The Hunt for Treasure

Tom's new obsession was buried treasure. He was certain that somewhere near St. Petersburg, robbers had hidden a box of gold. He persuaded Huck to help him search.

They dug in several promising spots without success. One evening they decided to explore an old abandoned house on the hill — said to be haunted — reasoning that it was exactly the kind of place where robbers would hide things.

They crept inside and hid upstairs when they heard footsteps below. Two men entered: a stranger, and Injun Joe himself in disguise.

The boys lay perfectly still on the rotting floor, barely breathing.

The men began to dig in the corner of the room and found, to their own surprise, a box buried long before. It was full of gold coins. Tom and Huck could barely contain their excitement.

But then Injun Joe noticed the boys' tools nearby — a pick and a shovel with fresh earth on them. Someone else had been digging here. He decided not to leave the gold in the house. He would take it to a safer hiding place: "Number Two — under the cross."

The men left with the gold. Tom and Huck had no idea where Number Two was — but they were determined to find out.