Theytooktheirlathswords,dumpedtheirothertrapsontheground,struckafencingattitude,foottofoot,andbeganagrave,carefulcombat,"twoupandtwodown."PresentlyTomsaid:
　　"Now,ifyou'vegotthehang,goitlively!"
　　Sothey"wentitlively,"pantingandperspiringwiththework.ByandbyTomshouted:
　　"Fall!fall!Whydon'tyoufall?"
　　"Isha'n't!Whydon'tyoufallyourself?You'regettingtheworstofit."
　　"Why,thatain'tanything.Ican'tfall;thatain'tthewayitisinthebook.Thebooksays,'Thenwithoneback-handedstrokeheslewpoorGuyofGuisborne.'You'retoturnaroundandletmehityouintheback."
　　Therewasnogettingaroundtheauthorities,soJoeturned,receivedthewhackandfell.
　　"Now,"saidJoe,gettingup,"yougottoletmekillyou.That'sfair."
　　"Why,Ican'tdothat,itain'tinthebook."
　　"Well,it'sblamedmean——that'sall."
　　"Well,say,Joe,youcanbeFriarTuckorMuchthemiller'sson,andlammewithaquarter-staff;orI'llbetheSheriffofNottinghamandyoubeRobinHoodalittlewhileandkillme."
　　Thiswassatisfactory,andsotheseadventureswerecarriedout.ThenTombecameRobinHoodagain,andwasallowedbythetreacherousnuntobleedhisstrengthawaythroughhisneglectedwound.AndatlastJoe,representingawholetribeofweepingoutlaws,draggedhimsadlyforth,gavehisbowintohisfeeblehands,andTomsaid,"Wherethisarrowfalls,thereburypoorRobinHoodunderthegreenwoodtree."Thenheshotthearrowandfellbackandwouldhavedied,buthelitonanettleandspranguptoogailyforacorpse.
　　Theboysdressedthemselves,hidtheiraccoutrements,andwentoffgrievingthattherewerenooutlawsanymore,andwonderingwhatmoderncivilizationcouldclaimtohavedonetocompensatefortheirloss.TheysaidtheywouldratherbeoutlawsayearinSherwoodForestthanPresidentoftheUnitedStatesforever.
　　CHAPTERIX
　　AThalf-pastnine,thatnight,TomandSidweresenttobed,asusual.Theysaidtheirprayers,andSidwassoonasleep.Tomlayawakeandwaited,inrestlessimpatience.Whenitseemedtohimthatitmustbenearlydaylight,heheardtheclockstriketen!Thiswasdespair.Hewouldhavetossedandfidgeted,ashisnervesdemanded,buthewasafraidhemightwakeSid.Sohelaystill,andstaredupintothedark.Everythingwasdismallystill.Byandby,outofthestillness,little,scarcelypreceptiblenoisesbegantoemphasizethemselves.Thetickingoftheclockbegantobringitselfintonotice.Oldbeamsbegantocrackmysteriously.Thestairscreakedfaintly.Evidentlyspiritswereabroad.Ameasured,muffledsnoreissuedfromAuntPolly'schamber.Andnowthetiresomechirpingofacricketthatnohumaningenuitycouldlocate,began.Nexttheghastlytickingofadeath-watchinthewallatthebed'sheadmadeTomshudder——itmeantthatsomebody'sdayswerenumbered.Thenthehowlofafar-offdogroseonthenightair,andwasansweredbyafainterhowlfromaremoterdistance.Tomwasinanagony.Atlasthewassatisfiedthattimehadceasedandeternitybegun;hebegantodoze,inspiteofhimself;theclockchimedeleven,buthedidnothearit.Andthentherecame,minglingwithhishalf-formeddreams,amostmelancholycaterwauling.Theraisingofaneighboringwindowdisturbedhim.Acryof"Scat!youdevil!"andthecrashofanemptybottleagainstthebackofhisaunt'swoodshedbroughthimwideawake,andasingleminutelaterhewasdressedandoutofthewindowandcreepingalongtheroofofthe"ell"onallfours.He"meow'd"withcautiononceortwice,ashewent;thenjumpedtotheroofofthewoodshedandthencetotheground.HuckleberryFinnwasthere,withhisdeadcat.Theboysmovedoffanddisappearedinthegloom.Attheendofhalfanhourtheywerewadingthroughthetallgrassofthegraveyard.
　　Itwasagraveyardoftheold-fashionedWesternkind.Itwasonahill,aboutamileandahalffromthevillage.Ithadacrazyboardfencearoundit,whichleanedinwardinplaces,andoutwardtherestofthetime,butstooduprightnowhere.Grassandweedsgrewrankoverthewholecemetery.Alltheoldgravesweresunkenin,therewasnotatombstoneontheplace;round-topped,worm-eatenboardsstaggeredoverthegraves,leaningforsupportandfindingnone."Sacredtothememoryof"So-and-Sohadbeenpaintedonthemonce,butitcouldnolongerhavebeenread,onthemostofthem,now,eveniftherehadbeenlight.
