The Adventures of Tom Sawyer · Chapter
Turn Out! They're Found! explained
The village of St.
What happens
The village of St. Petersburg mourns the lost children, but in the middle of the night, bells ring out announcing their rescue. Tom and Becky are found and brought home. Tom recounts his adventure of finding an exit from the cave. Later, Tom learns that Judge Thatcher has sealed the cave with a boiler-iron door, and he reveals in horror that Injun Joe is trapped inside.
Themes in this chapter
Fear and Courage
Tom's bravery in exploring the cave and his determination to save Becky highlight the theme of courage in the face of fear.
Childhood vs. Adulthood
Tom and Becky's ordeal and the community's response underscore the transition from carefree childhood to facing serious consequences.
Characters to notice
- Tom Sawyer
Tom is rescued from the cave with Becky and later recounts his adventure. He visits Huck and learns of Injun Joe's fate.
- Becky Thatcher
Becky is rescued from the cave and remains bedridden, looking ill and worn from the ordeal.
- Huckleberry Finn
Huck is sick and bedridden; Tom visits him but is not allowed to see him until later.
- Aunt Polly
Aunt Polly is deeply melancholy and her hair has turned white from worry, but her happiness is complete upon Tom's return.
- Judge Thatcher
Judge Thatcher has the cave sealed with a boiler-iron door and triple-locked, inadvertently trapping Injun Joe inside.
- Injun Joe
Injun Joe is trapped in the cave after Judge Thatcher seals it, as revealed by Tom.
Key passages
“Turn out! turn out! they're found! they're found!”
The villagers are roused from sleep by the joyful news that the missing children have been discovered.
This moment captures the dramatic shift from mourning to celebration in the community.
“Oh, Judge, Injun Joe's in the cave!”
Tom realizes with horror that the sealed cave still contains Injun Joe, who is now trapped.
This revelation sets up the next conflict and highlights Tom's moral concern.