English
THEoldmanwasuptownagainbeforebreakfast,butcouldn’tgetnotrackofTom;andbothofthemsetatthetablethinking,andnotsayingnothing,andlookingmournful,andtheircoffeegettingcold,andnoteatinganything.Andbyandbytheoldmansays:
“DidIgiveyoutheletter?”
“Whatletter?”
“TheoneIgotyesterdayoutofthepost-office.”
“No,youdidn’tgivemenoletter.”
“Well,Imustaforgotit.”
Soherummagedhispockets,andthenwentoffsomewhereswherehehadlaiditdown,andfetchedit,andgiveittoher.Shesays:
“Why,it’sfromSt.Petersburg–it’sfromSis.”
Iallowedanotherwalkwoulddomegood;butIcouldn’tstir.
Butbeforeshecouldbreakitopenshedroppeditandrun–forsheseesomething.AndsodidI.
ItwasTomSawyeronamattress;andthatolddoctor;andJim,inHERcalicodress,withhishandstiedbehindhim;andalotofpeople.
Ihidtheletterbehindthefirstthingthatcomehandy,andrushed.
SheflungherselfatTom,crying,andsays:
“Oh,he’sdead,he’sdead,Iknowhe’sdead!”
AndTomheturnedhisheadalittle,andmutteredsomethingorother,whichshowedhewarn’tinhisrightmind;thensheflungupherhands,andsays:
“He’salive,thankGod!Andthat’senough!”
andshesnatchedakissofhim,andflewforthehousetogetthebedready,andscatteringordersrightandleftattheniggersandeverybodyelse,asfastashertonguecouldgo,everyjumpoftheway.
IfollowedthementoseewhattheywasgoingtodowithJim;andtheolddoctorandUncleSilasfollowedafterTomintothehouse.
Themenwasveryhuffy,andsomeofthemwantedtohangJimforanexampletoalltheotherniggersaroundthere,sotheywouldn’tbetryingtorunawaylikeJimdone,andmakingsucharaftoftrouble,andkeepingawholefamilyscaredmosttodeathfordaysandnights.
Buttheotherssaid,don’tdoit,itwouldn’tansweratall;heain’tournigger,andhisownerwouldturnupandmakeuspayforhim,sure.
Sothatcooledthemdownalittle,becausethepeoplethat’salwaysthemostanxiousfortohanganiggerthathain’tdonejustrightisalwaystheveryonesthatain’tthemostanxioustopayforhimwhenthey’vegottheirsatisfactionoutofhim.
TheycussedJimconsiderble,though,andgivehimacuffortwosidetheheadonceinawhile,butJimneversaidnothing,andheneverletontoknowme,andtheytookhimtothesamecabin,andputhisownclothesonhim,andchainedhimagain,andnottonobed-legthistime,buttoabigstapledroveintothebottomlog,andchainedhishands,too,andbothlegs,andsaidhewarn’ttohavenothingbutbreadandwatertoeatafterthistillhisownercome,orhewassoldatauctionbecausehedidn’tcomeinacertainlengthoftime,andfilledupourhole,andsaidacoupleoffarmerswithgunsmuststandwatcharoundaboutthecabineverynight,andabulldogtiedtothedoorinthedaytime;andaboutthistimetheywasthroughwiththejobandwastaperingoffwithakindofgenerlgood-byecussing,andthentheolddoctorcomesandtakesalook,andsays:
“Don’tbenorougheronhimthanyou’reobleegedto,becauseheain’tabadnigger.
WhenIgottowhereIfoundtheboyIseeIcouldn’tcutthebulletoutwithoutsomehelp,andhewarn’tinnoconditionformetoleavetogoandgethelp;andhegotalittleworseandalittleworse,andafteralongtimehewentoutofhishead,andwouldn’tletmecomea-nighhimanymore,andsaidifIchalkedhisrafthe’dkillme,andnoendofwildfoolishnesslikethat,andIseeIcouldn’tdoanythingatallwithhim;soIsays,IgottohaveHELPsomehow;andtheminuteIsaysitoutcrawlsthisniggerfromsomewheresandsayshe’llhelp,andhedoneit,too,anddoneitverywell.
OfcourseIjudgedhemustbearunawaynigger,andthereIWAS!
andthereIhadtostickrightstraightalongalltherestofthedayandallnight.Itwasafix,Itellyou!
