoonasitwasfairlydarkIcreptoutwithmyraftandwentforit，andhiditthere，andthenturnedin。Isleptthenightthrough，andgotupbeforeitwaslight，andhadmybreakfast，andputonmystoreclothes，andtiedupsomeothersandonethingoranotherinabundle，andtookthecanoeandclearedforshore。IlandedbelowwhereIjudgedwasPhelps”splace，andhidmybundleinthewoods，andthenfilledupthecanoewithwater，andloadedrocksintoherandsunkherwhereIcouldfindheragainwhenIwantedher，aboutaquarterofamilebelowalittlesteamsawmillthatwasonthebank。
ThenIstruckuptheroad，andwhenIpassedthemillIseeasignonit，“Phelps”sSawmill，“andwhenIcometothefarm-houses，twoorthreehundredyardsfurtheralong，Ikeptmyeyespeeled，butdidn”tseenobodyaround，thoughitwasgooddaylightnow。ButIdidn”tmind，becauseIdidn”twanttoseenobodyjustyet——Ionlywantedtogetthelayoftheland。
Accordingtomyplan，Iwasgoingtoturnuptherefromthevillage，notfrombelow。SoIjusttookalook，andshovedalong，straightfortown。
Well，theveryfirstmanIseewhenIgottherewastheduke。HewasstickingupabillfortheRoyalNonesuch——three-nightperformance——likethatothertime。Theyhadthecheek，themfrauds！IwasrightonhimbeforeIcouldshirk。Helookedastonished，andsays：
“Hel-LO！Where”dYOUcomefrom？“Thenhesays，kindofgladandeager，“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；thenwefetchedhimover，andIstarteddownfortheraft。WhenIgotthereandseeitwasgone，Isaystomyself，”They”vegotintotroubleandhadtoleave；andthey”vetookmynigger，whichistheonlyniggerI”vegotintheworld，andnowI”minastrangecountry，andain”tgotnopropertynomore，nornothing，andnowaytomakemyliving；”soIsetdownandcried。Isleptinthewoodsallnight。ButwhatDIDbecomeoftheraft，then？——andJim——poorJim！“
“BlamedifIknow——thatis，what”sbecomeoftheraft。Thatoldfoolhadmadeatradeandgotfortydollars，andwhenwefoundhiminthedoggerytheloafershadmatchedhalf-dollarswithhimandgoteverycentbutwhathe”dspentforwhisky；andwhenIgothimhomelatelastnightandfoundtheraftgone，wesaid，”Thatlittlerascalhasstoleourraftandshookus，andrunoffdowntheriver。”“
“Iwouldn”tshakemyNIGGER，wouldI？——theonlyniggerIhadintheworld，andtheonlyproperty。”
“Weneverthoughtofthat。Factis，Ireckonwe”dcometoconsiderhimOURnigger；yes，wedidconsiderhimso——goodnessknowswehadtroubleenoughforhim。Sowhenweseetheraftwasgoneandweflatbroke，therewarn”tanythingforitbuttotrytheRoyalNonesuchanothershake。AndI”vepeggedalongeversince，dryasapowder-horn。Where”sthattencents？
Giveithere。”
Ihadconsiderablemoney，soIgivehimtencents，butbeggedhimtospenditforsomethingtoeat，andgivemesome，becauseitwasallthemoneyIhad，andIhadn”thadnothingtoeatsinceyesterday。Heneversaidnothing。Thenextminutehewhirlsonmeandsays：
“Doyoureckonthatniggerwouldblowonus？We”dskinhimifhedonethat！“
“Howcanheblow？Hain”therunoff？“
“No！Thatoldfoolsoldhim，andneverdividedwithme，andthemoney”sgone。”
“SOLDhim？“Isays，andbeguntocry；“why，hewasMYnigger，andthatwasmymoney。Whereishe？——Iwantmynigger。”
“Well，youcan”tGETyournigger，that”sall——sodryupyourblubbering。
Lookyhere——doyouthinkYOU”Dventuretoblowonus？BlamedifIthinkI”dtrustyou。Why，ifyouWAStoblowonus”
Hestopped，butIneverseethedukelooksouglyoutofhiseyesbefore。
Iwentona-whimpering，andsays：
“Idon”twanttoblowonnobody；andIain”tgotnotimetoblow，nohow。
Igottoturnoutandfindmynigger。”
Helookedkinderbothered，andstoodtherewithhisbillsflutteringonhisarm，thinking，andwrinklinguphisforehead。Atlasthesays：
“I”lltellyousomething。Wegottobeherethreedays。Ifyou”llpromiseyouwon”tblow，andwon”tlettheniggerblow，I”lltellyouwheretofindhim。”
SoIpromised，andhesays：
“AfarmerbythenameofSilasPh——”andthenhestopped。Yousee，hestartedtotellmethetruth；butwhenhestoppedthatway，andbeguntostudyandthinkagain，Ireckonedhewaschanginghismind。Andsohewas。Hewouldn”ttrustme；hewantedtomakesureofhavingmeoutofthewaythewholethreedays。Soprettysoonhesays：
