BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE. HOLLAND'S HOTEL. 205 



derin<r avenues. The loveliness of the hike is ^really 

 enhanced hv the wild and majestic scenery surrounding it. 

 Mountain peaks on three of its sides display their sublime 

 fronts, and preeminent amonirthem is the noble dome from 

 which the lake derives its name." 



We quickly crossed the lake, and at about six o'clock 

 ran the prow of our boat upon the sandy beach in front of 

 John Holland's hotel, on the south east shore, walked up 

 Hie winding path ainon^ the tree-, and were airain in a 

 house. Ladies and gentlemen, younu' men and maidens, 

 and merry children were in the parlors and out amonj; the 

 fore-t trees; while on the broad verandah or pia/./.a, sat and 

 chatted and bantered a number of guides and woodsmen, 

 among u limn wen- Captain" Calvin Parker of Forked 

 Lake, and tin famoii- Indian Liiiide. modest and faithful old 

 Mitchell Sahbatis from Lon<j, Lake, to be joined an hour 

 later by the redoubtable Alvah Dumiimr himself. 



We had intended to -TO into camp apiin here, but there 

 wa> uood promise of rain before moriiini;-; it seemed very 

 pleasant and profitable, in its way, to mingle with these 

 original people congregated at the liotel; 1 was greatly 

 attracted by a ^ood. kind, child hearted old Doctor of 

 Divinity upon whom 1 bestowed the entire contents of my 

 medicine chest, carried in my vest-pocket; the seductive 

 inlluence of a comfortable arm chair moved me more than 

 it is sportsmanlike to confess; Ned had had about all of the 

 "real thin."-" that, he cared for, although he would not. 

 admit it; John was doubly willing to surrender his suprem- 