Ihadacoupleofpatientswiththechills,andofcourseI’doflikedtorunuptotownandseethem,butIdasn’t,becausetheniggermightgetaway,andthenI’dbetoblame;andyetneveraskiffcomecloseenoughformetohail.
SothereIhadtostickplumbuntildaylightthismorning;andIneverseeaniggerthatwasabetternussorfaithfuller,andyethewasriskinghisfreedomtodoit,andwasalltiredout,too,andIseeplainenoughhe’dbeenworkedmainhardlately.
Ilikedtheniggerforthat;Itellyou,gentlemen,aniggerlikethatisworthathousanddollars–andkindtreatment,too.
IhadeverythingIneeded,andtheboywasdoingaswellthereashewouldadoneathome–better,maybe,becauseitwassoquiet;butthereIWAS,withbothof‘monmyhands,andthereIhadtosticktillaboutdawnthismorning;thensomemeninaskiffcomeby,andasgoodluckwouldhaveittheniggerwassettingbythepalletwithhisheadproppedonhiskneessoundasleep;soImotionedtheminquiet,andtheyslippeduponhimandgrabbedhimandtiedhimbeforeheknowedwhathewasabout,andweneverhadnotrouble.
Andtheboybeinginakindofaflightysleep,too,wemuffledtheoarsandhitchedtherafton,andtowedheroververyniceandquiet,andtheniggernevermadetheleastrownorsaidawordfromthestart.
Heain’tnobadnigger,gentlemen;that’swhatIthinkabouthim.”
Somebodysays:
“Well,itsoundsverygood,doctor,I’mobleegedtosay.”
Thentheotherssoftenedupalittle,too,andIwasmightythankfultothatolddoctorfordoingJimthatgoodturn;andIwasgladitwasaccordingtomyjudgmentofhim,too;becauseIthoughthehadagoodheartinhimandwasagoodmanthefirsttimeIseehim.
ThentheyallagreedthatJimhadactedverywell,andwasdeservingtohavesomenoticetookofit,andreward.
Soeveryoneofthempromised,rightoutandhearty,thattheywouldn’tcusshimnomore.
Thentheycomeoutandlockedhimup.Ihopedtheywasgoingtosayhecouldhaveoneortwoofthechainstookoff,becausetheywasrottenheavy,orcouldhavemeatandgreenswithhisbreadandwater;buttheydidn’tthinkofit,andIreckoneditwarn’tbestformetomixin,butIjudgedI’dgetthedoctor’syarntoAuntSallysomehoworotherassoonasI’dgotthroughthebreakersthatwaslayingjustaheadofme–explanations,Imean,ofhowIforgottomentionaboutSidbeingshotwhenIwastellinghowhimandmeputinthatdrattednightpaddlingaroundhuntingtherunawaynigger.
ButIhadplentytime.AuntSallyshestucktothesick-roomalldayandallnight,andeverytimeIseeUncleSilasmooningaroundIdodgedhim.
NextmorningIheardTomwasagooddealbetter,andtheysaidAuntSallywasgonetogetanap.
SoIslipstothesick-room,andifIfoundhimawakeIreckonedwecouldputupayarnforthefamilythatwouldwash.
Buthewassleeping,andsleepingverypeaceful,too;andpale,notfire-facedthewayhewaswhenhecome.SoIsetdownandlaidforhimtowake.
InabouthalfanhourAuntSallycomesglidingin,andthereIwas,upastumpagain!
Shemotionedmetobestill,andsetdownbyme,andbeguntowhisper,andsaidwecouldallbejoyfulnow,becauseallthesymptomswasfirst-rate,andhe’dbeensleepinglikethatforeversolong,andlookingbetterandpeacefullerallthetime,andtentoonehe’dwakeupinhisrightmind.
Sowesettherewatching,andbyandbyhestirsabit,andopenedhiseyesverynatural,andtakesalook,andsays:
“Hello!–why,I’matHOME!How’sthat?Where’stheraft?”
“It’sallright,”Isays.
“AndJIM?”
“Thesame,”Isays,butcouldn’tsayitprettybrash.Buthenevernoticed,butsays:
“Good!Splendid!NOWwe’reallrightandsafe!DidyoutellAunty?”
Iwasgoingtosayyes;butshechippedinandsays:“Aboutwhat,Sid?”
“Why,aboutthewaythewholethingwasdone.”
“Whatwholething?”
“Why,THEwholething.Thereain’tbutone;howwesettherunawayniggerfree–meandTom.”
