Learn English with Audio Story - The Adventures of Tom Sawyers

chapter one and Pauli decides her duty Tom no answer tom no answer the old lady looked around the room when I find you I she did not finish with her head down she was looking under the bed only the cat came out she went to the open door and looked toward the garden no Tom was there she shouted you Tom there was a little noise behind her she turned and caught a small boy stopping him before he could escape what were you doing in that corner nothing nothing what is that on your hands and face I do not know Aunt Polly I know you've been eating sweets I have told you a hundred times not to eat those sweets her hand was raised in the air it started down it was very near Oh look behind you ain't the old lady turn the boy ran in a moment he was up on the high board fence then he was on the far side of it his Aunt Polly was surprised then she laughed a little that boy I never know what he would do next and he knows that I do not want to hit him but I should and if he does not go to school this afternoon I must make him work tomorrow he does not like work especially on Saturday when there is no school he does not like work all the other boys will be playing but I must try and make him a good boy he is my dead sister son and it is my duty I must do my duty Tom did not go to school and he had a very happy afternoon he came home late he hurried to do his share of the evening work his brother Sid had already finished his share Sid was a quiet boy who had no adventures and also no troubles while Tom sat eating his Aunt Polly asked questions she hoped to learn about his afternoon tom was it warm in school yes ain't Paulie did you wish to go swimming Tom Tom began to feel afraid what did she know about this afternoon no ain't Paulie not very much she touched his shirt it was dry but Tom knew what she would touch next he said quickly but some of us put water on our hands cuz we were hot my hair is not dry yet he watched her face yes she believed him he was safe and Aunt Polly was glad to believe that he had been good the summer evenings were long Tom walked along the street whistling like a bird then he stopped whistling he had met a stranger a boy a little larger than he was the boys clothes were new and good and he was wearing shoes Tom would wear shoes and good clothes like these only to church on Sunday Tom looked and looked the boys clothes seemed to become better and better and his own clothes seem to grow poorer neither boys spoke if one moved then the other moved but they moved only to the side in a circle they remained face to face and eye to eye then Tom said I can beat you try I can no you can't yes I can no you can't I can you can't hand Kate a moment of quiet then Tom said I could beat you as one hand do it you say you can do it that hat hit it off my head if you came I will you are afraid I'm not afraid you are I'm not you are more moving in a circle now they were shoulder to shoulder each time to make the other fall back and then suddenly they were rolling in the dust each pulled it the other's hair and each hit the others nose and now through the dust Tom appeared sitting on the new boy beating him with hard closed hands have you had enough said he the boy tried to get free he was weeping with anger have you had enough then the new boy said enough Tom let him stand up and walk away but as soon as Tom turned the new boy threw a stone hitting Tom's back there for Tom followed him home and waited the boy did not come out again his mother came and said that Tom was a bad child she told him to go home it was late when Tom got there very quietly and carefully he entered through a window but his aunt was waiting for him she had learned from Sid about Tom's afternoon now she saw his clothes and knew that he had been fighting she knew what she must do Tom would work all day on Saturday chapter 2 strong desire wise action Saturday morning came all the summer world was bright and full of life Tom appeared in the front of the house with paint and a big brush he looked at the fence and all joy left him a deep sadness settled upon his heart the fence was long and high he wet the brush and moved it along the top board he did it again and did it again he looked at what he had done the painted part was very very small Vence was very large he sat down felt that he could not continue Jim a boy who worked for the family came through the gate he was going to get water and he was singing happily Tom said Tim I will get the water if you were paint Jim said no I must get the water are you afraid of Aunt Polly she won't hurt you she talks about it but talk never hurts it never hurts except when she weeps also you should not be afraid of her Jim I will give you one of my playthings and I will show you my foot I will show you where I heard it Jim was only human he took the plaything and he put his head down for a look at the foot in another moment he was running down the street Tom was painting as fast as possible and Aunt Polly was returning to the house but Tom began to think of the pleasure plan for this day his hands move more slowly soon the other boys would come and laugh at him for working from his pocket he took everything that he owned he looked at it there was nothing of real value it was not enough to buy another boys help at this dark moment a wonderful idea came to him it was like a great bright light he took his brush and went quietly to work then Rogers appeared soon Tom had been especially afraid of Ben's laughs Ben was eating an apple also as he walked he was making noises like those of a big riverboat he would shout loudly then he would say ding dong dong like a bell then he would shout again and say ding dong dong again and make other strange noises he was the boat he was the captain of the boat and the boat Bell Turner he shouted slower stop slow careful turn came close beside Tom and stopped continued his painting he did not look at the boat been said hello you are in trouble no answer Tom moved his brush gently and looked at the result Ben came nearer Tom wished for the Apple but he did not turn for his work Ben said hello you must work Musti Tom turned suddenly Oban is it you I did not see you I'm going swimming I am do you wish you could go with me or would you rather work tom said what do you mean work that is work returned to his painting it may be work and it may not be but it is fine for Tom Sawyer do you mean that you enjoy it enjoy it does a boy have a chance to paint a fence every day here was a new idea Ben stopped eating his Apple Tom moved his brush stepped away to look at the result added a little paint here and there stepped away again Ben watched he was more and more interested then he said Tom let me paint a little Tom thought then he said no being ain't Paulie wants this fans to be perfect if it was the fence behind the house you could help but this fence beside the street must be done very carefully there is not one boy in a thousand who can do it well Oh Tom let me try only a little I would be careful Tama I'll give you part of my Apple no Ben I'm afraid I will give you all of it Tom gave the brush to Ben slowly but with joy in his heart and while the boy who a few moments before had been a riverboat worker and became hot in the Sun Tom sat under the tree eating the Apple and planning how to get more help there were enough boys they came along the street stopped to laugh but remain to paint after Ben bill Fisher painted then Johnny Miller came each one paid to be allowed to work in the middle of the afternoon tom was very rich he had many playthings a small cat with one eye a piece of broken blue glass and much more and he had not worked and the whole fence had been painted three times there was no more paint with more paint Tom would soon have owned everything belonging to the other boys and the other boys in the village would have owned nothing Tom had discovered a great law of human action a man or a boy will desire something if it's not easy to get after three tom is an Army officer delightful sadness to Aunt Polly she was sitting beside an open window she was half asleep and she was holding a sleeping cat she was surprised to see Tom she thought that he had run away from his work long ago Tom said Matt going play now he already how much have you done it is all done ain't Tom is that true it makes me sad if you do not tell the truth it is true ain't it is all done she went to see and her surprise was very great you came work when you want to Tom but you do not often want to go and play but remember to come home again she gave him a large apple she did not see him take a piece of cake as he passed through the kitchen Tom hurried to the center of the village there two armies of boys had met for a battle tom was the leader the general of one army and his good friend Joe Harper was the general of the other Tom and Joe did not fight they sat together and sent their orders to the armies when the battle was finished they agreed to have another battle on another day then the armies marched away and Tom started to go home alone as he passed Jeff Thatcher's house he saw a new girl in the garden she had blue eyes and yellow hair she was beautiful Tom had loved a girl named Amy Lawrence a week ago she had said that she loved him he had been happy and proud but now in a moment she was gone from his heart he watched the new girl until she discovered him then he looked at other places as if he had not seen her then he began to jump and dance and walk on his hands so that she would continue to watch him she walked toward the house and Tom's heart was sad but she threw a flower over the fence then she was gone Tom looked around there was no to see him slowly he picked up the flower he put it under his shirt near his heart he stayed near the fence until darkness came then he went home to eat he was full of joy his aunt wondered why later that evening his brother Sid was a bad boy he took some sweets but his aunt did not believe that Sid could be bad she gave Tom the blow that she should have given us in she learned the truth later and was sorry but she said nothing to Tom therefore tom was very sorry for himself he began to wish that he would die she would feel sorry then he could see himself being carried home from the river dead his hair wet his troubles passed it went out into the darkness and went to the river it would be good to drown if you could drown without pain out of his flower from inside his shirt the new girl be sad if he died would she put her arms around him or would she turn coldly away this picture brought him much delightful suffering he kept it a long time in his mind then he started home he stopped near the Thatcher house there was a light in one window was that the new girls room he lay down on the ground below the window with her flower in his hands he would lie there and die in the cold in the morning she would look out the window and see him the window opens suddenly he heard the voice of a woman who worked for the Thatcher's she threw water out of the window and it fell on him Tom jumped up and ran Sid opened his eyes and saw Tom ready for bed looking at his wet clothes Tom's wild eyes made Sid afraid he did not dare to speak but he would remember and tell his aunt you chapter 4 going to Sunday school the Sun rose upon a quiet world and looked warmly down upon the peaceful village the family began the day by praying together then Tom did his Sunday studying he was trying to learn some words from the Bible Sid had already finished his studying but Tom was slow his mind was busy with other things Tom was learning five verses some verses are long and some are short Tom had found five short verses and Paul his daughter Mary helped him and after a time he could say the verses without looking at the book Mary gave him a knife for studying so well it was not a good knife but it was a knife tom was deeply delighted then Mary to dress in his sunday clothes he hoped that she would forget his shoes but she did not when they were ready the three children went to Sunday school with his whole heart Tom wished not to go Mary and Sid enjoyed going at the church door Tom stopped to speak to a friend Billy do you have a yellow ticket yes will you sell it to me what we pay for it Tom offered enough and received the ticket then Tom stopped other boys and bought more tickets some red and some blue he was busy with his buying for about ten minutes then he went into the church these tickets were given for learning the Bible verses a blue ticket was given for two versus a red ticket was equal to ten blue tickets a yellow ticket was equal to ten red tickets and for ten yellow tickets for learning two thousand verses the Sunday School teacher gave the student a Bible it was a wonderful day when a boy or girl received one of those Bibles perhaps Tom did not want the Bible but he did want the wonderful experience of receiving it now children the teacher said sit up as straight as possible and listen that is what good little boys and girls should do while the teacher was talking three gentlemen and a lady entered the church the lady was leading a child when Tom saw this small girl waves of happiness went over him he began hitting other boys pulling their hair doing everything to force the new girl to look at him and smile he was quickly forgetting the water the woman threw from her window the night before the gentleman and the lady went to the front of the church and sat down there then the teacher told who they were one gentleman was mr. Thatcher who lived in the village all knew him but one was his brother the great judge Thatcher he had travelled he had seen the world he came from a large town twelve miles away the teacher wished that on this day he could give some boy or girl a Bible he would have been proud to do that the famous judge Thatcher would know then that this was a fine Sunday school but no child had enough yellow tickets at this moment when hope was dead Tom Sawyer came forward he had nine yellow tickets nine red tickets and ten blue tickets it was like a storm coming from a clear sky the teacher had not expected Tom to gather so many tickets in ten years but here were the tickets it was the surprise of the year the teacher knew that it was strange he could not understand how it had happened he did not believe that Tom had learned 2,000 verses he did not believe that Tom had learned twelve verses the other boys watched Tom all wish that they too had enough tickets for a Bible some boys suffered more deeply because they had sold Tom their tickets they were able to understand what had happened Tom had become rich by letting other boys whitewash the fence he had been rich enough to buy their tickets and now anger filled them they saw clearly what fools they had been Tom stood in a place of honor beside the judge the judge put his hand on Tom's head and called him a fine little man Tom could not speak his breath would not come his heart was shaking this was partly because the judge was a great man but it was chiefly because the judge was her father judge asked his name tomm is that all of it Thomas but you have more perhaps another name tell the gentlemen your other name Thomas said the teacher Thomas Sawyer that is a good boy you are a fine manly little fellow two thousand verses is a very very great many and you never can be sorry that you learned them learning makes great men and good men you be a great man and a good man someday Thomas then you will remember this day then you will be glad that you went to Sunday school now Thomas tell me in this ladies some of what you have learned in your Bible verses we are proud of little boys who learn now you know the names of the twelve great followers of Jesus Christ tell us the names of the first two Tom's face became red and he looked down at his feet the teacher knew that Tom could not answer but he felt that he must speak he said answer the gentleman Thomas do not be afraid Tom said nothing surely you will tell me said the lady the names of the first two followers of Jesus Christ were Tom remembered two names from the Bible he did not remember who the people were or what they had done but the two names were always together he shouted them now David and Goliath