Chapter 21 Chapter Thirty-first to Thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-One Now go back to Tom and Becky's picnic.Together with their companions, they walked through the dark passages and visited the familiar wonders in the caves-people gave them some exaggerated names, such as "living room", "cathedral", "Aladdin's palace" and so on. Wait.After this, they played hide-and-seek with great enthusiasm until they got a little bored; Things like name, year, month, mailing address and motto above.They were still walking and talking, and they came to another cave unknowingly.There is no writing on the walls here.On a protruding rock, they smoked their names and continued walking.Before long, they came to a place where a stream, filled with limestone sediment, had flowed down from a prominent rock formation, forming a cascading landscape over the years.It seems to be surrounded by edges, undulating, and the stones in the water are crystal and shining, never disappearing.Tom pushed back so that Becky could see enough by his light.He found a steep natural step in the back slit, and Tom had a whim to go on exploring.Becky listened to him, so the two smoked a mark as a guiding sign in the future, and started exploring.They walked this way for a while, then went that way, meandering into the deepest part of the cave that no one had been to before, made a mark, and walked down along the crossing path so that there would be something new after going out. It's easy to tell people.At one point, they found a spacious grotto with stalactites the size of human legs hanging from it. They walked around in a circle, marveled, and then left through one of the exits.Soon they came to a wonderful spring. The stones under the water were exquisitely carved like snowflakes. The spring was located in the middle of the grotto. The result of years of constant dripping water.Groups of bats gathered on the grotto, and each group has tens of thousands of bats.As soon as the light came on, thousands of bats flew down, screaming and pounced on the candle.Knowing their habits and dangers, Tom dragged her into the nearest passage.This was well done, for as Becky was going out, the candle in her hand happened to be extinguished by a bat.The bat chased them both for a long distance.The two fugitives burrowed into the passage whenever they saw it, and finally got out of danger, leaving them behind.Soon Tom discovered the subterranean lake, which gradually stretched and finally disappeared into the darkness. He planned to go along the bank to find out, but then he thought it would be better to sit down and rest for a while.At this moment, for the first time in their lives, the two children felt as if a cold hand had seized their souls in the silent cave.becky says:

"By the way, I didn't pay attention. But it seems that I haven't heard the voice of other companions for a long time." "Come to think of it, Becky, we're far from them now, down the hole. I don't know how far north or south or east or what, we can't hear them in this place .” Becky began to worry. "I don't know how long we've been here, Tom, let's go back!" "Yes, I think so too, maybe it's better to go back." "You know the way, Tom? It's all twists and turns here." "I think I know the way--but those bats are a nuisance. It would be worse if they put out both of our candles. We might as well go another way and avoid that place."

"It's okay, but I hope I don't get lost again. It's terrible!" The little girl couldn't help shivering at the thought of her uncertain future. They got into a long corridor and walked a long way without making a sound, looking at the new exit to see if it was the same as the one they had entered.But none of the exits are original.Becky watched his face for any expression of hope, each time Tom looked carefully at the new hole, and Tom said cheerfully: "Oh, it's not a big deal, it's not, but we'll find the exit." But one failure after another made Tom feel less and less hopeful, and then he simply ducked in when he saw the exit, desperately hoping to find the one he came from. Still saying, "It's no big deal," but with such a heavy heart that even the words fell silent, and it sounded like "It's hopeless!" Becky followed Tom in agony, trying to I tried to stop the tears, but the tears still flowed out.She finally said:

"By the way, Tom, forget about those bats, and get back on that road! It seems that the more we go, the more we go wrong." Tom stopped. "Listen!" he said. All was so still that they could even hear their breathing, and Tom let go of his throat and cried out.The cry echoed in the passage, gradually receding, until finally it faintly sounded like bursts of laughter and disappeared into the depths of the passage. "Well, Tom, stop shouting, it sounds dreadful," said Becky. "It's scary, but I'd better yell, Becky, maybe they'll hear us," he yelled again. The word "couldn't say" was more terrible than the bursts of laughter, it showed hope was fading, and the two children stood still and listened, but heard nothing.Tom made his way back at once, at a rapid pace.But not long after, he showed hesitation.Becky was so frightened that Tom couldn't even find his way back.

"Hey, Tom, why didn't you make any marks!" "Becky, what a fool I am! What a fool! I never thought I'd go back the way I came! Yes, we're lost now. It's very bad." "Tom, Tom, we're lost! We can't find our way! We'll never get out of this damn place! Really, why didn't we go with the others!" When she had finished speaking, she fell down on the floor, and burst into tears, which so frightened Tom that he thought she was going to die, or go mad.He sat next to her and put his arms around her.Clinging close to Tom, with her face in his arms, she spoke of her fears, too late to repent, and the sound carried far away and echoed down the passage as a jeer.Tom begged her to cheer up again, but she said she couldn't.So Tom began to reproach himself for bringing her into this unfortunate state.The scolding had a good effect.She said she would try to hold out hope that she would go through with Tom as long as he didn't say such things again, because she was no exception when it came to saying that anyone was at fault.

So they started walking again, aimlessly—all they could do now was go on, go on and on.Soon hope began to revive again--for no reason, simply because it naturally revived when the source of hope had not been lost by time and failure. After a while Tom took Becky's candle and blew it out. The economy meant so much that words were superfluous, and Becky understood what it meant without further explanation, and her hopes were dashed again.She knew that Tom had a whole candle and a few stubs in his pocket--but he must save it. After a while, fatigue began to set in, but the two children tried to ignore it, because time was life now.They dare not even think about sitting down and resting.As long as you move forward, in one direction or no matter which direction you are in, it is considered progress, and there may be results; but you must not sit down, otherwise it is tantamount to sitting and waiting for death, so that the god of death will come sooner.

