Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-01-07
CHAPTER XXNN.

CHAPTER XNNN.
THE ALE HOUSE ON THE MOOR
1t was quite dark when l moved on
again, and within half a mile saw q
twinkle of light straight before me. /
reflected and remembered that Il small
ale house should be somewhere near at
hand, and that must be it, / adj
vanced warily and soon stood within
a dozen yards of the lighted window.
If all was quiet, surely j might venture
to get some food here. Now that 1 had
q hat my appearance WAS in no way
beyond ordinary for country fellow.
/ Slipped my quarter-statf under a
bush, carefully marking the place that
/ might find it again and edged UP TO
the uncurtained window.
heart like cordial and brought the
water of desire into my mouth. Be
side Il cheerful fire stood a table and ON
either side of it sat 1euan Ciwyllt and
Dafydd.
There they We're at ease in their inn.
q dish of smoking rasilers OF bacon and
a big brown loaf between them. The
good, hearty smell of the fried bacon
crept through the crevices of the i'll
fitting lattice and ticlSled my nostrlis
richly with its SAVIOR. i had been very
hungry before, and nov my appetite
became clamorous for a share of this
toothsome banquet. The room Was
empty but for them, and l stepped
forward and lifted the latch of the
door. / went in and found myself in
a passage which ran through the house.
The landlord was coming along it in
the opposite direction with great Jug
of ale, and / followed him into the
room where the Red Men of the Dugil
1o,, l,,aI ylt, ,ll1 IL
saw my face over the landlords Shout
der
We'll, indeed said he with his ready
smile as for an expected guest, you
have come OF last. Yes, that ISIS better
than not to come at all. Take drink
of the ale
My hand was on the jug with less
delay, | fear, than was polite, and
took a hearty draught which could
not have given my parched throat more
delight had it been fresh brewed nee
tar.
And you will have some supper with
me-" went on Ieuan, amabiy. come
landlord some more bacon and Il few
eggs again. Here ISIS loaf biz enough
for a Dozen We will finish the supper
before we begin business. Then we car
talk about the prices of things while
we sit by the fire With another jug oil
ale.
Ieuan purred smoothly along, and
nodded clownish agreement as be-
came my character, and the landlord
BUSTED about and set out Il fresh
trencher and a chair before it. ] seat
ed myself and began TO make havoc
of the slices still left on the dish. and
the food tasted as sweetly as it had
srnelled 1euan had come pretty well
to an end OF his meal, and he leaned
his elbows on tie table. took his face
between his hands, and watched me
With a smile.
Yes" said he, when the landlord had
left the room Il have u good eye to
tell when man ISIS hungry. You have
run many miles on your feet since you
last took some food
II have, Ieuan," | replied. and
thank you for this. ] can assure you
Ieuan waved his hand, as bidding me
be easy.
You have taken to the road aeain
that ISIS plain to see" he remarked
How did they find you OUT"
II quarreled With the fellow you saw
at the inn yesterday"
''Ycs, yes" agreed leuan; 1T "ou!c
be about Owain's sister. I could see
that coming Very clearly but he was.
not much of u man; his eye was!
poor. You took q sword and killed
him easy."
NO" said /; II did not go so Eau
as that, but l handled him prett,
roughly"
Him. said Ieuan. rather dissatis
fled ITO XIII ISIS the best. You are
sparing yourself many enemies b,
that"
Our conversation was now interrupted
by the entrance of fresh customers, /:
couple OF yokels of the neiglborhoot
who called for ale, and sat in a corner
to drink together. They stayed abou
an hour. and in this time finished my
meal and sat in the WalIac.'t nook vi
the chimney corner. drying the last
moisture out of my clothes. Ieuan took
seat near me and we conyerscd upor
the price of cattle. dropping our voices
as we came apparently TO the pitch OF
the bargain, until we had reached 6
point where we could talk of what we
pleased. i told him of the line l hac
taken, and he d past master in sucl
arts, approved.
How far iss this now from you
housc?" he asked.
Not more than twelve miles, l re-
pied: II have doubled about so. / wa:
surprised to see you had not got farth
or yourself"
My pony went very lame" replied
my weight has been too much for hin
on SO long journey. So ] stopped here
to give him good rest till tomorrow
He bit his lip, and stared thoughtfully
into the fire.
Now" said he, there ISIS the plan
Tomorrow morning, before the daylight
comes, you must go from this place
in my clothes. 1t ISIS lucky we are abou
the same size Have you some mon
ey?'
Not penny" / replied
Never mind" rejoined Ieuan. 'yol
have a good right to a few pounds ou
of the little bag here" and he touched
his breast. where the gold lay hidden
enough to carry you TO a place where
you will be safe again. Are YOU
thinking to go far?"
Within dozen miles of Hereford.
IA little journey that" said Ieuan
We'll. you take these clothes. wher
you will look very respectable, and By