but David and Goliath had not been among the 12 great followers of Jesus Christ their story was in a different part of the Bible David was a boy and Goliath was a man of very great size and strength they were enemies and David had killed Goliath let us be kind enough to look away from the rest of the scene of Tom Sawyer in Sunday school chapter 5 in church the bell of the small church began to ring the people began to gather to hear mr. sprog speak to them mr. sprog spoke to them in church every Sunday and prayed with them the Sunday school children now sat with their fathers and mothers who would try to keep them quiet and Polly came and Tom and Sid and Mary sat with her Tom was placed as far as possible from the open window and the interesting summer scenes outside other people came in and went to their seats there were the old and poor there were the middle-aged there were the pretty girls and bright summer clothes and the young men with their eyes following the girls it was mrs. Douglas whose husband died she was rich and good-hearted and she lived in the big house on Cardiff Hill there was muff resan the good boy of the village he came to church with his mother all the other mothers talked of his goodness all the other boys did not like him the Bell was heard again and then the church became very quiet they were ready to begin they began with a song after the song mr. sprog read a very long list of meetings to come in the following week then he prayed he prayed for many things and for many people he prayed for the church and for the little children at the church and for the other churches of the village and for the village and then for the whole country and for the government and then for people of far-off countries Tom did not enjoy hearing mr. sprog pray but he knew he must remain quiet while mr. sprog prayed a flying bug stopped in the back of the seat in front of tom it moved its front legs together one over the other it put them around its head and seemed to pull until tom thought the head would separate from the body it used its back legs to clean its wings and it did all this slowly as if knowing that it was safe and indeed it was safe Tom did not dare to reach for it he believed that his soul would be destroyed suddenly if he did such a thing while mr. sprog was praying but with the last words his hand began to move forward last word came the bug was in his hand but his aunt saw this she told him to let the bug fly away then mr. sprog began a longer talk he read the words he was saying and Tom counted the pages as he turned them after church Tom always knew how many pages there had been he did not often know what had been said but this morning tom was interested for a little while mr. sprog talked about future peace in the world the strong and powerful nations he said would be friends of the weak the strong he said would be like a strong wild animal of the forest the weak would be like a weak animal of the farm but the strong animal would not hurt the weak animal they would lie down beside each other in peace they would be so gentle and friendly that a little child could lead them Tom wished to be that child then there was no more talk about animals again Tom began to suffer he remembered a valuable object that he carried and he took it from his pocket it was a large black bug in a small box the bug quickly took a painful hold on Tom's finger the next moment the bug was on the floor on its back and Tom's finger was in his mouth the bug lay there moving its legs but it could not get on his feet again Tom could not reach it it was too far away but he watched it other people also not interested in mr. Sprague's words found pleasure in watching the bug then a dog entered the church he was sad at heart he wanted some new different thing to do he saw the large black bug and his tail lifted and moved a little happily he looked at the bug carefully walked around it put his nose nearer lay down with the bug between his front feet and began to sleep move down it touched the bug and the bug took a painful hold on his nose the dog cried loudly shaking his head and the bug fell again on the floor on its back people sitting near were laughing gently with their faces covered tom was completely happy the dog seemed like a fool and perhaps felt like a fool there was anger in his heart also he went near the bug again and began jumping at it moving in a circle he jumped again and again then he had had enough of jumping he found a smaller bug and followed it for a while then he had had enough of the smaller bug forgetting the large black bug he sat down on it with a wild cry of pain he went running around the church the bug kept its hold the dog ran across the front of the church and across the back his cries grew louder and louder then he jumped into his owner's arms his owner threw him out a low window then slowly the sound of his voice grew softer and was gone as he quickly ran away now all the people in the church had red faces and were trying not to laugh mister sprog had stopped speaking he began again but it was not easy for him to continue here and there a laugh could be heard all were glad when it was time to go home Tom Sawyer went home quite happy church was a pleasure when something different happened there was only one thing that he did not like he was glad to let the dog play with his bug but the dog should not have carried it away - six a talk of Devils happy hours the next morning tom was very sad this was the beginning of another week of slow suffering in school he usually began this day wishing that there had been no Saturday and no Sunday because of them school seemed more painful to him he lay in bed thinking if he were sick he could stay home he thought carefully about all the parts of his body but he could discover no sickness then he looked at his foot his foot had been hurt had an idea he began to cry as if with pain but CID in his bed across the room continued to sleep Tom's voice grew louder now he seemed to feel real pain in his foot no result from SID said Syd Syd and tried shaking him this time the result was good when Tom cried again Syd sat up and looked at him he said Tom what's wrong no answer now Syd tried shaking Tom Tom said oh do not do that see it hurts me I must call ain't Paulie no do not call her he cried loudly again then he said I will forget everything bad you have ever done to me Syd when I'm dead Oh Tom are you dying give back cat with one eye to that new girl and tell her but Syd was gone he ran to his aunt Oh Aunt Polly tom is dying dying I can't believe it but she ran her face was white with fear at the bedside she cried Tom Tom what is wrong it is my foot ain't where I heard it the doctor must cut it off the old lady sat down in a chair and laughed a little then wept a little and did both together feeling better she said Tom you stop that and get out of bed Tom stopped crying and the pain stop too as he walked to school he met Huckleberry Finn huckleberries father was always drunk none of the mothers in the village liked huckleberry but all the children liked him they wished that they dared to be like him Tom also wished he could be like huckleberry he had been ordered never to play with him therefore he played with huckleberry every time it was possible huckleberry was always dressed in old clothes the clothes were always too big for him his hat was full of holes the bottom of his coat touched the ground he came and went as he wished he did not sleep in the bed he did not sleep in a house he did not go to school or to church he could go swimming or fishing when and where he might choose he was the first boy to wear no shoes in the early summer he was the last boy to wear shoes in the early winter he never washed he had everything that any boy could desire said hello huckleberry hello yourself what's that dead cat let me see him huh where did you get him from a boy why do you want him huh to take off these warts huckleberry showed Tom small spots of thick hard skin on his hands I take them off with a beam Huck yes being is good I've done that how did you do it you take the beam and break it into pieces then you cut the wart and get some blood then you put the blood on half the beam you make a hole in the ground you put that half of the beam in the hole and cover it with the earth you must do this in the middle of the night where two roads cross and when the moon is dark then you burn the other half of the beam the Peace of being with the blood on it will try to pull the other half to it and that helps the blood to pull the wart and it's gone from your hand yes that is right Huck although when you put the beam in the ground you should say down bean off wart appear no more but how do you take off warts with a dead cat you wait until a dead body is some bad person has been put in the ground then you take your cat and you go to that place before the middle of the night at the middle of the night a devil will come to carry the dead man away perhaps two or three Devils will come you can't see them you can only hear a sound like the wind or perhaps you can hear them talk then when they take the body away you throw with a cat after them you say devil follow body cat follow devil warts follow cat nano take off any wart did you ever try it not yet huh when are you gonna do it tonight I think that they will come to get old Hoss Williams tonight but they put him in the ground Saturday the Devils would take him Saturday night the Devils can't come out until 12 at 12 on Saturday night it is Sunday Devils can't come on Sunday I never thought of that let me go with you if you won't be afraid afraid will you come to my house and call to me make a noise like a cat yes but you answer another night I came to your house saying meow meow like a cat but you never answered and your neighbor threw stones at me hey Polly was watching me but I will me out this time Tom continued walking to school he went in quickly and sat in his seat the teacher looked at him Thomas Sawyer Tom knew the trouble was coming when his whole name was used why are you late again Tom looked around the room he saw the new girl no girl sat in a seat beside her and the girls sat in all the other seats in the girls side of the room he said I stopped to talk with Huckleberry Finn all the children looked at Tom it was very foolish to say that to a teacher Thomas Sawyer I never heard more surprising words take off your coat the teacher had a supply of thin branches cut from a tree he used and broke several of these while beating Tom's back then he ordered go and sit with the girls the new girl turned her back toward Tom and after a short time she turned toward him and she saw an apple on the table in front of her she moved it away gently moved it toward her she moved it away again Tom returned it then she let it remain where he had placed it Tom began to make a picture on a piece of paper he held one hand over while he worked she could not see it she tried to see he seemed not to notice her interest then she said lemme see showed her it was a picture of a house it was not good but she thought it was it is nice now make a man the man was bigger than the house it is beautiful now make me he made a picture of another person that is very nice I wish I could make pictures I would teach you at noon do you go home to eat I would stay if you stay good what is your name Becky Thatcher what is yours oh I know it is Thomas Sawyer that is my name when they beat me I am Tom when I am good you call me Tom will you yes Tom began writing something hiding it with his hand she asked to see oh it is nothing you don't want to see it yes I do you would tell what it is I promised never to tell oh you do not want to see I will see she put her small hand on his and then Tom let her pull the riding away she read these words I love you oh you bad thing and she hit his hand but her face showed pleasure at this moment the boy felt a hand on his ear and a pull lifting him from the seat he was returned to his usual seat the whole school laughed but although Tom's ear hurt his heart was joyful art Chapter seven an agreement is made at noon Tom ran to Becky and said softly in her ear start to go home with the others and then return here I will do the same soon both had returned now they were alone in the school they sat together and Tom put his hand on Becky's guiding it they made a picture of another house then they talked tom was filled with happiness he said Vicky were you ever engaged what does that mean did you ever promise to marry any boy no would you like to be engaged what do you do you tell a boy you will marry him then you kiss that is all it is easy why do you kiss they always do that do you remember what I was writing yes what was it shall I tell you yes but not now tomorrow no now I was saying quietly Becky close to your ear he put his arm around her and he said the words quietly now you tell me she made him turn his face away then she came near her breath moved as hair as she said I love you then she jumped away from him and ran around the seats with Tom running after he caught her in a corner with her hands over her face but her hands dropped Tom kissed her and said now it is all finished Becky and always after this you can't love anybody except me or marry any boy except me and you can't marry any girl but me certainly that is part of it and we will walk to school together because we are engaged it is nice I never heard of it before oh it is fine me and Amy Lawrence what the big eyes told him that he had said the wrong thing Oh Tom I am NOT the first that you were engaged to she began to weep I do not love her now I do not love any girl except you more weeping Tom took from his pocket the thing he valued most it was a ball shaped object of no worth but as bright as gold Becky take this she hid it from his hand to the floor then filled with anger Tom marched out of the school and over the hills and far away he would return no more that day Becky had not really wanted him to go and when he did not return within a few moments she called Tom come back she wept again Chapter eight Tom decides what to do tom was beyond mrs. Douglass's house on Cardiff Hill he entered a thick forest went to the center of it and sat down under a tree he was very sad he wished that he could die for a short time but soon he began to think again of living he would go far away to countries across the sea how would Becky feel then he would be a soldier and return famous after many wars no no he would join the Indians and hunt and fight with them in the Far West but no there was something better he would sail across the seas in a long fast black ship he would follow other ships take the gold and silver they carried and then send them to the bottom of the sea that was it he would be a pirate famous in the whole world Tom Sawyer the pirate yes it was decided he would start his journey the next morning at this moment he heard a call from far away in the forest he went to a place very near where he kept some of his things from this place he took a long knife made of wood he tied it to his side he was not Tom Sawyer now he dreamed he had become a famous leader named Robin Hood who lived with his men hundreds of years before in another forest he advanced slowly moving carefully from behind one tree to another believing for the moment that he really was Robin Hood he said stay where you are my men do not move until I call now Joe Harper appeared he too had a long wooden knife Tom called stop who comes here into Sherwood Forest no person enters my forest until I say that he may I'm guy of guize born said Joe Harper continuing the game I go where I wish who are you I am Robin Hood as you shall soon know when you lie dead there on the ground are you indeed that famous man gladly I will fight with you they took their two long knives and began a slow careful fight then Tom said now fight faster they were soon hot from their efforts foul Tom said you must fall you fall I'm fighting better than you but the story of Robin Hood says that I kill you turn and let me hit you in the back Joe turned received the blow and fell niall Joe said rising you must let me kill you I can't do that it is not in the story it should be Joe you can be Robin Hood for a while