　　Afaintwindmoanedthroughthetrees,andTomfeareditmightbethespiritsofthedead,complainingatbeingdisturbed.Theboystalkedlittle,andonlyundertheirbreath,forthetimeandtheplaceandthepervadingsolemnityandsilenceoppressedtheirspirits.Theyfoundthesharpnewheaptheywereseeking,andensconcedthemselveswithintheprotectionofthreegreatelmsthatgrewinabunchwithinafewfeetofthegrave.
　　Thentheywaitedinsilenceforwhatseemedalongtime.Thehootingofadistantowlwasallthesoundthattroubledthedeadstillness.Tom'sreflectionsgrewoppressive.Hemustforcesometalk.Sohesaidinawhisper:
　　"Hucky,doyoubelievethedeadpeoplelikeitforustobehere?"
　　Huckleberrywhispered:
　　"IwishtIknowed.It'sawfulsolemnlike,AIN'Tit?"
　　"Ibetitis."
　　Therewasaconsiderablepause,whiletheboyscanvassedthismatterinwardly.ThenTomwhispered:
　　"Say,Hucky——doyoureckonHossWilliamshearsustalking?"
　　"O'coursehedoes.Leasthissperritdoes."
　　Tom,afterapause:
　　"IwishI'dsaidMisterWilliams.ButInevermeantanyharm.EverybodycallshimHoss."
　　"Abodycan'tbetoopartic'larhowtheytalk'boutthese-yerdeadpeople,Tom."
　　Thiswasadamper,andconversationdiedagain.
　　PresentlyTomseizedhiscomrade'sarmandsaid:
　　"Sh!"
　　"Whatisit,Tom?"Andthetwoclungtogetherwithbeatinghearts.
　　"~sh!There'tisagain!Didn'tyouhearit?"
　　"I——"
　　"There!Nowyouhearit."
　　"Lord,Tom,they'recoming!They'recoming,sure.What'llwedo?"
　　"Idono.Thinkthey'llseeus?"
　　"Oh,Tom,theycanseeinthedark,sameascats.IwishtIhadn'tcome."
　　"Oh,don'tbeafeard.Idon'tbelievethey'llbotherus.Weain'tdoinganyharm.Ifwekeepperfectlystill,maybetheywon'tnoticeusatall."
　　"I'lltryto,Tom,but,Lord,I'mallofashiver."
　　"Listen!"
　　Theboysbenttheirheadstogetherandscarcelybreathed.Amuffledsoundofvoicesfloatedupfromthefarendofthegraveyard.
　　"Look!Seethere!"whisperedTom."Whatisit?"
　　"It'sdevil-fire.Oh,Tom,thisisawful."
　　Somevaguefiguresapproachedthroughthegloom,swinginganold-fashionedtinlanternthatfreckledthegroundwithinnumerablelittlespanglesoflight.PresentlyHuckleberrywhisperedwithashudder:
　　"It'sthedevilssureenough.Threeof'em!Lordy,Tom,we'regoners!Canyoupray?"
　　"I'lltry,butdon'tyoubeafeard.Theyain'tgoingtohurtus.'NowIlaymedowntosleep,I——'"
　　"Sh!"
　　"Whatisit,Huck?"
　　"They'rehumans!Oneof'emis,anyway.Oneof'em'soldMuffPotter'svoice."
　　"No——'tain'tso,isit?"
　　"IbetIknowit.Don'tyoustirnorbudge.Heain'tsharpenoughtonoticeus.Drunk,thesameasusual,likely——blamedoldrip!"
　　"Allright,I'llkeepstill.Nowthey'restuck.Can'tfindit.Heretheycomeagain.Nowthey'rehot.Coldagain.Hotagain.Redhot!They'rep'intedright,thistime.Say,Huck,Iknowanothero'themvoices;it'sInjunJoe."
　　"That'sso——thatmurderin'half-breed!I'ddruthertheywasdevilsadernsight.Whatkintheybeupto?"
　　Thewhisperdiedwhollyout,now,forthethreemenhadreachedthegraveandstoodwithinafewfeetoftheboys'hiding-place.
　　"Hereitis,"saidthethirdvoice;andtheownerofitheldthelanternupandrevealedthefaceofyoungDoctorRobinson.
　　PotterandInjunJoewerecarryingahandbarrowwitharopeandacoupleofshovelsonit.Theycastdowntheirloadandbegantoopenthegrave.Thedoctorputthelanternattheheadofthegraveandcameandsatdownwithhisbackagainstoneoftheelmtrees.Hewassoclosetheboyscouldhavetouchedhim.
　　"Hurry,men!"hesaid,inalowvoice;"themoonmightcomeoutatanymoment."
