\"Thatisagreatdeal，\"saidI，\"foragroatIoughttohaveapintofalemadeofthebestmaltandhops。\"
\"IgiveyouthebestIcanafford。Onemustlivebywhatonesells。Idonotfindthateasywork。\"
\"Isthishouseyourown？\"
\"Ohno！Ipayrentforit，andnotacheapone。\"
\"Haveyouahusband？
\"Ihad，butheisdead。\"
\"Haveyouanychildren？\"
\"Ihadthree，buttheyaredeadtoo，andburiedwithmyhusbandatthemonastery。\"
\"Whereisthemonastery？\"
\"Agoodwayfartheron，atthestrathbeyondRhydFendigaid。\"
\"Whatisthenameofthelittleriverbythehouse？\"
\"AvonMarchnad（MarketRiver）。\"
\"WhyisitcalledAvonMarchnad？\"
\"Truly，gentleman，Icannottellyou。\"
IwentonsippingmyaleandfindingfaultwithitsbitternesstillIhadfinishedit，whengettingupIgavetheoldladyhergroat，badeherfarewell，anddeparted。
CHAPTERXCI
PontyRhydFendigaid—StrataFlorida—TheYew—Tree—Idolatry—
TheTeivi—TheLlostlydan。
ANDnowfortheresting—placeofDafyddAbGwilym！AfterwanderingforsomemilestowardsthesouthoverableakmoorycountryIcametoaplacecalledFairRhos，amiserablevillage，consistingofafewhalf—ruinedcottages，situatedonthetopofahill。FromthehillIlookeddownonawidevalleyofarussetcolour，alongwhichariverrantowardsthesouth。Thewholescenewascheerless。
Sullenhillswereallaround。DescendingthehillIenteredalargevillagedividedintotwobytheriver，whichhererunsfromeasttowest，butpresentlymakesaturn。Therewasmuchmireinthestreet；immenseswinelayinthemire，whoturneduptheirsnoutsatmeasIpassed。WomeninWelshhatsstoodinthemire，alongwithmenwithoutanyhatsatall，butwithshortpipesintheirmouths；theyweretalkingtogether；asIpassed，however，theyheldtheirtongues，thewomenleeringcontemptuouslyatme，themenglaringsullenlyatme，andcausingtobaccosmokecurlinmyface；onmytakingoffmyhat，howeverandinquiringthewaytotheMonachlog，everybodywascivilenough，andtwentyvoicestoldmethewaytheMonastery。Iaskedthenameoftheriver：
\"TheTeivi，sir：theTeivi。\"
\"Thenameofthebridge？\"
\"PonyyRhydFendigaid—theBridgeoftheBlessedFord，sir。\"
IcrossedtheBridgeoftheBlessedFord，andpresentlyleavingthemainroad，Iturnedtotheeastbyadung—hill，upanarrowlaneparallelwiththeriver。Afterproceedingamileupthelane，amidsttreesandcopses，andcrossingalittlebrook，whichrunsintotheTeivi，outofwhichIdrank，Isawbeforemeinthemidstofafield，inwhichweretombstonesandbrokenruins，arustic—
lookingchurch；afarm—housestoodnearit，inthegardenofwhichstoodtheframeworkofalargegateway。Icrossedoverintothechurchyard，ascendedagreenmound，andlookedaboutme。IwasnowintheverymidstoftheMonachlogYstradFlur，thecelebratedmonasteryofStrataFlorida，towhichinoldtimesPopishpilgrimsfromallpartsoftheworldrepaired。Thescenewassolemnandimpressive：onthenorthsideoftheriveralargebulkyhilllookeddownupontheruinsandthechurch，andonthesouthside，somewaybehindthefarm—house，wasanotherwhichdidthesame。
Ruggedmountainsformedthebackgroundofthevalleytotheeast，downfromwhichcamemurmuringthefleetbutshallowTeivi。SuchisthescenerywhichsurroundswhatremainsofStrataFlorida：
thosescantybrokenruinscomposeallwhichremainsofthatcelebratedmonastery，inwhichsaintsandmitredabbotswereburied，andinwhich，orinwhoseprecincts，wasburiedDafyddAbGwilym，thegreatestgeniusoftheCimbricraceandoneofthefirstpoetsoftheworld。