I will be Robins enemy and you can kill me this was agreeable and more fighting followed then Tom became Robin Hood again and he was hurt and all his blood ran from his body and Joe who had now become all of Robin Hood's men watched with tears in his eyes as Robin Hood died then the boys went home were sad because Robin Hood had lived so long ago they would have liked living with him and sherwoodforest better than being President of the United States chapter nine Indian Joe explains at 9:00 that night Tom and Sid were sent to bed as usual they prayed and Sid was soon asleep tom was waiting time passed very slowly little noises came out of the darkness the cry of a far-off dog was heard in the night air and was answered by another dog by that time tom was asleep came among his dreams the call of a cat a neighbor opened a window Tom heard this and a minute later he was through his window a Meowth as he went then he jumped Huckleberry Finn was there with his dead cat half an hour the boys were in the graveyard the graveyard was on a hill a mile and a half from the village there was an old board fence around it sounded in the trees and Tom was afraid that the sound came from the spirits of the dead the boys talked little the time and the place and the quiet were heavy on their hearts they found the new grave and sat down under the branches of three big trees near it they waited a long time while Tom felt that he must talk Huck do you believe that the dead people are pleased to have us here I wish I knew Huck do you think Hoss Williams here is talking his spirit hears us I wish I had said mr. Williams but all the people said house you must be careful how you talk about dead people Tom there was no more talk for a while touched Huck's arm did you hear it that is again now you hear it the two held each other with fast beating hearts Tom they're coming what should we do I do not know will they see us Tom they can see in the dark like cats I wish I had not come oh do not be afraid we are doing nothing if we are completely quiet perhaps they won't see us I would try Tom but I'm shaken listen the sound of voices came from the far end of the graveyard look see there said Tom what is it it is devil fire Oh Tom this is very bad some dark shapes came near carrying a light huckleberry said shaking more it is the devil's three of them Tom we are in great trouble you can't can kick can you pray I would try Tom began to pray Tom they are human that is old my Potter's voice his junk as usual he won't see us Huck I know another voice it is Indian Joe Devils would be better than that half Indian what do they want here then the boys were quiet because the three men had arrived at the new Grave here it is said the third boys in the light the boys saw the face of young dr. Robinson he was so near that the boys could have touched him hairy men he said the moon may appear from behind the clouds the other two men began opening the grave for a while no sound was heard except the sound of their work then they came to the box which contained the body they opened it and lifted the body out of the box the moon appeared and the dead man's face could be seen Potter held up a knife now doctor the thing is read him and here it stays unless you pay us five dollars more you have your money the doctor said you and your father once sent me to jail Indian Joe said five years ago do you think I would forget now you pay the doctor hit him suddenly an Indian Joe fell Potter dropped his knife you hit my friend he said he jumped at the doctor and the two began fighting now Indian Joe was on his feet again he picked up Potter's knife and began moving like a cat around around the fighters he was watching for a chance to strike the doctor suddenly the doctor was free he picked up a board and used it to strike Potter who fell quickly to the ground at the same moment Indian Joe saw his chance the whole length of the knife went into the doctors body the doctor fell partly on potter covering potter with his blood clouds covered the moon and the two boys ran into the darkness when the moon appeared again Indian Joe was looking down at the two men lying on the ground the doctor made some sounds that were not possible to understand and then after a long breath it was quiet the Indian said now that is finished knife in Potter's right hand then he sat down and waited soon Potter began to move his hand closed on the knife he looked at it and let it fall then he sat up and looked at the doctors body what happened Joe he said it is a bad business said Joe why did you do it i-i never did it potter was shaking I was drunk I do not remember what happened did I do it Joe I never wanted to do it he hit you and then you did it but you have always been good to me muff Potter I won't tell Oh Joe Wow I will bless you for that as long as I live and Potter began to weep hmm this is no time for weeping you go that way and I will go this way move now Potter started running Joe stood watching him he forgets his knife because he's drunk when he remembers he will be afraid to return for it two or three minutes later the dead doctor the body from the grave the open box were alone under the moon the quiet was complete again chapter 10 the promise the result of fear the two boys ran toward the village they look behind them often afraid that they were being followed after a while they came to the edge of the village there stood an old building which was not used they ran through the open door and fell to the ground huckleberry what do you think will happen now if the doctor dies they'll hang Indian Joe Tom spook who would tell about it you and I if we did and if Indian Joe did not hang he would kill us I was thinking that Huck let muff Potter tell if he's fool enough he's usually drunk enough continued to think then he said Huck muff Potter does not know what happened the doctor had hit him with that board are you sure that you won't tell Tom we can't tell you know that Indian Jo would drown us like two cats if we told Tom we must promise never to tell it must be a strong promise with writing and blood Tom agreed with all his heart this idea was what must be done it was deep dark and fearful this was the hour and the place to do it he found a clean broad piece of wood in his pocket he found something to write with the moon was his light painfully he formed the words Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer promise they will never tell about this and they wish they may die in their footsteps if they ever tell then each boy cut a finger and signed in blood TS and hf - right as age and f then they made a hole in the ground near the wall of the building they place the piece of wood in the hole and covered it with earth now they were certain their mouths would never speak about what their eyes had seen when Tom entered his house through his bedroom window the night was almost gone he took off his clothes very quietly and laid down he believed happily that his hand would never know that he had been away but Sid was not asleep the next morning his aunt gave him some food then she wept and she asked him why he hurt her old heart she wished to help him to be good she tried and tried but she could try no more beatings would have been easier for Tom he wept he promised to be good but he felt that she did not believe his promises he went to school and there teacher beat him and Joe Harper because they had run away from school the day before then he went to his seat a hard object covered in paper was waiting for him there he opened the paper inside was the bright shining ball that looked like gold that he had given to Becky Thatcher this was too much now his heart was broken chapter 11 Tom's troubled mind at noon the whole village suddenly knew the fearful news the story travelled quickly from man to man group to group house to house the school teacher closed the school the knife had been found it was known to be Potter's knife and Potter had been seen washing himself in a small stream in the very early morning when seeing he had run away all this was very strange especially because Potter almost never washed all the people in the town were slowly going toward the graveyard tom joined them he did not wish to go but something seemed to force him he arrived at the fearful place and saw the scene again it seemed a hundred years since he had seen it before a hand touched his arm he turned his eyes met huckleberries both looked away were they being watched and a shake because he saw Indian Joe then muff Potter appeared a few people saw him they shouted the crowd separated and Potter walked through a village law officer was holding his arm Potter's eyes showed his fear when he stood beside the dead doctor he put his face in his hands and began to weep I did not do it friends he said I did not do it who said you did a voice shouted Potter lifted his face and looked around without hope saw Indian Jo and said Oh Indian Joe you promised me that you you would never is this your knife it was held by the law officer for him to see Potter began to fall men caught him and let him go slowly down to the ground then he said I thought that I should come and get he stopped shaking and he said tell him Joe tell him in in Joe told his story huckleberry and Tom stood not able to speak and with eyes wide with fear they expected the skies to open with a sudden storm to strike down Indian Jo but he finished a story and stood there living and whole they wish to tell the truth but they did not dare during a week after this Tom could not sleep well one morning Sid said Tom you talk in your sleep so much I can't sleep half tonight Tom's face became white and he looked away this is bad citta and Polly there is something in your mind Tom what is it nothing but Tom's hand was shaking he could not lift his cup and you say fearful things Sid said last night you said it is blood it is blood you said that again and again then you said do not hurt me I will tell no one and Paulie said I understand it is that killing I dream about it also Mary said that she also dreamed about it then CID stop talking slowly Tom's mind grew quieter and his sleep was easier almost every day during this bad time Tom went to the jail window and gave potter some small gift then he felt happier the village people wanted to put Indian Jo in jail also like muff Potter he had been helping the doctor to carry away that dead body from its grave but the people did nothing all were afraid of Indian Joe chapter 12 tom shows his kindness tom had a new and great trouble Becky Thatcher was ill he was afraid that she might die the joy of life was gone he played no games he was not interested in anything his I did not know what was wrong she tried to find some help for him she was always reading about health she read about how to go to bed and how to get up from bed what to eat and what to drink and what clothes to wear for good health and how to think for good health she believed all that she read when she read something new she wanted to try it she took Tom outside in the early morning and poured cold water over him then she covered him with a wet cloth and put him to bed with heavy covers over him when he was so hot that water formed on his skin she was happy she thought that this would help him but Tom became sadder and sadder she tried pouring hot water over him instead of cold she tried less food soon Tom stopped fighting against what she did and then she was sure that he was very ill indeed next she heard of something new named painkiller she put some in her own mouth to taste it it was like a mouthful of fire she gave some to Tom and watched him this painkiller had a strong result the boy was wildly interested he acted as if she had built a fire under him she knew that she had found the right thing and Tom knew that it was time for him to act he thought of several plans he decided to say that he liked painkiller he asked for it so often that his aunt gave the whole container to him now he could have painkiller at any time she did not know that every day he put some in a hole in the floor one day as he was doing this the cat came in and seemed to want some of the painkiller he do not want it Peter but Peter continued to seem to ask for it are you sure Peter was sure you have asked for it and I will give it to you I am a kind boy but if you do not like it remember that you asked he opened the cat's mouth and put in some painkiller peter jumped high into the air and cried a wild cry then he started going around and around the room running against chairs and tables next he stood on his back feet and danced with cries of joy then he went faster around the room again Aunt Polly arrived he rolled over and over and gave one last great cry and jumped through the open window tom was on the floor weak from laughing Tom what's wrong with the cat cats always do that to show their joy but Aunt Polly saw the painkiller she knew what had happened she caught Tom's ear and pulled him up then hit him with her hand why did you do that to the cat because I'm sorry that he has no right to care for him has no aunt why do you say that because if he had a name she would give him a dream to burn his mouth and not think of his feelings she would say if the drink was good for a human it would be good for a cat and Polly thought if it hurt a cat it might hurt a boy also she put her hand on Tom's head I was trying to help you and I was trying to help Peter and it helped him I never saw him move so fast he was smiling at her now Oh Tom I will not give you any more painkiller go to school and try to be a good boy tom was early at school he was often early now today as he often did he waited at the gate he did not play he was sick he said and he seemed sick Jeff Thatcher came down the road and Tom's face was brighter but quickly it was dark again Jeff was alone when he saw girls dressed far away he watched and watched but the girl was never the right one he entered the school and sat down to suffer then one more dress came through the gate Tom's heart jumped the next moment he was outside again shouting laughing running after other boys jumping over the fence standing on his head he was doing all this to make Becky Thatcher watch him she never looked at him was it possible that she did not see him he came running and shouting he threw a boy's hat over the schoolhouse he ran through a group of boys and then he fell at her feet she turned away with her nose raised high in the air some people always want other people to look at them his face became red he stood straight and walked quietly away chapter 13 the young pirates decided now it was sad and without hope boy with no friends no person loved him he had tried to do what was right but they would not let him yes they were forcing him into a bad life he could now choose nothing else he had come far from the village the distance school bell and he knew that he would never never hear it again tears fell from his eyes here he met his best friend Joe Harper Joe's eyes were filled with anger and it was easy to see that there was a great and sad purpose in his heart that he was going to travel around the world never to return to the village he hoped that Joe would not forget him and Joe had come to say the same to Tom they were two souls with only one thought Joe's mother had beaten him but he had done nothing mainly wished him to go away therefore he was going he hoped that she would be happy now he hoped that she would never be sorry about sending her boy into the cold world to suffer and die has walked together they agreed to be like brothers they would never separate until they died they began to plan they decided to be pirates three miles south of the village there was an island in the river the Mississippi River was a mile wide there the island was long and not very wide and it was covered with trees no people lived on it and few people lived on the rivers shore near the island it would be a good place for pirates then they met Huckleberry Finn and he joined them they talked and then they separated they would meet again beside the river two miles north of the village at 12:00 that night Tom knew where they could find a small boat they would take it each boy would bring food and other useful things if possible