So I set there and watched the cannon-smoke and listened to the boom. Well, then I happened to think how they always put quicksilver in loaves of bread and float them off, because they always go right to the drownded carcass and stop there.
So, says I, I'll keep a lookout, and if any of them's floating around after me I'll give them a show. I changed to the Illinois edge of the island to see what luck I could have, and I warn't disappointed. A big double loaf come along, and I most got it with a long stick, but my foot slipped and she floated out further.
But by and by along comes another one, and this time I won. I took out the plug and shook out the little dab of quicksilver, and set my teeth in. I got a good place amongst the leaves, and set there on a log, munching the bread and watching the ferry-boat, and very well satisfied. And then something struck me. I says, now I reckon the widow or the parson or somebody prayed that this bread would find me, and here it has gone and done it.
When Huck first stumbles upon Jim, he does not immediately ask why Jim is on the island, nor does he worry that Jim will tell anyone he is alive. Instead, Huck's first reaction is one of joy at the companionship. More important, Jim's reintroduction extends the important theme of freedom and civilization from Huck to Jim, and sets up the circumstances that will lead to their odyssey down the Mississippi. Huck's continued struggle with society's restrictions and laws now includes the more serious issue of race and slavery.
Huck's comment that "people would call me a low-down Abolitionist and despise me for keeping mum" shows that his society does not tolerate those who denounce slavery.
This is Huck's first important break with society, but a break that would make his return nearly impossible, as he realizes. The stance is similar to Twain 's own boyhood experience where slavery was an accepted practice in the South. Although Huck has shown the tendency to reject society's beliefs, he cannot immediately dismiss its influence and teachings. This chapter also serves to establish the relationship between Huck and Jim and their roles in contrast to one another.
Whereas Huck's initial representation of Jim was stereotypical, in this chapter, Jim quickly reveals himself as an authority on superstition. Huck's literal nature does not allow him to be impressed easily, but his belief in signs and superstition elevates Jim, who "knowed all kinds. No Fear Chapter 8 Page 1. Page 1.
I laid there in the grass and the cool shade thinking about things, and feeling rested and ruther comfortable and satisfied. I could see the sun out at one or two holes, but mostly it was big trees all about, and gloomy in there amongst them. There was freckled places on the ground where the light sifted down through the leaves, and the freckled places swapped about a little, showing there was a little breeze up there. A couple of squirrels set on a limb and jabbered at me very friendly.
I lay there in the cool shade and the grass thinking about things. I was feeling rested and rather comfortable and satisfied. Through one or two holes I could see the sun, but mostly I just saw big trees all around, and the gloom in the gaps between them. There were flecks of light on the ground where the sun shone through the leaves.
The leaves moved around a little bit, which suggested there was a light breeze blowing. A couple of squirrels sat on a limb, squeaking at me in a friendly way. I rouses up, and rests on my elbow and listens; pretty soon I hears it again.
I hopped up, and went and looked out at a hole in the leaves, and I see a bunch of smoke laying on the water a long ways up—about abreast the ferry. And there was the ferryboat full of people floating along down. I knowed what was the matter now. You see, they was firing cannon over the water, trying to make my carcass come to the top. I got up, rested on my elbows, and listened.
Pretty soon I heard it again. I hopped up and went to look through a hole in the leaves. I saw a bunch of smoke over the water a long ways upriver. If drifted next to a ferryboat full people that was floating down the river.
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