feller--did I do it? Joe, I never meant to--'pon my soul and honor, I

never meant to, Joe. Tell me how it was, Joe. Oh, it's awful--and him

so young and promising."

"Why, you two was scuffling, and he fetched you one with the headboard

and you fell flat; and then up you come, all reeling and staggering

like, and snatched the knife and jammed it into him, just as he fetched

you another awful clip--and here you've laid, as dead as a wedge til

now."

Oh, I didn't know what I was a-doing. I wish I may die this minute if

I did. It was all on account of the whiskey and the excitement, I

reckon. I never used a weepon in my life before, Joe. I've fought, but

never with weepons. They'll all say that. Joe, don't tell! Say you

won't tell, Joe--that's a good feller. I always liked you, Joe, and

stood up for you, too. Don't you remember? You WON'T tell, WILL you,

Joe?" And the poor creature dropped on his knees before the stolid

murderer, and clasped his appealing hands.

"No, you've always been fair and square with me, Muff Potter, and I

won't go back on you. There, now, that's as fair as a man can say."

"Oh, Joe, you're an angel. I'll bless you for this the longest day I

live." And Potter began to cry.

"Come, now, that's enough of that. This ain't any time for blubbering.

104

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer