"Insuchdeliciousfanciestimequicklyglidesby,andthewelcomehourarrivesforherentranceintotheElysianworld,ofwhichshehashadsuchbrightdreams.Howfairy-likedoeseverythingappeartoherenchantedvision!Eachnewsceneismorecharmingthanthelast.Butafterawhileshefindsthatbeneaththisgoodlyexterior,allisvanity,theflatterywhichoncecharmedhersoul,nowgratesharshlyuponherear;theball-roomhaslostitscharms;andwithwastedhealthandimbitteredheart,sheturnsawaywiththeconvictionthatearthlypleasurescannotsatisfythelongingsofthesoul!"
　　Andsoforthandsoon.Therewasabuzzofgratificationfromtimetotimeduringthereading,accompaniedbywhisperedejaculationsof"Howsweet!""Howeloquent!""Sotrue!"etc.,andafterthethinghadclosedwithapeculiarlyafflictingsermontheapplausewasenthusiastic.
　　Thenaroseaslim,melancholygirl,whosefacehadthe"interesting"palenessthatcomesofpillsandindigestion,andreada"poem."Twostanzasofitwilldo:
　　"AMISSOURIMAIDEN'SFAREWELLTOALABAMA
　　"Alabama,good-bye!Ilovetheewell!
　　ButyetforawhiledoIleavetheenow!
　　Sad,yes,sadthoughtsoftheemyheartdothswell,
　　Andburningrecollectionsthrongmybrow!
　　ForIhavewanderedthroughthyflowerywoods;
　　HaveroamedandreadnearTallapoosa'sstream;
　　HavelistenedtoTallassee'swarringfloods,
　　AndwooedonCoosa'ssideAurora'sbeam.
　　"YetshameInottobearano'er-fullheart,
　　Norblushtoturnbehindmytearfuleyes;
　　'TisfromnostrangerlandInowmustpart,
　　'TistonostrangersleftIyieldthesesighs.
　　WelcomeandhomewereminewithinthisState,
　　WhosevalesIleave——whosespiresfadefastfromme
　　Andcoldmustbemineeyes,andheart,andtête,
　　When,dearAlabama!theyturncoldonthee!"
　　Therewereveryfewtherewhoknewwhat"tête"meant,butthepoemwasverysatisfactory,nevertheless.
　　Nextappearedadark-complexioned,black-eyed,black-hairedyounglady,whopausedanimpressivemoment,assumedatragicexpression,andbegantoreadinameasured,solemntone:
　　"AVISION
　　"Darkandtempestuouswasnight.Aroundthethroneonhighnotasinglestarquivered;butthedeepintonationsoftheheavythunderconstantlyvibratedupontheear;whilsttheterrificlightningrevelledinangrymoodthroughthecloudychambersofheaven,seemingtoscornthepowerexertedoveritsterrorbytheillustriousFranklin!Eventheboisterouswindsunanimouslycameforthfromtheirmystichomes,andblusteredaboutasiftoenhancebytheiraidthewildnessofthescene.
　　"Atsuchatime,sodark,sodreary,forhumansympathymyveryspiritsighed;butinsteadthereof,
　　"'Mydearestfriend,mycounsellor,mycomforterandguide
　　Myjoyingrief,mysecondblissinjoy,'cametomyside.
　　Shemovedlikeoneofthosebrightbeingspicturedinthesunnywalksoffancy'sEdenbytheromanticandyoung,aqueenofbeautyunadornedsavebyherowntranscendentloveliness.Sosoftwasherstep,itfailedtomakeevenasound,andbutforthemagicalthrillimpartedbyhergenialtouch,asotherunobtrusivebeauties,shewouldhaveglidedawayun-perceived——unsought.Astrangesadnessresteduponherfeatures,likeicytearsupontherobeofDecember,asshepointedtothecontendingelementswithout,andbademecontemplatethetwobeingspresented."
　　Thisnightmareoccupiedsometenpagesofmanuscriptandwoundupwithasermonsodestructiveofallhopetonon-Presbyteriansthatittookthefirstprize.Thiscompositionwasconsideredtobetheveryfinesteffortoftheevening.Themayorofthevillage,indeliveringtheprizetotheauthorofit,madeawarmspeechinwhichhesaidthatitwasbyfarthemost"eloquent"thinghehadeverlistenedto,andthatDanielWebsterhimselfmightwellbeproudofit.
　　Itmayberemarked,inpassing,thatthenumberofcompositionsinwhichtheword"beauteous"wasover-fondled,andhumanexperiencereferredtoas"life'spage,"wasuptotheusualaverage.
