18: Conflict

   Huck has a hard decision to make in chapter 16. He has to choose between the women who have cared for him and his new dear friend. He is unsure if he should help Jim escape from his owner,especially after he hears his plans to rescue, or possibly steal, his family. He feels as though it would be a wrong-doing to Miss Watson, who has done so much for him, if he assists her ex-slave. He almost gives Jim up when they believe they have reached Cairo, but changes his mind when an ecstatic Jim says "Jim won't ever forgit you, Huck; you's de bes' fren' Jim's ever had; en you's de only fren' ole Jim's got now." (Twain, pg. 93)  He also mentions that Huck is the only person to ever keep a promise to him. Huck resolves his internal moral conflict by deciding to not worry about what is right and wrong, because that is too hard to answer. He convinced  himself it is best to simply act on whichever option seems "handiest," which in this case, was continuing on in his mission with Jim.