# The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

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The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (published 1876) is a very well-known and popular story concerning American youth. Mark Twain's lively tale of the scrapes and adventures of boyhood is set in St. Petersburg, Missouri, where Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn have the kinds of adventures many boys can imagine: racing bugs during class, impressing girls, especially Becky Thatcher, with fights and stunts in the schoolyard, getting lost in a cave, and playing pirates on the Mississippi River. one or more chapters are available in a spoken word format.
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER.
THE ADVENTURES
OF
TOM SAWYER
BY
MARK TWAIN.
THE AMERICAN PUBLISHING COMPANY, HARTFORD, CONN.: CHICAGO, ILL.: CINCINNATI, OHIO. A. ROMAN & CO., SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.
1876.
COPYRIGHT By Samuel L. Clemens. 1875 All Rights Reserved.
To MY WIFE This Book is Affectionately Dedicated.
PREFACE.
Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one or two were experiences of my own, the rest those of boys who were schoolmates of mine. Huck Finn is drawn from life; Tom Sawyer also, but not from an individual—he is a combination of the characteristics of three boys whom I knew, and therefore belongs to the composite order of architecture.
The odd superstitions touched upon were all prevalent among children and slaves in the West at the period of this story—that is to say, thirty or forty years ago.
The Author.
CONTENTS.
* CHAPTER I.
* Y-o-u-u Tom—Aunt Polly Decides Upon her Duty—Tom Practices Music—The Challenge—A Private Entrance................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
* CHAPTER II.
* Strong Temptations—Strategic Movements—The Innocents Beguiled................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26
* CHAPTER III.
* Tom as a General—Triumph and Reward—Dismal Felicity—Commission and Omission................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................33
* CHAPTER IV.
* Mental Acrobatics—Attending Sunday-School—The Superintendent—"Showing off"—Tom Lionized................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
* CHAPTER V.
* A Useful Minister—In Church—The Climax................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................53
* CHAPTER VI.
* Self-Examination—Dentistry—The Midnight Charm—Witches and Devils—Cautious Approaches—Happy Hours................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................60
* CHAPTER VII.
* A Treaty Entered Into—Early Lessons—A Mistake Made................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................72
* CHAPTER VIII.
* Tom Decides on his Course—Old Scenes Re-enacted................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................79
* CHAPTER IX.
* A Solemn Situation—Grave Subjects Introduced—Injun Joe Explains................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................85
* CHAPTER X.
* The Solemn Oath—Terror Brings Repentance—Mental Punishment................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................93
* CHAPTER XI.
* Muff Potter Comes Himself—Tom's Conscience at Work................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................101
* CHAPTER XII.
* Tom Shows his Generosity—Aunt Polly Weakens................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................107
* CHAPTER XIII.
* The Young Pirates—Going to the Rendezvous—The Camp-Fire Talk................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................113
* CHAPTER XIV.
* Camp-Life—A Sensation—Tom Steals Away from Camp................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................121
* CHAPTER XV.
* Tom Reconnoiters—Learns the Situation—Reports at Camp................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................128
* CHAPTER XVI.
* A Day's Amusements—Tom Reveals a Secret—The Pirates take a Lesson—A Night Surprise—An Indian War................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................134
* CHAPTER XVII.
* Memories of the Lost Heroes—The Point in Tom's Secret................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................144
* CHAPTER XVIII.
* Tom's Feelings Investigated—Wonderful Dream—Becky Thatcher Overshadowed—Tom Becomes Jealous—Black Revenge................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................148
* CHAPTER XIX.
* Tom Tells the Truth................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................158
* CHAPTER XX.
* Becky in a Dilemma—Tom's Nobility Asserts Itself.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................161
* CHAPTER XXI.
* Youthful Eloquence—Compositions by the Young Ladies—A Lengthy Vision—The Boy's Vengeance Satisfied................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................167
* CHAPTER XXII.
* Tom's Confidence Betrayed—Expects Signal Punishment................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................176
* CHAPTER XXIII.
* Old Muff's Friends—Muff Potter in Court—Muff Potter Saved................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................181
* CHAPTER XXIV.
* Tom as the Village Hero—Days of Splendor and Nights of Horror—Pursuit of Injun Joe................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................189
* CHAPTER XXV.
* About Kings and Diamonds—Search for the Treasure—Dead People and Ghosts................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................191
* CHAPTER XXVI.
* The Haunted House—Sleepy Ghosts—A Box of Gold—Bitter Luck................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................199
* CHAPTER XXVII.
* Doubts to be Settled—The Young Detectives................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................208
* CHAPTER XXVIII.
* An Attempt at No.—Two Huck Mounts Guard................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................212
* CHAPTER XXIX.
* The Pic-nic—Huck on Injun Joe's Track—The "Revenge" Job—Aid for the Widow................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................217
* CHAPTER XXX.
* The Welchman Reports—Huck Under Fire—The Story Circulated—A New Sensation—Hope Giving Way to Despair................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................226
* CHAPTER XXXI.
* An Exploring Expedition—Trouble Commences—Lost in the Cave—Total Darkness—Found but not Saved................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................236
* CHAPTER XXXII.
* Tom tells the Story of their Escape—Tom's Enemy in Safe Quarters................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................247
* CHAPTER XXXIII.
* The Fate of Injun Joe—Huck and Tom Compare Notes—An Expedition to the Cave—Protection Against Ghosts—"An Awful Snug Place"—A Reception at the Widow Douglas's,................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................252
* CHAPTER XXXIV.
