The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Summary

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Here you will find a The Adventures of Tom Sawyer summary (Mark Twain's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer Summary Overview

In the small town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, young Tom Sawyer, renowned for his imaginative and mischievous nature, resides with Aunt Polly and Sid, his half-brother. His antics lead him into punishment, whitewashing a fence, after he plays truant and returns home with soiled clothes. Initially disappointed, Tom astutely convinces his friends to trade small treasures for the privilege of doing his task. These treasures later buy him a Bible at Sunday school, but his glory is short-lived when he incorrectly names the first two disciples. In the meantime, he falls for Becky Thatcher, a newcomer, only for the relationship to crumble when she discovers his past engagement to Amy Lawrence. Not long after, Tom and Huckleberry Finn, a friend and son of the town's alcoholic, witness the murder of Dr. Robinson by Injun Joe in a graveyard, leading to them fleeing and swearing secrecy, but their guilt increases as Muff Potter is falsely accused and detained for the murder. In an attempt to escape their guilt, Tom, Huck, and another friend, Joe Harper, decide to play pirates on an island. They soon realize that the town is searching for them, thinking they have drowned. Tom, however, sneaks in and witnesses the chaos before deciding to surprise everyone by showing up at his supposed funeral, a plan he manages to convince Joe and Huck to join. Their return is met with excitement and admiration. Back at school, Tom regains Becky's favor by taking the blame for a ripped book. When Muff Potter's trial starts, a guilty Tom testifies against Injun Joe, leading to Potter's exoneration and Injun Joe's escape. As summer sets in, Tom and Huck embark on a treasure hunt in a haunted house. They unexpectedly find Injun Joe, disguised as a Spanish mute, and his unkempt companion planning to bury their stolen treasure. The sight of Tom and Huck's tools makes them suspicious, leading them to take the gold away instead of burying it. Huck starts following Injun Joe, waiting for the perfect opportunity to snatch the gold. Simultaneously, Tom and Becky get lost in a cave during a picnic, only for Tom to stumble upon Injun Joe, who uses the cave as a hideout. Eventually, Tom finds an exit, leaving Injun Joe to starve to death after the cave is locked. Tom and Huck later find the box of gold in the cave, the earnings of which are invested for them. The Widow Douglas adopts Huck, but when he tries to run away, Tom convinces him to return by offering him a spot in his robber band.

chapter 1

Aunt Polly is on a mission to find her mischievous nephew, Tom Sawyer, who she ultimately locates hiding in a closet, his hands smeared with jam. Just as she's about to administer punishment, Tom yells, “Look behind you!” In the brief moment Aunt Polly is distracted, Tom makes his escape over the fence. After his departure, Aunt Polly muses on her inability to discipline him effectively. Returning home by dinnertime, Tom assists Aunt Polly's young servant, Jim, with chopping wood and shares his latest escapades. Aunt Polly probes Tom at dinner, suspecting he had been swimming instead of attending school. Tom convincingly claims he cooled his head under a water pump and didn't swim since his shirt collar was still stitched from the morning. However, his half-brother Sid exposes his deceit by pointing out a discrepancy in the thread color used to sew the shirt. Enraged at Sid, Tom storms out but quickly diverts his attention to mastering a new style of whistling. On his aimless wander through the streets of St. Petersburg, Tom encounters a new boy in town, who he perceives as pompous and overly dressed. The two exchange jibes before a wrestling match ensues, with Tom emerging victorious and chasing the newcomer home. Tom's day concludes with him returning home to a displeased Aunt Polly, who takes note of his muddied clothes. As a consequence, she decides he will be put to work the following day, Saturday.

chapter 2

Aunt Polly assigns Tom the job of painting the fence on a Saturday morning. Tom encounters Jim and tries to convince him to help paint in exchange for a marble, a “white alley.” Aunt Polly interrupts and shoos Jim away, leaving Tom alone with his task. Soon after, Ben Rogers, a boy Tom's age, comes by. Tom persuades Ben that fence painting is a delightful task, and negotiates with him until Ben agrees to offer his apple as payment for the chance to paint the fence. As the day progresses, every boy who wanders by ends up painting the fence, each giving Tom a trinket in return. Eventually, with three freshly painted layers on the fence, Tom amasses a collection of assorted knickknacks. Tom reflects, realizing that the key to making someone desire something is to make it seem hard to attain.

