Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1887 edition. Excerpt: ... chapter iv. Host.--... Am I politic? am I subtle? am I a Machiavel?--The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 3, Scene 1. The Devil's Hat arose abruptly, like a great wart, from the high plain in the rear of Sandhole. It was perhaps more than a mile in circumference, and would average a height of two hundred feet. Around its entire face, at irregular distances and elevations, were weatherworn fissures and hollows, which gave it, on rainy days, a grotesquely battered look, and rendered it, likewise, very difficult of ascent. Indeed, there were but two easy approaches--a wagon-road by the southern side, and a narrow path leading comfortably up the slope from the west. On the well wooded top, several hundred yards back of the exposed level spot, which we had selected as the site of our proposed hotel, there was a deep, wide ravine, known as the "Pit." Near the surface, a spring gushed from out the black rocks, and splashed noisily down in cascades to the bottom, where it disappeared in the earth with a rush and a whirl, bounding forth again into the light as a little brook, somewhere over in the woods below. And it was in this "Pit" that we decided to sink our "Mystery" well. For a fortnight we had diligently prosecuted the deception of building the hotel; digging its foundations and hauling lumber from the neighboring mills. The editor of the Sandhole iSpouter, having carefully inspected our plans, published a flattering description of the coming hostlery, that was designed at once to embellish and perpetuate the settlement. At first, there was constantly a band of idlers at hand to watch and discuss our operations; but their interest, presently, nagged; it was a long walk from Sandhole, and after the first week we were left alone with our workmen....