“ThemanthatboughthimisnamedAbramFoster——AbramG。Foster——
andhelivesfortymilebackhereinthecountry，ontheroadtoLafayette。”
“Allright，“Isays，“Icanwalkitinthreedays。AndI”llstartthisveryafternoon。”
“Noyouwont，you”llstartNOW；anddon”tyouloseanytimeaboutit，neither，nordoanygabblingbytheway。Justkeepatighttongueinyourheadandmoverightalong，andthenyouwon”tgetintotroublewithUS，d”yehear？“
ThatwastheorderIwanted，andthatwastheoneIplayedfor。Iwantedtobeleftfreetoworkmyplans。
“Soclearout，“hesays；“andyoucantellMr。Fosterwhateveryouwantto。MaybeyoucangethimtobelievethatJimISyournigger——someidiotsdon”trequiredocuments——leastwaysI”veheardthere”ssuchdownSouthhere。Andwhenyoutellhimthehandbillandthereward”sbogus，maybehe”llbelieveyouwhenyouexplaintohimwhattheideawasforgetting”emout。Go”longnow，andtellhimanythingyouwantto；butmindyoudon”tworkyourjawanyBETWEENhereandthere。”
SoIleft，andstruckforthebackcountry。Ididn”tlookaround，butIkinderfeltlikehewaswatchingme。ButIknowedIcouldtirehimoutatthat。IwentstraightoutinthecountryasmuchasamilebeforeI
stopped；thenIdoubledbackthroughthewoodstowardsPhelps”。IreckonedIbetterstartinonmyplanstraightoffwithoutfoolingaround，becauseIwantedtostopJim”smouthtillthesefellowscouldgetaway。Ididn”twantnotroublewiththeirkind。I”dseenallIwantedtoofthem，andwantedtogetentirelyshutofthem。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter32Chapter32WHENIgotthereitwasallstillandSunday-like，andhotandsunshiny；
thehandswasgonetothefields；andtherewasthemkindoffaintdroningsofbugsandfliesintheairthatmakesitseemsolonesomeandlikeeverybody”sdeadandgone；andifabreezefansalongandquiverstheleavesitmakesyoufeelmournful，becauseyoufeellikeit”sspiritswhispering——spiritsthat”sbeendeadeversomanyyears——andyoualwaysthinkthey”retalkingaboutYOU。AsageneralthingitmakesabodywishHEwasdead，too，anddonewithitall。
Phelps”wasoneoftheselittleone-horsecottonplantations，andtheyalllookalike。Arailfenceroundatwo-acreyard；astilemadeoutoflogssawedoffandup-endedinsteps，likebarrelsofadifferentlength，toclimboverthefencewith，andforthewomentostandonwhentheyaregoingtojumpontoahorse；somesicklygrass-patchesinthebigyard，butmostlyitwasbareandsmooth，likeanoldhatwiththenaprubbedoff；bigdoublelog-houseforthewhitefolks——hewedlogs，withthechinksstoppedupwithmudormortar，andthesemud-stripesbeenwhitewashedsometimeoranother；round-logkitchen，withabigbroad，openbutroofedpassagejoiningittothehouse；logsmokehousebackofthekitchen；threelittlelognigger-cabinsinarowt”othersidethesmoke-house；onelittlehutallbyitselfawaydownagainstthebackfence，andsomeoutbuildingsdownapiecetheotherside；ashhopperandbigkettletobilesoapinbythelittlehut；benchbythekitchendoor，withbucketofwaterandagourd；
houndasleepthereinthesun；morehoundsasleeproundabout；aboutthreeshadetreesawayoffinacorner；somecurrantbushesandgooseberrybushesinoneplacebythefence；outsideofthefenceagardenandawatermelonpatch；thenthecottonfieldsbegins，andafterthefieldsthewoods。
Iwentaroundandclumboverthebackstilebytheash-hopper，andstartedforthekitchen。WhenIgotalittlewaysIheardthedimhumofaspinning-wheelwailingalongupandsinkingalongdownagain；andthenIknowedforcertainIwishedIwasdead——forthatISthelonesomestsoundinthewholeworld。
Iwentrightalong，notfixingupanyparticularplan，butjusttrustingtoProvidencetoputtherightwordsinmymouthwhenthetimecome；forI”dnoticedthatProvidencealwaysdidputtherightwordsinmymouthifIleftitalone。
WhenIgothalf-way，firstonehoundandthenanothergotupandwentforme，andofcourseIstoppedandfacedthem，andkeptstill。Andsuchanotherpowwowastheymade！InaquarterofaminuteIwasakindofahubofawheel，asyoumaysay——spokesmadeoutofdogs——circleoffifteenofthempackedtogetheraroundme，withtheirnecksandnosesstretcheduptowardsme，a-barkingandhowling；andmorea-coming；youcouldseethemsailingoverfencesandaroundcornersfromeverywheres。
