So,drathim,wewentalong,butIdidn”tlikeitmuch。Whenwegotinwecouldn”thardlyseeanything,itwassodark;butJimwasthere,sureenough,andcouldseeus;andhesingsout:
“Why,HUCK!EngoodLAN”!ain”datMistoTom?“
Ijustknowedhowitwouldbe;Ijustexpectedit。Ididn”tknownothingtodo;andifIhadIcouldn”tadoneit,becausethatniggerbustedinandsays:
“Why,degracioussakes!doheknowyougenlmen?“
Wecouldseeprettywellnow。Tomhelookedatthenigger,steadyandkindofwondering,andsays:
“DoesWHOknowus?“
“Why,dis-yerrunawaynigger。”
“Idon”treckonhedoes;butwhatputthatintoyourhead?“
“WhatPUTitdar?Didn”hejis”disminutesingoutlikeheknowedyou?“
Tomsays,inapuzzled-upkindofway:
“Well,that”smightycurious。WHOsungout?WHENdidhesingout?WHAT
didhesingout?“Andturnstome,perfectlyca”m,andsays,“DidYOUhearanybodysingout?“
Ofcoursetherewarn”tnothingtobesaidbuttheonething;soIsays:
“No;Iain”theardnobodysaynothing。”
ThenheturnstoJim,andlookshimoverlikeheneverseehimbefore,andsays:
“Didyousingout?“
“No,sah,“saysJim;“Ihain”tsaidnothing,sah。”
“Notaword?“
“No,sah,Ihain”tsaidaword。”
“Didyoueverseeusbefore?“
“No,sah;notasIknowson。”
SoTomturnstothenigger,whichwaslookingwildanddistressed,andsays,kindofsevere:
“Whatdoyoureckon”sthematterwithyou,anyway?Whatmadeyouthinksomebodysungout?“
“Oh,it”sdedad-blame”witches,sah,enIwishtIwasdead,Ido。Dey”sawluzatit,sah,endeydomos”killme,deysk”yersmeso。Pleasetodon”ttellnobody”boutitsah,eroleMarsSilashe”llscoleme;”kasehesaydeyAIN”Tnowitches。Ijis”wishtogoodnesshewasheahnow——
DENwhatwouldhesay!Ijis”bethecouldn”finenowaytogitaroun”
itDIStime。Butit”sawluzjis”so;peopledat”sSOT,stayssot;deywon”tlookintonoth”n”enfineitoutf”rdeyselves,enwhenYOUfineitoutentellum”boutit,deydoan”b”lieveyou。”
Tomgivehimadime,andsaidwewouldn”ttellnobody;andtoldhimtobuysomemorethreadtotieuphiswoolwith;andthenlooksatJim,andsays:
“IwonderifUncleSilasisgoingtohangthisnigger。IfIwastocatchaniggerthatwasungratefulenoughtorunaway,Iwouldn”tgivehimup,I”dhanghim。”Andwhilsttheniggersteppedtothedoortolookatthedimeandbiteittoseeifitwasgood,hewhisperstoJimandsays:
“Don”teverletontoknowus。Andifyouhearanydigginggoingonnights,it”sus;we”regoingtosetyoufree。”
Jimonlyhadtimetograbusbythehandandsqueezeit;thentheniggercomeback,andwesaidwe”dcomeagainsometimeiftheniggerwantedusto;andhesaidhewould,moreparticularifitwasdark,becausethewitcheswentforhimmostlyinthedark,anditwasgoodtohavefolksaroundthen。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter35Chapter35ITwouldbemostanhouryettillbreakfast,soweleftandstruckdownintothewoods;becauseTomsaidwegottohaveSOMElighttoseehowtodigby,andalanternmakestoomuch,andmightgetusintotrouble;whatwemusthavewasalotofthemrottenchunksthat”scalledfox-fire,andjustmakesasoftkindofaglowwhenyoulaytheminadarkplace。Wefetchedanarmfulandhiditintheweeds,andsetdowntorest,andTomsays,kindofdissatisfied:
“Blameit,thiswholethingisjustaseasyandawkwardasitcanbe。
Andsoitmakesitsorottendifficulttogetupadifficultplan。Thereain”tnowatchmantobedrugged——nowthereOUGHTtobeawatchman。Thereain”tevenadogtogiveasleeping-mixtureto。Andthere”sJimchainedbyoneleg,withaten-footchain,tothelegofhisbed:why,allyougottodoistoliftupthebedsteadandslipoffthechain。AndUncleSilashetrustseverybody;sendsthekeytothepunkin-headednigger,anddon”tsendnobodytowatchthenigger。Jimcouldagotoutofthatwindowholebeforethis,onlytherewouldn”tbenousetryingtotravelwithaten-footchainonhisleg。Why,dratit,Huck,it”sthestupidestarrangementI
eversee。YougottoinventALLthedifficulties。Well,wecan”thelpit;
wegottodothebestwecanwiththematerialswe”vegot。Anyhow,there”sonething——there”smorehonoringettinghimoutthroughalotofdifficultiesanddangers,wheretherewarn”toneofthemfurnishedtoyoubythepeoplewhoitwastheirdutytofurnishthem,andyouhadtocontrivethemalloutofyourownhead。Nowlookatjustthatonethingofthelantern。Whenyoucomedowntothecoldfacts,wesimplygottoLETONthatalantern”sresky。Why,wecouldworkwithatorchlightprocessionifwewantedto,Ibelieve。Now,whilstIthinkofit,wegottohuntupsomethingtomakeasawoutofthefirstchanceweget。”
“Whatdowewantofasaw?“
“WhatdoweWANTofasaw?Hain”twegottosawthelegofJim”sbedoff,soastogetthechainloose?“
“Why,youjustsaidabodycouldliftupthebedsteadandslipthechainoff。”
“Well,ifthatain”tjustlikeyou,HuckFinn。YouCANgetuptheinfant-schooliestwaysofgoingatathing。Why,hain”tyoueverreadanybooksatall?——
BaronTrenck,norCasanova,norBenvenutoChelleeny,norHenriIV。,nornoneofthemheroes?Whoeverheardofgettingaprisonerlooseinsuchanoldmaidywayasthat?No;thewayallthebestauthoritiesdoesistosawthebed-legintwo,andleaveitjustso,andswallowthesawdust,soitcan”tbefound,andputsomedirtandgreasearoundthesawedplacesotheverykeenestseneskalcan”tseenosignofit”sbeingsawed,andthinksthebed-legisperfectlysound。Then,thenightyou”reready,fetchthelegakick,downshegoes;slipoffyourchain,andthereyouare。
Nothingtodobuthitchyourropeladdertothebattlements,shindownit,breakyourleginthemoat——becausearopeladderisnineteenfoottooshort,youknow——andthere”syourhorsesandyourtrustyvassles,andtheyscoopyouupandflingyouacrossasaddle,andawayyougotoyournativeLangudoc,orNavarre,orwhereveritis。It”sgaudy,Huck。
Iwishtherewasamoattothiscabin。Ifwegettime,thenightoftheescape,we”lldigone。”
Isays:
“Whatdowewantofamoatwhenwe”regoingtosnakehimoutfromunderthecabin?“
Butheneverheardme。Hehadforgotmeandeverythingelse。Hehadhischininhishand,thinking。Prettysoonhesighsandshakeshishead;
thensighsagain,andsays:
“No,itwouldn”tdo——thereain”tnecessityenoughforit。”
“Forwhat?“Isays。
“Why,tosawJim”slegoff,“hesays。
“Goodland!“Isays;“why,thereain”tNOnecessityforit。Andwhatwouldyouwanttosawhislegofffor,anyway?“