　　Theygrowledaresponseandwentondigging.Forsometimetherewasnonoisebutthegratingsoundofthespadesdischargingtheirfreightofmouldandgravel.Itwasverymonotonous.Finallyaspadestruckuponthecoffinwithadullwoodyaccent,andwithinanotherminuteortwothemenhadhoisteditoutontheground.Theypriedoffthelidwiththeirshovels,gotoutthebodyanddumpeditrudelyontheground.Themoondriftedfrombehindthecloudsandexposedthepallidface.Thebarrowwasgotreadyandthecorpseplacedonit,coveredwithablanket,andboundtoitsplacewiththerope.Pottertookoutalargespring-knifeandcutoffthedanglingendoftheropeandthensaid:
　　"Nowthecussedthing'sready,Sawbones,andyou'lljustoutwithanotherfive,orhereshestays."
　　"That'sthetalk!"saidInjunJoe.
　　"Lookhere,whatdoesthismean?"saidthedoctor."Yourequiredyourpayinadvance,andI'vepaidyou."
　　"Yes,andyoudonemorethanthat,"saidInjunJoe,approachingthedoctor,whowasnowstanding."Fiveyearsagoyoudrovemeawayfromyourfather'skitchenonenight,whenIcometoaskforsomethingtoeat,andyousaidIwarn'tthereforanygood;andwhenIsworeI'dgetevenwithyouifittookahundredyears,yourfatherhadmejailedforavagrant.DidyouthinkI'dforget?TheInjunbloodain'tinmefornothing.AndnowI'veGOTyou,andyougottosettle,youknow!"
　　Hewasthreateningthedoctor,withhisfistinhisface,bythistime.Thedoctorstruckoutsuddenlyandstretchedtheruffianontheground.Potterdroppedhisknife,andexclaimed:
　　"Here,now,don'tyouhitmypard!"andthenextmomenthehadgrappledwiththedoctorandthetwowerestrugglingwithmightandmain,tramplingthegrassandtearingthegroundwiththeirheels.InjunJoesprangtohisfeet,hiseyesflamingwithpassion,snatchedupPotter'sknife,andwentcreeping,catlikeandstooping,roundandroundaboutthecombatants,seekinganopportunity.Allatoncethedoctorflunghimselffree,seizedtheheavyheadboardofWilliams'graveandfelledPottertotheearthwithit——andinthesameinstantthehalf-breedsawhischanceanddrovetheknifetothehiltintheyoungman'sbreast.HereeledandfellpartlyuponPotter,floodinghimwithhisblood,andinthesamemomentthecloudsblottedoutthedreadfulspectacleandthetwofrightenedboyswentspeedingawayinthedark.
　　Presently,whenthemoonemergedagain,InjunJoewasstandingoverthetwoforms,contemplatingthem.Thedoctormurmuredinarticulately,gavealonggasportwoandwasstill.Thehalf-breedmuttered:
　　"Thatscoreissettled——damnyou."
　　Thenherobbedthebody.AfterwhichheputthefatalknifeinPotter'sopenrighthand,andsatdownonthedismantledcoffin.Three——four——fiveminutespassed,andthenPotterbegantostirandmoan.Hishandclosedupontheknife;heraisedit,glancedatit,andletitfall,withashudder.Thenhesatup,pushingthebodyfromhim,andgazedatit,andthenaroundhim,confusedly.HiseyesmetJoe's.
　　"Lord,howisthis,Joe?"hesaid.
　　"It'sadirtybusiness,"saidJoe,withoutmoving.
　　"Whatdidyoudoitfor?"
　　"I!Ineverdoneit!"
　　"Lookhere!Thatkindoftalkwon'twash."
　　Pottertrembledandgrewwhite.
　　"IthoughtI'dgotsober.I'dnobusinesstodrinkto-night.Butit'sinmyheadyet——worse'nwhenwestartedhere.I'mallinamuddle;can'trecollectanythingofit,hardly.Tellme,Joe——honest,now,oldfeller——didIdoit?Joe,Inevermeantto——'ponmysoulandhonor,Inevermeantto,Joe.Tellmehowitwas,Joe.Oh,it'sawful——andhimsoyoungandpromising."
　　"Why,youtwowasscuffling,andhefetchedyouonewiththeheadboardandyoufellflat;andthenupyoucome,allreelingandstaggeringlike,andsnatchedtheknifeandjammeditintohim,justashefetchedyouanotherawfulclip——andhereyou'velaid,asdeadasawedgetilnow."
　　"Oh,Ididn'tknowwhatIwasa-doing.IwishImaydiethisminuteifIdid.Itwasallonaccountofthewhiskeyandtheexcitement,Ireckon.Ineverusedaweeponinmylifebefore,Joe.I'vefought,butneverwithweepons.They'llallsaythat.Joe,don'ttell!Sayyouwon'ttell,Joe——that'sagoodfeller.Ialwayslikedyou,Joe,andstoodupforyou,too.Don'tyouremember?Youwon'ttell,willyou,Joe?"Andthepoorcreaturedroppedonhiskneesbeforethestolidmurderer,andclaspedhisappealinghands.