Aniggerwomancometearingoutofthekitchenwitharolling-pininherhand，singingout，“BegoneYOUTige！youSpot！begonesah！“andshefetchedfirstoneandthenanotherofthemaclipandsentthemhowling，andthentherestfollowed；andthenextsecondhalfofthemcomeback，waggingtheirtailsaroundme，andmakingfriendswithme。Thereain”tnoharminahound，nohow。
Andbehindthewomancomesalittleniggergirlandtwolittleniggerboyswithoutanythingonbuttow-linenshirts，andtheyhungontotheirmother”sgown，andpeepedoutfrombehindheratme，bashful，thewaytheyalwaysdo。Andherecomesthewhitewomanrunningfromthehouse，aboutforty-fiveorfiftyyearold，bareheaded，andherspinning-stickinherhand；andbehindhercomesherlittlewhitechildren，actingthesamewaythelittleniggerswasgoing。Shewassmilingalloversoshecouldhardlystand——andsays：
“It”sYOU，atlast！——AIN”Tit？“
Ioutwitha“Yes”m“beforeIthought。
Shegrabbedmeandhuggedmetight；andthengrippedmebybothhandsandshookandshook；andthetearscomeinhereyes，andrundownover；
andshecouldn”tseemtohugandshakeenough，andkeptsaying，“Youdon”tlookasmuchlikeyourmotherasIreckonedyouwould；butlawsakes，I
don”tcareforthat，I”msogladtoseeyou！Dear，dear，itdoesseemlikeIcouldeatyouup！Children，it”syourcousinTom！——tellhimhowdy。”
Buttheyduckedtheirheads，andputtheirfingersintheirmouths，andhidbehindher。Sosherunon：
“Lize，hurryupandgethimahotbreakfastrightaway——ordidyougetyourbreakfastontheboat？“
IsaidIhadgotitontheboat。Sothenshestartedforthehouse，leadingmebythehand，andthechildrentaggingafter。Whenwegotthereshesetmedowninasplit-bottomedchair，andsetherselfdownonalittlelowstoolinfrontofme，holdingbothofmyhands，andsays：
“NowIcanhaveaGOODlookatyou；and，laws-ame，I”vebeenhungryforitamanyandamanyatime，alltheselongyears，andit”scomeatlast！Webeenexpectingyouacoupleofdaysandmore。Whatkep”you？——
boatgetaground？“
“Yes”m——she”
“Don”tsayyes”m——sayAuntSally。Where”dshegetaground？“
Ididn”trightlyknowwhattosay，becauseIdidn”tknowwhethertheboatwouldbecominguptheriverordown。ButIgoagooddealoninstinct；
andmyinstinctsaidshewouldbecomingup——fromdowntowardsOrleans。
Thatdidn”thelpmemuch，though；forIdidn”tknowthenamesofbarsdownthatway。IseeI”dgottoinventabar，orforgetthenameoftheonewegotagroundon——or——NowIstruckanidea，andfetcheditout：
“Itwarn”tthegrounding——thatdidn”tkeepusbackbutalittle。Weblowedoutacylinder-head。”
“Goodgracious！anybodyhurt？“
“No”m。Killedanigger。”
“Well，it”slucky；becausesometimespeopledogethurt。TwoyearsagolastChristmasyouruncleSilaswascomingupfromNewrleansontheoldLallyRook，andsheblowedoutacylinder-headandcrippledaman。AndIthinkhediedafterwards。HewasaBaptist。YouruncleSilasknowedafamilyinBatonRougethatknowedhispeopleverywell。Yes，Iremembernow，heDIDdie。Mortificationsetin，andtheyhadtoamputatehim。Butitdidn”tsavehim。Yes，itwasmortification——thatwasit。Heturnedblueallover，anddiedinthehopeofagloriousresurrection。Theysayhewasasighttolookat。Youruncle”sbeenuptothetowneverydaytofetchyou。Andhe”sgoneagain，notmore”nanhourago；he”llbebackanyminutenow。Youmustamethimontheroad，didn”tyou？——oldishman，witha”
“No，Ididn”tseenobody，AuntSally。Theboatlandedjustatdaylight，andIleftmybaggageonthewharf-boatandwentlookingaroundthetownandoutapieceinthecountry，toputinthetimeandnotgetheretoosoon；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-runningonthisway，andyouhain”ttoldmeawordaboutSis，noranyofthem。NowI”llrestmyworksalittle，andyoustartupyourn；justtellmeEVERYTHING——tellmeallabout”malleveryoneof”m；andhowtheyare，andwhatthey”redoing，andwhattheytoldyoutotellme；andeverylastthingyoucanthinkof。”
Well，IseeIwasupastump——andupitgood。Providencehadstoodbymethisfurallright，butIwashardandtightagroundnow。Iseeitwarn”tabitofusetotrytogoahead——I”dgottothrowupmyhand。
SoIsaystomyself，here”sanotherplacewhereIgottoreskthetruth。
Iopenedmymouthtobegin；butshegrabbedmeandhustledmeinbehindthebed，andsays：
“Herehecomes！Stickyourheaddownlower——there，that”lldo；youcan”tbeseennow。Don”tyouletonyou”rehere。I”llplayajokeonhim。
Children，don”tyousayaword。”
IseeIwasinafixnow。Butitwarn”tnousetoworry；therewarn”tnothingtodobutjustholdstill，andtryandbereadytostandfromunderwhenthelightningstruck。
Ihadjustonelittleglimpseoftheoldgentlemanwhenhecomein；
thenthebedhidhim。Mrs。Phelpsshejumpsforhim，andsays：
“Hashecome？“
“No，“saysherhusband。
“Good-NESSgracious！“shesays，“whatinthewarldcanhavebecomeofhim？“
“Ican”timagine，“saystheoldgentleman；“andImustsayitmakesmedreadfuluneasy。”
“Uneasy！“shesays；“I”mreadytogodistracted！HeMUSTacome；andyou”vemissedhimalongtheroad。IKNOWit”sso——somethingtellsmeso。”
“Why，Sally，ICOULDN”Tmisshimalongtheroad——YOUknowthat。”
“Butoh，dear，dear，whatWILLSissay！Hemustacome！Youmustamissedhim。He”
“Oh，don”tdistressmeanymore”nI”malreadydistressed。Idon”tknowwhatintheworldtomakeofit。I”matmywit”send，andIdon”tmindacknowledging”tI”mrightdownscared。Butthere”snohopethathe”scome；
forheCOULDN”Tcomeandmemisshim。Sally，it”sterrible——justterrible——something”shappenedtotheboat，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。
Butiftheywasjoyful，itwarn”tnothingtowhatIwas；foritwaslikebeingbornagain，IwassogladtofindoutwhoIwas。Well，theyfrozetomefortwohours；andatlast，whenmychinwassotireditcouldn”thardlygoanymore，Ihadtoldthemmoreaboutmyfamily——ImeantheSawyerfamily——thaneverhappenedtoanysixSawyerfamilies。AndIexplainedallabouthowweblowedoutacylinder-headatthemouthofWhiteRiver，andittookusthreedaystofixit。Whichwasallright，andworkedfirst-rate；
becauseTHEYdidn”tknowbutwhatitwouldtakethreedaystofixit。IfI”dacalleditaboltheaditwouldadonejustaswell。
NowIwasfeelingprettycomfortablealldownoneside，andprettyuncomfortablealluptheother。BeingTomSawyerwaseasyandcomfortable，anditstayedeasyandcomfortabletillbyandbyIhearasteamboatcoughingalongdowntheriver。ThenIsaystomyself，s”poseTomSawyercomesdownonthatboat？Ands”posehestepsinhereanyminute，andsingsoutmynamebeforeIcanthrowhimawinktokeepquiet？
Well，Icouldn”tHAVEitthatway；itwouldn”tdoatall。Imustgouptheroadandwaylayhim。SoItoldthefolksIreckonedIwouldgouptothetownandfetchdownmybaggage。Theoldgentlemanwasforgoingalongwithme，butIsaidno，Icoulddrivethehorsemyself，andIdrutherhewouldn”ttakenotroubleaboutme。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter33Chapter33SOIstartedfortowninthewagon，andwhenIwashalf-wayIseeawagoncoming，andsureenoughitwasTomSawyer，andIstoppedandwaitedtillhecomealong。Isays“Holdon！“anditstoppedalongside，andhismouthopeneduplikeatrunk，andstayedso；andheswallowedtwoorthreetimeslikeapersonthat”sgotadrythroat，andthensays：
“Ihain”teverdoneyounoharm。Youknowthat。So，then，whatyouwanttocomebackandha”ntMEfor？“
Isays：
“Ihain”tcomeback——Ihain”tbeenGONE。”
Whenheheardmyvoiceitrightedhimupsome，buthewarn”tquitesatisfiedyet。Hesays：
“Don”tyouplaynothingonme，becauseIwouldn”tonyou。Honestinjun，youain”taghost？“
“Honestinjun，Iain”t，“Isays。
“Well——I——I——well，thatoughttosettleit，ofcourse；butIcan”tsomehowseemtounderstanditnoway。Lookyhere，warn”tyouevermurderedATALL？“
“No。Iwarn”tevermurderedatall——Iplayeditonthem。Youcomeinhereandfeelofmeifyoudon”tbelieveme。”
Sohedoneit；anditsatisfiedhim；andhewasthatgladtoseemeagainhedidn”tknowwhattodo。Andhewantedtoknowallaboutitrightoff，becauseitwasagrandadventure，andmysterious，andsoithithimwherehelived。ButIsaid，leaveitalonetillbyandby；andtoldhisdrivertowait，andwedroveoffalittlepiece，andItoldhimthekindofafixIwasin，andwhatdidhereckonwebetterdo？Hesaid，lethimaloneaminute，anddon”tdisturbhim。Sohethoughtandthought，andprettysoonhesays：
