Heputhishoopaway,andhisbat;therewasnojoyinthemanymore.Hisauntwasconcerned.Shebegantotryallmannerofremediesonhim.Shewasoneofthosepeoplewhoareinfatuatedwithpatentmedicinesandallnew-fangledmethodsofproducinghealthormendingit.Shewasaninveterateexperimenterinthesethings.Whensomethingfreshinthislinecameoutshewasinafever,rightaway,totryit;notonherself,forshewasneverailing,butonanybodyelsethatcamehandy.Shewasasubscriberforallthe\"Health\"periodicalsandphrenologicalfrauds;andthesolemnignorancetheywereinflatedwithwasbreathtohernostrils.Allthe\"rot\"theycontainedaboutventilation,andhowtogotobed,andhowtogetup,andwhattoeat,andwhattodrink,andhowmuchexercisetotake,andwhatframeofmindtokeepone\'sselfin,andwhatsortofclothingtowear,wasallgospeltoher,andsheneverobservedthatherhealth-journalsofthecurrentmonthcustomarilyupseteverythingtheyhadrecommendedthemonthbefore.Shewasassimple-heartedandhonestasthedaywaslong,andsoshewasaneasyvictim.Shegatheredtogetherherquackperiodicalsandherquackmedicines,andthusarmedwithdeath,wentaboutonherpalehorse,metaphoricallyspeaking,with\"hellfollowingafter.\"ButsheneversuspectedthatshewasnotanangelofhealingandthebalmofGileadindisguise,tothesufferingneighbors.
Thewatertreatmentwasnew,now,andTom\'slowconditionwasawindfalltoher.Shehadhimoutatdaylighteverymorning,stoodhimupinthewoodshedanddrownedhimwithadelugeofcoldwater;thenshescrubbedhimdownwithatowellikeafile,andsobroughthimto;thensherolledhimupinawetsheetandputhimawayunderblanketstillshesweatedhissoulcleanand\"theyellowstainsofitcamethroughhispores\"——asTomsaid.
Yetnotwithstandingallthis,theboygrewmoreandmoremelancholyandpaleanddejected.Sheaddedhotbaths,sitzbaths,showerbaths,andplunges.Theboyremainedasdismalasahearse.Shebegantoassistthewaterwithaslimoatmealdietandblisterplasters.Shecalculatedhiscapacityasshewouldajug\'s,andfilledhimupeverydaywithquackcure-alls.
Tomhadbecomeindifferenttopersecutionbythistime.Thisphasefilledtheoldlady\'sheartwithconsternation.Thisindifferencemustbebrokenupatanycost.NowsheheardofPain-killerforthefirsttime.Sheorderedalotatonce.Shetasteditandwasfilledwithgratitude.Itwassimplyfireinaliquidform.Shedroppedthewatertreatmentandeverythingelse,andpinnedherfaithtoPain-killer.ShegaveTomateaspoonfulandwatchedwiththedeepestanxietyfortheresult.Hertroubleswereinstantlyatrest,hersoulatpeaceagain;forthe\"indifference\"wasbrokenup.Theboycouldnothaveshownawilder,heartierinterest,ifshehadbuiltafireunderhim.
Tomfeltthatitwastimetowakeup;thissortoflifemightberomanticenough,inhisblightedcondition,butitwasgettingtohavetoolittlesentimentandtoomuchdistractingvarietyaboutit.Sohethoughtovervariousplansforrelief,andfinallyhitponthatofprofessingtobefondofPain-killer.Heaskedforitsooftenthathebecameanuisance,andhisauntendedbytellinghimtohelphimselfandquitbotheringher.IfithadbeenSid,shewouldhavehadnomisgivingstoalloyherdelight;butsinceitwasTom,shewatchedthebottleclandestinely.Shefoundthatthemedicinedidreallydiminish,butitdidnotoccurtoherthattheboywasmendingthehealthofacrackinthesitting-roomfloorwithit.
OnedayTomwasintheactofdosingthecrackwhenhisaunt\'syellowcatcamealong,purring,eyingtheteaspoonavariciously,andbeggingforataste.Tomsaid:
\"Don\'taskforitunlessyouwantit,Peter.\"
ButPetersignifiedthathedidwantit.
\"Youbettermakesure.\"
Peterwassure.
