Reading Help Adventures of Tom Sawyer Ch.XVI-XXXV
treasure under a tree, to look out for it." "Lordy!" "Yes, they do. I've always `
` heard that." "Tom, I don't like to fool around much where there's dead people. `
` A body's bound to get into trouble with 'em, sure." "I don't like to stir 'em `
` up, either. S'pose this one here was to stick his skull out and say something!" `
` "Don't Tom! It's awful." "Well, it just is. Huck, I don't feel comfortable a `
` bit." "Say, Tom, let's give this place up, and try somewheres else." "All `
` right, I reckon we better." "What'll it be?" Tom considered awhile; and then `
` said: "The ha'nted house. That's it!" "Blame it, I don't like ha'nted houses, `
` Tom. Why, they're a dern sight worse'n dead people. Dead people might talk, `
` maybe, but they don't come sliding around in a shroud, when you ain't noticing, `
` and peep over your shoulder all of a sudden and grit their teeth, the way a `
` ghost does. I couldn't stand such a thing as that, Tom--nobody could." "Yes, `
` but, Huck, ghosts don't travel around only at night. They won't hender us from `
` digging there in the daytime." "Well, that's so. But you know mighty well `
` people don't go about that ha'nted house in the day nor the night." "Well, `
` that's mostly because they don't like to go where a man's been murdered, `
` anyway--but nothing's ever been seen around that house except in the `
` night--just some blue lights slipping by the windows--no regular ghosts." `
` "Well, where you see one of them blue lights flickering around, Tom, you can `
` bet there's a ghost mighty close behind it. It stands to reason. Becuz you know `
` that they don't anybody but ghosts use 'em." "Yes, that's so. But anyway they `
` don't come around in the daytime, so what's the use of our being afeard?" `
` "Well, all right. We'll tackle the ha'nted house if you say so--but I reckon `
` it's taking chances." They had started down the hill by this time. There in the `
` middle of the moonlit valley below them stood the "ha'nted" house, utterly `
` isolated, its fences gone long ago, rank weeds smothering the very doorsteps, `
` the chimney crumbled to ruin, the window-sashes vacant, a corner of the roof `
` caved in. The boys gazed awhile, half expecting to see a blue light flit past a `
` window; then talking in a low tone, as befitted the time and the circumstances, `
` they struck far off to the right, to give the haunted house a wide berth, and `
` took their way homeward through the woods that adorned the rearward side of `
` Cardiff Hill. CHAPTER XXVI ABOUT noon the next day the boys arrived at the dead `
` tree; they had come for their tools. Tom was impatient to go to the haunted `
` house; Huck was measurably so, also--but suddenly said: "Lookyhere, Tom, do you `
` know what day it is?" Tom mentally ran over the days of the week, and then `
` quickly lifted his eyes with a startled look in them-- "My! I never once `
` thought of it, Huck!" "Well, I didn't neither, but all at once it popped onto `
` me that it was Friday." "Blame it, a body can't be too careful, Huck. We might `
` 'a' got into an awful scrape, tackling such a thing on a Friday." "MIGHT! `
` Better say we WOULD! There's some lucky days, maybe, but Friday ain't." "Any `
` fool knows that. I don't reckon YOU was the first that found it out, Huck." `
` "Well, I never said I was, did I? And Friday ain't all, neither. I had a rotten `
` bad dream last night--dreampt about rats." "No! Sure sign of trouble. Did they `
` fight?" "No." "Well, that's good, Huck. When they don't fight it's only a sign `
` that there's trouble around, you know. All we got to do is to look mighty sharp `
` and keep out of it. We'll drop this thing for to-day, and play. Do you know `
` Robin Hood, Huck?" "No. Who's Robin Hood?" "Why, he was one of the greatest men `
` that was ever in England--and the best. He was a robber." "Cracky, I wisht I `
` was. Who did he rob?" "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and `
` such like. But he never bothered the poor. He loved 'em. He always divided up `
` with 'em perfectly square." "Well, he must 'a' been a brick." "I bet you he `
` was, Huck. Oh, he was the noblest man that ever was. They ain't any such men `
` now, I can tell you. He could lick any man in England, with one hand tied `
` behind him; and he could take his yew bow and plug a ten-cent piece every time, `
` a mile and a half." "What's a YEW bow?" "I don't know. It's some kind of a bow, `
` of course. And if he hit that dime only on the edge he would set down and `
` cry--and curse. But we'll play Robin Hood--it's nobby fun. I'll learn you." `
