Wild Wales Part 91

_Myself_.-Do you know an animal called Llostlydan?

_Farmer_.-No, I do not know that beast.

_Myself_.-There used to be many in the Teivi.

_Farmer_.-What kind of beast is the Llostlydan?

_Myself_.-A beast with a broad tail, on which account the old c.u.mry did call him Llostlydan. Clever beast he was; made himself house of wood in middle of the river, with two doors, so that when hunter came upon him he might have good chance of escape. Hunter often after him, because he had skin good to make hat.

_Farmer_.-Ha, I wish I could catch that beast now in Teivi.

_Myself_.-Why so?

_Farmer_.-Because I want hat. Would make myself hat of his skin.

_Myself_.-O, you could not make yourself a hat even if you had the skin.

_Farmer_.-Why not? Shot coney in Bunk Pen Blanedd; made myself cap of his skin. So, why not make hat of skin of broadtail, should I catch him in Teivi?

_Myself_.-How far is it to Tregaron?

_Farmer_.-'Tis ten miles from here, and eight from the Rhyd Fendigaid.

_Myself_.-Must I go back to Rhyd Fendigaid to get to Tregaron?

_Farmer_.-You must.

_Myself_.-Then I must be going, for the night is coming down. Farewell!

_Farmer_.-Farvel, Saxon gentleman!

CHAPTER XCII

Nocturnal Journey-Maes y Llyn-The Figure-Earl of Leicester-Twm Shone Catti-The Farmer and Bull-Tom and the Farmer-The Cave-The Threat-Tom a Justice-The Big Wigs-Tregaron.

It was dusk by the time I had regained the highroad by the village of the Rhyd Fendigaid.

As I was yet eight miles from Tregaron, the place where I intended to pa.s.s the night, I put on my best pace. In a little time I reached a bridge over a stream which seemed to carry a considerable tribute to the Teivi.

"What is the name of this bridge?" said I to a man riding in a cart whom I met almost immediately after I had crossed the bridge.

"Pont Vleer," methought he said, but as his voice was husky and indistinct, very much like that of a person somewhat the worse for liquor, I am by no means positive.

It was now very dusk, and by the time I had advanced about a mile farther dark night settled down, which compelled me to abate my pace a little, more especially as the road was by no means first-rate. I had come, to the best of my computation, about four miles from the Rhyd Fendigaid when the moon began partly to show itself, and presently by its glimmer I saw some little way off on my right hand what appeared to be a large sheet of water. I went on, and in about a minute saw two or three houses on the left, which stood nearly opposite to the object which I had deemed to be water, and which now appeared to be about fifty yards distant in a field which was separated from the road by a slight hedge. Going up to the princ.i.p.al house I knocked, and a woman making her appearance at the door, I said-

"I beg pardon for troubling you, but I wish to know the name of this place."

"Maes y Llyn-The Field of the Lake," said the woman.

"And what is the name of the lake?" said I.

"I do not know," said she; "but the place where it stands is called Maes Llyn, as I said before."

"Is the lake deep?" said I.

"Very deep," said she.

"How deep?" said I.

"Over the tops of the houses," she replied.

"Any fish in the lake?"

"O yes! plenty."

"What fish?"

"O there are llysowen, and the fish we call ysgetten."

"Eels and tench," said I; "anything else?"

"I do not know," said the woman; "folks say that there used to be queer beast in the lake, water-cow used to come out at night and eat people's clover in the fields."

"Pooh," said I, "that was merely some person's cow or horse, turned out at night to fill its belly at other folks' expense."

"Perhaps so," said the woman; "have you any more questions to ask?"

"Only one," said I; "how far is it to Tregaron?"

"About three mile: are you going there?"

"Yes, I am going to Tregaron."

"Pity that you did not come a little time ago," said the woman; "you might then have had pleasant company on your way; pleasant man stopped here to light his pipe; he too going to Tregaron."

"It doesn't matter," said I; "I am never happier than when keeping my own company." Bidding the woman good night, I went on. The moon now shone tolerably bright, so that I could see my way, and I sped on at a great rate. I had proceeded nearly half-a-mile, when I thought I heard steps in advance, and presently saw a figure at some little distance before me.

The individual, probably hearing the noise of my approach, soon turned round and stood still. As I drew near I distinguished a stout burly figure of a man, seemingly about sixty, with a short pipe in his mouth.

"Ah, is it you?" said the figure, in English, taking the pipe out of his mouth; "good evening, I am glad to see you." Then shaking some burning embers out of his pipe, he put it into his pocket, and trudged on beside me.

"Why are you glad to see me?" said I, slackening my pace; "I am a stranger to you; at any rate, you are to me."

"Always glad to see English gentleman," said the figure; "always glad to see him."

"How do you know that I am an English gentleman?" said I.