chapter 3

Surprised by Tom's completed chores, Aunt Polly permits him to play. Out for revenge, Tom throws dirt at Sid for betraying him about the shirt collar and rushes to join a pretend battle in the town square. Tom, along with his companion Joe Harper, serve as leaders in the victorious skirmish. Heading home, Tom spots a pretty girl near the Thatcher home, causing him to instantly fall for her, completely forgetting his previous sweetheart, Amy Lawrence. He spends the rest of the day drawing attention to himself on the street. The girl throws him a flower, and after some more antics, Tom goes home reluctantly. During the evening meal, Sid accidentally breaks the sugar bowl, and blame falls on Tom. Feeling wronged and overly dramatic, he imagines how remorseful Aunt Polly would feel if he died. He ends up beneath the lovely girl's window, planning to die pathetically there. However, a maid unexpectedly splashes him with water from a pitcher. Drenched, Tom hurries home and slips into bed while Sid silently observes.

chapter 4

On Sunday morning, Tom, with his cousin Mary’s encouragement, reluctantly studies his Bible verses. His motivation perks up when Mary tempts him with a special treat. After memorizing the verses, Tom is rewarded with a Barlow knife from Mary. All dressed up, Tom, Mary and Sid rush to Sunday school, a place Tom despises. Before the lessons commence, Tom, still basking in the success of his painting scam, trades his gains for reward tickets. The reward system involves exchanging well-recited Bible verses for tickets. Accumulating two thousand tickets through memorizing verses earns a student a Bible, presented with much fanfare in front of the class. That day Judge Thatcher, uncle to Tom's friend Jeff, and father to the attractive Becky, pays a visit to Tom's Sunday school. The class, teachers included, fawn over the Judge, keen to impress him. Tom, being Tom, outshines everyone else. Having traded his spoils for tickets, he has enough to earn a Bible. Mr. Walters, Tom's teacher, is stunned when Tom presents his tickets. Despite knowing that Tom hasn't recited the required verses, Mr. Walters proceeds with the presentation to impress Judge Thatcher. The Judge commends Tom and offers him the opportunity to flaunt his supposed knowledge. He asks Tom to name the first two disciples. Unsurprisingly, Tom is clueless and quickly says the first two names he thinks of: David and Goliath. The narrator suggests, “Let us draw the curtain of charity over the rest of the scene.”

chapter 5

Following Sunday school, the church service begins with a dull and lengthy sermon. The minister brings up a biblical prophecy about the millennium, where a child will guide a lion and a lamb lying together in harmony. This idea appeals to Tom, but only if the lion is not dangerous. Out of boredom, Tom decides to bring out a large black beetle, a "pinchbug," from his pocket. However, the bug pinches him, causing him to drop it in the aisle. At the same time, a loose poodle makes its way into the church and becomes curious about the insect. After being pinched by the bug, the dog cautiously circles it before accidentally sitting on it. The pinchbug grips onto the dog's rear, causing it to dash around the church in agony until its owner eventually throws it out a window. The unplanned commotion disrupts the service and causes laughter among the congregation. Even though Tom lost his beetle, he goes home feeling satisfied.

chapter 6

Monday morning saw Tom pretending to have a "mortified toe" in a bid to escape school. When this tactic failed, he declared a toothache, but Aunt Polly, unperturbed, removed the loose tooth and sent him to school. Journeying to school, Tom meets Huckleberry Finn, the town drunk's son. Despised and feared by the town's mothers, every boy, Tom included, envious of Huck's carefree life. During a chat about wart-removing charms, Tom learns of Huck's plan to carry a dead cat to the graveyard that night, following a superstition that the dead cat would attract the devil and subsequently, the warts. Intrigued, Tom agrees to accompany Huck that night and trades his freshly pulled tooth for a tick from Huck. Upon reaching school late, Tom is interrogated by the schoolmaster. Seeing an empty seat beside Becky Thatcher on the girls' side, Tom bravely states, "I stopped to talk with Huckleberry Finn!" The shocked teacher punishes Tom by making him sit next to Becky. Tom, unbothered by the punishment, attempts to win Becky over with a peach and a drawing, finally managing to pique her interest. After a promise from Becky to join him at lunch, they introduce themselves and Tom writes "I love you" on his slate. However, their bonding is cut short when the teacher yanks Tom back to the boys' side.

