Roughing It

by Mark Twain, Elizabeth Frank (Introduction), Mark Dawidziak (Afterword)

Overview

The celebrated author of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn mixes fact and fiction in a rousing travelogue that serves as “a portrait of the artist as a young adventurer.”*
 
In 1861, young Mark Twain found himself adrift as a newcomer in the Wild West, working as a civil servant, silver prospector, mill worker, and finally a reporter and traveling lecturer. Roughing It is the hilarious record of those early years traveling from Nevada to California to Hawaii, as Twain tried his luck at anything and everything—and usually failed. Twain’s encounters with tarantulas and donkeys, vigilantes and volcanoes, even Brigham Young, the Mormon leader, come to life with his inimitable mixture of reporting, social satire, and rollicking tall tales.
 
With an Introduction by Elizabeth Frank*
And a New Afterword by Mark Dawidziak

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451531100
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/04/2008
Series:	Signet Classics
Pages:	496
Sales rank:	1,066,901
Product dimensions:	4.17(w) x 6.69(h) x 1.28(d)

About the Author

In his person and in his pursuits, Mark Twain (1835–1910) was a man of extraordinary contrasts. Although he left school at twelve, when his father died, he was eventually awarded honorary degrees from Yale University, the University of Missouri, and Oxford University. His career encompassed such varied occupations as printer, Mississippi riverboat pilot, journalist, travel writer, and publisher. He made fortunes from his writing but toward the end of his life he had to resort to lecture tours to pay his debts. He was hot-tempered, profane, and sentimental—and also pessimistic, cynical, and tortured by self-doubt. His nostalgia for the past helped produce some of his best books. He lives in American letters as a great artist, the writer whom William Dean Howells called “the Lincoln of our literature.” 
 
Elizabeth Frank is the author of the novel Cheat and Charmer (2005) as well as the biography Louise Bogan: A Portrait, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1986. She is also the author of two art monographs, Jackson Pollock (1983) and Esteban Vincente (1995). A translator of contemporary Bulgarian fiction, she is the Joseph E. Harry Professor of Modern Languages & Literature at Bard.

Mark Dawidziak is the television critic for the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A theater, film and television reviewer for more than thirty-five years, his many books include Mark My Words: Mark Twain on Writing (1996), Horton Foote’s The Shape of the River: The Lost Teleplay About Mark Twain (2003), Mark Twain in Ohio (2015) and Mark Twain’s Guide to Diet, Exercise, Beauty, Fashion, Investment, Romance, Health and Happiness (2015). The co-founder and artistic director of northeast Ohio’s Largely Literary Theater Company, he has been portraying Mark Twain on stage since 1979 (the makeup process getting shorter each year). He also frequently performs Mark Twain material with his wife, actress Sara Showman, in their two-person show Twain By Two. He has three times been the guest scholar at the Center for Mark Twain Studies.

Date of Birth:

November 30, 1835

Date of Death:

April 21, 1910

Place of Birth:

Florida, Missouri

Place of Death:

Redding, Connecticut

Read 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
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