Theyshovedoff，presently，Tomincommand，HuckattheafteroarandJoeattheforward。Tomstoodamidships，gloomy—browed，andwithfoldedarms，andgavehisordersinalow，sternwhisper：
\"Luff，andbringhertothewind！\"
\"Aye—aye，sir！\"
\"Steady，steady—y—y—y！\"
\"Steadyitis，sir！\"
\"Lethergooffapoint！\"
\"Pointitis，sir！\"
Astheboyssteadilyandmonotonouslydrovetherafttowardmid—streamitwasnodoubtunderstoodthattheseordersweregivenonlyfor\"style，\"
andwerenotintendedtomeananythinginparticular。
\"Whatsail’sshecarrying？\"
\"Courses，tops’ls，andflying—jib，sir。\"
\"Sendther’yalsup！Layoutaloft，there，halfadozenofye——foretopmaststuns’l！Lively，now！\"
\"Aye—aye，sir！\"
\"Shakeoutthatmaintogalans’l！Sheetsandbraces！NOWmyhearties！\"
\"Aye—aye，sir！\"
\"Hellum—a—lee——hardaport！Standbytomeetherwhenshecomes！
Port，port！Now，men！Withawill！Stead—y—y—y！\"
\"Steadyitis，sir！\"
Theraftdrewbeyondthemiddleoftheriver；theboyspointedherheadright，andthenlayontheiroars。Theriverwasnothigh，sotherewasnotmorethanatwoorthreemilecurrent。Hardlyawordwassaidduringthenextthree—quartersofanhour。Nowtheraftwaspassingbeforethedistanttown。Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay，peacefullysleeping，beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar—gemmedwater，unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening。TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms，\"lookinghislast\"uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings，andwishing\"she\"couldseehimnow，abroadonthewildsea，facingperilanddeathwithdauntlessheart，goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips。ItwasbutasmallstrainonhisimaginationtoremoveJackson’sIslandbeyondeye—shotofthevillage，andsohe\"lookedhislast\"withabrokenandsatisfiedheart。Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast，too；andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland。
Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime，andmadeshifttoavertit。Abouttwoo’clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland，andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight。Partofthelittleraft’sbelongingsconsistedofanoldsail，andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions；buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather，asbecameoutlaws。
Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest，andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying—panforsupper，anduseduphalfofthecorn\"pone\"stocktheyhadbrought。Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwild，freewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland，farfromthehauntsofmen，andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntocivilization。
Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtree—trunksoftheirforesttemple，anduponthevarnishedfoliageandfestooningvines。
Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone，andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured，theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthegrass，filledwithcontentment。Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace，buttheywouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp—fire。
\"Ain’titgay？\"saidJoe。
\"It’snuts！\"saidTom。\"Whatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeus？\"
\"Say？Well，they’djustdietobehere——hey，Hucky！\"
\"Ireckonso，\"saidHuckleberry；\"anyways，I’msuited。Idon’twantnothingbetter’nthis。Idon’tevergetenoughtoeat，gen’ally——
andheretheycan’tcomeandpickatafellerandbullyraghimso。\"
\"It’sjustthelifeforme，\"saidTom。\"Youdon’thavetogetup，mornings，andyoudon’thavetogotoschool，andwash，andallthatblamefoolishness。Youseeapiratedon’thavetodoanything，Joe，whenhe’sashore，butahermithehastobeprayingconsiderable，andthenhedon’thaveanyfun，anyway，allbyhimselfthatway。\"
\"Ohyes，that’sso，\"saidJoe，\"butIhadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit，youknow。I’dagooddealratherbeapirate，nowthatI’vetriedit。\"
\"Yousee，\"saidTom，\"peopledon’tgomuchonhermits，nowadays，liketheyusedtoinoldtimes，butapirate’salwaysrespected。Andahermit’sgottosleeponthehardestplacehecanfind，andputsackclothandashesonhishead，andstandoutintherain，and——\"
\"Whatdoesheputsackclothandashesonhisheadfor？\"inquiredHuck。
\"Idono。Butthey’veGOTtodoit。Hermitsalwaysdo。You’dhavetodothatifyouwasahermit。\"
\"Dern’difIwould，\"saidHuck。
\"Well，whatwouldyoudo？\"
\"Idono。ButIwouldn’tdothat。\"
\"Why，Huck，you’dhaveto。How’dyougetaroundit？\"
\"Why，Ijustwouldn’tstandit。I’drunaway。\"
\"Runaway！Well，youwouldbeaniceoldslouchofahermit。
You’dbeadisgrace。\"
TheRed—Handedmadenoresponse，beingbetteremployed。Hehadfinishedgougingoutacob，andnowhefittedaweedstemtoit，loadeditwithtobacco，andwaspressingacoaltothechargeandblowingacloudoffragrantsmoke——hewasinthefullbloomofluxuriouscontentment。
Theotherpiratesenviedhimthismajesticvice，andsecretlyresolvedtoacquireitshortly。PresentlyHucksaid：
\"Whatdoespirateshavetodo？\"
Tomsaid：
\"Oh，theyhavejustabullytime——takeshipsandburnthem，andgetthemoneyandburyitinawfulplacesintheirislandwherethere’sghostsandthingstowatchit，andkilleverybodyintheships——make’emwalkaplank。\"
\"Andtheycarrythewomentotheisland，\"saidJoe；\"theydon’tkillthewomen。\"
\"No，\"assentedTom，\"theydon’tkillthewomen——they’retoonoble。Andthewomen’salwaysbeautiful，too。
\"Anddon’ttheywearthebulliestclothes！Ohno！Allgoldandsilveranddi’monds，\"saidJoe，withenthusiasm。
\"Who？\"saidHuck。
\"Why，thepirates。\"
Huckscannedhisownclothingforlornly。
\"IreckonIain’tdressedfittenforapirate，\"saidhe，witharegretfulpathosinhisvoice；\"butIain’tgotnonebutthese。\"
Buttheotherboystoldhimthefineclotheswouldcomefastenough，aftertheyshouldhavebeguntheiradventures。Theymadehimunderstandthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith，thoughitwascustomaryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe。
Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs。ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed—Handed，andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience—freeandtheweary。
TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep。Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly，andlyingdown，sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud；intruth，theyhadamindnottosaythematall，buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat，lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthunderboltfromheaven。Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep——butanintrudercame，now，thatwouldnot\"down。\"Itwasconscience。Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway；andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat，andthentherealtorturecame。Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpurloinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes；butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities；
itseemedtothem，intheend，thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattakingsweetmeatswasonly\"hooking，\"whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing——andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible。Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness，theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing。Thenconsciencegrantedatruce，andthesecuriouslyinconsistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter14CHAPTERXIVWHENTomawokeinthemorning，hewonderedwherehewas。Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround。Thenhecomprehended。Itwasthecoolgraydawn，andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods。Notaleafstirred；notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature’smeditation。Beadeddewdropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses。Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire，andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair。JoeandHuckstillslept。
Now，farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled；anotheranswered；presentlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard。Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened，andasgraduallysoundsmultipliedandlifemanifesteditself。ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy。Alittlegreenwormcamecrawlingoveradewyleaf，liftingtwo—thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand\"sniffingaround，\"thenproceedingagain——forhewasmeasuring，Tomsaid；
andwhenthewormapproachedhim，ofitsownaccord，hesatasstillasastone，withhishopesrisingandfalling，byturns，asthecreaturestillcametowardhimorseemedinclinedtogoelsewhere；andwhenatlastitconsideredapainfulmomentwithitscurvedbodyintheairandthencamedecisivelydownuponTom’slegandbeganajourneyoverhim，hiswholeheartwasglad——forthatmeantthathewasgoingtohaveanewsuitofclothes——withouttheshadowofadoubtagaudypiraticaluniform。Nowaprocessionofantsappeared，fromnowhereinparticular，andwentabouttheirlabors；onestruggledmanfullybywithadeadspiderfivetimesasbigasitselfinitsarms，andluggeditstraightupatree—trunk。Abrownspottedlady—bugclimbedthedizzyheightofagrassblade，andTombentdownclosetoitandsaid，\"Lady—bug，lady—bug，flyawayhome，yourhouseisonfire，yourchildren’salone，\"andshetookwingandwentofftoseeaboutit——whichdidnotsurprisetheboy，forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagrations，andhehadpractiseduponitssimplicitymorethanonce。Atumblebugcamenext，heavingsturdilyatitsball，andTomtouchedthecreature，toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead。Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythistime。Acatbird，theNorthernmocker，litinatreeoverTom’shead，andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoyment；thenashrilljaysweptdown，aflashofblueflame，andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy’sreach，cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity；agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe\"fox\"kindcameskurryingalong，sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys，forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot。AllNaturewaswideawakeandstirring，now；longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefoliagefarandnear，andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene。
Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout，andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtumblingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesandbar。Theyfeltnolongingforthelittlevillagesleepinginthedistancebeyondthemajesticwasteofwater。Avagrantcurrentoraslightriseintheriverhadcarriedofftheirraft，butthisonlygratifiedthem，sinceitsgoingwassomethinglikeburningthebridgebetweenthemandcivilization。
Theycamebacktocampwonderfullyrefreshed，glad—hearted，andravenous；andtheysoonhadthecamp—fireblazingupagain。Huckfoundaspringofclearcoldwatercloseby，andtheboysmadecupsofbroadoakorhickoryleaves，andfeltthatwater，sweetenedwithsuchawildwoodcharmasthat，wouldbeagoodenoughsubstituteforcoffee。WhileJoewasslicingbaconforbreakfast，TomandHuckaskedhimtoholdonaminute；
theysteppedtoapromisingnookintheriver—bankandthrewintheirlines；
almostimmediatelytheyhadreward。Joehadnothadtimetogetimpatientbeforetheywerebackagainwithsomehandsomebass，acoupleofsun—perchandasmallcatfish——provisionsenoughforquiteafamily。Theyfriedthefishwiththebacon，andwereastonished；fornofishhadeverseemedsodeliciousbefore。Theydidnotknowthatthequickerafresh—waterfishisonthefireafterheiscaughtthebetterheis；andtheyreflectedlittleuponwhatasauceopen—airsleeping，open—airexercise，bathing，andalargeingredientofhungermake，too。
Theylayaroundintheshade，afterbreakfast，whileHuckhadasmoke，andthenwentoffthroughthewoodsonanexploringexpedition。
Theytrampedgaylyalong，overdecayinglogs，throughtangledunderbrush，amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest，hungfromtheircrownstothegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape—vines。Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers。
Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwith，butnothingtobeastonishedat。Theydiscoveredthattheislandwasaboutthreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide，andthattheshoreitlayclosesttowasonlyseparatedfromitbyanarrowchannelhardlytwohundredyardswide。Theytookaswimabouteveryhour，soitwascloseuponthemiddleoftheafternoonwhentheygotbacktocamp。Theyweretoohungrytostoptofish，buttheyfaredsumptuouslyuponcoldham，andthenthrewthemselvesdownintheshadetotalk。Butthetalksoonbegantodrag，andthendied。
Thestillness，thesolemnitythatbroodedinthewoods，andthesenseofloneliness，begantotelluponthespiritsoftheboys。Theyfelltothinking。
Asortofundefinedlongingcreptuponthem。Thistookdimshape，presently——itwasbuddinghomesickness。EvenFinntheRed—Handedwasdreamingofhisdoorstepsandemptyhogsheads。Buttheywereallashamedoftheirweakness，andnonewasbraveenoughtospeakhisthought。
Forsometime，now，theboyshadbeendullyconsciousofapeculiarsoundinthedistance，justasonesometimesisofthetickingofaclockwhichhetakesnodistinctnoteof。Butnowthismysterioussoundbecamemorepronounced，andforcedarecognition。Theboysstarted，glancedateachother，andtheneachassumedalisteningattitude。Therewasalongsilence，profoundandunbroken；thenadeep，sullenboomcamefloatingdownoutofthedistance。
\"Whatisit！\"exclaimedJoe，underhisbreath。
\"Iwonder，\"saidTominawhisper。
\"’Tain’tthunder，\"saidHuckleberry，inanawedtone，\"becuzthunder——\"
\"Hark！\"saidTom。\"Listen——don’ttalk。\"
Theywaitedatimethatseemedanage，andthenthesamemuffledboomtroubledthesolemnhush。
\"Let’sgoandsee。\"
Theysprangtotheirfeetandhurriedtotheshoretowardthetown。Theypartedthebushesonthebankandpeeredoutoverthewater。
Thelittlesteamferryboatwasaboutamilebelowthevillage，driftingwiththecurrent。Herbroaddeckseemedcrowdedwithpeople。Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwiththestreamintheneighborhoodoftheferryboat，buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemeninthemweredoing。Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat’sside，andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud，thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain。
\"Iknownow！\"exclaimedTom；\"somebody’sdrownded！\"
\"That’sit！\"saidHuck；\"theydonethatlastsummer，whenBillTurnergotdrownded；theyshootacannonoverthewater，andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop。Yes，andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksilverin’emandset’emafloat，andwhereverthere’sanybodythat’sdrownded，they’llfloatrightthereandstop。\"
\"Yes，I’veheardaboutthat，\"saidJoe。\"Iwonderwhatmakesthebreaddothat。\"
\"Oh，itain’tthebread，somuch，\"saidTom；\"Ireckonit’smostlywhattheySAYoveritbeforetheystartitout。\"
\"Buttheydon’tsayanythingoverit，\"saidHuck。\"I’veseen’emandtheydon’t。\"
\"Well，that’sfunny，\"saidTom。\"Butmaybetheysayittothemselves。
Ofcoursetheydo。Anybodymightknowthat。\"
TheotherboysagreedthattherewasreasoninwhatTomsaid，becauseanignorantlumpofbread，uninstructedbyanincantation，couldnotbeexpectedtoactveryintelligentlywhensetuponanerrandofsuchgravity。
\"Byjings，IwishIwasoverthere，now，\"saidJoe。
\"Idotoo\"saidHuck\"I’dgiveheapstoknowwhoitis。\"
Theboysstilllistenedandwatched。PresentlyarevealingthoughtflashedthroughTom’smind，andheexclaimed：
\"Boys，Iknowwho’sdrownded——it’sus！\"
Theyfeltlikeheroesinaninstant。Herewasagorgeoustriumph；
theyweremissed；theyweremourned；heartswerebreakingontheiraccount；
tearswerebeingshed；accusingmemoriesofunkindnesstothesepoorlostladswererisingup，andunavailingregretsandremorsewerebeingindulged；
andbestofall，thedepartedwerethetalkofthewholetown，andtheenvyofalltheboys，asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywasconcerned。
Thiswasfine。Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate，afterall。
Astwilightdrewon，theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusinessandtheskiffsdisappeared。Thepiratesreturnedtocamp。Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandtheillustrioustroubletheyweremaking。Theycaughtfish，cookedsupperandateit，andthenfelltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem；
andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon——fromtheirpointofview。Butwhentheshadowsofnightclosedthemin，theygraduallyceasedtotalk，andsatgazingintothefire，withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere。Theexcitementwasgone，now，andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere。Misgivingscame；theygrewtroubledandunhappy；asighortwoescaped，unawares。ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaroundabout\"feeler\"astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization——notrightnow，but——
Tomwitheredhimwithderision！Huck，beinguncommittedasyet，joinedinwithTom，andthewavererquickly\"explained，\"andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken—heartedhomesicknessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould。Mutinywaseffectuallylaidtorestforthemoment。
Asthenightdeepened，Huckbegantonod，andpresentlytosnore。
Joefollowednext。Tomlayuponhiselbowmotionless，forsometime，watchingthetwointently。Atlasthegotupcautiously，onhisknees，andwentsearchingamongthegrassandtheflickeringreflectionsflungbythecamp—fire。
Hepickedupandinspectedseverallargesemi—cylindersofthethinwhitebarkofasycamore，andfinallychosetwowhichseemedtosuithim。Thenhekneltbythefireandpainfullywrotesomethinguponeachofthesewithhis\"redkeel\"；oneherolledupandputinhisjacketpocket，andtheotherheputinJoe’shatandremovedittoalittledistancefromtheowner。Andhealsoputintothehatcertainschoolboytreasuresofalmostinestimablevalue——amongthemalumpofchalk，anIndia—rubberball，threefishhooks，andoneofthatkindofmarblesknownasa\"sure’noughcrystal。\"Thenhetiptoedhiswaycautiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing，andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesandbar。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter15CHAPTERXVAFEWminuteslaterTomwasintheshoalwaterofthebar，wadingtowardtheIllinoisshore。Beforethedepthreachedhismiddlehewashalf—wayover；thecurrentwouldpermitnomorewading，now，sohestruckoutconfidentlytoswimtheremaininghundredyards。Heswamquarteringupstream，butstillwassweptdownwardratherfasterthanhehadexpected。However，hereachedtheshorefinally，anddriftedalongtillhefoundalowplaceanddrewhimselfout。Heputhishandonhisjacketpocket，foundhispieceofbarksafe，andthenstruckthroughthewoods，followingtheshore，withstreaminggarments。Shortlybeforeteno’clockhecameoutintoanopenplaceoppositethevillage，andsawtheferryboatlyingintheshadowofthetreesandthehighbank。Everythingwasquietundertheblinkingstars。Hecreptdownthebank，watchingwithallhiseyes，slippedintothewater，swamthreeorfourstrokesandclimbedintotheskiffthatdid\"yawl\"dutyattheboat’sstern。Helaidhimselfdownunderthethwartsandwaited，panting。
