Note: The contents of Chapter 1 correspond to Chapters 1-18 in print editions of the book.

The book begins in 1861 with the author stating his intention to travel west. His brother has just been appointed secretary to the governor of the Nevada Territory. At the time, Twain is 26 and enthused at the ideal of journeying on the Overland Stage Line. He is keen to be a hero and write home about his adventures: “Among the mountains of the Far West, [he] would see buffaloes and Indians, and prairie dogs, and antelopes, and have all kinds of adventures, and may be get hanged or scalped, and have ever such a fine time” (19). Twain anticipates a pleasure junket that will last three months but informs the reader that he won’t end up returning home for almost seven years.

The overland stagecoach route from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California, is 1,900 miles long and takes about 18 days to complete, though Twain’s party will disembark short of that point in Carson City, Nevada. Twain and his brother will board a coach that travels day and night. The driver and conductor may be switched at one of the many stations that are maintained at regular intervals along the route.