\"Nowyou\'veaskedforit,andI\'llgiveittoyou,becausethereain\'tanythingmeanaboutme;butifyoufindyoudon\'tlikeit,youmustn\'tblameanybodybutyourownself.\"
Peterwasagreeable.SoTompriedhismouthopenandpoureddownthePain-killer.Petersprangacoupleofyardsintheair,andthendeliveredawar-whoopandsetoffroundandroundtheroom,bangingagainstfurniture,upsettingflower-pots,andmakinggeneralhavoc.Nextheroseonhishindfeetandprancedaround,inafrenzyofenjoyment,withhisheadoverhisshoulderandhisvoiceproclaiminghisunappeasablehappiness.Thenhewenttearingaroundthehouseagainspreadingchaosanddestructioninhispath.AuntPollyenteredintimetoseehimthrowafewdoublesummersets,deliverafinalmightyhurrah,andsailthroughtheopenwindow,carryingtherestoftheflower-potswithhim.Theoldladystoodpetrifiedwithastonishment,peeringoverherglasses;Tomlayonthefloorexpiringwithlaughter.
\"Tom,whatonearthailsthatcat?\"
\"Idon\'tknow,aunt,\"gaspedtheboy.
\"Why,Ineverseeanythinglikeit.Whatdidmakehimactso?\"
\"DeedIdon\'tknow,AuntPolly;catsalwaysactsowhenthey\'rehavingagoodtime.\"
\"Theydo,dothey?\"TherewassomethinginthetonethatmadeTomapprehensive.
\"Yes\'m.Thatis,Ibelievetheydo.\"
\"Youdo?\"
\"Yes\'m.\"
Theoldladywasbendingdown,Tomwatching,withinterestemphasizedbyanxiety.Toolatehedivinedher\"drift.\"Thehandleofthetelltaleteaspoonwasvisibleunderthebed-valance.AuntPollytookit,helditup.Tomwinced,anddroppedhiseyes.AuntPollyraisedhimbytheusualhandle——hisear——andcrackedhisheadsoundlywithherthimble.
\"Now,sir,whatdidyouwanttotreatthatpoordumbbeastso,for?\"
\"Idoneitoutofpityforhim——becausehehadn\'tanyaunt.\"
\"Hadn\'tanyaunt!——younumskull.Whathasthatgottodowithit?\"
\"Heaps.Becauseifhe\'dhadoneshe\'daburnthimoutherself!She\'daroastedhisbowelsoutofhim\'thoutanymorefeelingthanifhewasahuman!\"
AuntPollyfeltasuddenpangofremorse.Thiswasputtingthethinginanewlight;whatwascrueltytoacatmightbecrueltytoaboy,too.Shebegantosoften;shefeltsorry.Hereyeswateredalittle,andsheputherhandonTom\'sheadandsaidgently:
\"Iwasmeaningforthebest,Tom.And,Tom,itdiddoyougood.\"
Tomlookedupinherfacewithjustaperceptibletwinklepeepingthroughhisgravity.
\"Iknowyouwasmeaningforthebest,aunty,andsowasIwithPeter.Itdonehimgood,too.Ineverseehimgetaroundsosince——\"
\"Oh,go\'longwithyou,Tom,beforeyouaggravatemeagain.Andyoutryandseeifyoucan\'tbeagoodboy,foronce,andyouneedn\'ttakeanymoremedicine.\"
Tomreachedschoolaheadoftime.Itwasnoticedthatthisstrangethinghadbeenoccurringeverydaylatterly.Andnow,asusualoflate,hehungaboutthegateoftheschoolyardinsteadofplayingwithhiscomrades.Hewassick,hesaid,andhelookedit.Hetriedtoseemtobelookingeverywherebutwhitherhereallywaslooking——downtheroad.PresentlyJeffThatcherhoveinsight,andTom\'sfacelighted;hegazedamoment,andthenturnedsorrowfullyaway.WhenJeffarrived,Tomaccostedhim;and\"ledup\"warilytoopportunitiesforremarkaboutBecky,butthegiddyladnevercouldseethebait.Tomwatchedandwatched,hopingwheneverafriskingfrockcameinsight,andhatingtheownerofitassoonashesawshewasnottherightone.Atlastfrocksceasedtoappear,andhedroppedhopelesslyintothedumps;heenteredtheemptyschoolhouseandsatdowntosuffer.Thenonemorefrockpassedinatthegate,andTom\'sheartgaveagreatbound.Thenextinstanthewasout,and\"goingon\"likeanIndian;yelling,laughing,chasingboys,jumpingoverthefenceatriskoflifeandlimb,throwinghandsprings,standingonhishead——doingalltheheroicthingshecouldconceiveof,andkeepingafurtiveeyeout,allthewhile,toseeifBeckyThatcherwasnoticing.Butsheseemedtobeunconsciousofitall;sheneverlooked.Coulditbepossiblethatshewasnotawarethathewasthere?Hecarriedhisexploitstoherimmediatevicinity;camewar-whoopingaround,snatchedaboy\'scap,hurledittotheroofoftheschoolhouse,brokethroughagroupofboys,tumblingthemineverydirection,andfellsprawling,himself,underBecky\'snose,almostupsettingher——andsheturned,withhernoseintheair,andheheardhersay:\"Mf!somepeoplethinkthey\'remightysmart——alwaysshowingoff!\"
Tom\'scheeksburned.Hegatheredhimselfupandsneakedoff,crushedandcrestfallen.