“Well,someofthebestauthoritieshasdoneit。Theycouldn”tgetthechainoff,sotheyjustcuttheirhandoffandshoved。Andalegwouldbebetterstill。Butwegottoletthatgo。Thereain”tnecessityenoughinthiscase;and,besides,Jim”sanigger,andwouldn”tunderstandthereasonsforit,andhowit”sthecustominEurope;sowe”llletitgo。
Butthere”sonething——hecanhavearopeladder;wecantearupoursheetsandmakehimaropeladdereasyenough。Andwecansendittohiminapie;it”smostlydonethatway。AndI”veetworsepies。”
“Why,TomSawyer,howyoutalk,“Isays;“Jimain”tgotnouseforaropeladder。”
“HeHASgotuseforit。HowYOUtalk,youbettersay;youdon”tknownothingaboutit。He”sGOTtohavearopeladder;theyalldo。”
“WhatinthenationcanheDOwithit?“
“DOwithit?Hecanhideitinhisbed,can”the?“That”swhattheyalldo;andHE”Sgotto,too。Huck,youdon”teverseemtowanttodoanythingthat”sregular;youwanttobestartingsomethingfreshallthetime。S”poseheDON”Tdonothingwithit?ain”titthereinhisbed,foraclew,afterhe”sgone?anddon”tyoureckonthey”llwantclews?Ofcoursetheywill。
Andyouwouldn”tleavethemany?ThatwouldbeaPRETTYhowdy-do,WOULDN”T
it!Ineverheardofsuchathing。”
“Well,“Isays,“ifit”sintheregulations,andhe”sgottohaveit,allright,lethimhaveit;becauseIdon”twishtogobackonnoregulations;
butthere”sonething,TomSawyer——ifwegototearingupoursheetstomakeJimaropeladder,we”regoingtogetintotroublewithAuntSally,justassureasyou”reborn。Now,thewayIlookatit,ahickry-barkladderdon”tcostnothing,anddon”twastenothing,andisjustasgoodtoloadupapiewith,andhideinastrawtick,asanyragladderyoucanstart;
andasforJim,heain”thadnoexperience,andsohedon”tcarewhatkindofa”
“Oh,shucks,HuckFinn,ifIwasasignorantasyouI”dkeepstill——
that”swhatI”Ddo。Whoeverheardofastateprisonerescapingbyahickry-barkladder?Why,it”sperfectlyridiculous。”
“Well,allright,Tom,fixityourownway;butifyou”lltakemyadvice,you”llletmeborrowasheetoffoftheclothesline。”
Hesaidthatwoulddo。Andthatgavehimanotheridea,andhesays:
“Borrowashirt,too。”
“Whatdowewantofashirt,Tom?“
“WantitforJimtokeepajournalon。”
“Journalyourgranny——JIMcan”twrite。”
“S”poseheCAN”Twrite——hecanmakemarksontheshirt,can”the,ifwemakehimapenoutofanoldpewterspoonorapieceofanoldironbarrelhoop?“
“Why,Tom,wecanpullafeatheroutofagooseandmakehimabetterone;andquicker,too。”
“PRISONERSdon”thavegeeserunningaroundthedonjon-keeptopullpensoutof,youmuggins。TheyALWAYSmaketheirpensoutofthehardest,toughest,troublesomestpieceofoldbrasscandlestickorsomethinglikethattheycangettheirhandson;andittakesthemweeksandweeksandmonthsandmonthstofileitout,too,becausethey”vegottodoitbyrubbingitonthewall。THEYwouldn”tuseagoose-quilliftheyhadit。Itain”tregular。”
“Well,then,what”llwemakehimtheinkoutof?“
“Manymakesitoutofiron-rustandtears;butthat”sthecommonsortandwomen;thebestauthoritiesusestheirownblood。Jimcandothat;
andwhenhewantstosendanylittlecommonordinarymysteriousmessagetolettheworldknowwherehe”scaptivated,hecanwriteitonthebottomofatinplatewithaforkandthrowitoutofthewindow。TheIronMaskalwaysdonethat,andit”sablame”goodway,too。”
“Jimain”tgotnotinplates。Theyfeedhiminapan。”
“Thatain”tnothing;wecangethimsome。”
“Can”tnobodyREADhisplates。”
“Thatain”tgotanythingtoDOwithit,HuckFinn。AllHE”Sgottodoistowriteontheplateandthrowitout。Youdon”tHAVEtobeabletoreadit。Why,halfthetimeyoucan”treadanythingaprisonerwritesonatinplate,oranywhereelse。”
“Well,then,what”sthesenseinwastingtheplates?“
“Why,blameitall,itain”tthePRISONER”Splates。”
“Butit”sSOMEBODY”Splates,ain”tit?“
“Well,spos”nitis?WhatdoesthePRISONERcarewhose”
Hebrokeoffthere,becauseweheardthebreakfasthornblowing。Soweclearedoutforthehouse。
AlongduringthemorningIborrowedasheetandawhiteshirtoffoftheclothes-line;andIfoundanoldsackandputtheminit,andwewentdownandgotthefox-fire,andputthatintoo。Icalleditborrowing,becausethatwaswhatpapalwayscalledit;butTomsaiditwarn”tborrowing,itwasstealing。Hesaidwewasrepresentingprisoners;andprisonersdon”tcarehowtheygetathingsotheygetit,andnobodydon”tblamethemforit,either。Itain”tnocrimeinaprisonertostealthethingheneedstogetawaywith,Tomsaid;it”shisright;andso,aslongaswewasrepresentingaprisoner,wehadaperfectrighttostealanythingonthisplacewehadtheleastusefortogetourselvesoutofprisonwith。Hesaidifwewarn”tprisonersitwouldbeaverydifferentthing,andnobodybutamean,ornerypersonwouldstealwhenhewarn”taprisoner。Soweallowedwewouldstealeverythingtherewasthatcomehandy。Andyethemadeamightyfuss,oneday,afterthat,whenIstoleawatermelonoutofthenigger-patchandeatit;andhemademegoandgivetheniggersadimewithouttellingthemwhatitwasfor。Tomsaidthatwhathemeantwas,wecouldstealanythingweNEEDED。Well,Isays,Ineededthewatermelon。ButhesaidIdidn”tneedittogetoutofprisonwith;there”swherethedifferencewas。HesaidifI”dawantedittohideaknifein,andsmuggleittoJimtokilltheseneskalwith,itwouldabeenallright。SoIletitgoatthat,thoughIcouldn”tseenoadvantageinmyrepresentingaprisonerifIgottosetdownandchawoveralotofgold-leafdistinctionslikethateverytimeIseeachancetohogawatermelon。
Well,asIwassaying,wewaitedthatmorningtilleverybodywassettleddowntobusiness,andnobodyinsightaroundtheyard;thenTomhecarriedthesackintothelean-towhilstIstoodoffapiecetokeepwatch。Byandbyhecomeout,andwewentandsetdownonthewoodpiletotalk。Hesays:
“Everything”sallrightnowexcepttools;andthat”seasyfixed。”
“Tools?“Isays。
“Yes。”
“Toolsforwhat?“
“Why,todigwith。Weain”ta-goingtoGNAWhimout,arewe?“
“Ain”tthemoldcrippledpicksandthingsintheregoodenoughtodiganiggeroutwith?“Isays。
Heturnsonme,lookingpityingenoughtomakeabodycry,andsays:
“HuckFinn,didyouEVERhearofaprisonerhavingpicksandshovels,andallthemodernconveniencesinhiswardrobetodighimselfoutwith?
NowIwanttoaskyou——ifyougotanyreasonablenessinyouatall——
whatkindofashowwouldTHATgivehimtobeahero?Why,theymightaswelllendhimthekeyanddonewithit。Picksandshovels——why,theywouldn”tfurnish”emtoaking。”
“Well,then,“Isays,“ifwedon”twantthepicksandshovels,whatdowewant?“
“Acoupleofcase-knives。”
“Todigthefoundationsoutfromunderthatcabinwith?“
“Yes。”
“Confoundit,it”sfoolish,Tom。”
“Itdon”tmakenodifferencehowfoolishitis,it”stheRIGHTway——
andit”stheregularway。Andthereain”tnoOTHERway,thateverIheardof,andI”vereadallthebooksthatgivesanyinformationaboutthesethings。Theyalwaysdigoutwithacase-knife——andnotthroughdirt,mindyou;generlyit”sthroughsolidrock。Andittakesthemweeksandweeksandweeks,andforeverandever。Why,lookatoneofthemprisonersinthebottomdungeonoftheCastleDeef,intheharborofMarseilles,thatdughimselfoutthatway;howlongwasHEatit,youreckon?“
“Idon”tknow。”
“Well,guess。”
“Idon”tknow。Amonthandahalf。”
“THIRTY-SEVENYEAR——andhecomeoutinChina。THAT”Sthekind。IwishthebottomofTHISfortresswassolidrock。”
“JIMdon”tknownobodyinChina。”
“What”sTHATgottodowithit?Neitherdidthatotherfellow。Butyou”realwaysa-wanderingoffonasideissue。Whycan”tyousticktothemainpoint?“
“Allright——Idon”tcarewherehecomesout,soheCOMESout;andJimdon”t,either,Ireckon。Butthere”sonething,anyway——Jim”stoooldtobedugoutwithacase-knife。Hewon”tlast。”
“YeshewillLAST,too。Youdon”treckonit”sgoingtotakethirty-sevenyearstodigoutthroughaDIRTfoundation,doyou?“
“Howlongwillittake,Tom?“
“Well,wecan”treskbeingaslongasweoughtto,becauseitmayn”ttakeverylongforUncleSilastohearfromdowntherebyNewOrleans。
He”llhearJimain”tfromthere。ThenhisnextmovewillbetoadvertiseJim,orsomethinglikethat。Sowecan”treskbeingaslongdigginghimoutasweoughtto。ByrightsIreckonweoughttobeacoupleofyears;
butwecan”t。Thingsbeingsouncertain,whatIrecommendisthis:thatwereallydigrightin,asquickaswecan;andafterthat,wecanLET
ON,toourselves,thatwewasatitthirty-sevenyears。Thenwecansnatchhimoutandrushhimawaythefirsttimethere”sanalarm。Yes,Ireckonthat”llbethebestway。”
“Now,there”sSENSEinthat,“Isays。“Lettingondon”tcostnothing;
lettingonain”tnotrouble;andifit”sanyobject,Idon”tmindlettingonwewasatitahundredandfiftyyear。Itwouldn”tstrainmenone,afterIgotmyhandin。SoI”llmoseyalongnow,andsmouchacoupleofcase-knives。”
“Smouchthree,“hesays;“wewantonetomakeasawoutof。”
“Tom,ifitain”tunregularandirreligioustosejestit,“Isays,“there”sanoldrustysaw-bladearoundyonderstickingundertheweather-boardingbehindthesmoke-house。”
Helookedkindofwearyanddiscouraged-like,andsays:
“Itain”tnousetotrytolearnyounothing,Huck。Runalongandsmouchtheknives——threeofthem。”SoIdoneit。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter36Chapter36ASsoonaswereckonedeverybodywasasleepthatnightwewentdownthelightning-rod,andshutourselvesupinthelean-to,andgotoutourpileoffox-fire,andwenttowork。Weclearedeverythingoutoftheway,aboutfourorfivefootalongthemiddleofthebottomlog。TomsaidwewasrightbehindJim”sbednow,andwe”ddiginunderit,andwhenwegotthroughtherecouldn”tnobodyinthecabineverknowtherewasanyholethere,becauseJim”scounterpinhungdownmosttotheground,andyou”dhavetoraiseitupandlookundertoseethehole。Soweduganddugwiththecase-knivestillmostmidnight;andthenwewasdog-tired,andourhandswasblistered,andyetyoucouldn”tseewe”ddoneanythinghardly。AtlastIsays:
“Thisain”tnothirty-sevenyearjob;thisisathirty-eightyearjob,TomSawyer。”
Heneversaidnothing。Buthesighed,andprettysoonhestoppeddigging,andthenforagoodlittlewhileIknowedthathewasthinking。Thenhesays:
“Itain”tnouse,Huck,itain”ta-goingtowork。Ifwewasprisonersitwould,becausethenwe”dhaveasmanyyearsaswewanted,andnohurry;
andwewouldn”tgetbutafewminutestodig,everyday,whiletheywaschangingwatches,andsoourhandswouldn”tgetblistered,andwecouldkeepituprightalong,yearinandyearout,anddoitright,andthewayitoughttobedone。ButWEcan”tfoolalong;wegottorush;weain”tgotnotimetospare。Ifwewastoputinanothernightthiswaywe”dhavetoknockoffforaweektoletourhandsgetwell——couldn”ttouchacase-knifewiththemsooner。”
“Well,then,whatwegoingtodo,Tom?“
“I”lltellyou。Itain”tright,anditain”tmoral,。andIwouldn”tlikeittogetout;butthereain”tonlyjusttheoneway:wegottodighimoutwiththepicks,andLETONit”scase-knives。”
“NOWyou”reTALKING!“Isays;“yourheadgetslevelerandlevelerallthetime,TomSawyer,“Isays。“Picksisthething,moralornomoral;
andasforme,Idon”tcareshucksforthemoralityofit,nohow。WhenIstartintostealanigger,orawatermelon,oraSunday-schoolbook,Iain”tnowaysparticularhowit”sdonesoit”sdone。WhatIwantismynigger;orwhatIwantismywatermelon;orwhatIwantismySunday-schoolbook;andifapick”sthehandiestthing,that”sthethingI”ma-goingtodigthatniggerorthatwatermelonorthatSunday-schoolbookoutwith;
andIdon”tgiveadeadratwhattheauthoritiesthinksaboutitnuther。”
“Well,“hesays,“there”sexcuseforpicksandletting-oninacaselikethis;ifitwarn”tso,Iwouldn”tapproveofit,norIwouldn”tstandbyandseetherulesbroke——becauserightisright,andwrongiswrong,andabodyain”tgotnobusinessdoingwrongwhenheain”tignorantandknowsbetter。ItmightanswerforYOUtodigJimoutwithapick,WITHOUT
anylettingon,becauseyoudon”tknownobetter;butitwouldn”tforme,becauseIdoknowbetter。Gimmeacase-knife。”
Hehadhisownbyhim,butIhandedhimmine。Heflungitdown,andsays:
“GimmeaCASE-KNIFE。”
Ididn”tknowjustwhattodo——butthenIthought。Iscratchedaroundamongsttheoldtools,andgotapickaxeandgiveittohim,andhetookitandwenttowork,andneversaidaword。
Hewasalwaysjustthatparticular。Fullofprinciple。
SothenIgotashovel,andthenwepickedandshoveled,turnabout,andmadethefurfly。Westucktoitaboutahalfanhour,whichwasaslongaswecouldstandup;butwehadagooddealofaholetoshowforit。WhenIgotupstairsIlookedoutatthewindowandseeTomdoinghislevelbestwiththelightning-rod,buthecouldn”tcomeit,hishandswassosore。Atlasthesays:
“Itain”tnouse,itcan”tbedone。WhatyoureckonIbetterdo?Can”tyouthinkofnoway?“
“Yes,“Isays,“butIreckonitain”tregular。Comeupthestairs,andletonit”salightning-rod。”
Sohedoneit。
NextdayTomstoleapewterspoonandabrasscandlestickinthehouse,fortomakesomepensforJimoutof,andsixtallowcandles;andIhungaroundtheniggercabinsandlaidforachance,andstolethreetinplates。
Tomsaysitwasn”tenough;butIsaidnobodywouldn”teverseetheplatesthatJimthrowedout,becausethey”dfallinthedog-fennelandjimpsonweedsunderthewindow-hole——thenwecouldtotethembackandhecouldusethemoveragain。SoTomwassatisfied。Thenhesays:
“Now,thethingtostudyoutis,howtogetthethingstoJim。”
“Taketheminthroughthehole,“Isays,“whenwegetitdone。”
Heonlyjustlookedscornful,andsaidsomethingaboutnobodyeverheardofsuchanidioticidea,andthenhewenttostudying。Byandbyhesaidhehadcipheredouttwoorthreeways,buttherewarn”tnoneedtodecideonanyofthemyet。Saidwe”dgottopostJimfirst。
Thatnightwewentdownthelightning-rodalittleafterten,andtookoneofthecandlesalong,andlistenedunderthewindow-hole,andheardJimsnoring;sowepitcheditin,anditdidn”twakehim。Thenwewhirledinwiththepickandshovel,andinabouttwohoursandahalfthejobwasdone。WecreptinunderJim”sbedandintothecabin,andpawedaroundandfoundthecandleandlitit,andstoodoverJimawhile,andfoundhimlookingheartyandhealthy,andthenwewokehimupgentleandgradual。
Hewassogladtoseeushemostcried;andcalledushoney,andallthepetnameshecouldthinkof;andwasforhavingushuntupacold-chiseltocutthechainoffofhislegwithrightaway,andclearingoutwithoutlosinganytime。ButTomheshowedhimhowunregularitwouldbe,andsetdownandtoldhimallaboutourplans,andhowwecouldaltertheminaminuteanytimetherewasanalarm;andnottobetheleastafraid,becausewewouldseehegotaway,SURE。SoJimhesaiditwasallright,andwesetthereandtalkedoveroldtimesawhile,andthenTomaskedalotofquestions,andwhenJimtoldhimUncleSilascomeineverydayortwotopraywithhim,andAuntSallycomeintoseeifhewascomfortableandhadplentytoeat,andbothofthemwaskindastheycouldbe,Tomsays:
“NOWIknowhowtofixit。We”llsendyousomethingsbythem。”
Isaid,“Don”tdonothingofthekind;it”soneofthemostjackassideasIeverstruck;“butheneverpaidnoattentiontome;wentrighton。Itwashiswaywhenhe”dgothisplansset。
SohetoldJimhowwe”dhavetosmuggleintherope-ladderpieandotherlargethingsbyNat,theniggerthatfedhim,andhemustbeonthelookout,andnotbesurprised,andnotletNatseehimopenthem;andwewouldputsmallthingsinuncle”scoatpocketsandhemuststealthemout;andwewouldtiethingstoaunt”sapron-stringsorputtheminherapron-pocket,ifwegotachance;andtoldhimwhattheywouldbeandwhattheywasfor。
Andtoldhimhowtokeepajournalontheshirtwithhisblood,andallthat。Hetoldhimeverything。Jimhecouldn”tseenosenseinthemostofit,butheallowedwewaswhitefolksandknowedbetterthanhim;sohewassatisfied,andsaidhewoulddoitalljustasTomsaid。
Jimhadplentycorn-cobpipesandtobacco;sowehadarightdowngoodsociabletime;thenwecrawledoutthroughthehole,andsohometobed,withhandsthatlookedlikethey”dbeenchawed。Tomwasinhighspirits。
Hesaiditwasthebestfunheeverhadinhislife,andthemostintellectural;
andsaidifheonlycouldseehiswaytoitwewouldkeepitupalltherestofourlivesandleaveJimtoourchildrentogetout;forhebelievedJimwouldcometolikeitbetterandbetterthemorehegotusedtoit。
Hesaidthatinthatwayitcouldbestrungouttoasmuchaseightyyear,andwouldbethebesttimeonrecord。Andhesaiditwouldmakeusallcelebratedthathadahandinit。
Inthemorningwewentouttothewoodpileandchoppedupthebrasscandlestickintohandysizes,andTomputthemandthepewterspooninhispocket。Thenwewenttotheniggercabins,andwhileIgotNat”snoticeoff,Tomshovedapieceofcandlestickintothemiddleofacorn-ponethatwasinJim”span,andwewentalongwithNattoseehowitwouldwork,anditjustworkednoble;whenJimbitintoititmostmashedallhisteethout;andtherewarn”teveranythingcouldaworkedbetter。Tomsaidsohimself。Jimheneverletonbutwhatitwasonlyjustapieceofrockorsomethinglikethatthat”salwaysgettingintobread,youknow;butafterthatheneverbitintonothingbutwhathejabbedhisforkintoitinthreeorfourplacesfirst。
Andwhilstwewasa-standingthereinthedimmishlight,herecomesacoupleofthehoundsbulginginfromunderJim”sbed;andtheykeptonpilingintilltherewaselevenofthem,andtherewarn”thardlyroomintheretogetyourbreath。Byjings,weforgottofastenthatlean-todoor!
TheniggerNatheonlyjusthollered“Witches“once,andkeeledoverontotheflooramongstthedogs,andbeguntogroanlikehewasdying。TomjerkedthedooropenandflungoutaslabofJim”smeat,andthedogswentforit,andintwosecondshewasouthimselfandbackagainandshutthedoor,andIknowedhe”dfixedtheotherdoortoo。Thenhewenttoworkonthenigger,coaxinghimandpettinghim,andaskinghimifhe”dbeenimagininghesawsomethingagain。Heraisedup,andblinkedhiseyesaround,andsays:
“MarsSid,you”llsayI”safool,butifIdidn”tb”lieveIseemostamilliondogs,erdevils,ersome”n,IwishtImaydierightheahindesetracks。Idid,mos”sholy。MarsSid,IFELTum——IFELTum,sah;deywasalloverme。Dadfetchit,Ijis”wishtIcouldgitmyhan”sononeerdemwitchesjis”wunst——on”yjis”wunst——it”sallI”dast。Butmos”lyIwishtdey”dlemme”lone,Idoes。”
Tomsays:
“Well,ItellyouwhatIthink。Whatmakesthemcomeherejustatthisrunawaynigger”sbreakfast-time?It”sbecausethey”rehungry;that”sthereason。Youmakethemawitchpie;that”sthethingforYOUtodo。”
“Butmylan”,MarsSid,how”sIgwynetomake”mawitchpie?Idoan”
knowhowtomakeit。Ihain”teverhearnersichathingb”fo”。”
“Well,then,I”llhavetomakeitmyself。”
“Willyoudoit,honey?——Ñ;willyou?I”llwusshupdegroun”
und”yo”foot,Iwill!“
“Allright,I”lldoit,seeingit”syou,andyou”vebeengoodtousandshowedustherunawaynigger。Butyougottobemightycareful。Whenwecomearound,youturnyourback;andthenwhateverwe”veputinthepan,don”tyouletonyouseeitatall。Anddon”tyoulookwhenJimunloadsthepan——somethingmighthappen,Idon”tknowwhat。Andaboveall,don”tyouHANDLEthewitch-things。”
“HANNEL”m,MarsSid?WhatISyoua-talkin””bout?Iwouldn”laydeweightermyfingeronum,notf”rtenhund”dthous”nbilliondollars,Iwouldn”t。”
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter37Chapter37THATwasallfixed。Sothenwewentawayandwenttotherubbage-pileinthebackyard,wheretheykeeptheoldboots,andrags,andpiecesofbottles,andwore-outtinthings,andallsuchtruck,andscratchedaroundandfoundanoldtinwashpan,andstoppeduptheholesaswellaswecould,tobakethepiein,andtookitdowncellarandstoleitfullofflourandstartedforbreakfast,andfoundacoupleofshingle-nailsthatTomsaidwouldbehandyforaprisonertoscrabblehisnameandsorrowsonthedungeonwallswith,anddroppedoneoftheminAuntSally”sapron-pocketwhichwashangingonachair,andt”otherwestuckinthebandofUncleSilas”shat,whichwasonthebureau,becauseweheardthechildrensaytheirpaandmawasgoingtotherunawaynigger”shousethismorning,andthenwenttobreakfast,andTomdroppedthepewterspooninUncleSilas”scoat-pocket,andAuntSallywasn”tcomeyet,sowehadtowaitalittlewhile。
