"Roughing It" is an 1872 travel book written by Mark Twain. The book is semi-autobiographical, chronicling Twain's experiences travelling through the Wild West between 1861 and 1867. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), more commonly known under the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, lecturer, publisher and entrepreneur most famous for his novels "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884). "Roughing It" offers an insightful glimpse into American frontier life that will not disappoint fans of Twain's unique writing. Other notable works by this author include: "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" (1873) and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1881). Read & Co. Books is proudly republishing this fantastic novel now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned biography of the author.
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Roughing It
"Roughing It" is an 1872 travel book written by Mark Twain. The book is semi-autobiographical, chronicling Twain's experiences travelling through the Wild West between 1861 and 1867. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), more commonly known under the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, lecturer, publisher and entrepreneur most famous for his novels "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884). "Roughing It" offers an insightful glimpse into American frontier life that will not disappoint fans of Twain's unique writing. Other notable works by this author include: "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" (1873) and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1881). Read & Co. Books is proudly republishing this fantastic novel now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned biography of the author.
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Overview
"Roughing It" is an 1872 travel book written by Mark Twain. The book is semi-autobiographical, chronicling Twain's experiences travelling through the Wild West between 1861 and 1867. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910), more commonly known under the pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, lecturer, publisher and entrepreneur most famous for his novels "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884). "Roughing It" offers an insightful glimpse into American frontier life that will not disappoint fans of Twain's unique writing. Other notable works by this author include: "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" (1873) and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1881). Read & Co. Books is proudly republishing this fantastic novel now in a new edition complete with a specially-commissioned biography of the author.
Product Details
ISBN-13: | 9781528718547 |
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Publisher: | Read & Co. Classics |
Publication date: | 12/07/2020 |
Pages: | 514 |
Product dimensions: | 5.50(w) x 8.50(h) x 1.15(d) |
About the Author
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Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens in 1835, the literary icon worked as a printer’s apprentice, a river pilot, a newspaper reporter, a miner, and even as a confederate volunteer (though he disbanded after only two weeks). Writing under the pen name Mark Twain, he authored many beloved works, including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Life on the Mississippi River, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.
Date of Birth:
November 30, 1835Date of Death:
April 21, 1910Place of Birth:
Florida, MissouriPlace of Death:
Redding, ConnecticutRead an Excerpt
CHAPTER I.
MY brother had just been appointed Secretary of Nevada Territory - an office of such majesty that it concentrated in itself the duties and dignities of Treasurer, Comptroller, Secretary of State, and Acting Governor in the Governor's absence. A salary of eighteen hundred dollars a year and the title of "Mr. Secretary," gave to the great position an air of wild and imposing grandeur. I was young and ignorant, and I envied my brother. I coveted his distinction and his financial splendor, but particularly and especially the long, strange journey he was going to make, and the curious new world he was going to explore. He was going to travel! I never had been away from home, and that word "travel" had a seductive charm for me. Pretty soon he would be hundreds and hundreds of miles away on the great plains and deserts, and among the mountains of the Far West, and would see buffaloes and Indians, and prairie dogs, and antelopes, and have all kinds of adventures, and maybe get hanged or scalped, and have ever such a fine time, and write home and tell us all about it, and be a hero. And he would see the gold mines and the silver mines, and maybe go about of an afternoon when his work was done, and pick up two or three pailfuls of shining slugs and nuggets of gold and silver on the hillside. And by and by he would become very rich, and return home by sea, and be able to talk as calmly about San Francisco and the ocean, and "the isthmus" as if it was nothing of any consequence to have seen those marvels face to face. What I suffered in contemplating his happiness, pen cannot describe. And so, when he offered me, in cold blood, the sublime position of private secretary under him, it appeared to me that the heavens and the earth passed away, and the firmament was rolled together as a scroll! I had nothing more to desire. My contentment was complete. At the end of an hour or two I was ready for the journey. Not much packing up was necessary, because we were going in the overland stage from the Missouri frontier to Nevada, and passengers were only allowed a small quantity of baggage apiece. There was no Pacific railroad in those fine times of ten or twelve years ago - not a single rail of it.
