Wecouldn’tstirforaminuteortwo；thenitwasgoneWetalkedaboutitinlowvoices。Tomsays：
　　"They’remostlydimandsmoky，orlikethey’remadeoutoffog，butthisonewasn’t。"
　　"No，"Isays；"Iseenthegogglesandthewhiskersperfectlyplain。"
　　"Yes，andtheverycolorsinthemloudcountrifiedSundayclothes——plaidbreeches，greenandblack——"
　　"Cottonvelvetwestcot，fire-redandyallersquares——"
　　"Leatherstrapstothebottomsofthebreecheslegsandoneofthemhangingunbottoned——"
　　"Yes，andthathat——"
　　"Whatahatforaghosttowear！"
　　Youseeitwasthefirstseasonanybodyworethatkind——ablacksitff-brimstove-pipe，veryhigh，andnotsmooth，witharoundtop——justlikeasugar-loaf。
　　"Didyounoticeifitshairwasthesame，Huck？"
　　"No——seemstomeIdid，thenagainitseemstomeIdidn’t。"
　　"Ididn’teither；butithaditsbagalong，Inoticedthat。"
　　"SodidI。Howcantherebeaghost-bag，Tom？"
　　"Sho！Iwouldn’tbeasignorantasthatifIwasyou，HuckFinn。Whateveraghosthas，turnstoghost-
　　stuff。They’vegottohavetheirthings，likeanybodyelse。Yousee，yourself，thatitsclotheswasturnedtoghost-stuff。Well，then，what’stohenderitsbagfromturning，too？Ofcourseitdoneit。"
　　Thatwasreasonable。Icouldn’tfindnofaultwithit。BillWithersandhisbrotherJackcomealongby，talking，andJacksays：
　　"Whatdoyoureckonhewastoting？"
　　"Idunno；butitwasprettyheavy。"
　　"Yes，allhecouldlug。NiggerstealingcornfromoldParsonSilas，Ijudged。"
　　"SodidI。AndsoIallowedIwouldn’tletontoseehim。"
　　"That’sme，too。"
　　Thentheybothlaughed，andwentonoutofhearing。
　　ItshowedhowunpopularoldUncleSilashadgottobenow。Theywouldn’t’a’letaniggerstealanybodyelse’scornandneverdoneanythingtohim。
　　Weheardsomemorevoicesmumblingalongtowardsusandgettinglouder，andsometimesacackleofalaugh。ItwasLemBeebeandJimLane。JimLanesays：
　　"Who？——JubiterDunlap？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。Ireckonso。Iseenhimspad-
　　ingupsomegroundalongaboutanhourago，justbe-
　　foresundown——himandtheparson。Saidheguessedhewouldn’tgoto-night，butwecouldhavehisdogifwewantedhim。"
　　"Tootired，Ireckon。"
　　"Yes——workssohard！"
　　"Oh，youbet！"
　　Theycackledatthat，andwentonby。Tomsaidwebetterjumpoutandtagalongafterthem，becausetheywasgoingourwayanditwouldn’tbecomfortabletorunacrosstheghostallbyourselves。Sowedoneit，andgothomeallright。
　　ThatnightwasthesecondofSeptember——aSatur-
　　day。Isha’n’teverforgetit。You’llseewhy，prettysoon。
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　PLANSTOSECURETHEDIAMONDS
　　WEtrampedalongbehindJimandLemtillwecometothebackstilewhereoldJim’scabinwasthathewascaptivatedin，thetimewesethimfree，andherecomethedogspilingaroundustosayhowdy，andtherewasthelightsofthehouse，too；sowewarn’tafeardanymore，andwasgoingtoclimbover，butTomsays：
　　"Holdon；setdownhereaminute。ByGeorge！"
　　"What’sthematter？"saysI。
　　"Matterenough！"hesays。"Wasn’tyouexpect-
　　ingwewouldbethefirsttotellthefamilywhoitisthat’sbeenkilledyonderinthesycamores，andallaboutthemrapscallionsthatdoneit，andaboutthedi’mondsthey’vesmouchedoffofthecorpse，andpaintitupfine，andhavethegloryofbeingtheonesthatknowsalotmoreaboutitthananybodyelse？"
　　"Why，ofcourse。Itwouldn’tbeyou，TomSawyer，ifyouwastoletsuchachancegoby。Ireckonitain’tgoingtosuffernoneforlackofpaint，"Isays，"whenyoustartintoscollopthefacts。"
　　"Well，now，"hesays，perfectlyca’m，"whatwouldyousayifIwastotellyouIain’tgoingtostartinatall？"
　　Iwasastonishedtohearhimtalkso。Isays：
　　"I’dsayit’salie。Youain’tinearnest，TomSawyer？"
　　"You’llsoonsee。Wastheghostbarefooted？"
　　"No，itwasn’t。Whatofit？"
　　"Youwait——I’llshowyouwhat。Didithaveitsbootson？"
　　"Yes。Iseenthemplain。"
　　"Swearit？"
　　"Yes，Iswearit。"
　　"SodoI。Nowdoyouknowwhatthatmeans？"
　　"No。Whatdoesitmean？"
　　"MeansthatthemthievesDIDN’TGETTHEDI’MONDS。"
　　"Jimminy！Whatmakesyouthinkthat？"
　　"Idon’tonlythinkit，Iknowit。Didn’tthebreechesandgogglesandwhiskersandhand-bagandeveryblessedthingturntoghost-stuff？Everythingithadonturned，didn’tit？Itshowsthatthereasonitsbootsturnedtoowasbecauseitstillhadthemonafteritstartedtogoha’ntingaround，andifthatain’tproofthatthemblatherskitesdidn’tgettheboots，I’dliketoknowwhatyou’dCALLproof。"
　　Thinkofthatnow。Ineverseesuchaheadasthatboyhad。Why，IhadeyesandIcouldseethings，buttheynevermeantnothingtome。ButTomSawyerwasdifferent。WhenTomSawyerseenathingitjustgotuponitshindlegsandTALKEDtohim——toldhimeverythingitknowed。Ineverseesuchahead。
