Dečaci dolaze do uklete kuće u subotu popodne. Ulaze unutra, istražuju ruinirano prizemlje i penju se na sprat. Odjednom, dole ulaze dvojica ljudi. Dečaci kroz pukotine u podu prestrašeno prepoznaju jednog – to je stari, gluvi Španac koji je lutao gradom, ali kada progovori, shvataju da je to prerušeni Indijanac Džo. Sa njim je još jedan propali kriminalac. Oni planiraju pljačku i odlučuju da svoj novac (oko 600 dolara u srebru) privremeno zakopaju pod pod uklete kuće. Dok kopaju rupu, lopata udara u nešto tvrdo. Pronalaze stari sanduk pun zlatnika koji su davno ostavili gusari (hiljade dolara). Indijanac Džo primećuje da su na lopatama u kući sveži tragovi zemlje i posumnja da ima nekoga na spratu. Krene uz stare stepenice, ali one pucaju pod njegovom težinom. Zlikovci uzimaju zlato i odlučuju da ga premeste na sigurno mesto – u „gnezdo broj dva, pod krstom“. Dečaci ostaju živi, ali bez blaga. Poglavlje 27: Planiranje zasede

Dok Muff Potter čeka suđenje, dječake peče savjest. Tom, Huck i Joe Harper odlučuju pobjeći od kuće i postati "gusari" na Jacksonovom otoku. Gusari i povratak "iz mrtvih" Poglavlje 14–16: Život na otoku

In addition, the detailed retelling available today makes the work more accessible. Guides that break the novel into digestible parts enable students to appreciate the plot and author's message without the fear of a dense original text. This is why "Tom Sawyer" continues to be a compulsory and much-loved part of the school curriculum.

U ponedjeljak ujutro Tom glumi da je teško bolestan i da mu umire nožni palac kako ne bi išao u školu. Tetka Polly prozre njegovu igru, no onda Tom spomene da mu se klima zub. Ona mu ga bez milosti iščupa koncem i veže za stup kreveta. Na putu do škole Tom susreće Huckleberryja Finna, sina lokalnog pijanice. Huck je uzor svim dječacima jer ne ide u školu, ne mora se prati, spava u bačvama i potpuno je slobodan, dok ga odrasli smatraju propalicom. Huck nosi mrtvu mačku i objašnjava Tomu kako mrtva mačka služi za uklanjanje bradavica na groblju u ponoć. Dogovore se da će se naći te noći. Zbog razgovora s Huckom, Tom kasni u školu. Učitelj ga bijesno pita za razlog, a Tom, primijetivši da je jedino slobodno mjesto u razredu ono pored Becky Thatcher, ponosno priznaje: "Zaustavio sam se da razgovaram s Huckleberryjem Finnom!". Učitelj ga izbatinje šibom i za kaznu ga šalje da sjedne na slobodno mjesto među djevojčice. Tom koristi priliku, crta joj na pločici i napiše "Volim te", što Becky stidljivo prihvaća. 7. poglavlje: Zaruke u školi i prva svađa

Tom and Huck run home, terrified. They write their oath in blood on a pine shingle, promising to keep silent. Huck believes Injun Joe’s supernatural powers—the man has a forked tongue, they say, and can see in the dark. Tom sleeps poorly. The next morning, the whole town is in an uproar: Muff Potter has been arrested for murder. Tom feels sick with guilt.

Tom's best friend and a symbol of absolute freedom. He is poor, wears ragged clothes, and answers to no one. While other adults see him as a bad influence, Tom respects his independence. Huck is fiercely loyal and brave, but he also has a strong moral compass.

Using his wits and a kite string to keep track of his path, Tom eventually found a small hidden exit near the river. He and Becky escaped, and Tom became a hero. He told Judge Thatcher about Injun Joe, and the Judge ordered the cave sealed. When the men opened the cave later, they found Injun Joe had starved to death at the sealed entrance.

The novel's main antagonist. He is a cruel, vengeful, and sinister criminal. He drives the main conflict of the second half of the book, creating a real sense of danger that lifts the story beyond simple childhood pranks.

Tom and Huck go to the graveyard at midnight. They witness Injun Joe murder Dr. Robinson and frame Muff Potter, who is passed out nearby.

Nova djevojčica u gradu, Tomova velika ljubav, osjećajna, ponosna i privržena.

The boys are rich. The money is invested at 6% interest. Huck is adopted by the Widow Douglas.

Tom runs into the woods, pretending to be Robin Hood. He meets Joe Harper, and they act out a grand forest battle, complete with imaginary arrows and death scenes. But Tom’s heart isn’t in it. He decides that no one loves him. He will run away and become a pirate—or a soldier, then a chief, then a hermit. He carves a message on a tree: "Tom Sawyer died today at sunset." He imagines Becky finding it and crying.