Part 91 (2/2)
”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.
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