Heputhishoopaway,andhisbat;therewasnojoyinthemanymore.Hisauntwasconcerned.Shebegantotryallmannerofremediesonhim.Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhoareinfatuatedwithpatentmedicinesandallnew-fangledmethodsofproducinghealthormendingit.Shewasaninveterateexperimenterinthesethings.Whensomethingfreshinthislinecameoutshewasinafever,rightaway,totryit;notonherself,forshewasneverailing,butonanybodyelsethatcamehandy.Shewasasubscriberforallthe"Health"periodicalsandphrenologicalfrauds;andthesolemnignorancetheywereinflatedwithwasbreathtohernostrils.Allthe"rot"theycontainedaboutventilation,andhowtogotobed,andhowtogetup,andwhattoeat,andwhattodrink,andhowmuchexercisetotake,andwhatframeofmindtokeepone'sselfin,andwhatsortofclothingtowear,wasallgospeltoher,andsheneverobservedthatherhealth-journalsofthecurrentmonthcustomarilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore.Shewasassimple-heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong,andsoshewasaneasyvictim.Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines,andthusarmedwithdeath,wentaboutonherpalehorse,metaphoricallyspeaking,with"hellfollowingafter."ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGileadindisguise,tothesufferingneighbors.
　　Thewatertreatmentwasnew,now,andTom'slowconditionwasawindfalltoher.Shehadhimoutatdaylighteverymorning,stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhimwithadelugeofcoldwater;thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile,andsobroughthimto;thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhimawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand"theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores"——asTomsaid.
　　Yetnotwithstandingallthis,theboygrewmoreandmoremelancholyandpaleanddejected.Sheaddedhotbaths,sitzbaths,showerbaths,andplunges.Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse.Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblisterplasters.Shecalculatedhiscapacityasshewouldajug's,andfilledhimupeverydaywithquackcure-alls.
　　Tomhadbecomeindifferenttopersecutionbythistime.Thisphasefilledtheoldlady'sheartwithconsternation.Thisindifferencemustbebrokenupatanycost.NowsheheardofPain-killerforthefirsttime.Sheorderedalotatonce.Shetasteditandwasfilledwithgratitude.Itwassimplyfireinaliquidform.Shedroppedthewatertreatmentandeverythingelse,andpinnedherfaithtoPain-killer.ShegaveTomateaspoonfulandwatchedwiththedeepestanxietyfortheresult.Hertroubleswereinstantlyatrest,hersoulatpeaceagain;forthe"indifference"wasbrokenup.Theboycouldnothaveshownawilder,heartierinterest,ifshehadbuiltafireunderhim.
　　Tomfeltthatitwastimetowakeup;thissortoflifemightberomanticenough,inhisblightedcondition,butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesentimentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit.Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief,andfinallyhitponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain-killer.Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance,andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher.IfithadbeenSid,shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight;butsinceitwasTom,shewatchedthebottleclandestinely.Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish,butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting-roomfloorwithit.
　　OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt'syellowcatcamealong,purring,eyingtheteaspoonavariciously,andbeggingforataste.Tomsaid:
　　"Don'taskforitunlessyouwantit,Peter."
　　ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit.
　　"Youbettermakesure."
　　Peterwassure.
　　"Nowyou'veaskedforit,andI'llgiveittoyou,becausethereain'tanythingmeanaboutme;butifyoufindyoudon'tlikeit,youmustn'tblameanybodybutyourownself."
　　Peterwasagreeable.SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain-killer.Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair,andthendeliveredawar-whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom,bangingagainstfurniture,upsettingflower-pots,andmakinggeneralhavoc.Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround,inafrenzyofenjoyment,withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoiceproclaiminghisunappeasablehappiness.Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath.AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets,deliverafinalmightyhurrah,andsailthroughtheopenwindow,carryingtherestoftheflower-potswithhim.Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment,peeringoverherglasses;Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter.
　　"Tom,whatonearthailsthatcat?"
　　"Idon'tknow,aunt,"gaspedtheboy.