Andwhenshecomeshewashotandredandcross,andcouldn”thardlywaitfortheblessing;andthenshewenttosluicingoutcoffeewithonehandandcrackingthehandiestchild”sheadwithherthimblewiththeother,andsays:
“I”vehuntedhighandI”vehuntedlow,anditdoesbeatallwhatHAS
becomeofyourothershirt。”
Myheartfelldownamongstmylungsandliversandthings,andahardpieceofcorn-cruststarteddownmythroatafteritandgotmetontheroadwithacough,andwasshotacrossthetable,andtookoneofthechildrenintheeyeandcurledhimuplikeafishing-worm,andletacryoutofhimthesizeofawarwhoop,andTomheturnedkinderbluearoundthegills,anditallamountedtoaconsiderablestateofthingsforaboutaquarterofaminuteorasmuchasthat,andIwouldasoldoutforhalfpriceiftherewasabidder。Butafterthatwewasallrightagain——itwasthesuddensurpriseofitthatknockedussokindofcold。UncleSilashesays:
“It”smostuncommoncurious,Ican”tunderstandit。IknowperfectlywellItookitOFF,because”
“Becauseyouhain”tgotbutoneON。JustLISTENattheman!Iknowyoutookitoff,andknowitbyabetterwaythanyourwool-getheringmemory,too,becauseitwasontheclo”s-lineyesterday——Iseeittheremyself。
Butit”sgone,that”sthelongandtheshortofit,andyou”lljusthavetochangetoaredflann”lonetillIcangettimetomakeanewone。Andit”llbethethirdI”vemadeintwoyears。Itjustkeepsabodyonthejumptokeepyouinshirts;andwhateveryoudomanagetoDOwith”mallismore”nIcanmakeout。Abody”dthinkyouWOULDlearntotakesomesortofcareof”ematyourtimeoflife。”
“Iknowit,Sally,andIdotryallIcan。Butitoughtn”ttobealtogethermyfault,because,youknow,Idon”tseethemnorhavenothingtodowiththemexceptwhenthey”reonme;andIdon”tbelieveI”veeverlostoneofthemOFFofme。”
“Well,itain”tYOURfaultifyouhaven”t,Silas;you”dadoneitifyoucould,Ireckon。Andtheshirtain”tallthat”sgone,nuther。Ther”saspoongone;andTHATain”tall。Therewasten,andnowther”sonlynine。
Thecalfgottheshirt,Ireckon,butthecalfnevertookthespoon,THAT”S
certain。”
“Why,whatelseisgone,Sally?“
“Ther”ssixCANDLESgone——that”swhat。Theratscouldagotthecandles,andIreckontheydid;Iwondertheydon”twalkoffwiththewholeplace,thewayyou”realwaysgoingtostoptheirholesanddon”tdoit;andiftheywarn”tfoolsthey”dsleepinyourhair,Silas——YOU”Dneverfinditout;butyoucan”tlaytheSPOONontherats,andthatIknow。”
“Well,Sally,I”minfault,andIacknowledgeit;I”vebeenremiss;
butIwon”tletto-morrowgobywithoutstoppingupthemholes。”
“Oh,Iwouldn”thurry;nextyear”lldo。MatildaAngelinaAramintaPHELPS!“
Whackcomesthethimble,andthechildsnatchesherclawsoutofthesugar-bowlwithoutfoolingaroundany。Justthentheniggerwomanstepsontothepassage,andsays:
“Missus,dey”sasheetgone。”
“ASHEETgone!Well,fortheland”ssake!“
“I”llstopupthemholesto-day,“saysUncleSilas,lookingsorrowful。
“Oh,DOshetup!——s”posetheratstooktheSHEET?WHERE”Sitgone,Lize?“
“ClahtogoodnessIhain”tnonotion,Miss”Sally。Shewuzondeclo”slineyistiddy,butshedonegone:sheain”dahnomo”now。”
“IreckontheworldIScomingtoanend。INEVERseethebeatofitinallmyborndays。Ashirt,andasheet,andaspoon,andsixcan”
“Missus,“comesayoungyallerwench,“dey”sabrasscannelstickmiss”n。”
“Cleroutfromhere,youhussy,erI”lltakeaskillettoye!“
Well,shewasjusta-biling。Ibeguntolayforachance;IreckonedIwouldsneakoutandgoforthewoodstilltheweathermoderated。Shekepta-ragingrightalong,runningherinsurrectionallbyherself,andeverybodyelsemightymeekandquiet;andatlastUncleSilas,lookingkindoffoolish,fishesupthatspoonoutofhispocket。Shestopped,withhermouthopenandherhandsup;andasforme,IwishedIwasinJeruslemorsomewheres。Butnotlong,becauseshesays:
“It”sJUSTasIexpected。Soyouhaditinyourpocketallthetime;
andlikeasnotyou”vegottheotherthingsthere,too。How”ditgetthere?“
“Ireelydon”tknow,Sally,“hesays,kindofapologizing,“oryouknowIwouldtell。IwasastudyingovermytextinActsSeventeenbeforebreakfast,andIreckonIputitinthere,notnoticing,meaningtoputmyTestamentin,anditmustbeso,becausemyTestamentain”tin;butI”llgoandsee;
andiftheTestamentiswhereIhadit,I”llknowIdidn”tputitin,andthatwillshowthatIlaidtheTestamentdownandtookupthespoon,and”
“Oh,fortheland”ssake!Giveabodyarest!Go”longnow,thewholekitandbilingofye;anddon”tcomenighmeagaintillI”vegotbackmypeaceofmind。”
I”Daheardherifshe”dasaidittoherself,letalonespeakingitout;andI”dagotupandobeyedherifI”dabeendead。Aswewaspassingthroughthesetting-roomtheoldmanhetookuphishat,andtheshingle-nailfelloutonthefloor,andhejustmerelypickeditupandlaiditonthemantel-shelf,andneversaidnothing,andwentout。Tomseehimdoit,andrememberedaboutthespoon,andsays:
“Well,itain”tnousetosendthingsbyHIMnomore,heain”treliable。”
Thenhesays:“Buthedoneusagoodturnwiththespoon,anyway,withoutknowingit,andsowe”llgoanddohimonewithoutHIMknowingit——stopuphisrat-holes。”
Therewasanoblegoodlotofthemdowncellar,andittookusawholehour,butwedonethejobtightandgoodandshipshape。Thenweheardstepsonthestairs,andblowedoutourlightandhid;andherecomestheoldman,withacandleinonehandandabundleofstuffint”other,lookingasabsent-mindedasyearbeforelast。Hewentamooningaround,firsttoonerat-holeandthenanother,tillhe”dbeentothemall。Thenhestoodaboutfiveminutes,pickingtallowdripoffofhiscandleandthinking。
Thenheturnsoffslowanddreamytowardsthestairs,saying:
“Well,forthelifeofmeIcan”trememberwhenIdoneit。IcouldshowhernowthatIwarn”ttoblameonaccountoftherats。Butnevermind——
letitgo。Ireckonitwouldn”tdonogood。”
Andsohewentona-mumblingupstairs,andthenweleft。Hewasamightyniceoldman。Andalwaysis。
Tomwasagooddealbotheredaboutwhattodoforaspoon,buthesaidwe”dgottohaveit;sohetookathink。Whenhehadciphereditouthetoldmehowwewastodo;thenwewentandwaitedaroundthespoon-baskettillweseeAuntSallycoming,andthenTomwenttocountingthespoonsandlayingthemouttooneside,andIslidoneofthemupmysleeve,andTomsays:
“Why,AuntSally,thereain”tbutninespoonsYET。”
Shesays:
“Go”longtoyourplay,anddon”tbotherme。Iknowbetter,Icounted”mmyself。”
“Well,I”vecountedthemtwice,Aunty,andIcan”tmakebutnine。”
Shelookedoutofallpatience,butofcourseshecometocount——anybodywould。
“Ideclaretograciousther”AIN”Tbutnine!“shesays。“Why,whatintheworld——plagueTAKEthethings,I”llcount”magain。”
SoIslippedbacktheoneIhad,andwhenshegotdonecounting,shesays:
“Hangthetroublesomerubbage,ther”sTENnow!“andshelookedhuffyandbotheredboth。ButTomsays:
“Why,Aunty,Idon”tthinkthere”sten。”
“Younumskull,didn”tyouseemeCOUNT”m?“
“Iknow,but”
“Well,I”llcount”mAGAIN。”