` "I'm agreed." So they played Robin Hood all the afternoon, now and then casting `
` a yearning eye down upon the haunted house and passing a remark about the `
` morrow's prospects and possibilities there. As the sun began to sink into the `
` west they took their way homeward athwart the long shadows of the trees and `
` soon were buried from sight in the forests of Cardiff Hill. On Saturday, `
` shortly after noon, the boys were at the dead tree again. They had a smoke and `
` a chat in the shade, and then dug a little in their last hole, not with great `
` hope, but merely because Tom said there were so many cases where people had `
` given up a treasure after getting down within six inches of it, and then `
` somebody else had come along and turned it up with a single thrust of a shovel. `
` The thing failed this time, however, so the boys shouldered their tools and `
` went away feeling that they had not trifled with fortune, but had fulfilled all `
` the requirements that belong to the business of treasure-hunting. When they `
` reached the haunted house there was something so weird and grisly about the `
` dead silence that reigned there under the baking sun, and something so `
` depressing about the loneliness and desolation of the place, that they were `
` afraid, for a moment, to venture in. Then they crept to the door and took a `
` trembling peep. They saw a weed-grown, floorless room, unplastered, an ancient `
` fireplace, vacant windows, a ruinous staircase; and here, there, and everywhere `
` hung ragged and abandoned cobwebs. They presently entered, softly, with `
` quickened pulses, talking in whispers, ears alert to catch the slightest sound, `
` and muscles tense and ready for instant retreat. In a little while familiarity `
` modified their fears and they gave the place a critical and interested `
` examination, rather admiring their own boldness, and wondering at it, too. Next `
` they wanted to look up-stairs. This was something like cutting off retreat, but `
` they got to daring each other, and of course there could be but one `
` result--they threw their tools into a corner and made the ascent. Up there were `
` the same signs of decay. In one corner they found a closet that promised `
` mystery, but the promise was a fraud--there was nothing in it. Their courage `
` was up now and well in hand. They were about to go down and begin work when-- `
` "Sh!" said Tom. "What is it?" whispered Huck, blanching with fright. "Sh! ... `
` There! ... Hear it?" "Yes! ... Oh, my! Let's run!" "Keep still! Don't you `
` budge! They're coming right toward the door." The boys stretched themselves `
` upon the floor with their eyes to knot-holes in the planking, and lay waiting, `
` in a misery of fear. "They've stopped.... No--coming.... Here they are. Don't `
` whisper another word, Huck. My goodness, I wish I was out of this!" Two men `
` entered. Each boy said to himself: "There's the old deaf and dumb Spaniard `
` that's been about town once or twice lately--never saw t'other man before." `
` "T'other" was a ragged, unkempt creature, with nothing very pleasant in his `
` face. The Spaniard was wrapped in a serape; he had bushy white whiskers; long `
` white hair flowed from under his sombrero, and he wore green goggles. When they `
` came in, "t'other" was talking in a low voice; they sat down on the ground, `
` facing the door, with their backs to the wall, and the speaker continued his `
` remarks. His manner became less guarded and his words more distinct as he `
` proceeded: "No," said he, "I've thought it all over, and I don't like it. It's `
` dangerous." "Dangerous!" grunted the "deaf and dumb" Spaniard--to the vast `
` surprise of the boys. "Milksop!" This voice made the boys gasp and quake. It `
` was Injun Joe's! There was silence for some time. Then Joe said: "What's any `
` more dangerous than that job up yonder--but nothing's come of it." "That's `
` different. Away up the river so, and not another house about. 'Twon't ever be `
` known that we tried, anyway, long as we didn't succeed." "Well, what's more `
` dangerous than coming here in the daytime!--anybody would suspicion us that saw `
` us." "I know that. But there warn't any other place as handy after that fool of `
` a job. I want to quit this shanty. I wanted to yesterday, only it warn't any `
` use trying to stir out of here, with those infernal boys playing over there on `
` the hill right in full view." "Those infernal boys" quaked again under the `
` inspiration of this remark, and thought how lucky it was that they had `
