l these little matters may chance to lurk some ugly construction in a
court of justice--when a man is obliged to give evidence against a poor
devil that at any rate has done _him_ no harm."

"Aye," said Bertram, "and there are other reasons which should make the
traveller cautious of answering such questions: for consider--how is he
to know in what dark lane he may chance to meet the curious stranger on
his next day's journey? Though to be sure you'll say that, for a man
with no more baggage than myself, such caution is somewhat
superfluous."

The stranger laughed heartily, and said: "True, too true, as the
gentleman observes: and indeed the gentleman seems to understand how
such matters are conducted very well. However, after all, I would
strongly recommend it to the gentleman to avoid the town of
Machynleth."

"But why so? Is it a nest of thieves?"

"Oh! Lord bless us! no: quite the other way: rather too honest, and
strict, you understand."

"Well, and for what reason then avoid making the acquaintance of so
very virtuous a town?"

"Why, for _that_ reason. It's unreasonably virtuous. In particular
there is a certain magistrate in the neighbourhood, who hangs his 12
men _per annum_: and why? For no other cause on God's earth than
because their blood is hotter than his own. He has his bloodhounds for
tracking them, and his spies for trepanning; and all the old women say
that he can read in the stars, and in coffee grounds, where contraband
goods come ashore."

"Why, my pleasant friend, what is it you take me for?"

The stranger turned round; pressed his companion's hand; but, not
finding the pressure returned, he laughed and said in a significant
tone:

"Take him for? I take the gentleman to be as respectable and honourable
a gentleman as any that----frequents the highway by night. You are
come from abroad: at school you had read flattering accounts of this
famous kingdom of England and its inhabitants; and, desiring to see all
this fine vision realized, you did not let the distance frighten you.
And to a young man, I take it, _that_ is some little credit."

"Well, Sir, well?"

"Before you left home, your purse had been emptied at some watering
place, we'll say by gamblers, sharpers, black legs, &c.; but no matter
how: there are many ways of emptying a purse; and you are now come over
to our rich old England to devise means for filling it again. All
right. He, that loses his money at one sort of game, mus