James: A Novel

Jim chooses to swim to Huck rather than Norman. He rescues him from the water, and when Huck asks why Jim chose him and not the other man, Jim reveals that Huck is his son. Jim and Huck’s mother grew up together and Jim says that although no one knows, Jim is Huck’s father. Huck wonders if this is why his father hated Jim so much. He also doubts the veracity of Jim’s story. Jim has been lying to him his whole life; maybe he is lying now. Jim, tired, reflects on Norman’s death. The two had been true friends, and he is saddened that he could not save him.

Jim is adamant that the two separate. He thinks that Huck should head back to Hannibal while he heads north. Huck points out that he could be useful to Jim in all sorts of ways, and reluctantly Jim agrees.

Jim and Huck are fishing for catfish in the river. They have no equipment, so Jim tries to lure a fish with his fingertips. He is successful, but the fish weighs more than 50 pounds and it tries to drag him underwater.