Final answer:
Huck's statement signifies his growth in self-reliance and cleverness, reflecting Twain's themes of American individualism and the complex interplay between society and nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Huck's statement at the end of the chapter in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn reflects his growth and independence. Huck admires Tom Sawyer for his imaginative schemes and style, but now recognizes his own ability to be clever and strategic, even if less flamboyantly so. Twain uses this moment to not only show Huck's developing self-reliance but also to contrast the two characters representing different aspects of boyhood and approaches to problems. Huck's growth is connected to the American ideals of self-reliance and individualism. Additionally, the reference to nature throughout the novel underscores Twain's nuanced view of society and nature, not as separate entities but intertwined, with the river representing a complex symbol of freedom that includes, rather than excludes, human society.