` remembered it was Friday and concluded to wait a day. They wished in their `
` hearts they had waited a year. The two men got out some food and made a `
` luncheon. After a long and thoughtful silence, Injun Joe said: "Look here, `
` lad--you go back up the river where you belong. Wait there till you hear from `
` me. I'll take the chances on dropping into this town just once more, for a `
` look. We'll do that 'dangerous' job after I've spied around a little and think `
` things look well for it. Then for Texas! We'll leg it together!" This was `
` satisfactory. Both men presently fell to yawning, and Injun Joe said: "I'm dead `
` for sleep! It's your turn to watch." He curled down in the weeds and soon began `
` to snore. His comrade stirred him once or twice and he became quiet. Presently `
` the watcher began to nod; his head drooped lower and lower, both men began to `
` snore now. The boys drew a long, grateful breath. Tom whispered: "Now's our `
` chance--come!" Huck said: "I can't--I'd die if they was to wake." Tom `
` urged--Huck held back. At last Tom rose slowly and softly, and started alone. `
` But the first step he made wrung such a hideous creak from the crazy floor that `
` he sank down almost dead with fright. He never made a second attempt. The boys `
` lay there counting the dragging moments till it seemed to them that time must `
` be done and eternity growing gray; and then they were grateful to note that at `
` last the sun was setting. Now one snore ceased. Injun Joe sat up, stared `
` around--smiled grimly upon his comrade, whose head was drooping upon his `
` knees--stirred him up with his foot and said: "Here! YOU'RE a watchman, ain't `
` you! All right, though--nothing's happened." "My! have I been asleep?" "Oh, `
` partly, partly. Nearly time for us to be moving, pard. What'll we do with what `
` little swag we've got left?" "I don't know--leave it here as we've always done, `
` I reckon. No use to take it away till we start south. Six hundred and fifty in `
` silver's something to carry." "Well--all right--it won't matter to come here `
` once more." "No--but I'd say come in the night as we used to do--it's better." `
` "Yes: but look here; it may be a good while before I get the right chance at `
` that job; accidents might happen; 'tain't in such a very good place; we'll just `
` regularly bury it--and bury it deep." "Good idea," said the comrade, who walked `
` across the room, knelt down, raised one of the rearward hearth-stones and took `
` out a bag that jingled pleasantly. He subtracted from it twenty or thirty `
` dollars for himself and as much for Injun Joe, and passed the bag to the `
` latter, who was on his knees in the corner, now, digging with his bowie-knife. `
` The boys forgot all their fears, all their miseries in an instant. With `
` gloating eyes they watched every movement. Luck!--the splendor of it was beyond `
` all imagination! Six hundred dollars was money enough to make half a dozen boys `
` rich! Here was treasure-hunting under the happiest auspices--there would not be `
` any bothersome uncertainty as to where to dig. They nudged each other every `
` moment--eloquent nudges and easily understood, for they simply meant--"Oh, but `
` ain't you glad NOW we're here!" Joe's knife struck upon something. "Hello!" `
` said he. "What is it?" said his comrade. "Half-rotten plank--no, it's a box, I `
` believe. Here--bear a hand and we'll see what it's here for. Never mind, I've `
` broke a hole." He reached his hand in and drew it out-- "Man, it's money!" The `
` two men examined the handful of coins. They were gold. The boys above were as `
` excited as themselves, and as delighted. Joe's comrade said: "We'll make quick `
` work of this. There's an old rusty pick over amongst the weeds in the corner `
` the other side of the fireplace--I saw it a minute ago." He ran and brought the `
` boys' pick and shovel. Injun Joe took the pick, looked it over critically, `
` shook his head, muttered something to himself, and then began to use it. The `
` box was soon unearthed. It was not very large; it was iron bound and had been `
` very strong before the slow years had injured it. The men contemplated the `
` treasure awhile in blissful silence. "Pard, there's thousands of dollars here," `
` said Injun Joe. "'Twas always said that Murrel's gang used to be around here `
` one summer," the stranger observed. "I know it," said Injun Joe; "and this `
` looks like it, I should say." "Now you won't need to do that job." The `
` half-breed frowned. Said he: "You don't know me. Least you don't know all about `
