(34) The Civil War broke out and the Mississippi was blockaded by the Union, cutting off all river traffic. (35) Twain, fearing he would be forced to become a pilot for the Union, fled south. (35) In the South, Twain joined a militia that wasn't really made up of soldiers. They spent almost their days hiding in the woods and even if the slightest chance of the Union soldiers was close; they would flee. (35) Some of his friends enlisted in the army; (35 years old), however, he decided against it and moved to Nevada. (35) After a three-week trip, he arrived in Nevada. (36) Twain tried to work for the Nevada legislature, but it was too conventional for him. (36) Twain tried to start his own lumber business, but to no avail. (36) Their timber trade was over once they made a campfire and set fire to their forest. (36)Twain then left for Virginia City, Nevada. (36) After arriving in Virginia City, he wrote several articles for a newspaper and was hired as an editor for the newspaper. (36) Earning twenty-five dollars a week, they were unable to live as he did. (36) While working in Virginia City, Twain came out with his newest and most popular pen name, Mark Twain. (37) He used it for a political report from Carson City. (37) Mark Twain ended up thinking that his rival was going to challenge him to a duel. (38) So Twain left Nevada for San Francisco.