　　"TomSawyer，"Isays，"I’llsayitagainasI’vesaiditamanyatimebefore：Iain’tfittentoblackyourboots。Butthat’sallright——that’sneitherherenorthere。GodAlmightymadeusall，andsomeHegiveseyesthat’sblind，andsomeHegiveseyesthatcansee，andIreckonitain’tnoneofourlookoutwhatHedoneitfor；it’sallright，orHe’d’a’fixeditsomeotherway。Goon——Iseeplentyplainenough，now，thatthemthievesdidn’tgetwaywiththedi’monds。
　　Whydidn’tthey，doyoureckon？"
　　"Becausetheygotchasedawaybythemothertwomenbeforetheycouldpullthebootsoffofthecorpse。"
　　"That’sso！Iseeitnow。Butlookyhere，Tom，whyain’twetogoandtellaboutit？"
　　"Oh，shucks，HuckFinn，can’tyousee？Lookatit。What’sa-goingtohappen？There’sgoingtobeaninquestinthemorning。Themtwomenwilltellhowtheyheardtheyellsandrushedtherejustintimetonotsavethestranger。Thenthejury’lltwaddleandtwaddleandtwaddle，andfinallythey’llfetchinaverdictthathegotshotorstuckorbustedovertheheadwithsomething，andcometohisdeathbythein-
　　spirationofGod。Andafterthey’veburiedhimthey’llauctionoffhisthingsfortopaytheexpenses，andthen’sOURchance。"
　　"How，Tom？"
　　"Buythebootsfortwodollars！"
　　Well，it’mosttookmybreath。
　　"Myland！Why，Tom，WE’LLgetthedi’monds！"
　　"Youbet。Somedaythere’llbeabigrewardofferedforthem——athousanddollars，sure。That’sourmoney！Nowwe’lltrotinandseethefolks。
　　Andmindyouwedon’tknowanythingaboutanymurder，oranydi’monds，oranythieves——don’tyouforgetthat。"
　　Ihadtosighalittleoverthewayhehadgotitfixed。
　　I’d’a’SOLDthemdi’monds——yes，sir——fortwelvethousanddollars；butIdidn’tsayanything。Itwouldn’tdoneanygood。Isays：
　　"ButwhatarewegoingtotellyourauntSallyhasmadeussolonggettingdownherefromthevillage，Tom？"
　　"Oh，I’llleavethattoyou，"hesays。"Ireckonyoucanexplainitsomehow。"
　　Hewasalwaysjustthatstrictanddelicate。Heneverwouldtellaliehimself。
　　Westruckacrossthebigyard，noticingthis，that，andt’otherthingthatwassofamiliar，andwesogladtoseeitagain，andwhenwegottotheroofedbigpassagewaybetwixtthedoubleloghouseandthekitchenpart，therewaseverythinghangingonthewalljustasitusedtowas，eventoUncleSilas’soldfadedgreenbaizeworking-gownwiththehoodtoit，andrag-
　　gedywhitepatchbetweentheshouldersthatalwayslookedlikesomebodyhadhithimwithasnowball；andthenweliftedthelatchandwalkedin。AuntSallyshewasjusta-rippinganda-tearingaround，andthechildrenwashuddledinonecorner，andtheoldmanhewashuddledintheotherandprayingforhelpintimeofneed。Shejumpedforuswithjoyandtearsrunningdownherfaceandgiveusawhackingboxontheear，andthenhuggedusandkissedusandboxedusagain，andjustcouldn’tseemtogetenoughofit，shewassogladtoseeus；andshesays：
　　"WhereHAVEyoubeena-loafingto，yougood-for-
　　nothingtrash！I’vebeenthatworriedaboutyouI
　　didn’tknowwhattodo。Yourtrapshasbeenhereeversolong，andI’vehadsuppercookedfreshaboutfourtimessoastohaveithotandgoodwhenyoucome，tillatlastmypatienceisjustplumbworeout，andIdeclareI——I——whyIcouldskinyoualive！Youmustbestarving，poorthings！——setdown，setdown，everybody；don’tlosenomoretime。"
　　Itwasgoodtobethereagainbehindallthatnoblecorn-poneandspareribs，andeverythingthatyoucouldeverwantinthisworld。OldUncleSilashepeeledoffoneofhisbulliestold-timeblessings，withasmanylayerstoitasanonion，andwhilsttheangelswashaul-
　　ingintheslackofitIwastryingtostudyupwhattosayaboutwhatkeptussolong。Whenourplateswasallloadenedandwe’dgota-going，sheaskedme，andIsays：
　　"Well，yousee，——er——Mizzes——"
　　"HuckFinn！SincewhenamIMizzestoyou？
　　HaveIeverbeenstingyofcuffsorkissesforyousincethedayyoustoodinthisroomandItookyouforTomSawyerandblessedGodforsendingyoutome，thoughyoutoldmefourthousandliesandIbelievedeveryoneofthemlikeasimpleton？CallmeAuntSally——
　　likeyoualwaysdone。"
　　SoIdoneit。AndIsays：
　　"Well，meandTomallowedwewouldcomealongafootandtakeasmellofthewoods，andwerunacrossLemBeebeandJimLane，andtheyaskedustogowiththemblackberryingto-night，andsaidtheycouldbor-
　　rowJubiterDunlap’sdog，becausehehadtoldthemjustthatminute——"
　　"Wheredidtheyseehim？"saystheoldman；andwhenIlookeduptoseehowHEcometotakeanintrustinalittlethinglikethat，hiseyeswasjustburningintome，hewasthateager。Itsurprisedmesoitkindofthrowedmeoff，butIpulledmyselftogetheragainandsays：
