De bills refers to the boils under the water (waves).

On Thu, 23 Nov 1995, Patricia J. Welch wrote:

> In Chapter 4 of Huck Finn, Jim is giving Huck advice to, "keep 'way fum
> de water as much as you kin, en don't run no resk, 'kase it's down in de
> bills dat you's gwyne to git hung."  I am looking for the meaning of "de
> bills."  Is Jim mispronouncing something?  What is he foreshadowing?
> Aaugh--what is "de bills?"  I have exhausted my resources and peers.  No
> one seems to know the answer!
> Thanks to anyone who can help!
> Patti Welch
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>