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。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter25CHAPTERXXVTHEREcomesatimeineveryrightlyconstructedboy’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。"
　　"Well，that’smostlybecausetheydon’tliketogowhereaman’sbeenmurdered，anyway——butnothing’severbeenseenaroundthathouseexceptinthenight——justsomebluelightsslippingbythewindows——
　　noregularghosts。"
　　"Well，whereyouseeoneofthembluelightsflickeringaround，Tom，youcanbetthere’saghostmightyclosebehindit。Itstandstoreason。
　　Becuzyouknowthattheydon’tanybodybutghostsuse’em。"
　　"Yes，that’sso。Butanywaytheydon’tcomearoundinthedaytime，sowhat’stheuseofourbeingafeard？"
　　"Well，allright。We’lltackletheha’ntedhouseifyousayso——butIreckonit’stakingchances。"
　　Theyhadstarteddownthehillbythistime。Thereinthemiddleofthemoonlitvalleybelowthemstoodthe"ha’nted"house，utterlyisolated，itsfencesgonelongago，rankweedssmotheringtheverydoorsteps，thechimneycrumbledtoruin，thewindow—sashesvacant，acorneroftheroofcavedin。Theboysgazedawhile，halfexpectingtoseeabluelightflitpastawindow；thentalkinginalowtone，asbefittedthetimeandthecircumstances，theystruckfarofftotheright，togivethehauntedhouseawideberth，andtooktheirwayhomewardthroughthewoodsthatadornedtherearwardsideofCardiffHill。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter26CHAPTERXXVIABOUTnoonthenextdaytheboysarrivedatthedeadtree；theyhadcomefortheirtools。Tomwasimpatienttogotothehauntedhouse；Huckwasmeasurablyso，also——butsuddenlysaid：
　　"Lookyhere，Tom，doyouknowwhatdayitis？"
　　Tommentallyranoverthedaysoftheweek，andthenquicklyliftedhiseyeswithastartledlookinthem——
　　"My！Ineveroncethoughtofit，Huck！"
　　"Well，Ididn’tneither，butallatonceitpoppedontomethatitwasFriday。"
　　"Blameit，abodycan’tbetoocareful，Huck。Wemight’a’gotintoanawfulscrape，tacklingsuchathingonaFriday。"
　　"~might！Bettersaywewould！There’ssomeluckydays，maybe，butFridayain’t。"
　　"Anyfoolknowsthat。Idon’treckonYOUwasthefirstthatfounditout，Huck。"
　　"Well，IneversaidIwas，didI？AndFridayain’tall，neither。
　　Ihadarottenbaddreamlastnight——dreamptaboutrats。"
　　"No！Suresignoftrouble。Didtheyfight？"
　　"No。"
　　"Well，that’sgood，Huck。Whentheydon’tfightit’sonlyasignthatthere’stroublearound，youknow。Allwegottodoistolookmightysharpandkeepoutofit。We’lldropthisthingforto—day，andplay。DoyouknowRobinHood，Huck？"
　　"No。Who’sRobinHood？"
　　"Why，hewasoneofthegreatestmenthatwaseverinEngland——andthebest。Hewasarobber。"
　　"Cracky，IwishtIwas。Whodidherob？"
　　"Onlysheriffsandbishopsandrichpeopleandkings，andsuchlike。Butheneverbotheredthepoor。Heloved’em。Healwaysdividedupwith’emperfectlysquare。"
　　"Well，hemust’a’beenabrick。"
　　"Ibetyouhewas，Huck。Oh，hewasthenoblestmanthateverwas。Theyain’tanysuchmennow，Icantellyou。HecouldlickanymaninEngland，withonehandtiedbehindhim；andhecouldtakehisyewbowandplugaten—centpieceeverytime，amileandahalf。"
　　"What’sayewbow？"
　　"Idon’tknow。It’ssomekindofabow，ofcourse。Andifhehitthatdimeonlyontheedgehewouldsetdownandcry——andcurse。Butwe’llplayRobinHood——it’snobbyfun。I’lllearnyou。"
　　"I’magreed。"
　　SotheyplayedRobinHoodalltheafternoon，nowandthencastingayearningeyedownuponthehauntedhouseandpassingaremarkaboutthemorrow’sprospectsandpossibilitiesthere。AsthesunbegantosinkintothewesttheytooktheirwayhomewardathwartthelongshadowsofthetreesandsoonwereburiedfromsightintheforestsofCardiffHill。
　　OnSaturday，shortlyafternoon，theboyswereatthedeadtreeagain。Theyhadasmokeandachatintheshade，andthendugalittleintheirlasthole，notwithgreathope，butmerelybecauseTomsaidthereweresomanycaseswherepeoplehadgivenupatreasureaftergettingdownwithinsixinchesofit，andthensomebodyelsehadcomealongandturneditupwithasinglethrustofashovel。Thethingfailedthistime，however，sotheboysshoulderedtheirtoolsandwentawayfeelingthattheyhadnottrifledwithfortune，buthadfulfilledalltherequirementsthatbelongtothebusinessoftreasure—hunting。
　　Whentheyreachedthehauntedhousetherewassomethingsoweirdandgrislyaboutthedeadsilencethatreignedthereunderthebakingsun，andsomethingsodepressingaboutthelonelinessanddesolationoftheplace，thattheywereafraid，foramoment，toventurein。Thentheycrepttothedoorandtookatremblingpeep。Theysawaweed—grown，floorlessroom，unplastered，anancientfireplace，vacantwindows，aruinousstaircase；
　　andhere，there，andeverywherehungraggedandabandonedcobwebs。Theypresentlyentered，softly，withquickenedpulses，talkinginwhispers，earsalerttocatchtheslightestsound，andmusclestenseandreadyforinstantretreat。
　　Inalittlewhilefamiliaritymodifiedtheirfearsandtheygavetheplaceacriticalandinterestedexamination，ratheradmiringtheirownboldness，andwonderingatit，too。Nexttheywantedtolookup—stairs。
　　Thiswassomethinglikecuttingoffretreat，buttheygottodaringeachother，andofcoursetherecouldbebutoneresult——theythrewtheirtoolsintoacornerandmadetheascent。Uptherewerethesamesignsofdecay。Inonecornertheyfoundaclosetthatpromisedmystery，butthepromisewasafraud——therewasnothinginit。Theircouragewasupnowandwellinhand。Theywereabouttogodownandbeginworkwhen——
　　"Sh！"saidTom。
　　"Whatisit？"whisperedHuck，blanchingwithfright。
　　"Sh！……There！……Hearit？"
　　"Yes！……Oh，my！Let’srun！"
　　"Keepstill！Don’tyoubudge！They’recomingrighttowardthedoor。"
　　Theboysstretchedthemselvesuponthefloorwiththeireyestoknot—holesintheplanking，andlaywaiting，inamiseryoffear。
　　"They’vestopped……No——coming……Heretheyare。Don’twhisperanotherword，Huck。Mygoodness，IwishIwasoutofthis！"
　　Twomenentered。Eachboysaidtohimself："There’stheolddeafanddumbSpaniardthat’sbeenabouttownonceortwicelately——neversawt’othermanbefore。"
　　"T’other"wasaragged，unkemptcreature，withnothingverypleasantinhisface。TheSpaniardwaswrappedinaserape；hehadbushywhitewhiskers；longwhitehairflowedfromunderhissombrero，andheworegreengoggles。Whentheycamein，"t’other"wastalkinginalowvoice；
　　theysatdownontheground，facingthedoor，withtheirbackstothewall，andthespeakercontinuedhisremarks。Hismannerbecamelessguardedandhiswordsmoredistinctasheproceeded：
　　"No，"saidhe，"I’vethoughtitallover，andIdon’tlikeit。
　　It’sdangerous。"
　　"Dangerous！"gruntedthe"deafanddumb"Spaniard——tothevastsurpriseoftheboys。"Milksop！"
　　Thisvoicemadetheboysgaspandquake。ItwasInjunJoe’s！Therewassilenceforsometime。ThenJoesaid：
　　"What’sanymoredangerousthanthatjobupyonder——butnothing’scomeofit。"
　　"That’sdifferent。Awayuptheriverso，andnotanotherhouseabout。’Twon’teverbeknownthatwetried，anyway，longaswedidn’tsucceed。"
　　"Well，what’smoredangerousthancominghereinthedaytime！
　　——anybodywouldsuspicionusthatsawus。"
　　"Iknowthat。Buttherewarn’tanyotherplaceashandyafterthatfoolofajob。Iwanttoquitthisshanty。Iwantedtoyesterday，onlyitwarn’tanyusetryingtostiroutofhere，withthoseinfernalboysplayingoverthereonthehillrightinfullview。"
　　"Thoseinfernalboys"quakedagainundertheinspirationofthisremark，andthoughthowluckyitwasthattheyhadremembereditwasFridayandconcludedtowaitaday。Theywishedintheirheartstheyhadwaitedayear。
　　Thetwomengotoutsomefoodandmadealuncheon。Afteralongandthoughtfulsilence，InjunJoesaid：
　　"Lookhere，lad——yougobackuptheriverwhereyoubelong。
　　Waittheretillyouhearfromme。I’lltakethechancesondroppingintothistownjustoncemore，foralook。We’lldothat’dangerous’jobafterI’vespiedaroundalittleandthinkthingslookwellforit。ThenforTexas！We’lllegittogether！"
　　Thiswassatisfactory。Bothmenpresentlyfelltoyawning，andInjunJoesaid：
　　"I’mdeadforsleep！It’syourturntowatch。"
　　Hecurleddownintheweedsandsoonbegantosnore。Hiscomradestirredhimonceortwiceandhebecamequiet。Presentlythewatcherbegantonod；hisheaddroopedlowerandlower，bothmenbegantosnorenow。
　　Theboysdrewalong，gratefulbreath。Tomwhispered：
　　"Now’sourchance——come！"
　　Hucksaid：
　　"Ican’t——I’ddieiftheywastowake。"
　　Tomurged——Huckheldback。AtlastTomroseslowlyandsoftly，andstartedalone。Butthefirststephemadewrungsuchahideouscreakfromthecrazyfloorthathesankdownalmostdeadwithfright。Henevermadeasecondattempt。Theboyslaytherecountingthedraggingmomentstillitseemedtothemthattimemustbedoneandeternitygrowinggray；
　　andthentheyweregratefultonotethatatlastthesunwassetting。
　　Nowonesnoreceased。InjunJoesatup，staredaround——smiledgrimlyuponhiscomrade，whoseheadwasdroopinguponhisknees——stirredhimupwithhisfootandsaid：
　　"Here！you’reawatchman，ain’tyou！Allright，though——nothing’shappened。"
　　"My！haveIbeenasleep？"
　　"Oh，partly，partly。Nearlytimeforustobemoving，pard。What’llwedowithwhatlittleswagwe’vegotleft？"
　　"Idon’tknow——leaveithereaswe’vealwaysdone，Ireckon。
　　Nousetotakeitawaytillwestartsouth。Sixhundredandfiftyinsilver’ssomethingtocarry。"
　　"Well——allright——itwon’tmattertocomehereoncemore。"
　　"No——butI’dsaycomeinthenightasweusedtodo——it’sbetter。"
　　"Yes：butlookhere；itmaybeagoodwhilebeforeIgettherightchanceatthatjob；accidentsmighthappen；’tain’tinsuchaverygoodplace；we’lljustregularlyburyit——andburyitdeep。"
　　"Goodidea，"saidthecomrade，whowalkedacrosstheroom，kneltdown，raisedoneoftherearwardhearthstonesandtookoutabagthatjingledpleasantly。HesubtractedfromittwentyorthirtydollarsforhimselfandasmuchforInjunJoe，andpassedthebagtothelatter，whowasonhiskneesinthecorner，now，diggingwithhisbowie—knife。
　　Theboysforgotalltheirfears，alltheirmiseriesinaninstant。
　　Withgloatingeyestheywatchedeverymovement。Luck！——thesplendorofitwasbeyondallimagination！Sixhundreddollarswasmoneyenoughtomakehalfadozenboysrich！Herewastreasure—huntingunderthehappiestauspices——therewouldnotbeanybothersomeuncertaintyastowheretodig。Theynudgedeachothereverymoment——eloquentnudgesandeasilyunderstood，fortheysimplymeant——"Oh，butain’tyougladNOWwe’rehere！"
　　Joe’sknifestruckuponsomething。
　　"Hello！"saidhe。
　　"Whatisit？"saidhiscomrade。
　　"Half—rottenplank——no，it’sabox，Ibelieve。Here——bearahandandwe’llseewhatit’sherefor。Nevermind，I’vebrokeahole。"
　　Hereachedhishandinanddrewitout——
　　"Man，it’smoney！"
　　Thetwomenexaminedthehandfulofcoins。Theyweregold。Theboysabovewereasexcitedasthemselves，andasdelighted。
　　Joe’scomradesaid：
　　"We’llmakequickworkofthis。There’sanoldrustypickoveramongsttheweedsinthecornertheothersideofthefireplace——Isawitaminuteago。"
　　Heranandbroughttheboys’pickandshovel。InjunJoetookthepick，lookeditovercritically，shookhishead，mutteredsomethingtohimself，andthenbegantouseit。Theboxwassoonunearthed。Itwasnotverylarge；itwasironboundandhadbeenverystrongbeforetheslowyearshadinjuredit。Themencontemplatedthetreasureawhileinblissfulsilence。
　　"Pard，there’sthousandsofdollarshere，"saidInjunJoe。
　　"’TwasalwayssaidthatMurrel’sgangusedtobearoundhereonesummer，"thestrangerobserved。
　　"Iknowit，"saidInjunJoe；"andthislookslikeit，Ishouldsay。"
　　"Nowyouwon’tneedtodothatjob。"
　　Thehalf—breedfrowned。Saidhe：
　　"Youdon’tknowme。Leastyoudon’tknowallaboutthatthing。
　　’Tain’trobberyaltogether——it’srevenge！"andawickedlightflamedinhiseyes。"I’llneedyourhelpinit。Whenit’sfinished——thenTexas。GohometoyourNanceandyourkids，andstandbytillyouhearfromme。"
　　"Well——ifyousayso；what’llwedowiththis——buryitagain？"
　　"Yes。[Ravishingdelightoverhead。]No！bythegreatSachem，no！[Profounddistressoverhead。]I’dnearlyforgot。Thatpickhadfreshearthonit！[Theboysweresickwithterrorinamoment。]Whatbusinesshasapickandashovelhere？Whatbusinesswithfreshearthonthem？Whobroughtthemhere——andwherearetheygone？Haveyouheardanybody？——
　　seenanybody？What！buryitagainandleavethemtocomeandseethegrounddisturbed？Notexactly——notexactly。We’lltakeittomyden。"
　　"Why，ofcourse！Mighthavethoughtofthatbefore。YoumeanNumberOne？"
　　"No——NumberTwo——underthecross。Theotherplaceisbad——
　　toocommon。"
　　"Allright。It’snearlydarkenoughtostart。"
　　InjunJoegotupandwentaboutfromwindowtowindowcautiouslypeepingout。Presentlyhesaid：
　　"Whocouldhavebroughtthosetoolshere？Doyoureckontheycanbeup—stairs？"
　　Theboys’breathforsookthem。InjunJoeputhishandonhisknife，haltedamoment，undecided，andthenturnedtowardthestairway。Theboysthoughtofthecloset，buttheirstrengthwasgone。Thestepscamecreakingupthestairs——theintolerabledistressofthesituationwokethestrickenresolutionofthelads——theywereabouttospringforthecloset，whentherewasacrashofrottentimbersandInjunJoelandedonthegroundamidthedé；brisoftheruinedstairway。Hegatheredhimselfupcursing，andhiscomradesaid：
　　"Nowwhat’stheuseofallthat？Ifit’sanybody，andthey’reupthere，letthemstaythere——whocares？Iftheywanttojumpdown，now，andgetintotrouble，whoobjects？Itwillbedarkinfifteenminutes——andthenletthemfollowusiftheywantto。I’mwilling。Inmyopinion，whoeverhovethosethingsinherecaughtasightofusandtookusforghostsordevilsorsomething。I’llbetthey’rerunningyet。"
　　Joegrumbledawhile；thenheagreedwithhisfriendthatwhatdaylightwasleftoughttobeeconomizedingettingthingsreadyforleaving。
　　Shortlyafterwardtheyslippedoutofthehouseinthedeepeningtwilight，andmovedtowardtheriverwiththeirpreciousbox。
　　TomandHuckroseup，weakbutvastlyrelieved，andstaredafterthemthroughthechinksbetweenthelogsofthehouse。Follow？Notthey。
　　Theywerecontenttoreachgroundagainwithoutbrokennecks，andtakethetownwardtrackoverthehill。Theydidnottalkmuch。Theyweretoomuchabsorbedinhatingthemselves——hatingtheillluckthatmadethemtakethespadeandthepickthere。Butforthat，InjunJoeneverwouldhavesuspected。Hewouldhavehiddenthesilverwiththegoldtowaittheretillhis"revenge"wassatisfied，andthenhewouldhavehadthemisfortunetofindthatmoneyturnupmissing。Bitter，bitterluckthatthetoolswereeverbroughtthere！
　　TheyresolvedtokeepalookoutforthatSpaniardwhenheshouldcometotownspyingoutforchancestodohisrevengefuljob，andfollowhimto"NumberTwo，"whereverthatmightbe。ThenaghastlythoughtoccurredtoTom。
　　"Revenge？Whatifhemeansus，Huck！"
　　"Oh，don’t！"saidHuck，nearlyfainting。
　　Theytalkeditallover，andastheyenteredtowntheyagreedtobelievethathemightpossiblymeansomebodyelse——atleastthathemightatleastmeannobodybutTom，sinceonlyTomhadtestified。
　　Very，verysmallcomfortitwastoTomtobealoneindanger！
　　Companywouldbeapalpableimprovement，hethought。
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter27CHAPTERXXVIITHEadventureofthedaymightilytormentedTom’sdreamsthatnight。Fourtimeshehadhishandsonthatrichtreasureandfourtimesitwastedtonothingnessinhisfingersassleepforsookhimandwakefulnessbroughtbackthehardrealityofhismisfortune。Ashelayintheearlymorningrecallingtheincidentsofhisgreatadventure，henoticedthattheyseemedcuriouslysubduedandfaraway——somewhatasiftheyhadhappenedinanotherworld，orinatimelonggoneby。Thenitoccurredtohimthatthegreatadventureitselfmustbeadream！Therewasoneverystrongargumentinfavorofthisidea——namely，thatthequantityofcoinhehadseenwastoovasttobereal。Hehadneverseenasmuchasfiftydollarsinonemassbefore，andhewaslikeallboysofhisageandstationinlife，inthatheimaginedthatallreferencesto"hundreds"and"thousands"weremerefancifulformsofspeech，andthatnosuchsumsreallyexistedintheworld。Heneverhadsupposedforamomentthatsolargeasumasahundreddollarswastobefoundinactualmoneyinanyone’spossession。
　　Ifhisnotionsofhiddentreasurehadbeenanalyzed，theywouldhavebeenfoundtoconsistofahandfulofrealdimesandabushelofvague，splendid，ungraspabledollars。
　　Buttheincidentsofhisadventuregrewsensiblysharperandclearerundertheattritionofthinkingthemover，andsohepresentlyfoundhimselfleaningtotheimpressionthatthethingmightnothavebeenadream，afterall。Thisuncertaintymustbesweptaway。HewouldsnatchahurriedbreakfastandgoandfindHuck。Huckwassittingonthegunwaleofaflatboat，listlesslydanglinghisfeetinthewaterandlookingverymelancholy。TomconcludedtoletHuckleaduptothesubject。Ifhedidnotdoit，thentheadventurewouldbeprovedtohavebeenonlyadream。
　　"Hello，Huck！"
　　"Hello，yourself。"
　　Silence，foraminute。
　　"Tom，ifwe’d’a’lefttheblametoolsatthedeadtree，we’d’a’gotthemoney。Oh，ain’titawful！"
　　"’Tain’tadream，then，’tain’tadream！SomehowImostwishitwas。Dog’difIdon’t，Huck。"
　　"Whatain’tadream？"
　　"Oh，thatthingyesterday。Ibeenhalfthinkingitwas。"
　　"Dream！Ifthemstairshadn’tbrokedownyou’d’a’seenhowmuchdreamitwas！I’vehaddreamsenoughallnight——withthatpatch—eyedSpanishdevilgoingformeallthrough’em——rothim！"
　　"No，notrothim。FINDhim！Trackthemoney！"
　　"Tom，we’llneverfindhim。Afellerdon’thaveonlyonechanceforsuchapile——andthatone’slost。I’dfeelmightyshakyifIwastoseehim，anyway。"
　　"Well，so’dI；butI’dliketoseehim，anyway——andtrackhimout——tohisNumberTwo。"
　　"NumberTwo——yes，that’sit。Ibeenthinking’boutthat。ButIcan’tmakenothingoutofit。Whatdoyoureckonitis？"
　　"Idono。It’stoodeep。Say，Huck——maybeit’sthenumberofahouse！"
　　"Goody！……No，Tom，thatain’tit。Ifitis，itain’tinthisone—horsetown。Theyain’tnonumbershere。"
　　"Well，that’sso。Lemmethinkaminute。Here——it’sthenumberofaroom——inatavern，youknow！"
　　"Oh，that’sthetrick！Theyain’tonlytwotaverns。Wecanfindoutquick。"
　　"Youstayhere，Huck，tillIcome。"
　　Tomwasoffatonce。HedidnotcaretohaveHuck’scompanyinpublicplaces。Hewasgonehalfanhour。Hefoundthatinthebesttavern，No。2hadlongbeenoccupiedbyayounglawyer，andwasstillsooccupied。
　　Inthelessostentatioushouse，No。2wasamystery。Thetavern—keeper’syoungsonsaiditwaskeptlockedallthetime，andheneversawanybodygointoitorcomeoutofitexceptatnight；hedidnotknowanyparticularreasonforthisstateofthings；hadhadsomelittlecuriosity，butitwasratherfeeble；hadmadethemostofthemysterybyentertaininghimselfwiththeideathatthatroomwas"ha’nted"；hadnoticedthattherewasalightintherethenightbefore。
　　"That’swhatI’vefoundout，Huck。Ireckonthat’stheveryNo。
　　2we’reafter。"
　　"Ireckonitis，Tom。Nowwhatyougoingtodo？"
　　"Lemmethink。"
　　Tomthoughtalongtime。Thenhesaid：
　　"I’lltellyou。ThebackdoorofthatNo。2isthedoorthatcomesoutintothatlittleclosealleybetweenthetavernandtheoldrattletrapofabrickstore。Nowyougetholdofallthedoor—keysyoucanfind，andI’llnipallofauntie’s，andthefirstdarknightwe’llgothereandtry’em。Andmindyou，keepalookoutforInjunJoe，becausehesaidhewasgoingtodropintotownandspyaroundoncemoreforachancetogethisrevenge。Ifyouseehim，youjustfollowhim；andifhedon’tgotothatNo。2，thatain’ttheplace。"
　　"Lordy，Idon’twanttofollerhimbymyself！"
　　"Why，it’llbenight，sure。Hemightn’teverseeyou——andifhedid，maybehe’dneverthinkanything。"
　　"Well，ifit’sprettydarkIreckonI’lltrackhim。Idono——
　　Idono。I’lltry。"
　　"YoubetI’llfollowhim，ifit’sdark，Huck。Why，hemight’a’
　　foundouthecouldn’tgethisrevenge，andbegoingrightafterthatmoney。"
　　"It’sso，Tom，it’sso。I’llfollerhim；Iwill，byjingoes！"
　　"Nowyou’retalking！Don’tyoueverweaken，Huck，andI
　　won’t。"
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter28CHAPTERXXVIIITHATnightTomandHuckwerereadyfortheiradventure。Theyhungabouttheneighborhoodofthetavernuntilafternine，onewatchingthealleyatadistanceandtheotherthetaverndoor。Nobodyenteredthealleyorleftit；nobodyresemblingtheSpaniardenteredorleftthetaverndoor。
　　Thenightpromisedtobeafairone；soTomwenthomewiththeunderstandingthatifaconsiderabledegreeofdarknesscameon，Huckwastocomeand"maow，"whereuponhewouldslipoutandtrythekeys。Butthenightremainedclear，andHuckclosedhiswatchandretiredtobedinanemptysugarhogsheadabouttwelve。
　　Tuesdaytheboyshadthesameillluck。AlsoWednesday。ButThursdaynightpromisedbetter。Tomslippedoutingoodseasonwithhisaunt’soldtinlantern，andalargetoweltoblindfolditwith。HehidthelanterninHuck’ssugarhogsheadandthewatchbegan。Anhourbeforemidnightthetavernclosedupanditslights（theonlyonesthereabouts）wereputout。
　　NoSpaniardhadbeenseen。Nobodyhadenteredorleftthealley。Everythingwasauspicious。Theblacknessofdarknessreigned，theperfectstillnesswasinterruptedonlybyoccasionalmutteringsofdistantthunder。
　　Tomgothislantern，lititinthehogshead，wrappeditcloselyinthetowel，andthetwoadventurerscreptinthegloomtowardthetavern。
　　HuckstoodsentryandTomfelthiswayintothealley。ThentherewasaseasonofwaitinganxietythatweigheduponHuck’sspiritslikeamountain。
　　Hebegantowishhecouldseeaflashfromthelantern——itwouldfrightenhim，butitwouldatleasttellhimthatTomwasaliveyet。ItseemedhourssinceTomhaddisappeared。Surelyhemusthavefainted；maybehewasdead；
　　maybehishearthadburstunderterrorandexcitement。InhisuneasinessHuckfoundhimselfdrawingcloserandclosertothealley；fearingallsortsofdreadfulthings，andmomentarilyexpectingsomecatastrophetohappenthatwouldtakeawayhisbreath。Therewasnotmuchtotakeaway，forheseemedonlyabletoinhaleitbythimblefuls，andhisheartwouldsoonwearitselfout，thewayitwasbeating。SuddenlytherewasaflashoflightandTomcametearingbyhim：。"Run！"saidhe；"run，foryourlife！"
　　Heneedn’thaverepeatedit；oncewasenough；Huckwasmakingthirtyorfortymilesanhourbeforetherepetitionwasuttered。Theboysneverstoppedtilltheyreachedtheshedofadesertedslaughterhouseatthelowerendofthevillage。Justastheygotwithinitsshelterthestormburstandtherainpoureddown。AssoonasTomgothisbreathhesaid：
　　"Huck，itwasawful！Itriedtwoofthekeys，justassoftasIcould；buttheyseemedtomakesuchapowerofracketthatIcouldn’thardlygetmybreathIwassoscared。Theywouldn’tturninthelock，either。
　　Well，withoutnoticingwhatIwasdoing，Itookholdoftheknob，andopencomesthedoor！Itwarn’tlocked！Ihoppedin，andshookoffthetowel，and，greatCaesar’sghost！"
　　"What！——what’dyousee，Tom？"
　　"Huck，ImoststeppedontoInjunJoe’shand！"
　　"No！"
　　"Yes！Hewaslyingthere，soundasleeponthefloor，withhisoldpatchonhiseyeandhisarmsspreadout。"
　　"Lordy，whatdidyoudo？Didhewakeup？"
　　"No，neverbudged。Drunk，Ireckon。Ijustgrabbedthattowelandstarted！"
　　"I’dnever’a’thoughtofthetowel，Ibet！"
　　"Well，Iwould。MyauntwouldmakememightysickifIlostit。"
　　"Say，Tom，didyouseethatbox？"
　　"Huck，Ididn’twaittolookaround。Ididn’tseethebox，Ididn’tseethecross。Ididn’tseeanythingbutabottleandatincuponthefloorbyInjunJoe；yes，Isawtwobarrelsandlotsmorebottlesintheroom。Don’tyousee，now，what’sthematterwiththatha’ntedroom？"
　　"How？"