　　"No,you'vealwaysbeenfairandsquarewithme,MuffPotter,andIwon'tgobackonyou.There,now,that'sasfairasamancansay."
　　"Oh,Joe,you'reanangel.I'llblessyouforthisthelongestdayIlive."AndPotterbegantocry.
　　"Come,now,that'senoughofthat.Thisain'tanytimeforblubbering.YoubeoffyonderwayandI'llgothis.Move,now,anddon'tleaveanytracksbehindyou."
　　Potterstartedonatrotthatquicklyincreasedtoarun.Thehalf-breedstoodlookingafterhim.Hemuttered:
　　"Ifhe'sasmuchstunnedwiththelickandfuddledwiththerumashehadthelookofbeing,hewon'tthinkoftheknifetillhe'sgonesofarhe'llbeafraidtocomebackafterittosuchaplacebyhimself——chicken-heart!"
　　Twoorthreeminuteslaterthemurderedman,theblanketedcorpse,thelidlesscoffin,andtheopengravewereundernoinspectionbutthemoon's.Thestillnesswascompleteagain,too.
　　CHAPTERX
　　THEtwoboysflewonandon,towardthevillage,speechlesswithhorror.Theyglancedbackwardovertheirshouldersfromtimetotime,apprehensively,asiftheyfearedtheymightbefollowed.Everystumpthatstartedupintheirpathseemedamanandanenemy,andmadethemcatchtheirbreath;andastheyspedbysomeoutlyingcottagesthatlaynearthevillage,thebarkingofthearousedwatch-dogsseemedtogivewingstotheirfeet.
　　"Ifwecanonlygettotheoldtannerybeforewebreakdown!"whisperedTom,inshortcatchesbetweenbreaths."Ican'tstanditmuchlonger."
　　Huckleberry'shardpantingswerehisonlyreply,andtheboysfixedtheireyesonthegoaloftheirhopesandbenttotheirworktowinit.Theygainedsteadilyonit,andatlast,breasttobreast,theyburstthroughtheopendoorandfellgratefulandexhaustedintheshelteringshadowsbeyond.Byandbytheirpulsessloweddown,andTomwhispered:
　　"Huckleberry,whatdoyoureckon'llcomeofthis?"
　　"IfDoctorRobinsondies,Ireckonhanging'llcomeofit."
　　"Doyouthough?"
　　"Why,Iknowit,Tom."
　　Tomthoughtawhile,thenhesaid:
　　"Who'lltell?We?"
　　"Whatareyoutalkingabout?S'posesomethinghappenedandInjunJoedidn'thang?Why,he'dkillussometimeorother,justasdeadsureaswe'realayinghere."
　　"That'sjustwhatIwasthinkingtomyself,Huck."
　　"Ifanybodytells,letMuffPotterdoit,ifhe'sfoolenough.He'sgenerallydrunkenough."
　　Tomsaidnothing——wentonthinking.Presentlyhewhispered:
　　"Huck,MuffPotterdon'tknowit.Howcanhetell?"
　　"What'sthereasonhedon'tknowit?"
　　"Becausehe'djustgotthatwhackwhenInjunJoedoneit.D'youreckonhecouldseeanything?D'youreckonheknowedanything?"
　　"Byhokey,that'sso,Tom!"
　　"Andbesides,look-a-here——maybethatwhackdoneforhim!"
　　"No,'taintlikely,Tom.Hehadliquorinhim;Icouldseethat;andbesides,healwayshas.Well,whenpap'sfull,youmighttakeandbelthimovertheheadwithachurchandyoucouldn'tphasehim.Hesaysso,hisownself.Soit'sthesamewithMuffPotter,ofcourse.Butifamanwasdeadsober,Ireckonmaybethatwhackmightfetchhim;Idono."
　　Afteranotherreflectivesilence,Tomsaid:
　　"Hucky,yousureyoucankeepmum?"
　　"Tom,wegottokeepmum.Youknowthat.ThatInjundevilwouldn'tmakeanymoreofdrowndingusthanacoupleofcats,ifwewastosqueak'boutthisandtheydidn'thanghim.Now,look-a-here,Tom,lesstakeandsweartooneanother——that'swhatwegottodo——sweartokeepmum."
　　"I'magreed.It'sthebestthing.Wouldyoujustholdhandsandswearthatwe——"
　　"Ohno,thatwouldn'tdoforthis.That'sgoodenoughforlittlerubbishycommonthings——speciallywithgals,cuztheygobackonyouanyway,andblabiftheygetinahuff——butthereorterbewriting'boutabigthinglikethis.Andblood."