Presentlythecrackedbelltappedandavoicegavetheorderto\"castoff。\"Aminuteortwolatertheskiff’sheadwasstandinghighup，againsttheboat’sswell，andthevoyagewasbegun。Tomfelthappyinhissuccess，forheknewitwastheboat’slasttripforthenight。Attheendofalongtwelveorfifteenminutesthewheelsstopped，andTomslippedoverboardandswamashoreinthedusk，landingfiftyyardsdownstream，outofdangerofpossiblestragglers。
Heflewalongunfrequentedalleys，andshortlyfoundhimselfathisaunt’sbackfence。Heclimbedover，approachedthe\"ell，\"andlookedinatthesitting—roomwindow，foralightwasburningthere。TheresatAuntPolly，Sid，Mary，andJoeHarper’smother，groupedtogether，talking。
Theywerebythebed，andthebedwasbetweenthemandthedoor。Tomwenttothedoorandbegantosoftlyliftthelatch；thenhepressedgentlyandthedooryieldedacrack；hecontinuedpushingcautiously，andquakingeverytimeitcreaked，tillhejudgedhemightsqueezethroughonhisknees；
soheputhisheadthroughandbegan，warily。
\"Whatmakesthecandleblowso？\"saidAuntPolly。Tomhurriedup。\"Why，thatdoor’sopen，Ibelieve。Why，ofcourseitis。Noendofstrangethingsnow。Go’longandshutit，Sid。\"
Tomdisappearedunderthebedjustintime。Helayand\"breathed\"
himselfforatime，andthencrepttowherehecouldalmosttouchhisaunt’sfoot。
\"ButasIwassaying，\"saidAuntPolly，\"hewarn’tbad，sotosay——onlymischeevous。Onlyjustgiddy，andharum—scarum，youknow。Hewarn’tanymoreresponsiblethanacolt。HEnevermeantanyharm，andhewasthebest—heartedboythateverwas\"——andshebegantocry。
\"ItwasjustsowithmyJoe——alwaysfullofhisdevilment，anduptoeverykindofmischief，buthewasjustasunselfishandkindashecouldbe——andlawsblessme，tothinkIwentandwhippedhimfortakingthatcream，neveroncerecollectingthatIthroweditoutmyselfbecauseitwassour，andInevertoseehimagaininthisworld，never，never，never，poorabusedboy！\"AndMrs。Harpersobbedasifherheartwouldbreak。
\"IhopeTom’sbetteroffwhereheis，\"saidSid，\"butifhe’dbeenbetterinsomeways——\"
\"Sid！\"Tomfelttheglareoftheoldlady’seye，thoughhecouldnotseeit。\"NotawordagainstmyTom，nowthathe’sgone！God’lltakecareofhim——neveryoutroubleyourself，sir！Oh，Mrs。Harper，Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup！Idon’tknowhowtogivehimup！Hewassuchacomforttome，althoughhetormentedmyoldheartoutofme，’most。\"
\"TheLordgivethandtheLordhathtakenaway——BlessedbethenameoftheLord！Butit’ssohard——Oh，it’ssohard！OnlylastSaturdaymyJoebustedafirecrackerrightundermynoseandIknockedhimsprawling。
LittledidIknowthen，howsoon——Oh，ifitwastodooveragainI’dhughimandblesshimforit。\"
\"Yes，yes，yes，Iknowjusthowyoufeel，Mrs。Harper，Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel。Nolongeragothanyesterdaynoon，myTomtookandfilledthecatfullofPain—killer，andIdidthinkthecreturwouldtearthehousedown。AndGodforgiveme，IcrackedTom’sheadwithmythimble，poorboy，poordeadboy。Buthe’soutofallhistroublesnow。AndthelastwordsIeverheardhimsaywastoreproach——\"
Butthismemorywastoomuchfortheoldlady，andshebrokeentirelydown。Tomwassnuffling，now，himself——andmoreinpityofhimselfthananybodyelse。HecouldhearMarycrying，andputtinginakindlywordforhimfromtimetotime。Hebegantohaveanobleropinionofhimselfthaneverbefore。Still，hewassufficientlytouchedbyhisaunt’sgrieftolongtorushoutfromunderthebedandoverwhelmherwithjoy——andthetheatricalgorgeousnessofthethingappealedstronglytohisnature，too，butheresistedandlaystill。
Hewentonlistening，andgatheredbyoddsandendsthatitwasconjecturedatfirstthattheboyshadgotdrownedwhiletakingaswim；
thenthesmallrafthadbeenmissed；next，certainboyssaidthemissingladshadpromisedthatthevillageshould\"hearsomething\"soon；thewise—headshad\"putthisandthattogether\"anddecidedthattheladshadgoneoffonthatraftandwouldturnupatthenexttownbelow，presently；buttowardnoontherafthadbeenfound，lodgedagainsttheMissourishoresomefiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage——andthenhopeperished；theymustbedrowned，elsehungerwouldhavedriventhemhomebynightfallifnotsooner。
Itwasbelievedthatthesearchforthebodieshadbeenafruitlesseffortmerelybecausethedrowningmusthaveoccurredinmid—channel，sincetheboys，beinggoodswimmers，wouldotherwisehaveescapedtoshore。ThiswasWednesdaynight。IfthebodiescontinuedmissinguntilSunday，allhopewouldbegivenover，andthefuneralswouldbepreachedonthatmorning。
Tomshuddered。
Mrs。Harpergaveasobbinggood—nightandturnedtogo。Thenwithamutualimpulsethetwobereavedwomenflungthemselvesintoeachother’sarmsandhadagood，consolingcry，andthenparted。AuntPollywastenderfarbeyondherwont，inhergood—nighttoSidandMary。SidsnuffledabitandMarywentoffcryingwithallherheart。
AuntPollykneltdownandprayedforTomsotouchingly，soappealingly，andwithsuchmeasurelessloveinherwordsandheroldtremblingvoice，thathewaswelteringintearsagain，longbeforeshewasthrough。
Hehadtokeepstilllongaftershewenttobed，forshekeptmakingbroken—heartedejaculationsfromtimetotime，tossingunrestfully，andturningover。Butatlastshewasstill，onlymoaningalittleinhersleep。Nowtheboystoleout，rosegraduallybythebedside，shadedthecandle—lightwithhishand，andstoodregardingher。Hisheartwasfullofpityforher。Hetookouthissycamorescrollandplaceditbythecandle。
Butsomethingoccurredtohim，andhelingeredconsidering。Hisfacelightedwithahappysolutionofhisthought；heputthebarkhastilyinhispocket。
Thenhebentoverandkissedthefadedlips，andstraightwaymadehisstealthyexit，latchingthedoorbehindhim。
Hethreadedhiswaybacktotheferrylanding，foundnobodyatlargethere，andwalkedboldlyonboardtheboat，forheknewshewastenantlessexceptthattherewasawatchman，whoalwaysturnedinandsleptlikeagravenimage。Heuntiedtheskiffatthestern，slippedintoit，andwassoonrowingcautiouslyupstream。Whenhehadpulledamileabovethevillage，hestartedquarteringacrossandbenthimselfstoutlytohiswork。Hehitthelandingontheothersideneatly，forthiswasafamiliarbitofworktohim。Hewasmovedtocapturetheskiff，arguingthatitmightbeconsideredashipandthereforelegitimatepreyforapirate，butheknewathoroughsearchwouldbemadeforitandthatmightendinrevelations。Sohesteppedashoreandenteredthewoods。
Hesatdownandtookalongrest，torturinghimselfmeanwhiletokeepawake，andthenstartedwarilydownthehome—stretch。Thenightwasfarspent。Itwasbroaddaylightbeforehefoundhimselffairlyabreasttheislandbar。Herestedagainuntilthesunwaswellupandgildingthegreatriverwithitssplendor，andthenheplungedintothestream。Alittlelaterhepaused，dripping，uponthethresholdofthecamp，andheardJoesay：