　　"Itwaswhenhewasspadingupsomegroundalongwithyou，towardssundownoralongthere。"
　　Heonlysaid，"Um，"inakindofadisappointedway，anddidn’ttakenomoreintrust。SoIwenton。
　　Isays：
　　"Well，then，asIwasa-saying——"
　　"That’lldo，youneedn’tgonofurder。"ItwasAuntSally。Shewasboringrightintomewithhereyes，andveryindignant。"HuckFinn，"shesays，"how’dthemmencometotalkaboutgoinga-black-
　　berryinginSeptember——inTHISregion？"
　　IseeIhadslippedup，andIcouldn’tsayaword。
　　Shewaited，stilla-gazingatme，thenshesays：
　　"Andhow’dtheycometostrikethatidiotideaofgoinga-blackberryinginthenight？"
　　"Well，m’m，they——er——theytoldustheyhadalantern，and——"
　　"Oh，SHETup——do！Lookyhere；whatwastheygoingtodowithadog？——huntblackberrieswithit？"
　　"Ithink，m’m，they——"
　　"Now，TomSawyer，whatkindofalieareyoufix-
　　ingYOURmouthtocontribittothismessofrubbage？
　　Speakout——andIwarnyoubeforeyoubegin，thatIdon’tbelieveawordofit。YouandHuck’sbeenuptosomethingyounobusinessto——Iknowitperfectlywell；Iknowyou，BOTHofyou。Nowyouexplainthatdog，andthemblackberries，andthelantern，andtherestofthatrot——andmindyoutalkasstraightasastring——doyouhear？"
　　Tomhelookedconsiderablehurt，andsays，verydignified：
　　"ItisapityifHuckistobetalkedtothatway，justformakingalittlebitofamistakethatanybodycouldmake。"
　　"Whatmistakehashemade？"
　　"Why，onlythemistakeofsayingblackberrieswhenofcoursehemeantstrawberries。"
　　"TomSawyer，Ilayifyouaggravatemealittlemore，I’ll——"
　　"AuntSally，withoutknowingit——andofcoursewithoutintendingit——youareinthewrong。Ifyou’d’a’studiednaturalhistorythewayyouought，youwouldknowthatallovertheworldexceptjusthereinArkansawtheyALWAYShuntstrawberrieswithadog——
　　andalantern——"
　　Butshebustedinonhimthereandjustpiledintohimandsnowedhimunder。Shewassomadshecouldn’tgetthewordsoutfastenough，andshegushedthemoutinoneeverlastingfreshet。ThatwaswhatTomSawyerwasafter。Heallowedtoworkherupandgetherstartedandthenleaveheraloneandletherburnherselfout。Thenshewouldbesoaggravatedwiththatsubjectthatshewouldn’tsayanotherwordaboutit，norletanybodyelse。Well，ithappenedjustso。Whenshewastuckeredoutandhadtoholdup，hesays，quiteca’m：
　　"Andyet，allthesame，AuntSally——"
　　"Shetup！"shesays，"Idon’twanttohearanotherwordoutofyou。"
　　Sowewasperfectlysafe，then，anddidn’thavenomoretroubleaboutthatdelay。Tomdoneitelegant。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　ANIGHT’SVIGIL
　　BENNYshewaslookingprettysober，andshesighedsome，nowandthen；butprettysoonshegottoaskingaboutMary，andSid，andTom’sauntPolly，andthenAuntSally’scloudsclearedoffandshegotinagoodhumorandjoinedinonthequestionsandwasherlovingestbestself，andsotherestofthesupperwentalonggayandpleasant。Buttheoldmanhedidn’ttakeanyhandhardly，andwasabsent-mindedandrestless，anddoneaconsiderableamountofsigh-
　　ing；anditwaskindofheart-breakingtoseehimsosadandtroubledandworried。
　　Byandby，aspellaftersupper，comeaniggerandknockedonthedoorandputhisheadinwithhisoldstrawhatinhishandbowingandscraping，andsaidhisMarseBracewasoutatthestileandwantedhisbrother，andwasgettingtiredwaitingsupperforhim，andwouldMarseSilaspleasetellhimwherehewas？
　　IneverseeUncleSilasspeakupsosharpandfractiousbefore。Hesays：
　　"AmIhisbrother’skeeper？"Andthenhekindofwiltedtogether，andlookedlikehewishedhehadn’tspokenso，andthenhesays，verygentle："Butyouneedn’tsaythat，Billy；Iwastooksuddenandirritable，andIain’tverywellthesedays，andnothardlyrespon-
　　sible。Tellhimheain’there。"
　　Andwhentheniggerwasgonehegotupandwalkedthefloor，backwardsandforwards，mumblingandmutteringtohimselfandplowinghishandsthroughhishair。Itwasrealpitifultoseehim。AuntSallyshewhisperedtousandtoldusnottotakenoticeofhim，itembarrassedhim。Shesaidhewasalwaysthinkingandthinking，sincethesetroublescomeon，andsheallowedhedidn’tmore’nabouthalfknowwhathewasaboutwhenthethinkingspellswasonhim；andshesaidhewalkedinhissleepconsiderablemorenowthanheusedto，andsometimeswanderedaroundoverthehouseandevenoutdoorsinhissleep，andifwecatchedhimatitwemustlethimaloneandnotdisturbhim。
　　Shesaidshereckoneditdidn’tdohimnoharm，andmaybeitdonehimgood。ShesaidBennywastheonlyonethatwasmuchhelptohimthesedays。SaidBennyappearedtoknowjustwhentotrytosoothehimandwhentoleavehimalone。
　　Sohekeptontrampingupanddownthefloorandmuttering，tillbyandbyhebeguntolookprettytired；