In the end, Becky's weak limbs could no longer support her, and she couldn't walk a step.She sat on the ground, and Tom sat down to rest with her.The two talked about home, the friends there, the comfortable beds at home, and especially the lights!Becky began to cry, and Tom tried to comfort her by changing the subject, but she had heard him encourage him more than once, and now they sounded like sarcasm.Becky was very tired indeed, and she was drowsy, and Tom was glad to see that, as he sat and stared at her, the expression on her face in sweet sleep gradually changed from tense to stretched, A smile also slowly appeared.That calm face brought some comfort to Tom's soul too.His mind then turned to past times and dreamlike recollections, and as he fell into thought Becky awoke with a hearty smile, which broke off abruptly and was followed by a groan.

"Oh, how did I fall asleep! How nice it would be to sleep! No! No! Tom, I don't think so! Don't think so! I won't say it." "Becky, it's good that you've slept; you'll feel rested, and we'll find our way out." "We can try, Tom. But I saw a beautiful country in my dream, and I think we're on our way there." "Not necessarily, not necessarily. Be quick, Becky! Let's try it again." They stood up and walked forward hand in hand, but their hearts were full.They tried to add up how long they had been in the cave, but all they knew was that it seemed to be many days, weeks at a time, but this was impossible because the candles had not yet been used up.For a long time afterward they could not tell how long they had been in the hole--Tom said they had to walk softly, and hear where the water dripped--and they had to find the spring.Soon they did find a spring, and Tom said it was time to rest.They were very tired, but Becky said she could go a little longer.Tom disagreed, much to Becky's surprise, beyond comprehension.They sat down and Tom stuck the candles with clay to the stone wall in front of them.The two were thinking about their own thoughts, but neither of them said a word.After a while, Becky spoke first:

"Tom, I'm hungry!" Tom took something out of his pocket. "Remember this?" he asked Becky. She almost laughed. "It's our wedding cake, Tom." "By the way, this is all that's left now. It would be great if it was as big as a square bucket." "It's from my picnic, come to think of it, Tom, isn't it the same with grown-ups' wedding cakes?—but it'll be ours—" She was only halfway through the conversation before Tom began to share the cake.Becky ate with great gulps, while Tom himself tasted his portion bit by bit.In the end, the two of them drank cold water again and ended the "banquet".At this point Becky again began to suggest going on.Tom was silent for a while, then said:

"Becky, would you take it if I told you?" Becky turned pale, but she thought she could bear it. "Well, Becky, we've got to stay here, and we've got water to drink, and we've only got a little bit of our candle!" Becky burst into tears, and Tom tried to comfort her with all his might, but it was of no avail.Finally Becky said: "Tom!" "I'm here, Becky, do you have anything to say?" "They will miss us and look for us!" "That's right, they will, they will!" "Maybe, looking for it now, Tom." "Of course, I think they might be looking, I hope so."

"Tom, I wonder when they'll find out we're missing?" "Probably when we got on the boat and went back." "Tom, that's when it gets dark. Will they notice we haven't gone back?" "Well, I can't say for sure, but when they get home, your mother will definitely miss you when she can't see you." Becky's face showed fear, and Tom realized that he had made a big mistake.Becky agreed not to come home that night.The two children were silent, thinking about each other, and suddenly a pang of grief came to Becky's heart. Tom found that he was thinking about the same thing as hers-that is, when Mrs. Thatcher found out that Becky was not at Mrs. Harper's house on Sunday. It is already noon.The children stared at the stub of the small candle, watching it burn away bit by bit, mercilessly, until the half-inch-long wick was left, and the weak candle light rose and fell, and went down the slender column of smoke. Climbed up, climbed to the top and lingered for a while, and then the terrifying darkness completely enveloped everything. I don't know how long it took for Becky to realize that she was crying in Tom's arms.All they knew was that after what seemed to be a very long time, the two of them awoke from their stupor, once