Tom jeia damunt un sofa, amb un avid auditori al seu voltant, i digué la historia de la prodigiosa aventura, encabint-hi alguns afegitons sensacionals per agençar-la; i acaba amb la descripció de com deixa Becky i continua una eixida d'esploració; com seguí dues avingudes, tan enlla com li permeté el seu cordill d'estar; com en seguí una altra en tota la llargada del cordill, i estava a punt de entornar-se'n quan lluca una taqueta llunyana que semblava claror de dia, i deixa el cordill, i ana a les palpentes envers ella, i empenyé cap i espatlles enfora d'un trau i veié l'ample Mississipí que el vorejava.
Tom lay upon a sofa with an eager auditory about him and told the history of the wonderful adventure, putting in many striking additions to adorn it withal; and closed with a description of how he left Becky and went on an exploring expedition; how he followed two avenues as far as his kite-line would reach; how he followed a third to the fullest stretch of the kite-line, and was about to turn back when he glimpsed a far-off speck that looked like daylight; dropped the line and groped toward it, pushed his head and shoulders through a small hole, and saw the broad Mississippi rolling by!