\"No，Tom’strue—blue，Huck，andhe’llcomeback。Hewon’tdesert。
Heknowsthatwouldbeadisgracetoapirate，andTom’stooproudforthatsortofthing。He’suptosomethingorother。NowIwonderwhat？\"
\"Well，thethingsisours，anyway，ain’tthey？\"
Prettynear，butnotyet，Huck。Thewritingsaystheyareifheain’tbackheretobreakfast。\"
\"Whichheis！\"exclaimedTom，withfinedramaticeffect，steppinggrandlyintocamp。
Asumptuousbreakfastofbaconandfishwasshortlyprovided，andastheboyssettoworkuponit，Tomrecounted（andadorned）hisadventures。
Theywereavainandboastfulcompanyofheroeswhenthetalewasdone。
ThenTomhidhimselfawayinashadynooktosleeptillnoon，andtheotherpiratesgotreadytofishandexplore。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter16CHAPTERXVIAFTERdinnerallthegangturnedouttohuntforturtleeggsonthebar。
Theywentaboutpokingsticksintothesand，andwhentheyfoundasoftplacetheywentdownontheirkneesanddugwiththeirhands。Sometimestheywouldtakefiftyorsixtyeggsoutofonehole。TheywereperfectlyroundwhitethingsatriflesmallerthananEnglishwalnut。Theyhadafamousfried—eggfeastthatnight，andanotheronFridaymorning。
Afterbreakfasttheywentwhoopingandprancingoutonthebar，andchasedeachotherroundandround，sheddingclothesastheywent，untiltheywerenaked，andthencontinuedthefrolicfarawayuptheshoalwaterofthebar，againstthestiffcurrent，whichlattertrippedtheirlegsfromunderthemfromtimetotimeandgreatlyincreasedthefun。Andnowandthentheystoopedinagroupandsplashedwaterineachother’sfaceswiththeirpalms，graduallyapproachingeachother，withavertedfacestoavoidthestranglingsprays，andfinallygrippingandstrugglingtillthebestmanduckedhisneighbor，andthentheyallwentunderinatangleofwhitelegsandarmsandcameupblowing，sputtering，laughing，andgaspingforbreathatoneandthesametime。
Whentheywerewellexhausted，theywouldrunoutandsprawlonthedry，hotsand，andliethereandcoverthemselvesupwithit，andbyandbybreakforthewateragainandgothroughtheoriginalperformanceoncemore。Finallyitoccurredtothemthattheirnakedskinrepresentedflesh—colored\"tights\"veryfairly；sotheydrewaringinthesandandhadacircus——withthreeclownsinit，fornonewouldyieldthisproudestposttohisneighbor。
Nexttheygottheirmarblesandplayed\"knucks\"and\"ring—taw\"
and\"keeps\"tillthatamusementgrewstale。ThenJoeandHuckhadanotherswim，butTomwouldnotventure，becausehefoundthatinkickingoffhistrousershehadkickedhisstringofrattlesnakerattlesoffhisankle，andhewonderedhowhehadescapedcrampsolongwithouttheprotectionofthismysteriouscharm。Hedidnotventureagainuntilhehadfoundit，andbythattimetheotherboysweretiredandreadytorest。Theygraduallywanderedapart，droppedintothe\"dumps，\"andfelltogazinglonginglyacrossthewiderivertowherethevillagelaydrowsinginthesun。Tomfoundhimselfwriting\"BECKY\"inthesandwithhisbigtoe；hescratcheditout，andwasangrywithhimselfforhisweakness。Buthewroteitagain，nevertheless；hecouldnothelpit。Heeraseditoncemoreandthentookhimselfoutoftemptationbydrivingtheotherboystogetherandjoiningthem。
ButJoe’sspiritshadgonedownalmostbeyondresurrection。Hewassohomesickthathecouldhardlyendurethemiseryofit。Thetearslayverynearthesurface。Huckwasmelancholy，too。Tomwasdownhearted，buttriedhardnottoshowit。Hehadasecretwhichhewasnotreadytotell，yet，butifthismutinousdepressionwasnotbrokenupsoon，hewouldhavetobringitout。Hesaid，withagreatshowofcheerfulness：
\"Ibetthere’sbeenpiratesonthisislandbefore，boys。We’llexploreitagain。They’vehidtreasuresheresomewhere。How’dyoufeeltolightonarottenchestfullofgoldandsilver——hey？\"
Butitrousedonlyfaintenthusiasm，whichfadedout，withnoreply。Tomtriedoneortwootherseductions；buttheyfailed，too。Itwasdiscouragingwork。Joesatpokingupthesandwithastickandlookingverygloomy。Finallyhesaid：
\"Oh，boys，let’sgiveitup。Iwanttogohome。It’ssolonesome。\"
\"Ohno，Joe，you’llfeelbetterbyandby，\"saidTom。\"Justthinkofthefishingthat’shere。\"
\"Idon’tcareforfishing。Iwanttogohome。\"
\"But，Joe，thereain’tsuchanotherswimming—placeanywhere。\"
\"Swimming’snogood。Idon’tseemtocareforit，somehow，whenthereain’tanybodytosayIsha’n’tgoin。Imeantogohome。\"
\"Oh，shucks！Baby！Youwanttoseeyourmother，Ireckon。\"
\"Yes，IDOwanttoseemymother——andyouwould，too，ifyouhadone。Iain’tanymorebabythanyouare。\"AndJoesnuffledalittle。
\"Well，we’llletthecry—babygohometohismother，won’twe，Huck？Poorthing——doesitwanttoseeitsmother？Andsoitshall。youlikeithere，don’tyou，Huck？We’llstay，won’twe？\"
Hucksaid，\"Y—e—s\"——withoutanyheartinit。
\"I’llneverspeaktoyouagainaslongasIlive，\"saidJoe，rising。
\"Therenow！\"Andhemovedmoodilyawayandbegantodresshimself。
\"Whocares！\"saidTom。\"Nobodywantsyouto。Go’longhomeandgetlaughedat。Oh，you’reanicepirate。Huckandmeain’tcry—babies。
We’llstay，won’twe，Huck？Lethimgoifhewantsto。Ireckonwecangetalongwithouthim，per’aps。\"
ButTomwasuneasy，nevertheless，andwasalarmedtoseeJoegosullenlyonwithhisdressing。AndthenitwasdiscomfortingtoseeHuckeyingJoe’spreparationssowistfully，andkeepingupsuchanominoussilence。
Presently，withoutapartingword，JoebegantowadeofftowardtheIllinoisshore。Tom’sheartbegantosink。HeglancedatHuck。Huckcouldnotbearthelook，anddroppedhiseyes。Thenhesaid：
\"Iwanttogo，too，Tom。Itwasgettingsolonesomeanyway，andnowit’llbeworse。Let’susgo，too，Tom。\"
\"Iwon’t！Youcanallgo，ifyouwantto。Imeantostay。\"
\"Tom，Ibettergo。\"
\"Well，go’long——who’shenderingyou。\"
Huckbegantopickuphisscatteredclothes。Hesaid：
\"Tom，Iwishtyou’dcome，too。Nowyouthinkitover。We’llwaitforyouwhenwegettoshore。\"
\"Well，you’llwaitablamelongtime，that’sall。\"
Huckstartedsorrowfullyaway，andTomstoodlookingafterhim，withastrongdesiretuggingathishearttoyieldhisprideandgoalongtoo。Hehopedtheboyswouldstop，buttheystillwadedslowlyon。ItsuddenlydawnedonTomthatitwasbecomeverylonelyandstill。Hemadeonefinalstrugglewithhispride，andthendartedafterhiscomrades，yelling：
\"Wait！Wait！Iwanttotellyousomething！\"
Theypresentlystoppedandturnedaround。Whenhegottowheretheywere，hebeganunfoldinghissecret，andtheylistenedmoodilytillatlasttheysawthe\"point\"hewasdrivingat，andthentheysetupawar—whoopofapplauseandsaiditwas\"splendid！\"andsaidifhehadtoldthematfirst，theywouldn’thavestartedaway。Hemadeaplausibleexcuse；
buthisrealreasonhadbeenthefearthatnoteventhesecretwouldkeepthemwithhimanyverygreatlengthoftime，andsohehadmeanttoholditinreserveasalastseduction。