more helpless.Tom said it might be Sunday, or it might be Monday.He tried to get Becky to talk, but she was very sad, and all hopes were dashed.Tom said they had been lost a long time ago, and people were looking for them, no doubt, and he would shout, and many would hear and come.He yelled a few times, but in the darkness, the echo sounded terrible, so he had to stop and stop yelling. Time passed minute by minute.Now hunger began to torment the two little ones again.Tom gave Becky a small piece of cake that had been left over from his share, but they grew more and more hungry.The poor little cake whetted their appetites. After a while Tom said: "Shh, did you hear that?" The two listened quietly, holding their breath, when there was an indistinct shout in the distance.Tom immediately agreed, took Becky's hand, and groped into the passage along the direction of the sound.He listened again immediately, and the sound came again, this time obviously closer. "It's them!" said Tom. "They're coming! Come Becky—we're saved now!" The two "prisoners" trapped in the cave were almost mad with joy.But they walked very slowly, because there were potholes under their feet from time to time, so they had to be careful.While talking, they came across a pothole.They both stopped.The hole was about three feet deep, perhaps a hundred feet--insurmountable anyway.Tom lay on his stomach, and stretched out his hands as far as he could, but could not reach the bottom of the hole.He still had to stay here, waiting for the searchers to come.As they both listened, it was evident that the shout, already far away, sounded farther away now.After a while, the sound could not be heard at all.What a disaster!It didn't help that Tom shouted until he was hoarse.He talked to Becky hopefully, but after an anxious moment the distant cry was never heard again.The children groped their way back to the spring.Time passed slowly and tediously.They slept again, and when they woke up hungry and miserable, Tom was sure that it must be Tuesday. Tom suddenly had an idea.There are many forks in the vicinity. Instead of waiting here for anxious people, it is better to take a few roads and try your luck.He took a kite line from his pocket, tied it to a ledge, and set off with Becky.Tom walked headfirst, letting out the line as he went.About twenty steps away, the passage went down to the end.Tom knelt down and groped down and around the corner, and he groped as far to the left as he could.At this moment, not twenty yards away, a hand, holding a candle, came out from behind the stone.Tom shouted loudly, and the body of the owner of the hand, Injun Joe, was immediately exposed.Tom was paralyzed with fright, he couldn't move.The next moment I saw the Spaniard run away and disappeared in a blink of an eye, thank God.Tom was thinking that Joe didn't know who he was, otherwise he would come and kill him to avenge his testimony in court.The echoes in the cave make it impossible to tell who is who.No doubt that was why Joe didn't recognize him, Tom reckoned.Tom was paralyzed with fright.He said to himself that if he had the strength to get back to the spring, he would stay there, and in any case he would not venture any more, and that would be the end of him if he met Injun Joe.He was wary of telling Becky what he saw.He said he yelled just to try his luck. But in the long run the fear is secondary, the main problem is hunger and fatigue.Another long and tedious night at the spring brought them both a turn, and the children awoke hungry.Tom was convinced that by Wednesday or Thursday, and possibly Friday or Saturday, they would be no longer sought, and he proposed to find another way out.He felt safe now from Injun Joe and other dangers.The problem is that Becky is very weak.She fell into a state of numbness, unable to awaken her spirit.She said she would just sit there and die - it wouldn't be long.She told Tom that he could find his way along the kite line himself if he wanted to, but asked him to come back now and then to talk to her, and she made him promise to be by her side when the last hour came Next, hold her hand, and hold it like this. Tom kissed her with a choke in his throat, and with an air of confidence that someone else would be there to get them both out of the hole.Then he climbed into a passage with kite string in hand.Hunger depresses him, and above all the thought of his imminent death makes him sad. Chapter 32 "Get up, everyone, the child has been found!" It was Tuesday afternoon, and until