Tom Sawyer Abroad

Tom Sawyer, ever restless for adventure, conceives of a grand plan to achieve fame. After a brief period of satisfaction from his previous exploits, which made him a local hero, Tom becomes discontented. He feels overshadowed by the village postmaster, Nat Parsons, who boasts of his own travels. Tom's desire for greater glory fuels his ambition. He decides to embark on a new adventure, inviting his friends Huck Finn and Jim along. Their initial idea is a crusade, inspired by Walter Scott's novels, to reclaim the Holy Land. However, Huck and Jim struggle to comprehend the concept, leading to a humorous debate about religious duty versus practical ownership. Tom, frustrated by their literal interpretations, abandons the crusade idea. Their attention turns to a new marvel: a balloon advertised to sail to Europe. Tom, determined not to be outdone by Nat Parsons, who is also planning to see it, decides they must go. They visit the balloon, a complex contraption with wings and fans, and observe the eccentric inventor, the 'professor.' The balloon ascends, offering a breathtaking view of the Earth, confirming the widow Douglas's tales of its roundness. The professor, a genius but unstable, claims his invention is revolutionary. He allows Tom to steer, and Tom proves adept, even managing a near-crash landing. However, the professor's erratic behavior and threats to sink the balloon with them aboard force Tom, Huck, and Jim to consider drastic action. During a storm, Tom bravely attempts to regain control, descending the rope ladder. He narrowly escapes the professor's madness and climbs back aboard, shaken but unharmed. The professor is lost to the storm. With the professor gone, the boys take charge of the balloon. They manage to navigate, though not without humorous misunderstandings about geography and time zones. They eventually sight land, which they initially mistake for the sea due to its vastness and flatness. They land on a sandy coast, only to be confronted by lions. Tom cleverly uses the professor's revolver to scare them off after killing one, and they escape, leaving the bewildered animals behind. They discover they are in the Great Sahara Desert. Tom deduces this from the camels, the sand, and the timekeeping devices. They encounter a caravan, and their presence causes panic, leading to a battle between the caravan members and robbers. The boys intervene, saving a child from a robber and returning it to its mother, who rewards Jim with a gold chain. Later, they discover a "disappearing lake" which Tom explains is a mirage, a product of heat and thirst. The boys are greatly disappointed by this illusion. They then encounter another caravan, which is tragically buried by a sandstorm. The boys mourn the loss of these new acquaintances, with whom they had shared meals and even a wedding ceremony from their aerial perch. Tom devises a plan to sell Sahara sand as souvenirs in the United States, believing it will make them immensely rich. However, they realize that customs duties and the sheer volume of sand make this plan impossible. Disheartened, they decide to jettison the sand. Their journey continues, and they land near the Egyptian pyramids. Jim is deeply moved by the historical significance of the land. They explore the inside of a pyramid, finding an empty sarcophagus. They then visit the Sphinx, which Jim is instructed to pose on for a photograph. They rescue Jim from attackers who were trying to capture him. Finally, Tom's old corn-cob pipe breaks, and he sends Jim and their guide back to Missouri to fetch a replacement. While waiting, Tom relates the story of the dervish and the camel-driver, and later, the tale of the treasure hill, using his knowledge of history and literature to explain the significance of their surroundings. Jim and Huck find Tom's reasoning about the dervish and camel-driver to be flawed, but Tom dismisses their arguments. They return home after a perilous and adventurous journey.