CHAPTERXIII
TOM\'Smindwasmadeupnow.Hewasgloomyanddesperate.Hewasaforsaken,friendlessboy,hesaid;nobodylovedhim;whentheyfoundoutwhattheyhaddrivenhimto,perhapstheywouldbesorry;hehadtriedtodorightandgetalong,buttheywouldnotlethim;sincenothingwoulddothembuttoberidofhim,letitbeso;andletthemblameHIMfortheconsequences——whyshouldn\'tthey?Whatrighthadthefriendlesstocomplain?Yes,theyhadforcedhimtoitatlast:hewouldleadalifeofcrime.Therewasnochoice.
BythistimehewasfardownMeadowLane,andthebellforschoolto\"takeup\"tinkledfaintlyuponhisear.Hesobbed,now,tothinkheshouldnever,neverhearthatoldfamiliarsoundanymore——itwasveryhard,butitwasforcedonhim;sincehewasdrivenoutintothecoldworld,hemustsubmit——butheforgavethem.Thenthesobscamethickandfast.
Justatthispointhemethissoul\'ssworncomrade,JoeHarper——hard-eyed,andwithevidentlyagreatanddismalpurposeinhisheart.Plainlyherewere\"twosoulswithbutasinglethought.\"Tom,wipinghiseyeswithhissleeve,begantoblubberoutsomethingaboutaresolutiontoescapefromhardusageandlackofsympathyathomebyroamingabroadintothegreatworldnevertoreturn;andendedbyhopingthatJoewouldnotforgethim.
ButittranspiredthatthiswasarequestwhichJoehadjustbeengoingtomakeofTom,andhadcometohunthimupforthatpurpose.Hismotherhadwhippedhimfordrinkingsomecreamwhichhehadnevertastedandknewnothingabout;itwasplainthatshewastiredofhimandwishedhimtogo;ifshefeltthatway,therewasnothingforhimtodobutsuccumb;hehopedshewouldbehappy,andneverregrethavingdrivenherpoorboyoutintotheunfeelingworldtosufferanddie.
Asthetwoboyswalkedsorrowingalong,theymadeanewcompacttostandbyeachotherandbebrothersandneverseparatetilldeathrelievedthemoftheirtroubles.Thentheybegantolaytheirplans.Joewasforbeingahermit,andlivingoncrustsinaremotecave,anddying,sometime,ofcoldandwantandgrief;butafterlisteningtoTom,heconcededthatthereweresomeconspicuousadvantagesaboutalifeofcrime,andsoheconsentedtobeapirate.
ThreemilesbelowSt.Petersburg,atapointwheretheMississippiRiverwasatrifleoveramilewide,therewasalong,narrow,woodedisland,withashallowbarattheheadofit,andthisofferedwellasarendezvous.Itwasnotinhabited;itlayfarovertowardthefurthershore,abreastadenseandalmostwhollyunpeopledforest.SoJackson\'sIslandwaschosen.Whoweretobethesubjectsoftheirpiracieswasamatterthatdidnotoccurtothem.ThentheyhuntedupHuckleberryFinn,andhejoinedthempromptly,forallcareerswereonetohim;hewasindifferent.Theypresentlyseparatedtomeetatalonelyspotontheriver-banktwomilesabovethevillageatthefavoritehour——whichwasmidnight.Therewasasmalllografttherewhichtheymeanttocapture.Eachwouldbringhooksandlines,andsuchprovisionashecouldstealinthemostdarkandmysteriousway——asbecameoutlaws.Andbeforetheafternoonwasdone,theyhadallmanagedtoenjoythesweetgloryofspreadingthefactthatprettysoonthetownwould\"hearsomething.\"Allwhogotthisvaguehintwerecautionedto\"bemumandwait.\"
AboutmidnightTomarrivedwithaboiledhamandafewtrifles,andstoppedinadenseundergrowthonasmallbluffoverlookingthemeeting-place.Itwasstarlight,andverystill.Themightyriverlaylikeanoceanatrest.Tomlistenedamoment,butnosounddisturbedthequiet.Thenhegavealow,distinctwhistle.Itwasansweredfromunderthebluff.Tomwhistledtwicemore;thesesignalswereansweredinthesameway.Thenaguardedvoicesaid:
\"Whogoesthere?\"
\"TomSawyer,theBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMain.Nameyournames.\"
\"HuckFinntheRed-Handed,andJoeHarpertheTerroroftheSeas.\"Tomhadfurnishedthesetitles,fromhisfavoriteliterature.