chapter 7

The instructor rearranges the seating, positioning Tom beside Joe Harper. Despite their initial efforts to concentrate, they soon lose interest and distract themselves with a tick game, provoking it with a pin to keep it on their respective desk side. However, a disagreement interrupts their entertainment and draws the teacher's attention, resulting in a harsh smack for both boys. During the break, Tom and Becky share the vacant classroom. Tom persuades Becky to get involved romantically with him, an agreement they seal with confessing "I love you" and a kiss. Caught in the heat of the moment, Tom expresses his enthusiasm about engagement but inadvertently discloses his past engagement with Amy Lawrence. This revelation reduces Becky to tears as she assumes Tom's enduring love for Amy. Despite his fervent denials and pledges of love exclusively for Becky, she remains inconsolable, rejecting the brass andiron knob offered as a symbol of his love. Tom's dramatic exit intensifies her distress as she perceives his absence for the remainder of the day.

chapter 8

Tom spends the remaining part of his day meandering in the woods, where he alternates between dreaming to be a pirate and attempting an ineffective charm to find his misplaced marbles. Eventually, he stumbles upon Joe Harper. They engage in a game of Robin Hood before heading back home, reaching a mutual understanding that “they would rather be outlaws a year in Sherwood Forest than President of the United States forever.”

chapter 9

Tom covertly leaves his house at night, joining Huck at the cemetery. They seclude themselves near Hoss Williams' recent grave, expecting to see devils. Soon, they spot three figures approaching the grave. The boys initially mistake them for devils, but are stunned to recognize them as Dr. Robinson, Muff Potter, and Injun Joe from their town. Dr. Robinson instructs his companions to unearth Hoss Williams' body, likely for medical research. After completing the task, Potter demands more money, which Robinson declines. This prompts Injun Joe to recall a past incident where he was rejected at the Robinsons' home, leading him to seek revenge. A struggle breaks out; Dr. Robinson strikes Injun Joe, then defends himself against Potter using a headstone. In the chaos, Injun Joe uses Potter's knife to kill Dr. Robinson. Tom and Huck escape unnoticed. Later, Potter regains consciousness and queries Injun Joe about the incident. Injun Joe falsely convinces the confused Potter that he killed Dr. Robinson in a drunken rage. He promises to keep Potter's secret, then departs, leaving Potter's knife embedded in the dead doctor.

chapter 10

Hiding in an unused tannery, Tom and Huck are oblivious to Injun Joe's scheme to pin the murder on Potter. Fearing Joe would come after them if they expose his plot and he avoids execution, they pledge with blood not to disclose what they witnessed. On hearing a stray dog's howls, they assume it foretells their death. However, when they venture outside, they find the dog directed towards Muff Potter. When Tom sneaks into his home and bed, his cousin Sid is still up. He informs Aunt Polly of Tom's late return the next morning. After receiving a tearful lecture from Aunt Polly, Tom feels the weight of guilt as if it were “worse than a thousand whippings.” At school, his mood worsens when he finds the andiron knob he had tried to give Becky, rejected and left on his desk.

chapter 11

Following the witnessing of Dr. Robinson's murder by Tom and Huck, the doctor's body is found in the graveyard by the townsfolk, along with Potter’s weapon. Unease spreads as a crowd assembles, and Potter arrives on the scene. In a surprising turn of events, Injun Joe accuses Potter of the murder, leading to his arrest by the sheriff. Tom is haunted by guilt for withholding the truth about the murder, resulting in sleepless nights. However, Aunt Polly mistakenly attributes his distress to the dreadful news of the crime. With time, Tom develops a routine of clandestinely delivering small offerings to Potter in his prison cell every few days.

chapter 12

Becky Thatcher becomes sick and can't attend school, which deepens Tom's gloom. Observing his low spirits, Aunt Polly becomes concerned for his wellbeing. She tries various unsuccessful remedies, the worst being a nasty-tasting concoction known as "Pain-killer." Unable to tolerate it, Tom surreptitiously gives it to the cat, causing it to behave wildly. When Aunt Polly uncovers Tom's trick, she reflects that “what was cruelty to a cat might be cruelty to a boy, too,” and lets him go to school without any penalty. Becky returns to school that day, but she completely ignores Tom.

