Tom urged--Huck held back. At last Tom rose slowly and softly, and started alone. But the first step he made wrung such a hideous creak from the crazy floor that he sank down almost dead with fright. He never made a second attempt. The boys lay there counting the dragging moments till it seemed to them that time must be done and eternity growing gray; and then they were grateful to note that at last the sun was setting.

     Now one snore ceased. Injun Joe sat up, stared around--smiled grimly upon his comrade, whose head was drooping upon his knees--stirred him up with his foot and said:

     "Here! You're a watchman, ain't you! All right, though--nothing's happened."

     "My! have I been asleep?"

     "Oh, partly, partly. Nearly time for us to be moving, pard. What'll we do with what little swag we've got left?"

     "I don't know--leave it here as we've always done, I reckon. No use to take it away till we start south. Six hundred and fifty in silver's something to carry."

     "Well--all right--it won't matter to come here once more."