"TworegularSaxon—hatingWelshwomen，"saidI，philosophically；
　　"justofthesamesortnodoubtasthosewhoplayedsuchpranksontheslainbodiesoftheEnglishsoldiers，afterthevictoryachievedbyGlendoweroverMortimerontheSevern’sside。"
　　Iproceededinthedirectionindicated，windingroundthesideofthehill，thesamemountainwhichtheoldmanhadpointedouttomesometimebefore。Atlength，onmakingaturnIsawaveryloftymountaininthefardistancetothesouth—west，ahillrightbeforemetothesouth，and，onmyleft，ameadowoverhungbythesouthernhill，inthemiddleofwhichstoodahousefromwhichproceededaviolentbarkingofdogs。Iwouldfainhavemadeimmediatelyuptoitforthepurposeofinquiringmyway，butsawnomeansofdoingso，ahighprecipitousbanklyingbetweenitandme。Iwentforwardandascendedthesideofthehillbeforeme，andpresentlycametoapathrunningeastandwest。Ifolloweditalittlewaytowardstheeast。Iwasnowjustabovethehouse，andsawsomechildrenandsomedogsstandingbesideit。SuddenlyIfoundmyselfclosetoamanwhostoodinahollowpartoftheroad，fromwhichanarrowpathleddowntothehouse；adonkeywithpanniersstoodbesidehim。Hewasaboutfiftyyearsofage，withacarbuncledcountenance，highbutnarrowforehead，greyeyebrows，andsmall，malignantgreyeyes。Hehadawhitehat，withnarroweavesandthecrownpartlyknockedout，atornbluecoat，corduroybreeches，longstockingsandhighlows。Hewassuckingacuttypipe，butseemedunabletoextractanysmokefromit。Hehadalltheappearanceofavagabond，andofaratherdangerousvagabond。Inoddedtohim，andaskedhiminWelshthenameoftheplace。Heglaredatmemalignantly，then，takingthepipeoutofhismouth，saidthathedidnotknow，thathehadbeendownbelowtoinquireandlighthispipe，butcouldgetneitherlightnoranswerfromthechildren。I
　　askedhimwherehecamefrom，butheevadedthequestionbyaskingwhereIwasgoingto。
　　"TothePontyGwrDrwg，"saidI。
　　HethenaskedmeifIwasanEnglishman。
　　"Ohyes，"saidI，"IamCarnSais；"whereupon，withastrangemixtureinhisfaceofmalignityandcontempt，heansweredinEnglishthathedidn’tunderstandme。
　　"Youunderstoodmeverywell，"saidI，withoutchangingmylanguage，"tillItoldyouIwasanEnglishman。Harkee，manwiththebrokenhat，youareoneofthebadWelshwhodon’tliketheEnglishtoknowthelanguage，lesttheyshoulddiscoveryourliesandrogueries。"HeevidentlyunderstoodwhatIsaid，forhegnashedhisteeth，thoughhesaidnothing。"Well，"saidI，"I
　　shallgodowntothosechildrenandinquirethenameofthehouse；"
　　andIforthwithbegantodescendthepath，thefellowutteringacontemptuous"humph"behindme，asmuchastosay，"Muchyou’llmakeoutdownthere。"Isoonreachedthebottomandadvancedtowardsthehouse。Thedogshadallalongbeenbarkingviolently；
　　asIdrewneartothem，however，theyceased，andtwoofthelargestcameforwardwaggingtheirtails。"Thedogswerenotbarkingatme，"saidI，"butatthatvagabondabove。"Iwentuptothechildren；theywerefourinnumber，twoboysandtwogirls，allred—haired，buttolerablygood—looking。Theyhadneithershoesnorstockings。"Whatisthenameofthishouse？"saidItotheeldest，aboyaboutsevenyearsold。Helookedatme，butmadenoanswer。
　　Irepeatedmyquestion；stilltherewasnoanswer，butmethoughtI
　　heardahumphoftriumphfromthehill。"Don’tcrowquiteyet，oldchap，"thoughtItomyself，andputtingmyhandintomypocket，I
　　tookoutapenny，andofferingittothechildsaid："Now，smallman，Pethywyenwyllehwn？"Instantlytheboy’sfacebecameintelligent，andputtingoutafatlittlehand，hetooktheceiniogandsaidinanaudiblewhisper，"WaenyBwlch。""Iamallright，"
　　saidItomyself；"thatisoneofthenamesoftheplaceswhichtheoldostlersaidImustgothrough。"ThenaddressingmyselftothechildIsaid："Where’syourfatherandmother？"
　　"Outonthehill，"whisperedthechild。
　　"What’syourfather？"
　　"Ashepherd。"
　　"Good，"saidI。"Nowcanyoutellmethewaytothebridgeoftheevilman？"Butthefeaturesbecameblank，thefingerwasputtothemouth，andtheheadwashungdown。Thatquestionwasevidentlybeyondthechild’scapacity。"Thankyou！"saidI，andturningroundIregainedthepathonthetopofthebank。Thefellowandhisdonkeywerestillthere。"Ihadnodifficulty，"saidI，"inobtaininginformation；theplace’snameisWaenyBwlch。ButoesgenochdimCumraeg—youhavenoWelsh。"ThereuponIproceededalongthepathinthedirectionoftheeast。Forthwiththefellowsaidsomethingtohisanimal，andbothcamefollowingfastbehind。
　　Iquickenedmypace，butthefellowandhisbeastwerecloseinmyrear。PresentlyIcametoaplacewhereanotherpathbranchedofftothesouth。Istopped，lookedatit，andthenwenton，butscarcelyhaddonesowhenIheardanotherexulting"humph"behind。
　　"Iamgoingwrong，"saidItomyself；"thatotherpathisthewaytotheDevil’sBridge，andthescampknowsitorhewouldnothavegrunted。"ForthwithIfacedround，andbrushingpastthefellowwithoutawordturnedintotheotherpathandhurriedalongit。ByasideglancewhichIcastIcouldseehimstaringafterme；
　　presently，however，heutteredasoundverymuchlikeaWelshcurse，and，kickinghisbeast，proceededonhisway，andIsawnomoreofhim。InalittletimeIcametoasloughwhichcrossedthepath。Ididnotlikethelookofitatall，andtoavoiditventureduponsomegreenmossy—lookinggroundtotheleft，andhadscarcelydonesowhenIfoundmyselfimmersedtothekneesinabog。I，however，pushedforward，andwithsomedifficultygottothepathontheothersideoftheslough。Ifollowedthepath，andinabouthalf—an—hoursawwhatappearedtobehousesatadistance。
　　"GodgrantthatImaybedrawingnearsomeinhabitedplace！"saidI。
　　Thepathnowgrewverymiry，andtherewerepoolsofwateroneitherside。Imovedalongslowly。AtlengthIcametoaplacewheresomemenwerebusyinerectingakindofbuilding。Iwentuptothenearestandaskedhimthenameoftheplace。Hehadacrowbarinhishand，washalfnaked，hadawrymouthandonlyoneeye。Hemademenoanswer，butmowedandgibberedatme。
　　"ForGod’ssake，"saidI，"don’tdoso，buttellmewhereIam！"
　　Hestillutterednoword，butmowedandgibberedyetmorefrightfullythanbefore。AsIstoodstaringathimanothermancametomeandsaidinbrokenEnglish："Itisofnousespeakingtohim，sir，heisdeafanddumb。"
　　"Iamgladheisnoworse，"saidI，"forIreallythoughthewaspossessedwiththeevilone。Mygoodperson，canyoutellmethenameofthisplace？"
　　"EsgyrnHirion，sir，"saidhe。