` that thing. 'Tain't robbery altogether--it's REVENGE!" and a wicked light `
` flamed in his eyes. "I'll need your help in it. When it's finished--then Texas. `
` Go home to your Nance and your kids, and stand by till you hear from me." `
` "Well--if you say so; what'll we do with this--bury it again?" "Yes. [Ravishing `
` delight overhead.] NO! by the great Sachem, no! [Profound distress overhead.] `
` I'd nearly forgot. That pick had fresh earth on it! [The boys were sick with `
` terror in a moment.] What business has a pick and a shovel here? What business `
` with fresh earth on them? Who brought them here--and where are they gone? Have `
` you heard anybody?--seen anybody? What! bury it again and leave them to come `
` and see the ground disturbed? Not exactly--not exactly. We'll take it to my `
` den." "Why, of course! Might have thought of that before. You mean Number One?" `
` "No--Number Two--under the cross. The other place is bad--too common." "All `
` right. It's nearly dark enough to start." Injun Joe got up and went about from `
` window to window cautiously peeping out. Presently he said: "Who could have `
` brought those tools here? Do you reckon they can be up-stairs?" The boys' `
` breath forsook them. Injun Joe put his hand on his knife, halted a moment, `
` undecided, and then turned toward the stairway. The boys thought of the closet, `
` but their strength was gone. The steps came creaking up the stairs--the `
` intolerable distress of the situation woke the stricken resolution of the `
` lads--they were about to spring for the closet, when there was a crash of `
` rotten timbers and Injun Joe landed on the ground amid the debris of the ruined `
` stairway. He gathered himself up cursing, and his comrade said: "Now what's the `
` use of all that? If it's anybody, and they're up there, let them STAY `
` there--who cares? If they want to jump down, now, and get into trouble, who `
` objects? It will be dark in fifteen minutes --and then let them follow us if `
` they want to. I'm willing. In my opinion, whoever hove those things in here `
` caught a sight of us and took us for ghosts or devils or something. I'll bet `
` they're running yet." Joe grumbled awhile; then he agreed with his friend that `
` what daylight was left ought to be economized in getting things ready for `
` leaving. Shortly afterward they slipped out of the house in the deepening `
`
` heard that." "Tom, I don't like to fool around much where there's dead people. `
` A body's bound to get into trouble with 'em, sure." "I don't like to stir 'em `
` up, either. S'pose this one here was to stick his skull out and say something!" `
` "Don't Tom! It's awful." "Well, it just is. Huck, I don't feel comfortable a `
` bit." "Say, Tom, let's give this place up, and try somewheres else." "All `
` right, I reckon we better." "What'll it be?" Tom considered awhile; and then `
` said: "The ha'nted house. That's it!" "Blame it, I don't like ha'nted houses, `
` Tom. Why, they're a dern sight worse'n dead people. Dead people might talk, `
` maybe, but they don't come sliding around in a shroud, when you ain't noticing, `
` and peep over your shoulder all of a sudden and grit their teeth, the way a `
` ghost does. I couldn't stand such a thing as that, Tom--nobody could." "Yes, `
` but, Huck, ghosts don't travel around only at night. They won't hender us from `
` digging there in the daytime." "Well, that's so. But you know mighty well `
` people don't go about that ha'nted house in the day nor the night." "Well, `
` that's mostly because they don't like to go where a man's been murdered, `
` anyway--but nothing's ever been seen around that house except in the `
` night--just some blue lights slipping by the windows--no regular ghosts." `
` "Well, where you see one of them blue lights flickering around, Tom, you can `
` bet there's a ghost mighty close behind it. It stands to reason. Becuz you know `
` that they don't anybody but ghosts use 'em." "Yes, that's so. But anyway they `
` don't come around in the daytime, so what's the use of our being afeard?" `
` "Well, all right. We'll tackle the ha'nted house if you say so--but I reckon `
` it's taking chances." They had started down the hill by this time. There in the `
` middle of the moonlit valley below them stood the "ha'nted" house, utterly `
` isolated, its fences gone long ago, rank weeds smothering the very doorsteps, `
` the chimney crumbled to ruin, the window-sashes vacant, a corner of the roof `
` caved in. The boys gazed awhile, half expecting to see a blue light flit past a `
` window; then talking in a low tone, as befitted the time and the circumstances, `