　　Nowthemaster,mellowalmosttothevergeofgeniality,puthischairaside,turnedhisbacktotheaudience,andbegantodrawamapofAmericaontheblackboard,toexercisethegeographyclassupon.Buthemadeasadbusinessofitwithhisunsteadyhand,andasmotheredtitterrippledoverthehouse.Heknewwhatthematterwas,andsethimselftorightit.Hespongedoutlinesandremadethem;butheonlydistortedthemmorethanever,andthetitteringwasmorepronounced.Hethrewhisentireattentionuponhiswork,now,asifdeterminednottobeputdownbythemirth.Hefeltthatalleyeswerefasteneduponhim;heimaginedhewassucceeding,andyetthetitteringcontinued;itevenmanifestlyincreased.Andwellitmight.Therewasagarretabove,piercedwithascuttleoverhishead;anddownthroughthisscuttlecameacat,suspendedaroundthehaunchesbyastring;shehadaragtiedaboutherheadandjawstokeepherfrommewing;assheslowlydescendedshecurvedupwardandclawedatthestring,sheswungdownwardandclawedattheintangibleair.Thetitteringrosehigherandhigher——thecatwaswithinsixinchesoftheabsorbedteacher'shead——down,down,alittlelower,andshegrabbedhiswigwithherdesperateclaws,clungtoit,andwassnatchedupintothegarretinaninstantwithhertrophystillinherpossession!Andhowthelightdidblazeabroadfromthemaster'sbaldpate——forthesign-painter'sboyhadgildedit!
　　Thatbrokeupthemeeting.Theboyswereavenged.Vacationhadcome.
　　[NOTE:——Thepretended"compositions"quotedinthischapteraretakenwithoutalterationfromavolumeentitled"ProseandPoetry,byaWesternLady"——buttheyareexactlyandpreciselyaftertheschoolgirlpattern,andhencearemuchhappierthananymereimitationscouldbe.]
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　TOMjoinedtheneworderofCadetsofTemperance,beingattractedbytheshowycharacteroftheir"regalia."Hepromisedtoabstainfromsmoking,chewing,andprofanityaslongasheremainedamember.Nowhefoundoutanewthing——namely,thattopromisenottodoathingisthesurestwayintheworldtomakeabodywanttogoanddothatverything.Tomsoonfoundhimselftormentedwithadesiretodrinkandswear;thedesiregrewtobesointensethatnothingbutthehopeofachancetodisplayhimselfinhisredsashkepthimfromwithdrawingfromtheorder.FourthofJulywascoming;buthesoongavethatup——gaveitupbeforehehadwornhisshacklesoverforty-eighthours——andfixedhishopesuponoldJudgeFrazer,justiceofthepeace,whowasapparentlyonhisdeathbedandwouldhaveabigpublicfuneral,sincehewassohighanofficial.DuringthreedaysTomwasdeeplyconcernedabouttheJudge'sconditionandhungryfornewsofit.Sometimeshishopesranhigh——sohighthathewouldventuretogetouthisregaliaandpractisebeforethelookingglass.ButtheJudgehadamostdiscouragingwayoffluctuating.Atlasthewaspronounceduponthemend——andthenconvalescent.Tomwasdisgusted;andfeltasenseofinjury,too.Hehandedinhisresignationatonce——andthatnighttheJudgesufferedarelapseanddied.Tomresolvedthathewouldnevertrustamanlikethatagain.
　　Thefuneralwasafinething.TheCadetsparadedinastylecalculatedtokillthelatememberwithenvy.Tomwasafreeboyagain,however——therewassomethinginthat.Hecoulddrinkandswear,now——butfoundtohissurprisethathedidnotwantto.Thesimplefactthathecould,tookthedesireaway,andthecharmofit.
　　Tompresentlywonderedtofindthathiscovetedvacationwasbeginningtohangalittleheavilyonhishands.
　　Heattemptedadiary——butnothinghappenedduringthreedays,andsoheabandonedit.
　　Thefirstofallthenegrominstrelshowscametotown,andmadeasensation.TomandJoeHarpergotupabandofperformersandwerehappyfortwodays.
　　EventheGloriousFourthwasinsomesenseafailure,foritrainedhard,therewasnoprocessioninconsequence,andthegreatestmanintheworldasTomsupposed,Mr.Benton,anactualUnitedStatesSenator,provedanoverwhelmingdisappointment——forhewasnottwenty-fivefeethigh,norevenanywhereintheneighborhoodofit.
　　Acircuscame.Theboysplayedcircusforthreedaysafterwardintentsmadeofragcarpeting——admission,threepinsforboys,twoforgirls——andthencircusingwasabandoned.
　　Aphrenologistandamesmerizercame——andwentagainandleftthevillagedulleranddrearierthanever.
　　Thereweresomeboys-and-girls'parties,buttheyweresofewandsodelightfulthattheyonlymadetheachingvoidsbetweenachetheharder.
　　BeckyThatcherwasgonetoherConstantinoplehometostaywithherparentsduringvacation——sotherewasnobrightsidetolifeanywhere.
　　Thedreadfulsecretofthemurderwasachronicmisery.Itwasaverycancerforpermanencyandpain.
　　Thencamethemeasles.
