Drift With New Found Peace

Well, I know now that it's official: Tom Sawyer 'n me don't think the same no more. I still don't know how it's possible for things to change so fast and so simply, but I do know that I know more than Tom Sawyer knows.

We rescued Jim, but turns out he didn't need rescuin'! The widow Douglas died a while back, 'n set him free in her will! What amazes me is that Tom knew that, and still made sure to cause everyone some real panic and sadness in tryin' to free the already free man! His aunt Sally who is so compassionate and kind got hurt real badly by Tom's foolish plans, and of course my conscience at me for it too. I've finally come to understand how the whole thing works. It aint about stealin' or borrowin', or the way anything's done, but the reason anything should be done. I'm startin' to see that wrong 'n right is the very same difference between doin' somethin' cause you wanna do it, no matter how other people might feel, or doin' something cause it's good for another person though it might hurt you.

People keep tryin' to do what they think is right for me, takin' me in to "sivilize" me, but I'm done with all that. I don't need no sivilizin'!

Who Woulda Thought?

Still not sure how it happened, but me 'n Tom Sawyer ended up bumpin' into each other again! The duke 'n the king decided to sell Jim, after he'd done nothin' wrong to them at all, and turns out the family they sold him to was Tom's aunt and uncle! I was real pleased with Providence because I knew that it wasn't just luck that Jim ended up in such an easy place for me to steal him back. I understand now that it aint borrowin', and I understand that stealin' is wrong, but I'm startin' to think there's a lot more to right 'n wrong then what I've been hearin'. I have to rescue Jim.

Royal Scoundrels

It's been quite some time now that we've been stuck in a mighty terrible situation on the raft. A couple o' scoundrels are travellin' with us now and we can't get rid of 'em. At first I didn't have no problem with it, but with time I found myself feeling mighty guilty for the crimes they were pullin', even though it wasn't really no fault o' mine.

I've been watchin' them scoundrels trick the most innocent of hearts. It's a sight that really makes you question whether there's really any good in this big ole' world of ours. I keep thinkin' about Tom Sawyer, and how he always thought to steal 'n hurt people. I can't see the good in any o' it. It's been a long time since I've seen Tom, and too long of a time that I've believed in his ideas. Travellin' with thieves like the king and the duke has taught me somethin' real scary: your conscience's main target is always you. I can't live with sadness like that. It's a feelin' far too lonesome. I want nothin' to do with these criminals anymore, I just hope to Providence that me 'n Jim can get rid of 'em real soon.

In Memory of my pal Buck

Me n' Jim got separated and I ended up spendin' some time with a family by the name of the Grangerfords, n' mighty fine people they were. I learned a great deal durin' my stay with them, n' I wanna share some of it in memory of my pal Buck Grangerford.

It don't make sense to me why people gotta kill without a reason, when deep down them people got good hearts. Seems a little silly to me that people can live with hate 'n fear like it's a member o' their own family, but still talk 'bout brotherly love 'n all that kinda stuff. But after watchin' all that and seein' no sense at all in it, I am startin' to see why Miss Watson made such a big 'ole deal about being good to other people. Buck's sister, Miss Emmeline never did wrong to nobody, 'n she died a peaceful slumber. The rest of her family was killed only 'cause of the confusion of hate 'n fuedin' they never made no peace with.

I hope to Providence that the Grangerford family found peace afterall. You were a good pal Buck, nice knowin' ya.

Lost 'n Found on the Mississipi

Well I had a close call with Pap, Judge Thatcher and the widow. I spotted them all floatin' 'long on the river trying to find my body. But of course my body aint in the river 'cause I aint dead, but it's great that they still think I am. After I had that assurance, you wouldn't believe what happened! I found Jim on Jackson Island! I was mighty pleased that I wouldn't be so lonesome anymore. Though it's pretty shocking that he had it in him to run away from the widow.

I went into town disguised to find out what they've been thinkin' bout me n' Jim. Turns out they suspect him as my murderer! Jim doesn't have it in him to be a murderer, considerin' how worried he always is 'bout his luck. I don't know if his signs for good 'n bad luck are real, but so far he's been right! I'm glad the two of us are in the same boat!

A Different Satisfaction

Well, I finally managed to get away from Pap. Had to fake my own murder to manage it, but I think it was worth it. Between him and the widow I was bout to go crazy. Life with them was so lonesome, I couldn't bear it. The plan now is to take off on my own, and tramp around the country, huntin' and fishin' to stay alive. It's still a lonesome life but it's better than being "civilized" by the widow or gettin' beat by Pap. More than anything I miss Tom Sawyer. I wish it could'a been me n' him together on this journey, but I know he'd be mighty pleased with me if he knew what I'd done to trick Pap.

Life in the trees and across the waters is the life for me. I can't wait to see what's in store for me!