` they struck far off to the right, to give the haunted house a wide berth, and `
` took their way homeward through the woods that adorned the rearward side of `
` Cardiff Hill. CHAPTER XXVI ABOUT noon the next day the boys arrived at the dead `
` tree; they had come for their tools. Tom was impatient to go to the haunted `
` house; Huck was measurably so, also--but suddenly said: "Lookyhere, Tom, do you `
` know what day it is?" Tom mentally ran over the days of the week, and then `
` quickly lifted his eyes with a startled look in them-- "My! I never once `
` thought of it, Huck!" "Well, I didn't neither, but all at once it popped onto `
` me that it was Friday." "Blame it, a body can't be too careful, Huck. We might `
` 'a' got into an awful scrape, tackling such a thing on a Friday." "MIGHT! `
` Better say we WOULD! There's some lucky days, maybe, but Friday ain't." "Any `
` fool knows that. I don't reckon YOU was the first that found it out, Huck." `
` "Well, I never said I was, did I? And Friday ain't all, neither. I had a rotten `
` bad dream last night--dreampt about rats." "No! Sure sign of trouble. Did they `
` fight?" "No." "Well, that's good, Huck. When they don't fight it's only a sign `
` that there's trouble around, you know. All we got to do is to look mighty sharp `
` and keep out of it. We'll drop this thing for to-day, and play. Do you know `
` Robin Hood, Huck?" "No. Who's Robin Hood?" "Why, he was one of the greatest men `
` that was ever in England--and the best. He was a robber." "Cracky, I wisht I `
` was. Who did he rob?" "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and `
` such like. But he never bothered the poor. He loved 'em. He always divided up `
` with 'em perfectly square." "Well, he must 'a' been a brick." "I bet you he `
` was, Huck. Oh, he was the noblest man that ever was. They ain't any such men `
` now, I can tell you. He could lick any man in England, with one hand tied `
` behind him; and he could take his yew bow and plug a ten-cent piece every time, `
` a mile and a half." "What's a YEW bow?" "I don't know. It's some kind of a bow, `
` of course. And if he hit that dime only on the edge he would set down and `
` cry--and curse. But we'll play Robin Hood--it's nobby fun. I'll learn you." `
` "I'm agreed." So they played Robin Hood all the afternoon, now and then casting `
` a yearning eye down upon the haunted house and passing a remark about the `
` morrow's prospects and possibilities there. As the sun began to sink into the `
` west they took their way homeward athwart the long shadows of the trees and `
` soon were buried from sight in the forests of Cardiff Hill. On Saturday, `
` shortly after noon, the boys were at the dead tree again. They had a smoke and `
` a chat in the shade, and then dug a little in their last hole, not with great `
` hope, but merely because Tom said there were so many cases where people had `
` given up a treasure after getting down within six inches of it, and then `
` somebody else had come along and turned it up with a single thrust of a shovel. `
` The thing failed this time, however, so the boys shouldered their tools and `
` went away feeling that they had not trifled with fortune, but had fulfilled all `
` the requirements that belong to the business of treasure-hunting. When they `
` reached the haunted house there was something so weird and grisly about the `
` dead silence that reigned there under the baking sun, and something so `
` depressing about the loneliness and desolation of the place, that they were `
` afraid, for a moment, to venture in. Then they crept to the door and took a `
` trembling peep. They saw a weed-grown, floorless room, unplastered, an ancient `
` fireplace, vacant windows, a ruinous staircase; and here, there, and everywhere `
` hung ragged and abandoned cobwebs. They presently entered, softly, with `
` quickened pulses, talking in whispers, ears alert to catch the slightest sound, `
` and muscles tense and ready for instant retreat. In a little while familiarity `
` modified their fears and they gave the place a critical and interested `
` examination, rather admiring their own boldness, and wondering at it, too. Next `
` they wanted to look up-stairs. This was something like cutting off retreat, but `
` they got to daring each other, and of course there could be but one `
` result--they threw their tools into a corner and made the ascent. Up there were `
` the same signs of decay. In one corner they found a closet that promised `
` mystery, but the promise was a fraud--there was nothing in it. Their courage `
