discipline. The situation was strange and unprecedented, the terrors
were none the less real that they were imaginary. As Mark says, it took
an actual collision with the enemy on the field of battle to change them
from rabbits into soldiers. Young Clemens, according to his nephew's
account, was first detailed to special duty on the river because of his
knowledge acquired as a pilot; it was not long before he was captured
and paroled. Again he was captured, this time sent to St. Louis, and
imprisoned there in a tobacco warehouse. Fearing recognition and tragic
consequences, perhaps courtmartial and death, should he, during the
formalities of exchange, be recognized by the command in Grant's army
which first captured him, he made his escape, abandoned the cause which
he afterwards spoke of as "the rebellion," and went west as secretary to
his brother Orion, lately appointed Territorial Secretary of Nevada by
the President.

A very credible and interesting biography of Mark Twain might be
compiled from his own works; and Roughing it is full of autobiography of
a coloured sort, though in the main correct. His joy in the prospect of
that trip, the exciting details of the long journey, are all narrated
with gusto and fine effect. In the "unique sinecure" of the office of
private secretary, he found he had nothing to do and no salary; so after
a short time--the fear of being recognized by Union soldiers and shot
for breaking his parole still haunting him--he, and a companion, went
off together on a fishing jaunt to Lake Tahoe. Everywhere he saw
fortunes made in a moment. He fell a prey to the prevailing excitement
and went mad like all the rest. Little wonder over the wild talk, when
cartloads of solid silver bricks as large as pigs of lead were passing
by every day before their very eyes. The wild talk grew more frenzied
from day to day. And young Clemens yielded to no one in enthusiasm and
excitement. For vividness or picturesqueness of expression none could