Theladscamegaylybackandwentattheirsportsagainwithawill，chatteringallthetimeaboutTom’sstupendousplanandadmiringthegeniusofit。Afteradaintyeggandfishdinner，Tomsaidhewantedtolearntosmoke，now。Joecaughtattheideaandsaidhewouldliketotry，too。SoHuckmadepipesandfilledthem。Thesenoviceshadneversmokedanythingbeforebutcigarsmadeofgrape—vine，andthey\"bit\"thetongue，andwerenotconsideredmanlyanyway。
Nowtheystretchedthemselvesoutontheirelbowsandbegantopuff，charily，andwithslenderconfidence。Thesmokehadanunpleasanttaste，andtheygaggedalittle，butTomsaid：
\"Why，it’sjustaseasy！IfI’daknowedthiswasall，I’dalearntlongago。\"
\"SowouldI，\"saidJoe。\"It’sjustnothing。\"
\"Why，manyatimeI’velookedatpeoplesmoking，andthoughtwellIwishIcoulddothat；butIneverthoughtIcould，\"saidTom。
\"That’sjustthewaywithme，hain’tit，Huck？You’veheardmetalkjustthatway——haven’tyou，Huck？I’llleaveittoHuckifIhaven’t。\"
\"Yes——heapsoftimes，\"saidHuck。
\"Well，Ihavetoo，\"saidTom；\"oh，hundredsoftimes。Oncedownbytheslaughter—house。Don’tyouremember，Huck？BobTannerwasthere，andJohnnyMiller，andJeffThatcher，whenIsaidit。Don’tyouremember，Huck，’boutmesayingthat？\"
\"Yes，that’sso，\"saidHuck。\"ThatwasthedayafterIlostawhitealley。No，’twasthedaybefore。\"
\"There——Itoldyouso，\"saidTom。\"Huckrecollectsit。\"
\"IbleeveIcouldsmokethispipeallday，\"saidJoe。\"Idon’tfeelsick。\"
\"NeitherdoI，\"saidTom。\"Icouldsmokeitallday。ButIbetyouJeffThatchercouldn’t。\"
\"JeffThatcher！Why，he’dkeeloverjustwithtwodraws。Justlethimtryitonce。He’dsee！\"
\"Ibethewould。AndJohnnyMiller——IwishcouldseeJohnnyMillertackleitonce。\"
\"Oh，don’tI！\"saidJoe。\"Why，IbetyouJohnnyMillercouldn’tanymoredothisthannothing。Justonelittlesnifterwouldfetchhim。\"
\"’Deeditwould，Joe。Say——Iwishtheboyscouldseeusnow。\"
\"SodoI。\"
\"Say——boys，don’tsayanythingaboutit，andsometimewhenthey’rearound，I’llcomeuptoyouandsay，’Joe，gotapipe？Iwantasmoke。’Andyou’llsay，kindofcarelesslike，asifitwarn’tanything，you’llsay，’Yes，Igotmyoldpipe，andanotherone，butmytobackerain’tverygood。’AndI’llsay，’Oh，that’sallright，ifit’sstrongenough。’Andthenyou’lloutwiththepipes，andwe’lllightupjustasca’m，andthenjustsee’emlook！\"
\"Byjings，that’llbegay，Tom！Iwishitwasnow！\"
\"SodoI！Andwhenwetell’emwelearnedwhenwewasoffpirating，won’ttheywishthey’dbeenalong？\"
\"Oh，Ireckonnot！I’lljustbettheywill！\"
Sothetalkranon。Butpresentlyitbegantoflagatrifle，andgrowdisjointed。Thesilenceswidened；theexpectorationmarvellouslyincreased。
Everyporeinsidetheboys’cheeksbecameaspoutingfountain；theycouldscarcelybailoutthecellarsundertheirtonguesfastenoughtopreventaninundation；littleoverflowingsdowntheirthroatsoccurredinspiteofalltheycoulddo，andsuddenretchingsfollowedeverytime。Bothboyswerelookingverypaleandmiserable，now。Joe’spipedroppedfromhisnervelessfingers。Tom’sfollowed。Bothfountainsweregoingfuriouslyandbothpumpsbailingwithmightandmain。Joesaidfeebly：
\"I’velostmyknife。IreckonIbettergoandfindit。\"
Tomsaid，withquiveringlipsandhaltingutterance：
\"I’llhelpyou。YougooverthatwayandI’llhuntaroundbythespring。No，youneedn’tcome，Huck——wecanfindit。\"
SoHucksatdownagain，andwaitedanhour。Thenhefounditlonesome，andwenttofindhiscomrades。Theywerewideapartinthewoods，bothverypale，bothfastasleep。Butsomethinginformedhimthatiftheyhadhadanytroubletheyhadgotridofit。
Theywerenottalkativeatsupperthatnight。Theyhadahumblelook，andwhenHuckpreparedhispipeafterthemealandwasgoingtopreparetheirs，theysaidno，theywerenotfeelingverywell——somethingtheyateatdinnerhaddisagreedwiththem。
AboutmidnightJoeawoke，andcalledtheboys。Therewasabroodingoppressivenessintheairthatseemedtobodesomething。Theboyshuddledthemselvestogetherandsoughtthefriendlycompanionshipofthefire，thoughthedulldeadheatofthebreathlessatmospherewasstifling。Theysatstill，intentandwaiting。Thesolemnhushcontinued。Beyondthelightofthefireeverythingwasswallowedupintheblacknessofdarkness。Presentlytherecameaquiveringglowthatvaguelyrevealedthefoliageforamomentandthenvanished。Byandbyanothercame，alittlestronger。Thenanother。
Thenafaintmoancamesighingthroughthebranchesoftheforestandtheboysfeltafleetingbreathupontheircheeks，andshudderedwiththefancythattheSpiritoftheNighthadgoneby。Therewasapause。Nowaweirdflashturnednightintodayandshowedeverylittlegrass—blade，separateanddistinct，thatgrewabouttheirfeet。Anditshowedthreewhite，startledfaces，too。Adeeppealofthunderwentrollingandtumblingdowntheheavensandlostitselfinsullenrumblingsinthedistance。Asweepofchillyairpassedby，rustlingalltheleavesandsnowingtheflakyashesbroadcastaboutthefire。Anotherfierceglarelituptheforestandaninstantcrashfollowedthatseemedtorendthetree—topsrightovertheboys’heads。
Theyclungtogetherinterror，inthethickgloomthatfollowed。Afewbigrain—dropsfellpatteringupontheleaves。
\"Quick！boys，goforthetent！\"exclaimedTom。
Theysprangaway，stumblingoverrootsandamongvinesinthedark，notwoplunginginthesamedirection。Afuriousblastroaredthroughthetrees，makingeverythingsingasitwent。Oneblindingflashafteranothercame，andpealonpealofdeafeningthunder。Andnowadrenchingrainpoureddownandtherisinghurricanedroveitinsheetsalongtheground。Theboyscriedouttoeachother，buttheroaringwindandtheboomingthunder—blastsdrownedtheirvoicesutterly。However，onebyonetheystraggledinatlastandtookshelterunderthetent，cold，scared，andstreamingwithwater；buttohavecompanyinmiseryseemedsomethingtobegratefulfor。Theycouldnottalk，theoldsailflappedsofuriously，eveniftheothernoiseswouldhaveallowedthem。Thetempestrosehigherandhigher，andpresentlythesailtoreloosefromitsfasteningsandwentwingingawayontheblast。Theboysseizedeachothers’handsandfled，withmanytumblingsandbruises，totheshelterofagreatoakthatstoodupontheriver—bank。Nowthebattlewasatitshighest。Undertheceaselessconflagrationoflightningthatflamedintheskies，everythingbelowstoodoutinclean—cutandshadowlessdistinctness：thebendingtrees，thebillowyriver，whitewithfoam，thedrivingsprayofspume—flakes，thedimoutlinesofthehighbluffsontheotherside，glimpsedthroughthedriftingcloud—rackandtheslantingveilofrain。Everylittlewhilesomegianttreeyieldedthefightandfellcrashingthroughtheyoungergrowth；andtheunflaggingthunderpealscamenowinear—splittingexplosivebursts，keenandsharp，andunspeakablyappalling。Thestormculminatedinonematchlesseffortthatseemedlikelytoteartheislandtopieces，burnitup，drownittothetree—tops，blowitaway，anddeafeneverycreatureinit，allatoneandthesamemoment。Itwasawildnightforhomelessyoungheadstobeoutin。