　　DuringtwolongweeksTomlayaprisoner,deadtotheworldanditshappenings.Hewasveryill,hewasinterestedinnothing.Whenhegotuponhisfeetatlastandmovedfeeblydown-town,amelancholychangehadcomeovereverythingandeverycreature.Therehadbeena"revival,"andeverybodyhad"gotreligion,"notonlytheadults,buteventheboysandgirls.Tomwentabout,hopingagainsthopeforthesightofoneblessedsinfulface,butdisappointmentcrossedhimeverywhere.HefoundJoeHarperstudyingaTestament,andturnedsadlyawayfromthedepressingspectacle.HesoughtBenRogers,andfoundhimvisitingthepoorwithabasketoftracts.HehuntedupJimHollis,whocalledhisattentiontothepreciousblessingofhislatemeaslesasawarning.Everyboyheencounteredaddedanothertontohisdepression;andwhen,indesperation,heflewforrefugeatlasttothebosomofHuckleberryFinnandwasreceivedwithaScripturalquotation,hisheartbrokeandhecrepthomeandtobedrealizingthathealoneofallthetownwaslost,foreverandforever.
　　Andthatnighttherecameonaterrificstorm,withdrivingrain,awfulclapsofthunderandblindingsheetsoflightning.Hecoveredhisheadwiththebedclothesandwaitedinahorrorofsuspenseforhisdoom;forhehadnottheshadowofadoubtthatallthishubbubwasabouthim.Hebelievedhehadtaxedtheforbearanceofthepowersabovetotheextremityofenduranceandthatthiswastheresult.Itmighthaveseemedtohimawasteofpompandammunitiontokillabugwithabatteryofartillery,butthereseemednothingincongruousaboutthegettingupsuchanexpensivethunderstormasthistoknocktheturffromunderaninsectlikehimself.
　　Byandbythetempestspentitselfanddiedwithoutaccomplishingitsobject.Theboy'sfirstimpulsewastobegrateful,andreform.Hissecondwastowait——fortheremightnotbeanymorestorms.
　　Thenextdaythedoctorswereback;Tomhadrelapsed.Thethreeweekshespentonhisbackthistimeseemedanentireage.Whenhegotabroadatlasthewashardlygratefulthathehadbeenspared,rememberinghowlonelywashisestate,howcompanionlessandforlornhewas.HedriftedlistlesslydownthestreetandfoundJimHollisactingasjudgeinajuvenilecourtthatwastryingacatformurder,inthepresenceofhervictim,abird.HefoundJoeHarperandHuckFinnupanalleyeatingastolenmelon.Poorlads!they——likeTom——hadsufferedarelapse.
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　ATlastthesleepyatmospherewasstirred——andvigorously:themurdertrialcameoninthecourt.Itbecametheabsorbingtopicofvillagetalkimmediately.Tomcouldnotgetawayfromit.Everyreferencetothemurdersentashuddertohisheart,forhistroubledconscienceandfearsalmostpersuadedhimthattheseremarkswereputforthinhishearingas"feelers";hedidnotseehowhecouldbesuspectedofknowinganythingaboutthemurder,butstillhecouldnotbecomfortableinthemidstofthisgossip.Itkepthiminacoldshiverallthetime.HetookHucktoalonelyplacetohaveatalkwithhim.Itwouldbesomerelieftounsealhistongueforalittlewhile;todividehisburdenofdistresswithanothersufferer.Moreover,hewantedtoassurehimselfthatHuckhadremaineddiscreet.
　　"Huck,haveyouevertoldanybodyabout——that?"
　　"'Boutwhat?"
　　"Youknowwhat."
　　"Oh——'courseIhaven't."
　　"Neveraword?"
　　"Neverasolitaryword,sohelpme.Whatmakesyouask?"
　　"Well,Iwasafeard."
　　"Why,TomSawyer,wewouldn'tbealivetwodaysifthatgotfoundout.Youknowthat."
　　Tomfeltmorecomfortable.Afterapause:
　　"Huck,theycouldn'tanybodygetyoutotell,couldthey?"
　　"Getmetotell?Why,ifIwantedthathalf-breeddeviltodrowndmetheycouldgetmetotell.Theyain'tnodifferentway."
　　"Well,that'sallright,then.Ireckonwe'resafeaslongaswekeepmum.Butlet'sswearagain,anyway.It'smoresurer."
　　"I'magreed."
　　Sotheysworeagainwithdreadsolemnities.
　　"Whatisthetalkaround,Huck?I'veheardapowerofit."
　　"Talk?Well,it'sjustMuffPotter,MuffPotter,MuffPotterallthetime.Itkeepsmeinasweat,constant,so'sIwanttohidesom'ers."
　　"That'sjustthesamewaytheygoonroundme.Ireckonhe'sagoner.Don'tyoufeelsorryforhim,sometimes?"
