Roughing It · Chapter
XXXVII explained
The narrator describes the legend of the Whiteman cement mine near Mono Lake, a secret gold-laden vein that drives the local population into frenzied, secretive expeditions.
What happens
The narrator describes the legend of the Whiteman cement mine near Mono Lake, a secret gold-laden vein that drives the local population into frenzied, secretive expeditions. The narrator, Higbie, and Van Dorn attempt to follow Whiteman but their plans are foiled when the narrator's pack horse bolts, causing a commotion that alerts other miners. The secret is exposed, and the expedition fails, leading the group to instead camp at Mono Lake for a week's holiday.
Themes in this chapter
Get-Rich-Quick Schemes and Speculation
The entire chapter revolves around the obsessive search for the Whiteman cement mine, a get-rich-quick fantasy that drives the community into secretive, frantic expeditions.
Humor and Exaggeration
The narrator's mishap with the pack horse, the exaggerated secrecy, and the comedic failure of the expedition are presented with Twain's characteristic humor and hyperbole.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
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.
- Higbie
Higbie recognizes Whiteman in town and helps organize the secret expedition; he struggles with packing the horse.
- Whiteman
Whiteman is the elusive figure who supposedly knows the location of the cement mine; he is seen disguised in town, sparking the expedition.
- Mr. Van Dorn
Van Dorn is a friend who knows Whiteman and promises to include the narrator and Higbie in the next cement expedition; he confirms Whiteman's presence.
Key passages
“Every now and then it would be reported that Mr. W. had passed stealthily through Esmeralda at dead of night, in disguise, and then we would have a wild excitement—because he must be steering for his secret mine, and now was the time to follow him.”
Rumors of Whiteman sneaking through town at night would spark a frenzy, as everyone believed he was heading to his hidden mine.
Illustrates the speculative mania and the community's obsession with the cement mine.
“I flattened myself out in the dust like a postage stamp, and thought to myself if he mended his aim ever so little he would probably hear another noise.”
I pressed myself flat against the ground, thinking that if the miner adjusted his aim even slightly, he might hit me.
Shows the narrator's comedic fear and the absurdity of the secret expedition.