Helaidhimselfdownandputhismouthclosetothisdepressionandcalled——
　　"Doodle—bug，doodle—bug，tellmewhatIwanttoknow！Doodle—bug，doodle—bug，tellmewhatIwanttoknow！"Thesandbegantowork，andpresentlyasmallblackbugappearedforasecondandthendartedunderagaininafright。
　　"Hedasn’ttell！Soitwasawitchthatdoneit。Ijustknowedit。"
　　Hewellknewthefutilityoftryingtocontendagainstwitches，sohegaveupdiscouraged。Butitoccurredtohimthathemightaswellhavethemarblehehadjustthrownaway，andthereforehewentandmadeapatientsearchforit。Buthecouldnotfindit。Nowhewentbacktohistreasure—houseandcarefullyplacedhimselfjustashehadbeenstandingwhenhetossedthemarbleaway；thenhetookanothermarblefromhispocketandtosseditinthesameway，saying：
　　"Brother，gofindyourbrother！"
　　Hewatchedwhereitstopped，andwentthereandlooked。Butitmusthavefallenshortorgonetoofar；sohetriedtwicemore。Thelastrepetitionwassuccessful。Thetwomarbleslaywithinafootofeachother。
　　Justheretheblastofatoytintrumpetcamefaintlydownthegreenaislesoftheforest。Tomflungoffhisjacketandtrousers，turnedasuspenderintoabelt，rakedawaysomebrushbehindtherottenlog，disclosingarudebowandarrow，alathswordandatintrumpet，andinamomenthadseizedthesethingsandboundedaway，barelegged，withflutteringshirt。
　　Hepresentlyhaltedunderagreatelm，blewanansweringblast，andthenbegantotiptoeandlookwarilyout，thiswayandthat。Hesaidcautiously——toanimaginarycompany：
　　"Hold，mymerrymen！KeephidtillIblow。"
　　NowappearedJoeHarper，asairilycladandelaboratelyarmedasTom。Tomcalled：
　　"Hold！WhocomeshereintoSherwoodForestwithoutmypass？"
　　"GuyofGuisbornewantsnoman’spass。Whoartthouthat——that——"
　　"Darestoholdsuchlanguage，"saidTom，prompting——fortheytalked"bythebook，"frommemory。
　　"Whoartthouthatdarestoholdsuchlanguage？"
　　"I，indeed！IamRobinHood，asthycaitiffcarcasesoonshallknow。"
　　"Thenartthouindeedthatfamousoutlaw？RightgladlywillI
　　disputewiththeethepassesofthemerrywood。Haveatthee！"
　　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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter9CHAPTERIXAThalf—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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter10CHAPTERXTHEtwoboysflewonandon，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。
　　"HuckFinnandTomSawyerswearstheywillkeepmumaboutThisandTheywishTheymayDropdowndeadinTheirTracksifTheyeverTellandRot。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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter11CHAPTERXICLOSEuponthehourofnoonthewholevillagewassuddenlyelectrifiedwiththeghastlynews。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。"I
　　wantedtorunaway，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。"Lastnightyousaid，’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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter12CHAPTERXIIONEofthereasonswhyTom’smindhaddriftedawayfromitssecrettroubleswas，thatithadfoundanewandweightymattertointerestitselfabout。
　　BeckyThatcherhadstoppedcomingtoschool。Tomhadstruggledwithhisprideafewdays，andtriedto"whistleherdownthewind，"butfailed。
　　Hebegantofindhimselfhangingaroundherfather’shouse，nights，andfeelingverymiserable。Shewasill。Whatifsheshoulddie！Therewasdistractioninthethought。Henolongertookaninterestinwar，noreveninpiracy。Thecharmoflifewasgone；therewasnothingbutdrearinessleft。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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter13CHAPTERXIIITOM’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。