dusk, the village of St. Petersburg was still in mourning, and there was no news of the two lost children.A public prayer was held for them both.There are also many people who pray for them privately, all sincerely, looking forward to their early return, but the news from the cave is still the same as before.Most of the searchers went home to their own errands, thinking that it was obviously impossible to find the two children again.Mrs Thatcher was very ill, and spent most of the time with a fever that kept her talking nonsense.She called the child's name, sometimes with her head up for a full minute, and then fell on the bed with a moan.Seeing this situation, everyone said it was heartbreaking.Aunt Polly had always been clouded, and her gray hair was almost white now.At night, the whole village fell silent in an atmosphere of sadness and despair. In the middle of the night, the village bell rang suddenly and loudly. In an instant, the street was full of people. They didn't even have time to put on their clothes. They stood there and shouted loudly: "Everyone, get up!" Get up, the boy's found! The boy's found!" Then the din of tin basins and horns could be heard.The crowd gathered automatically and walked towards the river to meet the two children.The two of them sat in a carriage pulled by an open top, and the surrounding crowd rushed forward and back, and together with the people who greeted the carriage, everyone rushed onto the street in a mighty manner, cheering one after another. The village was so brightly lit that no one thought about going back to sleep, and it was the most spectacular night they had ever had.In the first half hour, the villagers came to Judge Thatcher's house one by one, kissed the two children in their arms, held Mrs. Thatcher's hand vigorously, wanted to say something, but couldn't - Then they poured out, with tears all over the floor. Aunt Polly was very happy.Mrs Thatcher was similar, and her husband would be happiest when the herald in the cave brought the news to him.Lying on the sofa, surrounded by an eager audience, Tom told the story of his adventure, which he occasionally added to embellishment.Finally, he described how he left Becky to explore alone; how he followed two passages until he was out of reach of the kite string; He opened, but when he was about to return, he saw a small bright spot in the distance, which looked like sunlight; so he dropped the rope, groped towards the small bright spot, stretched out the small hole with his head and shoulders, and saw the wide The Mississippi River rolls by.If it had been night, he would not have found the light, let alone walk through this passage.And he told how he went back and told Becky the good news, but she said don't bother her with such nonsense because she was tired enough.She knew she would not live long, and she was willing to die.He described how he tried to persuade her, how she was so happy when she groped where she could see the blue sky; Sitting there, shouting with joy; and then how some people passed by in a dinghy, and Tom greeted them, and explained his situation: out of cook.How those few people didn't believe this absurdity at first, because they said "the cave you stayed in was five miles down the river"-then got them in a boat, rowed to a house, and gave them supper , rested for two or three hours after dark before taking them home. Before dawn, the messenger found them according to the twine marks left by Judge Thatcher and those with him, and told them the great news. Soon Tom and Becky understood that they were tired and hungry after staying in the cave for three days and three nights, and it was impossible for their bodies to recover all at once.All Wednesday and Thursday they were bedridden, seeming to grow sleepier with sleep and fatigued with rest.Tom moved a little on Thursday, went to town on Friday, and was almost completely back on Saturday, but Becky didn't go out until Sunday, but looked very thin, as if she had been in a serious illness. Tom heard that Huck was ill, and went to see him on Friday, but he was not allowed in the bedroom, nor was he allowed to go in on Saturday or Sunday.After that, he could go in every day, but he was not allowed to mention adventures or talk about exciting topics; Widow Douglas stayed in the bedroom to supervise Tom and prevent him from talking nonsense.Tom heard at home about the Cardiff Hill incident, and that the body of the "ragged" man was later found in the river near the ferry, drowned, perhaps, in