　　"Why，it’sha’ntedwithwhiskey！MaybeALLtheTemperanceTavernshavegotaha’ntedroom，hey，Huck？"
　　"Well，Ireckonmaybethat’sso。Who’d’a’thoughtsuchathing？
　　Butsay，Tom，now’samightygoodtimetogetthatbox，ifInjunJoe’sdrunk。"
　　"Itis，that！Youtryit！"
　　Huckshuddered。
　　"Well，no——Ireckonnot。"
　　"AndIreckonnot，Huck。OnlyonebottlealongsideofInjunJoeain’tenough。Ifthere’dbeenthree，he’dbedrunkenoughandI’ddoit。"
　　Therewasalongpauseforreflection，andthenTomsaid：
　　"Lookyhere，Huck，lessnottrythatthinganymoretillweknowInjunJoe’snotinthere。It’stooscary。Now，ifwewatcheverynight，we’llbedeadsuretoseehimgoout，sometimeorother，andthenwe’llsnatchthatboxquicker’nlightning。"
　　"Well，I’magreed。I’llwatchthewholenightlong，andI’lldoiteverynight，too，ifyou’lldotheotherpartofthejob。"
　　"Allright，Iwill。AllyougottodoistotrotupHooperStreetablockandmaow——andifI’masleep，youthrowsomegravelatthewindowandthat’llfetchme。"
　　"Agreed，andgoodaswheat！"
　　"Now，Huck，thestorm’sover，andI’llgohome。It’llbegintobedaylightinacoupleofhours。Yougobackandwatchthatlong，willyou？"
　　"IsaidIwould，Tom，andIwill。I’llha’ntthattaverneverynightforayear！I’llsleepalldayandI’llstandwatchallnight。"
　　"That’sallright。Now，whereyougoingtosleep？"
　　"InBenRogers’hayloft。Heletsme，andsodoeshispap’sniggerman，UncleJake。ItotewaterforUncleJakewheneverhewantsmeto，andanytimeIaskhimhegivesmealittlesomethingtoeatifhecanspareit。That’samightygoodnigger，Tom。Helikesme，becuzIdon’teveractasifIwasabovehim。SometimeI’vesetrightdownandeatwithhim。Butyouneedn’ttellthat。Abody’sgottodothingswhenhe’sawfulhungryhewouldn’twanttodoasasteadything。"
　　"Well，ifIdon’twantyouinthedaytime，I’llletyousleep。
　　Iwon’tcomebotheringaround。Anytimeyouseesomething’sup，inthenight，justskiprightaroundandmaow。"
　　TheAdventuresofTomSawyer：Chapter29CHAPTERXXIXTHEfirstthingTomheardonFridaymorningwasagladpieceofnews——
　　JudgeThatcher’sfamilyhadcomebacktotownthenightbefore。BothInjunJoeandthetreasuresunkintosecondaryimportanceforamoment，andBeckytookthechiefplaceintheboy’sinterest。Hesawherandtheyhadanexhaustinggoodtimeplaying"hi—spy"and"gully—keeper"withacrowdoftheirschoolmates。Thedaywascompletedandcrownedinapeculiarlysatisfactoryway：Beckyteasedhermothertoappointthenextdayforthelong—promisedandlong—delayedpicnic，andsheconsented。Thechild’sdelightwasboundless；
　　andTom’snotmoremoderate。Theinvitationsweresentoutbeforesunset，andstraightwaytheyoungfolksofthevillagewerethrownintoafeverofpreparationandpleasurableanticipation。Tom’sexcitementenabledhimtokeepawakeuntilaprettylatehour，andhehadgoodhopesofhearingHuck’s"maow，"andofhavinghistreasuretoastonishBeckyandthepicnickerswith，nextday；buthewasdisappointed。Nosignalcamethatnight。
　　Morningcame，eventually，andbytenoreleveno’clockagiddyandrollickingcompanyweregatheredatJudgeThatcher’s，andeverythingwasreadyforastart。Itwasnotthecustomforelderlypeopletomarthepicnicswiththeirpresence。Thechildrenwereconsideredsafeenoughunderthewingsofafewyoungladiesofeighteenandafewyounggentlemenoftwenty—threeorthereabouts。Theoldsteamferry—boatwascharteredfortheoccasion；presentlythegaythrongfiledupthemainstreetladenwithprovision—baskets。Sidwassickandhadtomissthefun；Maryremainedathometoentertainhim。ThelastthingMrs。ThatchersaidtoBecky，was：
　　"You’llnotgetbacktilllate。Perhapsyou’dbetterstayallnightwithsomeofthegirlsthatliveneartheferry—landing，child。"
　　"ThenI’llstaywithSusyHarper，mamma。"
　　"Verywell。Andmindandbehaveyourselfanddon’tbeanytrouble。"
　　Presently，astheytrippedalong，TomsaidtoBecky：
　　"Say——I’lltellyouwhatwe’lldo。’SteadofgoingtoJoeHarper’swe’llclimbrightupthehillandstopattheWidowDouglas’。She’llhaveice—cream！Shehasitmosteveryday——deadloadsofit。Andshe’llbeawfulgladtohaveus。"
　　"Oh，thatwillbefun！"
　　ThenBeckyreflectedamomentandsaid：
　　"Butwhatwillmammasay？"
　　"How’llsheeverknow？"
　　Thegirlturnedtheideaoverinhermind，andsaidreluctantly：
　　"Ireckonit’swrong——but——"
　　"Butshucks！Yourmotherwon’tknow，andsowhat’stheharm？Allshewantsisthatyou’llbesafe；andIbetyoushe’d’a’saidgothereifshe’d’a’thoughtofit。Iknowshewould！"
