Pooh," said I, "that was merely some person's cow or horse, turned out
at night to fill its belly at other folks' expense."

"Perhaps so," said the woman; "have you any more questions to ask?"

"Only one," said I; "how far is it to Tregaron?"

"About three miles: are you going there?"

"Yes, I am going to Tregaron."

"Pity that you did not come a little time ago," said the woman; "you
might then have had pleasant company on your way; pleasant man stopped
here to light his pipe; he too going to Tregaron."

"It doesn't matter," said I; "I am never happier than when keeping my own
company." Bidding the woman good night, I went on. The moon now shone
tolerably bright, so that I could see my way, and I sped on at a great
rate. I had proceeded nearly half a mile, when I thought I heard steps
in advance, and presently saw a figure at some little distance before me.
The individual, probably hearing the noise of my approach, soon turned
round and stood still. As I drew near I distinguished a stout burly
figure of a man, seemingly about sixty, with a short pipe in his mouth.

"Ah, is it you?" said the figure, in English, taking the pipe out of his
mouth; "good evening, I am glad to see you." Then shaking some burning
embers out of his pipe, he put it into his pocket, and trudged on beside
me.

"Why are you glad to see I me?" said I, slackening my pace; "I am a
stranger to you; at any rate, you are to me."

"Always glad to see English gentleman," said the figure; "always glad to
see him."

"How do you know that I am an English gentleman?" said I.

"Oh, I know Englishman at first sight; no one like him in the whole
world."

"Have you seen many English gentleman?" said I.

"Oh yes, have seen plenty when I have been up in London."

"Have you been much in London?"

"Oh yes; when I was a drover was up in London every month."

"And were you much in the society of English gentlemen when you were
there?"

"Oh yes; a great deal."

"Whereabouts in London did you chiefly meet them?"

"Whereabouts? Oh, in Smithfield."

"Dear me!" said I; "I thought that was rather a place for butchers than
gentlemen."

"Great place for gentlemen, I assure you," said the figure; "met there
the finest gentleman I ever saw in my life; very grand, but kind and
affable, like every true gentleman. Talked to me a great deal about
Anglesey runts, and Welsh legs of mutton, and at parting shook me by the
hand, and asked me to look in up