Thentherewasahymnandwewentaway。
Themoonwasshiningonhighandcastitssilverylightonthetower，thechurch，somefinetreeswhichsurroundedit，andthecongregationgoinghome；afewofthebetterdressedweretalkingtoeachotherinEnglish，butwithanaccentandpronunciationwhichrenderedthediscoursealmostunintelligibletomyears。
Ifoundmywaybacktomyinnandwenttobed，aftermusingawhileontheconcludingsceneofwhichIhadbeenwitnessinthechurch。
CHAPTERXCVII
Llandovery—GriffithapNicholas—PowerfulEnemies—LastWords—
LlandoveryChurch—ReesPritchard—TheWiserCreature—God’sbetterthanAll—TheOldVicarage。
THEmorningoftheninthwasverybeautiful，withaslighttendencytofrost。Ibreakfasted，andhavingnointentionofproceedingonmyjourneythatday，IwenttotakealeisurelyviewofLlandoveryandtheneighbourhood。
Llandoveryisasmallbutbeautifultown，situatedamidstfertilemeadows。Itisawater—girdledspot，whenceitsnameLlandoveryorLlanymdyfri，whichsignifiesthechurchsurroundedbywater。OnitswestistheTowey，andonitseasttheriverBranorBrein，whichdescendingfromcertainloftymountainstothenorth—eastrunsintotheToweyalittlewaybelowthetown。ThemoststrikingobjectwhichLlandoverycanshowisitscastle，fromwhichtheinn，whichstandsneartoit，hasitsname。Thiscastle，majesticthoughinruins，standsonagreenmound，theeasternsideofwhichiswashedbytheBran。Littlewithrespecttoitshistoryisknown。Onething，however，iscertain，namelythatitwasoneofthemanystrongholds，whichatonetimebelongedtoGriffithapNicholas，LordofDinevor，oneofthemostremarkablemenwhichSouthWaleshaseverproduced，ofwhomabriefaccountherewillnotbeoutofplace。
GriffithapNicholasflourishedtowardstheconcludingpartofthereignofHenrytheSixth。HewasapowerfulchieftainofSouthWalesandpossessedimmenseestatesinthecountiesofCarmarthenandCardigan。KingHenrytheSixth，fullyawareofhisimportanceinhisowncountry，bestoweduponhimthecommissionofthepeace，anhonouratthattimeseldomvouchsafedtoaWelshman，andthecaptaincyofKilgarran，astrongroyalcastlesituatedonthesouthernbankoftheTeiviafewmilesaboveCardigan。Hehadmanycastlesofhisown，inwhichheoccasionallyresided，buthischiefresidencewasDinevor，halfwaybetweenLlandoveryandCarmarthen，onceapalaceofthekingsofSouthWales，fromwhomGriffithtracedlinealdescent。Hewasamanveryproudatheart，butwithtoomuchwisdomtoexhibitmanymarksofpride，speakinggenerallywiththeutmostgentlenessandsuavity，andthoughverybraveaddictedtodashingintodangerforthemeresakeofdisplayinghisvalour。HewasagreatmasteroftheEnglishtongue，andwellacquaintedwithwhatlearningitcontained，butneverthelesswaspassionatelyattachedtothelanguageandliteratureofWales，aproofofwhichhegavebyholdingacongressofbardsandliteratiatCarmarthen，atwhichvariouspiecesofeloquenceandpoetrywererecited，andcertainalterationsintroducedintothecanonsofWelshversification。ThoughholdingofficesoftrustandemolumentundertheSaxon，heinthedepthsofhissouldetestedtherace，andwouldhaverejoicedtoseeitutterlyextirpatedfromBritain。
