Prefatory
The author speaks in first person, introducing the book's purpose and apologizing for its informational content.
Roughing It
The central figure experiencing and recounting the adventures of the frontier.
I
The narrator is young, ignorant, and envious of his brother's appointment; he eagerly accepts the position of private secretary and dreams of adventure in the West.
Chapter II
Describes the departure, the luggage struggle, and his Smith & Wesson seven-shooter; endures the talkative woman's monologue.
III
The narrator describes the thoroughbrace breaking, his ignorance of the term, and his subsequent enjoyment of the journey.
IV
Describes the unpleasant breakfast, the journey, and the night inside the coach.
V
Describes the landscape and the coyote from personal experience.
VI
Describes the stagecoach system and shares a personal anecdote about a driver found asleep on the box.
VII
Describes the journey through Overland City, crossing the Platte, and participating in the buffalo hunt.
VIII
Describes the pony-rider encounter and the alkali water with wonder and humor.
IX
Describes the journey through hostile Indian country and the fearful night, and becomes intensely curious about Slade after hearing his name.
X
The narrator hears tales of Slade's exploits and later meets him in person, feeling a mix of awe and pride.
XI
Provides commentary on Slade's character and the nature of desperadoes, quoting from Dimsdale's book.
XII
Reflects on the journey, drops a leaf with a message into a stream, and reunites with a former schoolmate.
XIII
Describes the city and his interactions, including a failed attempt to engage Brigham Young in political discussion.
XIV
Relates Mr. Street's story and offers ironic commentary on Mormon women and polygamy.
XV
The narrator is the listener and observer, recounting the evening's tales and Johnson's stories.
XVI
Provides a critical and humorous analysis of the Book of Mormon.
XVII
Reflects on the unreliable information about Mormons, experiences humiliation over a small tip, and enjoys the comforts of ham, eggs, and a pipe on the stagecoach.
XVIII
Endures the brutal alkali desert crossing, reflecting on the loss of romance and the harsh reality of the journey.
XIX
Describes the Goshoot Indians and recounts the stagecoach attack, reflecting on his disillusionment with the romanticized 'Red Man'.
XX
Describes the journey across the desert and the repeated anecdote.
XXI
Describes the journey's end, the landscape, and his experiences in Carson City.
XXII
Describes his transformation into a rowdy frontiersman and his delight in the rugged life; he becomes a landowner and enjoys the solitude of Lake Tahoe.
XXIII
Describes the idyllic life on the timber ranch, the accidental fire, and the subsequent hardships.
XXIV
Buys the Mexican Plug, gets thrown repeatedly, and eventually gives the horse away.
The Birth of Nevada Territory
Provides a firsthand account of the early Nevada territorial government and its bureaucratic absurdities.
XXVI
Decides to join the Humboldt mining rush after reading a hyperbolic newspaper account.
XXVII
Volunteers to drive despite no experience, resigns when walking proves necessary; participates in pushing the wagon and camp chores.
XXVIII
Experiences a dream of wealth that is shattered when his 'gold' turns out to be mica.
XXIX
Describes the exhausting prospecting work, the discovery of the Monarch of the Mountains, and his eventual resignation from the shaft and tunnel projects.
The Flood at Honey Lake Smith's
Describes the mining speculation craze and travels to Esmeralda with Ballou and Ollendorff; experiences the flood at Honey Lake Smith's.
XXXI
Endures the torment of the Swedish singer and Arkansas's bullying; participates in the dangerous river crossing and snowstorm journey.
XXXII
Describes the desperate situation, participates in fire-starting attempts, and experiences emotional repentance and acceptance of death.
XXXIII
Wakes from a snowdrift, struggles with his smoking addiction, and agrees to abandon reform.
XXXIV
The narrator describes the landslide phenomenon and the ensuing legal farce.
XXXV
Describes his own mining experiences and decision to abandon mining for mill work.
XXXVI
Works in the mill, describes the labor, quits after asking for an exorbitant raise.
XXXVII
The narrator participates in the secret expedition to follow Whiteman, experiences a mishap with the pack horse, and later enjoys a holiday at Mono Lake.
Mono Lake
Describes the landscape and events at Mono Lake, including the dog's misadventure and the lake's peculiarities.
XXXIX
Narrates the harrowing boat trip to the islands and the stove explosion incident.
