Part 80 (2/2)

”I am glad he is no worse,” said I, ”for I really thought he was possessed with the evil one. My good person, can you tell me the name of this place?”

”Esgyrn Hirion, sir,” said he.

”Esgyrn Hirion,” said I to myself; ”Esgyrn means bones, and Hirion means long. I am doubtless at the place which the old ostler called Long Bones. I shouldn't wonder if I get to the Devil's Bridge to-night after all.” I then asked the man if he could tell me the way to the bridge of the evil man, but he shook his head and said that he had never heard of such a place, adding, however, that he would go with me to one of the overseers, who could perhaps direct me. He then proceeded towards a row of buildings, which were in fact those objects which I had guessed to be houses in the distance. He led me to a corner house, at the door of which stood a middle-aged man, dressed in a grey coat, and saying to me, ”This person is an overseer,” returned to his labour. I went up to the man, and saluting him in English, asked whether he could direct me to the devil's bridge, or rather to Pont Erwyd.

”It would be of no use directing you, sir,” said he, ”for with all the directions in the world it would be impossible for you to find the way.

You would not have left these premises five minutes before you would be in a maze, without knowing which way to turn. Where do you come from?”

”From Machynlleth,” I replied.

”From Machynlleth!” said he. ”Well, I only wonder you ever got here, but it would be madness to go further alone.”

”Well,” said I, ”can I obtain a guide?”

”I really don't know,” said he; ”I am afraid all the men are engaged.”

As we were speaking a young man made his appearance at the door from the interior of the house. He was dressed in a brown short coat, had a glazed hat on his head, and had a pale but very intelligent countenance.

”What is the matter?” said he to the other man.

”This gentleman,” replied the latter, ”is going to Pont Erwyd, and wants a guide.”

”Well,” said the young man, ”we must find him one. It will never do to let him go by himself.”

”If you can find me a guide,” said I, ”I shall be happy to pay him for his trouble.”

”O, you can do as you please about that,” said the young man; ”but, pay or not, we would never suffer you to leave this place without a guide, and as much for our own sake as yours, for the directors of the company would never forgive us if they heard we had suffered a gentleman to leave these premises without a guide, more especially if he were lost, as it is a hundred to one you would be if you went by yourself.”

”Pray,” said I, ”what company is this, the directors of which are so solicitous about the safety of strangers?”

”The Potosi Mining Company,” said he, ”the richest in all Wales. But pray walk in and sit down, for you must be tired.”

CHAPTER Lx.x.xI

The Mining Compting Room-Native of Aberystwyth-Story of a Bloodhound-The Young Girls-The Miner's Tale-Gwen Frwd-The Terfyn.

I followed the young man with the glazed hat into a room, the other man following behind me. He of the glazed hat made me sit down before a turf fire, apologising for its smoking very much. The room seemed half compting room, half apartment. There was a wooden desk with a ledger upon it by the window which looked to the west, and a camp bedstead extended from the southern wall nearly up to the desk. After I had sat for about a minute the young man asked me if I would take any refreshment. I thanked him for his kind offer, which I declined, saying, however, that if he would obtain me a guide I should feel much obliged.

He turned to the other man and told him to go and inquire whether there was any one who would be willing to go. The other nodded, and forthwith went out.

”You think, then,” said I, ”that I could not find the way by myself?”

”I am sure of it,” said he, ”for even the people best acquainted with the country frequently lose their way. But I must tell you that if we do find you a guide it will probably be one who has no English.”

”Never mind,” said I, ”I have enough Welsh to hold a common discourse.”

A fine girl about fourteen now came in, and began bustling about.

”Who is this young lady?” said I.

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