ThishatredofhisagainsttheEnglishwasthecauseofhisdoingthatwhichcannotbejustifiedonanyprincipleofhonour，givingshelterandencouragementtoWelshthieves，whowereinthehabitofplunderingandravagingtheEnglishborders。Thoughattheheadofanumerousandwarlikeclan，whichwasstronglyattachedtohimonvariousaccounts，Griffithdidnotexactlyoccupyabedofroses。Hehadamongsthisneighboursfourpowerfulenemieswhoenviedhimhislargepossessions，withwhomhehadcontinualdisputesaboutpropertyandprivilege。Powerfulenemiestheymaywellbecalled，astheywerenolesspersonagesthanHumphreyDukeofBuckingham，RichardDukeofYork，whobeganthecontestforthecrownwithKingHenrytheSixth，JasperEarlofPembroke，sonofOwenTudor，andhalf—brotheroftheking，andtheEarlofWarwick。
Theseaccusedhimatcourtofbeingacomforterandharbourerofthieves，theresultbeingthathewasdeprivednotonlyofthecommissionofthepeace，butofthecaptaincyofKilgarran，whichtheEarlofPembroke，throughhisinfluencewithhishalf—brother，procuredforhimself。TheymoreoverinducedWilliamBorleyandThomasCorbet，twojusticesofthepeaceforthecountyofHereford，tograntawarrantforhisapprehensiononthegroundofhisbeinginleaguewiththethievesoftheMarches。GriffithinthebosomofhismightyclanbadedefiancetoSaxonwarrants，thoughoncehavingventuredtoHerefordhenearlyfellintothepoweroftheministersofjustice，onlyescapingbytheinterventionofSirJohnScudamore，withwhomhewasconnectedbymarriage。Shortlyafterwards，thecivilwarbreakingout，theDukeofYorkapologisedtoGriffith，andbesoughthisassistanceagainstthekingwhichthechieftainreadilyenoughpromised，notoutofaffectionforYork，butfromthehatredwhichhefelt，onaccountoftheKilgarranaffair，fortheEarlofPembroke，whohadsided，verynaturally，withhishalf—brother，theking，andcommandedhisforcesinthewest。GriffithfellatthegreatbattleofMortimer’scross，whichwaswonforYorkbyadesperatechargemaderightatPembroke’sbannerbyGriffithandhisWelshmen，whentherestoftheYorkistswerewavering。Hislastwordswere：
\"Welcome，Death！sincehonourandvictorymakeforus。\"
ThepowerandwealthofGriffithapNicholas，andalsopartsofhischaracter，havebeenwelldescribedbyoneofhisbards，GwilymabIeuanHen，inanodetothefollowingeffect：—
\"GriffithapNicholas，wholiketheeForwealthandpowerandmajesty！
Whichmostabound，Icannotsay，OneithersideofToweygay，Fromhencetowhereitmeetsthebrine，Treesorstatelytowersofthine？
Thechairofjudgmentthoudidstgain，Butnottodealinjudgmentsvain—
TotheeuponthyjudgmentchairFromnearandfardocrowdsrepair；
ButthoughbetwixttheweakandstrongNoquestionsrosefromrightorwrongThestrongtheweaktotheewouldhie；
Thestrongtodotheeinjury，Andtotheweakthouwinewouldstdeal，Andwouldsttripupthemightyheel。
Alionuntotheloftythou，Alambuntotheweakandlow。
MuchthouresemblestNuddofyore，Surpassingallwhowentbefore；
Likehimthou’rtfam’dforbravery，Fornoblebirthandhighdegree。
Hail，captainofKilgarran’shold！
LieutenantofCarmarthenold！
Hail，chieftain，Cambria’schoicestboast！
Hail，justice，attheSaxon’scost！
Sevencastleshighconfessthysway，Sevenpalacesthyhandsobey。
Againstmychief，withenvyfired，Threedukesandjudgestwoconspired，Butthouadauntlessfrontdidstshow，Andtoretreattheywerenotslow。
O，withwhatgratitudeisheardFrommouthofthinethewhisperedword，ThedeepestpoolsinriversfoundInsummerareofsoftestsound；