\"\'Tiswell.Givethecountersign.\"
Twohoarsewhispersdeliveredthesameawfulwordsimultaneouslytothebroodingnight:
\"BLOOD!\"
ThenTomtumbledhishamoverthebluffandlethimselfdownafterit,tearingbothskinandclothestosomeextentintheeffort.Therewasaneasy,comfortablepathalongtheshoreunderthebluff,butitlackedtheadvantagesofdifficultyanddangersovaluedbyapirate.
TheTerroroftheSeashadbroughtasideofbacon,andhadaboutwornhimselfoutwithgettingitthere.FinntheRed-Handedhadstolenaskilletandaquantityofhalf-curedleaftobacco,andhadalsobroughtafewcorn-cobstomakepipeswith.Butnoneofthepiratessmokedor\"chewed\"buthimself.TheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainsaiditwouldneverdotostartwithoutsomefire.Thatwasawisethought;matcheswerehardlyknownthereinthatday.Theysawafiresmoulderinguponagreatraftahundredyardsabove,andtheywentstealthilythitherandhelpedthemselvestoachunk.Theymadeanimposingadventureofit,saying,\"Hist!\"everynowandthen,andsuddenlyhaltingwithfingeronlip;movingwithhandsonimaginarydagger-hilts;andgivingordersindismalwhispersthatif\"thefoe\"stirred,to\"lethimhaveittothehilt,\"because\"deadmentellnotales.\"Theyknewwellenoughthattheraftsmenwerealldownatthevillagelayinginstoresorhavingaspree,butstillthatwasnoexcusefortheirconductingthisthinginanunpiraticalway.
Theyshovedoff,presently,Tomincommand,HuckattheafteroarandJoeattheforward.Tomstoodamidships,gloomy-browed,andwithfoldedarms,andgavehisordersinalow,sternwhisper:
\"Luff,andbringhertothewind!\"
\"Aye-aye,sir!\"
\"Steady,steady-y-y-y!\"
\"Steadyitis,sir!\"
\"Lethergooffapoint!\"
\"Pointitis,sir!\"
Astheboyssteadilyandmonotonouslydrovetherafttowardmid-streamitwasnodoubtunderstoodthattheseordersweregivenonlyfor\"style,\"andwerenotintendedtomeananythinginparticular.
\"Whatsail\'sshecarrying?\"
\"Courses,tops\'ls,andflying-jib,sir.\"
\"Sendther\'yalsup!Layoutaloft,there,halfadozenofye——foretopmaststuns\'l!Lively,now!\"
\"Aye-aye,sir!\"
\"Shakeoutthatmaintogalans\'l!Sheetsandbraces!NOWmyhearties!\"
\"Aye-aye,sir!\"
\"Hellum-a-lee——hardaport!Standbytomeetherwhenshecomes!Port,port!Now,men!Withawill!Stead-y-y-y!\"
\"Steadyitis,sir!\"
Theraftdrewbeyondthemiddleoftheriver;theboyspointedherheadright,andthenlayontheiroars.Theriverwasnothigh,sotherewasnotmorethanatwoorthreemilecurrent.Hardlyawordwassaidduringthenextthree-quartersofanhour.Nowtheraftwaspassingbeforethedistanttown.Twoorthreeglimmeringlightsshowedwhereitlay,peacefullysleeping,beyondthevaguevastsweepofstar-gemmedwater,unconsciousofthetremendouseventthatwashappening.TheBlackAvengerstoodstillwithfoldedarms,\"lookinghislast\"uponthesceneofhisformerjoysandhislatersufferings,andwishing\"she\"couldseehimnow,abroadonthewildsea,facingperilanddeathwithdauntlessheart,goingtohisdoomwithagrimsmileonhislips.ItwasbutasmallstrainonhisimaginationtoremoveJackson\'sIslandbeyondeye-shotofthevillage,andsohe\"lookedhislast\"withabrokenandsatisfiedheart.Theotherpirateswerelookingtheirlast,too;andtheyalllookedsolongthattheycamenearlettingthecurrentdriftthemoutoftherangeoftheisland.Buttheydiscoveredthedangerintime,andmadeshifttoavertit.Abouttwoo\'clockinthemorningtheraftgroundedonthebartwohundredyardsabovetheheadoftheisland,andtheywadedbackandforthuntiltheyhadlandedtheirfreight.Partofthelittleraft\'sbelongingsconsistedofanoldsail,andthistheyspreadoveranookinthebushesforatenttosheltertheirprovisions;buttheythemselveswouldsleepintheopenairingoodweather,asbecameoutlaws.
