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