SoJohnJonesandmyselfsetoffacrosstheBerwyntovisitthebirthplaceofthegreatpoetHuwMorris。WeascendedthemountainbyAlltPaddy。Themorningwasloweringandbeforewehadhalfgottothetopitbegantorain。JohnJoneswasinhisusualgoodspirits。Suddenlytakingmebythearmhetoldmetolooktotherightacrossthegorgetoawhitehouse，whichhepointedout。
\"Whatisthereinthathouse？\"saidI。
\"Anauntofminelivesthere，\"saidhe。
Havingfrequentlyheardhimcalloldwomenhisaunts，Isaid，\"Everypooroldwomanintheneighbourhoodseemstobeyouraunt。\"
\"Thisisnopooroldwoman，\"saidhe，\"sheiscyfoethawgiawn，andonlylastweekshesentmeandmyfamilyapoundofbacon，whichwouldhavecostmesixpence—halfpenny，andaboutamonthagoameasureofwheat。\"
Wepassedoverthetopofthemountain，anddescendingtheothersidereachedLlansanfraid，andstoppedatthepublic—housewherewehadbeenbefore，andcalledfortwoglassesofale。WhilstdrinkingouraleJonesaskedsomequestionsaboutHuwMorrisofthewomanwhoservedus；shesaidthathewasafamouspoet，andthatpeopleofhisbloodwereyetlivinguponthelandswhichhadbelongedtohimatPontyMeibion。Jonestoldherthathiscompanion，thegwrboneddig，meaningmyself，hadcomeinordertoseethebirth—placeofHuwMorris，andthatIwaswellacquaintedwithhisworks，havinggottenthembyheartinLloegr，whenaboy。
ThewomansaidthatnothingwouldgivehergreaterpleasurethantohearaSaisrecitepoetryofHuwMorris，whereuponIrecitedanumberofhislinesaddressedtotheGofDu，orblacksmith。Thewomanheldupherhands，andacarterwhowasinthekitchensomewhattheworseforliquor，shoutedapplause。Afteraskingafewquestionsastotheroadweweretotake，weleftthehouse，andinalittletimeenteredthevalleyofCeiriog。Thevalleyisverynarrow，hugehillsoverhangingitonbothsides，thoseontheeastsidelumpyandbare，thoseonthewestprecipitous，andpartiallycladwithwood；thetorrentCeiriogrunsdownit，clingingtotheeastside；theroadistolerablygood，andistothewestofthestream。Shortlyafterwehadenteredthegorge，wepassedbyasmallfarm—houseonourrighthand，withahawthornhedgebeforeit，uponwhichseemstostandapeacock，curiouslycutoutofthorn。PassingonwecametoaplacecalledPandyuchaf，orthehigherFullingmill。Theplacesocalledisacollectionofruinoushouses，whichputmeinmindoftheFullingmillsmentionedin\"DonQuixote。\"ItiscalledthePandybecausetherewasformerlyafullingmillhere，saidtohavebeenthefirstestablishedinWales；whichisstilltobeseen，butwhichisnolongerworked。Justabovetheoldmillthereisameetingofstreams，theTarwfromthewestrollsdownadarkvalleyintotheCeiriog。
AttheentranceofthisvalleyandjustbeforeyoureachthePandy，whichitnearlyoverhangs，isanenormouscrag。AfterIhadlookedattheplaceforsometimewithconsiderableinterestweproceededtowardsthesouth，andinabouttwentyminutesreachedaneatkindofhouse，onourrighthand，whichJohnJonestoldmestoodonthegroundofHuwMorris。Tellingmetowait，hewenttothehouse，andaskedsomequestions。AfteralittletimeIfollowedhimandfoundhimdiscoursingatthedoorwithastoutdameaboutfifty—
fiveyearsofage，andastoutbuxomdamselofaboutseventeen，veryshortofstature。
\"Thisisthegentleman\"saidhe，\"whowishestoseeanythingtheremaybehereconnectedwithHuwMorris。\"
Theolddamemademeacurtsey，andsaidinverydistinctWelsh，\"Wehavesomethingsinthehousewhichbelongedtohim，andwewillshowthemtothegentlemanwillingly。\"
\"Wefirstofallwishtoseehischair，\"saidJohnJones。
\"Thechairisinawallinwhatiscalledthehenffordd（oldroad），\"saidtheoldgentlewoman；\"itiscutoutofthestonewall，youwillhavemaybesomedifficultyingettingtoit，butthegirlshallshowittoyou。\"Thegirlnowmotionedtoustofollowher，andconductedusacrosstheroadtosomestonesteps，overawalltoaplacewhichlookedlikeaplantation。
\"Thiswastheoldroad，\"saidJones；\"buttheplacehasbeenenclosed。Thenewroadisaboveusonourrighthandbeyondthewall。\"
Wewereinamazeoftangledshrubs，theboughsofwhich，verywetfromtherainwhichwasstillfalling，struckourfaces，asweattemptedtomakeourwaybetweenthem；thegirlledtheway，bare—
headedandbare—armed，andsoonbroughtustothewall，theboundaryofthenewroad。Alongthisshewentwithconsiderabledifficulty，owingtothetangledshrubs，andthenatureoftheground，whichwasveryprecipitous，shelvingdowntotheothersideoftheenclosure。Inalittletimewewerewettotheskin，andcoveredwiththedirtofbirds，whichtheyhadleftwhileroostinginthetrees；onwentthegirl，sometimescreeping，andtryingtokeepherselffromfallingbyholdingagainsttheyoungtrees；onceortwiceshefellandweafterher，fortherewasnopath，andtheground，asIhavesaidbeforeveryshelvy；stillasshewenthereyesweredirectedtowardsthewall，whichwasnotalwaysveryeasytobeseen，forthorns，tallnettlesandshrubs，weregrowingupagainstit。Hereandthereshestopped，andsaidsomething，whichIcouldnotalwaysmakeout，forherWelshwasanythingbutclear；
atlengthIheardhersaythatshewasafraidwehadpassedthechair，andindeedpresentlywecametoaplacewheretheenclosureterminatedinasharpcorner。
\"Letusgoback，\"saidI；\"wemusthavepassedit。\"
Inowwentfirst，breakingdownwithmyweighttheshrubsnearesttothewall。
\"Isnotthistheplace？\"saidI，pointingtoakindofhollowinthewall，whichlookedsomethingliketheshapeofachair。
\"Hardly，\"saidthegirl，\"forthereshouldbeaslabontheback，withletters，butthere’sneitherslabnorlettershere。\"
Thegirlnowagainwentforward，andweretracedourway，doingthebestwecouldtodiscoverthechair，butalltonopurpose；nochairwastobefound。Wehadnowbeen，asIimagined，half—an—
hourintheenclosure，andhadnearlygotbacktotheplacefromwhichwehadsetout，whenwesuddenlyheardthevoiceoftheoldladyexclaiming，\"Whatareyedoingthere，thechairisontheothersideofthefield；waitabit，andIwillcomeandshowityou；\"gettingoverthestonestile，whichledintothewilderness，shecametous，andwenowwentalongthewallatthelowerend；wehadquiteasmuchdifficultyhereasontheotherside，andinsomeplacesmore，forthenettleswerehigher，theshrubsmoretangled，andthethornsmoreterrible。Theground，however，wasrathermorelevel。Ipitiedthepoorgirlwholedtheway，andwhosefatnakedarmswerebothstungandtorn。Sheatlaststoppedamidstahugegroveofnettles，doingthebestshecouldtoshelterherarmsfromthestingingleaves。
\"Ineverwasinsuchawildernessinmylife，\"saidItoJohnJones，\"isitpossiblethatthechairofthemightyHuwisinaplacelikethis；whichseemsnevertohavebeentroddenbyhumanfoot。WelldoestheScripturesay’Dimprophwydywyncaelbarchyneidireihunan。’\"
Thislastsentencetickledthefancyofmyworthyfriend，theCalvinistic—Methodist，helaughedaloudandrepeateditoverandoveragaintothefemales，withamplifications。
\"Isthechairreallyhere，\"saidI，\"orhasitbeendestroyed？ifsuchathinghasbeendoneitisadisgracetoWales。\"
\"Thechairisreallyhere，\"saidtheoldlady，\"andthoughHuwMoruswasnoprophet，weloveandreverenceeverythingbelongingtohim。GetonLlances，thechaircan’tbefaroff；\"thegirlmovedon，andpresentlytheoldladyexclaimed，\"There’sthechair，DiolchiDuw！\"
Iwasthelastofthefile，butInowrushedpastJohnJones，whowasbeforeme，andnexttotheoldlady，andsureenoughtherewasthechair，inthewall，ofhimwhowascalledinhisday，andstilliscalledbythemountaineersofWales，thoughhisbodyhasbeenbelowtheearthinthequietchurch—yardonehundredandfortyyears，EosCeiriog，theNightingaleofCeiriog，thesweetcarollerHuwMorus，theenthusiasticpartizanofCharlesandtheChurchofEngland，andthenever—tiringlampoonerofOliverandtheIndependents。Thereitwas，akindofhollowinthestonewall，inthehenffordd，frontingtothewest，justabovethegorgeatthebottomofwhichmurmursthebrookCeiriog，thereitwas，somethinglikeahalfbarrelchairinagarden，amoulderingstoneslabformingtheseat，andalargeslatestone，theback，onwhichwerecuttheseletters—
H。M。B。
signifyingHuwMorusBard。
\"Sitdowninthechair，GwrBoneddig，\"saidJohnJones，\"youhavetakentroubleenoughtogettoit。\"
\"Do，gentleman，\"saidtheoldlady；\"butfirstletmewipeitwithmyapron，foritisverywetanddirty。\"
\"Letitbe，\"saidI；thentakingoffmyhatIstooduncoveredbeforethechair，andsaidinthebestWelshIcouldcommand，\"ShadeofHuwMorus，supposingyourshadehauntstheplacewhichyoulovedsowellwhenalive—aSaxon，oneoftheseedoftheCoilingSerpent，hascometothisplacetopaythatrespecttotruegenius，theDawnDuw，whichheiseverreadytopay。HereadthesongsoftheNightingaleofCeirioginthemostdistantpartofLloegr，whenhewasabrown—hairedboy，andnowthatheisagrey—
hairedmanheiscometosayinthisplacethattheyfrequentlymadehiseyesoverflowwithtearsofrapture。\"
Ithensatdowninthechair，andcommencedrepeatingversesofHuwMorris。AllwhichIdidinthepresenceofthestoutoldlady，theshort，buxomandbare—armeddamsel，andofJohnJonestheCalvinisticweaverofLlangollen，allofwhomlistenedpatientlyandapprovingly，thoughtherainwaspouringdownuponthem，andthebranchesofthetreesandthetopsofthetallnettles，agitatedbythegustsfromthemountainhollows，werebeatingintheirfaces，forenthusiasmisneverscoffedatbythenoblesimple—minded，genuineWelsh，whatevertreatmentitmayreceivefromthecoarse—hearted，sensual，selfishSaxon。
Aftersometime，ourpartyreturnedtothehouse—whichputmeverymuchinmindofthefarm—housesofthesubstantialyeomenofCornwall，particularlythatofmyfriendsatPenquite；acomfortablefireblazedinthekitchengrate，thefloorwascomposedoflargeflagsofslate。Inthekitchentheoldladypointedtometheffon，orwalking—stick，ofHuwMorris；itwassupportedagainstabeambythreehooks；Itookitdownandwalkedaboutthekitchenwithit；itwasathinpolishedblackstick，withacromecutintheshapeofaneagle’shead；attheendwasabrassfence。Thekindcreaturethenproducedaswordwithoutascabbard；
thisswordwasfoundbyHuwMorrisonthemountain—itbelongedtooneofOliver’sofficerswhowaskilledthere。Itookthesword，whichwasathintwo—edgedone，andseemedtobemadeofverygoodsteel；itputmeinmindofthebladeswhichIhadseenatToledo—
theguardwasveryslightlikethoseofallrapiers，andthehiltthecommonold—fashionedEnglishofficer’shilt—therewasnorustontheblade，anditstilllookedadangeroussword。AmanlikeThistlewoodwouldhavewhippeditthroughhisadversaryinatwinkling。IaskedtheoldladyifHuwMorriswasborninthishouse；shesaidno，butalittlefartheronatPontyMeibion；shesaid，however，thatthegroundhadbelongedtohim，andthattheyhadsomeofhisbloodintheirveins。Ishookherbythehand，andgavethechubbybare—armeddamselashilling，pointingtothemarksofthenettlestingsonherfatbacon—likearms。Shelaughed，mademeacurtsey，andsaid：\"Llaweriawnodiolch。\"
JohnJonesandIthenproceededtothehouseatPontyMeibion，wherewesawtwomen，oneturningagrind—stone，andtheotherholdinganadzetoit。WeaskedifwewereatthehouseofHuwMorris，andwhethertheycouldtellusanythingabouthim；theymadeusnoanswerbutproceededwiththeiroccupation；JohnJonesthensaidthattheGwrBoneddigwasveryfondoftheversesofHuwMorris，andhadcomeagreatwaytoseetheplacewherehewasborn。Thewheelnowceasedturning，andthemanwiththeadzeturnedhisfacefulluponme—hewasastern—looking，darkman，withblackhair，ofaboutforty；afteramomentortwohesaidthatifIchosetowalkintothehouseIshouldbewelcome。Hethenconductedusintothehouse，acommon—lookingstonetenement，andbadeusbeseated。IaskedhimifhewasadescendantofHuwMorus；hesaidhewas；Iaskedhimhisname，whichhesaidwasHuw—。\"HaveyouanyofthemanuscriptsofHuwMorus？\"saidI。
\"None，\"saidhe，\"butIhaveoneoftheprintedcopiesofhisworks。\"
Hethenwenttoadrawer，andtakingoutabook，putitintomyhand，andseatedhimselfinablunt，carelessmanner。ThebookwasthefirstvolumeofthecommonWrexhameditionofHuw’sworks；itwasmuchthumbed—IcommencedreadingaloudapiecewhichIhadmuchadmiredinmyboyhood。Iwentonforsometime，mymindquiteoccupiedwithmyreading；atlastliftingmyeyesIsawthemanstandingboltuprightbeforeme，likeasoldierofthedaysofmychildhood，duringthetimethattheadjutantreadprayers；hishatwasnolongeruponhishead，butontheground，andhiseyeswerereverentlyinclinedtothebook。Afterallwhatabeautifulthingitis，nottobe，buttohavebeenagenius。Closingthebook，I
askedhimwhetherHuwMorriswasborninthehousewherewewere，andreceivedforanswerthathewasbornaboutwherewestood，butthattheoldhousehadbeenpulleddown，andthatofallthepremisesonlyasmallout—housewascoevalwithHuwMorris。I
askedhimthenameofthehouse，andhesaidPontyMeibion。
\"Butwhereisthebridge？\"saidI。
\"Thebridge，\"hereplied，\"iscloseby，overtheCeiriog。Ifyouwishtoseeit，youmustgodownyonfield，thehouseiscalledafterthebridge。\"Biddinghimfarewell，wecrossedtheroadandgoingdownthefieldspeedilyarrivedatPontyMeibion。ThebridgeisasmallbridgeofonearchwhichcrossesthebrookCeiriog—itisbuiltofroughmoorstone；itismossy，broken，andlooksalmostinconceivablyold；thereisalittleparapettoitabouttwofeethigh。Ontheright—handsideitisshadedbyanash。Thebrookwhenweviewedit，thoughattimesaroaringtorrent，wasstealingalonggently，onbothsidesitisovergrownwithalders，noblehillsriseaboveittotheeastandwest，JohnJonestoldmethatitaboundedwithtrout。IaskedhimwhythebridgewascalledPontyMeibion，whichsignifiesthebridgeofthechildren。\"Itwasbuiltoriginallybychildren，\"saidhe，\"forthepurposeofcrossingthebrook。\"
\"Thatbridge，\"saidI，\"wasneverbuiltbychildren。\"
\"Thefirstbridge，\"saidhe，\"wasofwood，andwasbuiltbythechildrenofthehousesabove。\"
Notquitesatisfiedwithhisexplanation，Iaskedhimtowhatplacethelittlebridgeled，andwastoldthathebelieveditledtoanuplandfarm。Aftertakingalongandwistfulviewofthebridgeandthesceneryaroundit，IturnedmyheadinthedirectionofLlangollen。Theadventuresofthedaywere，however，notfinished。
CHAPTERXXI
TheGloomyValley—TheLonelyCottage—HappyComparison—Clogs—
TheAlderSwamp—TheWoodenLeg—TheMilitiaman—Death—bedVerses。
ONreachingtheruinedvillagewherethePandystoodIstopped，andlookedupthegloomyvalleytothewest，downwhichthebrookwhichjoinstheCeiriogatthisplace，descends，whereuponJohnJonessaid，thatifIwishedtogoupitalittlewayheshouldhavegreatpleasureinattendingme，andthatheshouldshowmeacottagebuiltinthehenddull，oroldfashion，towhichhefrequentlywenttoaskfortherent；hebeingemployedbyvariousindividualsinthecapacityofrent—gatherer。IsaidthatIwasafraidthatifhewasarent—collector，bothheandIshouldhaveasorrywelcome。\"Nofear，\"hereplied，\"thepeopleareverygoodpeople，andpaytheirrentveryregularly，\"andwithoutsayinganotherwordheledthewayupthevalley。Attheendofthevillage，seeingawomanstandingatthedoorofoneoftheruinouscottages，Iaskedherthenameofthebrook，ortorrent，whichcamedownthevalley。\"TheTarw，\"saidshe，\"andthisvillageiscalledPandyTeirw。\"
\"Whyisthestreamletcalledthebull？\"saidI。\"IsitbecauseitcomesinwinterweatherroaringdowntheglenandbuttingattheCeiriog？\"
Thewomanlaughed，andrepliedthatperhapsitwas。Thevalleywaswildandsolitarytoanextraordinarydegree，thebrookortorrentrunninginthemiddleofitcoveredwithaldertrees。Afterwehadproceededaboutafurlongwereachedthehouseoftheoldfashion—
itwasarudestonecottagestandingalittleabovetheroadonakindofplatformontheright—handsideoftheglen；therewasapalingbeforeitwithagate，atwhichapigwasscreaming，asifanxioustogetin。\"Itwantsitsdinner，\"saidJohnJones，andopenedthegateformetopass，takingprecautionsthatthescreamerdidnotenteratthesametime。Weenteredthecottage，verygladtogetintoit，astormofwindandrainhavingjustcomeon。Nobodywasinthekitchenwhenweentered，itlookedcomfortableenough，however，therewasanexcellentfireofwoodandcoals，andaverysnugchimneycorner。JohnJonescalledaloud，butforsometimenooneanswered；atlastarathergood—
lookingwoman，seeminglyaboutthirty，madeherappearanceatadooratthefartherendofthekitchen。\"Isthemistressathome，\"
saidJones，\"orthemaster？\"
\"Theyareneitherathome，\"saidthewoman，\"themasterisabroadathiswork，andthemistressisatthefarm—houseof—threemilesofftopickfeathers（trwsioplu）。\"Sheaskedustositdown。
\"Andwhoareyou？\"saidI。
\"Iamonlyalodger，\"saidshe，\"Ilodgeherewithmyhusbandwhoisaclog—maker。\"
\"CanyouspeakEnglish？\"saidI。
\"Ohyes，\"saidshe，\"IlivedelevenyearsinEngland，ataplacecalledBolton，whereImarriedmyhusband，whoisanEnglishman。\"
\"CanhespeakWelsh？\"saidI。
\"Notaword，\"saidshe。\"WealwaysspeakEnglishtogether。\"
JohnJonessatdown，andIlookedabouttheroom。Itexhibitednoappearanceofpoverty；therewasplentyofrudebutgoodfurnitureinit；severalpewterplatesandtrenchersinarack，twoorthreeprintsinframesagainstthewall，oneofwhichwasthelikenessofnolessapersonthantheRev。JosephSanders，onthetablewasanewspaper。\"IsthatinWelsh？\"saidI。
\"No，\"repliedthewoman，\"itistheBOLTONCHRONICLE，myhusbandreadsit。\"
Isatdowninthechimney—corner。Thewindwasnowhowlingabroad，andtherainwasbeatingagainstthecottagepanes—presentlyagustofwindcamedownthechimney，scatteringsparksallabout。