Theybuiltafireagainstthesideofagreatlogtwentyorthirtystepswithinthesombredepthsoftheforest,andthencookedsomebaconinthefrying-panforsupper,anduseduphalfofthecorn\"pone\"stocktheyhadbrought.Itseemedglorioussporttobefeastinginthatwild,freewayinthevirginforestofanunexploredanduninhabitedisland,farfromthehauntsofmen,andtheysaidtheyneverwouldreturntocivilization.Theclimbingfirelituptheirfacesandthrewitsruddyglareuponthepillaredtree-trunksoftheirforesttemple,anduponthevarnishedfoliageandfestooningvines.
Whenthelastcrispsliceofbaconwasgone,andthelastallowanceofcornponedevoured,theboysstretchedthemselvesoutonthegrass,filledwithcontentment.Theycouldhavefoundacoolerplace,buttheywouldnotdenythemselvessucharomanticfeatureastheroastingcamp-fire.
\"Ain\'titgay?\"saidJoe.
\"It\'snuts!\"saidTom.\"Whatwouldtheboyssayiftheycouldseeus?\"
\"Say?Well,they\'djustdietobehere——hey,Hucky!\"
\"Ireckonso,\"saidHuckleberry;\"anyways,I\'msuited.Idon\'twantnothingbetter\'nthis.Idon\'tevergetenoughtoeat,gen\'ally——andheretheycan\'tcomeandpickatafellerandbullyraghimso.\"
\"It\'sjustthelifeforme,\"saidTom.\"Youdon\'thavetogetup,mornings,andyoudon\'thavetogotoschool,andwash,andallthatblamefoolishness.Youseeapiratedon\'thavetodoanything,Joe,whenhe\'sashore,butahermithehastobeprayingconsiderable,andthenhedon\'thaveanyfun,anyway,allbyhimselfthatway.\"
\"Ohyes,that\'sso,\"saidJoe,\"butIhadn\'tthoughtmuchaboutit,youknow.I\'dagooddealratherbeapirate,nowthatI\'vetriedit.\"
\"Yousee,\"saidTom,\"peopledon\'tgomuchonhermits,nowadays,liketheyusedtoinoldtimes,butapirate\'salwaysrespected.Andahermit\'sgottosleeponthehardestplacehecanfind,andputsackclothandashesonhishead,andstandoutintherain,and——\"
\"Whatdoesheputsackclothandashesonhisheadfor?\"inquiredHuck.
\"Idono.Butthey\'veGOTtodoit.Hermitsalwaysdo.You\'dhavetodothatifyouwasahermit.\"
\"Dern\'difIwould,\"saidHuck.
\"Well,whatwouldyoudo?\"
\"Idono.ButIwouldn\'tdothat.\"
\"Why,Huck,you\'dhaveto.How\'dyougetaroundit?\"
\"Why,Ijustwouldn\'tstandit.I\'drunaway.\"
\"Runaway!Well,youwouldbeaniceoldslouchofahermit.You\'dbeadisgrace.\"
TheRed-Handedmadenoresponse,beingbetteremployed.Hehadfinishedgougingoutacob,andnowhefittedaweedstemtoit,loadeditwithtobacco,andwaspressingacoaltothechargeandblowingacloudoffragrantsmoke——hewasinthefullbloomofluxuriouscontentment.Theotherpiratesenviedhimthismajesticvice,andsecretlyresolvedtoacquireitshortly.PresentlyHucksaid:
\"Whatdoespirateshavetodo?\"
Tomsaid:
\"Oh,theyhavejustabullytime——takeshipsandburnthem,andgetthemoneyandburyitinawfulplacesintheirislandwherethere\'sghostsandthingstowatchit,andkilleverybodyintheships——make\'emwalkaplank.\"
\"Andtheycarrythewomentotheisland,\"saidJoe;\"theydon\'tkillthewomen.\"
\"No,\"assentedTom,\"theydon\'tkillthewomen——they\'retoonoble.Andthewomen\'salwaysbeautiful,too.
\"Anddon\'ttheywearthebulliestclothes!Ohno!Allgoldandsilveranddi\'monds,\"saidJoe,withenthusiasm.
\"Who?\"saidHuck.
\"Why,thepirates.\"
Huckscannedhisownclothingforlornly.
\"IreckonIain\'tdressedfittenforapirate,\"saidhe,witharegretfulpathosinhisvoice;\"butIain\'tgotnonebutthese.\"
Buttheotherboystoldhimthefineclotheswouldcomefastenough,aftertheyshouldhavebeguntheiradventures.Theymadehimunderstandthathispoorragswoulddotobeginwith,thoughitwascustomaryforwealthypiratestostartwithaproperwardrobe.
