"Can you tell me the name of a river," said I, "which I have left
about a mile behind me. Is it the Sawdde?'
"Nage," said he, "it is the Lleidach."
Then looking at me with great curiosity, he asked if I came from
the north country.
"Yes," said I, "I certainly come from there."
"I am glad to hear it," said he, "for I have long wished to see a
man from the north country."
"Did you never see one before?" said I.
"Never in my life," he replied; "men from the north country seldom
show themselves in these parts."
"Well," said I; "I am not ashamed to say that I come from the
north."
"Ain't you? Well, I don't know that you have any particular reason
to be ashamed, for it is rather your misfortune than your fault;
but the idea of any one coming from the north - ho, ho!"
"Perhaps in the north," said I, "they laugh at a man from the
south."
"Laugh at a man from the south! No, no; they can't do that."
"Why not?" said I; "why shouldn't the north laugh at the south as
well as the south at the north?"
"Why shouldn't it? why, you talk like a fool. How could the north
laugh at the south as long as the south remains the south and the
north the north? Laugh at the south! you talk like a fool, David,
and if you go on in that way I shall be angry with you. However,
I'll excuse you; you are from the north, and what can one expect
from the north but nonsense? Now tell me, do you of the north eat
and drink like other people? What do you live upon?"
"Why, as for myself," said I; "I generally live on the best I can
get."
"Let's hear what you eat; bacon and eggs?
"Oh yes, I eat bacon and eggs when I can get nothing better."
"And what do you drink? Can you drink ale?"
"Oh yes," said I; "I am very fond of ale when it's good. Perhaps
you will stand a pint?"
"Hm," said the man looking somewhat blank; "there is no ale in the
Pandy and there is no public-house near at hand, otherwise - Where
are you going to-night?"
"To Gutter Vawr."
"Well, then, you had better not loiter; Gutter Vawr is a long way
off over the mountain. It will be dark, I am afraid, long before
you get to Gutter Vawr. Good evening, David! I am glad to have
seen you, for I have long wished to see a man from the north
country. Good evening! you will find plenty of good ale at Gutter
Vawr."
I went on my way. The road led in a south-eastern direction
gradually upward to very lofty regions.
