The Runaways

Huck Finn and Jim, his black friend, both ran away separately from their homes. Huck ran away because he was tired of the abuse and neglect from his drunkard father. Jim ran away from the injustices of slavery and racism. Their reasons are different and somewhat similar, but the outcome of Jim being apprehended for running away or whatever the authorities may accuse him of, could be far more harsh of consequences than what Huck would receive. In Huck's case, if he were found or turned in to authorities or his dad, Pap, then Pap might beat him severely for faking his death and/or he might be questioned about why he ran away. Him being questioned may bring up a chance for him to lie again or he could tell the truth and be taken away from his dad. He could be adopted after confessing the truth, which would most likely be more beneficial than having to live with Pap.

If Jim is found or handed over, he could be shot immediately or eventually by a racist fellow who finds him. Jim being found can have many outcomes, most fatal to him in some way because he is a black, runaway slave during the time of slavery and discrimination/racism. It all depends on where he is if he is found out. Since some people back in the town he lived in believed he could have killed Huck Finn, he could be executed, put in jail for life, or lashed to near death. I'm sure Mark Twain didn't go on a runaway adventure with a black man, but he surely knew of the conflicts/consequences when he thought of a black man and a white boy running away together.