Gypsy bending over me.

'I can't find her,' said she. 'We had best make haste and strike
across her path as she makes for Llanberis. I have a notion as she's
sure to do that.'

As fast as we could scramble along those rugged tracks we made our
way to the point where the Gypsy expected that Winifred would pass.
We remained for hours, beating about in all directions in search of
her,--Sinti every now and then touching her crwth with the bow,--but
without any result.

'It's my belief she's gone straight down to Llanberis,' said Sinfi;
'and we'd best lose no time, but go there too.'

We went right to the top of the mountain and rested for a little time
on y Wyddfa, Sinfi taking some bread and cheese and ale in the cabin
there. Then we descended the other side. I had not sense then to
notice the sunset-glories, the peaks of mountains melting into a sky
of rose and light-green, over which a phalanx of fiery clouds was
filing; and yet I see it all now as I write, and I hear what I did
not seem to hear then, the musical chant of a Welsh guide ahead of
us, who was conducting a party of happy tourists to Llanberis.

When we reached the village, we spent hours in making searches and
inquiries, but could find no trace of her. Oh, the appalling thought
of Winifred wandering about all night famishing on the hills! I went
to the inn which Sinfi pointed out to me, while she went in quest of
some Gypsy friends, who, she said, were stopping in the
neighbourhood. She promised to come to me early in the morning, in
order that we might renew our search at break of day.

When I turned into bed after supper I said to myself: 'There will be
no sleep for me this night.' But I was mistaken. So great was my
fatigue that sleep came upon me with a strength that was sudden and
irresistible; when the servant came to call me at sunrise, I felt as
though I had but just gone to bed. It was, no doubt, this sound
sleep, and entire respite from the tension of mind I had undergone,
which saved me from another serious illness.

I found the Gypsy already waiting for me below, preparing for the
labours before her by making a hearty meal on salt beef and ale.

'Reia,' said she, pointing to the beef with her knife, 'we sha'n't
get bite nor sup, 'cept what we carry, either inside or out, for
twelve hours,--perhaps not for twenty-four. Before I give up this
slot there ain't a path, nor a hill, nor a rock, nor a valley, nor a
precipuss as won't feel my f