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
vie with him. With three companions, he began "prospecting," with the
most indifferent success; and soon tiring of their situation, they moved
on down to Esmeralda (now Aurora), on the other side of Carson City.
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