SoIsmouchedone,andtheycomeoutnine,sameastheothertime。Well,sheWASinatearingway——justa-tremblingallover,shewassomad。
Butshecountedandcountedtillshegotthataddledshe”dstarttocountinthebasketforaspoonsometimes;andso,threetimestheycomeoutright,andthreetimestheycomeoutwrong。Thenshegrabbedupthebasketandslammeditacrossthehouseandknockedthecatgalley-west;andshesaidcle”routandletherhavesomepeace,andifwecomebotheringaroundheragainbetwixtthatanddinnershe”dskinus。Sowehadtheoddspoon,anddroppeditinherapron-pocketwhilstshewasa-givingusoursailingorders,andJimgotitallright,alongwithhershinglenail,beforenoon。
Wewasverywellsatisfiedwiththisbusiness,andTomalloweditwasworthtwicethetroubleittook,becausehesaidNOWshecouldn”tevercountthemspoonstwicealikeagaintosaveherlife;andwouldn”tbelieveshe”dcountedthemrightifsheDID;andsaidthataftershe”daboutcountedherheadoffforthenextthreedayshejudgedshe”dgiveitupandoffertokillanybodythatwantedhertoevercountthemanymore。
Soweputthesheetbackonthelinethatnight,andstoleoneoutofhercloset;andkeptonputtingitbackandstealingitagainforacoupleofdaystillshedidn”tknowhowmanysheetsshehadanymore,andshedidn”tCARE,andwarn”ta-goingtobullyragtherestofhersouloutaboutit,andwouldn”tcountthemagainnottosaveherlife;shedrutherdiefirst。
Sowewasallrightnow,astotheshirtandthesheetandthespoonandthecandles,bythehelpofthecalfandtheratsandthemixed-upcounting;andastothecandlestick,itwarn”tnoconsequence,itwouldblowoverbyandby。
Butthatpiewasajob;wehadnoendoftroublewiththatpie。Wefixeditupawaydowninthewoods,andcookeditthere;andwegotitdoneatlast,andverysatisfactory,too;butnotallinoneday;andwehadtouseupthreewash-pansfullofflourbeforewegotthrough,andwegotburntprettymuchallover,inplaces,andeyesputoutwiththesmoke;
because,yousee,wedidn”twantnothingbutacrust,andwecouldn”tpropitupright,andshewouldalwayscavein。Butofcoursewethoughtoftherightwayatlast——whichwastocooktheladder,too,inthepie。
SothenwelaidinwithJimthesecondnight,andtoreupthesheetallinlittlestringsandtwistedthemtogether,andlongbeforedaylightwehadalovelyropethatyoucouldahungapersonwith。Weletonittookninemonthstomakeit。
Andintheforenoonwetookitdowntothewoods,butitwouldn”tgointothepie。Beingmadeofawholesheet,thatway,therewasropeenoughforfortypiesifwe”dawantedthem,andplentyleftoverforsoup,orsausage,oranythingyouchoose。Wecouldahadawholedinner。
Butwedidn”tneedit。Allweneededwasjustenoughforthepie,andsowethrowedtherestaway。Wedidn”tcooknoneofthepiesinthewash-pan——afraidthesolderwouldmelt;butUncleSilashehadanoblebrasswarming-panwhichhethoughtconsiderableof,becauseitbelongedtooneofhisancesterswithalongwoodenhandlethatcomeoverfromEnglandwithWilliamtheConquerorintheMayfloweroroneofthemearlyshipsandwashidawayupgarretwithalotofotheroldpotsandthingsthatwasvaluable,notonaccountofbeinganyaccount,becausetheywarn”t,butonaccountofthembeingrelicts,youknow,andwesnakedherout,private,andtookherdownthere,butshefailedonthefirstpies,becausewedidn”tknowhow,butshecomeupsmilingonthelastone。Wetookandlinedherwithdough,andsetherinthecoals,andloadedherupwithragrope,andputonadoughroof,andshutdownthelid,andputhotembersontop,andstoodofffivefoot,withthelonghandle,coolandcomfortable,andinfifteenminutessheturnedoutapiethatwasasatisfactiontolookat。
Butthepersonthatetitwouldwanttofetchacoupleofkagsoftoothpicksalong,forifthatropeladderwouldn”tcramphimdowntobusinessIdon”tknownothingwhatI”mtalkingabout,andlayhiminenoughstomach-achetolasthimtillnexttime,too。
Natdidn”tlookwhenweputthewitchpieinJim”span;andweputthethreetinplatesinthebottomofthepanunderthevittles;andsoJimgoteverythingallright,andassoonashewasbyhimselfhebustedintothepieandhidtheropeladderinsideofhisstrawtick,andscratchedsomemarksonatinplateandthroweditoutofthewindow-hole。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter38Chapter38MAKINGthempenswasadistressidtoughjob,andsowasthesaw;andJimallowedtheinscriptionwasgoingtobethetoughestofall。That”stheonewhichtheprisonerhastoscrabbleonthewall。Buthehadtohaveit;Tomsaidhe”dGOTto;therewarn”tnocaseofastateprisonernotscrabblinghisinscriptiontoleavebehind,andhiscoatofarms。
“LookatLadyJaneGrey,“hesays;“lookatGilfordDudley;lookatoldNorthumberland!Why,Huck,s”poseitISconsiderbletrouble?——whatyougoingtodo?——howyougoingtogetaroundit?Jim”sGOTtodohisinscriptionandcoatofarms。Theyalldo。”
Jimsays:
“Why,MarsTom,Ihain”tgotnocoato”arm;Ihain”tgotnuffnbutdishyeroleshirt,enyouknowsIgottokeepdejournalondat。”
“Oh,youdon”tunderstand,Jim;acoatofarmsisverydifferent。”
“Well,“Isays,“Jim”sright,anyway,whenhesaysheain”tgotnocoatofarms,becausehehain”t。”
“IreckonIknowedthat,“Tomsays,“butyoubethe”llhaveonebeforehegoesoutofthis——becausehe”sgoingoutRIGHT,andthereain”tgoingtobenoflawsinhisrecord。”
SowhilstmeandJimfiledawayatthepensonabrickbatapiece,Jima-makinghis”noutofthebrassandImakingmineoutofthespoon,Tomsettoworktothinkoutthecoatofarms。Byandbyhesaidhe”dstrucksomanygoodoneshedidn”thardlyknowwhichtotake,buttherewasonewhichhereckonedhe”ddecideon。Hesays:
“Onthescutcheonwe”llhaveabendORinthedexterbase,asaltireMURREYinthefess,withadog,couchant,forcommoncharge,andunderhisfootachainembattled,forslavery,withachevronVERTinachiefengrailed,andthreeinvectedlinesonafieldAZURE,withthenombrilpointsrampantonadancetteindented;crest,arunawaynigger,SABLE,withhisbundleoverhisshoulderonabarsinister;andacoupleofgulesforsupporters,whichisyouandme;motto,MAGGIOREFRETTA,MINOREOTTO。
Gotitoutofabook——meansthemorehastethelessspeed。”
“Geewhillikins,“Isays,“butwhatdoestherestofitmean?“
“Weain”tgotnotimetobotheroverthat,“hesays;“wegottodiginlikeallgit-out。”
“Well,anyway,“Isays,“what”sSOMEofit?What”safess?“
“Afess——afessis——YOUdon”tneedtoknowwhatafessis。I”llshowhimhowtomakeitwhenhegetstoit。”
“Shucks,Tom,“Isays,“Ithinkyoumighttellaperson。What”sabarsinister?“
“Oh,Idon”tknow。Buthe”sgottohaveit。Allthenobilitydoes。”
Thatwasjusthisway。Ifitdidn”tsuithimtoexplainathingtoyou,hewouldn”tdoit。Youmightpumpathimaweek,itwouldn”tmakenodifference。
He”dgotallthatcoatofarmsbusinessfixed,sonowhestartedintofinishuptherestofthatpartofthework,whichwastoplanoutamournfulinscription——saidJimgottohaveone,liketheyalldone。Hemadeupalot,andwrotethemoutonapaper,andreadthemoff,so:
1。Hereacaptiveheartbusted。2。Hereapoorprisoner,forsookbytheworldandfriends,frettedhissorrowfullife。3。Herealonelyheartbroke,andawornspiritwenttoitsrest,afterthirty-sevenyearsofsolitarycaptivity。4。Here,homelessandfriendless,afterthirty-sevenyearsofbittercaptivity,perishedanoblestranger,naturalsonofLouisXIV。
Tom”svoicetrembledwhilsthewasreadingthem,andhemostbrokedown。
Whenhegotdonehecouldn”tnowaymakeuphismindwhichoneforJimtoscrabbleontothewall,theywasallsogood;butatlastheallowedhewouldlethimscrabblethemallon。Jimsaiditwouldtakehimayeartoscrabblesuchalotoftruckontothelogswithanail,andhedidn”tknowhowtomakeletters,besides;butTomsaidhewouldblockthemoutforhim,andthenhewouldn”thavenothingtodobutjustfollowthelines。
Thenprettysoonhesays:
“Cometothink,thelogsain”ta-goingtodo;theydon”thavelogwallsinadungeon:wegottodigtheinscriptionsintoarock。We”llfetcharock。”
Jimsaidtherockwasworsethanthelogs;hesaiditwouldtakehimsuchapisonlongtimetodigthemintoarockhewouldn”tevergetout。
ButTomsaidhewouldletmehelphimdoit。ThenhetookalooktoseehowmeandJimwasgettingalongwiththepens。Itwasmostpeskytedioushardworkandslow,anddidn”tgivemyhandsnoshowtogetwellofthesores,andwedidn”tseemtomakenoheadway,hardly;soTomsays:
“Iknowhowtofixit。Wegottohavearockforthecoatofarmsandmournfulinscriptions,andwecankilltwobirdswiththatsamerock。There”sagaudybiggrindstonedownatthemill,andwe”llsmouchit,andcarvethethingsonit,andfileoutthepensandthesawonit,too。”
Itwarn”tnoslouchofanidea;anditwarn”tnoslouchofagrindstonenuther;butweallowedwe”dtackleit。Itwarn”tquitemidnightyet,soweclearedoutforthemill,leavingJimatwork。Wesmouchedthegrindstone,andsetouttorollherhome,butitwasamostnationtoughjob。Sometimes,dowhatwecould,wecouldn”tkeepherfromfallingover,andshecomemightynearmashinguseverytime。Tomsaidshewasgoingtogetoneofus,sure,beforewegotthrough。Wegotherhalfway;andthenwewasplumbplayedout,andmostdrowndedwithsweat。Weseeitwarn”tnouse;wegottogoandfetchJimSoheraiseduphisbedandslidthechainoffofthebed-leg,andwraptitroundandroundhisneck,andwecrawledoutthroughourholeanddownthere,andJimandmelaidintothatgrindstoneandwalkedheralonglikenothing;andTomsuperintended。Hecouldout-superintendanyboyIeversee。Heknowedhowtodoeverything。
Ourholewasprettybig,butitwarn”tbigenoughtogetthegrindstonethrough;butJimhetookthepickandsoonmadeitbigenough。ThenTommarkedoutthemthingsonitwiththenail,andsetJimtoworkonthem,withthenailforachiselandanironboltfromtherubbageinthelean-toforahammer,andtoldhimtoworktilltherestofhiscandlequitonhim,andthenhecouldgotobed,andhidethegrindstoneunderhisstrawtickandsleeponit。Thenwehelpedhimfixhischainbackonthebed-leg,andwasreadyforbedourselves。ButTomthoughtofsomething,andsays:
“Yougotanyspidersinhere,Jim?“
“No,sah,thankstogoodnessIhain”t,MarsTom。”
“Allright,we”llgetyousome。”
“Butblessyou,honey,Idoan”WANTnone。I”safeardunum。Ijis””ssoonhaverattlesnakesaroun”。”
Tomthoughtaminuteortwo,andsays:
“It”sagoodidea。AndIreckonit”sbeendone。ItMUSTabeendone;
itstandstoreason。Yes,it”saprimegoodidea。Wherecouldyoukeepit?“
“Keepwhat,MarsTom?“
“Why,arattlesnake。”
“Degoodnessgraciousalive,MarsTom!Why,ifdeywasarattlesnaketocomeinheahI”dtakeenbustrightoutthoodatlogwall,Iwould,widmyhead。”
Why,Jim,youwouldn”tbeafraidofitafteralittle。Youcouldtameit。”
“TAMEit!“
“Yes——easyenough。Everyanimalisgratefulforkindnessandpetting,andtheywouldn”tTHINKofhurtingapersonthatpetsthem。Anybookwilltellyouthat。Youtry——that”sallIask;justtryfortwoorthreedays。
Why,youcangethimsoinalittlewhilethathe”llloveyou;andsleepwithyou;andwon”tstayawayfromyouaminute;andwillletyouwraphimroundyourneckandputhisheadinyourmouth。”
“PLEASE,MarsTom——DOAN”talkso!Ican”tSTAN”it!He”dLETmeshovehisheadinmymouf——ferafavor,hain”tit?Ilayhe”dwaitapow”fullongtime”fo”IASThim。Enmo”endat,Idoan”WANThimtosleepwidme。”
“Jim,don”tactsofoolish。Aprisoner”sGOTtohavesomekindofadumbpet,andifarattlesnakehain”teverbeentried,why,there”smoreglorytobegainedinyourbeingthefirsttoevertryitthananyotherwayyoucouldeverthinkoftosaveyourlife。”
“Why,MarsTom,Idoan”WANTnosichglory。Snaketake”nbiteJim”schinoff,denWHAHisdeglory?No,sah,Idoan”wantnosichdoin”s。”
“Blameit,can”tyouTRY?IonlyWANTyoutotry——youneedn”tkeepitupifitdon”twork。”
“ButdetroubleallDONEefdesnakebitemewhileI”satryin”him。
MarsTom,I”swillin”totacklemos”anything”atain”tonreasonable,butefyouenHuckfetchesarattlesnakeinheahformetotame,I”sgwynetoLEAVE,dat”sSHORE。”
“Well,then,letitgo,letitgo,ifyou”resobullheadedaboutit。
Wecangetyousomegarter-snakes,andyoucantiesomebuttonsontheirtails,andletonthey”rerattlesnakes,andIreckonthat”llhavetodo。”
“Ik”nstan”DEM,MarsTom,butblame””fIcouldn”getalongwidoutum,Itellyoudat。Ineverknowedb”fo””twassomuchbotherandtroubletobeaprisoner。”
“Well,itALWAYSiswhenit”sdoneright。Yougotanyratsaroundhere?“
“No,sah,Ihain”tseednone。”
“Well,we”llgetyousomerats。”
“Why,MarsTom,Idoan”WANTnorats。Dey”sdedadblamedestcretursto”sturbabody,enrustleroun”over”im,enbitehisfeet,whenhe”stryin”tosleep,Ieversee。No,sah,gimmeg”yarter-snakes,”fI”sgottohave”m,butdoan”gimmenorats;Ihain”gotnousef”rum,skasely。”
“But,Jim,youGOTtohave”em——theyalldo。Sodon”tmakenomorefussaboutit。Prisonersain”teverwithoutrats。Thereain”tnoinstanceofit。Andtheytrainthem,andpetthem,andlearnthemtricks,andtheygettobeassociableasflies。Butyougottoplaymusictothem。Yougotanythingtoplaymusicon?“
“Iain”gotnuffnbutacoasecombenapieceo”paper,enajuice-harp;
butIreck”ndeywouldn”takenostockinajuice-harp。”
“Yestheywould。THEYdon”tcarewhatkindofmusic”tis。Ajews-harp”splentygoodenoughforarat。Allanimalslikemusic——inaprisontheydoteonit。Specially,painfulmusic;andyoucan”tgetnootherkindoutofajews-harp。Italwaysintereststhem;theycomeouttoseewhat”sthematterwithyou。Yes,you”reallright;you”refixedverywell。Youwanttosetonyourbednightsbeforeyougotosleep,andearlyinthemornings,andplayyourjewsharp;play”TheLastLinkisBroken”——that”sthethingthat”llscooparatquicker”nanythingelse;andwhenyou”veplayedabouttwominutesyou”llseealltherats,andthesnakes,andspiders,andthingsbegintofeelworriedaboutyou,andcome。Andthey”lljustfairlyswarmoveryou,andhaveanoblegoodtime。”
“Yes,DEYwill,Ireck”n,MarsTom,butwhatkineertimeisJIMhavin”?
BlestifIkinseedepint。ButI”lldoitefIgotto。Ireck”nIbetterkeepdeanimalssatisfied,ennothavenotroubleindehouse。”
Tomwaitedtothinkitover,andseeiftherewasn”tnothingelse;andprettysoonhesays:
“Oh,there”sonethingIforgot。Couldyouraiseaflowerhere,doyoureckon?“
“IdoanknowbutmaybeIcould,MarsTom;butit”stolabledarkinheah,enIain”gotnousef”rnoflower,nohow,enshe”dbeapow”fulsighto”trouble。”
“Well,youtryit,anyway。Someotherprisonershasdoneit。”
“Oneerdembigcat-tail-lookin”mullen-stalkswouldgrowinheah,MarsTom,Ireck”n,butshewouldn”tbewuthhalfdetroubleshe”dcoss。”
“Don”tyoubelieveit。We”llfetchyoualittleoneandyouplantitinthecorneroverthere,andraiseit。Anddon”tcallitmullen,callitPitchiola——that”sitsrightnamewhenit”sinaprison。Andyouwanttowateritwithyourtears。”
“Why,Igotplentyspringwater,MarsTom。”
“Youdon”tWANTspringwater;youwanttowateritwithyourtears。
It”sthewaytheyalwaysdo。”
“Why,MarsTom,IlayIkinraiseoneerdemmullen-stalkstwystewidspringwaterwhilesanotherman”saSTART”Nonewidtears。”
“Thatain”ttheidea。YouGOTtodoitwithtears。”
“She”lldieonmyhan”s,MarsTom,shesholywill;kaseIdoan”skaselyevercry。”
SoTomwasstumped。Buthestudieditover,andthensaidJimwouldhavetoworryalongthebesthecouldwithanonion。Hepromisedhewouldgototheniggercabinsanddropone,private,inJim”scoffeepot,inthemorning。Jimsaidhewould“jis””ssoonhavetobackerinhiscoffee;“
andfoundsomuchfaultwithit,andwiththeworkandbotherofraisingthemullen,andjews-harpingtherats,andpettingandflatteringupthesnakesandspidersandthings,ontopofalltheotherworkhehadtodoonpens,andinscriptions,andjournals,andthings,whichmadeitmoretroubleandworryandresponsibilitytobeaprisonerthananythingheeverundertook,thatTommostlostallpatiencewithhim;andsaidhewasjustloadeneddownwithmoregaudierchancesthanaprisonereverhadintheworldtomakeanameforhimself,andyethedidn”tknowenoughtoappreciatethem,andtheywasjustaboutwastedonhim。SoJimhewassorry,andsaidhewouldn”tbehavesonomore,andthenmeandTomshovedforbed。
TheAdventuresofHuckleberryFinn-Chapter39Chapter39INthemorningwewentuptothevillageandboughtawirerat-trapandfetcheditdown,andunstoppedthebestrat-hole,andinaboutanhourwehadfifteenofthebulliestkindofones;andthenwetookitandputitinasafeplaceunderAuntSally”sbed。ButwhilewewasgoneforspiderslittleThomasFranklinBenjaminJeffersonElexanderPhelpsfounditthere,andopenedthedoorofittoseeiftheratswouldcomeout,andtheydid;
andAuntSallyshecomein,andwhenwegotbackshewasa-standingontopofthebedraisingCain,andtheratswasdoingwhattheycouldtokeepoffthedulltimesforher。Soshetookanddustedusbothwiththehickry,andwewasasmuchastwohourscatchinganotherfifteenorsixteen,dratthatmeddlesomecub,andtheywarn”tthelikeliest,nuther,becausethefirsthaulwasthepickoftheflock。Ineverseealikelierlotofratsthanwhatthatfirsthaulwas。
Wegotasplendidstockofsortedspiders,andbugs,andfrogs,andcaterpillars,andonethingoranother;andweliketogotahornet”snest,butwedidn”t。Thefamilywasathome。Wedidn”tgiveitrightup,butstayedwiththemaslongaswecould;becauseweallowedwe”dtirethemoutorthey”dgottotireusout,andtheydoneit。Thenwegotallycumpainandrubbedontheplaces,andwasprettynearallrightagain,butcouldn”tsetdownconvenient。Andsowewentforthesnakes,andgrabbedacoupleofdozengartersandhouse-snakes,andputtheminabag,andputitinourroom,andbythattimeitwassuppertime,andarattlinggoodhonestday”swork:andhungry?——oh,no,Ireckonnot!Andtherewarn”tablessedsnakeuptherewhenwewentback——wedidn”thalftiethesack,andtheyworkedoutsomehow,andleft。Butitdidn”tmattermuch,becausetheywasstillonthepremisessomewheres。Sowejudgedwecouldgetsomeofthemagain。No,therewarn”tnorealscarcityofsnakesaboutthehouseforaconsiderablespell。You”dseethemdrippingfromtheraftersandplaceseverynowandthen;andtheygenerlylandedinyourplate,ordownthebackofyourneck,andmostofthetimewhereyoudidn”twantthem。Well,theywashandsomeandstriped,andtherewarn”tnoharminamillionofthem;butthatnevermadenodifferencetoAuntSally;shedespisedsnakes,bethebreedwhattheymight,andshecouldn”tstandthemnowayyoucouldfixit;andeverytimeoneofthemfloppeddownonher,itdidn”tmakenodifferencewhatshewasdoing,shewouldjustlaythatworkdownandlightout。Ineverseesuchawoman。AndyoucouldhearherwhooptoJericho。
Youcouldn”tgethertotakea-holtofoneofthemwiththetongs。Andifsheturnedoverandfoundoneinbedshewouldscrambleoutandliftahowlthatyouwouldthinkthehousewasafire。Shedisturbedtheoldmansothathesaidhecouldmostwishtherehadn”teverbeennosnakescreated。Why,aftereverylastsnakehadbeengoneclearoutofthehouseforasmuchasaweekAuntSallywarn”toverityet;shewarn”tnearoverit;whenshewassettingthinkingaboutsomethingyoucouldtouchheronthebackofherneckwithafeatherandshewouldjumprightoutofherstockings。Itwasverycurious。ButTomsaidallwomenwasjustso。Hesaidtheywasmadethatwayforsomereasonorother。
Wegotalickingeverytimeoneofoursnakescomeinherway,andsheallowedtheselickingswarn”tnothingtowhatshewoulddoifweeverloadeduptheplaceagainwiththem。Ididn”tmindthelickings,becausetheydidn”tamounttonothing;butImindedthetroublewehadtolayinanotherlot。Butwegotthemlaidin,andalltheotherthings;andyouneverseeacabinasblithesomeasJim”swaswhenthey”dallswarmoutformusicandgoforhim。Jimdidn”tlikethespiders,andthespidersdidn”tlikeJim;andsothey”dlayforhim,andmakeitmightywarmforhim。Andhesaidthatbetweentheratsandthesnakesandthegrindstonetherewarn”tnoroominbedforhim,skasely;andwhentherewas,abodycouldn”tsleep,itwassolively,anditwasalwayslively,hesaid,becauseTHEYneverallsleptatonetime,buttookturnabout,sowhenthesnakeswasasleeptheratswasondeck,andwhentheratsturnedinthesnakescomeonwatch,sohealwayshadonegangunderhim,inhisway,andt”otherganghavingacircusoverhim,andifhegotuptohuntanewplacethespiderswouldtakeachanceathimashecrossedover。Hesaidifheevergotoutthistimehewouldn”teverbeaprisoneragain,notforasalary。
Well,bytheendofthreeweekseverythingwasinprettygoodshape。