AfterstandingforsometimeonthemoundIdescended，andwentuptothechurch。Ifoundthedoorfastened，butobtainedthroughawindowatolerableviewoftheinterior，whichpresentedanappearanceofthegreatestsimplicity。Ithenstrolledaboutthechurchyardlookingatthetombstones，whichwerehumbleenoughandforthemostpartmodern。Iwouldgivesomething，saidI，toknowwhereaboutsinthisneighbourhoodAbGwilymlies。That，however，isasecretthatnoonecanrevealtome。AtlengthIcametoayew—treewhichstoodjustbythenorthernwall，whichisataslightdistancefromtheTeivi。Itwasoneoftwotrees，bothofthesamespecies，whichstoodinthechurchyard，andappearedtobetheoldestofthetwo。Whoknows，saidI，butthisisthetreethatwasplantedoverAbGwilym’sgrave，andtowhichGruffyddGrygwroteanode？Ilookedatitattentively，andthoughtthattherewasjustapossibilityofitsbeingtheidenticaltree。Ifitwas，however，thebenisonofGruffyddGryghadnothadexactlytheeffectwhichheintended，foreitherlightningortheforceofwindhadsplittenoffaconsiderablepartoftheheadandtrunk，sothatthoughonepartofitlookedstrongandblooming，theotherwaswhiteandspectral。Nevertheless，relyingonthepossibilityofitsbeingthesacredtree，IbehavedjustasIshouldhavedonehadIbeenquitecertainofthefact。TakingoffmyhatIkneltdownandkisseditsroot，repeatinglinesfromGruffyddGryg，withwhichIblendedsomeofmyowninordertoaccommodatewhatIsaidtopresentcircumstances：—
\"Otreeofyew，whichhereIspy，ByYstradFlur’sblestmonast’ry，Beneaththeelies，bycoldDeathbound，Thetongueforsweetnessoncerenown’d。
Betterfortheethyboughstowave，Thoughscath’d，aboveAbGwilym’sgrave，ThanstandinpristineglorydrestWheresomeignoblerbarddothrest；
I’dratherhearatauntingrhymeFromonewho’lllivethroughendlesstime，ThanhearmypraiseschantedloudBypoetsofthevulgarcrowd。\"
Ihadleftthechurchyard，andwasstandingnearakindofgarden，atsomelittledistancefromthefarm—house，gazingaboutmeandmeditating，whenamancameupattendedbyalargedog。Hehadratherayouthfullook，wasofthemiddlesize，anddarkcomplexioned。Hewasrespectablydressed，exceptthatuponhisheadheworeacommonhairycap。
\"Goodevening，\"saidItohiminWelsh。
\"Goodevening，gentleman，\"saidheinthesamelanguage。
\"HaveyoumuchEnglish？\"saidI。
\"Verylittle；Icanonlyspeakafewwords。\"
\"Areyouthefarmer？\"
\"Yes！IfarmthegreaterpartoftheStrath。\"
\"Isupposethelandisverygoodhere？\"
\"Whydoyousupposeso？\"
\"Becausethemonksbuilttheirhousehereintheoldtime，andthemonksneverbuilttheirhousesexceptongoodland。\"
\"Well，Imustsaythelandisgood；indeedIdonotthinkthereisanysogoodinShireAberteifi。\"
\"Isupposeyouaresurprisedtoseemehere；IcametoseetheoldMonachlog。\"
\"Yes，gentleman；Isawyoulookingaboutit。\"
\"AmIwelcometoseeit？\"
\"Croesaw！gwrboneddig，croesaw！many，manywelcomestoyou，gentleman！\"
\"Domanypeoplecometoseethemonastery？\"
FARMER。—Yes！manygentlefolkscometoseeitinthesummertime。
MYSELF。—Itisapoorplacenow。
FARMER。—Verypoor，Iwonderanygentlefolkscometolookatit。
MYSELF。—Itwasawonderfulplaceonce；youmerelyseetheruinsofitnow。ItwaspulleddownattheReformation。