* Springing a Secret—Mr. Jones' Surprise a Failure................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................264
* CHAPTER XXXV.
* A New Order of Things—Poor Huck—New Adventures Planned................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................268
* Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................275
ILLUSTRATIONS.
* PAGE
* Tom Sawyer................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Frontispiece
* Tom at home................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................17
* Aunt Polly Beguiled................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18
* A Good Opprtunity................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19
* Who's Afraid................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................23
* Late Home................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................25
* Jim................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................26
* 'Tendin to Business................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................28
* Aint that Work?................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................30
* Amusement................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................32
* Becky Thatcher................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................33
* Paying Off................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................34
* After the Battle................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................35
* "Showing Off"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................36
* Not Amiss................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................38
* Mary................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39
* Tom Contemplating................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................39
* Dampened Ardor................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................40
* Youth................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................41
* Boyhood................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................42
* Using the "Barlow"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44
* The Church................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................45
* Necessities................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47
* Tom as a Sunday-School hero................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................51
* The Prize................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................52
* At Church................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................53
* The Model Boy................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................54
* The Church Choir................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................55
* A Side Show................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................57
* Result of Playing in Church................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................58
* The Pinch-bug.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................59
* Sid................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................60
* Dentistry................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................63
* Huckleberry Finn................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64
* Mother Hopkins................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67
* Result of Tom's Truthfulness................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................69
* Tom as an Artist................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................70
* Interrupted Courtship................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71
* The Master................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................72
* Vain Pleading................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................77
* Tail Piece................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................78
* The Grave in the Woods................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................79
* Tom Meditates................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................81
* Robin Hood and his Foe................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................83
* Death of Robin Hood................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................84
* Midnight................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................85
* Tom's Mode of Egress................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................86
* Tom's Effort at Prayer................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................88
* Muff Potter Outwitted................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................91
* The Graveyard................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................92
* Forewarnings................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................93
* Disturbing Muff's Sleep................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................98
* Tom's Talk with his Aunt................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................100
* Muff Potter................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................101
* A Suspicious Incident................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................102
* Injun Joe's two Victims................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................103
* In the Coils................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................106
* Peter................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................107
* Aunt Polly seeks Information................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................108
* A General Good Time................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................110
* Demoralized................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................112
* On Board Their First Prize................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................117
* The Pirates Ashore................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................118
* Wild Life................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................121
* The Pirate's Bath................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................123
* The Pleasant Stroll................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................124
* The Search for the Drowned................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................125
* The Mysterious Writing................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................127
* River View................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................128
* What Tom Saw................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................130
* Tom Swims the River................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................133
* PAGE
* Taking Lessons................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................134
* The Pirates' Egg Market................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................135
* Tom Looking for Joe's Knife................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................139
* The Thunder Storm................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................141
* Terrible Slaughter................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................143
* The Mourner................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................144
* Tom's Proudest Moment................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................147
* Amy Lawrence................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................148
* Tom tries to Remember................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................150
* The Hero................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................152
* A Flirtation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................154
* Becky Retaliates................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................155
* A Sudden Frost................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................156
* Counter-irritation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................157
* Aunt Polly................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................158
* Tom Justified................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................160
* The Discovery................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................161
* Caught in the Act................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................163
* Tom Astonishes the School................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................165
* Literature................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................166
* Tom Declaims................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................167
* Examination Evening................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................168
* On Exhibition................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................170
* Prize Authors................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................173
* The Master's Dilemma................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................174
* The School House................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................175
* The Cadet................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................176
* Happy for Two Days................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................177
* Enjoying the Vacation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................178
* The Stolen Melons................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................180
* The Judge................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................181
* Visiting the Prisoner................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................184
* Tom Swears................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................186
* The Court Room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................188
* The Detective................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................189
* Tom Dreams................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................190
* The Treasure................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................191
* The Private Conference................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................192
* A King; Poor Fellow!................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................194
* Business................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................195
* The Ha'nted House................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................198
* Injun Joe................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................199
* The Greatest and Best................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................200
* Hidden Treasures Unearthed................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................205
* The Boy's Salvation................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................207
* Room No. 2................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................208
* The Next Day's Conference................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................209
* Treasures................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................211
* Uncle Jake................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................212
* Huck at Home................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................213
* The Haunted Room................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................214
* "Run for Your Life"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................216
* McDougal's Cave................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................217
* Inside the Cave................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................220
* Huck on Duty................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................221
* A Rousing Act................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................224
* Tail Piece................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................225
* The Welchman................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................226
* Result of a Sneeze................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................227
* Cornered................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................229
* Alarming Discoveries................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................232
* Tom and Becky stir up the Town................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................233
* Tom's Marks................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................234
* Huck Questions the Widow................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................235
* Vampires................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................236
* Wonders of the Cave................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................237
* Attacked by Natives................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................238
* Despair................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................240
* The Wedding Cake................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................242
* A New Terror................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................245
* Daylight................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................247
* "Turn Out" to Receive Tom and Becky................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................248
* The Escape from the Cave................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................249
* Fate of the Ragged Man................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................251
* The Treasures Found................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................252
* Caught at Last................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................253
* Drop after Drop................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................254
* Having a Good Time................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................255
* A Business Trip................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................257
* "Got it at Last!"................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................261
* Tail Piece................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................263
* Widow Douglas................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................264
* Tom Backs his Statement................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................266
* Tail Piece................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................267
* Huck Transformed................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................268
* Comfortable Once More................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................271
* High up in Society................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................273
* Contentment................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................274
Layout 2
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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