I only proposed to stay in Nevada three months - I had no thought of staying longer than that. I meant to see all I could that was new and strange, and then hurry home to business. I little thought that I would not see the end of that three-month pleasure excursion for six or seven uncommonly long years!
I dreamed all night about Indians, deserts, and silver bars, and in due time, next day, we took shipping at the St. Louis wharf on board a steamboat bound up the Missouri River.
We were six days going from St. Louis to "St. Joe" - a trip that was so dull, and sleepy, and eventless that it has left no more impression on my memory than if its duration had been six minutes instead of that many days. No record is left in my mind, now, concerning it, but a confused jumble of savage-looking snags, which we deliberately walked over with one wheel or the other; and of reefs which we butted and butted, and then retired from and climbed over in some softer place; and of sand-bars which we roosted on occasionally, and rested, and then got out our crutches and sparred over. In fact, the boat might almost as well have gone to St. Joe by land, for she was walking most of the time, anyhow - climbing over reefs and clambering over snags patiently and laboriously all day long. The captain said she was a "bully" boat, and all she wanted was more "shear" and a bigger wheel. I thought she wanted a pair of stilts, but I had the deep sagacity not to say so.
Table of Contents
ILLUSTRATIONS FOREWORD ROUGHING IT Prefatory 1. My Brother Appointed Secretary ofNevada-I Envy His Prospective Adventures-Am Appointed Private Secretary under Him- My Contentment Complete- Packed in One HourDreams and Visions- On the Missouri River- A "Bully" Boat 2. Arrive at St. Joseph-Only Twenty-five Pounds Baggage Allowed-Farewell to Kid Gloves and Dress Coats-Armed to the Teeth- The "Allen"-A Cheerful Weapon- Persuaded to Buy a Mule- Schedule of luxuries- We Leave "the States" -Our Coach-Mails for the Indians- Between a Wink and an Earthquake-A Modern Sphynx and How She Entertained Us-A Sociable Heifer 3. "The Thoroughbrace Is Broke"-Mails Delivered ProperlySleeping under Difficulties-A Jackass Rabbit Meditating, and on Business-A Modern Gulliver- Sage-brush- Overcoats as an Article of Diet- Sad Fate of a Camel-Warning to Experimenters 4. Making Our Bed-Assaults by the Unabridged-At a Station- Our Driver a Great and Shining Dignitary-Strange Place for a Front Yard- Accommodations-Double Portraits- An Heirloom-Our Worthy Landlord-"Fixings and Things"-An Exile-Slum-gullion-A Well Furnished Table-The Landlord Astonished- Table Etiquette- Wild Mexican Mules- Stage-coaching and Railroading 5. New Acquaintances-The Cayote-A Dog's Experiences- A Disgusted Dog-The Relatives of the Cayote -Meals Taken Away from Home 6. The Division Superintendent-The Conductor-The Driver-One Hundred and Fifty Miles' Drive without Sleep- Teaching a Subordinate-Our Old Friend Jack and a Pi!- grim-Ben Holladay Compared to Moses 7. Overland City-Crossing the Platte-Bemis's Buffalo Hunt -Assault by a Buffalo-Bemis's Horse Goes Crazy- An Impromptu Circus-A New Departure-Bemis Finds Refuge in a Tree-Escapes Finally by a Wonderful Method 41 8. The Pony Express-Fifty Miles without Stopping-"Here He Comes!"