Tom, Huck, and Ben enjoy their adventure on the island while everyone in the village worries about their disappearance. A rainstorm washes away their raft, and it is found by a villager broken to pieces.

The villagers believe the boys have drowned in the river. Though they play all day on the island, Ben misses his home. Tom returns secretly for news of the village and sees Aunt Polly praying for his safety.

Ben and Huck miss the village, so Tom proposes that they return on the very day of their funeral. No other village children, Tom decides, have ever become the center of so much attention.

After the funeral, Tom is a hero at school, and everyone wants to hear his story. Charlie inks Tom’s schoolbook out of jealousy, and Tom is punished. Becky saw what happened and feels guilty that she did not tell the truth.

Becky accidentally tears a page of Mr. Dobbins’ precious book on medical science, and Tom takes the blame. Becky makes up with him.

Frog leaping matches are popular with the school students, and Tom trains his frog to be a great leaper. Charlie doesn’t want to hand over his championship, so he stuffs Tom’s frog with pebbles.

Tom and Huck discover that Mr. Dobbins wears a wig. On the last day of school, when the teacher whips every student, even girls, for sleeping during class, Tom hits on a capital idea for revenge.

Sid comes down with the mumps just as summer vacation starts. Tom doesn’t want to get sick and spoil his holiday. Just then two men come to town with Water of Life, guaranteed to cure every disease.

Tom distributes handbills in return for the medicine. It sells like hotcakes, then the two men disappear. The medicine turns out to be a sham. Tom doesn’t get the mumps, but he makes many trips to the outhouse.

Tom goes fishing with Huck and Becky. They catch a big one, but only after Becky jumps in to lend a hand.

The village children are bored; nothing exciting ever happens there. Then a theatrical troupe arrives and announces a play for the children. Among them is a young actress Lissette, and Huck falls in love.

Tom promises to take Huck to the play. To earn the money he works for his aunt, moving furniture to a friend’s ranch quite a distance away. When a wheel comes off the cart, Tom is almost defeated but manages to run home just in time for the play.

Lizette is treated severely in the tragedy. Huck, unaware that it’s a drama, jumps onto the stage to save her. Tom stirs up the other children to help Huck and Lizette, and the play becomes a fiasco. Lizette rather likes Huck and promises to visit.

Huck prepares a delicious meal for Lizette’s next visit. Suddenly two of the troupers desert, and the group must leave, unable to continue the show. Lizette tells Tom she will be back someday to see Huck.

Tom discovers a dead body up the river, it appears to be Huck's father! After the funeral, Huck’s father appears alive and comes to take his son. Huck doesn’t want to go and hides.

On the anniversary of Huck’s mother’s death, he wants to light a candle in her memory. Though he knows Aunt Polly won’t allow it, Tom promises to bring Huck her silver candlestick. Then, with the help of Mary and Sid, he tricks his Aunt.

When Tom and Huck find a small gold lump in the river, the news spreads quickly and all the villagers rush to the river to search for gold. Even Aunt Polly tries to join them, but Mary calls a halt.

Morris, Jim’s friend, runs away from his master. He wants to go north where slaves can be free. Tom makes a raft and helps him leave the village.

Mary begins working for Dr. Mitchell, training to be a nurse. A balloon descends in the village, and the people panic, thinking it is a monster. Tom, who knows what it is, lends a hand to Arthur the pilot.

Arthur meets Mary at Dr. Mitchell’s office, and she invites him to dinner. Tom is fascinated by his stories of balloon flight and is determined to have a ride.

A search party forms to find Tom and Becky. Indian Joe comes upon Tom and scares him, but does no harm. Pursued by the sheriff, Joe falls into a gorge and meets his end. Tom, to his surprise, feels sorry for Joe. Later, Tom and Huck find gold coins.

The judge divides the gold between Tom and Huck. Mrs. Douglas is chosen as Huck’s guardian, and he begins a new life under strict discipline. A new school year begins, and Huck attends with Tom. On day one, the two are in trouble with the new teacher.