　　"EsgyrnHirion，"saidItomyself；"Esgyrnmeans’bones，’andHirionmeans’long。’IamdoubtlessattheplacewhichtheoldostlercalledLongBones。Ishouldn’twonderifIgettotheDevil’sBridgeto—nightafterall。"Ithenaskedthemanifhecouldtellmethewaytothebridgeoftheevilman，butheshookhisheadandsaidthathehadneverheardofsuchaplace，adding，however，thathewouldgowithmetooneoftheoverseers，whocouldperhapsdirectme。Hethenproceededtowardsarowofbuildings，whichwere，infact，thoseobjectswhichIhadguessedtobehousesinthedistance。Heledmetoacornerhouse，atthedoorofwhichstoodamiddle—agedman，dressedinagreycoat，andsayingtome，"Thispersonisanoverseer，"returnedtohislabour。
　　Iwentuptotheman，and，salutinghiminEnglish，askedwhetherhecoulddirectmetotheDevil’sBridge，orrathertoPontErwyd。
　　"Itwouldbeofnousedirectingyou，sir，"saidhe，"forwithallthedirectionsintheworlditwouldbeimpossibleforyoutofindtheway。Youwouldnothaveleftthesepremisesfiveminutesbeforeyouwouldbeinamazewithoutknowingwhichwaytoturn。
　　Wheredoyoucomefrom？"
　　"FromMachynlleth，"Ireplied。
　　"FromMachynlleth！"saidhe。"Well，Ionlywonderyouevergothere，butitwouldbemadnesstogofartheralone。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"canIobtainaguide？"
　　"Ireallydon’tknow，"saidhe；"Iamafraidallthemenareengaged。"
　　Aswewerespeakingayoungmanmadehisappearanceatthedoorfromtheinteriorofthehouse。Hewasdressedinabrownshortcoat，hadaglazedhatonhishead，andhadapalebutveryintelligentcountenance。
　　"Whatisthematter？"saidhetotheotherman。
　　"Thisgentleman，"repliedthelatter，"isgoingtoPontErwyd，andwantsaguide。"
　　"Well，"saidtheyoungman，"wemustfindhimone。Itwillneverdotolethimgobyhimself。"
　　"Ifyoucanfindmeaguide，"saidI，"Ishallbehappytopayhimforhistrouble。"
　　"Oh，youcandoasyoupleaseaboutthat，"saidtheyoungman；
　　"but，payornot，wewouldneversufferyoutoleavethisplacewithoutaguide，andasmuchforourownsakeasyours；forthedirectorsoftheCompanywouldneverforgiveusiftheyheardwehadsufferedagentlemantoleavethesepremiseswithoutaguide，moreespeciallyifhewerelost，asitisahundredtooneyouwouldbeifyouwentbyyourself。"
　　"Pray，"saidI，"whatCompanyisthis，thedirectorsofwhicharesosolicitousaboutthesafetyofstrangers？"
　　"ThePotosiMiningCompany，"saidhe，"therichestinallWales。
　　Butpraywalkinandsitdown，foryoumustbetired。"
　　CHAPTERLXXXI
　　TheMiningComptingRoom—NativeofAberystwyth—StoryofaBloodhound—TheYoungGirls—TheMiner’sTale—GwenFrwd—TheTerfyn。
　　IFOLLOWEDtheyoungmanwiththeglazedhatintoaroom，theothermanfollowingbehindme。Heoftheglazedhatmademesitdownbeforeaturffire，apologisingforitssmokingverymuch。Theroomseemedhalfcompting—room，halfapartment。Therewasawoodendeskwithaledgeruponitbythewindow，whichlookedtothewest，andacampbedsteadextendedfromthesouthernwallnearlyuptothedesk。AfterIhadsatforaboutaminute，theyoungmanaskedmeifIwouldtakeanyrefreshment。Ithankedhimforhiskindoffer，whichIdeclined，saying，however，thatifhewouldobtainmeaguideIshouldfeelmuchobliged。Heturnedtotheothermanandtoldhimtogoandinquirewhethertherewasanyonewhowouldbewillingtogo。Theothernodded，andforthwithwentout。
