Epilogue

Ian and Gillian returned to their yacht Vasco da Gama in southern Turkey to write this book and edit the photographs and videos.

Sita found work as a producer’s assistant in Bollywood.

Satan found new work as a bearer.

Smythe returned to Sydney and took over fully the family business managing tours.

Livy and Clara returned to London and New York respectively.

Mark Twain wrote Following the Equator, also in London. There’s a happy ending.

The New York Times

January 1, 1898

Mark Twain Paying His Firm’s Debts

Samuel L. Clemens (“Mark Twain”), says The Publishers’ Weekly, has just made a payment of 25 percent to the creditors of C. L. Webster & Co., which failed in 1894, and in which Mr. Clemens was heavily interested. The assignee, Bainbridge Colby, of 120 Broadway, managed to realize 28 percent of the liabilities out of the assets of the firm and of the personal estate of Mr. Clemens, which was turned over to him at once. With one or two exceptions, the creditors offered to settle with 50 cents on the dollar, and this sum Mr. Clemens paid last year. He, however, stated that he should take no advantage of any bankruptcy law, but would, if given time, pay dollar for dollar of the indebtedness. He has kept his word, and has now made a payment that wipes out 75 percent of his liabilities. Mr. Clemens hopes inside of four years to make his final payment. It is to be hoped Mr. Clemens may be granted the satisfaction of seeing his great undertaking accomplished. He is sixty-four years old.

The New York Times

March 12, 1898

Mark Twain’s debts as paid. Lecture Tour and “Following the Equator” raise the funds

Mark Twain has paid all the debts that led to the bankruptcy of the publishing firm with which he was connected. It is a fine example of the very chivalry of probity, and, in the circumstances, as an admirer has pointed out, it deserves to rank with the historic case of Sir Walter Scott. The firm came to grief; Mark Twain might, if he had pleased, have confined his share of the loss to the amount of his liability under the partnership. He preferred to make good the entire loss, and to this end he had to make a fresh start in life at the age of sixty. He accomplished it, and with this and the profits of his latest book, Following the Equator, he has carried out his high-minded and generous purpose.

He has gained the esteem of all men of honor throughout the world. This act is the best of all critical commentaries on the high moral teaching of his books. He needs all the encouragement of sympathy. He has paid his debts, but he has still to make another fortune, and he is sixty-three!