“It”sallright；I”vegotit。Takemytrunkinyourwagon，andletonit”syour”n；andyouturnbackandfoolalongslow，soastogettothehouseaboutthetimeyououghtto；andI”llgotowardstownapiece，andtakeafreshstart，andgetthereaquarterorahalfanhourafteryou；
andyouneedn”tletontoknowmeatfirst。”
Isays：
“Allright；butwaitaminute。There”sonemorething——athingthatNOBODYdon”tknowbutme。Andthatis，there”saniggerherethatI”ma-tryingtostealoutofslavery，andhisnameisJIM——oldMissWatson”sJim。”
Hesays：
“What！Why，Jimis”
Hestoppedandwenttostudying。Isays：
“Iknowwhatyou”llsay。You”llsayit”sdirty，lowdownbusiness；butwhatifitis？I”mlowdown；andI”ma-goingtostealhim，andIwantyoukeepmumandnotleton。Willyou？“
Hiseyelitup，andhesays：
“I”llHELPyoustealhim！“
Well，Iletgoallholtsthen，likeIwasshot。ItwasthemostastonishingspeechIeverheard——andI”mboundtosayTomSawyerfellconsiderableinmyestimation。OnlyIcouldn”tbelieveit。TomSawyeraNIGGER-STEALER！
“Oh，shucks！“Isays；“you”rejoking。”
“Iain”tjoking，either。”
“Well，then，“Isays，“jokingornojoking，ifyouhearanythingsaidaboutarunawaynigger，don”tforgettorememberthatYOUdon”tknownothingabouthim，andIdon”tknownothingabouthim。”
Thenwetookthetrunkandputitinmywagon，andhedroveoffhiswayandIdrovemine。ButofcourseIforgotallaboutdrivingslowonaccountsofbeinggladandfullofthinking；soIgothomeaheaptooquickforthatlengthofatrip。Theoldgentlemanwasatthedoor，andhesays：
“Why，thisiswonderful！Whoeverwouldathoughtitwasinthatmaretodoit？Iwishwe”datimedher。Andshehain”tsweatedahair——notahair。It”swonderful。Why，Iwouldn”ttakeahundreddollarsforthathorsenow——Iwouldn”t，honest；andyetI”dasoldherforfifteenbefore，andthought”twasallshewasworth。”
That”sallhesaid。Hewastheinnocentest，bestoldsoulIeversee。
Butitwarn”tsurprising；becausehewarn”tonlyjustafarmer，hewasapreacher，too，andhadalittleone-horselogchurchdownbackoftheplantation，whichhebuiltithimselfathisownexpense，forachurchandschoolhouse，andneverchargednothingforhispreaching，anditwasworthit，too。Therewasplentyotherfarmer-preacherslikethat，anddonethesameway，downSouth。
InabouthalfanhourTom”swagondroveuptothefrontstile，andAuntSallysheseeitthroughthewindow，becauseitwasonlyaboutfiftyyards，andsays：
“Why，there”ssomebodycome！Iwonderwho”tis？Why，Idobelieveit”sastranger。Jimmy“(that”soneofthechildren)”“runandtellLizetoputonanotherplatefordinner。”
Everybodymadearushforthefrontdoor，because，ofcourse，astrangerdon”tcomeEVERYyear，andsohelaysovertheyaller-fever，forinterest，whenhedoescome。Tomwasoverthestileandstartingforthehouse；thewagonwasspinninguptheroadforthevillage，andwewasallbunchedinthefrontdoor。Tomhadhisstoreclotheson，andanaudience——andthatwasalwaysnutsforTomSawyer。Inthemcircumstancesitwarn”tnotroubletohimtothrowinanamountofstylethatwassuitable。Hewarn”taboytomeekyalongupthatyardlikeasheep；no，hecomeca”mandimportant，liketheram。Whenhegota-frontofusheliftshishateversograciousanddainty，likeitwasthelidofaboxthathadbutterfliesasleepinitandhedidn”twanttodisturbthem，andsays：
“Mr。ArchibaldNichols，Ipresume？“
“No，myboy，“saystheoldgentleman，“I”msorrytosay”tyourdriverhasdeceivedyou；Nichols”splaceisdownamatterofthreemilemore。
Comein，comein。”
Tomhetookalookbackoverhisshoulder，andsays，“Toolate——he”soutofsight。”
“Yes，he”sgone，myson，andyoumustcomeinandeatyourdinnerwithus；andthenwe”llhitchupandtakeyoudowntoNichols”s。”
“Oh，ICAN”Tmakeyousomuchtrouble；Icouldn”tthinkofit。I”llwalk——Idon”tmindthedistance。”
“Butwewon”tLETyouwalk——itwouldn”tbeSouthernhospitalitytodoit。Comerightin。”
“Oh，DO，“saysAuntSally；“itain”tabitoftroubletous，notabitintheworld。Youmuststay。It”salong，dustythreemile，andwecan”tletyouwalk。And，besides，I”vealreadytold”emtoputonanotherplatewhenIseeyoucoming；soyoumustn”tdisappointus。Comerightinandmakeyourselfathome。”