　　Tom'swholebeingapplaudedthisidea.Itwasdeep,anddark,andawful;thehour,thecircumstances,thesurroundings,wereinkeepingwithit.Hepickedupacleanpineshinglethatlayinthemoonlight,tookalittlefragmentof"redkeel"outofhispocket,gotthemoononhiswork,andpainfullyscrawledtheselines,emphasizingeachslowdown-strokebyclampinghistonguebetweenhisteeth,andlettingupthepressureontheup-strokes.
　　"HuckFinnand
　　TomSawyerswears
　　theywillkeepmum
　　aboutThisandThey
　　wishTheymayDrop
　　downdeadinTheir
　　TracksifTheyever
　　TellandRot.
　　HuckleberrywasfilledwithadmirationofTom'sfacilityinwriting,andthesublimityofhislanguage.Heatoncetookapinfromhislapelandwasgoingtoprickhisflesh,butTomsaid:
　　"Holdon!Don'tdothat.Apin'sbrass.Itmighthaveverdigreaseonit."
　　"What'sverdigrease?"
　　"It'sp'ison.That'swhatitis.Youjustswallersomeofitonce——you'llsee."
　　SoTomunwoundthethreadfromoneofhisneedles,andeachboyprickedtheballofhisthumbandsqueezedoutadropofblood.Intime,aftermanysqueezes,Tommanagedtosignhisinitials,usingtheballofhislittlefingerforapen.ThenheshowedHuckleberryhowtomakeanHandanF,andtheoathwascomplete.Theyburiedtheshingleclosetothewall,withsomedismalceremoniesandincantations,andthefettersthatboundtheirtongueswereconsideredtobelockedandthekeythrownaway.
　　Afigurecreptstealthilythroughabreakintheotherendoftheruinedbuilding,now,buttheydidnotnoticeit.
　　"Tom,"whisperedHuckleberry,"doesthiskeepusfromevertelling——always?"
　　"Ofcourseitdoes.Itdon'tmakeanydifferencewhathappens,wegottokeepmum.We'ddropdowndead——don'tyouknowthat?"
　　"Yes,Ireckonthat'sso."
　　Theycontinuedtowhisperforsomelittletime.Presentlyadogsetupalong,lugubrioushowljustoutside——withintenfeetofthem.Theboysclaspedeachothersuddenly,inanagonyoffright.
　　"Whichofusdoeshemean?"gaspedHuckleberry.
　　"Idono——peepthroughthecrack.Quick!"
　　"No,you,Tom!"
　　"Ican't——Ican'tdoit,Huck!"
　　"Please,Tom.There'tisagain!"
　　"Oh,lordy,I'mthankful!"whisperedTom."Iknowhisvoice.It'sBullHarbison."*
　　[*IfMr.HarbisonownedaslavenamedBull,Tomwouldhavespokenofhimas"Harbison'sBull,"butasonoradogofthatnamewas"BullHarbison."]
　　"Oh,that'sgood——Itellyou,Tom,Iwasmostscaredtodeath;I'dabetanythingitwasastraydog."
　　Thedoghowledagain.Theboys'heartssankoncemore.
　　"Oh,my!thatain'tnoBullHarbison!"whisperedHuckleberry."do,Tom!"
　　Tom,quakingwithfear,yielded,andputhiseyetothecrack.Hiswhisperwashardlyaudiblewhenhesaid:
　　"Oh,Huck,it'sastraydog!"
　　"Quick,Tom,quick!Whodoeshemean?"
　　"Huck,hemustmeanusboth——we'rerighttogether."
　　"Oh,Tom,Ireckonwe'regoners.Ireckonthereain'tnomistake'boutwhereI'llgoto.Ibeensowicked."
　　"Dadfetchit!Thiscomesofplayinghookeyanddoingeverythingafeller'stoldnottodo.Imightabeengood,likeSid,ifI'datried——butno,Iwouldn't,ofcourse.ButifeverIgetoffthistime,IlayI'lljustwallerinSunday-schools!"AndTombegantosnufflealittle.
　　"Youbad!"andHuckleberrybegantosnuffletoo."Consoundit,TomSawyer,you'rejustoldpie,'longsideo'whatIam.Oh,lordy,lordy,lordy,IwishtIonlyhadhalfyourchance."
　　Tomchokedoffandwhispered:
　　"Look,Hucky,look!He'sgothisbacktous!"
　　Huckylooked,withjoyinhisheart.
　　"Well,hehas,byjingoes!Didhebefore?"
　　"Yes,hedid.ButI,likeafool,neverthought.Oh,thisisbully,youknow.Nowwhocanhemean?"
　　Thehowlingstopped.Tomprickeduphisears.
　　"Sh!What'sthat?"hewhispered.
　　"Soundslike——likehogsgrunting.No——it'ssomebodysnoring,Tom."
　　"Thatisit!Where'boutsisit,Huck?"
　　"Ibleeveit'sdownat'totherend.Soundsso,anyway.Papusedtosleepthere,sometimes,'longwiththehogs,butlawsblessyou,hejustliftsthingswhenhesnores.Besides,Ireckonheain'tevercomingbacktothistownanymore."
　　Thespiritofadventureroseintheboys'soulsoncemore.
　　"Hucky,doyoudas'ttogoifIlead?"
　　"Idon'tliketo,much.Tom,s'poseit'sInjunJoe!"
　　Tomquailed.Butpresentlythetemptationroseupstrongagainandtheboysagreedtotry,withtheunderstandingthattheywouldtaketotheirheelsifthesnoringstopped.Sotheywenttiptoeingstealthilydown,theonebehindtheother.Whentheyhadgottowithinfivestepsofthesnorer,Tomsteppedonastick,anditbrokewithasharpsnap.Themanmoaned,writhedalittle,andhisfacecameintothemoonlight.ItwasMuffPotter.Theboys'heartshadstoodstill,andtheirhopestoo,whenthemanmoved,buttheirfearspassedawaynow.Theytiptoedout,throughthebrokenweather-boarding,andstoppedatalittledistancetoexchangeapartingword.Thatlong,lugubrioushowlroseonthenightairagain!TheyturnedandsawthestrangedogstandingwithinafewfeetofwherePotterwaslying,andFACINGPotter,withhisnosepointingheavenward.
　　"Oh,geeminy,it'shim!"exclaimedbothboys,inabreath.
　　"Say,Tom——theysayastraydogcomehowlingaroundJohnnyMiller'shouse,'boutmidnight,asmuchastwoweeksago;andawhippoorwillcomeinandlitonthebanistersandsung,theverysameevening;andthereain'tanybodydeadthereyet."
　　"Well,Iknowthat.Andsupposethereain't.Didn'tGracieMillerfallinthekitchenfireandburnherselfterribletheverynextSaturday?"
　　"Yes,butsheain'tdead.Andwhat'smore,she'sgettingbetter,too."
　　"Allright,youwaitandsee.She'sagoner,justasdeadsureasMuffPotter'sagoner.That'swhattheniggerssay,andtheyknowallaboutthesekindofthings,Huck."
　　Thentheyseparated,cogitating.WhenTomcreptinathisbedroomwindowthenightwasalmostspent.Heundressedwithexcessivecaution,andfellasleepcongratulatinghimselfthatnobodyknewofhisescapade.Hewasnotawarethatthegently-snoringSidwasawake,andhadbeensoforanhour.
　　WhenTomawoke,Sidwasdressedandgone.Therewasalatelookinthelight,alatesenseintheatmosphere.Hewasstartled.Whyhadhenotbeencalled——persecutedtillhewasup,asusual?Thethoughtfilledhimwithbodings.Withinfiveminuteshewasdressedanddown-stairs,feelingsoreanddrowsy.Thefamilywerestillattable,buttheyhadfinishedbreakfast.Therewasnovoiceofrebuke;buttherewereavertedeyes;therewasasilenceandanairofsolemnitythatstruckachilltotheculprit'sheart.Hesatdownandtriedtoseemgay,butitwasup-hillwork;itrousednosmile,noresponse,andhelapsedintosilenceandlethisheartsinkdowntothedepths.
　　Afterbreakfasthisaunttookhimaside,andTomalmostbrightenedinthehopethathewasgoingtobeflogged;butitwasnotso.Hisauntweptoverhimandaskedhimhowhecouldgoandbreakheroldheartso;andfinallytoldhimtogoon,andruinhimselfandbringhergrayhairswithsorrowtothegrave,foritwasnouseforhertotryanymore.Thiswasworsethanathousandwhippings,andTom'sheartwassorernowthanhisbody.Hecried,hepleadedforforgiveness,promisedtoreformoverandoveragain,andthenreceivedhisdismissal,feelingthathehadwonbutanimperfectforgivenessandestablishedbutafeebleconfidence.
　　HeleftthepresencetoomiserabletoevenfeelrevengefultowardSid;andsothelatter'spromptretreatthroughthebackgatewasunnecessary.Hemopedtoschoolgloomyandsad,andtookhisflogging,alongwithJoeHarper,forplayinghookeythedaybefore,withtheairofonewhoseheartwasbusywithheavierwoesandwhollydeadtotrifles.Thenhebetookhimselftohisseat,restedhiselbowsonhisdeskandhisjawsinhishands,andstaredatthewallwiththestonystareofsufferingthathasreachedthelimitandcannofurthergo.Hiselbowwaspressingagainstsomehardsubstance.Afteralongtimeheslowlyandsadlychangedhisposition,andtookupthisobjectwithasigh.Itwasinapaper.Heunrolledit.Along,lingering,colossalsighfollowed,andhisheartbroke.Itwashisbrassandironknob!
　　Thisfinalfeatherbrokethecamel'sback.
