Part 15 (1/2)

”Do not take it aer: ”if you will only answer reater benefit to you than you iine Do you remember where you cut that stick?”

The Welshman was still suspicious, and said: ”What does it matter where I cut it?”

”It matters,” said the questioner, ”because there is a treasure hidden near the spot where you cut that stick If you can remember the place and conduct reat riches”

The Welshman now understood he had to deal with a sorcerer, and he was greatly perplexed as to what to do On the one hand, he was tempted by the prospect of wealth; on the other hand, he knew that the sorcerer e fro to do with the powers of darkness The cunning th made him promise to shew the place where he cut his hazel staff

The Welshether to Wales They went to Craig y Dinas, the Rock of the Fortress, at the head of the Neath valley, near Pont Nedd Fechan, and the Welsh to the stock or root of an old hazel, said: ”This is where I cut ed until they ca this up, they found so a narrow passage until they came to a door ”Are you brave?” asked the sorcerer; ”will you come in withthe better of his fear

They opened the door, and a great cave opened out before theht in the cave, and they could see everything The first thing they came to was a bell

”Do not touch that bell,” said the sorcerer, ”or it will be all over with us both”

As they went further in, the Welshman saw that the place was not e down asleep, thousands of theht armour, the steel hel shi+eld of each was on his arm, the sword of each was near his hand, each had his spear stuck in the ground near him, and each and all were asleep

In the reat round table at which sat warriors whose noble features and richly-dight armour proclaimed that they were not as the roll of common men

Each of these, too, had his head bent down in sleep On a golden throne on the further side of the round table was a king of gigantic stature and august presence In his hand, held below the hilt, was a leaems; on his head was a crown set with precious stones which flashed and glinted like so many points of fire Sleep had set its seal on his eyelids also

”Are they asleep?” asked the Welsh his own eyes

”Yes, each and all of them,” answered the sorcerer ”But, if you touch yonder bell, they will all awake”

”How long have they been asleep?”

”For over a thousand years”

”Who are they?”

”Arthur's warriors, waiting for the time to come when they shall destroy all the enemy of the Cy their own king onceat the round table?”

”These are Arthur's knights--Owain, the son of Urien; Cai, the son of Cynyr; Gnalchmai, the son of Gwyar; Peredir, the son of Efrawe; Geraint, the son of Erbin; Ciernay, the son of Celhddon; Edeyrn, the son of Nudd; Cyolden throne?” broke in the Welshman

”Is Arthur himself, with his sword Excalibur in his hand,” replied the sorcerer

Impatient by this tireat heap of yellow gold on the floor of the cave He took up as much as he could carry, and bade his coo,” he then said, and he led the way towards the door by which they had entered