According to the reading, what did mark twain dream of becoming when he was a boy?

He wanted to be a steam boat pilot .

On a boat trip across the Mississippi to New Orleans, Twain, inspired by the work of pilot Horace E. Bixby, decided to pursue the career of a steam boat pilot . It was a well-paid occupation, with a salary estimated at $ 72,400 per year, but requiring extensive knowledge of the river and its various ports and stops. Twain meticulously studied the 3,200 miles of Mississippi for over two years, until finally getting his pilot's license in 1859.

you have to tell us what you're talking about or it's impossible to answer.

the illustration   that would give a reader a clear understanding of the text is a picture of men constructing the frame of a building.the frame is made of iron bars. the text describes the job of blacksmiths'. these were very organised and they had different names: "the driver" and "the heater". the text describes the way in which these men worked ; they worked iron pieces as if they were playing a sport. in fact, the text wants to show the men's skills. the text also puts some emphasis on the use of '' rivets'' in construction. this kind of nails were not always used in the construction of manhattan.

some examples:

"and with an underhand toss he hurled the smoking rivet straight at the catcher, who caught it in mid-air in his catching can." men's skills

"when the driver was ready for a new " the emphasis on the rivet ( special nail used in construction).

" it against a beam to remove any cinders, and jammed it into the waiting hole. " the emphasis on the rivet.