an attempt to escape. Tom went to see Huck about two weeks after he was rescued from the hole, when Huck was much stronger and less afraid of excitement.Tom thought he had something to say that would interest Huck.When Tom passed by Judge Thatcher's house, he went to see Becky. The judge and some friends asked Tom to start the conversation. Someone asked Tom half-jokingly if he would like to visit the old hole again.Tom said it didn't matter if he went again, and the judge said: "Yes, Tom, I don't doubt that there are people like you. But we're careful now, and no one will get lost in the hole again." "What's going on here?" "Because I had nailed the gate with boiler iron two weeks ago, and put three locks on it--I keep the key." Tom turned pale at once. "What's the matter with you? Child, hey, go get a glass of water!" Someone fetched water and threw it in Tom's face. "Oh, you're all right now, Tom, what's the matter with you?" "Oh, yes, Your Honor, Injun Joe's still in the hole!" Chapter Thirty-Three: Injun Joe's Trapped Cave Within minutes, word spread, and a dozen dinghies filled with people rowed to McDouglas Cave, followed by a ferry full of passengers.Tom Sawyer and Judge Thatcher were in the same boat. The lock at the entrance of the cave was opened, revealing a miserable scene under the dim light.Injun Joe lay sprawled dead on the ground.His face was very close to the crack of the door, and it looked as if, at the last moment, his eyes were fixed expectantly on the light outside and the happy world of freedom.Tom was shocked, because he had been in the cave himself, so he could understand the suffering of this guy.He was moved with compassion, but anyway he felt more relieved and safe now than he had ever felt before.Ever since he had testified against the bum, he had been haunted by a heavy dread. Injun Joe's hunting knife was still with him, the blade split in two.Before he died, he desperately hacked through the large crossbar under the door with a knife and cut through a gap, but it was useless. The stone outside naturally formed a door frame, and chopping such a solid door frame with a knife was like an egg hitting a rock. It didn't work at all, instead the knife was hacked out of shape.Even without stones, Injun Joe's efforts would be useless. He could cut the log, but it was impossible to get out from under the door, and he knew it himself.He cut the big cross-log, just to find something to do, to pass the annoying time, and to have something to sustenance.Usually, people can find half a dozen candle stubs that tourists stuck in the gaps, but this time there was none, because the trapped guy found all the candle stubs and ate them.He also managed to catch a few bats and ate them all but their claws.The poor and unfortunate fellow finally starved to death.Not far away is a stalagmite, some years old, formed by dripping water from stalactites overhead.After breaking the stalagmite, he placed a stone on top of the stalagmite pier, and hewn a shallow recess to catch the precious drop of water that only dripped every three minutes.The sound of dripping water is as regular as clockwork, which is annoying. It takes a day and a night to fill up a tablespoon.This water has been dripping since the beginning of the pyramids; when Troy fell; when Rome was first founded; when Christ was crucified; when William the Conqueror founded England; when Columbus sailed; When people know, the water has been dripping.It is still dripping now, and even if everything disappears with history and is forgotten, it will continue to drip.Does everything in the world have a purpose and a mission?Is this drop of water flowing silently for five thousand years just for this poor creature?Does it have another important purpose, and it will last another 10,000 years?It doesn't matter.Years passed before the hapless half-breed took up the precious water with a stone nest.But today's tourists will stop for a long time when they come to McDouglas Cave for sightseeing, staring at the sad stone and the slowly falling water drops. Injun Joe's "cup" stands out among the wonders of the cave, even "Aladdin" Palace" is no match for it. Injun Joe is buried near the mouth of the cave.People within seven miles from the city and the countryside came here in groups by boat or carriage.They led the children, and brought all kinds of food, and all expressed as much pleasure in seeing Joe buried as in seeing him hanged. After this incident no further mention was made of Injun Joe's pardon