She called for Becky every night. Aunt Polly’s gray hair turned white.

On the fourth night the town’s bells were rung. People ran into the streets shouting:

“Come out! Come out! They’re found!”

Tom and Becky were back! They were safe!

Aunt Polly and Judge Thatcher, Becky’s father, had a million questions for the missing children.

“It turned out we were five miles from town,” explained Tom. “Some boatmen found us and rowed us to their place. They gave us supper and made us rest for a few hours. Then they brought us home!”

Judge Thatcher thought Tom was the bravest boy alive! He thought Tom could be a great lawyer or a great soldier some day. And he was going to help him.

Aunt Polly was pleased. She always knew that Tom was a wonderful boy.

“I hope this never happens to anyone else,” she said.

“It won’t,” said Judge Thatcher. “As soon as the kids were rescued, we sealed up the cave. We put up a thick iron door with three locks. And I have the keys!”

Judge Thatcher patted his pocket.

“Nobody will get lost in that cave again!”

Tom turned as white as a sheet.

“What’s the matter, boy?” asked Judge Thatcher.

“Oh, Judge,” said Tom. “Injun Joe’s in that cave!”

Judge Thatcher sent a dozen boats to McDougàl’s cave.

Tom felt sorry for Joe. He knew what it was like to be lost in a cave. It was the worst feeling in the world!

When the rescuers opened the iron door, they found Joe on the ground. He was dead. There were deep cuts on the door where Joe had tried to break out with his knife.

Joe was buried at the mouth of the cave. People flocked from miles around to attend the poor man’s funeral.

After the funeral, Tom found Huck. He had something important to tell him. Tom knew where the treasure was hidden!

Chapter Twelve
Gold!

Tom and Huck were in the cave. They each held a candle. Tom led the way, dragging a kite string. When the sides of the cave got steeper, he stopped.

“I want to show you something, Huck,” he whispered. “It’s on that big rock over there. See it? It’s done with candle smoke.”

Huck saw the sign.

“Tom, it’s a cross!”

“And where is number two? ‘Under the cross.’ That’s where I saw Joe.”

“Tom, let’s get out of here!” said Huck in a shaky voice.

“What! And leave the treasure?”

“Yes—leave it. Joe’s ghost is around here. I know it!”

“Huck, Joe’s ghost would be where he died—at the mouth of the cave. That’s five miles from here!”

Huck was scared, but he followed Tom down the clay slope. The boys walked around the rock but couldn’t find a thing.

Tom sat down and stared at the ground. Suddenly he saw something.

“Huck, there are footprints and candle wax on this side of the rock.

“I bet the money is under the rock!”

The boys started to dig in the clay with their knives. Huck uncovered some boards and removed them.