Were this a mere tale of fancy, here would be a fine opportunity for weaving in strange adventures among these wild mountains and roving hunters; and, after involving my hero in a variety of perils and difficulties, rescuing him from them all by some miraculous contrivance: but as this is absolutely a true story, I must content myself with simple facts, and keep to probabilities.
"Bracebridge Hall, or The Humorists"
Washington Irving
I'll get you something-an india-rubber contrivance to practise with for half an hour a day, and you'll develop a hand like a gorilla's."
"The Rough Road"
William John Locke
It was easy to propose to myself the making of a raft or the like of such a fabric; but everything was so hard frozen that, being single-handed, it was next to impossible I should be able to put together such a contrivance as would be fit to live in the smallest sea-way.
"The Frozen Pirate"
W. Clark Russell