　　CHAPTERXI
　　CLOSEuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews.Noneedoftheasyetundreamed-oftelegraph;thetaleflewfrommantoman,fromgrouptogroup,fromhousetohouse,withlittlelessthantelegraphicspeed.Ofcoursetheschoolmastergaveholidayforthatafternoon;thetownwouldhavethoughtstrangelyofhimifhehadnot.
　　Agoryknifehadbeenfoundclosetothemurderedman,andithadbeenrecognizedbysomebodyasbelongingtoMuffPotter——sothestoryran.AnditwassaidthatabelatedcitizenhadcomeuponPotterwashinghimselfinthe"branch"aboutoneortwoo'clockinthemorning,andthatPotterhadatoncesneakedoff——suspiciouscircumstances,especiallythewashingwhichwasnotahabitwithPotter.Itwasalsosaidthatthetownhadbeenransackedforthis"murderer"thepublicarenotslowinthematterofsiftingevidenceandarrivingataverdict,butthathecouldnotbefound.Horsemenhaddeparteddownalltheroadsineverydirection,andtheSheriff"wasconfident"thathewouldbecapturedbeforenight.
　　Allthetownwasdriftingtowardthegraveyard.Tom'sheartbreakvanishedandhejoinedtheprocession,notbecausehewouldnotathousandtimesrathergoanywhereelse,butbecauseanawful,unaccountablefascinationdrewhimon.Arrivedatthedreadfulplace,hewormedhissmallbodythroughthecrowdandsawthedismalspectacle.Itseemedtohimanagesincehewastherebefore.Somebodypinchedhisarm.Heturned,andhiseyesmetHuckleberry's.Thenbothlookedelsewhereatonce,andwonderedifanybodyhadnoticedanythingintheirmutualglance.Buteverybodywastalking,andintentuponthegrislyspectaclebeforethem.
　　"Poorfellow!""Pooryoungfellow!""Thisoughttobealessontograverobbers!""MuffPotter'llhangforthisiftheycatchhim!"Thiswasthedriftofremark;andtheministersaid,"Itwasajudgment;Hishandishere."
　　NowTomshiveredfromheadtoheel;forhiseyefelluponthestolidfaceofInjunJoe.Atthismomentthecrowdbegantoswayandstruggle,andvoicesshouted,"It'shim!it'shim!he'scominghimself!"
　　"Who?Who?"fromtwentyvoices.
　　"MuffPotter!"
　　"Hallo,he'sstopped!——Lookout,he'sturning!Don'tlethimgetaway!"
　　PeopleinthebranchesofthetreesoverTom'sheadsaidhewasn'ttryingtogetaway——heonlylookeddoubtfulandperplexed.
　　"Infernalimpudence!"saidabystander;"wantedtocomeandtakeaquietlookathiswork,Ireckon——didn'texpectanycompany."
　　Thecrowdfellapart,now,andtheSheriffcamethrough,ostentatiouslyleadingPotterbythearm.Thepoorfellow'sfacewashaggard,andhiseyesshowedthefearthatwasuponhim.Whenhestoodbeforethemurderedman,heshookaswithapalsy,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandburstintotears.
　　"Ididn'tdoit,friends,"hesobbed;"'ponmywordandhonorIneverdoneit."
　　"Who'saccusedyou?"shoutedavoice.
　　Thisshotseemedtocarryhome.Potterliftedhisfaceandlookedaroundhimwithapathetichopelessnessinhiseyes.HesawInjunJoe,andexclaimed:
　　"Oh,InjunJoe,youpromisedmeyou'dnever——"
　　"Isthatyourknife?"anditwasthrustbeforehimbytheSheriff.
　　Potterwouldhavefalleniftheyhadnotcaughthimandeasedhimtotheground.Thenhesaid:
　　"Somethingtoldme'tifIdidn'tcomebackandget——"Heshuddered;thenwavedhisnervelesshandwithavanquishedgestureandsaid,"Tell'em,Joe,tell'em——itain'tanyuseanymore."
　　ThenHuckleberryandTomstooddumbandstaring,andheardthestony-heartedliarreeloffhisserenestatement,theyexpectingeverymomentthattheclearskywoulddeliverGod'slightningsuponhishead,andwonderingtoseehowlongthestrokewasdelayed.Andwhenhehadfinishedandstillstoodaliveandwhole,theirwaveringimpulsetobreaktheiroathandsavethepoorbetrayedprisoner'slifefadedandvanishedaway,forplainlythismiscreanthadsoldhimselftoSatananditwouldbefataltomeddlewiththepropertyofsuchapowerasthat.
　　"Whydidn'tyouleave?Whatdidyouwanttocomeherefor?"somebodysaid.
　　"Icouldn'thelpit——Icouldn'thelpit,"Pottermoaned."Iwantedtorunaway,butIcouldn'tseemtocomeanywherebuthere."Andhefelltosobbingagain.