Tom arrived with meat and a few other things he stopped among the trees on a hill above the meeting place there were many stars and it was very quiet the Great River lay like an ocean at rest Tom listened a moment but the quiet was broken by no sound then he whistled gently the whistle was answered from below Tom whistled two more times and was answered again we said who goes there Tom Sawyer the black pirate name your name's Huck Finn the red-handed and Joe Harper the destroyer of the Seas Tom had taken these names from his best loved books speak the word two voices spoke together blood blood Tom went down the hill to join them the destroyer of the Seas had also brought meat and Finn the red-handed had some tobacco the black pirate said that they must also have fire they went to a large riverboat it was near and they took some of the fire burning there they knew that there were no men on the boat the boatman were all in the village but the boys move very quietly and carefully pirates must be pirates with Tom as captain of their ship they left the shore and went into the middle of the river from here they let the moving river carry them along they passed the distant village two or three lights showed where it was peacefully sleeping the black pirate stood in the boat looking for the last time at the scene of his early joys and later sufferings he wished that his aunt could see him now facing the fearful future with a smile on his lips after two hours their boat touched the island there was an old sail in the boat they spread this over their supplies under the trees they would sleep in the open air as pirates should they built a fire and cooked some meat it seemed wonderful to be eating in that wild free manner in the forest far from other people they said that they would never return to a villager town again after eating they lay on the ground talking the fire lighted their faces and trees near them with a red light Huck prepared to smoke some of his tobacco soon he was blowing out a cloud of smoke and the other pirates were wishing that they could do the same Huck said what Pirates do Tom said oh they enjoy life they follow the ships and catch them and burn them they take the money from those ships and put it in a deep hole in the ground on their Island then they kill the people on the ships they carry the women to the island said Joe they do not kill the women no Tom agreed pirates are good they do not kill the women and the women are always beautiful and their clothes are covered with gold and silver said Joe whose clothes said Huck pirates Huk looked down as his clothes I am not dressed for a pirate he said but these are my only clothes the other boys told him that the fine clothes would come later when they began their adventures slowly their talk ended the red-handed went to sleep quickly the destroyer of the Seas in the black pirate could not sleep so quickly they began now to have some doubt had it been wrong to run away from home had it been wrong to take the meat the meat did not belong to them they decided that they would never again take what did not belong to them and with that decided these pirates also were peacefully asleep you chapter 14 island life Tom quietly leaves opening his eyes Tom wondered where he was he sat up and looked around then he remembered it was cool and the light was the gray color of early morning it was a delightful feeling of rest and peace in the deep quiet of the forest a thin blue breath of smoke rose from the fire Joe and Huck rillette asleep are away a bird called another answered slowly the cool gray of the morning changed to white more sounds were heard the life of the forest began to show itself to the watching boy bugs appeared and started their day's Labor's birds were making many noises now a big blue bird stopped very near to Tom it turned its head to one side and sat watching it strange new neighbours small animals appeared and they also looked at the boys and seemed to be talking to them perhaps they had never seen a human being before perhaps they did not know whether or not to be afraid Tom called to the other pirates within a few minutes they were all playing in the river near the shore their boat had been carried away but this pleased them they were certain now that they would never return to their village happy and hungry they built their fire Hawk had found some good water to drink while Joe cook some meat Tom and Hawk went to the river and caught some fish Joe cooked these with the meat no fish had ever tasted so good then Huck smoked after that they all started to walk through the trees to see what they could discover they found much to delight them but nothing surprising the island was almost three miles long and a quarter of a mile wide it was very near to the shore on one side but far from the shore where their village was they played in the river often it was the middle of the afternoon before they returned to their fire they ate some meat again and then they sat in the shade to talk but the talk soon stopped the quiet the loneliness were beginning to change their happiness they began to be sad Tom and Joe were thinking of home Finn the red-handed who had no home was thinking of the places where he usually went to sleep but they did not speak to each other of this weakness now they heard a distant sound they looked at each other and listened was a long quiet and then the sound hmm then a long long quiet and then again hmm we must go and see they jumped up and ran to the shore nearer the town the trees there were small and grew thickly through them the boys looked across the water they saw a big river boat it was the boat to cross the river many times every day now it was coming slowly down the river it was crowded with people there were many small boats around it then from the riverboat came a cloud of white smoke and then another hmm I understand now said Tom some person is drowned that is right said Huck they did that last summer when Bill Turner was drowned a big gun makes that boom and then the body rises to the top of the water I wish I was on that riverboat now said Joe I wonder who is drowned said Huck continued to listen and watch then a thought came into Tom's mind like a sudden light boys I know who is drowned they are looking for us this was a wonderful thing to know hearts were breaking for them tears were falling people were sorry that they had not always been kind to them the whole town was talking about them this was fine it was good to be a pirate all doubt of that was gone as darkness came the riverboat returned to her usual business the pirates returned to their fire they were joyful that they were so important and were causing so much sadness they caught more fish to eat then they talked about what the village people were thinking saying but as the night grew darker stop talking and sat looking into the fire Joe thought of persons at home who were not enjoying all of this Joe began to speak of returning to the village Tom laughed in him Huck joined with Tom Hach fell asleep then Joe fell asleep sat for a long time watching the others then he stood up he found two pieces of thin wood on which he could write after riding on the wood he put one piece in Joe's hat he put the other in his pocket then carefully he moved away among the trees when he knew that they could not hear him he began to run toward the river you chapter 15 what is happening a few minutes later tom was walking into the water toward the shore where the riverboat was tied the stream was not wide here but it was strong it carried Tom south but after a while he arrived at the river's edge he found a good place and pulled himself out of the water he began walking north through the trees near the shore he arrived at an open area across the river from the village the riverboat was lying near everything was quiet under the stars watching with both eyes he entered the water again there was a small boat tied behind the large boat soon he was pulling himself into the small boat after a minute or two he heard a bell the riverboat began to move he knew that this was the last time it would cross the river that night 12 minutes later the boat stopped Tom was quickly in the water again swimming to the shore soon he had jumped over the fence behind his aunt's house he looked through a window into a lighted room there sat Aunt Polly Sid Mary and Joe Harper's mother they were talking they were beside the bed and the bed was between them and the door Tom went to the door and opened it quietly he thought that he might be able to go inside without being seen he began moving carefully on his knees I feel a wind is that door open said Aunt Polly how strange many strange things are happening now Sid go and close the door quickly Tom went under the bed Sid did not see him but said Aunt Polly he was not bad he was only wild and full of life I can't a young animal he did not wish to do bad things and no boy ever had a kind of heart she began to weep my Joe was the same he was not really bad he was always kind and now I shall never see him again I am sorry for so many things only yesterday the cat weeping and Polly told about the cat and the painkiller Tom was weeping a little now he could hear Mary weeping also had he really always been a good boy it was quite surprising to think this but now he was beginning to believe it he wished to rush out from under the bed he wished to fill his hand with joy but he remained still and listened had been found five or six miles down the river now hope for them was gone on Sunday the whole village would pray in the church for the boys Souls Harper went home Sid and Mary went to bed then Aunt Polly prayed for Tom her words and her old voice were filled with love Tom's tears began falling again then she got into bed to herself she turned over again and again remained quiet for a long time but at last she was still came out and looked down at her loved her and he was very sorry for her he took from his pocket the piece of wood with his writing on it he placed it on a table she would see it there in the morning but then a new thought came to him considered it his face grew bright he put the wood into his pocket again then he kissed his ants lips and went out the door he returned to the river and to the riverboat there was a man who guarded the boat but he would be sleeping Tom knew that it was easy to take the small boat he got into it moved it first up the river then he crossed to the other Shore it often crossed the river in a small boat and he knew how to do it he considered taking the small boat to the island a real pirate would keep the boat but people would try to find it and they might find the boys also he got out of the boat and walked south along the shore at daylight he could look straight across the stream and see the island he rested then he entered the water soon he was on the island he heard Joe say no Tom is true Huck he will return what has he been doing I wonder he I am cried Tom stepping out from among the trees in a short time they had caught more fish and were eating them Tom told his adventures then Tom found a place in the shade there he was able to sleep until noon chapter 16 surprise the boys played in the water and on the shore but the next day Joe was very sad would he ever be happy again it did not seem possible Huck was also sad tom was not happy but he tried to seem happy he had something interesting to tell them but he was not yet ready to speak however if they did not feel better soon he would be forced to tell it he said trying to seem happy I think they have been pirates on this island before how would you like to find an old box full of money we should go and hunt for it but the other boys were not interested Joe said boys I want to go home it is very lonely here oh no Joey you'll feel better soon said Tom think of the good fishing here I'm not interested in fishing I want to go home but Joe this is the best swimming place I do not want to swim I want to go home baby you want to see your mother yes I do want to see my mother and you would want to see your mother if you had a mother I am NOT a baby but you like it here Huck you want to stay you and I will stay Huck said yes he did not seem very sure let Joe go if he wants to go Tom said we do not need him Joe began to walk into the water to start swimming toward the shore where the village was Tom looked at Huck Huck looked away then Huck said I wanna go Tom we can go Tom caitli I won't you can go but I'm gonna stay Huk started to walk sadly away Tom felt a strong desire to follow he hoped that they would stop but they went slowly forward Tom knew that it had become very lonely and quiet he ran after the other boys shouting wait wait I want to tell you something they stopped and turned and he began walking into the water towards them they listened to him without an answering word or smile but after a while they began to understand then they shouted with joy they said that he should have told them his plan sooner that night after eating Tom wanted to learn to smoke Joe wanted to try also with Huck's help they began Tom said this is easy I could have learned long ago this is nothing said Joe I could smoke all day I do not feel sick I'm said I wish that the other boys could see us now listen we won't tell them and then sometime when they are with us I will say Joe I want to smoke and you'll say my tobacco is not very good and I will say it does not need to be good if it is strong enough and then we both start smoking and Surprise them that'll be good Tom I wish I could do it now and we will tell them that we learn to smoke when we were pirates and they will wish that they had been here the top continued but after a little time there was less talk Joe said I've lost my knife I'm going to find it Tom said let me help you you go that way and I'll go this way no do not come huh we can find it Hach sat down again and waited an hour then he was lonely and he went to find his friends both were very white both were asleep but he knew what had troubled them was gone they did not talk much when Huck began to smoke they said no that something they had eaten made them feel a little sick in the middle of the night Joe opened his eyes and called to the other boys there was a strange heaviness in the air and it made them all afraid the night was very hot but they moved near to each other and near to the fire sitting like that they waited a sudden light filled the sky it turned night and today and then it was gone a fearful noise rolled across the sky and slowly ended far away a breath of cold wind past the sudden light appeared and went away again had the noise that followed came sooner and was more fearful each time a little rain began to fall quick boys run for cover Tom shouted they jumped up and ran each toward a different place a strong wind rushed through the trees the bright light appeared and went away appeared and went away again the fearful noise seemed to never stop and now a heavy rain came down and ran and streams over the ground the boys shouted but their voices were lost in the storm after some time they came to the place where the old sail was and pulled it over them it was a wild night for these boys the wind caught the old sail and carried it away trees fell the storm increased until they feared it might carry the island away but the storm grew weaker and weaker and peace returned the boys found that their fire was not quite dead they put some more wood on it making it burn brightly again they found some of their meat and cooked it then they sat by their fire until morning talking of the night's adventure because there was no dry place for them to sleep when the Sun began to shine they rested in its warm light near the shore there they remained sleeping until the Sun became too hot then they had something to eat again the desire for home was now strong in all of them Tom tried to find a new game to interest them he found one they were not pirates now they were Indians and had many fierce battles however when the day ended they smoked together as Indians always did to show that they were at peace and two of them learned joyfully that now they could smoke a little tobacco without being sick you chapter 17 the success of Tom's plan but there was no joy in the little town that same afternoon the village was more quiet than usual the people had little to say to each other the children had no pleasure in their games was walking near the school she thought I wish I had not returned to Tom that bright shining ball he gave me I had nothing to help me remember him he's gone now and I shall never ever see him again she walked away with tears rolling down her face then a large group of boys and girls friends of Tom and Joe came to the school and stood looking over the fence into the yard where they had played together they spoke of things Tom and Joe had said and the things Tom and Joe had done they tried to learn who was the last to see the two boys the children who were the last to talk with Tom and Joe felt very important indeed one boy who also wished to feel important said I fight with Tom Sawyer and he was stronger than I was but most of the boys could say that next morning the church bell did not stop as it usually did after calling the people to church it continued to ring the people from the village gathered outside the church they talked but in the church all was very quiet Church was filled with people after a long time Aunt Polly entered followed by Sid and Mary and by the Harper family all were wearing black clothes the other people in the church stood up they remain standing while the two families walked to the front of the church and sat down it was quiet again all prayed and then a song followed now the church leader began to talk of the boys he told how good they had been people were sorry to remember that they had not seen the truth earlier when they had thought that these boys were bad tears were falling from all eyes the sound of the church door opening slowly was heard one pair of eyes and then another turned to look then all in the church seemed to turn at the same time and people rose and watched while the three dead boys walked to the front of the church tom was first Joe next and last came Huck they had been listening to every word and Polly Mary and the Harper's put their arms around Tom and Joe Huck stood alone not knowing what to do he started to move away but Tom stopped him and said Aunt Polly this is not right some person must be glad to see Huck and some person shall be I am glad to see him dear boy she put her arms around him also and now I felt more strange than before sing and sing your best cried the church leader and all the people did sing there had never been such singing in that church Tom Sawyer the pirate knew that no moment in his life could be prouder than this chapter 18 Tom's wonderful dream that was Tom's great plan to return home with the other Pirates and go to the church to hear the people pray for their souls they had returned across the river in the darkness the night before and had stayed in the forest until nearly daylight they had entered the church and finished their sleep there before the people came then they appeared at the most important moment the next morning and Pauly and Mary were very loving toward Tom he had everything he wanted to eat it was much more talk than usual and Pauly spoke we can laugh now Tom but you were not very kind to let me suffer you came across the river to surprise us in church why could you not come across the river to tell me that you were not really dead yes you could have done that Tom said Mary I believe you would have done it if you thought of it would you Tom said Aunt Polly her face was brighter at this thought would you if you thought of it I hope you loved me enough to do it did you think of it tom is always rushing Mary said he never thinks see it would have thought and Sid would have come tom someday you'll be sorry you will wish that you had cared more for me but then it will be too late I do care for you said Tom I wish that I had thought but I dreamed about you a cat just as much as that what did you dream I dreamed that I saw you sitting there by the bed Sid and Mary was sitting with you I dream that Joe Harper's mother was here indeed she was one night did you dream anymore yes but I can't remember all of it try tom try to remember you said that the door must be open because you could feel the wind coming in you said that was strange and and you told Sid what did I tell Sid Tom you told him oh you told him to close the door hey and you were talking about me I remember better now you said that I was not bad you said that I was only wild and full of life like like a any young animal I never heard anything like this and all my life and some people say that dreams are never true tell me more Tom and then you began to weep yes I did I did then mrs. Harper began to weep she said that Joe was good also and then you told all about my giving the painkiller to the cat and then there was a lot of talk about finding our bodies and about praying in the church on Sunday it is all true and mrs. Harper went home and you pray for me and I could see you in here every word and you went to bed and I was very sorry for you and I had a letter for you it was on a piece of wood on the wood were the words we are not dead we are way being pirates I kissed you on the lips and went away again did you Tom did you she took him in her arms it was very kind but it was only a dream said said be quiet sit and Tom here's a big apple for you and now you children go to school walk slowly and proudly feeling that all eyes were watching him smaller boys followed him proud to be seen with him boys of his own size tried not to show that they knew he had been away but they did know they wished that they had son brown skin like his they wished that they were his famous Tom decided that he no longer was interested in Becky Thatcher being famous was enough pleasure for him when Becky arrived at school Tom seemed not to see her but he saw her playing with other boys and girls he saw that she often came near him and looked at him and he began talking to Amy Lawrence Becki tried to go away from him but her feet would not do as she wished they carried her near the group around Tom she said to one of the girls Mary where were you yesterday I wanted to tell you about the picnic Oh whose picnic my mother is going to let me have one I hope that she will let me come it will be my picnic and I may ask those that I won't I want you and all my friends to come she looked at Tom but he was talking to Amy Lawrence now the others in the group began asking if they could go to the picnic soon all had asked except Tom and Amy Tom turned away his legs were shaking and tears came to her eyes she would not let the others see her sadness she went away alone to think of what to do when Tom saw her again she and a boy named Alfred temple were sitting together looking at a book now Tom suddenly wanted to stop talking to Amy he escaped from her and went to look again at Becky and Alfred temple and Becky seemed not to see Tom but she saw him and she saw that he was suffering and she was glad that Alfred temple Tom thought Alfred temple and his fine clothes I will catch you I will take you and he began hitting the air as if you were fighting with the other boy at noon Tom went home Becky again looked at the book with Alfred hoping that Tom would see them but Tom did not appear suddenly she began to weep she left Alfred and walked away Alfred followed hoping to find some way to make her happy again but she said go away I never want to see you again Howard was quick to understand Becky had been trying to make Tom suffer Alfred went into the school he saw one of Tom's books and thought how he could hurt Tom he opened the book to the page they were to study that afternoon he destroyed the page in a manner that would make it seem that Tom had done it Becki looking in the window saw him do it she thought of telling tom then she decided that she would not she would let the schoolteacher beat Tom for what had happened to his book chapter 19 tells the truth Oh feeling very sad and his ads first words made him feel no better Tom I oughta beat you ain't Paulie what do I done I went to see mrs. Harper to tell her about your dream Joe had already told her that you were here that night Tom I do not know what to think of a boy like you I believe your story of your dream I expected her to believe it why did you let me be such a fool ain't Paulie I wish I had not done it I did not think Oh child you never think you never think of anything but yourself you can think of enough to come here and laugh at our troubles you can think to tell that story of a dream but you could not think to save us from suffering Aunt Polly I know that it was bad but I did not plan to be bad and I did not come here that night to laugh at you I came to tell you that we were not drowned I did not want you to be sad Tom I would be thankful to believe that but I doubt that you had such a thought yes I did I did it is the truth I wanted to save you from being sad then why did you not tell me child you began talking of Sunday and all the people praying for us in the church and I began thinking about going there on Sunday and I put my letter in my pocket and went away what letter the letter to tell you that we were pirates I wish now that you would open your eyes when I kissed you did you kiss me Tom are you sure yes I did I why did you kiss me because I loved you and you were weeping in your sleep and I was sorry word sounded like the truth the old lady said kiss me again Tom and then go to school looked at his little coat in the pocket she found his piece of wood with the writing on it she read the words with tears falling from her eyes then she said now I could forget anything bad that boy does I could forget a million bad things chapter 20 Becky has a problem tom was happy again he started walking to school and soon saw Becky Thatcher also going toward the school quickly he ran to her and said I'm sorry I acted as I did this morning Becky I won't ever be like that again please let us be friends the girl stopped and looked into his face go away mr. Thomas Sawyer I will never speak to you again then she started walking again tom was so surprised that he could think of nothing to say and he was filled with anger if she were a boy he knew that he would fight her becky was also full of anger she was thinking of the pleasure of watching the teacher beat Tom for destroying a page in his book she did not know that she would soon have trouble also the teacher had a book that he was studying every day he would read some pages when he was not busy every boy and girl in the school wondered about this book but none had ever seen its pages now is Becky past the teachers table she saw the book she opened it and began to look at it then Tom appeared at the door Becky hurried to close the book her hand caught the page and suddenly it was in two pieces becky began to weep you a bad Tom Sawyer to come and watch me and now you would tell the teacher and he will beat me and what shall I do I have never been beaten in school but I know what is gonna happen to you you wait and you will see then weeping she ran outside Tom said to himself what a fool a girl is what does a beaten in school is nothing and I will not tell who opened the book the teacher will ask who did it he will call each name and when he says the right one he won't need an answer you'll see the answer in a face school began and soon Tom's book was discovered he said that he had not destroyed the page but the teacher did not believe him Tom had his beating Becky watched trying to feel happy about this but she almost stood up to tell the truth about Alfred temple an hour passed the boys and girls were all busy with their books the teacher opened his book Tom looked at Becky he had seen small and hunted animals in the forest now Becky seemed like one of them he wished that he could help her but what could he do the next moment the teachers stood before the school every I turned away from his all the boys and girls were afraid of him he spoke who did this to my book there was not a sound Benjamin Rogers No Joe Harper no Amy Lawrence no Gracie Miller no the next name was Becky Thatcher Tom was shaking from head to foot he saw her face quite with fear Rebecca Thatcher look at me did you do this to my book Tom jumped to his feet and shouted I did it I looked at him they could not believe what they had heard this was madness Tom step forward to take his beating the surprise the thankfulness the love shining from Becky's eyes seemed pay enough for a hundred beatings chapter xxi old muffs friend summer had come for months there would be no school tom discovered that the days were too long he did not have enough to do he decided to make a record of everything that happened but nothing happened during three days he decided that a record would be of no value Nature had gone away during the summer she was living in another town with their father and her mother the thought of the fearful killing in the graveyard was always in Tom's mind it was like a pain would not go away then Tom became sick two long weeks Tom remained in bed without knowing what was happening in the village he was very ill he was interested in nothing then he seemed to be better but after a day he was ill again he was in bed for three more weeks in the warm sleepy village something began to happen a judge was coming to listen to the story of the killing in the graveyard he would decide what to do about muff Potter person in the village talked of this Tom could not escape from it every word made his heart beat faster he was always afraid when people talked to him about it he took Huck to a lonely place he wanted to be sure that Huck had not told the story Huck have you told about that about what you know what oh no I have not never would never would why do you ask I was afraid soyal we would not live two days if that story was told you know that Huck could any person make you tell if I wanted that Indian Joe to drown me they could make me tell good I think that we are safe if we do not talk but we should make another agreement it'll be more sure they made another agreement as before Simon blood what does it talk to you here Huck talk it is all month Potter muff Potter muff Potter it makes me want to go where no one can see me I hear the same talk they're going to hang him you feel sorry for him sometimes almost always almost always he has never done anything to hurt any person he only fishes to get some money so that he can get drunk he is really good once he gave me a fish when he really did not have enough for himself and he helped me at other times when I needed help he helped me also Huck he helped me to catch fish I wish that I could get him out of jail we can't get him out Tom and if we did well they would catch him again yes but I do not like to hear what they say for he never did that and I do not like it either tone the boys talked for a long time but it did not make them happy as night came they were near the little jail perhaps they hoped if something good might happen but nothing happened they went to the window and gave potterson tobacco they had done this before he was always very thankful for their gifts and his thanks always hurt them this time the hurt went deeper when Potter said you've been good to me bars better than the others in this town and I won't forget I won't often I say to myself I was good to all the boys I showed them where the good fishing was I was their friend when when I could be a friend and now they forget old muff in this trouble but Tom does not forget and Huck does not they do not forget him I say and I won't forget them but boys I did a fearful thing I was drunk that is the only way that I can explain it now I must hang for it and that is right it is best also I hope that it is but we won't talk about that I won't make you feel sad you've been my friends but what I want to say is this never get drunk then you won't ever be where I am now staying where I can see it is a pleasure to see friendly faces where the man is in trouble like this you're the only ones who come here good friendly faces good friendly faces they stand on each other's shoulders and let me touch your faces good let me touch your hands also little hands and weak but they could have helped mafada and they would help him more if they could Tom