　　"Why,Ineverseeanythinglikeit.Whatdidmakehimactso?"
　　"DeedIdon'tknow,AuntPolly;catsalwaysactsowhenthey'rehavingagoodtime."
　　"Theydo,dothey?"TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive.
　　"Yes'm.Thatis,Ibelievetheydo."
　　"Youdo?"
　　"Yes'm."
　　Theoldladywasbendingdown,Tomwatching,withinterestemphasizedbyanxiety.Toolatehedivinedher"drift."Thehandleofthetelltaleteaspoonwasvisibleunderthebed-valance.AuntPollytookit,helditup.Tomwinced,anddroppedhiseyes.AuntPollyraisedhimbytheusualhandle——hisear——andcrackedhisheadsoundlywithherthimble.
　　"Now,sir,whatdidyouwanttotreatthatpoordumbbeastso,for?"
　　"Idoneitoutofpityforhim——becausehehadn'tanyaunt."
　　"Hadn'tanyaunt!——younumskull.Whathasthatgottodowithit?"
　　"Heaps.Becauseifhe'dhadoneshe'daburnthimoutherself!She'daroastedhisbowelsoutofhim'thoutanymorefeelingthanifhewasahuman!"
　　AuntPollyfeltasuddenpangofremorse.Thiswasputtingthethinginanewlight;whatwascrueltytoacatmightbecrueltytoaboy,too.Shebegantosoften;shefeltsorry.Hereyeswateredalittle,andsheputherhandonTom'sheadandsaidgently:
　　"Iwasmeaningforthebest,Tom.And,Tom,itdiddoyougood."
　　Tomlookedupinherfacewithjustaperceptibletwinklepeepingthroughhisgravity.
　　"Iknowyouwasmeaningforthebest,aunty,andsowasIwithPeter.Itdonehimgood,too.Ineverseehimgetaroundsosince——"
　　"Oh,go'longwithyou,Tom,beforeyouaggravatemeagain.Andyoutryandseeifyoucan'tbeagoodboy,foronce,andyouneedn'ttakeanymoremedicine."
　　Tomreachedschoolaheadoftime.Itwasnoticedthatthisstrangethinghadbeenoccurringeverydaylatterly.Andnow,asusualoflate,hehungaboutthegateoftheschoolyardinsteadofplayingwithhiscomrades.Hewassick,hesaid,andhelookedit.Hetriedtoseemtobelookingeverywherebutwhitherhereallywaslooking——downtheroad.PresentlyJeffThatcherhoveinsight,andTom'sfacelighted;hegazedamoment,andthenturnedsorrowfullyaway.WhenJeffarrived,Tomaccostedhim;and"ledup"warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky,butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait.Tomwatchedandwatched,hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight,andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone.Atlastfrocksceasedtoappear,andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps;heenteredtheemptyschoolhouseandsatdowntosuffer.Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate,andTom'sheartgaveagreatbound.Thenextinstanthewasout,and"goingon"likeanIndian;yelling,laughing,chasingboys,jumpingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb,throwinghandsprings,standingonhishead——doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof,andkeepingafurtiveeyeout,allthewhile,toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoticing.Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall;sheneverlooked.Coulditbepossiblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere?Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity;camewar-whoopingaround,snatchedaboy'scap,hurledittotheroofoftheschoolhouse,brokethroughagroupofboys,tumblingthemineverydirection,andfellsprawling,himself,underBecky'snose,almostupsettingher——andsheturned,withhernoseintheair,andheheardhersay:"Mf!somepeoplethinkthey'remightysmart——alwaysshowingoff!"
　　Tom'scheeksburned.Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff,crushedandcrestfallen.
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　TOM'Smindwasmadeupnow.Hewasgloomyanddesperate.Hewasaforsaken,friendlessboy,hesaid;nobodylovedhim;whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto,perhapstheywouldbesorry;hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong,buttheywouldnotlethim;sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim,letitbeso;andletthemblameHIMfortheconsequences——whyshouldn'tthey?Whatrighthadthefriendlesstocomplain?Yes,theyhadforcedhimtoitatlast:hewouldleadalifeofcrime.Therewasnochoice.
