About the Book
Mark Twain's humorous account of his six years in Nevada, San Francisco, and the Sandwich Islands is a patchwork of personal anecdotes and tall tales, many of them told in the "vigorous new vernacular" of the West. Selling seventy five thousand copies within a year of its publication in 1872, Roughing It was greeted as a work of "wild, preposterous invention and sublime exaggeration" whose satiric humor made "pretension and false dignity ridiculous." Meticulously restored from a variety of original sources, the text is the first to adhere to the author's wishes in thousands of details of wording, spelling, and punctuation, and includes all of the 304 first-edition illustrations. With its comprehensive and illuminating notes and supplementary materials, which include detailed maps tracing Mark Twain's western travels, this Mark Twain Library Roughing It must be considered the standard edition for readers and students of Mark Twain.
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 TEXT