-Alkali Water-Riding an Avalanche-Indian Massacre 9. Among the Indians-An Unfair Advantage-Lying on Our Arms-A Midnight Murder-Wrath of Outlaws-A Dangerous, Yet Valuable Citizen 10. History of Slade-A Proposed Fist-Fight-Encounter with Jules-Paradise of Outlaws-Slade as Superintendent- As Executioner-A Doomed Whisky Seller-A Prisoner- A Wife's Bravery-An Ancient Enemy Captured-Enjoying a Luxury-Hob-nobbing with Slade-Too Polite-A Happy Escape 11. Slade in Montana-On a Spree-In Court-Attack on a Judge-Arrest by the Vigilantes-Turn-out of the Miners- Execution of Slade-Lamentations of His Wife-Was Slade a Coward? 12. A Mormon Emigrant Train-The Heart of the Rocky Mountains- Pure Saleratus-A Natural Ice-House-An Entire Inhabitant-In Sight of"Eternal Snow"-The South Pass- The Parting Streams-An Unreliable Letter Carrier-Meeting of Old Friends-A Spoiled Watermelon-Down the Mountain-A Scene of Desolation-Lost in the Dark- Unnecessary Advice-U.S. Troops and Indians-Sublime Spectacle- Another Delusion Dispelled-Among the Angels 13. Mormons and Gentiles-Exhilarating Drink, and Its Effect on Bemis-Salt Lake City-A Great Contrast-A Mormon Vagrant-Talk with a Saint-A Visit to the King-A Happy Simile 14. Mormon Contractors-How Mr. Street Astonished Them- The Case before Brigham Young, and How He Disposed of It-Polygamy Viewed from a New Position 15. A Gentile Den-Polygamy Discussed-Favorite Wife and D 4-Hennery for Retired Wives-Children Need Marking -Cost of a Gift to No. ~A Penny-Whistle Gift and Its Effects-Fathering the Foundlings-It Resembled Him- The Family Bedstead 16. The Mormon Bible-Proofs of Its Divinity-Plagiarism of Its Authors-Story of Nephi-Wonderful Battle-Kilkenny Cats Outdone 17. Three Sides to All Questions-Everything a Quarter-Shriveled Up-Emigrants and White Shirts at a Discount-"Forty- Niners"-Above Par-Real Happiness 18. Alkali Desert-Romance of Crossing Dispelled-Alkali Dust-Effect on the Mules-Universal Thanksgiving 19. The Digger Indians Compared with the Bushmen of Africa- Food, Life and Characteristics-Cowardly Attack on a Stagecoach- A Brave Driver-The Noble Red Man 20. The Great American Desert-Forty Miles on Bones-Lakes without Outlets-Greeley's Remarkable Ride-Hank Monk, the Renowned Driver-Fatal Effects of "Corking" a Story- Bald-Headed Anecdote 21. Alkali Dust-Desolation and Contemplation-Carson City-Our Journey Ended-We Are Introduced to Several Citizens-A Strange Rebuke-A Washoe Zephyr at Play- Its Office Hours-Governor's Palace-Government Offices -Our French Landlady Bridget O'Flannigan-Shadow Secrets-Cause for a Disturbance at Once-The Irish Brigade-Mrs. O'Flannigan's Boarders-The Surveying Expedition-Escape of the Tarantulas 22. The Son of a Nabob-Start for Lake Tahoe-Splendor of the Views-Trip on the Lake-Camping Out-Reinvigorating Climate-Clearing a Tract of Land-Securing a Title- Out-house and Fences 23. A Happy Life-Lake Tahoe and Its Moods-Transparency of the Waters-A Catastrophe-Fire! Fire!-A Magnificent Spectacle-Homeless Again-We Take to the Lake- A Storm-Return to Carson 24. Resolve to Buy a Horse-Horsemanship in Carson-A Temptation- Advice Given Me Freely-! Buy the Mexican Plug- My First Ride-A Good Bucker-! Loan the Plug-Experience of Borrowers-Attempts to Sell-Expense of the Ex periment- A Stranger Taken In 25. The Mormons in Nevada-How to Persuade a Loan from Them-Early History of the Territory-Silver Mines Discovered- The New Territorial Government-A Foreign One and a Poor One-Its Funny Struggles for Existence-No Credit, No Cash-Old Abe Curry Sustains It and Its Officers- Instructions and Vouchers-An Indian's Endorsement- Toll-Roads 26. The Silver Fever-State of the Market-Silver Bricks- Tales Told-Off for the Humboldt Mines 27. Our Manner of Going-Incidents of the Trip-A Warm but Too Familiar a Bedfellow-Mr. Ballou Objects-Sunshine amid Clouds-Safely Arrived 28. Arrive at the Mountains-Building Our Cabin-My First Prospecting Tour-My First Gold Mine-Pockets Filled with Treasures- Filtering the News to My Companions-The Bubble Pricked-All Not Gold That Glitters 29. Out Prospecting-A Silver Mine at Last-Making a Fortune with Sledge and Drill-A Hard Road to Travel-We Own in Claims-A Rocky Country 30. Disinterested Friends-How "Feet" Were Sold-We Quit Tunneling-A Trip to Esmeralda-My Companions- An Indian Prophecy-A Flood-Our Quarters during It 31. The Guests at "Honey Lake Smith's"-"Bully Old Arkansas"-Our Landlord-Determined to Fight-The Landlord's Wife-The Bully Conquered by Her-Another Start-Crossing the Carson-A Narrow Escape-Following Our Own Track-A New Guide-Lost in the Snow 32. Desperate Situation-Attempts to Make a Fire-Our Horses Leave Us-We Find Matches-One, Two, Three and the Last-No Fire-Death Seems Inevitable-We Mourn over Our Evil Lives-Discarded Vices-We Forgive Each Other- An Affectionate Farewell-The Sleep of Oblivion 33. Return of Consciousness-Ridiculous Developments- A Station-House-Bitter Feelings-Fruits of Repentance- Resurrected Vices 34. About Carson- Gen. Buncombe- Hyde vs. Morgan-How Hyde Lost His Ranch- The Great Land-Slide Case- The Trial-Gen. Buncombe in Court-A Wonderful Decision- A Serious Afterthought 35. A New Traveling Companion-All Full and No Accornrnodat ions-How Capt. Nye Found Room-And Caused Our Leaving to be Lamented-The Uses of Tunneling- A Notable Example- We Go into the Claim Business and Fail-At the Bottom 36. A Quartz Mill-Arnalgarnation-"Screening Tailings"- First Quartz Mill in Nevada-Fire Assay- A Smart Assayer- I Stake for an Advance 37. The Whiteman Cement Mine- Story oflts Discovery- A Secret Expedition- A Nocturnal Adventure- A Distressing Posit ion-A Failure and a Week's Holiday 38. Mono Lake-Shampooing Made Easy- Thoughtless Act of Our Dog and the Results-Lye Water-Curiosities of the Lake-Free Hotel-Some Funny Incidents a Little Overdrawn 39. Visit to the Islands in Mono Lake- Ashes and Desolation- Life amid Death- Our Boat Adrift- A j ump for Life- A Storm on the Lake-A Mass of Soap Suds- Geological Curiosities-A Week on the Sierras-A Narrow Escape from a Funny Explosion-"Stove Heap Gone" 40. The "Wide West" Mine-It Is Interviewed by Higbie- A Blind Lead- Worth a Million- We Are Rich at Last- Plans for the Future 41. A Rheumatic Patient- Day Dreams- An Unfortunate Sturnble- I Leave Suddenly-Another Patient-Higbie in the Cabin-Our Balloon Burst- Worth Nothing- Regrets and Explanations-Our Third Partner 42. What to Do Next?-Obstacles I Had Met With-"Jack of All Trades"- Mining Again- Target Shooting-! Turn C ity Editor- I Succeed Finely 43. My Friend Boggs-The School Report-Boggs Pays Me an Old Debt-Virginia City 44. Flush Times-Plenty of Stock-Editorial Puffing-Stocks Given Me-Salting Mines-A Tragedian in a New Role 45. Flush Times Continue-Sanitary Commission Fund-Wild Enthusiasm of the People-Would Not Wait to Contribute- The Sanitary Flour Sack-It Is Carried to Gold Hill and Dayton- Final Reception in Virginia-Results of the Sale- A Grand Total 46. The Nabobs of Those Days-John Smith as a Traveler-Sudden Wealth-A Sixty-Thousand-Dollar Horse-A Smart Telegraph Operator-A Nabob in New York City-Charters an Omnibus-"Walk Right in, It's All Free"-"You Can't Pay a Cent"-"Hold on, Driver, I Weaken"-Sociability of New Yorkers 47. Buck Fanshaw's Death-The Cause Thereof-Preparations for His Burial-Scotty Briggs the Committeeman-He Visits the Minister-Scotty Can't Play His Hand-The Minister Gets Mixed-Both Begin to See-"AII Down but Nine"-Buck Fanshaw as a Citizen-How to "Shake Your Mother"-The Funeral-Scotty Briggs as a Sunday School Teacher 48. The First Twenty-six Graves in Nevada-The Prominent Men of the County-The Man Who Had Killed His Dozen-Trial by Jury-Specimen Jurors-A Private Graveyard-The Desperadoes- Whom They Killed-Satisfaction without Fighting 49. Fatal Shooting Affray-Robbery and Desperate Affray- A Specimen City Official-A Marked Man-A Street Fight-Punishment of Crime 50. Capt. Ned Blakely-Bill Noakes Receives Desired Information- Killing of Blakely's Mate-A Walking Battery- Blakely Secures Noakes-Hang First and Be Tried Afterward- Capt. Blakely as a Chaplain-The First Chapter of Genesis Read at a Hanging-Noakes Hung-Blakely's Regrets 51. The Weekly Occidental-A Ready Editor-A Novel-A Concentration of Talent-The Heroes and the Heroines-The Dissolute Author Engaged-Extraordinary Havoc with the Novel-A Highly Romantic Chapter-The Lovers Separated- Jonah Outdone-A Lost Poem-The Aged Pilot Man-Storm on the Erie Canal-Dollinger the Pilot Man- Terrific Gale-Danger Increases-A Crisis Arrived-Saved as if by a Miracle 52. Freights to California-Silver Bricks-Underground Mines- Timber Supports-A Visit to the Mines-The Caved Mines-Total of Shipments in 1863 53. Jim Blaine and His Grandfather's Ram-Filkins's Mistake- Old Miss Wagner and Her Glass Eye-Jacops, the Coffin Dealer-Waiting for a Customer-His Bargain with Old Robbins- Robbins Sues for Damage and Collects-A New Use for Missionaries-The Effect-His Uncle Lem and the Use Providence Made of Him-Sad Fate of Wheeler-Devotion of His Wife-A Model Monument-What about the Ram? 54. Chinese in Virginia City-Washing Bills-Habit of Imitation-Chinese Immigration-A Visit to Chinatown- Messrs. Ah Sing, Hong Wo, See Yup, etc. 55. Tired of Virginia City-An Old Schoolmate-A Two Years' Loan-Acting as an Editor-Almost Receive an Offer- An Accident-Three Drunken Anecdotes-Last Look at Mount Davidson-A Beautiful Incident 56. Off for San Francisco-Western and Eastern Landscapes- The Hottest Place on Earth-Summer and Winter 57. California-Novelty of Seeing a Woman-"Well, if It Ain't a Child!"