Tom swims
out a sandbar and hops on board a ferry headed for the Missouri shore. After he
arrives back at shore he creeps home to find Aunt Polly, Sid, Mary and Mrs.
Harper sitting together. From a hidden location under the bed, tom hears
everyone (except Sid) share how much they miss the boys. They wished they had
been kinder to them. Tom learns that the groups of ships found the boys raft
downstream and everyone assumes they have drowned. Tom waits until everyone has
gone to bed and debates on leaving the note for Aunt Polly. He decides against
it and heads back to join his fellow pirates on the island again.