　　thenBennyshewentandsnuggleduptohissideandputonehandinhisandonearmaroundhiswaistandwalkedwithhim；andhesmileddownonher，andreacheddownandkissedher；andso，littlebylittlethetroublewentoutofhisfaceandshepersuadedhimofftohisroom。Theyhadverypettingwaystogether，anditwasuncommonprettytosee。
　　AuntSallyshewasbusygettingthechildrenreadyforbed；sobyandbyitgotdullandtedious，andmeandTomtookaturninthemoonlight，andfetchedupinthewatermelon-patchandetone，andhadagooddealoftalk。AndTomsaidhe’dbetthequarrelingwasallJubiter’sfault，andhewasgoingtobeonhandthefirsttimehegotachance，andsee；andifitwasso，hewasgoingtodohislevelbesttogetUncleSilastoturnhimoff。
　　Andsowetalkedandsmokedandstuffedwater-
　　melonsmuchastwohours，andthenitwasprettylate，andwhenwegotbackthehousewasquietanddark，andeverybodygonetobed。
　　Tomhealwaysseeneverything，andnowheseethattheoldgreenbaizework-gownwasgone，andsaiditwasn’tgonewhenhewentout；sohealloweditwascurious，andthenwewentuptobed。
　　WecouldhearBennystirringaroundinherroom，whichwasnexttoourn，andjudgedshewasworriedagooddealaboutherfatherandcouldn’tsleep。Wefoundwecouldn’t，neither。Sowesetupalongtime，andsmokedandtalkedinalowvoice，andfeltprettydullanddown-hearted。Wetalkedthemurderandtheghostoverandoveragain，andgotsocreepyandcrawlywecouldn’tgetsleepynohowandnoway。
　　Byandby，whenitwasawaylateinthenightandallthesoundswaslatesoundsandsolemn，Tomnudgedmeandwhisperstometolook，andIdoneit，andthereweseeamanpokingaroundintheyardlikehedidn’tknowjustwhathewantedtodo，butitwasprettydimandwecouldn’tseehimgood。Thenhestartedforthestile，andashewentoveritthemooncameoutstrong，andhehadalong-handledshoveloverhisshoulder，andweseethewhitepatchontheoldwork-
　　gown。SoTomsays：
　　"He’sa-walkinginhissleep。Iwishwewasallowedtofollowhimandseewherehe’sgoingto。
　　There，he’sturneddownbythetobacker-field。Outofsightnow。It’sadreadfulpityhecan’trestnobetter。"
　　Wewaitedalongtime，buthedidn’tcomebackanymore，orifhedidhecomearoundtheotherway；soatlastwewastuckeredoutandwenttosleepandhadnightmares，amillionofthem。Butbeforedawnwewasawakeagain，becausemeantimeastormhadcomeupandbeenraging，andthethunderandlightningwasawful，andthewindwasa-thrashingthetreesaround，andtherainwasdrivingdowninslantingsheets，andthegullieswasrunningrivers。Tomsays：
　　"Lookyhere，Huck，I’lltellyouonethingthat’smightycurious。Uptothetimewewentoutlastnightthefamilyhadn’theardaboutJakeDunlapbeingmur-
　　dered。NowthementhatchasedHalClaytonandBudDixonawaywouldspreadthethingaroundinahalfanhour，andeveryneighborthathearditwouldshinoutandflyaroundfromonefarmtot’otherandtrytobethefirsttotellthenews。Land，theydon’thavesuchabigthingasthattotelltwiceinthirtyyear！
　　Huck，it’smightystrange；Idon’tunderstandit。"
　　Sothenhewasinafidgetfortheraintoletup，sowecouldturnoutandrunacrosssomeofthepeopleandseeiftheywouldsayanythingaboutittous。
　　Andhesaidiftheydidwemustbehorriblysurprisedandshocked。
　　Wewasoutandgonetheminutetherainstopped。
　　Itwasjustbroaddaythen。Weloafedalonguptheroad，andnowandthenmetapersonandstoppedandsaidhowdy，andtoldthemwhenwecome，andhowweleftthefolksathome，andhowlongwewasgoingtostay，andallthat，butnoneofthemsaidawordaboutthatthing；whichwasjustastonishing，andnomistake。
　　Tomsaidhebelievedifwewenttothesycamoreswewouldfindthatbodylayingtheresolitaryandalone，andnotasoularound。Saidhebelievedthemenchasedthethievessofarintothewoodsthatthethievesprob’lyseenagoodchanceandturnedonthematlast，andmaybetheyallkilledeachother，andsotherewasn’tanybodylefttotell。
　　Firstweknowed，gabblingalongthataway，wewasrightatthesycamores。ThecoldchillstrickleddownmybackandIwouldn’tbudgeanotherstep，forallTom’spersuading。Buthecouldn’tholdin；he’dGOT
　　toseeifthebootswassafeonthatbodyyet。Sohecropein——andthenextminuteouthecomeagainwithhiseyesbulginghewassoexcited，andsays：
　　"Huck，it’sgone！"
　　IWASastonished！Isays：
　　"Tom，youdon’tmeanit。"
　　"It’sgone，sure。Thereain’tasignofit。Thegroundistrampledsome，butiftherewasanybloodit’sallwashedawaybythestorm，forit’sallpuddlesandslushinthere。"
　　AtlastIgivein，andwentandtookalookmyself；
　　anditwasjustasTomsaid——therewasn’tasignofacorpse。
　　"Dernit，"Isays，"thedi’mondsisgone。Don’tyoureckonthethievesslunkbackandluggedhimoff，Tom？"
