Tom Sawyer was in the shallow water. He walked through the water toward the other side of the river. Soon the water was deep. Tom swam for one hundred yards. The current was very strong. Finally, Tom reached the land. His clothes were very wet.
Tom 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 across from the village. He saw the large ferryboat.
Tom was very quiet. He swam to the back of the ferryboat. He climbed into a skiff. Tom hid under the seats. He waited and tried to breathe quietly.
The ferryboat began its last trip of the night. Tom felt very happy. After fifteen minutes, the boat reached the village. Tom jumped into the water and swam to the shore. He ran through the dark streets.
Tom reached Aunt Polly’s house. He climbed over the fence. He looked through the sitting-room window. He saw Aunt Polly, Sid, Mary, and Joe’s mother, Mrs. Harper. They were sitting near a candle and talking.
Tom opened the door very slowly. The door made a small noise. Tom 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 was not a bad boy. She said he was only playful and full of energy. Aunt Polly said Tom 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 was not always a good boy. Aunt Polly looked at Sid angrily. She told Sid to be quiet. She said that Tom 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 felt very proud of himself.
Tom wanted to jump out and surprise them. He thought it would be a great show. But Tom 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. Tom 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 with a loud, shaking voice. She loved Tom very much. Tom cried under the bed because he felt her love.
Finally, Aunt Polly went to sleep. She moved and talked in her sleep. Tom crawled out from under the bed. He looked at Aunt Polly’s face. He felt very sorry for his aunt.
Tom took out a piece of bark. 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 kissed Aunt Polly very quietly. Then he left the house. He walked back to the river and found a small boat. He rowed 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 river bank across from the island. Tom rested and then jumped into the river. He swam to the boys’ camp.
Tom heard Joe Harper and Huckleberry Finn talking. Joe Harper said that Tom was a true friend. He said Tom would never leave them. Joe Harper wondered where Tom went.
Huck said Tom’s treasures in the hat belonged to them now. But Joe Harper said the note gave them the treasures only if Tom did not come back by breakfast. Then Tom walked into the camp and surprised them.
The boys cooked a big breakfast of bacon and fish. Tom told them about his trip to the village. He told a very exciting story. The three boys felt like great heroes. Then Tom went to sleep in the shade.