went home feeling very very sad his dreams that night were full of fearful things during the next two days he went to the town meeting house the judge was there listening to the story of the killing Tom wished to go into the meeting house to hear what was happening but he forced himself to stay outside having the same experience they were careful not to meet each other they would go away from the meeting house but soon they would return Tom listened when people came out the news was always bad at the end of the second day people said that Indian Joe's story never changed there was no doubt what the judge would decide was out late that night and he entered the house is window not sleep for several hours all the people in the village went to the meeting house the next morning this was to be the important day Potter who appeared to have no hope was brought in all eyes were turned to him an Indian Joe was there too the judge arrived now a man was asked to tell what he knew about the killing he said that he had found muff Potter washing his hands in a stream it was very early on the morning after the killing another man was asked to tell his story he told about finding a knife near the doctors body then a second man spoke about the knife he knew that it belonged to Potter a man who had studied law sat beside muff Potter he was there to help Potter but he asked no questions as these men told their stories it seemed strange was he not trying to prove that Potter had not killed the doctor more men told their stories and the man beside Potter asked them no questions after a while all the stories against Potter had been told then the man beside Potter stood up he spoke to the judge dianna we plan to prove that muff Potter was drunk that night we plan to prove that he did not know what he was doing but we have changed our plans we wish to ask Thomas Sawyer some questions surprise appeared on every face including Potter's every I was watching Tom he stood up and walked forward he looked very wild because he was deeply afraid the questions began Thomas soya where were you on the night of the killing at about the hour of 12 Tom looked at Indian Joe they could not speak the people listened but the words did not come after a few minutes however the boy had more strength some of the people could hear as he said in the graveyard louder please do not be afraid you were in the graveyard a cold smile appeared on Indian Joe's face and it was gone we near haast Williams grave yes louder please how near were you as me as I am to you could you be seen no I was behind the trees at the edge of the grave was another person with you yes I went there with that is enough we will call him when we need him did you carry something there Tom did not answer speak my boy the truth is always honorable what did you carry there only a dead cat there was a little laughing the judge ordered it to stop we plan to show the bones of that cat now my boy tell us everything that happened tell it as you wish but tell it all and do not be afraid Tom began slowly then his words came more and more easily every I looked at him with open lips the people listened to his words forgetting everything but his story to the end interest became greater and greater and as the doctor hid muff potter with the board and muff Potter fell Indian Jo jump with the knife and Indian Joe jumped toward a window striking all who tried to hold him in a moment he was gone chapter 22 days of delight and nights of fear tom was famous once again the old people loved him and the young people wished that they were like him his name appeared in the village newspaper there were people who believed that he might someday become president of the United States if he escaped hanging now all were kind to muff Potter forgetting that they have not been kind before tom's days were days of joy but his nights were filled with fear Indian Joe was in all his dreams for Huck felt the same his name had not been called in the meetinghouse because Indian Joe had run away Huck's story was not needed but Huck was afraid that his part in the story might be told Huck no longer trusted any human being because Tom had broken their agreement every day muff Potter's thanks made Tom glad that he had told his story every night he wished that he had not opened his mouth sometimes tom was afraid that Indian Joe would never be caught at other times he was afraid that Indian Joe would be caught he felt sure that he could never be safe again until Indian Joe was dead and he had seen the dead body Indian Joe had not been found the slow day is past with each day Tom became a little less afraid chapter xxiii dead people and spirits there comes a time in every boy's life when he wants to hunt for gold and silver that pirates have put deep in the earth this desire suddenly came to Tom he tried to find Joe Harper but failed he tried to find Ben Rogers but been a Gone Fishing then he met Huck Finn Tom took him to a place where they could be alone and he explained Huck agreed Huck always agreed to do anything that would require time but not money he had no money but much time where said Huck almost anyway do you mean that there's money in the ground everywhere no it is in very special places Huck sometimes on Islands sometimes in old boxes under the end of a dead branch of an old tree but mostly under the floor in a house where the spirits of the Dead gather who puts it there people who take it away from other people why do they put it in the ground if I will rich I'd spend the money and enjoy it I would too but these people are different do they never return to get it nope they think that they will but they forget where it is or they die how are you going to find it Tom where will you look we tried hunting for gold on the island when we were pirates I know where there's a house full of spirits and the old trees with dead branches everywhere is there gold and silver under every dead branch no that would not be possible how do you know which one to choose choose all of them Tom we shall be working all summer what is wrong with that we might find $100 all valuable stones like diamonds how'd you like that Huck's eyes were shining give me the hundred dollars and you can have the valuable stones like diamonds have you ever seen a diamond huh I do not remember that I have Kings have diamonds and I've heard that some of them are worth a dollar or more Kings have hundreds of them I do not know any Kings Tom if you go to Europe you see them jumping around do they jump jump no why did you say that they jumped oh I mean that you'll see Kings everywhere not jumping why should they jump but you will see many of them the boys got some gardening things used for making holes in the earth then they walked three miles to an old tree with a single dead branch they were very hot and they sat in the shade of another tree to rest and smoke Tom said Huck if we find some money what will you do with it spend it before my father takes it and spends it what will you do with yours I will get married married Tom you would be a fool think of my father and mother fight they were fighting all the time I remember the girl I married won't fight Tom they're all the same who is she I won't tell you now if you marry I will be more lonely than I am now no you won't you will come to live with me now we must start working they work for half an hour they found no box of money in the hole that they were making they worked for another half hour then Huck said is the money always so deep in the ground not always perhaps this is not the right place began on the other side of the tree they worked without talking for a while then Huck stopped to dry his face and said where do we try next there's an old tree on Cardiff Hill behind miss Douglass's house that might be a good place but won't she take the money away from us it is her land if you find money in the ground it belongs to you it does not belong to the owner the land that was fine the work continued after a while Tom said we must be in the wrong place again oh I understand what a fool I was we must know where the shade of the dead branch is under the light of the moon in the middle of the night that is where we must hunt for the money the boys stopped work and returned to the tree that night it was a lonely place they talked little when they felt that the right hour had come they found the shade in the moonlight under the branch and began to work their interest was strong they worked fast the hole grew deeper and deeper but every time they found something hard in the earth it was only a rock after a while Tom said huh we are wrong again we can't be wrong we saw the shade of the branch but perhaps the time was not right we guess we did not know we should stop trying hook said we never know the right time and I do not like the middle of the night with spirits of dead men around I feel that there is one behind me all the time and I'm afraid to turn I feel the same hump and they almost always put a dead man in the hole to God the gold and silver they do yes they do I've always heard that Tom I do not like to be where there are dead people they will certainly cause trouble for us and I do not like it suppose this one should lift his head he's only bones now suppose his bones should speak to us stop that talk Tom that is a fearful idea huh I do not like this place we can try another where the old house where the spirits gather Tom I do not like spirits all their houses dead people may speak to us perhaps but they won't come quietly behind us as spirits do and then suddenly make fearful noises but Huck spirits travel only at night we can go to the house in the day that is true but people never go near that house in the day or the night that is because a man was killed there but nothing is seen except in the night and then only blue lights are seen when you see those blue lights Tom you know that spirits are near because only spirits use them I agree to go to the house if you want to but I do not think that it is safe you chapter 24 sleeping spirits a box full of gold on Saturday soon afternoon the boys met at the dead tree they smoked and talked in the shade then they worked a little at their last hole they had no great hope but Tom said that people sometimes stopped working when they had almost found the box of gold then another person came and with very little work discovered it however they failed to find anything but they felt that they had done everything that was possible when they arrived at the old house they were first afraid to go in it was completely quiet there under the hot Sun and very lonely then they went without any noise to the door and looked in shaking with fear they saw a room with an earthen floor it was a place where a fire had been built windows without glass and dust was everywhere they entered they did not dare to speak ears were ready to hear any small sound their legs were ready to carry them quickly outside again soon their fear became less they looked around with interest and they wanted to look at the room above they found nothing up there and we're starting to go down when the quiet Tom's voice was shaking what is it I'll gasp becoming white with fear they're here yes we must run we can't move they're coming toward the door the boys were on the floor looking down into the room below through holes sick with fear waiting and entered both boys had one of the men in the village he seemed to be very old he had long white hair hanging around his shoulders and much white hair growing on his face it seemed the Village People sad that he could neither hear nor speak the other man was a stranger he was wearing very old clothes his face was not pleasant he was talking as they entered the two men sat on the ground with their backs against the wall no said the other man I've been thinking about it I do not like it they will catch us you fool said the man who is believed not to be able to hear or speak you are afraid the boys were now shaking with fear this man was Indian Joe joe said we were not caught before but that was different they may catch us here in this house Joe said I wanted to leave here yesterday but those boys were playing on Cardiff Hill they would have seen us those boys were Tom and Huck they were shaking again happened to them yesterday if they had come to this house they wish that they had waited a year before coming the two men had brought some food and they began to eat after a while Joe said when it is dark go home wait there until you hear from me I will go into the village once again then we will do the job we planned and then we will run far away now I need sleep you stay here's a God he was soon asleep the guard 2 was soon sleeping the boys took a long thankful breath said now's our chance come Huk said okay I would die if they open the eyes he would not move and Tom started to leave alone but the old floor made so much noise that he stopped almost dead with fear slowly time passed until the Sun was going down and Joe sat up and called the other he said it is almost time for us to be moving what shall we do with our money shall we leave it here until we're ready to run six hundred silver dollars is heavy to carry we can put it in the ground deep his friend agreed the place where the fire had been built raised one of the big stones from the earthen floor and took out a big bag of money the boys began to forget their fears $600 would make six boys rich and they knew where Indian Joe was putting it Indian Joe was in a corner making a hole on the ground with his knife the boys did not dare to speak but they looked at each other often these looks were easy to understand their meaning was oh how glad we are now to be here they heard Indian Joe's knife strike something hard look here he said what is it asked his friend it is an old box Joe said help me lift it no I have broken it open he put his hand in the box and then brought it out again man this is money the two looked at the hand full of money it was gold now the men found the gardening things that the boys had been using and had placed in another corner when they came into the house using them they started to work they soon had the box out of the earth it was not large but it had once been very strong with iron bands to hold the wood together there are thousands of dollars here said Indian Joe now won't be necessary to do that job in the village said the other Indian Joe said you do not understand I am NOT doing that job only for money wrong was done to me and I am going to pay them for it I need your help go home until I tell you to come what do we do with this money put it in the ground again yes delight for the boys above his head no deep sadness above where did these gardening things come from there was fresh earth on them who was here we must take the money away I have a good place for it at the number 2 place under the cross it is nearly dark enough to go Indian Joe went from window to window looking out then he said who could have come here do you think they are in the room above us the boys breath stopped Joe put his hand on his knife and started to go up the boys could not move their strength was gone they heard Joe coming then they heard the sound of breaking wood and Joe fell to the ground no people up there his friends said they saw us coming and they ran they thought that we was spirits of devils and they're running it soon the two men went out of the house with the box of gold and the bag of silver dollars Tom and Huck watched them through the holes in the wall but would the boys follow no they were happy enough to get away from the house with no broken bones and then returned to the town they did not talk much they decided to watch in the town for Indian Joe and then follow him to the number two place Tom had a fearful thought Indian Joe said that he would pay wrong with wrong was he talking about us Huck feeling suddenly weak Huck almost fell to the ground chapter 25 doubts the adventure of the day troubled Tom's dreams that night four times he had his hands on that gold four times he opened his eyes and discovered that he had nothing in the early morning as he was in bed thinking of his great adventure it all seemed strangely far away it might have happened in another world or in a time