　　TheWidowDouglas’splendidhospitalitywasatemptingbait。ItandTom’spersuasionspresentlycarriedtheday。Soitwasdecidedtosaynothinganybodyaboutthenight’sprogramme。PresentlyitoccurredtoTomthatmaybeHuckmightcomethisverynightandgivethesignal。Thethoughttookadealofthespiritoutofhisanticipations。StillhecouldnotbeartogiveupthefunatWidowDouglas’。Andwhyshouldhegiveitup，hereasoned——thesignaldidnotcomethenightbefore，sowhyshoulditbeanymorelikelytocometo—night？Thesurefunoftheeveningoutweighedtheuncertaintreasure；and，boy—like，hedeterminedtoyieldtothestrongerinclinationandnotallowhimselftothinkoftheboxofmoneyanothertimethatday。
　　Threemilesbelowtowntheferryboatstoppedatthemouthofawoodyhollowandtiedup。Thecrowdswarmedashoreandsoontheforestdistancesandcraggyheightsechoedfarandnearwithshoutingsandlaughter。
　　Allthedifferentwaysofgettinghotandtiredweregonethroughwith，andby—and—bytheroversstraggledbacktocampfortifiedwithresponsibleappetites，andthenthedestructionofthegoodthingsbegan。Afterthefeasttherewasarefreshingseasonofrestandchatintheshadeofspreadingoaks。By—and—bysomebodyshouted：
　　"Who’sreadyforthecave？"
　　Everybodywas。Bundlesofcandleswereprocured，andstraightwaytherewasageneralscamperupthehill。Themouthofthecavewasupthehillside——anopeningshapedlikealetterA。Itsmassiveoakendoorstoodunbarred。Withinwasasmallchamber，chillyasanice—house，andwalledbyNaturewithsolidlimestonethatwasdewywithacoldsweat。Itwasromanticandmysterioustostandhereinthedeepgloomandlookoutuponthegreenvalleyshininginthesun。Buttheimpressivenessofthesituationquicklyworeoff，andtherompingbeganagain。Themomentacandlewaslightedtherewasageneralrushupontheownerofit；astruggleandagallantdefencefollowed，butthecandlewassoonknockeddownorblownout，andthentherewasagladclamoroflaughterandanewchase。Butallthingshaveanend。By—and—bytheprocessionwentfilingdownthesteepdescentofthemainavenue，theflickeringrankoflightsdimlyrevealingtheloftywallsofrockalmosttotheirpointofjunctionsixtyfeetoverhead。
　　Thismainavenuewasnotmorethaneightortenfeetwide。Everyfewstepsotherloftyandstillnarrowercrevicesbranchedfromitoneitherhand——forMcDougal’scavewasbutavastlabyrinthofcrookedaislesthatranintoeachotherandoutagainandlednowhere。Itwassaidthatonemightwanderdaysandnightstogetherthroughitsintricatetangleofriftsandchasms，andneverfindtheendofthecave；andthathemightgodown，anddown，andstilldown，intotheearth，anditwasjustthesame——labyrinthunderlabyrinth，andnoendtoanyofthem。Noman"knew"thecave。Thatwasanimpossiblething。Mostoftheyoungmenknewaportionofit，anditwasnotcustomarytoventuremuchbeyondthisknownportion。TomSawyerknewasmuchofthecaveasanyone。
　　Theprocessionmovedalongthemainavenuesomethree—quartersofamile，andthengroupsandcouplesbegantoslipasideintobranchavenues，flyalongthedismalcorridors，andtakeeachotherbysurpriseatpointswherethecorridorsjoinedagain。Partieswereabletoeludeeachotherforthespaceofhalfanhourwithoutgoingbeyondthe"known"
　　ground。
　　By—and—by，onegroupafteranothercamestragglingbacktothemouthofthecave，panting，hilarious，smearedfromheadtofootwithtallowdrippings，daubedwithclay，andentirelydelightedwiththesuccessoftheday。Thentheywereastonishedtofindthattheyhadbeentakingnonoteoftimeandthatnightwasaboutathand。Theclangingbellhadbeencallingforhalfanhour。However，thissortofclosetotheday’sadventureswasromanticandthereforesatisfactory。Whentheferryboatwithherwildfreightpushedintothestream，nobodycaredsixpenceforthewastedtimebutthecaptainofthecraft。
　　Huckwasalreadyuponhiswatchwhentheferry—boat’slightswentglintingpastthewharf。Heheardnonoiseonboard，fortheyoungpeoplewereassubduedandstillaspeopleusuallyarewhoarenearlytiredtodeath。Hewonderedwhatboatitwas，andwhyshedidnotstopatthewharf——andthenhedroppedheroutofhismindandputhisattentionuponhisbusiness。Thenightwasgrowingcloudyanddark。Teno’clockcame，andthenoiseofvehiclesceased，scatteredlightsbegantowinkout，allstragglingfoot—passengersdisappeared，thevillagebetookitselftoitsslumbersandleftthesmallwatcheralonewiththesilenceandtheghosts。Eleveno’clockcame，andthetavernlightswereputout；darknesseverywhere，now。Huckwaitedwhatseemedawearylongtime，butnothinghappened。Hisfaithwasweakening。Wasthereanyuse？Wastherereallyanyuse？Whynotgiveitupandturnin？
　　Anoisefelluponhisear。Hewasallattentioninaninstant。
　　Thealleydoorclosedsoftly。Hesprangtothecornerofthebrickstore。
　　Thenextmomenttwomenbrushedbyhim，andoneseemedtohavesomethingunderhisarm。Itmustbethatbox！Sotheyweregoingtoremovethetreasure。