to the governor.Many people signed the petition, and there were many tearful meetings, and a group of soft-hearted women was selected to go to the governor in mourning clothes and cry, begging him for mercy. , Never mind the requirements of your own responsibilities.Injun Joe was said to have five murders in his hands, but so what?Even if he is Satan the devil, there will still be a bunch of foolish people willing to stake on the petition, and they will sprinkle tears on the petition from their "water taps" that have never been repaired. The morning after Joe was buried, Tom called Huck into a deserted place, and told him something important.At this time, Huck learned about Tom's adventures from Welshman and the widow Douglas.But Tom said there was one thing he thought they didn't tell Huck, and that's what he was going to tell now.Huck said sullenly: "I know what it is, you got into number two, and you found nothing but whiskey. No one said you did it, but when I heard about the whiskey thing, I knew it must be What you did, you didn't get the money, or you'd have told me alone. I always feel, Tom, that we'll never get that treasure." "I said Huck, I never told on the innkeeper. Wasn't the inn all right when I went to picnic on Saturday? You know that. Don't you forget, you had a watch that night." "Oh, yes! It feels like a year ago. That was the night I followed Injun Joe all the way to the widow's." "So you were following him!" "It's me, don't tell it. I think Injun Joe has friends, and I don't want them to come over me. If it weren't for me, he'd be in Texas this time, sure enough." So Huck told Tom all his adventures like a confidant. Before that, Tom had only heard about Wellsman. "Well," said Huck, returning to the old subject, "whoever gets the whiskey gets the money. It's not about us anyway." "Huck, that treasure isn't in No. 2 at all!" "What did you say?" Huck looked carefully at his companion's face. "Tom, do you have a new clue?" "Huck, it's in the hole!" Huck's eyes sparkled. "Listen again, Tom." "The money is in the hole!" "Tom, are you kidding, or are you serious?" "Of course it's real, I've always been like this. You come with me and get it out, will you?" "I swear! As long as we can make a mark and find the way back, I will go with you." "Huck, you won't encounter any trouble when you enter the cave this time." "Great, how did you think the money was in-" "Huck, don't be in a hurry. You'll know when you go in. If you can't get the money, I'll give you my snare drum and other things, and I won't lose my word." "Well, it's a deal. Tell me when you want to leave." "Go right away, what do you think? Are you in good health?" "Going deep? I've been recovering for three or four days, but I can only go a mile at best, Tom, at least I think so." "Huck, it's five miles for other people to get into the hole, but there's a short cut that only I know. Huck, I'll row you there right away. I'll let it float there, and when I get back I'll row without you doing anything .” "Tom, let's go!" "Well, we'll get some bread and meat and pipes and a little bag or two and two or three kite strings and what they call matches. Last time I was in the cave, I thought several times that there were some The fire might be all right." A little after noon, the two children "borrowed" a boat from someone absent and set off. A few miles from The Hollow, Tom said: "Look, this high cliff looks the same from top to bottom: no houses, no sawmills, just the same bushes. And look over there at the collapsed white space, that's one of our marks. Well, It's time to go ashore now." They landed. "Huck, you can get to the hole I made with a fishing rod here, and you'll be sure to find the hole." Huck looked around, but found nothing.Tom strode proudly to a mass of green bushes and said: "Here it is! Huck, here's the hole; it's the most hidden hole, don't tell anyone. I've wanted to be a robber for a long time, and I know I need a hole like this to hide in, but where can I find such an ideal hole?" Really annoying, now there is, but it's a secret, only Joe Harper and Ben Rogers can go in the hole, because we have to gang up, or there is no panache. Tom Sawyer is a big name , don't you, Huck?" "Well, it's loud, Tom, who's up for it?" "Root whoever you meet, highway robbery—that's how it is done." "Still killing people?" "No, it's not always about killing people, driving them into a cave, and letting them pay for ransom?" "What is redemption?" "It is to exchange people with money and