chapter 13

Feeling unfairly treated, Tom decides to follow his earlier thought of becoming a pirate. He encounters Joe Harper, also upset because his mother has mistakenly blamed and punished him for theft of cream. They bump into Huck Finn, always ready for a fresh escapade, and all three decide to escape to Jackson’s Island, a secluded, wooded island situated three miles downstream from St. Petersburg. That very night, the trio uses a raft to navigate their way to the island, shouting nonsensical maritime orders to each other along the way. Around two in the morning, they reach the island, make a fire, and consume some bacon that Joe had swiped for them. The rest of the night is spent discussing pirate behaviour. But soon, they start feeling guilty about the stolen meat, considering the fact that stealing is clearly prohibited in the Bible. They conclude that “their piracies should not again be sullied with the crime of stealing” before falling asleep.

chapter 14

The boys wake up on Jackson's Island to find their raft gone, but they're not bothered by it. Instead, they're glad to have lost their last connection to St. Petersburg. They find a spring, fish, and enjoy a plentiful breakfast. In the exploration that follows, Tom and Joe conclude that pirate life is almost perfect. However, by afternoon, they start to feel homesick as their conversations and excitement dim. In the later part of the afternoon, they spot numerous boats on the river. They soon realize that the townspeople, believing they've drowned, are looking for them. This knowledge momentarily boosts their spirits, making them feel heroic. After their evening meal, though, Tom and Joe start to think about their loved ones who might be missing them. Joe timidly brings up the idea of going home, but Tom disregards it. Later that night, Tom decides to sneak back to town to gauge the reaction to their disappearance. Before leaving, he scribbles messages on two sycamore scrolls, stashing one in his pocket and the other in Joe’s hat.

chapter 15

After swimming to the Illinois bank from a sandbar, Tom sneaks onto a ferry to get back to Missouri. Once home, he spies on Aunt Polly, Sid, Mary, and Mrs. Harper. He hears them all, aside from Sid, expressing their sorrow and regret over losing the boys. The discovery of the boys' raft downstream has led them to believe that the children drowned. After everyone has gone to sleep, Tom contemplates leaving one of his sycamore scrolls beside Aunt Polly's bed but changes his mind. He then heads back to the island, where he finds Huck and Joe preparing breakfast. He recounts his escapades to them.

chapter 16

The boys discover turtle eggs on the sandbar, which they enjoy for supper that night and for breakfast the following day. Engaging in swimming, wrestling, and a pretend circus on the beach, they nevertheless begin to feel a longing for home. Tom, in particular, finds himself doodling "BECKY" in the sand. When Joe suggests they head home, and Huck agrees, Tom stops them with a novel plan of his own. Intrigued by the secret plan, which remains unknown to us, both boys decide to remain on the island, their enthusiasm restored. In the afternoon, Tom and Joe persuade Huck to teach them how to smoke. Using pipes Huck made, they settle down to smoke, imagining the impression they'll make when they casually smoke in front of their friends back home. However, their novice stomachs rebel, they abandon their pipes, and make an excuse about finding Joe's knife. They soon fall asleep in different spots in the forest, likely having been sick. When Huck offers to clean their pipes that evening, they decline, blaming their discomfort on something they ate. A fierce thunderstorm strikes the island that night. The boys seek shelter in their tent but are forced to huddle under a large oak tree by the river when the wind blows the tent roof away. They watch in fear as the storm wreaks havoc on their island. As the storm dies down, they return to their camp to find the tree that was their shelter, completely ravaged. With the storm passed, they make a new fire from the remnants of the burnt tree and cook some ham. They sleep for a while and wake up midmorning to distract themselves from their longing for home by pretending to be Indians. When it's time to eat, they remember that Indians would smoke a peace pipe before eating together. So, Tom and Joe give smoking another try, but this time, they aren't as sick as before.

chapter 17

Following the assumed demise of the boys, the townsfolk are steeped in sorrow. Becky Thatcher feels remorse for her previous harshness towards Tom, while classmates recall a sense of impending doom the last time they saw the boys. On a subsequent Sunday, the villagers gather for the supposed funeral. During the service, the minister offers a glowing tribute to the boys, causing the congregation to question their previous judgments of Tom and Joe. Overwhelmed by emotion, everyone in the church starts crying. Just then, the boys, as per Tom's scheme, make their entrance through a side door, having surreptitiously listened to their own eulogies. Joe Harper’s family, Aunt Polly, and Mary rush to greet their boys, leaving Huck unattended. Tom objects, stating, “[I]t ain’t fair. Somebody’s got to be glad to see Huck,” prompting Aunt Polly to also embrace Huck, much to his discomfort. The congregation then sings “Old Hundred.”

