subdued by these solemnities, and talked little. By and by they judged

that twelve had come; they marked where the shadow fell, and began to

dig. Their hopes commenced to rise. Their interest grew stronger, and

their industry kept pace with it. The hole deepened and still deepened,

but every time their hearts jumped to hear the pick strike upon

something, they only suffered a new disappointment. It was only a stone

or a chunk. At last Tom said:

It ain't any use, Huck, we're wrong again."

Well, but we CAN'T be wrong. We spotted the shadder to a dot."

I know it, but then there's another thing."

What's that?".

Why, we only guessed at the time. Like enough it was too late or too

early."

Huck dropped his shovel.

That's it," said he. "That's the very trouble. We got to give this

one up. We can't ever tell the right time, and besides this kind of

thing's too awful, here this time of night with witches and ghosts

a-fluttering around so. I feel as if something's behind me all the time;

and I'm afeard to turn around, becuz maybe there's others in front

240

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer