Tom testifies, Injun Joe escapes

1 The sleepy river village lies still in the summer noon heat.

2 At twilight, Muff Potter reaches through the jail bars and touches Tom's cheek in thanks.

3 On the morning of the trial the whole village packs into the courthouse.

4 Muff Potter's lawyer, silent until now, rises at the defence table and calls a surprise witness.

5 The packed courtroom turns in amazement to a scared Tom Sawyer on the witness stand

6 When Tom says "behind the elms," Injun Joe's iron calm cracks for a moment.

7 At the height of his testimony, Tom flings out his arm and points at Injun Joe across the courtroom.

8 At the height of the trial, Injun Joe crashes through the tall courtroom window in a spray of glass.

9 At night, the boy who was a hero by day lies in bed with the quilt pulled up to his eyes.