“Goodland!Settherun–WhatISthechildtalkingabout!Dear,dear,outofhisheadagain!”
“NO,Iain’toutofmyHEAD;IknowallwhatI’mtalkingabout.WeDIDsethimfree–meandTom.Welaidouttodoit,andweDONEit.Andwedoneitelegant,too.”
He’dgotastart,andshenevercheckedhimup,justsetandstaredandstared,andlethimclipalong,andIseeitwarn’tnouseforMEtoputin.
“Why,Aunty,itcostusapowerofwork–weeksofit–hoursandhours,everynight,whilstyouwasallasleep.
Andwehadtostealcandles,andthesheet,andtheshirt,andyourdress,andspoons,andtinplates,andcase-knives,andthewarming-pan,andthegrindstone,andflour,andjustnoendofthings,andyoucan’tthinkwhatworkitwastomakethesaws,andpens,andinscriptions,andonethingoranother,andyoucan’tthinkHALFthefunitwas.
Andwehadtomakeupthepicturesofcoffinsandthings,andnonnamouslettersfromtherobbers,andgetupanddownthelightning-rod,anddigtheholeintothecabin,andmadetheropeladderandsenditincookedupinapie,andsendinspoonsandthingstoworkwithinyourapronpocket–”
“Mercysakes!”
”–andloadupthecabinwithratsandsnakesandsoon,forcompanyforJim;andthenyoukeptTomheresolongwiththebutterinhishatthatyoucomenearspilingthewholebusiness,becausethemencomebeforewewasoutofthecabin,andwehadtorush,andtheyheardusandletdriveatus,andIgotmyshare,andwedodgedoutofthepathandletthemgoby,andwhenthedogscometheywarn’tinterestedinus,butwentforthemostnoise,andwegotourcanoe,andmadefortheraft,andwasallsafe,andJimwasafreeman,andwedoneitallbyourselves,andWASN’Titbully,Aunty!”
“Well,Ineverheardthelikesofitinallmyborndays!
SoitwasYOU,youlittlerapscallions,that’sbeenmakingallthistrouble,andturnedeverybody’switscleaninsideoutandscaredusallmosttodeath.
I’veasgoodanotionaseverIhadinmylifetotakeitouto’youthisveryminute.
Tothink,hereI’vebeen,nightafternight,a–YOUjustgetwellonce,youyoungscamp,andIlayI’lltantheOldHarryouto’botho’ye!”
ButTom,heWASsoproudandjoyful,hejustCOULDN’Tholdin,andhistonguejustWENTit–shea-chippingin,andspittingfireallalong,andbothofthemgoingitatonce,likeacatconvention;andshesays:
“WELL,yougetalltheenjoymentyoucanoutofitNOW,formindItellyouifIcatchyoumeddlingwithhimagain–”
“MeddlingwithWHO?”Tomsays,droppinghissmileandlookingsurprised.
“WithWHO?Why,therunawaynigger,ofcourse.Who’dyoureckon?”
Tomlooksatmeverygrave,andsays:
“Tom,didn’tyoujusttellmehewasallright?Hasn’thegotaway?”
“HIM?”saysAuntSally;“therunawaynigger?‘Deedhehasn’t.
They’vegothimback,safeandsound,andhe’sinthatcabinagain,onbreadandwater,andloadeddownwithchains,tillhe’sclaimedorsold!”
Tomrosesquareupinbed,withhiseyehot,andhisnostrilsopeningandshuttinglikegills,andsingsouttome:
“Theyhain’tnoRIGHTtoshuthimup!SHOVE!–anddon’tyouloseaminute.Turnhimloose!heain’tnoslave;he’sasfreeasanycreturthatwalksthisearth!”
“WhatDOESthechildmean?”
“ImeaneverywordISAY,AuntSally,andifsomebodydon’tgo,I’LLgo.
I’veknowedhimallhislife,andsohasTom,there.
OldMissWatsondiedtwomonthsago,andshewasashamedsheeverwasgoingtosellhimdowntheriver,andSAIDso;andshesethimfreeinherwill.”
“ThenwhatonearthdidYOUwanttosethimfreefor,seeinghewasalreadyfree?”
“Well,thatISaquestion,Imustsay;andjustlikewomen!Why,IwantedtheADVENTUREofit;andI’dawadedneck-deepinbloodto–goodnessalive,AUNTPOLLY!”