FARMER。—Whywasitpulleddownthen？
MYSELF。—Becauseitwasahouseofidolatrytowhichpeopleusedtoresortbyhundredstoworshipimages。Hadyoulivedatthattimeyouwouldhaveseenpeopledownontheirkneesbeforestocksandstones，worshippingthem，kissingthem，andrepeatingpennilliontothem。
FARMER。—Whatfools！HowthankfulIamthatIliveinwiserdays。
IfsuchthingsweregoingonintheoldMonachlogitwashightimetopullitdown。
MYSELF。—Whatkindofarentdoyoupayforyourland？
FARMER。—Oh，ratherastiffishone。
MYSELF。—Twopoundsanacre？
FARMER。—Twopoundanacre！IwishIpaidnomore！
MYSELF。—Well，Ithinkthatwouldbequiteenough。Inthetimeoftheoldmonasteryyoumighthavehadthelandattwoshillingsanacre。
FARMER。—MightI？Thenthosecouldn’thavebeensuchbadtimes，afterall。
MYSELF。—Ibegyourpardon！Theywerehorribletimes—timesinwhichthereweremonksandfriarsandgravenimages，whichpeoplekissedandworshippedandsangpennillionto。Betterpaythreepoundsanacreandliveoncrustsandwaterinthepresentenlighteneddaysthanpaytwoshillingsanacreandsitdowntobeefandalethreetimesadayintheoldsuperstitioustimes。
FARMER。—Well，Iscarcelyknowwhattosaytothat。
MYSELF。—Whatdoyoucallthathighhillontheothersideoftheriver？
FARMER。—IcallthathillBunkPenBannedd。
MYSELF。—IsthesourceoftheTeivifarfromhere？
FARMER。—TheheadoftheTeiviisabouttwomilesfromherehighupinthehills。
MYSELF。—WhatkindofplaceistheheadoftheTeivi？
FARMER。—TheheadoftheTeiviisasmalllakeaboutfiftyyardslongandtwentyacross。
MYSELF。—WheredoestheTeivirunto？
FARMER。—TheTeivirunstothesea，whichitentersataplacewhichtheCumricallAberTeiviandtheSaxonsCardigan。
MYSELF。—Don’tyoucallCardiganshireShireAberTeivi？
FARMER。—Wedo。
MYSELF。—AretheremanygleisiaidintheTeivi？
FARMER。—Plenty，andsalmonstoo—thatis，fartherdown。Thebestplaceforsalmonandgleisiaidisaplace，agreatwaydownthestream，calledDinasEmlyn。
MYSELF。—DoyouknowananimalcalledLlostlydan？
FARMER。—No，Idonotknowthatbeast。
MYSELF。—ThereusedtobemanyintheTeivi。
FARMER。—WhatkindofbeastistheLlostlydan？
MYSELF。—Abeastwithabroadtail，onwhichaccounttheoldCumrididcallhimLlostlydan。Cleverbeasthewas；madehimselfhouseofwoodinmiddleoftheriver，withtwodoors，sothatwhenhuntercameuponhimhemighthavegoodchanceofescape。Hunteroftenafterhim，becausehehadskingoodtomakehat。
FARMER。—Ha，IwishIcouldcatchthatbeastnowinTeivi。
MYSELF。—Whyso？
Farmer。—BecauseIwanthat。Wouldmakemyselfhatofhisskin。
MYSELF。—Oh，youcouldnotmakeyourselfahatevenifyouhadtheskin。
FARMER。—Whynot？ShotconeyinBunkPenBanedd；mademyselfcapofhisskin。Sowhynotmakehatofskinofbroadtail，shouldI
catchhiminTeivi？
MYSELF。—HowfarisittoTregaron？
FARMER。—’Tistenmilesfromhere，andeightfromtheRhydFendigaid。
MYSELF。—MustIgobacktoRhydFendigaidtogettoTregaron？
FARMER。—Youmust。
MYSELF。—ThenImustbegoing，forthenightiscomingdown。
Farewell！
FARMER。—Farvel，Saxongentleman！
CHAPTERXCII
NocturnalJourney—MaesyLynn—TheFigure—EarlofLeicester—
TwmShoneCatti—TheFarmerandBull—TomandtheFarmer—TheCave—TheThreat—TomaJustice—TheBigWigs—Tregaron。
ITwasduskbythetimeIhadregainedthehigh—roadbythevillageoftheRhydFendigaid。
AsIwasyeteightmilesfromTregaron，theplacewhereIintendedtopassthenight，Iputonmybestpace。InalittletimeI