-One Hundred and Fifty Dollars for a Kiss-Waiting for a Turn 58. Life in San Francisco-Worthless Stocks-My First Earthquake- Reportorial Instincts-Effects of the Shocks-Incidents and Curiosities-Sabbath Breakers-The Lodger and the Chambermaid-A Sensible Fashion to Follow-Effects of the Earthquake on the Ministers 59. Poor Again-Slinking as a Business-A Model Collector- Misery Loves Company-Comparing Notes for Comfort- A Streak of Luck-Finding a Dime-Wealthy by Comparison -Two Sumptuous Dinners 60. An Old Friend-An Educated Miner-Pocket-Mining- Freaks of Fortune 61. Dick Baker and His Cat-Tom Quartz's Peculiarities-On an Excursion-Appearance on His Return-A Prejudiced Cat- Empty Pockets and a Roving Life 62. Bound for the Sandwich Islands-The Three Captains- The Old Admiral-His Daily Habits-His Well Fought Fields-An Unexpected Opponent-The Admiral Overpowered- The Victor Declared a Hero 63. Arrival at the Islands-Honolulu-What I Saw There-Dress and Habits of the Inhabitants-The Animal Kingdom-Fruits and Delightful Effects 64. An Excursion-Capt. Phillips and His Turn-out-A Horseback Ride-A Vicious Animal-Nature and Art-Interesting Ruins-All Praise to the Missionaries 65. Interesting Mementoes and Relics-An Old Legend of a Frightful Leap-An Appreciative Horse-Horse-Jockeys and Their Brothers-A New Trick-A Hay Merchant-Good Country for Horse Lovers 66. A Saturday Afternoon-Sandwich Island Girls on a Frolic- The Poi Merchant-Grand Gala Day-A Native Dance- Church Membership-Cats and Officials-An Overwhelming Discovery 67. The Legislature of the Island-What Its President Has Seen- Praying for an Enemy-Women's Rights-Romantic Fashions- Worship of the Shark-Desire for Dress-Full Dress- Not Paris Style-Playing Empire-Officials and Foreign Ambassadors-Overwhelming Magnificence 68. A Royal Funeral-Order of Procession-Pomp and Ceremony- A Striking Contrast-A Sick Monarch-Human Sacrifices at His Death-Burial Orgies 69. "Once More upon the Waters"-A Noisy Passenger-Several Silent Ones-A Moonlight Scene-Fruits and Plantations 70. A Droll Character-Mrs. Beazeley and Her Son- Meditations on Turnips-A Letter from Horace Greeley- An Indignant Rejoinder-The Letter Translated but Too Late 71. Kealakekua Bay-Death of Capt. Cook-His Monument- Its Construction-On Board the Schooner 72. Young Kanakas in New England-A Temple Built by Ghosts-Female Bathers-I Stood Guard-Women and Whisky-A Fight for Religion-Arrival of Missionaries 73. Native Canoes-Surf-Bathing-A Sanctuary-How Built- The Queen's Rock-Curiosities-Petrified Lava 74. Visit to the Volcano-The Crater-Pillar of Fire-Magnificent Spectacle-A Lake of Fire 75. The North Lake-Fountains of Fire-Streams of Burning Lava-Tidal Waves 76. A Reminiscence-Another Horse Story-My Ride with the Retired Milk Horse-A Pic-nicking Excursion-Dead Volcano of Haleakala-Comparison with Vesuvius-An Inside View 77. A Curious Character-A Series of Stories-Sad Fate of a Liar-Evidence of Insanity 78. Return to San Francisco-Ship Amusements-Preparing for Lecturing-Valuable Assistance Secured-My First Attempt -The Audience Carried-"All's Well That Ends Well" 79. Highwaymen-A Predicament-A Huge Joke-Farewell to California-At Home Again-Great Changes. Moral A.-Brief Sketch of Mormon History B.-The Mountain Meadows Massacre C.-Concerning a Frightful Assassination That Was Never Consummated EXPLANATORY NOTES SUPPLEMENTS REFERENCES NOTE ON THE TEXTFrom the B&N Reads Blog
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