Ifshewarn’tstandingrightthere,justinsidethedoor,lookingassweetandcontentedasanangelhalffullofpie,IwishImaynever!
AuntSallyjumpedforher,andmosthuggedtheheadoffofher,andcriedoverher,andIfoundagoodenoughplaceformeunderthebed,foritwasgettingprettysultryforus,seemedtome.
AndIpeepedout,andinalittlewhileTom’sAuntPollyshookherselflooseandstoodtherelookingacrossatTomoverherspectacles–kindofgrindinghimintotheearth,youknow.Andthenshesays:
“Yes,youBETTERturny’rheadaway–IwouldifIwasyou,Tom.”
“Oh,dearyme!”saysAuntSally;“IShechangedso?Why,thatain’tTOM,it’sSid;Tom’s–Tom’s–why,whereisTom?Hewashereaminuteago.”
“Youmeanwhere’sHuckFINN–that’swhatyoumean!
IreckonIhain’traisedsuchascampasmyTomalltheseyearsnottoknowhimwhenISEEhim.ThatWOULDbeaprettyhowdy-do.
Comeoutfromunderthatbed,HuckFinn.”
SoIdoneit.Butnotfeelingbrash.
AuntSallyshewasoneofthemixed-upest-lookingpersonsIeversee–exceptone,andthatwasUncleSilas,whenhecomeinandtheytolditalltohim.
Itkindofmadehimdrunk,asyoumaysay,andhedidn’tknownothingatalltherestoftheday,andpreachedaprayer-meetingsermonthatnightthatgavehimarattlingruputation,becausetheoldestmanintheworldcouldn’taunderstoodit.
SoTom’sAuntPolly,shetoldallaboutwhoIwas,andwhat;andIhadtoupandtellhowIwasinsuchatightplacethatwhenMrs.PhelpstookmeforTomSawyer–shechippedinandsays,“Oh,goonandcallmeAuntSally,I’musedtoitnow,and‘tain’tnoneedtochange”–thatwhenAuntSallytookmeforTomSawyerIhadtostandit–therewarn’tnootherway,andIknowedhewouldn’tmind,becauseitwouldbenutsforhim,beingamystery,andhe’dmakeanadventureoutofit,andbeperfectlysatisfied.
Andsoitturnedout,andheletontobeSid,andmadethingsassoftashecouldforme.
AndhisAuntPollyshesaidTomwasrightaboutoldMissWatsonsettingJimfreeinherwill;andso,sureenough,TomSawyerhadgoneandtookallthattroubleandbothertosetafreeniggerfree!
andIcouldn’teverunderstandbefore,untilthatminuteandthattalk,howheCOULDhelpabodysetaniggerfreewithhisbringing-up.
Well,AuntPollyshesaidthatwhenAuntSallywrotetoherthatTomandSIDhadcomeallrightandsafe,shesaystoherself:
“Lookatthat,now!Imighthaveexpectedit,lettinghimgooffthatwaywithoutanybodytowatchhim.
SonowIgottogoandtrapseallthewaydowntheriver,elevenhundredmile,andfindoutwhatthatcreetur’suptoTHIStime,aslongasIcouldn’tseemtogetanyansweroutofyouaboutit.”
“Why,Ineverheardnothingfromyou,”saysAuntSally.
“Well,Iwonder!Why,IwroteyoutwicetoaskyouwhatyoucouldmeanbySidbeinghere.”
“Well,Inevergot‘em,Sis.”
AuntPollysheturnsaroundslowandsevere,andsays:
“You,Tom!”
“Well–WHAT?”hesays,kindofpettish.
“DontyouwhatME,youimpudentthing–handoutthemletters.”
“Whatletters?”
“THEMletters.Ibebound,ifIhavetotakeaholtofyouI’ll–”
“They’reinthetrunk.There,now.
Andthey’rejustthesameastheywaswhenIgotthemoutoftheoffice.
Ihain’tlookedintothem,Ihain’ttouchedthem.
ButIknowedthey’dmaketrouble,andIthoughtifyouwarn’tinnohurry,I’d–”
“Well,youDOneedskinning,thereain’tnomistakeaboutit.AndIwroteanotheronetotellyouIwascoming;andIs’posehe–”
“No,itcomeyesterday;Ihain’treadityet,butIT’Sallright,I’vegotthatone.”
Iwantedtooffertobettwodollarsshehadn’t,butIreckonedmaybeitwasjustassafetonotto.SoIneversaidnothing.
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