　　WhycallTomnow？Itwouldbeabsurd——themenwouldgetawaywiththeboxandneverbefoundagain。No，hewouldsticktotheirwakeandfollowthem；hewouldtrusttothedarknessforsecurityfromdiscovery。Socommuningwithhimself，Hucksteppedoutandglidedalongbehindthemen，cat—like，withbarefeet，allowingthemtokeepjustfarenoughaheadnottobeinvisible。
　　Theymoveduptheriverstreetthreeblocks，thenturnedtotheleftupacross—street。Theywentstraightahead，then，untiltheycametothepaththatledupCardiffHill；thistheytook。TheypassedbytheoldWelshman’shouse，half—wayupthehill，withouthesitating，andstillclimbedupward。Good，thoughtHuck，theywillburyitintheoldquarry。
　　Buttheyneverstoppedatthequarry。Theypassedon，upthesummit。Theyplungedintothenarrowpathbetweenthetallsumachbushes，andwereatoncehiddeninthegloom。Huckclosedupandshortenedhisdistance，now，fortheywouldneverbeabletoseehim。Hetrottedalongawhile；thenslackenedhispace，fearinghewasgainingtoofast；movedonapiece，thenstoppedaltogether；listened；nosound；none，savethatheseemedtohearthebeatingofhisownheart。Thehootingofanowlcameoverthehill——ominoussound！Butnofootsteps。Heavens，waseverythinglost！
　　Hewasabouttospringwithwingedfeet，whenamanclearedhisthroatnotfourfeetfromhim！Huck’sheartshotintohisthroat，butheswalloweditagain；andthenhestoodthereshakingasifadozenagueshadtakenchargeofhimatonce，andsoweakthathethoughthemustsurelyfalltotheground。Heknewwherehewas。HeknewhewaswithinfivestepsofthestileleadingintoWidowDouglas’grounds。Verywell，hethought，letthemburyitthere；itwon’tbehardtofind。
　　Nowtherewasavoice——averylowvoice——InjunJoe’s：
　　"Damnher，maybeshe’sgotcompany——there’slights，lateasitis。"
　　"Ican’tseeany。"
　　Thiswasthatstranger’svoice——thestrangerofthehauntedhouse。AdeadlychillwenttoHuck’sheart——this，then，wasthe"revenge"
　　job！Histhoughtwas，tofly。ThenherememberedthattheWidowDouglashadbeenkindtohimmorethanonce，andmaybethesemenweregoingtomurderher。Hewishedhedaredventuretowarnher；butheknewhedidn’tdare——theymightcomeandcatchhim。Hethoughtallthisandmoreinthemomentthatelapsedbetweenthestranger’sremarkandInjunJoe’snext——whichwas——
　　"Becausethebushisinyourway。Now——thisway——nowyousee，don’tyou？"
　　"Yes。Well，thereIScompanythere，Ireckon。Bettergiveitup。"
　　"Giveitup，andIjustleavingthiscountryforever！Giveitupandmaybeneverhaveanotherchance。Itellyouagain，asI’vetoldyoubefore，Idon’tcareforherswag——youmayhaveit。Butherhusbandwasroughonme——manytimeshewasroughonme——andmainlyhewasthejusticeofthepeacethatjuggedmeforavagrant。Andthatain’tall。
　　Itain’tamillionthpartofit！Hehadmehorsewhipped！——horsewhippedinfrontofthejail，likeanigger！——withallthetownlookingon！horsewhipped！——doyouunderstand？Hetookadvantageofmeanddied。ButI’lltakeitoutofher。"
　　"Oh，don’tkillher！Don’tdothat！"
　　"Kill？Whosaidanythingaboutkilling？Iwouldkillhimifhewashere；butnother。Whenyouwanttogetrevengeonawomanyoudon’tkillher——bosh！yougoforherlooks。Youslithernostrils——
　　younotchherearslikeasow！"
　　"ByGod，that’s——"
　　"Keepyouropiniontoyourself！Itwillbesafestforyou。I’lltiehertothebed。Ifshebleedstodeath，isthatmyfault？I’llnotcry，ifshedoes。Myfriend，you’llhelpmeinthisthing——formysake——that’swhyyou’rehere——Imightn’tbeablealone。Ifyouflinch，I’llkillyou。Doyouunderstandthat？AndifIhavetokillyou，I’llkillher——andthenIreckonnobody’lleverknowmuchaboutwhodonethisbusiness。"
　　"Well，ifit’sgottobedone，let’sgetatit。Thequickerthebetter——I’mallinashiver。"
　　"Doitnow？Andcompanythere？Lookhere——I’llgetsuspiciousofyou，firstthingyouknow。No——we’llwaittillthelightsareout——there’snohurry。"
　　Huckfeltthatasilencewasgoingtoensue——athingstillmoreawfulthananyamountofmurderoustalk；soheheldhisbreathandsteppedgingerlyback；plantedhisfootcarefullyandfirmly，afterbalancing，one—legged，inaprecariouswayandalmosttopplingover，firstononesideandthenontheother。Hetookanotherstepback，withthesameelaborationandthesamerisks；thenanotherandanother，and——atwigsnappedunderhisfoot！Hisbreathstoppedandhelistened。Therewasnosound——thestillnesswasperfect。Hisgratitudewasmeasureless。Nowheturnedinhistracks，betweenthewallsofsumachbushes——turnedhimselfascarefullyasifhewereaship——andthensteppedquicklybutcautiouslyalong。
　　Whenheemergedatthequarryhefeltsecure，andsohepickeduphisnimbleheelsandflew。Down，downhesped，tillhereachedtheWelshman’s。Hebangedatthedoor，andpresentlytheheadsoftheoldmanandhistwostalwartsonswerethrustfromwindows。