　　"Lookslikeit。Itjustdoes。Nowwhere’dtheyhidehim，doyoureckon？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"Isays，disgusted，"andwhat’smoreIdon’tcare。They’vegottheboots，andthat’sallIcaredabout。He’lllayaroundthesewoodsalongtimebeforeIhunthimup。"
　　Tomdidn’tfeelnomoreintrustinhimneither，onlycuriositytoknowwhatcomeofhim；buthesaidwe’dlaylowandkeepdarkanditwouldn’tbelongtillthedogsorsomebodyroustedhimout。
　　Wewentbackhometobreakfasteversobotheredandputoutanddisappointedandswindled。Iwarn’teversodownonacorpsebefore。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　TALKINGWITHTHEGHOST
　　ITwarn’tverycheerfulatbreakfast。AuntSallyshelookedoldandtiredandletthechildrensnarlandfussatoneanotheranddidn’tseemtonoticeitwasgoingon，whichwasn’therusualstyle；meandTomhadaplentytothinkaboutwithouttalking；Bennyshelookedlikeshehadn’thadmuchsleep，andwhenevershe’dliftherheadalittleandstealalooktowardsherfatheryoucouldseetherewastearsinhereyes；andasfortheoldman，histhingsstayedonhisplateandgotcoldwithouthimknowingtheywasthere，Ireckon，forhewasthinkingandthinkingallthetime，andneversaidawordandneveretabite。
　　Byandbywhenitwasstillest，thatnigger’sheadwaspokedinatthedooragain，andhesaidhisMarseBracewasgettingpowerfuluneasyaboutMarseJubiter，whichhadn’tcomehomeyet，andwouldMarseSilasplease——
　　HewaslookingatUncleSilas，andhestoppedthere，liketherestofhiswordswasfroze；forUncleSilasheroseupshakyandsteadiedhimselfleaninghisfingersonthetable，andhewaspanting，andhiseyeswassetonthenigger，andhekeptswallowing，andputhisotherhanduptohisthroatacoupleoftimes，andatlasthegothiswordsstarted，andsays：
　　"Doeshe——doeshe——think——WHATdoeshethink！
　　Tellhim——tellhim——"Thenhesunkdowninhischairlimpandweak，andsays，soasyoucouldhardlyhearhim："Goaway——goaway！"
　　Theniggerlookedscaredandclearedout，andweallfelt——well，Idon’tknowhowwefelt，butitwasawful，withtheoldmanpantingthere，andhiseyessetandlookinglikeapersonthatwasdying。Noneofuscouldbudge；butBennysheslidaroundsoft，withhertearsrunningdown，andstoodbyhisside，andnestledhisoldgrayheadupagainstherandbeguntostrokeitandpetitwithherhands，andnoddedtoustogoaway，andwedoneit，goingoutveryquiet，likethedeadwasthere。
　　MeandTomstruckoutforthewoodsmightysolemn，andsayinghowdifferentitwasnowtowhatitwaslastsummerwhenwewashereandeverythingwassopeacefulandhappyandeverybodythoughtsomuchofUncleSilas，andhewassocheerfulandsimple-
　　heartedandpudd’n-headedandgood——andnowlookathim。Ifhehadn’tlosthismindhewasn’tmuckshortofit。Thatwaswhatweallowed。
　　Itwasamostlovelydaynow，andbrightandsun。
　　shiny；andthefurtherandfurtherwewentoverthehillstowardstheprairiethelovelierandlovelierthetreesandflowersgottobeandthemoreitseemedstrangeandsomehowwrongthattherehadtobetroubleinsuchaworldasthis。AndthenallofasuddenIcatchedmybreathandgrabbedTom’sarm，andallmyliversandlungsandthingsfelldownintomylegs。
　　"Thereitis！"Isays。Wejumpedbackbehindabushshivering，andTomsays：
　　"’Sh！——don’tmakeanoise。"
　　Itwassettingonalogrightintheedgeofalittleprairie，thinking。ItriedtogetTomtocomeaway，buthewouldn’t，andIdasn’tbudgebymyself。Hesaidwemightn’tevergetanotherchancetoseeone，andhewasgoingtolookhisfillatthisoneifhediedforit。SoIlookedtoo，thoughitgivemethefan-
　　todstodoit。TomheHADtotalk，buthetalkedlow。
　　Hesays：
　　"PoorJakey，it’sgotallitsthingson，justashesaidhewould。NOWyouseewhatwewasn’tcertainabout——itshair。It’snotlongnowthewayitwas：
　　it’sgotitcroppedclosetoitshead，thewayhesaidhewould。Huck，IneverseeanythinglookanymorenaturalerthanwhatItdoes。"
　　"NorIneither，"Isays；"I’drecognizeitany-
　　wheres。"
　　"SowouldI。Itlooksperfectlysolidandgenu-
　　wyne，justthewayitdonebeforeitdied。"
　　Sowekepta-gazing。PrettysoonTomsays：
　　"Huck，there’ssomethingmightycuriousaboutthisone，don’tyouknow？IToughtn’ttobegoingaroundinthedaytime。"
　　"That’sso，Tom——Ineverheardthelikeofitbefore。"
　　"No，sir，theydon’tevercomeoutonlyatnight——
　　andthennottillaftertwelve。There’ssomethingwrongaboutthisone，nowyoumarkmywords。I
　　don’tbelieveit’sgotanyrighttobearoundinthedaytime。Butdon’titlooknatural！Jakewasgoingtoplaydeefanddumbhere，sotheneighborswouldn’tknowhisvoice。Doyoureckonitwoulddothatifwewastoholleratit？"
　　"Lordy，Tom，don’ttalkso！IfyouwastoholleratitI’ddieinmytracks。"
　　"Don’tyouworry，Iain’tgoingtoholleratit。
　　Look，Huck，it’sa-scratchingitshead——don’tyousee？"
　　"Well，whatofit？"
　　"Why，this。What’sthesenseofitscratchingitshead？Thereain’tanythingtheretoitch；itsheadismadeoutoffogorsomethinglikethat，andcan’titch。
　　Afogcan’titch；anyfoolknowsthat。"
　　"Well，then，ifitdon’titchandcan’titch，whatinthenationisitscratchingitfor？Ain’titjusthabit，don’tyoureckon？"
　　"No，sir，Idon’t。Iain’tabitsatisfiedaboutthewaythisoneacts。I’veablamegoodnotionit’sabogusone——Ihave，assureasI’ma-sittinghere。
　　Because，ifit——Huck！"
　　"Well，what’sthematternow？"
　　"YOUCAN’TSEETHEBUSHESTHROUGHIT！"
　　"Why，Tom，it’sso，sure！It’sassolidasacow。
　　Isortofbegintothink——"
　　"Huck，it’sbitingoffachawoftobacker！ByGeorge，THEYdon’tchaw——theyhain’tgotanythingtochawWITH。Huck！"
　　"I’ma-listening。"
　　"Itain’taghostatall。It’sJakeDunlaphisownself！"
　　"Ohyourgranny！"Isays。
　　"HuckFinn，didwefindanycorpseinthesyca-
　　mores？"
　　"No。"
　　"Oranysignofone？"
　　"No。"
　　"Mightygoodreason。Hadn’teverbeenanycorpsethere。"
　　"Why，Tom，youknowweheard——"
　　"Yes，wedidJ——heardahowlortwo。Doesthatproveanybodywaskilled？Courseitdon’t。Andweseenfourmenrun，thenthisonecomewalkingoutandwetookitforaghost。Nomoreghostthanyouare。
　　ItwasJakeDunlaphisownself，andit’sJakeDunlapnow。He’sbeenandgothishaircropped，thewayhesaidhewould，andhe’splayinghimselfforastranger，justthesameashesaidhewould。Ghost？Hum！——
　　he’sassoundasanut。"
　　ThenIseeitall，andhowwehadtooktoomuchforgranted。Iwaspowerfulgladhedidn’tgetkilled，andsowasTom，andwewonderedwhichhewouldlikethebest——forustoneverletontoknowhim，orhow？
　　Tomreckonedthebestwaywouldbetogoandaskhim。Sohestarted；butIkeptalittlebehind，becauseIdidn’tknowbutitmightbeaghost，afterall。WhenTomgottowherehewas，hesays：
　　"MeandHuck’smightygladtoseeyouagain，andyouneedn’tbeafearedwe’lltell。Andifyouthinkit’llbesaferforyouifwedon’tletontoknowyouwhenwerunacrossyou，saythewordandyou’llseeyoucandependonus，andwouldruthercutourhandsoffthangetyouintotheleastlittlebitofdanger。"
　　Firstoffhelookedsurprisedtoseeus，andnotveryglad，either；butasTomwentonhelookedpleasanter，andwhenhewasdonehesmiled，andnoddedhisheadseveraltimes，andmadesignswithhishands，andsays：
　　"Goo-goo——goo-goo，"thewaydeefanddummiesdoes。
　　JustthenweseesomeofSteveNickerson’speoplecomingthatlivedt’othersideoftheprairie，soTomsays：
　　"Youdoitelegant；Ineverseeanybodydoitbetter。You’reright；playitonus，too；playitonussameastheothers；it’llkeepyouinpracticeandpreventyoumakingblunders。We’llkeepawayfromyouandletonwedon’tknowyou，butanytimewecanbeanyhelp，youjustletusknow。"
　　ThenweloafedalongpasttheNickersons，andofcoursetheyaskedifthatwasthenewstrangeryonder，andwhere’dhecomefrom，andwhatwashisname，andwhichcommunionwashe，Babtis’orMethodis’，andwhichpolitics，WhigorDemocrat，andhowlongishestaying，andallthemotherquestionsthathumansalwaysaskswhenastrangercomes，andanimalsdoes，too。ButTomsaidhewarn’tabletomakeanythingoutofdeefanddumbsigns，andthesamewithgoo-
　　gooing。ThenwewatchedthemgoandbullyragJake；
　　becausewewasprettyuneasyforhim。Tomsaiditwouldtakehimdaystogetsohewouldn’tforgethewasadeefanddummysometimes，andspeakoutbe-
　　forehethought。WhenwehadwatchedlongenoughtoseethatJakewasgettingalongallrightandworkinghissignsverygood，weloafedalongagain，allowingtostriketheschoolhouseaboutrecesstime，whichwasathree-miletramp。
　　IwassodisappointednottohearJaketellabouttherowinthesycamores，andhownearhecometoget-
　　tingkilled，thatIcouldn’tseemtogetoverit，andTomhefeltthesame，butsaidifwewasinJake’sfixwewouldwanttogocarefulandkeepstillandnottakeanychances。
　　Theboysandgirlswasallgladtoseeusagain，andwehadarealgoodtimeallthroughrecess。ComingtoschooltheHendersonboyshadcomeacrossthenewdeefanddummyandtoldtherest；soallthescholarswaschuckfullofhimandcouldn’ttalkaboutanythingelse，andwasinasweattogetasightofhimbecausetheyhadn’teverseenadeefanddummyintheirlives，anditmadeapowerfulexcitement。
　　Tomsaiditwastoughtohavetokeepmumnow；
　　saidwewouldbeheroesifwecouldcomeoutandtellallweknowed；butafterall，itwasstillmoreheroictokeepmum，therewarn’ttwoboysinamillioncoulddoit。ThatwasTomSawyer’sideaaboutit，andreckonedtherewarn’tanybodycouldbetterit。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　FINDINGOFJUBITERDUNLAP
