It is in Chapter 21 when we are first introduced to
Colonel Sherburn, and we see him for who he really is. We are first presented with the
sight of Boggs who is clearly intoxicated and is apparently seeking out Colonel Sherburn
to kill. However, although Huck is scarred by Boggs's appearance and words, he is
assured by another man, who says:
"He don't mean nothing; he's always a-carryin' on
like that when he's drunk. He's the best naturedest old fool in Arkansaw - never hurt
nobody, drunk nor
sober."
However, Boggs goes
on to insult Sherburn in his drunken state. In the end, the other people get Boggs's
daughter to come and reason with him. As she arrives, Colonel Sherburn shoots Boggs dead
in front of her and in cold blood. It is clear that Sherburn shows he has no moral
compass in his killing of a man who was insulting him but only because he was drunk. The
violence of his revenge is disproportionate to the offence, indicating that Sherburn has
no conscience.
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