Butatlastthebattlewasdone，andtheforcesretiredwithweakerandweakerthreateningsandgrumblings，andpeaceresumedhersway。Theboyswentbacktocamp，agooddealawed；buttheyfoundtherewasstillsomethingtobethankfulfor，becausethegreatsycamore，theshelteroftheirbeds，wasaruin，now，blastedbythelightnings，andtheywerenotunderitwhenthecatastrophehappened。
Everythingincampwasdrenched，thecamp—fireaswell；fortheywerebutheedlesslads，liketheirgeneration，andhadmadenoprovisionagainstrain。Herewasmatterfordismay，fortheyweresoakedthroughandchilled。Theywereeloquentintheirdistress；buttheypresentlydiscoveredthatthefirehadeatensofarupunderthegreatlogithadbeenbuiltagainst（whereitcurvedupwardandseparateditselffromtheground），thatahandbreadthorsoofithadescapedwetting；sotheypatientlywroughtuntil，withshredsandbarkgatheredfromtheundersidesofshelteredlogs，theycoaxedthefiretoburnagain。Thentheypiledongreatdeadboughstilltheyhadaroaringfurnace，andwereglad—heartedoncemore。
Theydriedtheirboiledhamandhadafeast，andafterthattheysatbythefireandexpandedandglorifiedtheirmidnightadventureuntilmorning，fortherewasnotadryspottosleepon，anywherearound。
Asthesunbegantostealinupontheboys，drowsinesscameoverthem，andtheywentoutonthesandbarandlaydowntosleep。Theygotscorchedoutbyandby，anddrearilysetaboutgettingbreakfast。Afterthemealtheyfeltrusty，andstiff—jointed，andalittlehomesickoncemore。Tomsawthesigns，andfelltocheeringupthepiratesaswellashecould。Buttheycarednothingformarbles，orcircus，orswimming，oranything。Heremindedthemoftheimposingsecret，andraisedarayofcheer。Whileitlasted，hegottheminterestedinanewdevice。Thiswastoknockoffbeingpirates，forawhile，andbeIndiansforachange。Theywereattractedbythisidea；soitwasnotlongbeforetheywerestripped，andstripedfromheadtoheelwithblackmud，likesomanyzebras——allofthemchiefs，ofcourse——andthentheywenttearingthroughthewoodstoattackanEnglishsettlement。
Byandbytheyseparatedintothreehostiletribes，anddarteduponeachotherfromambushwithdreadfulwar—whoops，andkilledandscalpedeachotherbythousands。Itwasagoryday。Consequentlyitwasanextremelysatisfactoryone。
Theyassembledincamptowardsupper—time，hungryandhappy；butnowadifficultyarose——hostileIndianscouldnotbreakthebreadofhospitalitytogetherwithoutfirstmakingpeace，andthiswasasimpleimpossibilitywithoutsmokingapipeofpeace。Therewasnootherprocessthatevertheyhadheardof。Twoofthesavagesalmostwishedtheyhadremainedpirates。However，therewasnootherway；sowithsuchshowofcheerfulnessastheycouldmustertheycalledforthepipeandtooktheirwhiffasitpassed，indueform。
Andbehold，theyweregladtheyhadgoneintosavagery，fortheyhadgainedsomething；theyfoundthattheycouldnowsmokealittlewithouthavingtogoandhuntforalostknife；theydidnotgetsickenoughtobeseriouslyuncomfortable。Theywerenotlikelytofoolawaythishighpromiseforlackofeffort。No，theypractisedcautiously，aftersupper，withrightfairsuccess，andsotheyspentajubilantevening。TheywereprouderandhappierintheirnewacquirementthantheywouldhavebeeninthescalpingandskinningoftheSixNations。Wewillleavethemtosmokeandchatterandbrag，sincewehavenofurtheruseforthematpresent。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter17CHAPTERXVIIBUTtherewasnohilarityinthelittletownthatsametranquilSaturdayafternoon。TheHarpers，andAuntPolly’sfamily，werebeingputintomourning，withgreatgriefandmanytears。Anunusualquietpossessedthevillage，althoughitwasordinarilyquietenough，inallconscience。Thevillagersconductedtheirconcernswithanabsentair，andtalkedlittle；buttheysighedoften。TheSaturdayholidayseemedaburdentothechildren。Theyhadnoheartintheirsports，andgraduallygavethemup。
IntheafternoonBeckyThatcherfoundherselfmopingaboutthedesertedschoolhouseyard，andfeelingverymelancholy。Butshefoundnothingtheretocomforther。Shesoliloquized：
\"Oh，ifIonlyhadabrassandiron—knobagain！ButIhaven’tgotanythingnowtorememberhimby。\"Andshechokedbackalittlesob。
Presentlyshestopped，andsaidtoherself：
\"Itwasrighthere。Oh，ifitwastodooveragain，Iwouldn’tsaythat——Iwouldn’tsayitforthewholeworld。Buthe’sgonenow；I’llnever，never，neverseehimanymore。\"
Thisthoughtbrokeherdown，andshewanderedaway，withtearsrollingdownhercheeks。Thenquiteagroupofboysandgirls——playmatesofTom’sandJoe’s——cameby，andstoodlookingoverthepalingfenceandtalkinginreverenttonesofhowTomdidso—and—sothelasttimetheysawhim，andhowJoesaidthisandthatsmalltrifle（pregnantwithawfulprophecy，astheycouldeasilyseenow！）——andeachspeakerpointedouttheexactspotwherethelostladsstoodatthetime，andthenaddedsomethinglike\"andIwasa—standingjustso——justasIamnow，andasifyouwashim——Iwasascloseasthat——andhesmiled，justthisway——andthensomethingseemedtogoalloverme，like——awful，youknow——andIneverthoughtwhatitmeant，ofcourse，butIcanseenow！\"
Thentherewasadisputeaboutwhosawthedeadboyslastinlife，andmanyclaimedthatdismaldistinction，andofferedevidences，moreorlesstamperedwithbythewitness；andwhenitwasultimatelydecidedwhoDIDseethedepartedlast，andexchangedthelastwordswiththem，theluckypartiestookuponthemselvesasortofsacredimportance，andweregapedatandenviedbyalltherest。Onepoorchap，whohadnoothergrandeurtooffer，saidwithtolerablymanifestprideintheremembrance：
\"Well，TomSawyerhelickedmeonce。\"
Butthatbidforglorywasafailure。Mostoftheboyscouldsaythat，andsothatcheapenedthedistinctiontoomuch。Thegrouploiteredaway，stillrecallingmemoriesofthelostheroes，inawedvoices。
WhentheSunday—schoolhourwasfinished，thenextmorning，thebellbegantotoll，insteadofringingintheusualway。ItwasaverystillSabbath，andthemournfulsoundseemedinkeepingwiththemusinghushthatlayuponnature。Thevillagersbegantogather，loiteringamomentinthevestibuletoconverseinwhispersaboutthesadevent。Buttherewasnowhisperinginthehouse；onlythefunerealrustlingofdressesasthewomengatheredtotheirseatsdisturbedthesilencethere。Nonecouldrememberwhenthelittlechurchhadbeensofullbefore。Therewasfinallyawaitingpause，anexpectantdumbness，andthenAuntPollyentered，followedbySidandMary，andtheybytheHarperfamily，allindeepblack，andthewholecongregation，theoldministeraswell，rosereverentlyandstooduntilthemournerswereseatedinthefrontpew。Therewasanothercommuningsilence，brokenatintervalsbymuffledsobs，andthentheministerspreadhishandsabroadandprayed。Amovinghymnwassung，andthetextfollowed：