XL
Experiences intense excitement and fantasies of wealth after the blind lead discovery; leaves town to help nurse Capt. John Nye.
XLI
Nurses Captain Nye, dreams of wealth and travel, then learns of the lost mining claim.
XLII
Accepts the city editor position at the Enterprise, reflects on past failures, and invents news stories on his first day.
XLIII
The narrator recounts his experiences as a reporter, his friendship with Boggs, and his observations of Virginia City during the flush times.
XLIV
Works as a reporter, receives stock gifts, and sells a claim for a suit of clothes.
XLV
Present as an observer during the flour sack auction in Gold Hill and Virginia City.
XLVI
Reflects on the 'flush times' and shares anecdotes of nabobs he was personally acquainted with.
XLVII
Observes and recounts the funeral customs and the conversation between Scotty Briggs and the minister.
Desperadoism in the Flush Times
The narrator recounts his observations of desperado culture and a specific encounter with a notorious killer in a restaurant.
LI
Reflects on his pride in being connected with the Weekly Occidental and laments the loss of his unpublished poem.
LII
Describes the mining operations and recounts a personal experience in the caved mines.
LIII
Eagerly anticipates and finally witnesses Jim Blaine's drunken storytelling, only to realize he has been tricked.
LIV
The narrator observes and reports on the Chinese community in Virginia City, reflecting on their character and the injustices they endure.
LV
The narrator is the central figure, excited about selling a silver mine, departing Virginia City, and reflecting on his time as an editor.
LVI
Provides a detailed, critical, and humorous description of California's scenery and climate, comparing it unfavorably to the Eastern landscape.
LVII
Reflects on the vanished mining towns and shares personal anecdotes about witnessing the miners' awe at women and children.
LVIII
Describes his butterfly idleness in San Francisco, his financial losses, and his reaction to the earthquake.
LIX
Describes his literary work, poverty, slinking, and friendship with Blucher.
Pocket-Mining and the Ghosts of a Boomtown
The narrator returns to California with an old miner friend and lives in a cabin on a hillside that was once the center of a bustling city. He observes the melancholy exile of the remaining miners and describes the art of pocket-mining.
LXI
The narrator describes his mining experiences and introduces Dick Baker.
LXII
Returns to San Francisco without money, becomes a correspondent for the Enterprise, then sails to the Sandwich Islands for the Sacramento Union.
Arrival in Honolulu
Describes his arrival in Honolulu and his impressions of the island.
LXIV
Describes his sensitive condition after riding, his late start, and his frustrating experience with a lazy horse named Oahu.
LXV
Rides a poor horse named Oahu, reflects on the battlefield, and later details horse-hiring swindles.
LXVI
Describes his encounters and observations in Honolulu, including a humorous mistaken-identity conversation with a stranger.
LXVII
Observes and comments on Hawaiian society, legislature, and missionary influence.
LXVIII
Observes and describes the funeral of Princess Victoria and recounts the death of Kamehameha.
Bound for Hawaii
Describes his uncomfortable voyage and the scenic beauty of Hawaii.
LXX
Present at the plantation, listens to Erickson's story.
LXXI
Describes the landscape, reflects on Captain Cook's death, and waits for the ship.
LXXII
Visits the temple of Lono, observes native bathers, and recounts historical events.
LXXIII
Describes the canoe trip and the ruins.
LXXIV
Describes the journey to Kilauea and the volcanic spectacle in vivid detail.
LXXV
Descends into Kilauea crater with Marlette, navigates the hot lava floor, and observes the North Lake of fire.
LXXVI
Describes his horseback trip around Hawaii, his past humiliation with a milk-wagon horse, and his reflections on the scenery.
LXXVII
The narrator is the main perspective, recounting his frustrating encounters with Markiss on Maui.
LXXVIII
Returns to San Francisco without means, writes a lecture, and orchestrates a successful debut by planting allies in the audience.
LXXIX
Lectures in Virginia City and Gold Hill, is robbed by friends in a practical joke, falls ill, and returns home.
Appendix B: The Mountain Meadows Massacre
Presents the historical account and commentary on the massacre and its aftermath.
Appendix C: Concerning a Frightful Assassination That Was Never Consummated
Mark Twain introduces and concludes the appendix, providing a sardonic frame for Wiegand's account and offering his own opinion on the proper treatment of a journalist who maligns others.
