登陆注册
5200800000058

第58章

ABOUT noon the next day the boys arrived at the dead tree; they had come for their tools.Tom was impatient to go to the haunted house; Huck was measurably so, also -- but suddenly said:

"Lookyhere, Tom, do you know what day it is?"Tom mentally ran over the days of the week, and then quickly lifted his eyes with a startled look in them --"My! I never once thought of it, Huck!"

"Well, I didn't neither, but all at once it popped onto me that it was Friday.""Blame it, a body can't be too careful, Huck.We might 'a' got into an awful scrape, tackling such a thing on a Friday.""~might! Better say we would! There's some lucky days, maybe, but Friday ain't.""Any fool knows that.I don't reckon YOU was the first that found it out, Huck.""Well, I never said I was, did I? And Friday ain't all, neither.I had a rotten bad dream last night -- dreampt about rats.""No! Sure sign of trouble.Did they fight?""No."

"Well, that's good, Huck.When they don't fight it's only a sign that there's trouble around, you know.All we got to do is to look mighty sharp and keep out of it.We'll drop this thing for to-day, and play.Do you know Robin Hood, Huck?""No.Who's Robin Hood?"

"Why, he was one of the greatest men that was ever in England -- and the best.He was a robber.""Cracky, I wisht I was.Who did he rob?"

"Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like.But he never bothered the poor.He loved 'em.He always divided up with 'em perfectly square.""Well, he must 'a' been a brick."

"I bet you he was, Huck.Oh, he was the noblest man that ever was.They ain't any such men now, I can tell you.He could lick any man in England, with one hand tied behind him; and he could take his yew bow and plug a ten-cent piece every time, a mile and a half.""What's a yew bow?"

"I don't know.It's some kind of a bow, of course.And if he hit that dime only on the edge he would set down and cry -- and curse.But we'll play Robin Hood -- it's nobby fun.I'll learn you.""I'm agreed."

So they played Robin Hood all the afternoon, now and then casting a yearning eye down upon the haunted house and passing a remark about the morrow's prospects and possibilities there.As the sun began to sink into the west they took their way homeward athwart the long shadows of the trees and soon were buried from sight in the forests of Cardiff Hill.

On Saturday, shortly after noon, the boys were at the dead tree again.They had a smoke and a chat in the shade, and then dug a little in their last hole, not with great hope, but merely because Tom said there were so many cases where people had given up a treasure after getting down within six inches of it, and then somebody else had come along and turned it up with a single thrust of a shovel.The thing failed this time, however, so the boys shouldered their tools and went away feeling that they had not trifled with fortune, but had fulfilled all the requirements that belong to the business of treasure-hunting.

When they reached the haunted house there was something so weird and grisly about the dead silence that reigned there under the baking sun, and something so depressing about the loneliness and desolation of the place, that they were afraid, for a moment, to venture in.Then they crept to the door and took a trembling peep.They saw a weed-grown, floorless room, unplastered, an ancient fireplace, vacant windows, a ruinous staircase; and here, there, and everywhere hung ragged and abandoned cobwebs.They presently entered, softly, with quickened pulses, talking in whispers, ears alert to catch the slightest sound, and muscles tense and ready for instant retreat.

In a little while familiarity modified their fears and they gave the place a critical and interested examination, rather admiring their own boldness, and wondering at it, too.Next they wanted to look up-stairs.This was something like cutting off retreat, but they got to daring each other, and of course there could be but one result -- they threw their tools into a corner and made the ascent.Up there were the same signs of decay.In one corner they found a closet that promised mystery, but the promise was a fraud -- there was nothing in it.Their courage was up now and well in hand.They were about to go down and begin work when --"Sh!" said Tom.

"What is it?" whispered Huck, blanching with fright.

"Sh!...There!...Hear it?"

"Yes!...Oh, my! Let's run!"

"Keep still! Don't you budge! They're coming right toward the door."The boys stretched themselves upon the floor with their eyes to knot-holes in the planking, and lay waiting, in a misery of fear.

"They've stopped....No -- coming....Here they are.Don't whisper another word, Huck.My goodness, I wish I was out of this!"Two men entered.Each boy said to himself: "There's the old deaf and dumb Spaniard that's been about town once or twice lately -- never saw t'other man before.""T'other" was a ragged, unkempt creature, with nothing very pleasant in his face.The Spaniard was wrapped in a serape; he had bushy white whiskers; long white hair flowed from under his sombrero, and he wore green goggles.When they came in, "t'other" was talking in a low voice; they sat down on the ground, facing the door, with their backs to the wall, and the speaker continued his remarks.His manner became less guarded and his words more distinct as he proceeded:

"No," said he, "I've thought it all over, and I don't like it.It's dangerous.""Dangerous!" grunted the "deaf and dumb" Spaniard -- to the vast surprise of the boys."Milksop!"This voice made the boys gasp and quake.It was Injun Joe's! There was silence for some time.Then Joe said:

同类推荐
  • 高王观世音经

    高王观世音经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Good Wives

    Good Wives

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • CLOTELLE

    CLOTELLE

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 关窍要旨

    关窍要旨

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 佛说七俱胝佛母准提大明陀罗尼经

    佛说七俱胝佛母准提大明陀罗尼经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 作为意志和表象的世界

    作为意志和表象的世界

    “世界是我的意志,世界是我的表象。”叔本华代表作《作为意志和表象的世界》一书系统而全面的阐述了作者建立在他的哲学本体论——意志学说的基础之上的人生哲学。通过“生的智慧”,尤其是通过对宗教信仰的追求与实践,人可以克服意志,战胜欲望,从而解脱痛苦。作为叔本华的第1本书,《作为意志和表象的世界》不仅是他哲学思想的完美展示,也是他对人类的看法的完整记录。
  • 神域争霸

    神域争霸

    恶灵,躲在暗处监视着整个大陆,在所有灵性生物意志薄弱的时候诱惑他们,走向堕落的深渊。麦尔,四百年前神秘消失的将军,再次出现时,却顶着“卑鄙的叛徒”、“恶魔异端”等称号;他能否让人们相信真相,解暗灵族之危?封印的龙族血脉,能否解开?宿命预言,能否成真?历尽万劫,争霸神域,能否独尊?
  • 花莺巷

    花莺巷

    故事从花莺阁开始········
  • 爱因斯坦自述(中小学生必读丛书)

    爱因斯坦自述(中小学生必读丛书)

    爱因斯坦不仅是伟大的科学家,也是一位具有很高天赋和独特风格的德语写作家、音乐爱好者、哲人和社会活动家。他是人类历史上绝无仅有的一位传奇人物,集多种角色于一身:丈夫、父亲、儿子、情人、良师、益友、犹太人、世界公民、社会良心、和平主义者、业余小提琴手、统一场理论的独行侠……总而言之,是“生活在他自己世界里的个古怪天才”。本书将通过爱因斯坦的自述和其书信,真实地反映他的生活经历、事业理想、喜怒哀乐、特立独行及其辉煌的一生。
  • 无声情歌

    无声情歌

    年度最惨烈青春小说,一个少女同三个男孩,绝处不逢生的爱情路。宣传语:不爱的人,用力的方式,怎样都不对。年度最惨烈青春小说,偏执同青春残酷告别。一个少女同三个男孩,绝处不逢生的爱情路,终有人狼狈出局。生命中,有些人用来回忆,有些人用来成长。
  • 复制

    复制

    美妇人自忙完上一单case,我已经清闲大半月了,看着那些处理离婚纠纷的同事终日奔忙,不禁有些眼红。而作为一个囊中时常羞涩的刑事律师,对目前这种与资料案卷为伍的日子,我倒也有几分安之若素。没想到的是,机会竟会砸到我这个毫无准备的人头上。我正埋头翻看卷宗时,事务所的大佬难得地朝我走了过来,他敲敲我的办公桌:“小孙,手上的事先放一放,有大case交给你!"
  • 把生活过成最美的诗句

    把生活过成最美的诗句

    本书是一本关于最平常生活的叙述,作者让一个个平淡的日子充满了诗意。这缘于她有一腔对生活热忱的品性,坚持爱与善良的传播,让亲身所历的一切真善美都有所注脚,永远做一个在场的人,心存对自己生活的这个时代的热爱和赞扬。生活中常常有这样的例子,许多人误以为作者是在书写她们的生活,因为读者也她的生活中看见了自己的影子。生活有十色,请相信向着太阳生长的植物一定是最茂盛的。作者愿意与你一起,沐浴心灵的阳光,每天都有拔节的声音。
  • 冷王荤宠之商妃迎喜

    冷王荤宠之商妃迎喜

    一朝穿越,爹娘疼爱,幸福重生。磨刀霍霍,美味佳肴,生财有道。收徒拜师,左右逢源,步步高升。冷王不冷,夜夜荤宠,鸾凤和鸣!厨房里,菜刀切,锅铲翻,美味佳肴香香香。商场上,你算计,我拆招,叫声迎喜妙妙妙。【某御厨挑衅】“听说,你是古城第一神厨,今日我前来讨教!”“输了如何,赢了如何?”“我输了,拜你为师,你输了,拜我为师!”“成交!”【某神医卖乖】“见你骨骼清奇,是练武习医奇才,我一生医术,总算找到传人了!”“说人话!”“那个,来几个小菜,一斤桃花酿!”“没有,大门在那边,请便!”【追求一:某男神威】“你一小小商女,本王能够看得上你,是你几辈子修来的福气,别矫情,跟本王进府,本王许你荣华富贵,至于你嘛,只要日日洗干净,伺候本王就好!”“滚,马不停蹄的滚!”【追求二:某男告白】“迎喜,我对你的爱,犹如犹如滔滔江水连绵不绝!”“请问,你是长江还是黄河,这么多水?”【追求三:某男威胁】“迎喜,你今儿要是不答应,我就死给你看!”“菜刀一把,刚刚磨好的,请便!”她说,我要的,你给不起!他问,你要什么,只要你要,我给!她说,我要一生一世一双人!他说,我许你!【发家致富文,男强+女强+宠文+爽文+男女主身心干净!】
  • 鲛人王妃

    鲛人王妃

    她是现世被人唾弃的紫眸之女,芸芸众生称之为的天难厄女,给所有人带来灾难。父母抛她而去,世人容她不得,她的一生苦难与荆棘相伴,血与泪相浇,当疼痛蔓延至天堂地狱,当恨意抵达到海角天涯,当我在悄悄的黎明里醒来,命运就是我手中的风筝,愿收就收,不愿就放。谁也阻挡不了!我要在光明里重生,带着黑暗的气息,紫眸飞扬,笑傲天下。他是她年幼时救过得一条小黑鱼,在她无意中无疾而失。多年以后,当她坠下山崖,沉睡在银莲梦里,他执她之手,许下永生永世的爱恋。若这世间不容你,我便毁了这凡世,若这世间负了你,我便为你负世间。这世上没有什么我不可以为你做,只要你在我身边,海角天涯,刀山火海又有何分别?我要的从来都是那个你,那个对我说”小鱼我还在“的你。那个眼里没有阴霾,笑胜星辰,眉目如画的你。若你的要求是合理的,你要一我便给你二,若你的要求是不合理的,我便为你做一个不明事理的君王。
  • 你也可以成为亿万富翁

    你也可以成为亿万富翁

    穷人和亿万富翁之间的根本区别就在于:穷人生活在一种贫穷的思维中,砥亿万富翁以特有的金钱观念和行为模式,通过不懈的努力,让金钱为他们带来更多的金钱,本书全面介绍了亿万富翁的科富思维,并和穷人的思维进行了深入比较,启迪渎者像亿万富翁一样思考和行动,运用自己的财商和创造性思维,去进行投资和创业,寻找和把握机遇,控制风险和运用人脉,使赚钱成为一种习惯,最终跻身于亿万富翁之列。