\"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife。\"
Astheserviceproceeded，theclergymandrewsuchpicturesofthegraces，thewinningways，andtherarepromiseofthelostladsthateverysoulthere，thinkingherecognizedthesepictures，feltapanginrememberingthathehadpersistentlyblindedhimselftothemalwaysbefore，andhadaspersistentlyseenonlyfaultsandflawsinthepoorboys。Theministerrelatedmanyatouchingincidentinthelivesofthedeparted，too，whichillustratedtheirsweet，generousnatures，andthepeoplecouldeasilysee，now，hownobleandbeautifulthoseepisodeswere，andrememberedwithgriefthatatthetimetheyoccurredtheyhadseemedrankrascalities，welldeservingofthecowhide。Thecongregationbecamemoreandmoremoved，asthepathetictalewenton，tillatlastthewholecompanybrokedownandjoinedtheweepingmournersinachorusofanguishedsobs，thepreacherhimselfgivingwaytohisfeelings，andcryinginthepulpit。
Therewasarustleinthegallery，whichnobodynoticed；amomentlaterthechurchdoorcreaked；theministerraisedhisstreamingeyesabovehishandkerchief，andstoodtransfixed！Firstoneandthenanotherpairofeyesfollowedtheminister’s，andthenalmostwithoneimpulsethecongregationroseandstaredwhilethethreedeadboyscamemarchinguptheaisle，Tominthelead，Joenext，andHuck，aruinofdroopingrags，sneakingsheepishlyintherear！Theyhadbeenhidintheunusedgallerylisteningtotheirownfuneralsermon！
AuntPolly，Mary，andtheHarpersthrewthemselvesupontheirrestoredones，smotheredthemwithkissesandpouredoutthanksgivings，whilepoorHuckstoodabashedanduncomfortable，notknowingexactlywhattodoorwheretohidefromsomanyunwelcomingeyes。Hewavered，andstartedtoslinkaway，butTomseizedhimandsaid：
\"AuntPolly，itain’tfair。Somebody’sgottobegladtoseeHuck。\"
\"Andsotheyshall。I’mgladtoseehim，poormotherlessthing！\"
AndthelovingattentionsAuntPollylavisheduponhimweretheonethingcapableofmakinghimmoreuncomfortablethanhewasbefore。
Suddenlytheministershoutedatthetopofhisvoice：\"PraiseGodfromwhomallblessingsflow——sing！——andputyourheartsinit！\"
Andtheydid。OldHundredswelledupwithatriumphantburst，andwhileitshooktheraftersTomSawyerthePiratelookedaroundupontheenvyingjuvenilesabouthimandconfessedinhisheartthatthiswastheproudestmomentofhislife。
Asthe\"sold\"congregationtroopedouttheysaidtheywouldalmostbewillingtobemaderidiculousagaintohearOldHundredsunglikethatoncemore。
Tomgotmorecuffsandkissesthatday——accordingtoAuntPolly’svaryingmoods——thanhehadearnedbeforeinayear；andhehardlyknewwhichexpressedthemostgratefulnesstoGodandaffectionforhimself。
TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter18CHAPTERXVIIITHATwasTom’sgreatsecret——theschemetoreturnhomewithhisbrotherpiratesandattendtheirownfunerals。TheyhadpaddledovertotheMissourishoreonalog，atduskonSaturday，landingfiveorsixmilesbelowthevillage；theyhadsleptinthewoodsattheedgeofthetowntillnearlydaylight，andhadthencreptthroughbacklanesandalleysandfinishedtheirsleepinthegalleryofthechurchamongachaosofinvalidedbenches。
Atbreakfast，Mondaymorning，AuntPollyandMarywereverylovingtoTom，andveryattentivetohiswants。Therewasanunusualamountoftalk。InthecourseofitAuntPollysaid：
\"Well，Idon’tsayitwasn’tafinejoke，Tom，tokeepeverybodysuffering’mostaweeksoyouboyshadagoodtime，butitisapityyoucouldbesohard—heartedastoletmesufferso。Ifyoucouldcomeoveronalogtogotoyourfuneral，youcouldhavecomeoverandgivemeahintsomewaythatyouwarn’tdead，butonlyrunoff。\"
\"Yes，youcouldhavedonethat，Tom，\"saidMary；\"andIbelieveyouwouldifyouhadthoughtofit。\"
\"Wouldyou，Tom？\"saidAuntPolly，herfacelightingwistfully。
\"Say，now，wouldyou，ifyou’dthoughtofit？\"
\"I——well，Idon’tknow。’Twould’a’spoiledeverything。\"
\"Tom，Ihopedyoulovedmethatmuch，\"saidAuntPolly，withagrievedtonethatdiscomfortedtheboy。\"Itwouldhavebeensomethingifyou’dcaredenoughtothinkofit，evenifyoudidn’tdoit。\"
\"Now，auntie，thatain’tanyharm，\"pleadedMary；\"it’sonlyTom’sgiddyway——heisalwaysinsucharushthatheneverthinksofanything。\"
\"More’sthepity。Sidwouldhavethought。AndSidwouldhavecomeanddoneit，too。Tom，you’lllookback，someday，whenit’stoolate，andwishyou’dcaredalittlemoreformewhenitwouldhavecostyousolittle。\"
\"Now，auntie，youknowIdocareforyou，\"saidTom。
\"I’dknowitbetterifyouactedmorelikeit。\"
\"IwishnowI’dthought，\"saidTom，witharepentanttone；\"butIdreamtaboutyou，anyway。That’ssomething，ain’tit？\"
\"Itain’tmuch——acatdoesthatmuch——butit’sbetterthannothing。Whatdidyoudream？\"
\"Why，WednesdaynightIdreamtthatyouwassittingovertherebythebed，andSidwassittingbythewoodbox，andMarynexttohim。\"
\"Well，sowedid。Sowealwaysdo。I’mgladyourdreamscouldtakeeventhatmuchtroubleaboutus。\"
\"AndIdreamtthatJoeHarper’smotherwashere。\"
\"Why，shewashere！Didyoudreamanymore？\"
\"Oh，lots。Butit’ssodim，now。\"
\"Well，trytorecollect——can’tyou？\"
\"Somehowitseemstomethatthewind——thewindblowedthe——
the——\"
\"Tryharder，Tom！Thewinddidblowsomething。Come！\"
Tompressedhisfingersonhisforeheadananxiousminute，andthensaid：
\"I’vegotitnow！I’vegotitnow！Itblowedthecandle！\"
\"Mercyonus！Goon，Tom——goon！\"
\"Anditseemstomethatyousaid，’Why，Ibelievethatthatdoor——’\"
\"Goon，Tom！\"
\"Justletmestudyamoment——justamoment。Oh，yes——yousaidyoubelievedthedoorwasopen。\"
\"AsI’msittinghere，Idid！Didn’tI，Mary！Goon！\"
\"Andthen——andthen——wellIwon’tbecertain，butitseemslikeasifyoumadeSidgoand——and——\"
\"Well？Well？WhatdidImakehimdo，Tom？WhatdidImakehimdo？\"
\"Youmadehim——you——Oh，youmadehimshutit。\"
\"Well，fortheland’ssake！Ineverheardthebeatofthatinallmydays！Don’ttellmethereain’tanythingindreams，anymore。
SerenyHarpershallknowofthisbeforeI’manhourolder。I’dliketoseehergetaroundthiswithherrubbage’boutsuperstition。Goon，Tom！\"
\"Oh，it’sallgettingjustasbrightasday，now。NextyousaidIwarn’tBAD，onlymischeevousandharum—scarum，andnotanymoreresponsiblethan——than——Ithinkitwasacolt，orsomething。\"
\"Andsoitwas！Well，goodnessgracious！Goon，Tom！\"
\"Andthenyoubegantocry。\"
\"SoIdid。SoIdid。Notthefirsttime，neither。Andthen——\"
\"ThenMrs。Harpershebegantocry，andsaidJoewasjustthesame，andshewishedshehadn’twhippedhimfortakingcreamwhenshe’dthroweditoutherownself——\"
\"Tom！Thesperritwasuponyou！Youwasaprophesying——that’swhatyouwasdoing！Landalive，goon，Tom！\"
\"ThenSidhesaid——hesaid——\"
\"Idon’tthinkIsaidanything，\"saidSid。
