Why would Huck feel badly about the men on the steamboat drowning when the boat finally sinks? CH 12-16

Huck does try to save them by alerting the ferry night-watchman. Huck tries to save the robbers, because he feels guilty leaving them for dead. This speaks to Huck's very personal sense of morality. While he may not like the robbers, he became a part of the situation when he climbed aboard. Huck felt a responsibility to show some kind of assistance. These robbers may also have reminded Huck of his Pap.