Tom Sawyer was in the shallow water. He walked toward the shore. Soon the water was deep. Tom Sawyer swam for one hundred yards. The current was very strong. Finally, Tom Sawyer reached the land. His clothes were very wet.
Tom Sawyer checked his pocket. The piece of tree bark was safe. He walked through the woods for a long time. At ten o’clock, he reached the river near the village. He saw the large ferryboat (a big boat that carries people across the river).
Tom Sawyer was very quiet. He swam to the back of the ferryboat. He climbed into a skiff (a small, open boat tied to the big boat). Tom Sawyer hid under the seats. He waited and tried to breathe quietly.
The ferryboat began its last trip of the night. Tom Sawyer felt very happy. After fifteen minutes, the boat reached the village. Tom Sawyer jumped into the water and swam to the shore. He ran through the dark streets.
Tom Sawyer reached Aunt Polly’s house. He climbed over the fence. He looked through the sitting-room window. He saw Aunt Polly, Sid, Mary, and Mrs. Harper (Joe Harper’s mother). They were sitting near a candle and talking.
Tom Sawyer opened the door very slowly. The door made a small noise. Tom Sawyer was afraid, but he crawled inside. He hid under the bed. He stayed very still and listened.
Aunt Polly began to cry. She said that Tom Sawyer was not a bad boy. She said he was only full of energy and play. Aunt Polly said Tom Sawyer had a very kind heart.
Mrs. Harper cried too. She felt very sad about Joe Harper. Mrs. Harper was sorry because she hit Joe Harper for drinking some cream. She knew now that Joe Harper did not drink it. Mrs. Harper thought she would never see her son again.
Sid said that Tom Sawyer was not always a good boy. Aunt Polly looked at Sid with a mean eye. She told Sid to be quiet. She said that Tom Sawyer was a comfort to her.
Aunt Polly and Mrs. Harper talked about the boys. They remembered the funny things the boys did. Aunt Polly laughed a little, but then she cried more. Tom Sawyer felt very proud of himself.
Tom Sawyer wanted to jump out and surprise them. He thought it would be a great show. But Tom Sawyer decided to wait. He wanted to hear more of their talk.
He learned that the town found the raft. The people thought the boys drowned in the middle of the river. If the bodies were not found by Sunday, the town would have a funeral (a religious service for a dead person). Tom Sawyer felt a little afraid.
Mrs. Harper said goodnight and went home. Aunt Polly said goodnight to Sid and Mary. Everyone was very sad. Mary cried as she walked away.
Aunt Polly knelt by the bed. She prayed for Tom Sawyer with a loud, shaking voice. She loved Tom Sawyer very much. Tom Sawyer cried under the bed because he felt her love.
Finally, Aunt Polly went to sleep. She moved and talked in her sleep. Tom Sawyer crawled out from under the bed. He looked at Aunt Polly’s face. He felt very sorry for his aunt.
Tom Sawyer took out a piece of bark (the hard outside covering of a tree). He wanted to leave a note for Aunt Polly. But then he had a new, secret plan. He put the bark back in his pocket.
Tom Sawyer kissed Aunt Polly very quietly. Then he left the house. He walked back to the river and found a small boat. He moved the boat across the water to the other side.
He walked through the woods for a long time. It was morning when he reached the island. Tom Sawyer rested and then jumped into the river. He swam to the boys’ camp.
Tom Sawyer heard Joe Harper and Huckleberry Finn talking. Joe Harper said that Tom Sawyer was a true friend. He said Tom Sawyer would never leave them. Joe Harper wondered where Tom Sawyer went.
Huckleberry Finn said the food belonged to them now. But Joe Harper said they must wait for breakfast. Then Tom Sawyer walked into the camp and surprised them.
The boys cooked a big breakfast of bacon and fish. Tom Sawyer told them about his trip to the village. He told a very exciting story. The three boys felt like great heroes. Then Tom Sawyer went to sleep in the shade.