What happened when the boy who survived an explosion aboard a steamboat returns to town

He becomes a shining hero and is stared at and wondered over by everybody

Explanation:

"Life on the Mississippi" is a travelogue by Mark Twain. In this book he tells of the moment when the steamboat explosion ended up seriously injuring a boy. Although the explosion was something serious and dangerous the boy survives and is welcomed by everyone in the city as a hero who deserves to be admired

Twain must have written this chapter to refer to the steamboat explosion that seriously injured his brother, Henry, who died as a result of the explosion eight days later.

Mr. Gray first survived then he got worse and died in Life on the Mississipi by Mark twain.