chapter 18

Aunt Polly scolds Tom the morning after he comes back from the island, upset that he didn't hint that he was alive. Tom defends his actions, saying it would have ruined the adventure, but confesses that he "dreamed" about everyone in town. He goes on to describe his dream, which was actually his secret visit to the house a few nights ago. Aunt Polly, surprised by Tom's dream, forgives him. Sid, on the other hand, is suspicious of how accurate Tom's dream is. At school, Tom enjoys his newfound hero status. Instead of mending things with Becky, he starts spending time with Amy Lawrence. This upsets Becky, who retaliates by inviting everyone but Tom and Amy to a picnic. This leaves her, Tom, and Amy in a love triangle with jealousy brewing. During recess, Becky flips the situation by agreeing to look at a picture book with Alfred Temple, the new city boy who Tom had an earlier fight with. This makes Tom jealous and he loses interest in Amy. Relieved, Tom leaves for lunch. Once he's gone, Becky ditches Alfred. Realizing he's been used, Alfred ruins Tom's spelling book with ink. Becky witnesses this and contemplates whether to warn Tom or let him face punishment. Eventually deciding that Tom's recent coldness deserves punishment, she resolves to despise him forever.

chapter 19

At home, Aunt Polly discovers from Mrs. Harper that Tom's prophetic dream was a sham and that he had snuck home one night to eavesdrop. Aunt Polly chastises him for making her appear foolish before Mrs. Harper. She then questions why, even though he was home, he did nothing to alleviate the dread everyone was feeling. Tom states he intended to leave a note for her, but was worried it would ruin the surprise, so he kept it in his pocket. She sends him off to school and decides to check his jacket, which he wore to Jackson’s Island, promising not to get upset if the note is absent. Upon finding the note, she weeps and exclaims, “I could forgive the boy, now, if he’d committed a million sins!”

chapter 20

At school, Tom tries to make amends with Becky, who dismisses him and eagerly awaits his punishment for the messed up spelling book. She stumbles upon a key in the teacher's desk drawer. The drawer houses a book that only Mr. Dobbins, the teacher, has access to. When she opens it, she finds it's an anatomy textbook - Mr. Dobbins harbours a desire to be a doctor. She flips to the first page which displays a naked figure, and right then, Tom walks in. His sudden appearance frightens her, causing her to tear the page. She starts crying and blames Tom for making her tear the book. She's now sure she'll be punished. As everyone assembles for class, Tom bravely faces his punishment, thinking he must've spilled the ink on his book unintentionally. Mr. Dobbins notices the damaged book and starts questioning every student. When it's Becky's turn, she appears on the verge of confessing but is rescued when Tom stands up and admits, “I done it!”. This confession earns him another punishment but also makes him Becky's hero once more.

chapter 21

As summer nears, the pupils grow more restless, which results in Mr. Dobbins intensifying his strictness, causing the boys to plot against him. The annual town event, the “Examination,” takes place in the school building, where the students compete in recitations, spelling and geography. Tom manages to scrape through “Give me liberty or give me death,” only to end up with stage fright. Then, the girls present their comically dreadful poems and essays. The climax comes when the schoolmaster is drawing a map of the U.S. on the blackboard for the geography contest. Suddenly, a cat, blindfolded and suspended from the ceiling, is lowered onto the scene. The startled cat flails, pulling off Mr. Dobbins’s wig, unveiling a shiny bald head that the sign-painter’s apprentice had painted gold earlier while the teacher was sleeping off his drunkenness.

chapter 22

As summer kicks off, Tom becomes a Cadet of Temperance, enticed by their flashy uniforms. However, the requisite abstinence from smoking, tobacco chewing, and swearing poses a tough challenge. He plans to stay long enough to wear a red sash at Judge Frazier's expected funeral. But when the judge recovers, Tom leaves the Cadets, only for the judge to die that same night. Summer quickly becomes monotonous. Becky Thatcher is visiting her family in Constantinople, and the transient circuses, parades, and minstrel shows only offer fleeting distractions. The unresolved mystery of Dr. Robinson’s murder weighs heavily on Tom's mind. He catches measles and during his recovery, he finds a religious revival has transformed the town, and seemingly, his friends. A fierce thunderstorm that night makes Tom believe it's retribution for his transgressions. His measles resurges and he is bedridden for three weeks. Once he recovers, he finds that his friends have abandoned their newfound piety.