tell them to take out all the money. Even friends' money is obtained. If the ransom is not paid within a year, their blood will be released. This is usually done. But don't kill women. , just locking them up is enough. They are always beautiful and rich, but they are terrified when caught. You can take off their watches and take other things, but with them, you have to take No matter what you read, you will know that robbers are the most polite people. Then the women gradually start to like you. After a week or two in the cave, they stop crying, and then If you let them go, they won't go. If you take them out, they'll turn around and come right back. That's what it says in all the books." "Wow, that's great, Tom, it's better to be a robber than a pirate." "There are indeed some advantages, because it is close to home, and it is convenient to watch the circus." At this moment, everything was ready, and the two children began to drill the cave.Tom headed in, and they managed to get to the other end of the passage, and then they tied the twisted kite strings and went on.They came to the spring a few steps away, and Tom shivered all over, and he showed Huck the stump of the candle-wick on the mud-block beside the wall, and told how he and Becky watched the candle flicker until the last Mood when extinguished. The cave was lifeless and eerily quiet.The two children began to lower their voices and speak in low voices.They went on, and soon got into another road, until they came to the low place. By candlelight, they found that this place was not a cliff, but a steep hill twenty feet high. Tom whispered: "Now, Huck, I'll show you something." He held up the candle aloft and said: "Try to look around the corner, see? Over there—on the big rock over there—there's a mark from the smoke from the candle." “汤姆，我看那是十字！” “那么你的二号呢？在十字架下，对吗？哈克，我就是在那看见印第安·乔伸出蜡烛的！” 哈克盯着那神秘的记号看了一阵，然后声音颤抖地说： “汤姆，咱们出去吧！” “什么？出去？不要财宝啦。” “对，不要财宝啦。印第安·乔的鬼魂就在附近，肯定在。” “不在这里，哈克，一定不在这里。在他死的地方，那洞口离这还有五英里远。” “不，汤姆，它不在那里，它就在钱附近，我晓得鬼的特性，这你也是知道的。” 汤姆也动摇了，他担心也许哈克说得对，他也满脑的怀疑，但很快他有了个主意： “喂，哈克，我俩真是十足的大傻瓜。印第安·乔的鬼魂怎么可能在有十字的地方游荡呢！” 汤姆这下说到点子上啦，他的话果真起了作用。 “汤姆，我怎么没想到十字能避邪呢。我们真幸运，我们的好十字。我觉得我们该从那里爬下去找那箱财宝。” 汤姆先下，边往下走，边打一些粗糙的脚蹬儿。哈克跟在后面，有大岩石的那个石洞分出四个叉道口。孩子查看了三个道口，结果一无所获，在最靠近大石头的道口里，他们找到了一个小窝，里边有个铺着毯子的地铺，还有个旧吊篮，一块熏肉皮，两三块啃得干干净净的鸡骨头，可就是没钱箱。两个小家伙一遍又一遍地到处找，可还是没找到钱箱，于是汤姆说： “他说是在十字下，你瞧，这不就是最靠近十字底下的地方吗？不可能藏在石头底下面吧，这下面一点缝隙也没有。” 他们又到四处找了一遍便灰心丧气地坐下来。哈克一个主意也说不出来，最后还是汤姆开了口： “喂，哈克，这块石头的一面泥土上有脚印和蜡烛油，另一面却什么也没有。你想想，这是为什么呢？我跟你打赌钱就在石头下面，我要把它挖出来。” “想法不错，汤姆！”哈克兴奋地说道。 汤姆立刻掏出正宗的巴罗刀，没挖到四英寸深就碰到了木头。 “嘿，哈克，听到木头的声音了吗？” 哈克也开始挖，不一会工夫，他们把露出的木板移走，这时出现了一个通往岩石下的天然裂口。汤姆举着蜡烛钻了进去。汤姆说他看不到裂口尽头处，想进去看看，于是弯着腰穿过裂口。路越来越窄，渐渐地往下通去。他先是右，然后是左，曲曲弯弯地沿着通道往前走，哈克跟在汤姆后面。后来汤姆进了一段弧形通道，不久就大声叫道：“老天爷啊，哈克，你看这是什么？” 是宝箱，千真万确，它藏在一个小石窟里，旁边有个空弹药桶，两只装在皮套里的枪，两三双旧皮鞋，一条皮带，另外还有些被水浸得湿漉漉的破烂东西。 “财宝终于找到了！”哈克边说，边用手抓起一把变色的钱币。“汤姆，这下我们发财了。” “哈克，我总觉得我们会找到的，真难以令人相信，不过财宝确实到手了！喂，别傻呆在这儿，把它拖出去，我来试试看，能不能搬动。” 箱子重有五十磅。汤姆费了好大的劲才把它提起来，可提着走却很吃力。 “我早就猜对了，”他说，“那天在闹鬼的房间里，他们拿箱子时，样子也是十分吃力，我看出来了，带来的这些小布袋子正好用上。” 钱很快被装进小袋子里，孩子们把它搬上去拿到十字岩石旁。 “我现在去拿枪和别的东西，”哈克说。 “别去拿，别动那些东西，我们以后当强盗会用得着那些东西，现在就放在那里。我们还要在那里聚会，痛饮一番，那可是个难得的好地方。” “什么叫痛饮一番？” “我也不知道，不过强盗们总是聚会痛饮，我们当然也要这样做。快走，哈克，我们在这里呆的时间太长了，现在不早了，我也饿了，等到船上就可以吃东西，抽香烟。” 不久他俩出来后钻进了绿树林，警惕地观察四周，发现岸边没人，就开始上船吃起饭，抽起烟来。 太阳快接近地平线时，他们撑起船离岸而去，黄昏中汤姆沿岸边划了很长时间，边划边兴高采烈地和哈克聊天，天刚黑他俩就上了岸。 “哈克，”汤姆说，“我们把钱藏到寡妇家柴火棚的阁楼上，早上我就回来把钱过过数，然后两人分掉，再到林子里找个安全的地方把它放好。你呆在这儿别动，看着钱，我去把本尼·泰勒的小车子偷来，一会儿就回来。” 说完，他就消失了，不一会工夫他带着小车子回来，把两个小袋子先扔上车，然后再盖上些烂布，拖着“货物”就出发了。来到威尔斯曼家时，他俩停下来休息，之后正要动身时，威尔斯曼走出来说： “喂，那是谁呀？” “是我俩，哈克和汤姆·索亚。” “好极了！孩子们跟我来，大家都在等你俩呢。快点，头里小跑，我来拉车，咦，怎么不像看上去的轻？装了砖头？还是什么破铜烂铁？” “烂铁。”汤姆说 “我也觉得像，镇上的孩子就是喜欢东找西翻弄些破铜烂铁卖给翻砂厂，最多不过换六个子。要是干活的话，一般都能挣双倍的钱，可人就是这样的，不说了，快走吧，快点！” 两个孩子想知道为什么催他们快走。 “别问了，等到了寡妇家就知道了。” 哈克由于常被人诬陷，所以心有余悸地问道： “琼斯先生，我们什么事也没干呀！” 威尔斯曼笑了。 “噢，我不知道，我的好孩子，哈克，我也不知道是什么事，你跟寡妇不是好朋友吗？” “是的，不管怎么说，她一直待我很好。” “这就行了，那么你还有什么可怕的呢？ 哈克反应慢，还没转过脑筋来就和汤姆一起被推进道格拉斯夫人家的客厅。琼斯先生把车停在门边后，也跟了进来。 客厅里灯火辉煌，村里有头有面的人物全都聚在这儿。他们是撒切尔一家、哈帕一家、罗杰斯一家、波莉姨妈、希德、玛丽、牧师、报馆撰稿人，还有很多别的人，大家全都衣着考究。寡妇热情地接待这两个孩子，这样的孩子谁见了都会伸出热情之手。他俩浑身是泥土和蜡烛油。波莉姨妈臊得满脸通红，皱着眉朝汤姆直摇头。这两个孩子可受了大罪。琼斯先生说： “当时汤姆不在家，所以我就没再找他了，可偏巧在门口让我给碰上了。他和哈克在一起，这不，我就急急忙忙把他俩弄到这里。” “你做得对，”寡妇说，“孩子们跟我来吧。” 她把两个孩子领到一间卧室，然后对他们说： “你们洗个澡，换件衣服。这是两套新衣服，衬衣、袜子样样齐备。这是哈克的——不，用不着道谢，哈克，一套是琼斯先生拿来的，另一套是我拿来的。不过你们穿上会觉得合身的。穿上吧，我们等着——穿好就下来。”她说完走了出去。 第三十四章黄金如山，富了汤姆与哈克 哈克说：“汤姆，要是弄到绳子，我们就可以滑下去，窗户离地面没有多高。” “胡说，干吗要溜走呢？” “是这样的，跟一大群人在一起怪不习惯的，受不了。汤姆，反正我不下去。” “真是的，讨厌！其实下去没什么大不了的事，我根本不在乎，我会照应你的。” 希德来了。 “汤姆，”他说，“波莉姨妈一下午都在等你呐。玛丽为你准备好了礼服。大家都为你担心。喂，这不是蜡烛油和粘土吗？在你衣服上。” “得了，希德先生，你少管闲事。他们今天为什么在这里大吃大喝呢？” “这是寡妇家的宴会，她经常请客。这次是为了威尔斯曼和他儿子举行的，感谢他们的救命之恩。