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Back East Again—Another Mohawk—Easter Sunday— Samuel Clemens
It turned out that the Sheriff Clemens o' Sacremento was heading back east to visit some family members for Easter in St. Louis so we was able to hitch a ride with him some ways back to the Injun territory. The ride was considerably better on the way east then the way west 'cause the Sheriff had one pretty daughter and I coulda sworn Huck was starting to feel sweet on her. It made me miss Becky sorely but I was happy seeing Huck finally thinking logically.
The Injun recognized us immediately when we made it there and replaced Huck's Mohawk with and even better one. I never seen him so happy. For a while I was afeared that he'd want to stay with the Injun's stead of continuing all the back to Missouri. Fortunate for me, Huck was a sucker for Mary, that's Sheriff Clemen's daughter, and he came along! All the way.
We had to eventually part with the sheriff on St. Louis, though and Huck got Mary's address to write to her. He learned how to do write perfectly well, writin that book. We go passage on a steamboat heading up north with the gold Sam had given us. Huck and me made plans on the go back to the cave Injun Joe had stuffed some munitions in as soon as we got home and play Sheriff. I was all itching to do it right away but I sorely felt like seeing how my Aunt Polly was. She's a sweet lady and I knew she must had thought we were surely dead, they way we'd been gone for so long. Huck understton and waited for me outside my window as I climbed up the tree to my window. I set foot on the familiar rug on my floor, in my familiar floor and sighed. I hadn't realized that I'd missed the place somewhat. I came out of my room and searched the house for Aunt Polly or Sid. To my astonishment, they warn't nowhere to be found! Then I headed towards the kitchen and noticed the beginnings of a wonderful feast. Now, I knew that Aunt Polly had no idea that we was rreturning so it warn't no welcome party. I believed it was the very day of Easter! Everyone must a been at the church. So I went and grabbed Huck and we ran to the church where everyone was praying in solemn silence as the preacher spoke
"Brothers and sisters" said the preacher, "This is a joyous day. This is the day that Christ miraculously came back from the dead. Even though no one believed he would come back, even though his disciples doubted his word, he arose on this sacred day, providing us the hope of salvation from hell and our sins. As when he raised Lazarus, he shall raise us on the Judgment Day. Rejoice, for He is risen!"
Our timing couldn't have been better. We came in, doors loudly bangin' away as we strode in just as the preacher declared the "He is risen" part. All heads turned towards us, and people began screaming. Aunt Polly just downright fainted. They told us later that they'd thogght we'd drowned again when we didn't send word of being alive for months. Aunt Polly eventually forgave me when Aunt Sally came to visit to see that we really were alive with the letter I had left on my pillow at her house in hand. Aunt Polly had never read it. That poor lady, I feel sorter bad how she has to put up with me.
Huck's living in the woods now, like a true Robin Hood. We'd paid carefully attention when Sam's house was being built and were able to set up a smaller, probably weaker but still mostly decent cabin for Huck. We bought supplies using some of the gold Judge Thatcher's been holding for us. We've collected a lot since we've been gone almost a whole year – our allowance just kept piling up. Huck's got his freedom and I can visit anytime I want. All I have to do is meow so that he don't think I'm no robber or trespasser or nothing.
One day we're planning on heading down south to get some cigars from the Mexicans. Huck says he doan' feel like no more adventures, but I think I can convince him. When we do go, I'll write it all down. Unlike Huck who said he wouldn't ever make a book again, I've taken to writing. Anything I can think of can happen on paper when I writes it. I like the feeling. Aunt Polly said that with my imagination I can prolly write a few million books. If I do's I dern't think I can use my real name, despite Huck and my recent decision to be straight and stop lying. I think I'll use the name Sam. Samuel Clemens.