　　"Mostalways——mostalways.Heain'tnoaccount;butthenhehain'teverdoneanythingtohurtanybody.Justfishesalittle,togetmoneytogetdrunkon——andloafsaroundconsiderable;butlord,wealldothat——leastwaysmostofus——preachersandsuchlike.Buthe'skindofgood——hegivemehalfafish,once,whentherewarn'tenoughfortwo;andlotsoftimeshe'skindofstoodbymewhenIwasoutofluck."
　　"Well,he'smendedkitesforme,Huck,andknittedhooksontomyline.Iwishwecouldgethimoutofthere."
　　"My!wecouldn'tgethimout,Tom.Andbesides,'twouldn'tdoanygood;they'dketchhimagain."
　　"Yes——sotheywould.ButIhatetohear'emabusehimsolikethedickenswhenheneverdone——that."
　　"Idotoo,Tom.Lord,Ihear'emsayhe'sthebloodiestlookingvillaininthiscountry,andtheywonderhewasn'teverhungbefore."
　　"Yes,theytalklikethat,allthetime.I'veheard'emsaythatifhewastogetfreethey'dlynchhim."
　　"Andthey'ddoit,too."
　　Theboyshadalongtalk,butitbroughtthemlittlecomfort.Asthetwilightdrewon,theyfoundthemselveshangingabouttheneighborhoodofthelittleisolatedjail,perhapswithanundefinedhopethatsomethingwouldhappenthatmightclearawaytheirdifficulties.Butnothinghappened;thereseemedtobenoangelsorfairiesinterestedinthislucklesscaptive.
　　Theboysdidastheyhadoftendonebefore——wenttothecellgratingandgavePottersometobaccoandmatches.Hewasonthegroundfloorandtherewerenoguards.
　　Hisgratitudefortheirgiftshadalwayssmotetheirconsciencesbefore——itcutdeeperthanever,thistime.TheyfeltcowardlyandtreacheroustothelastdegreewhenPottersaid:
　　"You'vebeenmightygoodtome,boys——better'nanybodyelseinthistown.AndIdon'tforgetit,Idon't.OftenIsaystomyself,saysI,'Iusedtomendalltheboys'kitesandthings,andshow'emwherethegoodfishin'placeswas,andbefriend'emwhatIcould,andnowthey'veallforgotoldMuffwhenhe'sintrouble;butTomdon't,andHuckdon't——theydon'tforgethim,saysI,'andIdon'tforgetthem.'Well,boys,Idoneanawfulthing——drunkandcrazyatthetime——that'stheonlywayIaccountforit——andnowIgottoswingforit,andit'sright.Right,andbest,too,Ireckon——hopeso,anyway.Well,wewon'ttalkaboutthat.Idon'twanttomakeyoufeelbad;you'vebefriendedme.ButwhatIwanttosay,is,don'tyouevergetdrunk——thenyouwon'tevergethere.Standalitterfurderwest——so——that'sit;it'saprimecomforttoseefacesthat'sfriendlywhenabody'sinsuchamuckoftrouble,andtheredon'tnonecomeherebutyourn.Goodfriendlyfaces——goodfriendlyfaces.Gitupononeanother'sbacksandletmetouch'em.That'sit.Shakehands——yourn'llcomethroughthebars,butmine'stoobig.Littlehands,andweak——butthey'vehelpedMuffPotterapower,andthey'dhelphimmoreiftheycould."
　　Tomwenthomemiserable,andhisdreamsthatnightwerefullofhorrors.Thenextdayandthedayafter,hehungaboutthecourt-room,drawnbyanalmostirresistibleimpulsetogoin,butforcinghimselftostayout.Huckwashavingthesameexperience.Theystudiouslyavoidedeachother.Eachwanderedaway,fromtimetotime,butthesamedismalfascinationalwaysbroughtthembackpresently.Tomkepthisearsopenwhenidlerssaunteredoutofthecourtroom,butinvariablyhearddistressingnews——thetoilswereclosingmoreandmorerelentlesslyaroundpoorPotter.AttheendoftheseconddaythevillagetalkwastotheeffectthatInjunJoe'sevidencestoodfirmandunshaken,andthattherewasnottheslightestquestionastowhatthejury'sverdictwouldbe.
　　Tomwasoutlate,thatnight,andcametobedthroughthewindow.Hewasinatremendousstateofexcitement.Itwashoursbeforehegottosleep.Allthevillageflockedtothecourt-housethenextmorning,forthiswastobethegreatday.Bothsexeswereaboutequallyrepresentedinthepackedaudience.Afteralongwaitthejuryfiledinandtooktheirplaces;shortlyafterward,Potter,paleandhaggard,timidandhopeless,wasbroughtin,withchainsuponhim,andseatedwhereallthecuriouseyescouldstareathim;nolessconspicuouswasInjunJoe,stolidasever.Therewasanotherpause,andthenthejudgearrivedandthesheriffproclaimedtheopeningofthecourt.Theusualwhisperingsamongthelawyersandgatheringtogetherofpapersfollowed.Thesedetailsandaccompanyingdelaysworkedupanatmosphereofpreparationthatwasasimpressiveasitwasfascinating.
　　NowawitnesswascalledwhotestifiedthathefoundMuffPotterwashinginthebrook,atanearlyhourofthemorningthatthemurderwasdiscovered,andthatheimmediatelysneakedaway.Aftersomefurtherquestioning,counselfortheprosecutionsaid:
　　"Takethewitness."
　　Theprisonerraisedhiseyesforamoment,butdroppedthemagainwhenhisowncounselsaid:
　　"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim."
　　Thenextwitnessprovedthefindingoftheknifenearthecorpse.Counselfortheprosecutionsaid:
　　"Takethewitness."
　　"Ihavenoquestionstoaskhim,"Potter'slawyerreplied.
　　AthirdwitnesssworehehadoftenseentheknifeinPotter'spossession.
　　"Takethewitness."
　　CounselforPotterdeclinedtoquestionhim.Thefacesoftheaudiencebegantobetrayannoyance.Didthisattorneymeantothrowawayhisclient'slifewithoutaneffort?
　　SeveralwitnessesdeposedconcerningPotter'sguiltybehaviorwhenbroughttothesceneofthemurder.Theywereallowedtoleavethestandwithoutbeingcross-questioned.
　　Everydetailofthedamagingcircumstancesthatoccurredinthegraveyarduponthatmorningwhichallpresentrememberedsowellwasbroughtoutbycrediblewitnesses,butnoneofthemwerecrossexaminedbyPotter'slawyer.Theperplexityanddissatisfactionofthehouseexpresseditselfinmurmursandprovokedareprooffromthebench.Counselfortheprosecutionnowsaid:
　　"Bytheoathsofcitizenswhosesimplewordisabovesuspicion,wehavefastenedthisawfulcrime,beyondallpossibilityofquestion,upontheunhappyprisoneratthebar.Werestourcasehere."
　　AgroanescapedfrompoorPotter,andheputhisfaceinhishandsandrockedhisbodysoftlytoandfro,whileapainfulsilencereignedinthecourt-room.Manymenweremoved,andmanywomen'scompassiontestifieditselfintears.Counselforthedefenceroseandsaid:
　　"Yourhonor,inourremarksattheopeningofthistrial,weforeshadowedourpurposetoprovethatourclientdidthisfearfuldeedwhileundertheinfluenceofablindandirresponsibledeliriumproducedbydrink.Wehavechangedourmind.Weshallnotofferthatplea."[Thentotheclerk:]"CallThomasSawyer!"
　　Apuzzledamazementawokeineveryfaceinthehouse,notevenexceptingPotter's.EveryeyefasteneditselfwithwonderinginterestuponTomasheroseandtookhisplaceuponthestand.Theboylookedwildenough,forhewasbadlyscared.Theoathwasadministered.
　　"ThomasSawyer,wherewereyouontheseventeenthofJune,aboutthehourofmidnight?"
　　TomglancedatInjunJoe'sironfaceandhistonguefailedhim.Theaudiencelistenedbreathless,butthewordsrefusedtocome.Afterafewmoments,however,theboygotalittleofhisstrengthback,andmanagedtoputenoughofitintohisvoicetomakepartofthehousehear:
　　"Inthegraveyard!"
　　"Alittlebitlouder,please.Don'tbeafraid.Youwere——"
　　"Inthegraveyard."
　　AcontemptuoussmileflittedacrossInjunJoe'sface.
　　"WereyouanywherenearHorseWilliams'grave?"
　　"Yes,sir."
　　"Speakup——justatriflelouder.Hownearwereyou?"
　　"NearasIamtoyou."
　　"Wereyouhidden,ornot?"
　　"Iwashid."
　　"Where?"
　　"Behindtheelmsthat'sontheedgeofthegrave."
　　InjunJoegaveabarelyperceptiblestart.
　　"Anyonewithyou?"
　　"Yes,sir.Iwenttherewith——"
　　"Wait——waitamoment.Nevermindmentioningyourcompanion'sname.Wewillproducehimatthepropertime.Didyoucarryanythingtherewithyou."
　　Tomhesitatedandlookedconfused.
　　"Speakout,myboy——don'tbediffident.Thetruthisalwaysrespectable.Whatdidyoutakethere?"
　　"Onlya——a——deadcat."
　　Therewasarippleofmirth,whichthecourtchecked.
　　"Wewillproducetheskeletonofthatcat.Now,myboy,telluseverythingthatoccurred——tellitinyourownway——don'tskipanything,anddon'tbeafraid."
　　Tombegan——hesitatinglyatfirst,butashewarmedtohissubjecthiswordsflowedmoreandmoreeasily;inalittlewhileeverysoundceasedbuthisownvoice;everyeyefixeditselfuponhim;withpartedlipsandbatedbreaththeaudiencehunguponhiswords,takingnonoteoftime,raptintheghastlyfascinationsofthetale.Thestrainuponpentemotionreacheditsclimaxwhentheboysaid:
　　"——andasthedoctorfetchedtheboardaroundandMuffPotterfell,InjunJoejumpedwiththeknifeand——"
　　Crash!Quickaslightningthehalf-breedsprangforawindow,torehiswaythroughallopposers,andwasgone!
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　TOMwasaglitteringherooncemore——thepetoftheold,theenvyoftheyoung.Hisnameevenwentintoimmortalprint,forthevillagepapermagnifiedhim.ThereweresomethatbelievedhewouldbePresident,yet,ifheescapedhanging.
　　Asusual,thefickle,unreasoningworldtookMuffPottertoitsbosomandfondledhimaslavishlyasithadabusedhimbefore.Butthatsortofconductistotheworld'scredit;thereforeitisnotwelltofindfaultwithit.
　　Tom'sdaysweredaysofsplendorandexultationtohim,buthisnightswereseasonsofhorror.InjunJoeinfestedallhisdreams,andalwayswithdoominhiseye.Hardlyanytemptationcouldpersuadetheboytostirabroadafternightfall.PoorHuckwasinthesamestateofwretchednessandterror,forTomhadtoldthewholestorytothelawyerthenightbeforethegreatdayofthetrial,andHuckwassoreafraidthathisshareinthebusinessmightleakout,yet,notwithstandingInjunJoe'sflighthadsavedhimthesufferingoftestifyingincourt.Thepoorfellowhadgottheattorneytopromisesecrecy,butwhatofthat?SinceTom'sharassedconsciencehadmanagedtodrivehimtothelawyer'shousebynightandwringadreadtalefromlipsthathadbeensealedwiththedismalestandmostformidableofoaths,Huck'sconfidenceinthehumanracewaswell-nighobliterated.
　　DailyMuffPotter'sgratitudemadeTomgladhehadspoken;butnightlyhewishedhehadsealeduphistongue.
　　HalfthetimeTomwasafraidInjunJoewouldneverbecaptured;theotherhalfhewasafraidhewouldbe.Hefeltsurehenevercoulddrawasafebreathagainuntilthatmanwasdeadandhehadseenthecorpse.
　　Rewardshadbeenoffered,thecountryhadbeenscoured,butnoInjunJoewasfound.Oneofthoseomniscientandawe-inspiringmarvels,adetective,cameupfromSt.Louis,mousedaround,shookhishead,lookedwise,andmadethatsortofastoundingsuccesswhichmembersofthatcraftusuallyachieve.Thatistosay,he"foundaclew."Butyoucan'thanga"clew"formurder,andsoafterthatdetectivehadgotthroughandgonehome,Tomfeltjustasinsecureashewasbefore.
　　Theslowdaysdriftedon,andeachleftbehinditaslightlylightenedweightofapprehension.
　　CHAPTERXXV
　　THEREcomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy'slifewhenhehasaragingdesiretogosomewhereanddigforhiddentreasure.ThisdesiresuddenlycameuponTomoneday.HesalliedouttofindJoeHarper,butfailedofsuccess.NexthesoughtBenRogers;hehadgonefishing.PresentlyhestumbleduponHuckFinntheRed-Handed.Huckwouldanswer.Tomtookhimtoaprivateplaceandopenedthemattertohimconfidentially.Huckwaswilling.Huckwasalwayswillingtotakeahandinanyenterprisethatofferedentertainmentandrequirednocapital,forhehadatroublesomesuperabundanceofthatsortoftimewhichisnotmoney."Where'llwedig?"saidHuck.
　　"Oh,mostanywhere."
　　"Why,isithidallaround?"
　　"No,indeeditain't.It'shidinmightyparticularplaces,Huck——sometimesonislands,sometimesinrottenchestsundertheendofalimbofanolddeadtree,justwheretheshadowfallsatmidnight;butmostlyunderthefloorinha'ntedhouses."
　　"Whohidesit?"
　　"Why,robbers,ofcourse——who'dyoureckon?Sunday-schoolsup'rintendents?"
　　"Idon'tknow.If'twasmineIwouldn'thideit;I'dspenditandhaveagoodtime."
　　"SowouldI.Butrobbersdon'tdothatway.Theyalwayshideitandleaveitthere."
　　"Don'ttheycomeafteritanymore?"
　　"No,theythinktheywill,buttheygenerallyforgetthemarks,orelsetheydie.Anyway,itlaystherealongtimeandgetsrusty;andbyandbysomebodyfindsanoldyellowpaperthattellshowtofindthemarks——apaperthat'sgottobecipheredoveraboutaweekbecauseit'smostlysignsandhy'roglyphics."
　　"HyroQwhich?"
　　"Hy'roglyphics——picturesandthings,youknow,thatdon'tseemtomeananything."
　　"Haveyougotoneofthempapers,Tom?"
　　"No."
　　"Wellthen,howyougoingtofindthemarks?"