　　"Youthink，then，"saidI，"thatIcouldnotfindthewaybymyself？"
　　"Iamsureofit，"saidhe，"foreventhepeoplebestacquaintedwiththecountryfrequentlylosetheirway。ButImusttellyou，thatifwedofindyouaguide，itwillprobablybeonewhohasnoEnglish。"
　　"Nevermind，"saidI，"IhaveenoughWelshtoholdacommondiscourse。"
　　Afinegirlaboutfourteennowcamein，andbeganbustlingabout。
　　"Whoisthisyounglady？"saidI。
　　"Thedaughterofacaptainofaneighbouringmine，"saidhe；"shefrequentlycomesherewithmessages，andisalwaysreadytodoaturnaboutthehouse，forsheisveryhandy。"
　　"HassheanyEnglish？"saidI。
　　"Notaword，"hereplied。"TheyoungpeopleofthesehillshavenoEnglish，excepttheygoabroadtolearnit。"
　　"Whathillsarethese？"saidI。
　　"PartofthePlynlimmonrange，"saidhe。
　　"Dearme，"saidI，"amInearPlynlimmon？"
　　"Notveryfarfromit，"saidtheyoungman，"andyouwillbenearerwhenyoureachPontErwyd。"
　　"Areyouanativeoftheseparts？"saidI。
　　"Iamnot，"hereplied；"IamanativeofAberystwyth，aplaceonthesea—coastaboutadozenmilesfromhere。"
　　"Thisseemstobeacold，bleakspot，"saidI；"isithealthy？"
　　"Ihavereasontosayso，"saidhe；"forIcameherefromAberystwythaboutfourmonthsagoveryunwell，andamnowperfectlyrecovered。IdonotbelievethereisahealthierspotinallWales。"
　　Wehadsomefurtherdiscourse。ImentionedtohimtheadventurewhichIhadonthehillwiththefellowwiththedonkey。Theyoungmansaidthathehadnodoubtthathewassomeprowlingthief。
　　"Thedogsoftheshepherd’shouse，"saidI，"didn’tseemtolikehim，anddogsgenerallyknowanevilcustomer。AlongtimeagoI
　　chancedtobeinaposada，orinn，atValladolidinSpain。Onehotsummer’safternoonIwasseatedinacorridorwhichranroundalargeopencourtinthemiddleoftheinn；afineyellow，three—
　　parts—grownbloodhoundwaslyingonthegroundbesidemewithwhomIhadbeenplaying，alittletimebefore。Iwasjustabouttofallasleep，whenIhearda’hem’attheoutwarddooroftheposada，whichwasalongwaybelowattheendofapassagewhichcommunicatedwiththecourt。Instantlythehoundstarteduponhislegs，andwithaloudyell，andwitheyesflashingfire，rannearlyroundthecorridor，downaflightofsteps，andthroughthepassagetothegate。Therewasthenadreadfulnoise，inwhichthecriesofahumanbeingandtheyellsofthehoundwereblended。I
　　forthwithstartedupandrandown，followedbyseveralotherguests，whocamerushingoutoftheirchambersroundthecorridor。
　　Atthegatewesawamanonthegroundandthehoundtryingtostranglehim。Itwaswiththegreatestdifficulty，andchieflythroughtheinterventionofthemasterofthedog，whohappenedtobepresent，thattheanimalcouldbemadetoquithishold。Theassailedpersonwasaverypowerfulman，buthadanevilcountenance，wasbadlydressed，andhadneitherhat，shoesnorstockings。Weraisedhimupandgavehimwine，whichhedrankgreedily，andpresently，withoutsayingaword，disappeared。Theguestssaidtheyhadnodoubtthathewasamurdererflyingfromjustice，andthatthedogbyhisinstinct，evenatadistance，knewhimtobesuch。Themastersaidthatitwasthefirsttimethatthedoghadeverattackedanyoneorshowntheslightestsymptomofferocity。Nottheleastsingularpartofthematterwas，thatthedogdidnotbelongtothehouse，buttooneoftheguestsfromadistantvillage；thecreaturethereforecouldnotconsideritselfthehouse’sguardian。"
　　Ihadscarcelyfinishedmytalewhentheothermancameinandsaidthathehadfoundaguide，ayoungmanfromPontErwyd，whowouldbegladofsuchanopportunitytogoandseehisparents，thathewasthendressinghimself，andwouldshortlymakehisappearance。
　　Inabouttwentyminuteshedidso。Hewasastoutyoungfellowwithacoarsebluecoat，andcoarsewhitefelthat；heheldastickinhishand。Thekindyoungbook—keepernowadvisedustosetoutwithoutdelay，asthedaywasdrawingtoacloseandthewaywaslong。Ishookhimbythehand，toldhimthatIshouldneverforgethiscivility，anddepartedwiththeguide。
　　Thefineyounggirl，whomIhavealreadymentioned，andanotherabouttwoyearsyounger，departedwithus。TheyweredressedinthegracefulfemaleattireofoldWales。
　　Weboretothesouthdownadescent，andcametosomemoory，quaggygroundintersectedwithwater—courses。Theagilityoftheyounggirlssurprisedme；theysprangoverthewater—courses，someofwhichwereatleastfourfeetwide，withtheeaseandalacrityoflawns。Afterashorttimewecametoaroad，which，however，wedidnotlongreapthebenefitof，asitonlyledtoamine。Seeingahouseonthetopofahill，Iaskedmyguidewhoseitwas。
　　"Typowdr，"saidhe，"apowderhouse，"bywhichIsupposedhemeantamagazineofpowderusedforblastinginthemines。HehadnotawordofEnglish……Iftheyounggirlswerenimblewiththeirfeet，theywerenotlesssowiththeirtongues，astheykeptupanincessantgabblewitheachotherandwiththeguide。Iunderstoodlittleofwhattheysaid，theirvolubilitypreventingmefromcatchingmorethanafewwords。Afterwehadgoneabouttwomilesandahalf，theydartedawaywithsurprisingswiftnessdownahilltowardsadistanthouse，where，asIlearnedfrommyguide，thefatheroftheeldestlived。Weascendedahill，passedbetweentwocraggyelevations，andthenwendedtothesouth—eastoverastrange，miryplace，inwhichIthoughtanyoneatnightnotacquaintedwitheveryinchofthewaywouldrunimminentriskofperishing。Ienteredintoconversationwithmyguide。AfteralittletimeheaskedmeifIwasaWelshman。Itoldhimno。
　　"YoucouldteachmanyaWelshman，"saidhe。
　　"Whydoyouthinkso？"saidI。
　　"Becausemanyofyourwordsarequiteabovemycomprehension，"saidhe。
　　"Nogreatcompliment，"thoughtItomyself；butputtingagoodfaceuponthematterItoldhimthatIknewagreatmanyoldWelshwords。
　　"IsPotosianoldWelshword？"saidhe。
　　"No，"saidI；"itisthenameofamineintheDeheubarthofAmerica。"
　　"Isitaleadmine？"
　　"No！"saidI，"itisasilvermine。"
　　"Thenwhydotheycallourmine，whichisaleadmine，bythenameofasilvermine？"
　　"Becausetheywishtogivepeopletounderstand，"saidI，"thatitisveryrich—asrichinleadasPotosiinsilver。Potosiis，orwas，therichestsilvermineintheworld，andfromithascomeatleastonehalfofthesilverwhichweuseintheshapeofmoneyandotherthings。"
　　"Well，"saidhe，"Ihavefrequentlyasked，butcouldneverlearnbeforewhyourminewascalledPotosi。"
　　"Youdidnotaskattherightquarter，"saidI；"theyoungmanwiththeglazedhatcouldhavetoldyouaswellasI。"IinquiredwhytheplacewheretheminewasborethenameofEsgyrnHirionorLongBones。Hetoldmethathedidnotknow，butbelievedthatthebonesofacawrorgianthadbeenfoundthereinancienttimes。I
　　askedhimiftheminewasdeep。
　　"Verydeep，"hereplied。
　　"Doyoulikethelifeofaminer？"saidI。
　　"Verymuch，"saidhe，"andshouldlikeitmore，butforthenoisesofthehill。"
　　"Doyoumeanthepowderblasts？"saidI。
　　"Ohno！"saidhe，"Icarenothingforthem；Imeanthenoisesmadebythespiritsofthehillinthemine。Sometimestheymakesuchnoisesasfrightenthepoorfellowwhoworksundergroundoutofhissenses。OnceonatimeIwasworkingbymyselfverydeepunderground，inalittlechambertowhichaverydeepshaftled。I
　　hadjusttakenupmylighttosurveymywork，whenallofasuddenIheardadreadfulrushingnoise，asifanimmensequantityofearthhadcometumblingdown。’OhGod！’saidI，andfellbackwards，lettingthelightfall，whichinstantlywentout。I
　　thoughtthewholeshafthadgivenway，andthatIwasburiedalive。
　　Ilayforseveralhourshalfstupefied，thinkingnowandthenwhatadreadfulthingitwastobeburiedalive。AtlengthIthoughtI
　　wouldgetup，gotothemouthoftheshaft，feelthemould，withwhichitwaschokedup，andthencomeback，liedown，anddie。SoIgotupandtotteredtothemouthoftheshaft，putoutmyhandandfelt—nothing；allwasclear。Iwentforward，andpresentlyfelttheladder。Nothinghadfallen；allwasjustthesameaswhenIcamedown。IwasdreadfullyafraidthatIshouldneverbeabletogetupinthedarkwithoutbreakingmyneck；however，Itried，andatlast，withagreatdealoftoilanddanger，gottoaplacewhereothermenwereworking。Thenoisewascausedbythespiritsofthehillinthehopeofdrivingthemineroutofhissenses。
　　Theyverynearlysucceeded。IshallneverforgethowIfeltwhenI
　　thoughtIwasburiedalive。Ifitwerenotforthosenoisesinthehill，thelifeofaminerwouldbequiteheavenbelow。"
　　Wecametoacottagestandingunderahillock，downthesideofwhichtumbledastreamletclosebythenorthernsideofthebuilding。Thedoorwasopen，andinsideweretwoorthreefemalesandsomechildren。"Haveyouanyenwyn？"saidthelad，peepingin。
　　"Ohyes！"saidavoice—"digon！digon！"Presentlyabuxom，laughinggirlbroughtouttwodishesofbuttermilk，oneofwhichshehandedtomeandtheothertotheguide。Iaskedherthenameoftheplace。
　　"GwenFrwd—the’FairRivulet，’"saidshe。
　　"Wholiveshere？"
　　"Ashepherd。"
　　"HaveyouanyEnglish？"
　　"Nagos！"saidshe，burstingintoaloudlaugh。"WhatshouldwedowithEnglishhere？"AfterwehaddrunkthebuttermilkIofferedthegirlsomemoney，butshedrewbackherhandangrily，andsaid："Wedon’ttakemoneyfromtiredstrangersfortwodropsofbuttermilk；
　　there’splentywithin，andthereareathousandewesonthehill。
　　Farvel！"
　　"Dearme！"thoughtItomyselfasIwalkedaway；"thatIshouldonceinmydayshavefoundshepherdlifesomethingaspoetshaverepresentedit！"
　　Isawamightymountainataconsiderabledistanceontheright，thesameIbelievewhichIhadnotedsomehoursbefore。IinquiredofmyguidewhetheritwasPlynlimmon。
　　"Ohno！"saidhe，"thatisGaverse；Pumlimmonistotheleft。"
　　"Plynlimmonisafamedhill，"saidI；"Isupposeitisveryhigh。"
　　"Yes！"saidhe，"itishigh；butitisnotfamedbecauseitishigh，butbecausethethreegrandriversoftheworldissuefromitsbreast，theHafren，theRheidol，andtheGwy。"
　　Nightwasnowcomingrapidlyon，attendedwithadrizzlingrain。I
　　inquiredifwewerefarfromPontErwyd。"Aboutamile，"saidmyguide；"weshallsoonbethere。"Wequickenedourpace。AfteralittletimeheaskedmeifIwasgoingfartherthanPontErwyd。
　　"Iamboundforthebridgeoftheevilman，"saidI；"butIdaresayIshallstopatPontErwydto—night。"
　　"Youwilldoright，"saidhe；"itisonlythreemilesfromPontErwydtothebridgeoftheevilman，butIthinkweshallhaveastormynight。"
　　"WhenIgettoPontErwyd，"saidI，"howfarshallIbefromSouthWales？"
　　"FromSouthWales！"saidhe；"youareinSouthWalesnow；youpassedtheTerfynofNorthWalesaquarterofanhourago。"
　　TherainnowfellfastandtherewassothickamistthatIcouldonlyseeafewyardsbeforeme。Wedescendedintoavalley，atthebottomofwhichIheardariverroaring。
　　"That’stheRheidol，"saidmyguide，"comingfromPumlimmon，swollenwithrain。"
　　Withoutdescendingtotheriver，weturnedasideupahill，and，afterpassingbyafewhuts，cametoalargehouse，whichmyguidetoldmewastheinnofPontErwyd。
　　CHAPTERLXXXII
　　ConsequentialLandlord—Cheek—DarfelGatherel—DafyddNanmor—
　　SheepFarms—WholesomeAdvice—TheOldPostman—ThePlantdeBat—TheRobber’sCavern。
　　MYguidewenttoasidedoor，andopeningitwithoutceremonywentin。Ifollowedandfoundmyselfinaspaciousandcomfortable—
　　lookingkitchen：alargefireblazedinahugegrate，ononesideofwhichwasasettle；plentyofculinaryutensils，bothpewterandcopper，hungaroundonthewalls，andseveralgoodlyrowsofhamsandsidesofbaconweresuspendedfromtheroof。Therewereseveralpeoplepresent，someonthesettleandothersonchairsinthevicinityofthefire。AsIadvanced，amanarosefromachairandcametowardsme。Hewasaboutthirty—fiveyearsofage，wellandstronglymade，withafreshcomplexion，ahawknose，andakeengreyeye。Heworetop—bootsandbreeches，ahalfjockeycoat，andhadaroundcapmadeoftheskinofsomeanimalonhishead。
　　"Servant，sir！"saidheinratherasharptone，andsurveyingmewithsomethingofasuperciliousair。
　　"Yourmostobedienthumbleservant！"saidI；"Ipresumeyouarethelandlordofthishouse。"
　　"Landlord！"saidhe，"landlord！ItistrueIreceiveguestssometimesintomyhouse，butIdososolelywiththeviewofaccommodatingthem；Idonotdependuponinnkeepingforalivelihood。Ihiretheprincipalpartofthelandinthisneighbourhood。"
　　"Ifthatbethecase，"saidI，"IhadbettercontinuemywaytotheDevil’sBridge；Iamnotatalltired，andIbelieveitisnotveryfardistant。"
　　"Oh，asyouarehere，"saidthefarmer—landlord，"Ihopeyouwillstay。Ishouldbeverysorryifanygentlemanshouldleavemyhouseatnightaftercomingwithanintentionofstaying，moreespeciallyinanightlikethis。Martha！"saidhe，turningtoafemalebetweenthirtyandforty—whoIsubsequentlylearnedwasthemistress—"preparetheparlourinstantlyforthisgentleman，anddon’tfailtomakeupagoodfire。"