\"Acataractofsparks！\"saidI，usingthewordRhaiadr。
\"WhatisRhaiadr？\"saidthewoman；\"Ineverheardthewordbefore。\"
\"Rhaiadrmeanswatertumblingoverarock，\"saidJohnJones—\"didyouneverseewatertumbleoverthetopofarock？\"
\"Frequently，\"saidshe。
\"Well，\"saidhe，\"evenasthewaterwithitsfrothtumblesovertherock，sodidsparksandfiretumbleoverthefrontofthatgratewhenthewindblewdownthechimney。ItwasahappycomparisonoftheGwrBoneddig，andwithrespecttoRhaiadritisagoodoldword，thoughnotacommonone；someoftheSaxonswhohavereadtheoldwritings，thoughtheycannotspeakthelanguageasfastaswe，understandmanywordsandthingswhichwedonot。\"
\"IforgotmuchofmyWelshinthelandoftheSaxons，\"saidthewoman，\"andsohavemanyothers；thereareplentyofWelshatBolton，buttheirWelshissadlycorrupted。\"
Shethenwentoutandpresentlyreturnedwithaninfantinherarmsandsatdown。\"WasthatchildborninWales？\"Idemanded。
\"No，\"saidshe，\"hewasbornatBolton，abouteighteenmonthsago—
wehavebeenhereonlyayear。\"
\"DomanyEnglish，\"saidI，\"marryWelshwives？\"
\"Agreatmany，\"saidshe。\"PlentyofWelshgirlsaremarriedtoEnglishmenatBolton。\"
\"DotheEnglishmenmakegoodhusbands？\"saidI。
Thewomansmiledandpresentlysighed。
\"Herhusband，\"saidJones，\"isfondofaglassofaleandisoftenatthepublic—house。\"
\"Imakenocomplaint，\"saidthewoman，lookingsomewhatangrilyatJohnJones。
\"Isyourhusbandatallbulkyman？\"saidI。
\"Justso，\"saidthewoman。
\"Thelargestofthetwomenwesawtheothernightatthepublic—
houseatLlansanfraid，\"saidItoJohnJones。
\"Idon’tknowhim，\"saidJones，\"thoughIhaveheardofhim，butI
havenodoubtthatwashe。\"
Iaskedthewomanhowherhusbandcouldcarryonthetradeofaclog—makerinsucharemoteplace—andalsowhetherhehawkedhisclogsaboutthecountry。
\"Wecallhimaclog—maker，\"saidthewoman，\"butthetruthisthathemerelycutsdownthewoodandfashionsitintosquares，thesearetakenbyanunder—masterwhosendsthemtothemanufactureratBolton，whoemployshands，whomakethemintoclogs。\"
\"SomeoftheEnglish，\"saidJones，\"aresopoorthattheycannotaffordtobuyshoes；apairofshoescosttenortwelveshillings，whereasapairofclogsonlycosttwo。\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidI，\"thatwhatyoucallclogsarewoodenshoes。\"
\"Justso，\"saidJones—\"theyareprincipallyusedintheneighbourhoodofManchester。\"
\"IhaveseenthematHuddersfield，\"saidI，\"whenIwasaboyatschoolthere；ofwhatwoodaretheymade？\"
\"Ofthegwern，oraldertree，\"saidthewoman，\"ofwhichthereisplentyonbothsidesofthebrook。\"
JohnJonesnowaskedherifshecouldgivehimatamaidofbread；
shesaidshecould，\"andsomebutterwithit。\"
Shethenwentoutandpresentlyreturnedwithaloafandsomebutter。
\"Hadyounotbetterwait，\"saidI，\"tillwegettotheinnatLlansanfraid？\"
Thewoman，however，beggedhimtoeatsomebreadandbutterwherehewas，andcuttingaplateful，placeditbeforehim，havingfirstofferedmesomewhichIdeclined。
\"Butyouhavenothingtodrinkwithit，\"saidItohim。
\"Ifyouplease，\"saidthewoman，\"Iwillgoforapintofaletothepublic—houseatthePandy，thereisbetteraletherethanattheinnatLlansanfraid。WhenmyhusbandgoestoLlansanfraidhegoeslessforthealethanfortheconversation，becausethereislittleEnglishspokenatthePandyhowevergoodtheale。\"
JohnJonessaidhewantednoale—andattackingthebreadandbutterspeedilymadeanendofit；bythetimehehaddonethestormwasover，andgettingupIgavethechildtwopence，andleftthecottagewithJones。Weproceededsomewayfartherupthevalley，tillwecametoaplacewherethegrounddescendedalittle。HereJonestouchingmeontheshoulderpointedacrossthestream。Followingwithmyeyethedirectionofhisfinger，Isawtwoorthreesmallshedswithanumberofsmallreddishblocksinregularpilesbeneaththem。Severaltreesfelledfromthesideofthetorrentwerelyingnear，someofthemstrippedoftheirarmsandbark。Asmalltreeformedabridgeacrossthebrooktothesheds。
\"Itisthere，\"saidJohnJones，\"thatthehusbandofthewomanwithwhomwehavebeenspeakingworks，fellingtreesfromthealderswampandcuttingthemupintoblocks。Iseethereisnoworkgoingonatpresentorwewouldgoover—thewomantoldmethatherhusbandwasatLlangollen。\"
\"Whatastrangeplacetocometoworkat，\"saidI，\"outofcrowdedEngland。Hereisnothingtobeheardbutthemurmuringofwatersandtherushingofwinddownthegulleys。Iftheman’sheadisnotfullofpoeticalfancies，whichIsupposeitisnot，asinthatcasehewouldbeunfitforanyusefulemployment，Idon’twonderathisoccasionallygoingtothepublic—house。\"
Aftergoingalittlefurtheruptheglenandobservingnothingmoreremarkablethanwehadseenalready，weturnedback。BeingovertakenbyanotherviolentshowerjustaswereachedthePandyI
thoughtthatwecoulddonobetterthanshelterourselveswithinthepublic—house，andtastetheale，whichthewifeoftheclog—
makerhadpraised。Weenteredthelittlehostelrywhichwasoneoftwoorthreeshabby—lookinghouses，standingincontact，closebytheCeiriog。Inakindoflittlebackroom，lightedbyagoodfireandawindowwhichlookeduptheCeiriogvalley，wefoundthelandlady，agentlewomanwithawoodenleg，whoonperceivingmegotupfromachair，andmademethebestcurtseythatIeversawmadebyafemalewithsuchasubstituteforalegoffleshandbone。
Therewerethreemen，sittingwithjugsofalenearthemonatablebythefire，twowereseatedonabenchbythewall，andtheotheronasettlewithahighback，whichranfromthewalljustbythedoor，andshieldedthosebythefirefromthedraughtsofthedoorway。Heofthesettlenosoonerbeheldmethanhesprangup，andplacingachairformebythefirebademeinEnglishbeseated，andthenresumedhisownseat。JohnJonessoonfindingachaircameandsatdownbyme，whenIforthwithcalledforaquartofcwrwda。Thelandladybustledaboutonherwoodenlegandpresentlybroughtusthealewithtwoglasses，whichIfilled，andtakingonedranktothehealthofthecompanywhoreturnedusthanks，themanofthesettleinEnglishratherbroken。Presentlyoneofhiscompanionsgettinguppaidhisreckoninganddeparted，theotherremained，astoutyoungfellowdressedsomethinglikeastone—mason，whichindeedIsoondiscoveredthathewas—hewasfaradvancedtowardsastateofintoxicationandtalkedveryincoherentlyaboutthewar，sayingthathehopeditwouldsoonterminate，forthatifitcontinuedhewasafraidhemightstandachanceofbeingshot，ashewasaprivateintheDenbighshireMilitia。ItoldhimthatitwasthedutyofeverygentlemaninthemilitiatobewillingatalltimestolaydownhislifeintheserviceoftheQueen。TheanswerwhichhemadeIcouldnotexactlyunderstand，hisutterancebeingveryindistinctandbroken；itwas，however，madewithsomedegreeofviolence，withtwoorthreeMynDiawls，andablowonthetablewithhisclenchedfist。HethenaskedmewhetherIthoughtthemilitiawouldbeagaincalledout。
\"Nothingmoreprobable，\"saidI。
