CHAPTER VIII

Huck wakes late on Jackson’s Island and hears cannon booms upriver. Peering through the leaves, he sees a ferryboat firing cannon and floating quicksilver-laden loaves to locate his supposed drowned body. He snags a loaf for breakfast, muses that prayers must have guided it, and watches as the ferry drifts past packed with townsfolk, including Pap, Judge Thatcher, Tom Sawyer, and Aunt Polly.

After the search passes and later doubles back before giving up, Huck feels safe and builds a concealed camp, fishes, and spends quiet days exploring the island. While scouting near the foot of the island, he finds the fresh ashes of a campfire, panics, hides his gear, disguises his camp, and keeps watch from a tree. Restless and determined to learn who else is present, he crosses by canoe at night, then returns to stalk the island at dawn.

Huck discovers a sleeping man by a fire who proves to be Miss Watson’s Jim. Startled, Jim first mistakes Huck for a ghost; Huck reassures him and, relieved to end his loneliness, proposes breakfast. Huck produces provisions from the canoe, and Jim, half-starved, eats gratefully. Huck explains how he faked his death to escape Pap.

Pressed for his story, Jim admits he has run away after overhearing Miss Watson plan to sell him “down to Orleans” for eight hundred dollars. Huck promises not to betray him, despite knowing others would scorn him as an abolitionist. Jim recounts how he hid, attempted escape by raft, and finally reached the island.

With immediate needs met, they idle and talk. Jim interprets signs and omens—predicting rain from young birds’ flight and warning against catching birds or counting dinner—while telling of past “speculations” that cost him money. He concludes he is “rich” because he owns himself. Huck and Jim settle into a wary but friendly alliance on the island.