Graduallytheirtalkdiedoutanddrowsinessbegantostealupontheeyelidsofthelittlewaifs.ThepipedroppedfromthefingersoftheRed-Handed,andhesleptthesleepoftheconscience-freeandtheweary.TheTerroroftheSeasandtheBlackAvengeroftheSpanishMainhadmoredifficultyingettingtosleep.Theysaidtheirprayersinwardly,andlyingdown,sincetherewasnobodytherewithauthoritytomakethemkneelandrecitealoud;intruth,theyhadamindnottosaythematall,buttheywereafraidtoproceedtosuchlengthsasthat,lesttheymightcalldownasuddenandspecialthunderboltfromheaven.Thenatoncetheyreachedandhoveredupontheimminentvergeofsleep——butanintrudercame,now,thatwouldnot\"down.\"Itwasconscience.Theybegantofeelavaguefearthattheyhadbeendoingwrongtorunaway;andnexttheythoughtofthestolenmeat,andthentherealtorturecame.Theytriedtoargueitawaybyremindingconsciencethattheyhadpurloinedsweetmeatsandapplesscoresoftimes;butconsciencewasnottobeappeasedbysuchthinplausibilities;itseemedtothem,intheend,thattherewasnogettingaroundthestubbornfactthattakingsweetmeatswasonly\"hooking,\"whiletakingbaconandhamsandsuchvaluableswasplainsimplestealing——andtherewasacommandagainstthatintheBible.Sotheyinwardlyresolvedthatsolongastheyremainedinthebusiness,theirpiraciesshouldnotagainbesulliedwiththecrimeofstealing.Thenconsciencegrantedatruce,andthesecuriouslyinconsistentpiratesfellpeacefullytosleep.
CHAPTERXIV
WHENTomawokeinthemorning,hewonderedwherehewas.Hesatupandrubbedhiseyesandlookedaround.Thenhecomprehended.Itwasthecoolgraydawn,andtherewasadelicioussenseofreposeandpeaceinthedeeppervadingcalmandsilenceofthewoods.Notaleafstirred;notasoundobtrudedupongreatNature\'smeditation.Beadeddewdropsstoodupontheleavesandgrasses.Awhitelayerofashescoveredthefire,andathinbluebreathofsmokerosestraightintotheair.JoeandHuckstillslept.
Now,farawayinthewoodsabirdcalled;anotheranswered;presentlythehammeringofawoodpeckerwasheard.Graduallythecooldimgrayofthemorningwhitened,andasgraduallysoundsmultipliedandlifemanifesteditself.ThemarvelofNatureshakingoffsleepandgoingtoworkunfoldeditselftothemusingboy.Alittlegreenwormcamecrawlingoveradewyleaf,liftingtwo-thirdsofhisbodyintotheairfromtimetotimeand\"sniffingaround,\"thenproceedingagain——forhewasmeasuring,Tomsaid;andwhenthewormapproachedhim,ofitsownaccord,hesatasstillasastone,withhishopesrisingandfalling,byturns,asthecreaturestillcametowardhimorseemedinclinedtogoelsewhere;andwhenatlastitconsideredapainfulmomentwithitscurvedbodyintheairandthencamedecisivelydownuponTom\'slegandbeganajourneyoverhim,hiswholeheartwasglad——forthatmeantthathewasgoingtohaveanewsuitofclothes——withouttheshadowofadoubtagaudypiraticaluniform.Nowaprocessionofantsappeared,fromnowhereinparticular,andwentabouttheirlabors;onestruggledmanfullybywithadeadspiderfivetimesasbigasitselfinitsarms,andluggeditstraightupatree-trunk.Abrownspottedlady-bugclimbedthedizzyheightofagrassblade,andTombentdownclosetoitandsaid,
\"Lady-bug,lady-bug,flyawayhome,
yourhouseisonfire,yourchildren\'salone,\"
andshetookwingandwentofftoseeaboutit——whichdidnotsurprisetheboy,forheknewofoldthatthisinsectwascredulousaboutconflagrations,andhehadpractiseduponitssimplicitymorethanonce.Atumblebugcamenext,heavingsturdilyatitsball,andTomtouchedthecreature,toseeitshutitslegsagainstitsbodyandpretendtobedead.Thebirdswerefairlyriotingbythistime.Acatbird,theNorthernmocker,litinatreeoverTom\'shead,andtrilledoutherimitationsofherneighborsinaraptureofenjoyment;thenashrilljaysweptdown,aflashofblueflame,andstoppedonatwigalmostwithintheboy\'sreach,cockedhisheadtoonesideandeyedthestrangerswithaconsumingcuriosity;agraysquirrelandabigfellowofthe\"fox\"kindcameskurryingalong,sittingupatintervalstoinspectandchatterattheboys,forthewildthingshadprobablyneverseenahumanbeingbeforeandscarcelyknewwhethertobeafraidornot.AllNaturewaswideawakeandstirring,now;longlancesofsunlightpierceddownthroughthedensefoliagefarandnear,andafewbutterfliescameflutteringuponthescene.