long past then the thought came to him that the great adventure itself must be a dream the amount of money was too big to be real he'd never seen as much as half a hundred dollars before he decided to find Huck and let Huck talk he would ask Huck no questions if Huck did not speak of the adventure then Tom would know that it had been a dream clock was sitting on the edge of a boat with his feet in the water he seemed very sad and I'll Huck hello yourself no words for a minute Tom if we had not put our gardening things in that corner we would have that money it was not a dream it was not a dream but I almost wish that it was dream if Indian Joe had found us you would know that it was not a dream I have had dreams about him all night we must find him find the money we must find his number to place perhaps it is the number of house no tom the houses in this town do not have numbers perhaps it is the number of a room in a public house for travelers those rooms have numbers Oh that is the answer there are only two public houses here we can quickly learn about number two you stay here Huck until I return tom was gone half an hour he learned that in one public house a well-known young man lived in room number two but in the other public house number two was always closed no person seemed to know much about it however a light had been seen in the window the night before that is Indian Joe's number two Huck I think you're right tom now what will you do let me think Tom thought a long time then he said I would tell you the door of number two opens on a little Street at the back of the house we must wait for a dark night then we shall try to get in but if you see Indian Joe follow him and if he does not go to that number two it can't be the place I'm afraid to follow him alone Tom it will be night if I see him and if it is dark I will follow him I promise he might be going straight to that money you must not weaken Huck and I won't chapter 26 number two Huck Asgard they waited three nights the fourth night was dark enough public house was closed at a late hour but Tom and Huck were near Indian Joe had not been seen no other person had been seen in the street behind the house the two adventurers moved quietly toward the door in the darkness Huck stopped to remain as a guard and Tom went forward then there was a long wait to Huck it seemed like hours what had happened to Tom and he died from fear Huck's breathing was very fast in his heart beat madly suddenly Tom came rushing out what run for your life they never stopped running until they worth the other end of the village there stood an old building now not used as they entered rain began to fall heavily Huck it was fearful I tried and tried to open the door and then suddenly it open without effort I stepped into the room and Huck I almost stepped on Indian Joe's hand no yes he was there asleep on the floor drunk I believe I turned and ran Tom did you see that box Huck I did not wait to look around I did not see the box I did not see any cross I only saw a cup on the floor beside Indian Joe and more to drink the room is full of it Tom if Indian Joe is drunk now is the time to get that box is it you get it Huck began to shake no I believe not and I believe not Huck listen Huck wait until we know that Indian Joe is not in there we can watch every night then we can go fast and get that box I agree let me watch all night and every night you do the other part of the job I will and now the rain has stopped you go and watch and when you want me at night come to my window make a noise like a cat chapter 27 - picnic Indian Joe's job the next morning Tom heard glad news judge Thatcher's family had returned both Indian Jo in the box of gold were not so important for a while more good news made the day perfect the following day Becky would have her picnic before 11:00 in the morning the young people were at judge Thatcher's house ready to start soon the happy group was walking toward the river they were going to ride down the river on the old riverboat Sid did not go he was sick Mary stayed with him mrs. Thatcher said to Becky you returned late perhaps you should stay all night at the home of a girlfriend who lives near the river I can stay with Susy Harper mother good and be a good girl took them three miles down the river where it was tied to the shore the crowd ran off the boat and into the forest soon shouting and laughing could be heard from many places after a while all were hot and ready to rest they met again near the boat and began to eat the good things they had brought with them after eating they rested in the shade of the big trees then there was a shout who was ready to go to the cave all were ready they got lights to guide them in the darkness and started to walk up the hill the cave could be entered through an opening in the hillside a door had been placed across the opening but it was not closed inside was a small very cold room the walls were rock and always had water running down them it was a strange pleasure to stand there in the darkness and look out at the green valley shining in the sunlight but the strangeness was soon passed and the children began to play and run through other parts of the cave none of these parts was wide and some were very small some led to other rooms made of rock some of these were very big the children could not see the top of them a person might walk days and nights and never find the end of this cave he might go down and down and yet further down into the earth always finding new parts and new rooms no person knew the whole cave only part of it was known and people did not go where others had not gone before Tom Sawyer knew as much of the cave as any person the children walked for almost a mile before any of them started to return to the outside then one group after another began arriving at the opening on the hillside they were surprised to see that it was almost night the boat's Bell had been calling for half an hour however they thought this end the day's adventures was delightful only the captain of the boat was sorry that he had waited so long the lights of the returning riverboat he was already watching for Indian Joe there were clouds in the sky and the night was becoming very dark the people in the village began to go home to sleep the village clock was striking 11:00 and nothing had happened Huck also began to think of sleep then a noise came to his ear next moment two men passed near him one was carrying something must be that box should he call tom no the men would carry away the box and it would never be found again he would follow them without shoes as usual Huck moved as quietly as a cat the men went toward the river and then turning went up Cardiff Hill passing the house of an old man named Jones they arrived at the top of the hill there among the trees they could not be seen Huck stopped listen no sound except his own heart he knew that he was not far from the house of mrs. Douglas an old lady who lived alone then very near he heard a voice it was Indian Cho he said our lights it is late but she is not alone I can't see any lights that was the other man heart was cold this was the job Indian Joe had talked of mrs. Douglas had often been kind to hug perhaps these men were planning to kill her he wished that he had dared to run to the house and tell her but the men would catch him look from here said Indian Joe now do you see the lights yes forget the job forget it I have told you before you can have her money I do not want it but her husband put me in jail then he died I can't hurt him but she's living yet he must not kill her I will not kill her but I am going to cut her face and that hurts a woman more than killing you will help me or I will kill you and if I must kill you I will kill her too then she can't tell who killed you if we must do it then do it now no wait until the house is dark huck knew that all would be quiet and the quiet would be more fearful than the talk of killing very very carefully he moved down the hill when he dared he began to run he arrived at mr. Jones's house and beat on the door mr. Jones and his two strong sons opened a window and looked out what is that noise who are you what do you want let me in quick who are you Huckleberry Finn quick let me come in Huckleberry Finn indeed is that a name to make me open a door ah but let him come in boys what does he want please never tell that I told you were Huck's first words I would surely be killed but mrs. Douglas has been a good friend to me I want to tell you speak said the old man we will never tell boy three minutes later the old man and his sons carrying guns were going up the hill Huck went only part of the way then he stopped behind a large stone and listened suddenly he heard the guns and a cry he waited for nothing more but ran down the hill as fast as his legs could carry him you chapter xxviii the old man reports hope begins to weaken the next day was Sunday very early morning Huck called gently at the old man's door please let me come in it's only Huck Finn that name will open this door not her day boy these were strange words to the boys ears he could not remember hearing any so kind and pleasant before the door was quickly opened and he entered now boy I hope you're hungry because as soon as the Sun come up we'll have some hot to eat we hoped that you would come here again last night when I heard the guns I ran I ran for three miles I came now because I want to know what happened I came before daylight because I did not want to meet those men living or dead they are not dead boy we're sorry for that they hurt his coven and they ran then we went down to the village to get help men have gone to watch at the river more men will hunt through the forest today my sons will join them I wish we had seen those two men could you see them in the dark I can tell you about them one is a man that you've seen in the village he has long white hair he can't hear and he can't talk then he told about the other man's face and clothes when his sons had gone mr. Jones asked tuck why he had followed the men up the hill huck told after much thought that one man was Indian Joe but he did not tell about the box of money soon people began coming to the house and Hawk went where they could not see him mrs. Douglas was among the first to come she came to thank mr. Jones for saving her from being hurt by the men I should not thank me he said there's another person who did more to help you but he does not want thanks all the people in the village went to church early that day they wanted to talk about the two bad men the two men had not been found and nothing had been learned about where they had gone leaving the church mrs. Thatcher walked behind mrs. Harper she said is my Becky going to sleep all day yellow Becky yes she stayed with you last night I believe No suddenly seemed Hill that moment and Paulie joined them she said good morning mrs. Thatcher good morning mrs. Hoffa I suppose that my tum stayed with Fred or Joe last night without telling me and now he's afraid to come to church mrs. Thatcher seemed more ill than before she moved her head saying no he did not stay with us said mrs. Harper her face showed surprise and a little fear and Polly also showed fear Joe hapa she said have you seen my Tom this morning no when did you see him last but Joe could not remember people have stopped moving out of the church a story travelled quickly among them children were questioned no child could remember seeing Becky and Tom on the returning riverboat it was dark then no person had thought of counting the group a young man now said that Tom and Becky might be lost in the cave mrs. Thatcher closed her eyes tightly and Polly began to weep within five minutes bells were ringing and all the people were gathering what had happened at mrs. Douglass's house was not important now in half an hour two hundred men were going either by river or by road toward the cave through the long afternoon the village seemed dead many women went to visit Aunt Polly and mrs. Thatcher they wept with them and that was more help than words through the long night to town waited for news but in the morning only this news came send more food and more lights Thatcher was almost ill and then Polly also old mr. Jones came home from the cave at noon and discovered that Huck was sick mrs. Douglas came to care for him other men began to return from the cave but the stronger men continued their hunt they visited the far parts of the cave they shouted they shot guns but they had no answer often a light would be seen far away and they would think that the children were found but the light always belonged to another of the hunters the names Becky and Tom were found marked on a rock and the string that had tied Becky's hair was found three days and nights past about Tom Sawyer was said quiet child you must not talk you are very sick she began to weep there were not many now with enough hope or strength to continue hunting for Tom Sawyer chapter 29 the cave found but not saved Tom and Becky had star through the branching cave with the other children then they had had enough of the games with the others they had walked farther talking and reading the writing on the walls people had put their names there Tom and Becky also put their names on the wall they came to a place where a small stream of water fell over the rocks Tom went behind the waterfall to let his light shine through for Becky's pleasure behind this waterfall Tom found an opening leading down and he wanted to discover where this branch the cave went he made a mark on the wall to guide their return and started down with Becky following they continued farther and farther making marks were they turned into a new branch and discovering many wonderful new parts of the cave one great room was full of hundreds of bats which were hanging asleep on the walls when the children entered the bats came flying at the lights and the children ran they came to a dark lake and sat down at the edge now for the first time they felt the deep quiet of the place Becky said it is a very long time since I heard the others Becky we are far below them in far north or south or east or west we can't hear them here Becky was afraid we should return can you find the way Tom I think that I can but there are those bats a different way would be better we must not get lost it would be fearful they started but every turn now seemed strange Becky's tears began to fall they stopped Tom shouted the answer was a deep quiet it increased Becky's fear and Tom began now to feel afraid Becky said we must return to the lake and then go through the room full of bats it would be better than being lost but Tom said Becky I've been a fool he had not remembered to make any marks he had not expected to return to the lake Tom Tom we are lost we are lost we never can get out of this fearful place oh why did we leave the others she dropped to the ground and wept so loudly that Tom feared that she might die he sat down beside her and put his arms around her he said that he was sorry he said that he should never have brought her so far into the cave then she said that she also had been wrong they had both been wrong to come so far they started to walk again each had a light now they decided to use only one light and save the other until they could go no further without resting they talked of home and their friends and their beds and they talked of sunlight started again and then she was asleep Tom watched her slowly her face grew peaceful and then he felt some peace she opened her eyes laughing but suddenly the laugh ended ah I wish that I had never never opened my eyes again Oh Tom do not look at me like that I shall not say that again we are going to find the way Thomson we're going to try they rose and started to walk hand-in-hand and without hope said that they must go quietly and listen for falling water they found it and sat down to rest again Becky said Tom I'm very hungry Tom had saved a piece of the picnic cake he took it from his pocket and divided it they had cold water to drink after eating and drinking Becky was ready to move again but Tom said Becky I must tell you our light is almost finished we must stay here where there's water again Becky wept then a new