` was up now and well in hand. They were about to go down and begin work when-- `
` "Sh!" said Tom. "What is it?" whispered Huck, blanching with fright. "Sh! ... `
` There! ... Hear it?" "Yes! ... Oh, my! Let's run!" "Keep still! Don't you `
` budge! They're coming right toward the door." The boys stretched themselves `
` upon the floor with their eyes to knot-holes in the planking, and lay waiting, `
` in a misery of fear. "They've stopped.... No--coming.... Here they are. Don't `
` whisper another word, Huck. My goodness, I wish I was out of this!" Two men `
` entered. Each boy said to himself: "There's the old deaf and dumb Spaniard `
` that's been about town once or twice lately--never saw t'other man before." `
` "T'other" was a ragged, unkempt creature, with nothing very pleasant in his `
` face. The Spaniard was wrapped in a serape; he had bushy white whiskers; long `
` white hair flowed from under his sombrero, and he wore green goggles. When they `
` came in, "t'other" was talking in a low voice; they sat down on the ground, `
` facing the door, with their backs to the wall, and the speaker continued his `
` remarks. His manner became less guarded and his words more distinct as he `
` proceeded: "No," said he, "I've thought it all over, and I don't like it. It's `
` dangerous." "Dangerous!" grunted the "deaf and dumb" Spaniard--to the vast `
` surprise of the boys. "Milksop!" This voice made the boys gasp and quake. It `
` was Injun Joe's! There was silence for some time. Then Joe said: "What's any `
` more dangerous than that job up yonder--but nothing's come of it." "That's `
` different. Away up the river so, and not another house about. 'Twon't ever be `
` known that we tried, anyway, long as we didn't succeed." "Well, what's more `
` dangerous than coming here in the daytime!--anybody would suspicion us that saw `
` us." "I know that. But there warn't any other place as handy after that fool of `
` a job. I want to quit this shanty. I wanted to yesterday, only it warn't any `
` use trying to stir out of here, with those infernal boys playing over there on `
` the hill right in full view." "Those infernal boys" quaked again under the `
` inspiration of this remark, and thought how lucky it was that they had `
` remembered it was Friday and concluded to wait a day. They wished in their `
` hearts they had waited a year. The two men got out some food and made a `
` luncheon. After a long and thoughtful silence, Injun Joe said: "Look here, `
` lad--you go back up the river where you belong. Wait there till you hear from `
` me. I'll take the chances on dropping into this town just once more, for a `
` look. We'll do that 'dangerous' job after I've spied around a little and think `
` things look well for it. Then for Texas! We'll leg it together!" This was `
` satisfactory. Both men presently fell to yawning, and Injun Joe said: "I'm dead `
` for sleep! It's your turn to watch." He curled down in the weeds and soon began `
` to snore. His comrade stirred him once or twice and he became quiet. Presently `
` the watcher began to nod; his head drooped lower and lower, both men began to `
` snore now. The boys drew a long, grateful breath. Tom whispered: "Now's our `
` chance--come!" Huck said: "I can't--I'd die if they was to wake." Tom `
` urged--Huck held back. At last Tom rose slowly and softly, and started alone. `
` But the first step he made wrung such a hideous creak from the crazy floor that `
` he sank down almost dead with fright. He never made a second attempt. The boys `
` lay there counting the dragging moments till it seemed to them that time must `
` be done and eternity growing gray; and then they were grateful to note that at `
` last the sun was setting. Now one snore ceased. Injun Joe sat up, stared `
` around--smiled grimly upon his comrade, whose head was drooping upon his `
` knees--stirred him up with his foot and said: "Here! YOU'RE a watchman, ain't `
` you! All right, though--nothing's happened." "My! have I been asleep?" "Oh, `
` partly, partly. Nearly time for us to be moving, pard. What'll we do with what `
` little swag we've got left?" "I don't know--leave it here as we've always done, `
` I reckon. No use to take it away till we start south. Six hundred and fifty in `
` silver's something to carry." "Well--all right--it won't matter to come here `
` once more." "No--but I'd say come in the night as we used to do--it's better." `
` "Yes: but look here; it may be a good while before I get the right chance at `
` that job; accidents might happen; 'tain't in such a very good place; we'll just `
` regularly bury it--and bury it deep." "Good idea," said the comrade, who walked `
