My sophomore survey class is in the midst of _Huck Finn_ right now, and
today a student asked a question which I was not sure how to answer.
Although this is a regular occurence, I thought perhaps I could tap into
the collective Twainiac community for clarification on this one.

Towards the end of chapter XVIII, after Huck escapes the
Shepardson-Grangerford feud, he tells Jim that "they'll think I've been
killed, and floated down the river--there's something up there that'll help
them to think so..."  My student asked what that "something" was.  I've
always thought Huck referred to the bodies of Buck and his cousin Joe, and
was hesitant to get into details because he didn't want to relive the
violence and/or explain to Jim.

I was wondering if I've missed something, or does that explanation make
sense?  Any thoughts out there about this?

Jeffrey W. Miller
University of Tennessee at Martin