thought came to her Tom they will hunt for us perhaps they are hunting for us now when would they discover that we were not with the others on the boat it'll be dark on the boat but your mother will know that you have not come home now Tom learned of mrs. Thatcher did not expect Becky to return home that night then their last light failed and darkness was complete he wept a long time in Tom's arms neither knew how long she whipped then both open their eyes in the darkness and knew that they had been sleeping again they did not know how much time had passed tom said that it might be Sunday it might be a day later but Becky would not talk her hopes were gone the hours passed they were hungry again Tom had saved most of his share of the cake he divided it then they heard a sound like a distant shout Tom answered it came again they started moving carefully towards it but they arrived at an edge of rock where the floor fell away I could go no further they listened shout was now more distant and then did not hear it again they return to the place where they had water to drink time passed sleeping again when they open their eyes they thought that another day must have passed they were very hungry now Tom had a new idea the cave had many small branches near them Tom decided to learn about them that would be better than sitting and doing nothing he had some string in his pocket he tied an end of this to a rock near the little waterfall then he and Becky started to walk carefully away they let the string fall behind them it would be a guide for their return after 20 steps they came to a hole in the rock floor Tom went down on his knees and felt below then he put his hands in his head as far as possible around the corner to look at that moment a human hand holding a light appeared from a rock not far away Tom shouted at once a body followed the hand it was Indian Joe Tom could not move because of fear he was deeply thankful to see Indian Joe run away he did not tell Becky what he had seen or why he had shouted they return to the waterfall to another long wait and another sleep Tom decided to try moving again they were very hungry now he thought that perhaps a week had passed Becky was not strong enough to go with him she asked him to return often she also asked him to return when all hope was gone and to hold her hand until she died Tom promised he kissed her string in his hand he started on his hands and knees through one of the openings in the rock was sick with fear he had no hope chapter 30 tom tells the story of their escape Sunday and two more days had passed few of the men continued their hunt in the cave most of the people believed that the children could never be found mrs. Thatcher was very ill and Polly's hair had changed from gray to white then in the middle of the night the village bells began to ring in a moment the streets were filled with people shouting they are found they're found they're found all moved toward the river and met the children as they were carried home and Pauly's happiness was complete mrs. Thatcher's happiness would be complete when the news reached her husband he was yet in the cave continuing the hunt Tom lay on the bed telling the story of his wonderful adventures they had gone in one direction as far as the length of the string then he had tried another opening then he had tried a third he was ready to try another when he saw a distant light he thought that it was daylight he dropped the string and ran toward it and put his head out through a small hole and there was the great river on which the boat had brought them to the picnic he told how he then returned for Becky she did not believe him she told him to let her die after a while she went with him when she saw the daylight she almost died of joy he told how he got himself through the hole and then helped her they saw some men in a boat and shouted at first the men didn't believe their wild story because the men said you a five miles south of the door of the cave but they believed the children after a while and took them to a house where they were given food and allowed to rest before being taken home it was several days before Tom and Becky were strong again Tom learned of Huck's sickness and went to visit him mrs. Douglas would not let Tom talk about his adventures because Huck was not strong enough to listen also she would not let the boys talk about what had happened at her house on Cardiff Hill Tom learned about that at home he heard also that the other man who had been with Indian Joe had been found in the river he had drowned while trying to escape about two weeks later Tom visited Becky at home judge Thatcher and some friends were there they asked Tom if he wished to go into the cave again Tom said yes others might wish to go also the judge said but I had that door covered with iron and it is closed it can't be opened no person will get lost in that cave again Oh judge Tom said Indian Joe is in the cave chapter 31 what happened to Indian Joe a return to the cave the news spread in a few minutes men were in boats on their way to the cave tom was in the boat with Judge Thatcher when the door was opened their eyes saw a sad sight Indian Joe was on the ground dead Tom's experience in the cave made him understand Indian Joe's sufferings but a heavy weight of fear had been lifted from Tom's heart the next morning Tom and Huck had an important talk now Huck told Tom about following Indian Joe up the hill to mrs. Douglass's house this part of the story was new to Tom and Indian Joe came from number two in that public house Huck said and now we shall never know any more about that box of money Huck Tom said that money was never in number two Huck it is in the cave say that again Tom the money is in the cave tom is this true it is true Huck will you go there with me and help to bring it out I will if I can go to the cave and not get lost are you strong enough Thomas I can't walk more than a mile Tom it is five miles up for any other person but I know it short away I'll take you there in a boat it'll be easy for you I want to start now Tom Tom agreed we want some bread and meat and on tobacco and two bags and some string and some lights they took a friend's boat and about noon the boys started their journey Tom knew where to stop they pulled the boat up on the shore ha the hole is near try to find it Huck tried and found nothing then Tom proudly took him among the trees and said he it is the boys entered the hole tom was leading they tied their string to a rock to guide their return a few steps took them to the little waterfall and Tom felt his whole body shaking he told Huck that this was where he and Becky had been when they were lost the boys were quiet now the stillness and the darkness were heavy on their hearts they continued walking and soon they came to the place where the floor seemed to end with the light they could see that they were on a hill leading to another rock floor below Tom said now I will show you something Huck he held his light high look as far as you can around the corner do you see that on the big rock Tom it is a cross that is why I saw Indian Joe Huck and where's number two remember what he said under the cross Huck said in a shaking voice Tom I want to go away from here what and leave the money yes leave it Indian Joe spirit is there no Huck his spirit is near the doorway he died that is five miles away no Tom it would guard the money I know about spirits and you do also Tom began to think that Huck was right but then he had a different thought Huck his spirit would not be near across Huck agreed Tom I did not think of that but it's true we must go down there and find the box it was not easy to go down the hill of rock to the floor below Tom went first and Huck followed near the bottom of the great rock the boys found were some person had been eating and sleeping but they found no money then Tom took his knife and used it to turn over the earth behind the great Rock the knife touched wood Huck you hear that they pulled away some stones and some old boards behind these there was an opening under the rock with his light Tom went down Huck followed Tom went around a corner and shouted Huck look there it was the box of money there were also two guns we have it said Huck putting his hands among the pieces of gold we'll rich Tom Huck I was always sure that we would get it and we have it can I lift a box he could lift it but he could not carry it they put the money in their two bags and carried it up from the hole under the rock now we want the guns said Huck no Huck leave him there we'll return and use them some other time I think it is late and I am hungry we can eat and smoke outside in the boat after eating and smoking they returned up the river it was dark when they arrived at the edge of the village Huck said Tom we would take the money to mrs. Douglas house I know a place near there to leave it tonight tomorrow morning we can count it and divide it and then we can find a place in the forest where it'll be safe you wait here now and watch it I'm going to get Benny Taylor's little wagon he soon returned with the wagon they put the bags of money in the wagon and started toward Cardiff Hill near mr. Jones's house they stopped to rest mr. Jones came out who was there he said Huck and Tom Sawyer come with me boys they're all waiting for you let me pull your wagon it is very heavy what do you have in it nothing of value I'm sure that boys will always work for things of no worth right now the boys wanted to know why they should hurry you'll learn when you arrive soon they were entering mrs. Douglass's house leaving the wagon near the door all the important people of the village were there Thatcher's were there the Harper's and Polly Sid Mary and many more all were dressed in their best clothes Tom and Huck were covered with earth from the cave and Polly's face was red when she saw Tom's face and close mrs. Douglas took the boys to a bedroom and said Walsh and dress now here new clothes for both of you come and join the others when you are ready chapter xxxii mr. Jones's surprise fails Huk said tom we could run away we can go through the window why do you want to run away I can't join that crowd Tom oh that is nothing to be afraid of I will take care of you sit appeared SID why all these people here Oh mr. Jones has a surprise but it won't surprise many people most of us know it already what is the surprise said it is about Huck following Indian Joe and the other man to this house but it won't be a surprise you'll see he left some person told about it Tom said you told there is only one person in this town who would destroy a good surprise you now go away I'll throw you out of this room some minutes later Huck and Tom were eating at a big table with the others when mr. Jones stood up to speak he told a story about Huck it was true that it did not seem much like a surprise but people tried to seem surprised mrs. Douglas thanked Huck again and again she said that she would give Huck a room in her house and send him to school and that later she would give him money to start a business Tom said Huck won't need it he is rich people tried not to laugh Tom said Huck has money perhaps you do not believe it but he has I can show you he ran outside what is Tom doing now st. pauli I never can understand that boy Tom entered carrying the heavy bags he opened them and let the yellow-gold fall out on the table what did I tell you he said half his honks and half his mine all looked none could speak for a moment then they asked Tom to explain it was a long story but it was full of interest when Tom finished mr. Jones said I planned a surprise for this evening but this surprise makes mine seem very small the money was counted there was more than twelve thousand dollars some of the Village People owned land and were much richer than Tom and Huck but none had ever before seen so much money at one time chapter 33 new adventures planned Tom and Huck's money was a great wonder in the poor little village you may be sure of that it was not easy to believe that the money was real people talked and talked about it people went hunting for more money boys went and men went also they hunted in every old lonely house all watched Tom and Huck and listen to them every word they spoke had become important the village newspaper had a story about them mrs. Douglas put Huck's money in a bank Judge Thatcher did the same with Tom's each boy had money to spend now he had almost a dollar for every day of the year in those days a dollar and a quarter a week was enough to buy a boy's food and clothes and to pay for his schooling judge Thatcher had a good opinion of Tom he said that only a very wise boy could have brought Becky out of the cave safely he expected Tom to become a great man Huck Finn's life had changed his sufferings were almost too great for him mrs. Douglas had taken him to her home she kept him clean he must sleep every night in a clean bed he must eat like a gentleman he must go to church he suffered for three weeks and then the next day he was gone mrs. Douglas and all the people in the village tried to find him they were afraid that he had drown in the river early on the third morning Tom Sawyer went to an old building outside the village he found Huck Huck had been sleeping behind the building he was lying there now happily smoking he was covered with dust his hair was wild and he was wearing his old clothes Tom asked him to go home to mrs. Douglas Huck's face became sad do not talk about it Tom God tried it it is not for me she is good to me and friendly but I can't live with her I must get up at the same time every morning I must wash I must sleep in the bed I must wear those good clothes cain't moving those clothes I can't sit down I can't lie down I can't roll on the ground on them I must go to church I must wear shoes on Sunday we all live like that Huck Tom I'm different I can't live like that it is easy to get food mrs. Douglas won't let me smoke she prays all the time I had to leave Tom or I would die the school begins I would have to go to school Tom being rich is no good I wish I was dead all the time I like these old clothes I like this place to sleep this is what I want Tom I'll give you my share of the money you can give me ten cents when I need it but not often I do not like what is easy to get and you go now and explain to mrs. Douglas Oh Huck you know I can't do that and if you try longer you like it like it yes I would like it as I would like a burning coal if I sat on it no Tom I won't be rich and I won't live in the house I like the forest and the river and place like this for sleeping but now we're rich and all our games like being pirates are destroyed listen Huck being rich won't change that is that true Tom it is true but if you want to join me and the other boys and belong to my club you must live like us Tom is that friendly I want you to join us Huck but all the boys who joined Tom Sawyer's Club must have good characters Huck was quiet it was a battle in his mind while he said I will return to mrs. Douglass's for a month I will try if you let me belong to Tom Sawyer's club I agree huh come with me now and I promise to ask mrs. Douglas to change a little Hut will you Tom that is good when will you start your club Oh soon this evening perhaps we can have the first meeting what will we do at the meeting well we will promise always to help others and promise never to tell what we plan to do and promise to kill any person who hurts one of us I like that Tom I like it and we must make those promises in the middle of the night in a lonely place and sign with blood this is better than being a pirate Tom I will stay with mrs. Douglas and we will have adventures that will make the whole village talk about us and then mrs. Douglas will be proud because she took me into her home a few words to end so ends this story because it is a history of a boy it must stop here it could not go much further without becoming the history of a man most of the people in this book are living yet and are happy perhaps someday the story will be continued therefore it will be wise to tell no more now

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Length: 197min 0sec (11820 seconds)

Published: Sun Oct 29 2017