B trying to escape to the city of riga
"Black Burton" is what now we say a modern day bully. Burton was already busy "picking a quarrel" with a "tenderfoot" in the saloon, and Thornton decided to come to the aid of the newcomer. Burton then took out his frustration on Thornton, hitting him without notice and nearly knocking Thornton to the floor.
Answer:
exactly, ikr. Tht's just fax
Explanation:
The only thing I can find is that Jerome had taken a very similar trip along the Thames for his honeymoon in 1888, and his experiences provided him the subject material for the novel. I don't see, in my copy, an acknowledgement to any particular person.