　　BythistimehewasfardownMeadowLane,andthebellforschoolto"takeup"tinkledfaintlyuponhisear.Hesobbed,now,tothinkheshouldnever,neverhearthatoldfamiliarsoundanymore——itwasveryhard,butitwasforcedonhim;sincehewasdrivenoutintothecoldworld,hemustsubmit——butheforgavethem.Thenthesobscamethickandfast.
　　Justatthispointhemethissoul'ssworncomrade,JoeHarper——hard-eyed,andwithevidentlyagreatanddismalpurposeinhisheart.Plainlyherewere"twosoulswithbutasinglethought."Tom,wipinghiseyeswithhissleeve,begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoescapefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn;andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim.
　　ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom,andhadcometohunthimupforthatpurpose.Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout;itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo;ifshefeltthatway,therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb;hehopedshewouldbehappy,andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie.
　　Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong,theymadeanewcompacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeathrelievedthemoftheirtroubles.Thentheybegantolaytheirplans.Joewasforbeingahermit,andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave,anddying,sometime,ofcoldandwantandgrief;butafterlisteningtoTom,heconcededthatthereweresomeconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime,andsoheconsentedtobeapirate.
　　ThreemilesbelowSt.Petersburg,atapointwheretheMississippiRiverwasatrifleoveramilewide,therewasalong,narrow,woodedisland,withashallowbarattheheadofit,andthisofferedwellasarendezvous.Itwasnotinhabited;itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore,abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest.SoJackson'sIslandwaschosen.Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracieswasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem.ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn,andhejoinedthempromptly,forallcareerswereonetohim;hewasindifferent.Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriver-banktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour——whichwasmidnight.Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture.Eachwouldbringhooksandlines,andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway——asbecameoutlaws.Andbeforetheafternoonwasdone,theyhadallmanagedtoenjoythesweetgloryofspreadingthefactthatprettysoonthetownwould"hearsomething."Allwhogotthisvaguehintwerecautionedto"bemumandwait."
　　AboutmidnightTomarrivedwithaboiledhamandafewtrifles,andstoppedinadenseundergrowthonasmallbluffoverlookingthemeeting-place.Itwasstarlight,andverystill.Themightyriverlaylikeanoceanatrest.Tomlistenedamoment,butnosounddisturbedthequiet.Thenhegavealow,distinctwhistle.Itwasansweredfromunderthebluff.Tomwhistledtwicemore;thesesignalswereansweredinthesameway.Thenaguardedvoicesaid:
　　"Whogoesthere?"
　　"TomSawyer,theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain.Nameyournames."
　　"HuckFinntheRed-Handed,andJoeHarpertheTerroroftheSeas."Tomhadfurnishedthesetitles,fromhisfavoriteliterature.
　　"'Tiswell.Givethecountersign."
　　Twohoarsewhispersdeliveredthesameawfulwordsimultaneouslytothebroodingnight:
　　"BLOOD!"
　　ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit,tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort.Therewasaneasy,comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff,butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate.
　　TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon,andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere.FinntheRed-Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf-curedleaftobacco,andhadalsobroughtafewcorn-cobstomakepipeswith.Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor"chewed"buthimself.TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire.Thatwasawisethought;matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday.Theysawafiresmoulderinguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove,andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk.Theymadeanimposingadventureofit,saying,"Hist!"everynowandthen,andsuddenlyhaltingwithfingeronlip;movingwithhandsonimaginarydagger-hilts;andgivingordersindismalwhispersthatif"thefoe"stirred,to"lethimhaveittothehilt,"because"deadmentellnotales."Theyknewwellenoughthattheraftsmenwerealldownatthevillagelayinginstoresorhavingaspree,butstillthatwasnoexcusefortheirconductingthisthinginanunpiraticalway.
　　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.
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　WHENTomawokeinthemorning,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.