　　"Idon'twantanymarks.Theyalwaysburyitunderaha'ntedhouseoronanisland,orunderadeadtreethat'sgotonelimbstickingout.Well,we'vetriedJackson'sIslandalittle,andwecantryitagainsometime;andthere'stheoldha'ntedhouseuptheStill-Housebranch,andthere'slotsofdeadlimbtrees——deadloadsof'em."
　　"Isitunderallofthem?"
　　"Howyoutalk!No!"
　　"Thenhowyougoingtoknowwhichonetogofor?"
　　"Goforallof'em!"
　　"Why,Tom,it'lltakeallsummer."
　　"Well,whatofthat?Supposeyoufindabrasspotwithahundreddollarsinit,allrustyandgray,orrottenchestfullofdi'monds.How'sthat?"
　　Huck'seyesglowed.
　　"That'sbully.Plentybullyenoughforme.JustyougimmethehundreddollarsandIdon'twantnodi'monds."
　　"Allright.ButIbetyouIain'tgoingtothrowoffondi'monds.Someof'em'sworthtwentydollarsapiece——thereain'tany,hardly,but'sworthsixbitsoradollar."
　　"No!Isthatso?"
　　"Cert'nly——anybody'lltellyouso.Hain'tyoueverseenone,Huck?"
　　"NotasIremember."
　　"Oh,kingshaveslathersofthem."
　　"Well,Idon'knownokings,Tom."
　　"Ireckonyoudon't.ButifyouwastogotoEuropeyou'dseearaftof'emhoppingaround."
　　"Dotheyhop?"
　　"Hop?——yourgranny!No!"
　　"Well,whatdidyousaytheydid,for?"
　　"Shucks,Ionlymeantyou'dsee'em——nothopping,ofcourse——whatdotheywanttohopfor?——butImeanyou'djustsee'em——scatteredaround,youknow,inakindofageneralway.LikethatoldhumpbackedRichard."
　　"Richard?What'shisothername?"
　　"Hedidn'thaveanyothername.Kingsdon'thaveanybutagivenname."
　　"No?"
　　"Buttheydon't."
　　"Well,iftheylikeit,Tom,allright;butIdon'twanttobeakingandhaveonlyjustagivenname,likeanigger.Butsay——whereyougoingtodigfirst?"
　　"Well,Idon'tknow.S'posewetacklethatolddead-limbtreeonthehillt'othersideofStill-Housebranch?"
　　"I'magreed."
　　Sotheygotacrippledpickandashovel,andsetoutontheirthree-miletramp.Theyarrivedhotandpanting,andthrewthemselvesdownintheshadeofaneighboringelmtorestandhaveasmoke.
　　"Ilikethis,"saidTom.
　　"SodoI."
　　"Say,Huck,ifwefindatreasurehere,whatyougoingtodowithyourshare?"
　　"Well,I'llhavepieandaglassofsodaeveryday,andI'llgotoeverycircusthatcomesalong.IbetI'llhaveagaytime."
　　"Well,ain'tyougoingtosaveanyofit?"
　　"Saveit?Whatfor?"
　　"Why,soastohavesomethingtoliveon,byandby."
　　"Oh,thatain'tanyuse.Papwouldcomebacktothish-yertownsomedayandgethisclawsonitifIdidn'thurryup,andItellyouhe'dcleanitoutprettyquick.Whatyougoingtodowithyourn,Tom?"
　　"I'mgoingtobuyanewdrum,andasure-'noughsword,andarednecktieandabullpup,andgetmarried."
　　"Married!"
　　"That'sit."
　　"Tom,you——why,youain'tinyourrightmind."
　　"Wait——you'llsee."
　　"Well,that'sthefoolishestthingyoucoulddo.Lookatpapandmymother.Fight!Why,theyusedtofightallthetime.Iremember,mightywell."
　　"Thatain'tanything.ThegirlI'mgoingtomarrywon'tfight."
　　"Tom,Ireckonthey'reallalike.They'llallcombabody.Nowyoubetterthink'boutthisawhile.Itellyouyoubetter.What'sthenameofthegal?"
　　"Itain'tagalatall——it'sagirl."
　　"It'sallthesame,Ireckon;somesaysgal,somesaysgirl——both'sright,likeenough.Anyway,what'shername,Tom?"
　　"I'lltellyousometime——notnow."
　　"Allright——that'lldo.OnlyifyougetmarriedI'llbemorelonesomerthanever."
　　"Noyouwon't.You'llcomeandlivewithme.Nowstiroutofthisandwe'llgotodigging."
　　Theyworkedandsweatedforhalfanhour.Noresult.Theytoiledanotherhalf-hour.Stillnoresult.Hucksaid:
　　"Dotheyalwaysburyitasdeepasthis?"
　　"Sometimes——notalways.Notgenerally.Ireckonwehaven'tgottherightplace."
　　Sotheychoseanewspotandbeganagain.Thelabordraggedalittle,butstilltheymadeprogress.Theypeggedawayinsilenceforsometime.FinallyHuckleanedonhisshovel,swabbedthebeadeddropsfromhisbrowwithhissleeve,andsaid:
　　"Whereyougoingtodignext,afterwegetthisone?"