SoTomhethankedthemveryheartyandhandsome，andlethimselfbepersuaded，andcomein；andwhenhewasinhesaidhewasastrangerfromHicksville，Ohio，andhisnamewasWilliamThompson——andhemadeanotherbow。
Well，herunon，andon，andon，makingupstuffaboutHicksvilleandeverybodyinithecouldinvent，andIgettingalittlenervious，andwonderinghowthiswasgoingtohelpmeoutofmyscrape；andatlast，stilltalkingalong，hereachedoverandkissedAuntSallyrightonthemouth，andthensettledbackagaininhischaircomfortable，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，anditlookedlikeitwasallshecoulddotokeepfromgivinghimacrackwithit。“WhatmadeyouthinkI”dlikeit？“
“Well，Idon”tknow。Only，they——they——toldmeyouwould。”
“THEYtoldyouIwould。Whoevertoldyou”sANOTHERlunatic。Ineverheardthebeatofit。Who”sTHEY？“
“Why，everybody。Theyallsaidso，m”am。”
Itwasallshecoulddotoholdin；andhereyessnapped，andherfingersworkedlikeshewantedtoscratchhim；andshesays：
“Who”s”everybody”？Outwiththeirnames，orther”llbeanidiotshort。”
Hegotupandlookeddistressed，andfumbledhishat，andsays：
“I”msorry，andIwarn”texpectingit。Theytoldmeto。Theyalltoldmeto。Theyallsaid，kissher；andsaidshe”dlikeit。Theyallsaidit——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！I
layyou”llbetheMethusalem-numskullofcreationbeforeeverIaskyou——orthelikesofyou。”
“Well，“hesays，“itdoessurprisemeso。Ican”tmakeitout，somehow。
Theysaidyouwould，andIthoughtyouwould。But”Hestoppedandlookedaroundslow，likehewishedhecouldrunacrossafriendlyeyesomewheres，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。”
Soshedidn”tlosenotime，butaskedhim；andhuggedhimandkissedhimoverandoveragain，andthenturnedhimovertotheoldman，andhetookwhatwasleft。Andaftertheygotalittlequietagainshesays：
“Why，dearme，Ineverseesuchasurprise。Wewarn”tlookingforYOU
atall，butonlyTom。Sisneverwrotetomeaboutanybodycomingbuthim。”
“It”sbecauseitwarn”tINTENDEDforanyofustocomebutTom，“hesays；“butIbeggedandbegged，andatthelastminutesheletmecome，too；so，comingdowntheriver，meandTomthoughtitwouldbeafirst-ratesurpriseforhimtocomeheretothehousefirst，andformetobyandbytagalonganddropin，andletontobeastranger。Butitwasamistake，AuntSally。Thisain”tnohealthyplaceforastrangertocome。”
“No——notimpudentwhelps，Sid。Yououghttohadyourjawsboxed；I
hain”tbeensoputoutsinceIdon”tknowwhen。ButIdon”tcare，Idon”tmindtheterms——I”dbewillingtostandathousandsuchjokestohaveyouhere。Well，tothinkofthatperformance！Idon”tdenyit，Iwasmostputrifiedwithastonishmentwhenyougivemethatsmack。”
Wehaddinneroutinthatbroadopenpassagebetwixtthehouseandthekitchen；andtherewasthingsenoughonthattableforsevenfamilies——
andallhot，too；noneofyourflabby，toughmeatthat”slaidinacupboardinadampcellarallnightandtasteslikeahunkofoldcoldcannibalinthemorning。UncleSilasheaskedaprettylongblessingoverit，butitwasworthit；anditdidn”tcoolitabit，neither，thewayI”veseenthemkindofinterruptionsdolotsoftimes。Therewasaconsiderablegooddealoftalkalltheafternoon，andmeandTomwasonthelookoutallthetime；butitwarn”tnouse，theydidn”thappentosaynothingaboutanyrunawaynigger，andwewasafraidtotrytoworkuptoit。Butatsupper，atnight，oneofthelittleboyssays：
“Pa，mayn”tTomandSidandmegototheshow？“
“No，“saystheoldman，“Ireckonthereain”tgoingtobeany；andyoucouldn”tgoiftherewas；becausetherunawayniggertoldBurtonandmeallaboutthatscandalousshow，andBurtonsaidhewouldtellthepeople；
soIreckonthey”vedrovetheowdaciousloafersoutoftownbeforethistime。”
Sothereitwas！——butIcouldn”thelpit。Tomandmewastosleepinthesameroomandbed；so，beingtired，webidgood-nightandwentuptobedrightaftersupper，andclumboutofthewindowanddownthelightning-rod，andshovedforthetown；forIdidn”tbelieveanybodywasgoingtogivethekingandthedukeahint，andsoifIdidn”thurryupandgivethemonethey”dgetintotroublesure。
