I see now that Jerry had already cited the same passage from LIFE ON THE
MISSISSIPPI that I found, so I've added nothing new.

I don't get Forum messages as they are posted, but I happened to read them
on the Forum's archive pages. I didn't notice that the discussion about the
quote had somehow broken into two separate threads, so I thought I was only
the second person to replay to Alan's original note. We should all take care
not to let discussions splinter into separate threads.

That said, I think it's pretty clear that the passage from the claymation
ADVENTURES OF MARK TWAIN film was derived from the Bixby-cub exchange in
LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

Since the subject of the claymation film has been brought up, I'd like to
add that the film is well worth watching, if you haven't already seen it.
Not only is it an entertaining animated film in its own right, it also
offers insightful interpretations of many aspects of Mark Twain's life and
writings. The people who made the film did their homework. I especially
enjoy the moment when the passengers on Mark Twain's marvelous balloon craft
need to lighten the ship and begin throwing objects overboard. If you watch
closely, you'll notice that among the jetsam is the Paige typesetting machine.