` across the room, knelt down, raised one of the rearward hearth-stones and took `
` out a bag that jingled pleasantly. He subtracted from it twenty or thirty `
` dollars for himself and as much for Injun Joe, and passed the bag to the `
` latter, who was on his knees in the corner, now, digging with his bowie-knife. `
` The boys forgot all their fears, all their miseries in an instant. With `
` gloating eyes they watched every movement. Luck!--the splendor of it was beyond `
` all imagination! Six hundred dollars was money enough to make half a dozen boys `
` rich! Here was treasure-hunting under the happiest auspices--there would not be `
` any bothersome uncertainty as to where to dig. They nudged each other every `
` moment--eloquent nudges and easily understood, for they simply meant--"Oh, but `
` ain't you glad NOW we're here!" Joe's knife struck upon something. "Hello!" `
` said he. "What is it?" said his comrade. "Half-rotten plank--no, it's a box, I `
` believe. Here--bear a hand and we'll see what it's here for. Never mind, I've `
` broke a hole." He reached his hand in and drew it out-- "Man, it's money!" The `
` two men examined the handful of coins. They were gold. The boys above were as `
` excited as themselves, and as delighted. Joe's comrade said: "We'll make quick `
` work of this. There's an old rusty pick over amongst the weeds in the corner `
` the other side of the fireplace--I saw it a minute ago." He ran and brought the `
` boys' pick and shovel. Injun Joe took the pick, looked it over critically, `
` shook his head, muttered something to himself, and then began to use it. The `
` box was soon unearthed. It was not very large; it was iron bound and had been `
` very strong before the slow years had injured it. The men contemplated the `
` treasure awhile in blissful silence. "Pard, there's thousands of dollars here," `
` said Injun Joe. "'Twas always said that Murrel's gang used to be around here `
` one summer," the stranger observed. "I know it," said Injun Joe; "and this `
` looks like it, I should say." "Now you won't need to do that job." The `
` half-breed frowned. Said he: "You don't know me. Least you don't know all about `
` that thing. 'Tain't robbery altogether--it's REVENGE!" and a wicked light `
` flamed in his eyes. "I'll need your help in it. When it's finished--then Texas. `
` Go home to your Nance and your kids, and stand by till you hear from me." `
` "Well--if you say so; what'll we do with this--bury it again?" "Yes. [Ravishing `
` delight overhead.] NO! by the great Sachem, no! [Profound distress overhead.] `
` I'd nearly forgot. That pick had fresh earth on it! [The boys were sick with `
` terror in a moment.] What business has a pick and a shovel here? What business `
` with fresh earth on them? Who brought them here--and where are they gone? Have `
` you heard anybody?--seen anybody? What! bury it again and leave them to come `
` and see the ground disturbed? Not exactly--not exactly. We'll take it to my `
` den." "Why, of course! Might have thought of that before. You mean Number One?" `
` "No--Number Two--under the cross. The other place is bad--too common." "All `
` right. It's nearly dark enough to start." Injun Joe got up and went about from `
` window to window cautiously peeping out. Presently he said: "Who could have `
` brought those tools here? Do you reckon they can be up-stairs?" The boys' `
` breath forsook them. Injun Joe put his hand on his knife, halted a moment, `
` undecided, and then turned toward the stairway. The boys thought of the closet, `
` but their strength was gone. The steps came creaking up the stairs--the `
` intolerable distress of the situation woke the stricken resolution of the `
` lads--they were about to spring for the closet, when there was a crash of `
` rotten timbers and Injun Joe landed on the ground amid the debris of the ruined `
` stairway. He gathered himself up cursing, and his comrade said: "Now what's the `
` use of all that? If it's anybody, and they're up there, let them STAY `
` there--who cares? If they want to jump down, now, and get into trouble, who `
` objects? It will be dark in fifteen minutes --and then let them follow us if `
` they want to. I'm willing. In my opinion, whoever hove those things in here `
` caught a sight of us and took us for ghosts or devils or something. I'll bet `
` they're running yet." Joe grumbled awhile; then he agreed with his friend that `
` what daylight was left ought to be economized in getting things ready for `
` leaving. Shortly afterward they slipped out of the house in the deepening `
`