The Talisman

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Well, when Tom and me got to the edge of the hilltop, we looked away down into the village and could see three or four lights twinkling, where there was sick folks, may be; and stars over us was sparkling ever so fine; and down by the village was the river, a whole mile broad, and awful still and grand.

—MARK TWAIN, Huckleberry Finn

My new clothes was all greased up and clayey, and I was dog-tired.

—MARK TWAIN, Huckleberry Finn

“You get across and you’re gonna find a place—another Alhambra. You got to go in that place. It’s a scary place, a bad place. But you got to go in.”

“Why do I have to go there, if it’s so bad?”

“Because,” Speedy said, “that’s where the Talisman is.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

“You will,” Speedy said. He took Jack’s hand. The two of them stood face-to-face, old black man and young white boy.

“The Talisman be given unto your hand, Travellin Jack. Not too big, not too small, she look just like a crystal ball, Travellin Jack, ole Travelin Jack. Here’s your burden, here’s your cross: Drop her Jack, and all be lost. . . .”

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