ould bring up among the rocks at the bottom of the chasm, and
there would not be enough left of him to carry out his new idea by the
time he got there. But, although it was quite as difficult and tedious a
task to go down the cliff as to ascend it, no accident happened to them.
They reached the chasm in safety, crossed it with the aid of the
rope--this time without any hesitation on Tom's part--and were soon
stretched on the grass in front of the cabin, refreshing themselves with
the water-melon.

CHAPTER III.

A NEW PLAN.

Tom was no less delighted than astonished at what he had seen in the
governor's harboring place. The cove was so romantic, and it was so cool
and pleasant down there among the rocks and trees! It was a famous place
for reflection, and, as Tom stretched himself out on the grass, and
looked up at the bluffs above him, he told himself that he would be
perfectly willing to pass the remainder of his existence there. What
could be more glorious than the life of ease Sam was leading? He had no
business to bother him, no father to keep an eye on all his movements,
and no merciless village boys to torment him; but he was free from all
care and trouble, was his own master, and passed his time serenely in
doing nothing. That was just the life that suited Tom. If other boys
were foolish enough to allow themselves to be shut up in an academy for
ten months in the year, or were willing to drag out a miserable
existence within the dingy walls of a store or office, that was their
lookout, and not his. He would not do it for any body. He would leave
the village before he was twenty-four hours older; and if he ever
placed his foot inside its limits again, it would be because he could
not help himself.

"Governor," said he, "you always were a lucky fellow. Here you have been
during the last two weeks, enjoying yourself to the utmost, and free to
go and come when you please, while I have been cooped up in the village,
scarcely daring to stir out of my father's sight, compelled to work like
a slave for eight hours in the day, and have been badgered and tormented
until I have sometimes wished that the earth would open and swallow up
Newport and everybody in it, myself included. You must be happy here."

"Well, I should be," replied the governor, "if I only had something good
to eat, an' was sartin that Bobby Jennings an' Mr. Grimes would never
trouble me."

"You may make yourself easy on that score," said T