　　INthenexttwoorthreedaysDummyhegottobepowerfulpopular。Hewentassociatingaroundwiththeneighbors，andtheymademuchofhim，andwasproudtohavesucharattlingcuriosityamongthem。
　　Theyhadhimtobreakfast，theyhadhimtodinner，theyhadhimtosupper；theykepthimloadedupwithhogandhominy，andwarn’tevertiredstaringathimandwonderingoverhim，andwishingtheyknowedmoreabouthim，hewassouncommonandromantic。
　　Hissignswarn’tnogood；peoplecouldn’tunder-
　　standthemandheprob’lycouldn’thimself，buthedoneasightofgoo-gooing，andsoeverybodywassat-
　　isfied，andadmiredtohearhimgoit。Hetotedapieceofslatearound，andapencil；andpeoplewrotequestionsonitandhewroteanswers；buttherewarn’tanybodycouldreadhiswritingbutBraceDunlap。
　　Bracesaidhecouldn’treaditverygood，buthecouldmanagetodigoutthemeaningmostofthetime。HesaidDummysaidhebelongedawayoffsomersandusedtobewelloff，butgotbustedbyswindlerswhichhehadtrusted，andwaspoornow，andhadn’tanywaytomakealiving。
　　EverybodypraisedBraceDunlapforbeingsogoodtothatstranger。Helethimhavealittlelog-cabinalltohimself，andhadhisniggerstakecareofit，andfetchhimallthevittleshewanted。
　　Dummywasatourhousesome，becauseoldUncleSilaswassoafflictedhimself，thesedays，thatanybodyelsethatwasafflictedwasacomforttohim。MeandTomdidn’tletonthatwehadknowedhimbefore，andhedidn’tletonthathehadknowedusbefore。Thefamilytalkedtheirtroublesoutbeforehimthesameasifhewasn’tthere，butwereckoneditwasn’tanyharmforhimtohearwhattheysaid。Generlyhedidn’tseemtonotice，butsometimeshedid。
　　Well，twoorthreedayswentalong，andeverybodygottogettinguneasyaboutJubiterDunlap。Every-
　　bodywasaskingeverybodyiftheyhadanyideawhathadbecomeofhim。No，theyhadn’t，theysaid：andtheyshooktheirheadsandsaidtherewassomethingpowerfulstrangeaboutit。Anotherandanotherdaywentby；thentherewasareportgotaroundthatprapshewasmurdered。Youbetitmadeabigstir！Every-
　　body’stonguewasclackingawayafterthat。Saturdaytwoorthreegangsturnedoutandhuntedthewoodstoseeiftheycouldrunacrosshisremainders。MeandTomhelped，anditwasnoblegoodtimesandexciting。
　　Tomhewassobrimfulofithecouldn’teatnorrest。
　　Hesaidifwecouldfindthatcorpsewewouldbecelebrated，andmoretalkedaboutthanifwegotdrownded。
　　Theothersgottiredandgiveitup；butnotTomSawyer——thatwarn’thisstyle。Saturdaynighthedidn’tsleepany，hardly，tryingtothinkupaplan；
　　andtowardsdaylightinthemorninghestruckit。Hesnakedmeoutofbedandwasallexcited，andsays：
　　"Quick，Huck，snatchonyourclothes——I’vegotit！Bloodhound！"
　　Intwominuteswewastearinguptheriverroadinthedarktowardsthevillage。OldJeffHookerhadabloodhound，andTomwasgoingtoborrowhim。I
　　says：
　　"Thetrail’stooold，Tom——andbesides，it’srained，youknow。"
　　"Itdon’tmakeanydifference，Huck。Ifthebody’shidinthewoodsanywherearoundthehoundwillfindit。Ifhe’sbeenmurderedandburied，theywouldn’tburyhimdeep，itain’tlikely，andifthedoggoesoverthespothe’llscenthim，sure。Huck，we’regoingtobecelebrated，sureasyou’reborn！"
　　Hewasjusta-blazing；andwheneverhegotafirehewasmostlikelytogetafireallover。Thatwasthewaythistime。Intwominuteshehadgotitallcipheredout，andwasn’tonlyjustgoingtofindthecorpse——
　　no，hewasgoingtogetonthetrackofthatmurdererandhuntHIMdown，too；andnotonlythat，buthewasgoingtosticktohimtill——
　　"Well，"Isays，"youbetterfindthecorpsefirst；I
　　reckonthat’sa-plentyforto-day。Forallweknow，thereAIN’Tanycorpseandnobodyhain’tbeenmur-
　　dered。Thatcusscould’a’goneoffsomersandnotbeenkilledatall。"
　　Thatgraveledhim，andhesays：
　　"HuckFinn，Ineverseesuchapersonasyoutowanttospoileverything。AslongasYOUcan’tseeanythinghopefulinathing，youwon’tletanybodyelse。Whatgoodcanitdoyoutothrowcoldwateronthatcorpseandgetupthatselfishtheorythatthereain’tbeenanymurder？Noneintheworld。Idon’tseehowyoucanactso。Iwouldn’ttreatyoulikethat，andyouknowit。Herewe’vegotanoblegoodopportunitytomakearuputation，and——"
　　"Oh，goahead，"Isays。"I’msorry，andItakeitallback。Ididn’tmeannothing。Fixitanywayyouwantit。HEain’tanyconsequencetome。Ifhe’skilled，I’masgladofitasyouare；andifhe——"
　　"Ineversaidanythingaboutbeingglad；Ionly——"
　　"Well，then，I’masSORRYasyouare。Anywayyoudrutherhaveit，thatisthewayIdrutherhaveit。
　　He——"
　　"Thereain’tanydruthersABOUTit，HuckFinn；no-
　　bodysaidanythingaboutdruthers。Andasfor——"
　　Heforgothewastalking，andwenttrampingalong，studying。Hebeguntogetexcitedagain，andprettysoonhesays：
　　"Huck，it’llbethebulliestthingthateverhappenedifwefindthebodyaftereverybodyelsehasquitlook-
　　ing，andthengoaheadandhuntupthemurderer。Itwon’tonlybeanhonortous，butit’llbeanhonortoUncleSilasbecauseitwasusthatdoneit。It’llsethimupagain，youseeifitdon’t。"
　　ButOldJeffHookerhethrowedcoldwateronthewholebusinesswhenwegottohisblacksmithshopandtoldhimwhatwecomefor。
　　"Youcantakethedog，"hesays，"butyouain’ta-goingtofindanycorpse，becausethereain’tanycorpsetofind。Everybody’squitlooking，andthey’reright。Soonastheycometothink，theyknowedtherewarn’tnocorpse。AndI’lltellyouforwhy。Whatdoesapersonkillanotherpersonfor，TomSawyer？——
　　answermethat。"
　　"Why，he——er——"
　　"Answerup！Youain’tnofool。WhatdoeshekillhimFOR？"
　　"Well，sometimesit’sforrevenge，and——"
　　"Wait。Onethingatatime。Revenge，saysyou；
　　andrightyouare。Nowwhoeverhadanythingaginthatpoortriflingno-account？WhodoyoureckonwouldwanttokillHIM？——thatrabbit！"
　　Tomwasstuck。Ireckonhehadn’tthoughtofapersonhavingtohaveaREASONforkillingapersonbe-
　　fore，andnowheseesitwarn’tlikelyanybodywouldhavethatmuchofagrudgeagainstalamblikeJubiterDunlap。Theblacksmithsays，byandby：
　　"Therevengeideawon’twork，yousee。Well，then，what’snext？Robbery？B’gosh，thatmust’a’
　　beenit，Tom！Yes，sirree，Ireckonwe’vestruckitthistime。Somefellerwantedhisgallus-buckles，andsohe——"
　　Butitwassofunnyhebustedoutlaughing，andjustwentonlaughingandlaughingandlaughingtillhewas’mostdead，andTomlookedsoputoutandcheapthatIknowedhewasashamedhehadcome，andhewishedhehadn’t。ButoldHookerneverletuponhim。Herakedupeverythingapersonevercouldwanttokillanotherpersonabout，andanyfoolcouldseetheydidn’tanyofthemfitthiscase，andhejustmadenoendoffunofthewholebusinessandofthepeoplethathadbeenhuntingthebody；andhesaid：
　　"Ifthey’dhadanysensethey’d’a’knowedthelazycussslidoutbecausehewantedaloafingspellafterallthiswork。He’llcomepotteringbackinacoupleofweeks，andthenhow’llyoufellersfeel？But，lawsblessyou，takethedog，andgoandhunthisre-
　　mainders。Do，Tom。"
　　Thenhebustedout，andhadanotherofthemforty-
　　rodlaughsofhisn。Tomcouldn’tbackdownafterallthis，sohesaid，"Allright，unchainhim；"andtheblacksmithdoneit，andwestartedhomeandleftthatoldmanlaughingyet。
　　Itwasalovelydog。Thereain’tanydogthat’sgotalovelierdispositionthanabloodhound，andthisoneknowedusandlikedus。Hecaperedandracedaroundeversofriendly，andpowerfulgladtobefreeandhaveaholiday；butTomwassocutuphecouldn’ttakeanyintrustinhim，andsaidhewishedhe’dstoppedandthoughtaminutebeforeheeverstartedonsuchafoolerrand。HesaidoldJeffHookerwouldtellevery-
　　body，andwe’dneverhearthelastofit。
　　Soweloafedalonghomedownthebacklanes，feel-
　　ingprettyglumandnottalking。Whenwewaspass-
　　ingthefarcornerofourtobackerfieldweheardthedogsetupalonghowlinthere，andwewenttotheplaceandhewasscratchingthegroundwithallhismight，andeverynowandthencantinguphisheadsidewaysandfetchinganotherhowl。
　　Itwasalongsquare，theshapeofagrave；therainhadmadeitsinkdownandshowtheshape。Theminutewecomeandstoodtherewelookedatoneanotherandneversaidaword。Whenthedoghaddugdownonlyafewincheshegrabbedsomethingandpulleditup，anditwasanarmandasleeve。Tomkindofgaspedout，andsays：
　　"Comeaway，Huck——it’sfound。"
　　Ijustfeltawful。Westruckfortheroadandfetchedthefirstmenthatcomealong。Theygotaspadeatthecribanddugoutthebody，andyouneverseesuchanexcitement。Youcouldn’tmakeanythingoutoftheface，butyoudidn’tneedto。Everybodysaid：
　　"PoorJubiter；it’shisclothes，tothelastrag！"
　　Somerushedofftospreadthenewsandtellthejusticeofthepeaceandhaveaninquest，andmeandTomlitoutforthehouse。Tomwasallafireand’mostoutofbreathwhenwecometearinginwhereUncleSilasandAuntSallyandBennywas。Tomsungout：
　　"MeandHuck’sfoundJubiterDunlap’scorpseallbyourselveswithabloodhound，aftereverybodyelsehadquithuntingandgivenitup；andifithadn’tabeenforusitneverWOULD’a’beenfound；andheWAS
　　murderedtoo——theydoneitwithacluborsomethinglikethat；andI’mgoingtostartinandfindthemur-
　　derer，next，andIbetI’lldoit！"
　　AuntSallyandBennysprunguppaleandastonished，butUncleSilasfellrightforwardoutofhischairontothefloorandgroansout：
　　"Oh，myGod，you’vefoundhimNOW！"