OntheroadTomhetoldmeallabouthowitwasreckonedIwasmurdered，andhowpapdisappearedprettysoon，anddidn”tcomebacknomore，andwhatastirtherewaswhenJimrunaway；andItoldTomallaboutourRoyalNonesuchrapscallions，andasmuchoftheraftvoyageasIhadtimeto；
andaswestruckintothetownandupthroughthe——herecomesaragingrushofpeoplewithtorches，andanawfulwhoopingandyelling，andbangingtinpansandblowinghorns；andwejumpedtoonesidetoletthemgoby；
andastheywentbyIseetheyhadthekingandthedukeastraddleofarail——thatis，IknoweditWASthekingandtheduke，thoughtheywasallovertarandfeathers，anddidn”tlooklikenothingintheworldthatwashuman——justlookedlikeacoupleofmonstrousbigsoldier-plumes。
Well，itmademesicktoseeit；andIwassorryforthempoorpitifulrascals，itseemedlikeIcouldn”teverfeelanyhardnessagainstthemanymoreintheworld。Itwasadreadfulthingtosee。HumanbeingsCAN
beawfulcrueltooneanother。
Weseewewastoolate——couldn”tdonogood。Weaskedsomestragglersaboutit，andtheysaideverybodywenttotheshowlookingveryinnocent；
andlaidlowandkeptdarktillthepooroldkingwasinthemiddleofhiscavortingsonthestage；thensomebodygiveasignal，andthehouseroseupandwentforthem。
Sowepokedalongbackhome，andIwarn”tfeelingsobrashasIwasbefore，butkindofornery，andhumble，andtoblame，somehow——thoughIhadn”tdonenothing。Butthat”salwaystheway；itdon”tmakenodifferencewhetheryoudorightorwrong，aperson”sconscienceain”tgotnosense，andjustgoesforhimanyway。IfIhadayallerdogthatdidn”tknownomorethanaperson”sconsciencedoesIwouldpisonhim。Ittakesupmoreroomthanalltherestofaperson”sinsides，andyetain”tnogood，nohow。
TomSawyerhesaysthesame。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter34Chapter34WEstoppedtalking，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，theniggerunlockedthepadlockwhenhewentin，andhelockeditagainwhenhecameout。Hefetcheduncleakeyaboutthetimewegotupfromtable——samekey，Ibet。Watermelonshowsman，lockshowsprisoner；
anditain”tlikelythere”stwoprisonersonsuchalittleplantation，andwherethepeople”sallsokindandgood。Jim”stheprisoner。Allright——I”mgladwefounditoutdetectivefashion；Iwouldn”tgiveshucksforanyotherway。Nowyouworkyourmind，andstudyoutaplantostealJim，andIwillstudyoutone，too；andwe”lltaketheonewelikethebest。”
Whataheadforjustaboytohave！IfIhadTomSawyer”sheadIwouldn”ttradeitofftobeaduke，normateofasteamboat，norclowninacircus，nornothingIcanthinkof。Iwenttothinkingoutaplan，butonlyjusttobedoingsomething；Iknowedverywellwheretherightplanwasgoingtocomefrom。PrettysoonTomsays：
“Ready？“
“Yes，“Isays。
“Allright——bringitout。”
“Myplanisthis，“Isays。“Wecaneasyfindoutifit”sJiminthere。
Thengetupmycanoeto-morrownight，andfetchmyraftoverfromtheisland。
Thenthefirstdarknightthatcomesstealthekeyoutoftheoldman”sbritchesafterhegoestobed，andshoveoffdowntheriverontheraftwithJim，hidingdaytimesandrunningnights，thewaymeandJimusedtodobefore。Wouldn”tthatplanwork？“
“WORK？Why，cert”nlyitwouldwork，likeratsa-fighting。Butit”stooblame”simple；thereain”tnothingTOit。What”sthegoodofaplanthatain”tnomoretroublethanthat？It”sasmildasgoose-milk。Why，Huck，itwouldn”tmakenomoretalkthanbreakingintoasoapfactory。”
Ineversaidnothing，becauseIwarn”texpectingnothingdifferent；
butIknowedmightywellthatwheneverhegotHISplanreadyitwouldn”thavenoneofthemobjectionstoit。
Anditdidn”t。Hetoldmewhatitwas，andIseeinaminuteitwasworthfifteenofmineforstyle，andwouldmakeJimjustasfreeamanasminewould，andmaybegetusallkilledbesides。SoIwassatisfied，andsaidwewouldwaltzinonit。Ineedn”ttellwhatitwashere，becauseIknoweditwouldn”tstaytheway，itwas。Iknowedhewouldbechangingitaroundeverywhichwayaswewentalong，andheavinginnewbullinesseswhereverhegotachance。Andthatiswhathedone。