　　"Ireckonmaybewe'lltackletheoldtreethat'soveryonderonCardiffHillbackofthewidow's."
　　"Ireckonthat'llbeagoodone.Butwon'tthewidowtakeitawayfromus,Tom?It'sonherland."
　　"Shetakeitaway!Maybeshe'dliketotryitonce.Whoeverfindsoneofthesehidtreasures,itbelongstohim.Itdon'tmakeanydifferencewhoselandit'son."
　　Thatwassatisfactory.Theworkwenton.ByandbyHucksaid:
　　"Blameit,wemustbeinthewrongplaceagain.Whatdoyouthink?"
　　"Itismightycurious,Huck.Idon'tunderstandit.Sometimeswitchesinterfere.Ireckonmaybethat'swhat'sthetroublenow."
　　"Shucks!Witchesain'tgotnopowerinthedaytime."
　　"Well,that'sso.Ididn'tthinkofthat.Oh,Iknowwhatthematteris!Whatablamedlotoffoolsweare!Yougottofindoutwheretheshadowofthelimbfallsatmidnight,andthat'swhereyoudig!"
　　"Thenconsoundit,we'vefooledawayallthisworkfornothing.Nowhangitall,wegottocomebackinthenight.It'sanawfullongway.Canyougetout?"
　　"IbetIwill.We'vegottodoitto-night,too,becauseifsomebodyseestheseholesthey'llknowinaminutewhat'shereandthey'llgoforit."
　　"Well,I'llcomearoundandmaowto-night."
　　"Allright.Let'shidethetoolsinthebushes."
　　Theboysweretherethatnight,abouttheappointedtime.Theysatintheshadowwaiting.Itwasalonelyplace,andanhourmadesolemnbyoldtraditions.Spiritswhisperedintherustlingleaves,ghostslurkedinthemurkynooks,thedeepbayingofahoundfloatedupoutofthedistance,anowlansweredwithhissepulchralnote.Theboysweresubduedbythesesolemnities,andtalkedlittle.Byandbytheyjudgedthattwelvehadcome;theymarkedwheretheshadowfell,andbegantodig.Theirhopescommencedtorise.Theirinterestgrewstronger,andtheirindustrykeptpacewithit.Theholedeepenedandstilldeepened,buteverytimetheirheartsjumpedtohearthepickstrikeuponsomething,theyonlysufferedanewdisappointment.Itwasonlyastoneorachunk.AtlastTomsaid:
　　"Itain'tanyuse,Huck,we'rewrongagain."
　　"Well,butwecan'tbewrong.Wespottedtheshaddertoadot."
　　"Iknowit,butthenthere'sanotherthing."
　　"What'sthat?".
　　"Why,weonlyguessedatthetime.Likeenoughitwastoolateortooearly."
　　Huckdroppedhisshovel.
　　"That'sit,"saidhe."That'stheverytrouble.Wegottogivethisoneup.Wecan'tevertelltherighttime,andbesidesthiskindofthing'stooawful,herethistimeofnightwithwitchesandghostsa-flutteringaroundso.Ifeelasifsomething'sbehindmeallthetime;andI'mafeardtoturnaround,becuzmaybethere'sothersinfronta-waitingforachance.Ibeencreepingallover,eversinceIgothere."
　　"Well,I'vebeenprettymuchso,too,Huck.Theymostalwaysputinadeadmanwhentheyburyatreasureunderatree,tolookoutforit."
　　"Lordy!"
　　"Yes,theydo.I'vealwaysheardthat."
　　"Tom,Idon'tliketofoolaroundmuchwherethere'sdeadpeople.Abody'sboundtogetintotroublewith'em,sure."
　　"Idon'tliketostir'emup,either.S'posethisoneherewastostickhisskulloutandsaysomething!"
　　"Don'tTom!It'sawful."
　　"Well,itjustis.Huck,Idon'tfeelcomfortableabit."
　　"Say,Tom,let'sgivethisplaceup,andtrysomewhereselse."
　　"Allright,Ireckonwebetter."
　　"What'llitbe?"
　　Tomconsideredawhile;andthensaid:
　　"Theha'ntedhouse.That'sit!"
　　"Blameit,Idon'tlikeha'ntedhouses,Tom.Why,they'readernsightworse'ndeadpeople.Deadpeoplemighttalk,maybe,buttheydon'tcomeslidingaroundinashroud,whenyouain'tnoticing,andpeepoveryourshoulderallofasuddenandgrittheirteeth,thewayaghostdoes.Icouldn'tstandsuchathingasthat,Tom——nobodycould."
　　"Yes,but,Huck,ghostsdon'ttravelaroundonlyatnight.Theywon'thenderusfromdiggingthereinthedaytime."
　　"Well,that'sso.Butyouknowmightywellpeopledon'tgoaboutthatha'ntedhouseinthedaynorthenight."