chapter 23

As Muff Potter's court date looms, Tom and Huck are torn about confessing what they witnessed. Fearing retribution from Injun Joe, they instead stealthily assist Potter by supplying him with tobacco and matches, feeling remorseful each time he expresses gratitude for their camaraderie. The trial commences, with Injun Joe narrating his version of the incident. Multiple witnesses attest to Potter's strange conduct, but the defense attorney refrains from cross-questioning any of them. In a surprising turn of events, the defense attorney summons Tom Sawyer to testify. A terrified Tom takes the stand and discloses the events of that fateful night. Upon hearing Tom's account of Injun Joe murdering the doctor, Injun Joe makes a sudden dash, breaks free from the crowd, and makes his escape through a window.

chapter 24

Tom is celebrated as a champion, basking in the respect and thankfulness of Muff Potter and the townsfolk in daylight. But, under the cover of darkness, his mind is haunted by the terrifying image of Injun Joe seeking his vengeance. Injun Joe has, mysteriously, disappeared. Not even the town's collective efforts or a hired detective could manage to find or apprehend him.

chapter 25

Tom feels an urge to search for hidden treasure one day. He runs into Huck Finn, and they engage in a conversation about potential treasure locations, the nature of the treasure, and the peculiar fact that kings, despite owning many diamonds, only have one name. They decide to investigate the closest dead-limbed tree, considered a common spot for concealed treasures. Upon reaching, they debate over how they would utilize the discovered wealth. Huck envisions spending it all on desserts and drinks, while Tom imagines using it to get married, a concept Huck thinks is ridiculous. During the afternoon, the duo excavates several spots around the tree but to no avail. Initially, Tom accuses a witch for their misfortune, but soon realizes they've been making a mistake: they should be looking where the tree limb's shadow lies at midnight. They go back that night and resume digging, still with no luck. Growing disappointment and fear of the creepy forest force them to abandon their quest, but they reluctantly agree to try their luck next in a vacant, rumored to be "ha'nted", building nearby.

chapter 26

Tom and Huck, intending to visit the haunted house, realize it's Friday, believed to be unlucky, and delay their visit till Saturday. They choose to pass the day playing Robin Hood. On reaching the house the next day, they explore the ground floor before going upstairs. Meanwhile, two strangers enter the house. One is a scruffy and unattractive individual, while the other is a mute and deaf Spaniard with a long white beard, known to the boys from St. Petersburg. The boys observe them from their hiding spot and are shocked to recognize the Spaniard’s voice as Injun Joe’s when he speaks. Paralyzed with fear, the boys overhear the men discussing their illegal plans, including a "dangerous" task Injun Joe is planning. As the men fall asleep, Tom wants to escape, but Huck is afraid they'll be caught. When the strangers awaken, they hide their stolen money, which totals $600 in silver coins, because it's too weighty to carry. They then discover an iron box filled with gold coins while hiding their loot. They suspect someone else has been in the house upon noticing that their discovered tools are new and have fresh soil on them. Injun Joe even attempts to climb upstairs but fails when the stairs collapse. He decides to move the treasure to a new hiding spot, referred to as "Number Two—under the cross." After the thieves depart, Tom and Huck regret leaving their tools behind and plan to keep a lookout for the Spaniard to follow him to "Number Two." They worry that Injun Joe's upcoming "job" may involve them. Huck reassures Tom that since he was the only one who testified, Injun Joe would likely only target him. Tom finds little consolation in Huck's words.

chapter 27

Having spent a restless night, Tom wakes up wondering if the previous day's events were merely a dream. After talking to Huck, he's convinced it was all real. They hypothesize that the mysterious "Number Two" is a room in one of the town's taverns. Tom's investigation reveals that a lawyer is in room two of the first tavern, while the second tavern has a perpetually locked number two room. The tavern-keeper's son mentions that the room is only used at night and had shown signs of occupancy the night before. They devise a plan to locate keys to unlock the room's back door. Concurrently, they decide to follow Injun Joe if he shows up, as a backup plan in case the room theory is incorrect.