Tomstirreduptheotherpiratesandtheyallclatteredawaywithashout,andinaminuteortwowerestrippedandchasingafterandtumblingovereachotherintheshallowlimpidwaterofthewhitesandbar.Theyfeltnolongingforthelittlevillagesleepinginthedistancebeyondthemajesticwasteofwater.Avagrantcurrentoraslightriseintheriverhadcarriedofftheirraft,butthisonlygratifiedthem,sinceitsgoingwassomethinglikeburningthebridgebetweenthemandcivilization.
Theycamebacktocampwonderfullyrefreshed,glad-hearted,andravenous;andtheysoonhadthecamp-fireblazingupagain.Huckfoundaspringofclearcoldwatercloseby,andtheboysmadecupsofbroadoakorhickoryleaves,andfeltthatwater,sweetenedwithsuchawildwoodcharmasthat,wouldbeagoodenoughsubstituteforcoffee.WhileJoewasslicingbaconforbreakfast,TomandHuckaskedhimtoholdonaminute;theysteppedtoapromisingnookintheriver-bankandthrewintheirlines;almostimmediatelytheyhadreward.Joehadnothadtimetogetimpatientbeforetheywerebackagainwithsomehandsomebass,acoupleofsun-perchandasmallcatfish——provisionsenoughforquiteafamily.Theyfriedthefishwiththebacon,andwereastonished;fornofishhadeverseemedsodeliciousbefore.Theydidnotknowthatthequickerafresh-waterfishisonthefireafterheiscaughtthebetterheis;andtheyreflectedlittleuponwhatasauceopen-airsleeping,open-airexercise,bathing,andalargeingredientofhungermake,too.
Theylayaroundintheshade,afterbreakfast,whileHuckhadasmoke,andthenwentoffthroughthewoodsonanexploringexpedition.Theytrampedgaylyalong,overdecayinglogs,throughtangledunderbrush,amongsolemnmonarchsoftheforest,hungfromtheircrownstothegroundwithadroopingregaliaofgrape-vines.Nowandthentheycameuponsnugnookscarpetedwithgrassandjeweledwithflowers.
Theyfoundplentyofthingstobedelightedwith,butnothingtobeastonishedat.Theydiscoveredthattheislandwasaboutthreemileslongandaquarterofamilewide,andthattheshoreitlayclosesttowasonlyseparatedfromitbyanarrowchannelhardlytwohundredyardswide.Theytookaswimabouteveryhour,soitwascloseuponthemiddleoftheafternoonwhentheygotbacktocamp.Theyweretoohungrytostoptofish,buttheyfaredsumptuouslyuponcoldham,andthenthrewthemselvesdownintheshadetotalk.Butthetalksoonbegantodrag,andthendied.Thestillness,thesolemnitythatbroodedinthewoods,andthesenseofloneliness,begantotelluponthespiritsoftheboys.Theyfelltothinking.Asortofundefinedlongingcreptuponthem.Thistookdimshape,presently——itwasbuddinghomesickness.EvenFinntheRed-Handedwasdreamingofhisdoorstepsandemptyhogsheads.Buttheywereallashamedoftheirweakness,andnonewasbraveenoughtospeakhisthought.
Forsometime,now,theboyshadbeendullyconsciousofapeculiarsoundinthedistance,justasonesometimesisofthetickingofaclockwhichhetakesnodistinctnoteof.Butnowthismysterioussoundbecamemorepronounced,andforcedarecognition.Theboysstarted,glancedateachother,andtheneachassumedalisteningattitude.Therewasalongsilence,profoundandunbroken;thenadeep,sullenboomcamefloatingdownoutofthedistance.
\"Whatisit!\"exclaimedJoe,underhisbreath.
\"Iwonder,\"saidTominawhisper.
\"\'Tain\'tthunder,\"saidHuckleberry,inanawedtone,\"becuzthunder——\"
\"Hark!\"saidTom.\"Listen——don\'ttalk.\"
Theywaitedatimethatseemedanage,andthenthesamemuffledboomtroubledthesolemnhush.
\"Let\'sgoandsee.\"
Theysprangtotheirfeetandhurriedtotheshoretowardthetown.Theypartedthebushesonthebankandpeeredoutoverthewater.Thelittlesteamferryboatwasaboutamilebelowthevillage,driftingwiththecurrent.Herbroaddeckseemedcrowdedwithpeople.Therewereagreatmanyskiffsrowingaboutorfloatingwiththestreamintheneighborhoodoftheferryboat,buttheboyscouldnotdeterminewhatthemeninthemweredoing.Presentlyagreatjetofwhitesmokeburstfromtheferryboat\'sside,andasitexpandedandroseinalazycloud,thatsamedullthrobofsoundwasbornetothelistenersagain.