Well，onethingwasdeadsure，andthatwasthatTomSawyerwasinearnest，andwasactulygoingtohelpstealthatniggeroutofslavery。Thatwasthethingthatwastoomanyforme。Herewasaboythatwasrespectableandwellbrungup；andhadacharactertolose；andfolksathomethathadcharacters；andhewasbrightandnotleather-headed；andknowingandnotignorant；andnotmean，butkind；andyetherehewas，withoutanymorepride，orrightness，orfeeling，thantostooptothisbusiness，andmakehimselfashame，andhisfamilyashame，beforeeverybody。ICOULDN”T
understanditnowayatall。Itwasoutrageous，andIknowedIoughttojustupandtellhimso；andsobehistruefriend，andlethimquitthethingrightwherehewasandsavehimself。AndIDIDstarttotellhim；
butheshutmeup，andsays：
“Don”tyoureckonIknowwhatI”mabout？Don”tIgenerlyknowwhatI”mabout？“
“Yes。”
“Didn”tISAYIwasgoingtohelpstealthenigger？“
“Yes。”
“WELL，then。”
That”sallhesaid，andthat”sallIsaid。Itwarn”tnousetosayanymore；becausewhenhesaidhe”ddoathing，healwaysdoneit。ButIcouldn”tmakeouthowhewaswillingtogointothisthing；soIjustletitgo，andneverbotherednomoreaboutit。Ifhewasboundtohaveitso，Icouldn”thelpit。
Whenwegothomethehousewasalldarkandstill；sowewentondowntothehutbytheash-hopperfortoexamineit。Wewentthroughtheyardsoastoseewhatthehoundswoulddo。Theyknowedus，anddidn”tmakenomorenoisethancountrydogsisalwaysdoingwhenanythingcomesbyinthenight。Whenwegottothecabinwetookalookatthefrontandthetwosides；andonthesideIwarn”tacquaintedwith——whichwasthenorthside——wefoundasquarewindowhole，uptolerablehigh，withjustonestoutboardnailedacrossit。Isays：
“Here”stheticket。Thishole”sbigenoughforJimtogetthroughifwewrenchofftheboard。”
Tomsays：
“It”sassimpleastit-tat-toe，three-in-a-row，andaseasyasplayinghooky。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-tothatjoinedthehutattheeaves，andwasmadeoutofplank。Itwasaslongasthehut，butnarrow——onlyaboutsixfootwide。Thedoortoitwasatthesouthend，andwaspadlocked。Tomhewenttothesoap-kettleandsearchedaround，andfetchedbacktheironthingtheyliftthelidwith；
sohetookitandprizedoutoneofthestaples。Thechainfelldown，andweopenedthedoorandwentin，andshutit，andstruckamatch，andseetheshedwasonlybuiltagainstacabinandhadn”tnoconnectionwithit；
andtherewarn”tnofloortotheshed，nornothinginitbutsomeoldrustyplayed-outhoesandspadesandpicksandacrippledplow。Thematchwentout，andsodidwe，andshovedinthestapleagain，andthedoorwaslockedasgoodasever。Tomwasjoyful。Hesays；
“Nowwe”reallright。We”llDIGhimout。It”lltakeaboutaweek！“
Thenwestartedforthehouse，andIwentinthebackdoor——youonlyhavetopullabuckskinlatchstring，theydon”tfastenthedoors——butthatwarn”tromanticalenoughforTomSawyer；nowaywoulddohimbuthemustclimbupthelightning-rod。Butafterhegotuphalfwayaboutthreetimes，andmissedfireandfelleverytime，andthelasttimemostbustedhisbrainsout，hethoughthe”dgottogiveitup；butafterhewasrestedheallowedhewouldgiveheronemoreturnforluck，andthistimehemadethetrip。
Inthemorningwewasupatbreakofday，anddowntotheniggercabinstopetthedogsandmakefriendswiththeniggerthatfedJim——ifitWASJimthatwasbeingfed。Theniggerswasjustgettingthroughbreakfastandstartingforthefields；andJim”sniggerwaspilingupatinpanwithbreadandmeatandthings；andwhilsttheotherswasleaving，thekeycomefromthehouse。
Thisniggerhadagood-natured，chuckle-headedface，andhiswoolwasalltiedupinlittlebuncheswiththread。Thatwastokeepwitchesoff。
Hesaidthewitcheswaspesteringhimawfulthesenights，andmakinghimseeallkindsofstrangethings，andhearallkindsofstrangewordsandnoises，andhedidn”tbelievehewaseverwitchedsolongbeforeinhislife。Hegotsoworkedup，andgottorunningonsoabouthistroubles，heforgotallaboutwhathe”dbeena-goingtodo。SoTomsays：
“What”sthevittlesfor？Goingtofeedthedogs？“
Theniggerkindofsmiledaroundgradulyoverhisface，likewhenyouheaveabrickbatinamud-puddle，andhesays：
“Yes，MarsSid，Adog。Cur”usdog，too。Doesyouwanttogoenlookat”im？“
“Yes。”
IhunchedTom，andwhispers：
“Yougoing，righthereinthedaybreak？THATwarn”ttheplan。”
“No，itwarn”t；butit”stheplanNOW。”