chapter 28

The boys head to the local pub on a Thursday. Tom enters while Huck stands guard outside. Suddenly, Tom dashes out, urging Huck to make a quick escape. They don't pause until they are at the other end of town. Tom explains that he found Injun Joe, passed out amidst empty liquor bottles, the door left unlocked. The irony is that the pub is meant to be a "Temperance Tavern" that doesn't serve alcohol. They conclude that the room is probably a secret spot for serving alcohol. They make a plan: Huck will keep an eye on the room every night, and if Injun Joe leaves, he'll fetch Tom to retrieve the hidden treasure.

chapter 29

The Thatchers come back from Constantinople, and Tom learns about Becky's upcoming picnic. It's to be held at a well-known cavern downriver. Becky's mother wants her to stay at a friend's house near the ferry, but Tom coaxes her into spending the night at Widow Douglas's place where they might get ice cream. During the ferry ride, Tom momentarily frets about missing Injun Joe's activities. However, the prospect of fun with Becky pushes those fears aside. They reach a "woody hollow", frolic in the woods, have a meal, and then explore McDougal’s cave. They emerge in the evening coated in clay and board the home-bound ferry. Upon the ferry's return, Huck spots two men carrying a box and assumes it's Injun Joe and his partner, likely fleeing with the treasure. He trails them to Widow Douglas's residence. There, Injun Joe unveils his gruesome revenge plan on the widow, stemming from a past incident involving her husband, the former justice of the peace who had him flogged for vagrancy. As Injun Joe and his accomplice await the widow's light to go off, Huck dashes to inform a nearby Welshman and his sons. Armed, they head towards the widow's house. Hearing a sudden volley of shots, Huck runs away in fear.

chapter 30

On a Sunday morning, Huck sneaks off to the Welshman's residence, finding out that the townsfolk are searching for the deaf and mute Spaniard and his accomplice. These are the same individuals who were chased away by the Welshman and his sons. Unaware of the Spaniard's true identity, the Welshman listens to Huck narrate his adventure from the previous night. Despite trying to avoid mentioning the treasure, Huck eventually reveals the Spaniard to be Injun Joe. The Welshman informs Huck that the package the duo were carrying held burglary tools. This puts Huck at ease, indicating that the treasure may still be at the tavern. News of the recent happenings spread, but the Welshman withholds the identity of the boy who rescued the widow, planning a big reveal. At church, the congregants are abuzz with the events, but panic ensues when Tom and Becky are discovered missing, believed to be trapped in the cave. A search team forms and heads for the cave. As the day unfolds with no news of the children, Huck falls ill and is cared for by Widow Douglas, who is unaware of Huck's involvement in the previous night's events. Hope dwindles amongst the searchers after only finding "BECKY & TOM" written on the cave walls in soot and a ribbon belonging to Becky. In the following days, it's revealed that the Temperance Tavern serves alcohol. A convalescing Huck asks Widow Douglas about the tavern. She tells him it has been closed down due to the discovery of alcohol, leading Huck to believe the treasure has been claimed. Meanwhile, Tom and Becky are still missing.

chapter 31

Tom and Becky find themselves separated from their picnic group after wandering off. They use smoke to leave markers on the walls, but end up in a bat-infested room. The bats chase them further into unknown sections of the cave. When they manage to evade the bats, they realise they've ventured too far. On trying to return, they find their path blocked by the bats. They choose another route, only to end up hopelessly lost due to a lack of marking. The pair continue their aimless journey, pausing from time to time to shout for help. Becky then falls asleep. Once she wakes, they acknowledge their parents won't notice their absence until the next day. This realisation instills a sense of despair, which is temporarily lifted when they hear rescuers calling out. Unfortunately, their replies go unheard and they encounter further obstructions. The rescue calls eventually fade away. With their candles running low, they stumble upon a spring and decide to rest there. Whilst Becky is sleeping, Tom explores other directions using a kite line. He spots a candle on the other side of a pitfall, held by none other than Injun Joe. Terrified, he retreats without sharing his encounter with Becky and continues his exploration.