\"Iknownow!\"exclaimedTom;\"somebody\'sdrownded!\"
\"That\'sit!\"saidHuck;\"theydonethatlastsummer,whenBillTurnergotdrownded;theyshootacannonoverthewater,andthatmakeshimcomeuptothetop.Yes,andtheytakeloavesofbreadandputquicksilverin\'emandset\'emafloat,andwhereverthere\'sanybodythat\'sdrownded,they\'llfloatrightthereandstop.\"
\"Yes,I\'veheardaboutthat,\"saidJoe.\"Iwonderwhatmakesthebreaddothat.\"
\"Oh,itain\'tthebread,somuch,\"saidTom;\"Ireckonit\'smostlywhattheySAYoveritbeforetheystartitout.\"
\"Buttheydon\'tsayanythingoverit,\"saidHuck.\"I\'veseen\'emandtheydon\'t.\"
\"Well,that\'sfunny,\"saidTom.\"Butmaybetheysayittothemselves.Ofcoursetheydo.Anybodymightknowthat.\"
TheotherboysagreedthattherewasreasoninwhatTomsaid,becauseanignorantlumpofbread,uninstructedbyanincantation,couldnotbeexpectedtoactveryintelligentlywhensetuponanerrandofsuchgravity.
\"Byjings,IwishIwasoverthere,now,\"saidJoe.
\"Idotoo\"saidHuck\"I\'dgiveheapstoknowwhoitis.\"
Theboysstilllistenedandwatched.PresentlyarevealingthoughtflashedthroughTom\'smind,andheexclaimed:
\"Boys,Iknowwho\'sdrownded——it\'sus!\"
Theyfeltlikeheroesinaninstant.Herewasagorgeoustriumph;theyweremissed;theyweremourned;heartswerebreakingontheiraccount;tearswerebeingshed;accusingmemoriesofunkindnesstothesepoorlostladswererisingup,andunavailingregretsandremorsewerebeingindulged;andbestofall,thedepartedwerethetalkofthewholetown,andtheenvyofalltheboys,asfarasthisdazzlingnotorietywasconcerned.Thiswasfine.Itwasworthwhiletobeapirate,afterall.
Astwilightdrewon,theferryboatwentbacktoheraccustomedbusinessandtheskiffsdisappeared.Thepiratesreturnedtocamp.Theywerejubilantwithvanityovertheirnewgrandeurandtheillustrioustroubletheyweremaking.Theycaughtfish,cookedsupperandateit,andthenfelltoguessingatwhatthevillagewasthinkingandsayingaboutthem;andthepicturestheydrewofthepublicdistressontheiraccountweregratifyingtolookupon——fromtheirpointofview.Butwhentheshadowsofnightclosedthemin,theygraduallyceasedtotalk,andsatgazingintothefire,withtheirmindsevidentlywanderingelsewhere.Theexcitementwasgone,now,andTomandJoecouldnotkeepbackthoughtsofcertainpersonsathomewhowerenotenjoyingthisfinefrolicasmuchastheywere.Misgivingscame;theygrewtroubledandunhappy;asighortwoescaped,unawares.ByandbyJoetimidlyventureduponaroundabout\"feeler\"astohowtheothersmightlookuponareturntocivilization——notrightnow,but——
Tomwitheredhimwithderision!Huck,beinguncommittedasyet,joinedinwithTom,andthewavererquickly\"explained,\"andwasgladtogetoutofthescrapewithaslittletaintofchicken-heartedhomesicknessclingingtohisgarmentsashecould.Mutinywaseffectuallylaidtorestforthemoment.
Asthenightdeepened,Huckbegantonod,andpresentlytosnore.Joefollowednext.Tomlayuponhiselbowmotionless,forsometime,watchingthetwointently.Atlasthegotupcautiously,onhisknees,andwentsearchingamongthegrassandtheflickeringreflectionsflungbythecamp-fire.Hepickedupandinspectedseverallargesemi-cylindersofthethinwhitebarkofasycamore,andfinallychosetwowhichseemedtosuithim.Thenhekneltbythefireandpainfullywrotesomethinguponeachofthesewithhis\"redkeel\";oneherolledupandputinhisjacketpocket,andtheotherheputinJoe\'shatandremovedittoalittledistancefromtheowner.Andhealsoputintothehatcertainschoolboytreasuresofalmostinestimablevalue——amongthemalumpofchalk,anIndia-rubberball,threefishhooks,andoneofthatkindofmarblesknownasa\"sure\'noughcrystal.\"Thenhetiptoedhiswaycautiouslyamongthetreestillhefeltthathewasoutofhearing,andstraightwaybrokeintoakeenruninthedirectionofthesandbar.
