The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-08-21

me to attend to the mare, and then led
the way to the house. The door opened
directly to the kitchen. where cheer
full fire was blazing. and his wife and
two or three children We're gathered
round 1t.
The universal and cheerful hospitali-
ty of the Welsh was busted at once to
make me comfortable. I was placed In
chair in the snug chimney corner,
and the good wife at once set small
round table at my elbow, and arranged
food upon 1t. No one had any English,
except my host, and his was so fluent
but that occasionally we arrived at
| cross-purposes. Still, when we came
to AK, we tried back and started
| again, and In the end managed to find
where we We're.
"Nant-y-Bryn, ".said he on hearing Of
| my destination. II am taking sheep to-
morrow, and must to go that way. We
| shall go, the two, now"
This was welcome news to me when
! found that he was bound to spot
within few miles of my journeys
end and gladly agreed to accompany
him.
The next morning arose to find that
the fine weather of the past few days
had departed and that a sharp, sleety
drizzle was falling. AS I stood looking
at it through the window Of the great
kitchen. my host Joined me. Where
Is the big coat with you?" said he.
Spoil the fine clothes, this weather."
and he rubbed his finger, smilingly. up
and down the silver lace of my riding
suit.
oh" I replied, perhaps it will get
better soon."
NO" said he, decisively, ut shall go
worse and worse through the day. I
am sure of it. But no matter. will
| find you a coat.
He said q few words in Welsh and
his little boy ran out of the house, to
return in five minutes laden with a
great blue-gray homespun coat, quite
new and Of texture to Withstand the
fiercest storm that ever blew. He ex-
planned that it was borrowed from his
shepherd, who would not be going from
home that day.
At once, upon seeing it, I formed
design of purchasing it, as knew not
now when should see my cloak again,
and the shepherd was fetched to strike
a bargain. This was easily done to his
great satisfaction, and rode away
! that morning across the hills, fenced
as securely from the biting, driving
sleet as If I had been in q castle.
Our progress was very slow, since it
was timed to the pace of the slowest
sheep, and when we came to the ham,
let where my guide was to deliver his
flock, the dusk was falling.
There was no inn at the place, but
one OF the houses provided some ac-
commodation for travellers, and I de-
termined to stay rather than push for
Nant-y-Bryn in the darkness. Ny kind
friend spent the night there also and
the next morning we parted, with
hearty expressions of goodwill on both
sides. He had given me such partio-
ular directions for finding my way that
doubted not but an hours ride would
see the end of my journey.
l had gone some two miles on my
way and was crossing a patch of bro
ken, healthy land, when I saw an
other horseman some distance away to
my left. He was following a road
which gradually ran to meet mine, and
step by step we drew nearer, like men
marching down the arms of q great v.
He was young man. looking much
of my own age, riding a TALL thin,
black horse, of no great quality, hand
somely dressed, and carrying a sword.
but, SO far as I could see, no pistols.
He looked me over with an air Of great
superiority, for which I could see no
grounds, till remembered myself Of
the coarse gray coat I was wearing.
We reached the meeting place of the
two roads within half-a-dozen yards of
each other, he in front. He spoke to
me in Welsh, and I babe him good
morning.
You are English, them" said he
colby.
Il am" said I. "and have no Welsh
All the time his eye was running over
my mare, and he drew his horse away
to put the whole width Of the road be-
tween us.
Does ne take me for highway
MANI" thought, and smiled, for my
com binatlon of coarse gray coat and
nag under me fit for a prince certainly
pointed in that direction, had we been
on more travelled route.
| In this smile I managed to displease
him, for it timed with false step of
his sorry horse, and he thought
laughed at him.
The color shot up into his thin, dark,
handsome face, and his big black eyes
flashed at me fercely. I looked before
me, as If had observed nothing, and
now saw In front. a large house stand
ing half way up steep slope
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