chapter 32

When Tuesday night comes, the town's missing children, Tom and Becky, are yet to be found, leaving only Judge Thatcher and a select few still searching within the cave. However, late in the night, word spreads that the kids are alive and the entire St. Petersburg rejoices. Tom and Becky are transported to the Thatcher residence where Tom explains how they managed to escape. He had been exploring a tunnel with a kite string which ended up running out. Just as he was about to turn back, he noticed a tiny hint of daylight in the distance. He left the string behind and crawled towards the light, finally emerging to see the Mississippi River. He went back to fetch Becky and they both made their way out, reaching a house located five miles downstream from the cave. Everyone, including Judge Thatcher and the remaining searchers, are relieved to hear that Tom and Becky are safe. They both stay in bed for the major part of the week. When Tom goes to visit a sick Huck on Friday, Widow Douglas cautions him against discussing anything that might distress Huck. During the visit, Tom finds out about Injun Joe's failed attempt on Widow Douglas' life and learns that Joe's accomplice drowned while fleeing. Approximately two weeks after escaping the cave, Tom has a conversation with Judge Thatcher and learns that the cave's entrance has been permanently sealed to prevent further incidents. This news distresses Tom, who informs the judge that Injun Joe is still trapped inside the cave.

chapter 33

A group swiftly makes its way to the cave, opens its doors, and discovers Injun Joe has perished due to starvation inside. It appears he survived by eating bats, utilizing all leftover candle pieces, and crafting a vessel from stone to collect water from a stalactite. Twain tells us that "Injun Joe’s Cup" has since become a popular sight for tourists visiting the cave. Injun Joe's funeral leaves Tom with the conviction that the hidden gold was not in Room No. 2 at the Temperance Tavern, but still concealed in the cave. That afternoon, Tom and Huck journey to the cave entrance where Tom and Becky had escaped and venture in. Tom fantasizes about forming a thieves' gang and designating this part of the cave as their hideout. The boys dream of a life of banditry as they make their way to the spot where Tom had met Injun Joe. Tom identifies a burned cross on the cave wall and convinces Huck that the gold is hidden there. The idea of Injun Joe’s ghost frightens Huck, but Tom reassures him that the cross would repel the spirit. With Huck calmed, they start searching the area but find nothing. They decide to excavate beneath the rock and discover guns, moccasins, a belt, and the sought-after treasure. The boys choose to abandon the guns, thinking they will be handy for their future gang of thieves. They haul the gold from the cave and load it onto their raft for the trip back to St. Petersburg. While on the way to stash the treasure, they run into the Welshman who insists they join him for a celebration at Widow Douglas’s home. The Welshman notices their heavy box but assumes it is filled with scrap iron.

chapter 34

The village's significant figures have gathered at the Widow Douglas's residence. As the boys dress up, Huck expresses his discomfort around such large gatherings to Tom and wishes to flee through the window. Tom advises him to stay calm. Sid interrupts the pair, revealing that the event is in honor of the Welshman, Mr. Jones, and his offspring. Ostensibly, Mr. Jones wants to disclose that Huck was the actual hero, but Sid smugly admits he's already ruined the surprise. Annoyed, Tom calls Sid a spiteful snitch and chases him off. During dinner, Mr. Jones shares his revelation and everyone feigns shock. Widow Douglas then expresses her intentions to adopt and educate Huck. Tom interjects, claiming that "Huck don’t need it. Huck’s rich." The crowd laughs it off as a jest, but Tom surprises everyone by producing the gold. Everyone's amazement grows when the treasure amounts to more than twelve thousand dollars.

chapter 35

Huck Finn, despite his newfound wealth and life under Widow Douglas's care, struggles with his sudden entry into society. The news about the gold stuns the town, sparking a wave of treasure hunters. The gold, now invested, earns both boys a daily income akin to the minister's wages. Becky's father, Judge Thatcher, learns of Tom's noble deeds and envisions a future law career for him, starting with enrollment in the National Military Academy. Meanwhile, Huck grapples with the societal norms of cleanliness and manners. After three weeks of enduring his new lifestyle, Huck disappears. The town's search for him proves unsuccessful until Tom stumbles upon his friend, hiding out in an old slaughterhouse. Huck admits to Tom that he is not built for a life of respectability. Tom, agreeing to Huck's ways, lays down one condition: if Huck wants to be part of Tom's band of outlaws, he must maintain his respectability to keep the gang's reputation intact. Huck reluctantly agrees to give the widow's house another try for a month, on the condition that Tom allows him to join the gang.

conclusion

Twain concludes that the narrative has to wrap up at this point since it's fundamentally a tale about a lad. He asserts that extending it would inadvertently turn it into a man's tale. He also mentions that many characters in the tale are alive, allowing for possible future explorations of their lives.

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