Chapters 7-9 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 7, Twain, still on horseback, catches up with his tour group. The trek proves uncomfortably long and takes the group over precipitous terrain. The tour guide unwittingly traps the group between precipices and the rising tide. Luckily a native Hawaiian appears and shows them the path to safety.

Free at last, the entourage soon finds itself at the site of an alleged ancient burial ground, which amounts to a sandy pit filled with human bones. The tourists take several bones as souvenirs. Mark Twain takes some bones as well, but blames the church and government for allowing them to remain uncovered. Mark Twain considers the legend of the supposed ancient battleground, and while the story is pretty enough, he thinks the "battleground" is more likely a mass grave of plague victims.

Once Twain's horse realizes that the group...