Thesageconcealethwhatheknows，Adealoftalknowisdomshows；
Thesageissilentasthegrave，Whilstofhislipsthefoolisslave；
Thysmiledotheveryjoyimpart，Offaithafountainisthyheart；
Thyhandisstrong，thineeyeiskeen，Thyheado’ereveryheadisseen。\"
ThechurchofLlandoveryisalargeedificestandingatthesouthernextremityofthetowninthevicinityoftheTowey。Theoutsideexhibitsmanyappearancesofantiquity，buttheinteriorhasbeensadlymodernized。Itcontainsnoremarkabletombs；Iwaspleased，however，toobserveupononeortwoofthemonumentsthenameofRyce，theappellationofthegreatclantowhichGriffithapNicholasbelonged；ofoldtheregalraceofSouthWales。Oninquiringoftheclerk，anintelligentyoungmanwhoshowedmeoverthesacrededifice，astothestateoftheChurchofEnglandatLlandovery，hegavemeaverycheeringaccount，adding，however，thatbeforethearrivalofthepresentincumbentitwasverylowindeed。\"Whatistheclergyman’sname？\"saidI；\"Iheardhimpreachlastnight。\"
\"Iknowyoudid，sir，\"saidtheclerk，bowing，\"forIsawyouattheserviceatLlanfair—hisnameisHughes。\"
\"AnyrelationoftheclergymanatTregaron？\"saidI。
\"Ownbrother，sir。\"
\"HeatTregaronbearsaveryhighcharacter，\"saidI。
\"Andverydeservedly，sir，\"saidtheclerk，\"forheisanexcellentman；heis，however，notmoreworthyofhishighcharacterthanhisbrotherhereisoftheonewhichhebears，whichisequallyhigh，andwhichtheverydissentershavenothingtosayagainst。\"
\"Haveyoueverheard，\"saidI，\"ofamanofthenameofReesPritchard，whopreachedwithinthesewallssometwohundredyearsago？\"
\"ReesPritchard，sir！OfcourseIhave—whohasn’theardoftheoldvicar—theWelshman’scandle？Ah，hewasamanindeed！WehavesomegoodmenintheChurch，verygood；buttheoldvicar—
whereshallwefindhisequal？\"
\"Isheburiedinthischurch？\"saidI。
\"No，sir，hewasburiedoutabroadinthechurchyard，nearthewallbytheTowey。\"
\"Canyoushowmehistomb？\"saidI。\"No，sir，norcananyone；histombwassweptawaymorethanahundredyearsagobyadreadfulinundationoftheriver，whichsweptawaynotonlytombsbutdeadbodiesoutofgraves。Butthere’shishouseinthemarket—place，theoldvicarage，whichyoushouldgoandsee。IwouldgoandshowityoumyselfbutIhavechurchmattersjustnowtoattendto—theplaceofchurchclerkatLlandovery，longasinecure，isanythingbutthatunderthepresentclergyman，who，thoughnotaReesPritchard，isaveryzealousChristian，andnotunworthytopreachinthepulpitoftheoldvicar。\"
LeavingthechurchIwenttoseetheoldvicarage，butbeforesayinganythingrespectingit，afewwordsabouttheoldvicar。
ReesPritchardwasbornatLlandovery，abouttheyear1575，ofrespectableparents。Hereceivedtherudimentsofaclassicaleducationattheschooloftheplace，andattheageofeighteenwassenttoOxford，beingintendedfortheclericalprofession。AtOxfordhedidnotdistinguishhimselfinanadvantageousmanner，beingmoreremarkablefordissipationandriotthanapplicationinthepursuitoflearning。ReturningtoWales，hewasadmittedintotheministry，andafterthelapseofafewyearswasappointedvicarofLlandovery。Hisconductforaconsiderabletimewasnotonlyunbecomingaclergyman，butahumanbeinginanysphere。
Drunkennesswasveryprevalentintheageinwhichhelived，butReesPritchardwassoinordinatelyaddictedtothatvicethattheveryworstofhisparishionerswerescandalized，andsaid：\"Badaswemaybewearenothalfsobadastheparson。\"
Hewasinthehabitofspendingthegreaterpartofhistimeinthepublic—house，fromwhichhewasgenerallytrundledhomeinawheel—
barrowinastateofutterinsensibility。God，however，whoisawareofwhateverymaniscapableof，hadreservedReesPritchardforgreatandnoblethings，andbroughtabouthisconversioninaveryremarkablemanner。
ThepeopleofthetavernwhichReesPritchardfrequentedhadalargehe—goat，whichwentinandoutandmingledwiththeguests。
OnedayReesinthemidstofhisorgiescalledthegoattohimandoffereditsomeale；thecreature，farfromrefusingit，drankgreedily，andsoonbecomingintoxicated，felldownuponthefloor，whereitlayquivering，tothegreatdelightofReesPritchard，whomadeitsdrunkennessasubjectofjesttohisbooncompanions，who，however，saidnothing，beingstruckwithhorroratsuchconductinapersonwhowasplacedamongthemtobeapatternandexample。
Beforenight，however，Pritchardbecamehimselfintoxicated，andwastrundledtothevicarageintheusualmanner。Duringthewholeofthenextdayhewasveryillandkeptathome，butonthefollowingoneheagainrepairedtothepublic—house，satdownandcalledforhispipeandtankard。Thegoatwasnowperfectlyrecovered，andwasstandingnigh。NosoonerwasthetankardbroughtthanReestakingholdofitheldittothegoat’smouth。
Thecreature，however，turnedawayitsheadindisgust，andhurriedoutoftheroom。ThiscircumstanceproducedaninstantaneouseffectuponReesPritchard。\"MyGod！\"saidhetohimself，\"isthispoordumbcreaturewiserthanI？Yes，surely；ithasbeendrunk，buthavingonceexperiencedthewretchedconsequencesofdrunkenness，itrefusestobedrunkagain。Howdifferentisitsconducttomine！I，afterhavingexperiencedahundredtimesthefilthinessandmiseryofdrunkenness，havestillpersistedindebasingmyselfbelowtheconditionofabeast。Oh，ifIpersistinthisconductwhathaveItoexpectbutwretchednessandcontemptinthisworldandeternalperditioninthenext？But，thankGod，itisnotyettoolatetoamend；Iamstillalive—Iwillbecomeanewman—thegoathastaughtmealesson。\"Smashinghispipehelefthistankarduntastedonthetable，wenthome，andbecameanalteredman。
DifferentasanangeloflightisfromthefiendofthepitwasReesPritchardfromthatmomentfromwhathehadbeeninformerdays。ForupwardsofthirtyyearshepreachedtheGospelasithadneverbeenpreachedbeforeintheWelshtonguesincethetimeofSaintPaul，supposingthebeautifullegendtobetruewhichtellsusthatSaintPaulinhiswanderingsfoundhiswaytoBritainandpreachedtotheinhabitantstheinestimableefficacyofChrist’sbloodsheddinginthefairestWelsh，havinglikealltheotherapostlesthemiraculousgiftoftongues。Thegoodvicardidmore。
Intheshortintervalsofrelaxationwhichheallowedhimselffromthelabouroftheministryduringthoseyearshecomposedanumberofpoeticalpieces，whichafterhisdeathweregatheredtogetherintoavolumeandpublished，underthetitleof\"CanwyllyCymry；
or，theCandleoftheWelshman。\"Thiswork，whichhasgonethroughalmostcountlesseditions，iswrittenintwocommoneasymeasures，andthelanguageissoplainandsimplethatitisintelligibletothehomeliesthindwhospeakstheWelshlanguage。Allofthepiecesareofastrictlydevotionalcharacter，withtheexceptionofone，namely，awelcometoCharles，PrinceofWales，onhisreturnfromSpain，towhichcountryhehadgonetoseetheSpanishladyewhomatonetimehesoughtasbride。Someofthepiecesarehighlycurious，astheybearuponeventsatpresentforgotten；forexample，thesongupontheyear1629，whenthecornwasblightedthroughouttheland，and\"AWarningtotheCumrytorepentwhenthePlagueofBlotchesandBoilswasprevalentinLondon。\"Someofthepiecesarewrittenwithastonishingvigour，forexample，\"TheSongoftheHusbandman，\"and\"God’sBetterthanAll，\"ofwhichlastpiecethefollowingisaliteraltranslation：—
\"GOD’SBETTERTHANALL—
\"God’sbetterthanheavenoraughttherein，Thantheearthoraughtwetherecanwin，Betterthantheworldoritswealthtome—
God’sbetterthanallthatisorcanbe。
Betterthanfather，thanmother，thannurse，Betterthanriches，oftprovingacurse，BetterthanMarthaorMaryeven—
BetterbyfaristheGodofheaven。
IfGodforthyportionthouhastta’enThere’sChristtosupporttheeineverypain，Theworldtorespecttheethouwiltgain，Tofeartheethefiendandallhistrain。
OfthebestofportionsthouchoicedidstmakeWhenthouthehighGodtothyselfdidsttake，AportionwhichnonefromthygraspcanrendWhilstthesunandthemoonontheircourseshallwendWhenthesungrowsdarkandthemoonturnsred，Whenthestarsshalldropandmillionsdread，Whentheearthshallvanishwithitspompsinfire，Thyportionstillshallremainentire。
Thenletnotthyheart，thoughdistressed，complain！
Aholdonthyportionfirmmaintain。
Thoudidstchoosethebestportion，againIsay—
Resignitnottillthydyingday。\"
TheoldvicarageofLlandoveryisaverylargemansionofdarkredbrick，frontingtheprincipalstreetormarket—place，andwithitsbacktoagreenmeadowboundedbytheriverBran。Itisinaverydilapidatedcondition，andisinhabitedatpresentbyvariouspoorfamilies。Theprincipalroom，whichissaidtohavebeentheoldvicar’slibrary，andtheplacewherehecomposedhisundyingCandle，isinmanyrespectsaremarkableapartment。Itisoflargedimensions。Theroofiscuriouslyinlaidwithstuccoormortar，andistraversedfromeasttowestbyanimmenseblackbeam。Thefire—place，whichisatthesouth，isverylargeandseeminglyofhighantiquity。Thewindows，whicharetwoinnumberandlookwestwardintothestreet，haveaquaintandsingularappearance。
OfallthehousesinLlandoverytheoldvicarageisbyfarthemostworthyofattention，irrespectiveofthewonderfulmonumentofGod’sprovidenceandgracewhoonceinhabitedit。
ThereverenceinwhichthememoryofReesPritchardisstillheldinLlandoverythefollowinganecdotewillshow。AsIwasstandingintheprincipalstreetstaringintentlyattheantiquevicarage，arespectable—lookingfarmercameupandwasabouttopass，butobservinghowIwasemployedhestopped，andlookednowatmeandnowattheantiquehouse。Presentlyhesaid\"Afineoldplace，isitnot，sir？butdoyouknowwholivedthere？\"
WishingtoknowwhatthemanwouldsayprovidedhethoughtIwasignorantastotheancientinmate，Iturnedafaceofinquiryuponhim；whereuponheadvancedtowardsmetwoorthreesteps，andplacinghisfacesoclosetominethathisnosenearlytouchedmycheek，hesaidinakindofpiercingwhisper—
\"TheVicar。\"
Thendrawinghisfacebackhelookedmefullintheeyesasiftoobservetheeffectofhisintelligence，gavemetwonodsasiftosay，\"Hedid，indeed，\"anddeparted。
THEVicarofLlandoveryhadthenbeendeadnearlytwohundredyears。Trulythemaninwhompietyandgeniusareblendedisimmortaluponearth。
CHAPTERXCVIII
DeparturefromLlandovery—ABitterMethodist—NorthandSouth—
TheCaravan—CaptainBosvile—DeputyRanger—AScrimmage—TheHeavenlyGwynfa—DangerousPosition。
ONthetenthIdepartedfromLlandovery，whichIhavenohesitationinsayingisaboutthepleasantestlittletowninwhichIhavehaltedinthecourseofmywanderings。IintendedtosleepatGutterVawr，aplacesometwentymilesdistant，justwithinGlamorganshire，toreachwhichitwouldbenecessarytopassoverpartofarangeofwildhills，generallycalledtheBlackMountains。Istartedataboutteno’clock；themorningwaslowering，andtherewereoccasionalshowersofrainandhail。I
passedbyReesPritchard’schurch，holdingmyhatinmyhandasI
didso，notoutofrespectforthebuilding，butfromreverenceforthememoryofthesaintedmanwhoofoldfromitspulpitcalledsinnerstorepentance，andwhoseremainsslumberinthechurchyardunlesswashedawaybysomefranticburstoftheneighbouringTowey。
CrossingabridgeovertheBranjustbeforeitentersthegreaterstream，Iproceededalongaroadrunningnearlysouthandhavingarangeoffinehillsontheeast。Presentlyviolentgustsofwindcameon，whichtorethesearleavesbythousandsfromthetrees，ofwhichtherewereplentybytheroadsides。Afteralittletime，however，thiselementalhurly—burlypassedaway，arainbowmadeitsappearance，andthedaybecamecomparativelyfine。Turningtothesouth—eastunderahillcoveredwithoaks，IleftthevaleoftheToweybehindme，andsooncaughtaglimpseofsomeveryloftyhillswhichIsupposedtobetheBlackMountains。Itwasamereglimpse，forscarcelyhadIdescriedthemwhenmistsettleddownandtotallyobscuredthemfrommyview。
InaboutanhourIreachedLlangadog，alargevillage。ThenamesignifiesthechurchofGadog。GadogwasaBritishsaintofthefifthcentury，whoafterlabouringamongsthisowncountrymenfortheirspiritualgoodformanyyears，crossedtheseatoBrittany，wherehedied。ScarcelyhadIenteredLlangadogwhenagreatshowerofraincamedown。Seeinganancient—lookinghostelryIatoncemadeforit。InalargeandcomfortablekitchenIfoundamiddle—agedwomanseatedbyahugedealtablenearablazingfire，withacoupleoflargebooksopenbeforeher。SittingdownonachairItoldherinEnglishtobringmeapintofale。Shedidso，andagainsatdowntoherbooks，whichoninquiryIfoundtobeaWelshBibleandConcordance。Wesoongotintodiscourseaboutreligion，butdidnotexactlyagree，forshewasabitterMethodist，asbitterasherbeer，onlyhalfofwhichIcouldgetdown。
LeavingLlangadogIpushedforward。Thedaywasnowtolerablyfine。IntwoorthreehoursIcametoaglen，thesidesofwhichwerebeautifullywooded。Onmyleftwasariver，whichcameroaringdownfromarangeofloftymountainsrightbeforemetothesouth—east。Theriver，asIwastoldbyalad，wastheSawddeorSouthey，theloftyrangetheBlackMountains。Passedaprettyvillageonmyrightstandingsomethingintheshapeofasemicircle，andinabouthalf—an—hourcametoabridgeoverariverwhichIsupposedtobetheSawddewhichIhadalreadyseen，butwhichIsubsequentlylearnedwasanaltogetherdifferentstream。
Itwasrunningfromthesouth，awild，fierceflood，amidstrocksandstones，thewavesallroaringandfoaming。
AftersometimeIreachedanotherbridgenearthefootofaveryloftyascent。Onmylefttotheeastuponabankwasasmallhouse，ononesideofwhichwasawheelturnedroundbyaflushofwaterrunninginalittleartificialcanal；closebyitweretwosmallcascades，thewatersofwhich，andalsothoseofthecanal，passedunderthebridgeinthedirectionofthewest。Seeingadecent—lookingmanengagedinsawingapieceofwoodbytheroadside，IaskedhiminWelshwhetherthehousewiththewheelwasaflourmill。
\"Nage，\"saidhe，\"itisapandy，fullingmill。\"
\"Canyoutellmethenameofariver，\"saidI，\"whichIhaveleftaboutamilebehindme。IsittheSawdde？’
\"Nage，\"saidhe，\"itistheLleidach。\"
Thenlookingatmewithgreatcuriosity，heaskedifIcamefromthenorthcountry。
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"Icertainlycomefromthere。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit，\"saidhe，\"forIhavelongwishedtoseeamanfromthenorthcountry。\"
\"Didyouneverseeonebefore？\"saidI。
\"Neverinmylife，\"hereplied；\"menfromthenorthcountryseldomshowthemselvesintheseparts。\"
\"Well，\"saidI；\"IamnotashamedtosaythatIcomefromthenorth。\"
\"Ain’tyou？Well，Idon’tknowthatyouhaveanyparticularreasontobeashamed，foritisratheryourmisfortunethanyourfault；
buttheideaofanyonecomingfromthenorth—ho，ho！\"
\"Perhapsinthenorth，\"saidI，\"theylaughatamanfromthesouth。\"
\"Laughatamanfromthesouth！No，no；theycan’tdothat。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidI；\"whyshouldn’tthenorthlaughatthesouthaswellasthesouthatthenorth？\"
\"Whyshouldn’tit？why，youtalklikeafool。Howcouldthenorthlaughatthesouthaslongasthesouthremainsthesouthandthenorththenorth？Laughatthesouth！youtalklikeafool，David，andifyougooninthatwayIshallbeangrywithyou。However，I’llexcuseyou；youarefromthenorth，andwhatcanoneexpectfromthenorthbutnonsense？Nowtellme，doyouofthenortheatanddrinklikeotherpeople？Whatdoyouliveupon？\"
\"Why，asformyself，\"saidI；\"IgenerallyliveonthebestIcanget。\"
\"Let’shearwhatyoueat；baconandeggs？
\"Ohyes，IeatbaconandeggswhenIcangetnothingbetter。\"
\"Andwhatdoyoudrink？Canyoudrinkale？\"
\"Ohyes，\"saidI；\"Iamveryfondofalewhenit’sgood。Perhapsyouwillstandapint？\"
\"Hm，\"saidthemanlookingsomewhatblank；\"thereisnoaleinthePandyandthereisnopublic—housenearathand，otherwise—Whereareyougoingto—night？\"
\"ToGutterVawr。\"
\"Well，then，youhadbetternotloiter；GutterVawrisalongwayoffoverthemountain。Itwillbedark，Iamafraid，longbeforeyougettoGutterVawr。Goodevening，David！Iamgladtohaveseenyou，forIhavelongwishedtoseeamanfromthenorthcountry。Goodevening！youwillfindplentyofgoodaleatGutterVawr。\"
Iwentonmyway。Theroadledinasouth—easterndirectiongraduallyupwardtoveryloftyregions。Afterwalkingabouthalf—
an—hourIsawakindofwoodenhouseonwheelsdrawnbytwohorsescomingdownthehilltowardsme。Ashortblack—lookingfellowinbrown—topboots，corduroybreeches，jockeycoatandjockeycapsatonthebox，holdingthereinsinonehandandalongwhipintheother。Besidehimwasaswarthywomaninawildflauntingdress。