喂，还想知道得更多吗？我可以告诉你。” “嗯，是什么事？” “什么事？老琼斯先生今晚有惊人的消息要告诉这里的人们。他在和姨妈谈这事时，被我听到了这个秘密，不过我想，现在这已算不上什么秘密了，人人都知道，寡妇也知道，但她却尽力掩饰。琼斯先生一定要哈克出席。你瞧，哈克不在场，他怎么能说出那个大秘密呢！” “希德，是哪方面的秘密？” “就是哈克跟踪强盗到寡妇家的那件事情。我想琼斯想利用此事来个一鸣惊人的举动，不过我敢打赌，他不会成功。” 希德笑了，心满意足地笑了。 “希德，是你把秘密泄露出去的吧！” “得了，别管是谁干的，反正有人已说出了那个秘密，这就够了。” “希德，全镇只有一个下流家伙会这么干，那就是你。你要是处在哈克的位置，你早就溜之大吉，根本不会向人报告强盗的消息。你只会干些卑鄙龌龊的事情，见不得干好事的人受表扬。好，赏你这个——'不用道谢'，照寡妇的说法。” 汤姆一边说，一边打他耳光，连踢带推把他撵出门外。“好，赶快去向姨妈告状吧，只要你敢，明天就有你好受的。” 几分钟过后，寡妇家的客人都坐在了晚餐桌旁，十几个小孩也被安排在同一间房里的小餐桌旁规规矩矩地坐着，那时的习俗就是这样。过了一会后，琼斯先生作了简短的发言，他感谢寡妇为他和儿子举办此次宴请，但他又说还有个很谦虚的人—— 他说了很多后，突然戏剧性地宣布这次历险中哈克也在场。人们显得很惊讶的样子，实际上是故作的。要是在平常遇上这样欢快的场面，人们听到秘密后会显得更加热闹的。 可是只有寡妇一人却表现出相当吃惊的样子。她一个劲地赞扬和感激哈克的所作所为，结果哈克几乎忘却了众目睽睽下穿新衣不自在的感觉。 寡妇说她打算收养哈克，让他上学受教育，一旦有钱就让他做点小买卖。汤姆终于有机会搭上了腔，他说： “哈克不需要那个，他富了。” 听了这句可笑的话，在座的来宾为了面子都忍着没有笑出来，但场面却让人尴尬。汤姆打破了沉默。 “哈克有钱了，你们或许不相信，不过他真有了很多的钱。喂，你们别笑，我会让你们看到的，请稍等片刻吧。” 汤姆跑到门外，那些人彼此迷惑不解，好奇地看着，再问哈克，他此时却张口结舌。 “希德，汤姆得了什么病？”波莉姨妈问道，“他呀——真是的，从来猜不透他，我从来没有——” 她还没说完，只见汤姆吃力地背着口袋走进来。他把黄色金币倒在桌上说： “你们看呀！我刚才怎么说的？一半是哈克的，一半是我的！” 这一下使在座的人全都大吃一惊。大家只是瞪眼盯着桌上，一时没有人说话。接着大家一致要求汤姆说出原委。汤姆满口答应，于是就把事情的来龙去脉说了一遍，虽然话很长，但大家却听得津津有味，没有一个人插话打断他的叙述。 汤姆讲完后，琼斯先生说： “我原以为今天我会让大家大吃一惊，可是听了汤姆的叙述，我承认我的根本不算什么了。” 钱被过了数，总共有一万二千块美元。尽管在座的人当中，有的家产不止这个数，可是一次见过这么多钱却还是头一回。 第三十五章受人尊敬的哈克与“强盗”为伍 汤姆和哈克两人意外地发了横财，这下轰动了圣彼得堡这个穷乡僻壤的小村镇。读者读到这里可以松口气了。钱数多不说，又全是现金，真让人难以置信。到处的人们都在谈论此事，对他表示羡慕，称赞不已，后来有人因为过份激动，结果被弄得神魂颠倒。现在，圣彼得堡镇上每间闹鬼的屋子都被掘地三尺，木板被一块块拆掉，为的是找财宝——而且这一切全是大人们的所为，其中一部分人干得十分起劲和认真。汤姆和哈克两人无论走到哪里，人们都巴结他俩，有的表示羡慕，有的睁大眼睛观看。两个孩子记不得以前他们说话在人们心目中是否有份量，再现在大不一样。他们无论说什么，人们都看得很宝贵，到处重复他俩的话。就连他们的一举一动都被认为意义重大。显然，他俩已失去了作为普通人的资格，更有甚者，有人收集了他俩过去的资料，说以前他俩就超凡不俗。村里的报纸还刊登了两个小孩的小传。 道格拉斯寡妇把哈克的钱拿出去按六分利息放债，波莉姨妈委托撒切尔法官以同样利息把汤姆的钱也拿出去放债。现在每个孩子都有一笔数目惊人的收入。平常日子以及半数的星期日，他俩每天都有一块大洋的收入。这笔钱相当一个牧师的全年收入——不，准确地说，牧师拿不到那些，只是上面先给他们开张空头支票而已。那时，生活费用低，１元２角５分钱就够一个孩子上学、膳宿的费用，连穿衣、洗澡等都包括在内。 撒切尔法官十分器重汤姆，他说汤姆绝不是个平庸的孩子，否则他不会救出他的女儿。听到贝基悄悄地告诉他，汤姆在校曾替她受过，挨过鞭笞时，法官显然被感动了。她请求父亲原谅汤姆。汤姆撒了个大谎主要是为了替她挨鞭笞，法官情绪激动，大声说，那个谎是高尚的，它是慷慨、宽宏大量的谎话。它完全有资格，昂首阔步，永垂青史，与华盛顿那句曾大受赞扬的关于斧头的老实话①争光！贝基见父亲踏着地板，跺着脚说这句话时显得十分伟大了不起，她以前从没见过父亲是这个样子。她直接跑去找到汤姆，把这事告诉了他。 -------- ①据说华盛顿总统小时候用父亲给他的小斧子曾把一棵樱桃树砍掉，当父亲追问时，他不怕受罚，诚实地承认了自己的过错。 撒切尔法官希望汤姆以后成为一名大律师或是著名的军人。他说他打算安排汤姆进国家军事学院，然后再到最好的法学院接受教育，这样将来随便当律师、做军人或是身兼两职都行。 哈克·费恩有了钱，又归道格拉斯寡妇监护，这样他踏入了社交圈子——不对，他是被拖进去，被扔进去的——于是他苦不堪言。寡妇的佣人帮他又梳又刷，把他收拾得干干净净，每晚又为他换上冷冰冰的床单。哈克想在上面找个小黑点按在心口做朋友都找不到。他吃饭得用刀叉，还要使餐巾、杯子和碟子；他又得念书，上教堂。说话枯燥无味没关系，但谈吐要斯文，他无论走到那里，文明都束缚着他的手脚。 就这样，他硬着头皮忍受着，过了三个星期。突然有一天他不见了。寡妇急得要命，四处去找他，找了整整有两天两夜。众人们也十分关注此事，他们到处搜索，有的还到河里去打捞。第三天一大早，汤姆挺聪明，在破旧的屠宰场后面的几只旧空桶中找人，结果在一只空桶中发现了哈克，他就在这过夜。哈克刚吃完早饭，吃的全是偷来的剩饭菜。他抽着烟斗，正舒服地躺在那里休息。他邋遢不堪，蓬头垢面，穿着往日快快活活时那套有趣的烂衣服。汤姆把他撵出来，告诉他已惹了麻烦，要他快回家。哈克脸上悠然自得的神情消失了，马上呈现出一脸的愁相。He said: “汤姆，别提那事了，我已经试过了，那没有用，没用，汤姆。那种生活不适合我过，我不习惯。寡妇待我好，够处，可是我受不了那一套。她每天早晨叫我按时起床；她叫我洗脸；他们还给我使劲地梳；她不让我在柴棚里睡觉。汤姆，我得穿那种倒霉的衣服，紧绷绷的，有点不透气。衣服很漂亮，弄得我站也不是，坐也不行，更不能到处打滚。我已经很长时间没有到过别人家的地窖里，也许有许多年了。我还得去做礼拜，弄得浑身是汗——我恨那些一文不值的布道辞！在那里我既不能捉苍蝇，也不能嚼口香糖，星期日整天不能赤脚。吃饭、上床睡觉、起床等寡妇都要按铃，总而言之，一切都井然有序，真让人受不了。” “不过，哈克，大家都是这样的。” “汤姆，你说得没错，不过我不是大家，我受不了，捆得那样紧真让人受不了。还有，不费劲就能搞到吃的东西，我不喜欢这种吃法，就是要钓鱼也得先征求寡妇的同意，去游个泳也得先问问她，真他妈的，干什么事都要先问她才行。说话也得斯文，真不习惯——我只好跑到阁楼顶上胡乱放它一通，这样嘴里才有滋味，否则真不如死了算，汤姆。寡妇不让我抽烟，不让我在人前大声讲话，或大喊大叫，还不许我伸懒腰，抓痒痒——”（接着他显得十分烦躁和委屈的样子。） “还有呢，她整天祈祷个没完！我从来也没见过她这样的女人。 我得溜走，汤姆——不溜不行呀，况且，学校快要开学了，不跑就得上学，那怎么能受得了呢。Tom?喂，汤姆，发了横财并不像人们说得那样是个非常愉快的事情。发财简直就是发愁，受罪，最后弄得你真希望不如一死了之。这儿的衣服我穿合适，在桶里睡觉也不错，我再不打算离开这儿。汤姆，要不是那些钱，我根本不会有这么多的麻烦事情，现在，你把我那份钱也拿去，偶尔给我毛把钱用就行了，不要常给，因为我觉得容易得到的东西并没有什么大价值。请你到寡妇那儿为我告辞吧。 " “噢，哈克，你知道，我不能这样做，这不太好。你如果稍微多试几天，就会喜欢那种生活的。” “喜欢那种生活——就像喜欢很长时间坐在热炉子上一样。我不干，汤姆，我不要当富人，也不想住在那闷热倒霉的房子里。我喜欢森林、河流、那些大桶，我决不离开这些东西。真是倒霉，刚弄了几条枪，找到了山洞，准备去当强盗，却偏偏碰上了这种事情，真让人扫兴。” 汤姆瞅到了机会—— “喂，哈克，富了也能当强盗啊。” “真的吗？你说话当真，汤姆？” “当然当真，就像我人坐在这儿一样，千真万确。不过，我们不接受不体面的人入伙，哈克。” 哈克的高兴劲被一下子打消了。 “不让我入伙，汤姆？你不是让我当过海盗吗？” “是让你当过，不过这跟入伙没什么关系，总的说来，强盗比海盗格调要高。在许多国家，强盗算是上流人当中的上流人，都是些公爵之类的人。” “汤姆，你一直对我很好，不是吗？你不会不让我入伍，对吧，汤姆？不会不让我入伍吧，汤姆，是不是？” “哈克，我不愿不让你入伍，也不想那么干，不过要是让你进来，别人会怎么说呢？他们会不屑一顾地说：瞧汤姆·索亚那帮乌合之众，全是些低贱的人。这是指你的，哈克。你不会喜欢他们这么说你，我也不喜欢。” 哈克沉默了一会，思想上在作激烈的斗争。最后他开了腔： “得，我再回到寡妇家里应付上一个月，看能不能适应那种生活，不过汤姆，你会让我入伍，对吧？” “好吧，哈克，一言为定！走，老伙计，我去跟寡妇讲，让她对你要求松一些。” “你答应了，汤姆？你答应了，这太好了。在些难事上，她要是能宽容一些，我就可以背地里抽烟、诅咒。要么挺过去，要么完蛋拉倒。你打算什么时候结伙当强盗？” “噢，这就干。把孩子们集中起来，也许今晚就举行入伙仪式。” “举行什么？” “举行入伙仪式。” “什么叫入伙仪式？” “就是发誓互相帮忙，永不泄密。就是被剁成肉酱也不能泄密。如果有人伤害了你，就把他和他全家统统干掉，一个不留。” “这真好玩，真有意思，汤姆。” “对，我想是好玩。发誓仪式得在半夜举行，要选在最偏僻、最恐怖的地方干。闹鬼的房子最好，可现在全被拆了。” “半夜时分干还是不错的，汤姆。” “对。还要对棺材发誓，咬破指头签名呐。” “这才真有点像样呢！这比当海盗要强一万倍。汤姆，我到死都跟着寡妇在一起了。我要是始终能成为一名响当当的强盗，人人都会谈到我，那么，我想，她会为自己把我从困境中解救出来而自豪。” conclusion 故事至此结束。因为这确实是个儿童的故事，所以写到这里必须搁笔，再写下去就得涉及到成人时期。写成人的故事， 很清楚写到结婚成家就算了事，但是写青少年则得见好就收。 本书中的人物有许多仍然健在，过着富裕快乐的生活。有朝一日再来续写这个故事，看看原来书中的小孩子们长大后做什么，这也许是件值得做的事情。正因为如此，明智的做法就是现在不要越俎代庖。