When Huck kills a snake in the cavern, he plays what he feel is a friendly, harmless prank on Jim by he setting it on his sleeping area. His intent in doing this is simply to amuse himself. Giving Jim a bit of fright would be humorous for him and most likely a funny bonding moment for him and and his companion once it is realized to be a joke.
However, the dead snake's mate appears and bites Jim on his heel. His foot swells and he is in severe pain, and Huck feels guilty. He also feels as though he is very foolish, since he forgot that a dead snake's mate always finds their other half. Since he feels regretful, it is obvious that he cares for Jim and feels bad for hurting him, for his intent was rather the opposite. This also begins to bring up the idea that he is becoming a more mature young man because he realizes his actions were foolish and decides to not do such a thing again.
The themes of loyalty and unity are prominent throughout the novel, but particularly in these few chapters. Jim and Huck have formed an unusual but great bond. Huck has an attachment to the ex-slave and does not want to turn him in, no matter how much money he would receive, because one does not do that to a friend. It also presents the idea of unity, because the two escapees have survived and worked very well together for some time now. Huck may have realized that he would not be as well-off, and would be quite lonesome yet again, without the company of Jim. They are united like brothers, and Huck is intelligent enough to not soil that relationship.
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