reachedabridgeoverastreamwhichseemedtocarryaconsiderabletributetotheTeivi。
\"Whatisthenameofthisbridge？\"saidItoamanridinginacart，whomImetalmostimmediatelyafterIhadcrossedthebridge。
\"PontVleer，\"methoughthesaid，butashisvoicewashuskyandindistinct，verymuchlikethatofapersonsomewhattheworseforliquor，Iambynomeanspositive。
Itwasnowverydusk，andbythetimeIhadadvancedaboutamilefartherdarknightsettleddown，whichcompelledmetoabatemypacealittle，moreespeciallyastheroadwasbynomeansfirst—
rate。Ihadcome，tothebestofmycomputation，aboutfourmilesfromtheRhydFendigaidwhenthemoonbeganpartlytoshowitself，andpresentlybyitsglimmerIsawsomelittlewayoffonmyrighthandwhatappearedtobealargesheetofwater。Iwenton，andinaboutaminutesawtwoorthreehousesontheleft，whichstoodnearlyoppositetotheobjectwhichIhaddeemedtobewater，andwhichnowappearedtobeaboutfiftyyardsdistantinafieldwhichwasseparatedfromtheroadbyaslighthedge。GoinguptotheprincipalhouseIknocked，andawomanmakingherappearanceatthedoor，Isaid：
\"Ibegpardonfortroublingyou，butIwishtoknowthenameofthisplace。\"
\"MaesyLynn—TheFieldoftheLake，\"saidthewoman。
\"Andwhatisthenameofthelake？\"saidI。
\"Idonotknow，\"saidshe；\"buttheplacewhereitstandsiscalledMaesLlyn，asIsaidbefore。\"
\"Isthelakedeep？\"saidI。
\"Verydeep，\"saidshe。
\"Howdeep？\"saidI。
\"Overthetopsofthehouses，\"shereplied。
\"Anyfishinthelake？\"
\"Ohyes！plenty。\"
\"Whatfish？\"
\"Oh，therearellysowen，andthefishwecallysgetten。\"
\"Eelsandtench，\"saidI；\"anythingelse？\"
\"Idonotknow，\"saidthewoman；\"folkssaythatthereusedtobequeerbeastinthelake，water—cowusedtocomeoutatnightandeatpeople’scloverinthefields。\"
\"Pooh，\"saidI，\"thatwasmerelysomeperson’scoworhorse，turnedoutatnighttofillitsbellyatotherfolks’expense。\"
\"Perhapsso，\"saidthewoman；\"haveyouanymorequestionstoask？\"
\"Onlyone，\"saidI；\"howfarisittoTregaron？\"
\"Aboutthreemiles：areyougoingthere？\"
\"Yes，IamgoingtoTregaron。\"
\"Pitythatyoudidnotcomealittletimeago，\"saidthewoman；
\"youmightthenhavehadpleasantcompanyonyourway；pleasantmanstoppedheretolighthispipe；hetoogoingtoTregaron。\"
\"Itdoesn’tmatter，\"saidI；\"Iamneverhappierthanwhenkeepingmyowncompany。\"Biddingthewomangoodnight，Iwenton。Themoonnowshonetolerablybright，sothatIcouldseemyway，andI
spedonatagreatrate。Ihadproceedednearlyhalfamile，whenIthoughtIheardstepsinadvance，andpresentlysawafigureatsomelittledistancebeforeme。Theindividual，probablyhearingthenoiseofmyapproach，soonturnedroundandstoodstill。AsI
drewnearIdistinguishedastoutburlyfigureofaman，seeminglyaboutsixty，withashortpipeinhismouth。
\"Ah，isityou？\"saidthefigure，inEnglish，takingthepipeoutofhismouth；\"goodevening，Iamgladtoseeyou。\"Thenshakingsomeburningembersoutofhispipe，heputitintohispocket，andtrudgedonbesideme。
\"WhyareyougladtoseeIme？\"saidI，slackeningmypace；\"Iamastrangertoyou；atanyrate，youaretome。\"
\"AlwaysgladtoseeEnglishgentleman，\"saidthefigure；\"alwaysgladtoseehim。\"
\"HowdoyouknowthatIamanEnglishgentleman？\"saidI。
\"Oh，IknowEnglishmanatfirstsight；noonelikehiminthewholeworld。\"
\"HaveyouseenmanyEnglishgentleman？\"saidI。
\"Ohyes，haveseenplentywhenIhavebeenupinLondon。\"
\"HaveyoubeenmuchinLondon？\"
\"Ohyes；whenIwasadroverwasupinLondoneverymonth。\"
\"AndwereyoumuchinthesocietyofEnglishgentlemenwhenyouwerethere？\"
\"Ohyes；agreatdeal。\"
\"WhereaboutsinLondondidyouchieflymeetthem？\"
\"Whereabouts？Oh，inSmithfield。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidI；\"Ithoughtthatwasratheraplaceforbutchersthangentlemen。\"
\"Greatplaceforgentlemen，Iassureyou，\"saidthefigure；\"mettherethefinestgentlemanIeversawinmylife；verygrand，butkindandaffable，likeeverytruegentleman。TalkedtomeagreatdealaboutAngleseyrunts，andWelshlegsofmutton，andatpartingshookmebythehand，andaskedmetolookinuponhim，ifIwaseverdowninhisparts，andseehissheepandtastehisale。\"
\"Doyouknowwhohewas？\"saidI。
\"Ohyes；knowallabouthim；EarlofLeicester，fromcountyofNorfolk；fineoldmanindeed—youverymuchlikehim—speakjustinsameway。\"
\"Haveyougivenupthebusinessofdroverlong？\"saidI。
\"Ohyes；givenhimupalongtime，eversincedomm’drailroadcameintofashion。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoudonow？\"saidI。
\"Oh，notmuch；liveuponmymeans；pickedupalittleproperty，afewsticks，justenoughforoldcrowtobuildhimnestwith—
sometimes，however，undertakealittlejobforneighbouringpeopleandgetalittlemoney。Candoeverythinginsmallway，ifnecessary；buildlittlebridge，ifasked；—JackofallTrades—
liveverycomfortably。\"
\"Andwheredoyoulive？\"
\"Oh，notveryfarfromTregaron。\"
\"AndwhatkindofplaceisTregaron？\"
\"Oh，verygoodplace；notquitesobigasLondonbutverygoodplace。\"
\"Whatisitfamedfor？\"saidI，\"Oh，famedforverygoodham；besthamatTregaroninallShireCardigan。\"
\"Famedforanythingelse？\"
\"Ohyes！famedforgreatman，cleverthief，TwmShoneCatti，whowasbornthere。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidI；\"whendidhelive？\"
\"Oh，longtimeago，morethantwohundredyear。\"
\"Andwhatbecameofhim？\"saidI；\"washehung？\"
\"Hung，no！onlystupidthiefhung。TwmShonecleverthief；diedrichman，justiceofthepeaceandmayorofBrecon。\"
\"Verysingular，\"saidI，\"thattheyshouldmakeathiefmayorofBrecon。\"
\"OhTwmShoneCattiverydifferentfromotherthieves；funnyfellow，andsogood—naturedthateverybodylovedhim—sotheymadehimmagistrate，not，however，beforehehadbecomeveryrichmanbymarryinggreatladywhofellinlovewithhim。\"
\"Ah，ah，\"saidI；\"that’sthewayoftheworld。Hebecamerich，sotheymadehimamagistrate；hadheremainedpoortheywouldhavehunghiminspiteofallhisfunandgood—nature。Well，can’tyoutellmesomeofthethingshedid？\"
\"Ohyes，cantellyouplenty。OnedayintimeoffairTomShoneCattigoesintoironmonger’sshopinLlandovery。’Master，’sayshe，’Iwanttobuyagoodlargeironporridgepot；pleasetoshowmesome。’Sothemanbringsthreeorfourbigironporridgepots，theverybesthehas。Tomtakesuponeandturnsitround。’Thislookverygoodporridgepot，’saidhe；’Ithinkitwillsuitme。’
Thenheturnsitroundandroundagain，andatlastliftsitabovehisheadandpeeksintoit。’Ha，ha，’sayshe；’thiswon’tdo；I
seeoneholehere。Whatmeanyoubywantingtosellarticlelikethistostranger？’Saystheman，’Therebenoholeinit。’’Butthereis，’saysTom，holdingitupandpeekingintoitagain；’I
seetheholequiteplain。Takeitandlookintoityourself。’Sothemantakesthepot，andhavinghelditupandpeekedin，’asI
hopetobesaved，’sayshe，’Icanseenohole。’SaysTom，’Goodman，ifyouputyourheadin，youwillfindthatthereisahole。’
Sothemantriestoputinhishead，buthavingsomedifficulty，Tomlendshimahelpinghandbyjammingthepotquitedownovertheman’sface，thenwhiskinguptheotherpotsTomleavestheshop，sayingashegoes，’Friend，Isupposeyounowseethereisaholeinthepot，otherwisehowcouldyouhavegotyourheadinside？\"’
\"Verygood，\"saidI；\"canyoutellussomethingmoreaboutTwmShoneCatti？\"
\"Ohyes；cantellyouplentyabouthim。ThefarmeratNewton，justonemilebeyondthebridgeatBrecon，hadoneveryfinebull，butwithaveryshorttail。SaysTomtohimself：’ByGod’snailsandblood，Iwillstealthefarmer’sbull，andthensellittohimforotherbullinopenmarketplace。’ThenTommakesonefinetail，justforalltheworldsuchatailasthebulloughttohavehad，thengoesbynighttothefarmer’sstallatNewton，stealsawaythebull，andthenstickstothebull’sshortstumpthefinebull’stailwhichhehimselfhadmade。Thenextmarketdayhetakesthebulltothemarket—placeatBrecon，andcallsout；’Veryfinebullthis，whowillbuymyfinebull？’Quoththefarmerwhostoodnighathand，’Thatverymuchlikemybull，whichthiefstolet’othernight；IthinkIcansweartohim。’SaysTom，’Whatdoyoumean？
Thisbullisnotyourbull，butmine。’Saysthefarmer，’Icouldswearthatthisismybullbutforthetail。Thetailofmybullwasshort，butthetailofthisislong。Iwouldfainknowwhetherthetailofthisberealtailornot。’’Youwould？’saysTom；
’well，soyoushall。’Thereuponhewhipsoutbigknifeandcutsoffthebull’stail，somelittlewayabovewherethefalsetailwasjoinedon。’Ha，ha，’saidTom，asthebull’sstumpoftailbled，andthebitoftailbledtootowhichthefalsetailwasstuck，andthebullkickedandbellowed。’Whatsayyounow？Isitatruetailorno？’’Bymyfaith！’saysthefarmer，’Iseethatthetailisatruetail，andthatthebullisnotmine。Ibegpardonforthinkingthathewas。’’Beggingpardon，’saysTom，’isallverywell；butwillyoubuythebull？’’No，’saidthefarmer；’Ishouldbelothtobuyabullwithtailcutoffclosetotherump。’’Ha，’
saysTom；’whomademecutoffthetailbutyourself？Didyounotforcemetodosoinordertoclearmycharacter？Nowasyoumademecutoffmybull’stail，Iwillmakeyoubuymybullwithouthistail。’’Yes，yes，’criedthemob；’asheforcedyoutocutoffthetail，doyounowforcehimtobuythebullwithoutthetail。’Saysthefarmer，’Whatdoyouaskforthebull？’SaysTom：’Iaskforhimtenpound。’Saysthefarmer，’Iwillgiveyoueight。’’No，’
saysTom；’youshallgivemeten，orIwillhaveyouupbeforethejustice。’’Thatisright，’criedthemob。’Ifhewon’tpayyoutenpound，havehimupbeforethejustice。’Thereuponthefarmer，becomingfrightened，pulledoutthetenpoundsandgaveitforhisownbulltoTomShoneCatti，whowishedhimjoyofhisbargain。AsthefarmerwasdrivingthebullawayhesaidtoTom：’Won’tyougivemethetail？’’No，’saidTom；’IshallkeepitagainstthetimeIstealanotherbullwithashorttail；’andthereuponherunsoff。\"
\"Acleverfellow，\"saidI；\"thoughitwasrathercruelinhimtocutoffthepoorbull’stail。Now，perhaps，youwilltellmehowhecametomarrytherichlady？