There is an interesting revelation underway on another website's forum about who Huck Finn was originally based on (www.online-literature.com). Some unconfirmed evidence has come to light it could have been the English rowing champion called Stanley Muttlebury.
The dates sure tie in as to who was where on what date, common ground etc. Anyone else have any thoughts? Mark Twain was renowned for playing games on names so this may be of interest.