　　InjunJoerepeatedhisstatement,justascalmly,afewminutesafterwardontheinquest,underoath;andtheboys,seeingthatthelightningswerestillwithheld,wereconfirmedintheirbeliefthatJoehadsoldhimselftothedevil.Hewasnowbecome,tothem,themostbalefullyinterestingobjecttheyhadeverlookedupon,andtheycouldnottaketheirfascinatedeyesfromhisface.
　　Theyinwardlyresolvedtowatchhimnights,whenopportunityshouldoffer,inthehopeofgettingaglimpseofhisdreadmaster.
　　InjunJoehelpedtoraisethebodyofthemurderedmanandputitinawagonforremoval;anditwaswhisperedthroughtheshudderingcrowdthatthewoundbledalittle!Theboysthoughtthatthishappycircumstancewouldturnsuspicionintherightdirection;buttheyweredisappointed,formorethanonevillagerremarked:
　　"ItwaswithinthreefeetofMuffPotterwhenitdoneit."
　　Tom'sfearfulsecretandgnawingconsciencedisturbedhissleepforasmuchasaweekafterthis;andatbreakfastonemorningSidsaid:
　　"Tom,youpitcharoundandtalkinyoursleepsomuchthatyoukeepmeawakehalfthetime."
　　Tomblanchedanddroppedhiseyes.
　　"It'sabadsign,"saidAuntPolly,gravely."Whatyougotonyourmind,Tom?"
　　"Nothing.Nothing'tIknowof."Buttheboy'shandshooksothathespilledhiscoffee.
　　"Andyoudotalksuchstuff,"Sidsaid."nightyousaid,'It'sblood,it'sblood,that'swhatitis!'Yousaidthatoverandover.Andyousaid,'Don'ttormentmeso——I'lltell!'Tellwhat?Whatisityou'lltell?"
　　EverythingwasswimmingbeforeTom.Thereisnotellingwhatmighthavehappened,now,butluckilytheconcernpassedoutofAuntPolly'sfaceandshecametoTom'sreliefwithoutknowingit.Shesaid:
　　"Sho!It'sthatdreadfulmurder.Idreamaboutitmosteverynightmyself.SometimesIdreamit'smethatdoneit."
　　Marysaidshehadbeenaffectedmuchthesameway.Sidseemedsatisfied.Tomgotoutofthepresenceasquickasheplausiblycould,andafterthathecomplainedoftoothacheforaweek,andtieduphisjawseverynight.HeneverknewthatSidlaynightlywatching,andfrequentlyslippedthebandagefreeandthenleanedonhiselbowlisteningagoodwhileatatime,andafterwardslippedthebandagebacktoitsplaceagain.Tom'sdistressofmindworeoffgraduallyandthetoothachegrewirksomeandwasdiscarded.IfSidreallymanagedtomakeanythingoutofTom'sdisjointedmutterings,hekeptittohimself.
　　ItseemedtoTomthathisschoolmatesneverwouldgetdoneholdinginquestsondeadcats,andthuskeepinghistroublepresenttohismind.SidnoticedthatTomneverwascoroneratoneoftheseinquiries,thoughithadbeenhishabittotaketheleadinallnewenterprises;henoticed,too,thatTomneveractedasawitness——andthatwasstrange;andSiddidnotoverlookthefactthatTomevenshowedamarkedaversiontotheseinquests,andalwaysavoidedthemwhenhecould.Sidmarvelled,butsaidnothing.However,eveninquestswentoutofvogueatlast,andceasedtotortureTom'sconscience.
　　Everydayortwo,duringthistimeofsorrow,Tomwatchedhisopportunityandwenttothelittlegratedjail-windowandsmuggledsuchsmallcomfortsthroughtothe"murderer"ashecouldgetholdof.Thejailwasatriflinglittlebrickdenthatstoodinamarshattheedgeofthevillage,andnoguardswereaffordedforit;indeed,itwasseldomoccupied.TheseofferingsgreatlyhelpedtoeaseTom'sconscience.
　　Thevillagershadastrongdesiretotar-and-featherInjunJoeandridehimonarail,forbody-snatching,butsoformidablewashischaracterthatnobodycouldbefoundwhowaswillingtotaketheleadinthematter,soitwasdropped.Hehadbeencarefultobeginbothofhisinquest-statementswiththefight,withoutconfessingthegrave-robberythatprecededit;thereforeitwasdeemedwisestnottotrythecaseinthecourtsatpresent.
　　CHAPTERXII
　　ONEofthereasonswhyTom'smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas,thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout.BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool.Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays,andtriedto"whistleherdownthewind,"butfailed.Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather'shouse,nights,andfeelingverymiserable.Shewasill.Whatifsheshoulddie!Therewasdistractioninthethought.Henolongertookaninterestinwar,noreveninpiracy.Thecharmoflifewasgone;therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft.