Most of the adventures recorded in this book really occurred; one or twowere experiences of my own, the rest those of boys who were schoolmatesof mine. Huck Finn is drawn from life; Tom Sawyer also, but not from anindividual--he is a combination of the characteristics of three boys whomI knew, and therefore belongs to the composite order of architecture.
The odd superstitions touched upon were all prevalent among children andslaves in the West at the period of this story--that is to say, thirty orforty years ago.
Although my book is intended mainly for the entertainment of boys andgirls, I hope it will not be shunned by men and women on that account,for part of my plan has been to try to pleasantly remind adults of whatthey once were themselves, and of how they felt and thought and talked,and what queer enterprises they sometimes engaged in.