The Adventures of Tom Sawyer · Chapter
XXVIII: In the Lair of Injun Joe explained
Tom and Huck attempt to retrieve the treasure from the haunted room but are foiled when Tom discovers Injun Joe asleep inside.
What happens
Tom and Huck attempt to retrieve the treasure from the haunted room but are foiled when Tom discovers Injun Joe asleep inside. They flee in terror and decide to watch the tavern nightly until Injun Joe leaves, then snatch the box.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Courage
Tom and Huck's terror at finding Injun Joe asleep, yet their determination to continue the quest, highlights the tension between fear and bravery.
Friendship and Loyalty
Huck's willingness to watch every night and Tom's trust in Huck's signal demonstrate their strong bond and mutual commitment.
Superstition and Folk Belief
The boys' belief in the 'ha'nted' room and their superstitious dread of Injun Joe reflect folk beliefs about ghosts and evil spirits.
Characters to notice
- Tom Sawyer
Leads the night adventure, tries the keys, discovers Injun Joe asleep, and devises a new plan to watch the tavern.
- Huckleberry Finn
Acts as sentry, experiences intense fear, agrees to watch the tavern every night, and reveals his sleeping arrangements with Ben Rogers' family.
- Injun Joe
Found asleep on the floor in the haunted room, drunk, with a bottle and tin cup nearby.
- Aunt Polly
Mentioned as the owner of the lantern Tom uses, and as someone who would be upset if the towel were lost.
- Ben Rogers
Mentioned as the owner of the hayloft where Huck sleeps.
- Uncle Jake
Mentioned as Ben Rogers' father's enslaved man who lets Huck sleep in the hayloft and gives him food.
Key passages
“Run! said he; run, for your life!”
Tom shouted for Huck to flee as fast as possible.
Tom's urgent command after his terrifying discovery.
“I most stepped onto Injun Joe's hand!”
Tom nearly stepped on Injun Joe's hand.
Tom's shocking revelation of how close he came to the sleeping outlaw.
“I'll ha'nt that tavern every night for a year! I'll sleep all day and I'll stand watch all night.”
Huck vows to watch the tavern nightly for a whole year, sleeping during the day.
Huck's determined commitment to the plan.