"Idon’tunderstandWelsh，"saidI；"Idon’tunderstandWelsh。
　　That’swhatIcallagoodone。"
　　"MedrwchsiaradCumraeg？"saidtheshortfigurespittingonthecarpet。
　　"Medraf，"saidI。
　　"Youcan，Mr！Well，ifthatdon’twhiptheUnion。ButIsee：youwerebornintheStatesofWelshparents。"
　　"NoharminbeingbornintheStatesofWelshparents，"saidI。
　　"Noneatall，Mr；Iwasmyself，andthefirstlanguageIlearnttospeakwasWelsh。DidyourpeoplecomefromBala，Mr？"
　　"Whyno！Didyourn？"
　　"Whyyaas—atleastfromtheneighbourhood。WhatStatedoyoucomefrom？Virginny？"
　　"Whyno！"
　　"PerhapsPensilvanycountry？"
　　"PensilvanyisafineState，"saidI。
　　"Soitis，Mr。Oh，thatisyourState，isit？IcomefromVarmont。"
　　"Youdo，doyou？Well，Varmontisnotabadstate，butnotequaltoPensilvany，andI’lltellyoutworeasonswhy；firstithasnotbeensolongsettled，andsecondthereisnotsomuchWelshbloodinitasthereisinPensilvany。"
　　"IstheremuchWelshbloodinPensilvanythen？"
　　"Plenty，Mr，plenty。WelshflockedovertoPensilvanyevenasfarbackasthetimeofWilliamPen，whoasyouknow，Mr，wasthefirstfounderofthePensilvanyState。AndthatputsmeinmindthatthereisacuriousaccountextantoftheadventuresofoneoftheoldWelshsettlersinPensilvania。ItistobefoundinaletterinanoldWelshbook。Theletterisdated1705，andisfromoneHuwJones，bornofWelshparentsinPensilvanycountry，toacousinofhisofthesamenameresidingintheneighbourhoodofthisverytownofBalainMerionethshire，whereyouandI，Mr，noware。Itisinanswertocertaininquiriesmadebythecousin，andiswritteninpureoldWelshlanguage。Itgivesanaccountofhowthewriter’sfatherleftthisneighbourhoodtogotoPensilvania；howheembarkedonboardtheshipWILLIAMPEN；howhewasthirtyweeksonthevoyagefromtheThamestotheDelaware。Onlythink，Mr，ofashipnow—a—daysbeingthirtyweeksonthepassagefromtheThamestotheDelawareriver；howhelearnttheEnglishlanguageonthevoyage；howheandhiscompanionsnearlyperishedwithhungerinthewildwoodaftertheylanded；howPensilvaniacitywasbuilt；
　　howhebecameafarmerandmarriedaWelshwoman，thewidowofaWelshmanfromshireDenbigh，bywhomhehadthewriterandseveralotherchildren；howthefatherusedtotalktohischildrenabouthisnativeregionandtheplacesroundaboutBala，andfilltheirbreastswithlongingforthelandoftheirfathers；andfinallyhowtheoldmandiedleavinghischildrenandtheirmotherinprosperouscircumstances。Itisawonderfulletter，Mr，allwritteninthepureoldWelshlanguage。"
　　"Isay，Mr，youareacuteoneandknowathingortwo。IsupposeWelshwasthefirstlanguageyoulearnt，likemyself？"
　　"No，itwasn’t—Iliketospeakthetruth—nevertooktoeitherspeakingorreadingtheWelshlanguagetillIwaspastsixteen。"
　　"’Stonishing！butseetheforceofbloodatlast。Inanylineofbusiness？"
　　"No，Mr，can’tsayIam。"
　　"Havemoneyinyourpocket，andtravelforpleasure。Cometoseefather’sland。"
　　"CometoseeoldWales。Andwhatbringsyouhere，Hiraeth？"
　　"That’slonging。No，notexactly。CameovertoEnglandtoseewhatIcoulddo。GotinwithhouseatLiverpoolinthedraperybusiness。Travelforithereabouts，havingconnectionsandspeakingthelanguage。Dobranchbusinesshereforabanking—housebesides。Managetogetonsmartly。"
　　"Youlookasmart’un。Butdon’tyoufinditsometimeshardtocompetewithEnglishtravellersinthedraperyline？"
　　"Iguessnot。Englishtravellers！setofnat’rals。Don’tknowthelanguageandnothingelse。Couldwhipadozenanyday。Regularlyflummoxthem。"
　　"Youdo，Mr？Ah，Iseeyou’reacute’un。Gladtohavemetyou。"
　　"Isay，Mr，youhavenottoldmefromwhatcountyyourforefatherswere。"
　　"FromNorfolkandCornwallcounties。"
　　"Didn’tknowthereweresuchcountiesinWales。"
　　"ButthereareinEngland。"
　　"Why，youtoldmeyouwereofWelshparents。"
　　"No，Ididn’t。Youtoldyourselfso。"
　　"ButhowdidyoucometoknowWelsh？"
　　"Why，that’smybitofasecret。"
　　"ButyouareoftheUnitedStates？"
　　"Neverknewthatbefore。"
　　"Mr，youflummoxme。"
　　"JustasyoudotheEnglishdraperytravellers。Ah，you’reacute’un—butdoyouthinkitaltogetheracutetricktostowallthosesovereignsinthatdrawer？"
　　"Whoshouldtakethemout，Mr？"
　　"Whoshouldtakethemout？Why，anyoftheswellmobthatshouldchancetobeinthehousemightunlockthedrawerwiththeirflashkeysassoonasyourbackisturned，andtakeoutallthecoin。"
　　"Buttherearenoneoftheswellmobhere。"
　　"Howdoyouknow，that？"saidI，"theswellmobtravelwideabout—
　　howdoyouknowthatIamnotoneofthem？"
　　"Theswellmobdon’tspeakWelsh，Iguess。"
　　"Don’tbetoosureofthat，"saidI—"theswellcovessparenoexpensefortheireducation—sothattheymaybeabletoplaypartsaccordingtocircumstances。Istronglyadviseyou，Mr，toputthatbagsomewhereelselestsomethingshouldhappentoit。"
　　"Well，Mr，I’lltakeyouradvice。Thesearemyquarters，andIwasmerelygoingtokeepthemoneyhereforconvenience’sake。Themoneybelongstothebank，soitisbutrighttostowitawayinthebanksafe。Icertainlyshouldbelothtoleaveitherewithyouintheroom，afterwhatyouhavesaid。"Hethengotup，unlockedthedrawer，tookoutthebag，andwitha"Goodnight，Mr，"
　　lefttheroom。
　　I"trifled"overmybrandyandwatertillIfinishedit，andthenwalkedforthtolookatthetown。Iturnedupastreet，whichledtotheeast，andsoonfoundmyselfbesidethelakeatthenorth—
　　westextremityofwhichBalastands。Itappearedaverynoblesheetofwaterstretchingfromnorthtosouthforseveralmiles。
　　As，however，nightwasfastcomingonIdidnotseeittoitsfulladvantage。AftergazinguponitforafewminutesIsaunteredbacktothesquare，ormarketplace，andleaningmybackagainstawall，listenedtotheconversationoftwoorthreegroupsofpeoplewhowerestandingnear，mymotivefordoingsobeingadesiretoknowwhatkindofWelshtheyspoke。TheirlanguageasfarasIhearditdifferedinscarcelyanyrespectfromthatofLlangollen。I，however，heardverylittleofit，forIhadscarcelykeptmystationaminutewhenthegoodfolksbecameuneasy，castside—
　　glancesatme，firstdroppedtheirconversationtowhispers，nextheldtheirtonguesaltogether，andfinallymovedoff，somegoingtotheirhomes，othersmovingtoadistanceandthengroupingtogether—evencertainraggedboyswhowereplayingandchatteringnearmebecameuneasy，firststoodstill，thenstaredatme，andthentookthemselvesoffandplayedandchatteredatadistance。Nowwhatwasthecauseofallthis？Why，suspicionoftheSaxon。TheWelshareafraidlestanEnglishmanshouldunderstandtheirlanguage，and，byhearingtheirconversation，becomeacquaintedwiththeirprivateaffairs，orbylisteningtoit，pickuptheirlanguagewhichtheyhavenomindthatheshouldknow—andtheirverychildrensympathisewiththem。Allconqueredpeoplearesuspiciousoftheirconquerors，TheEnglishhaveforgotthattheyeverconqueredtheWelsh，butsomeageswillelapsebeforetheWelshforgetthattheEnglishhaveconqueredthem。
　　CHAPTERL
　　TheBreakfast—TheTomenBala—ElPuntodelaVana。
　　ISLEPTsoundlythatnight，aswellImight，mybedbeinggoodandmybodyweary。Iaroseaboutnine，dressedandwentdowntotheparlourwhichwasvacant。Irangthebell，andonTomJenkinsmakinghisappearanceIorderedbreakfast，andthenaskedfortheWelshAmerican，andlearnedthathehadbreakfastedveryearlyandhadsetoutinagigonajourneytosomedistance。InabouttwentyminutesafterIhadordereditmybreakfastmadeitsappearance。Anoblebreakfastitwas；suchindeedasImighthavereadof，buthadneverbeforeseen。Therewasteaandcoffee，agoodlywhiteloafandbutter；therewereacoupleofeggsandtwomuttonchops。Therewasbroiledandpickledsalmon—therewasfriedtrout—therewerealsopottedtroutandpottedshrimps。
　　Mercyuponme！Ihadneverpreviouslyseensuchabreakfastsetbeforeme，norindeedhaveIsubsequently。Yes，Ihavesubsequently，andatthatveryhousewhenIvisiteditsomemonthsafter。
　　AfterbreakfastIcalledforthebill。Iforgettheexactamountofthebill，butrememberthatitwasverymoderate。IpaiditandgavethenobleThomasashilling，whichhereceivedwithabowandtrulyFrenchsmile，thatisagrimace。WhenIdepartedthelandlordandlandlady，highlyrespectable—lookingelderlypeople，werestandingatthedoor，oneoneachside，anddismissedmewithsuitablehonour，hewithalowbow，shewithaprofoundcurtsey。
　　Havingseenlittleofthetownontheprecedingevening，I
　　determinedbeforesettingoutforLlangollentobecomebetteracquaintedwithit，andaccordinglytookanotherstrollaboutit。
　　Balaisatowncontainingthreeorfourthousandinhabitants，situatednearthenorthernendofanoblongvalley，atleasttwo—
　　thirdsofwhichareoccupiedbyLlynTegid。Ithastwolongstreets，extendingfromnorthtosouth，afewnarrowcrossones，anancientchurch，partlyovergrownwithivy，withaverypointedsteeple，andatown—hallofsomeantiquity，inwhichWelshinterludesusedtobeperformed。Aftergratifyingmycuriositywithrespecttothetown，Ivisitedthemound—thewondrousTomenBala。
　　TheTomenBalastandsatthenorthernendofthetown。Itisapparentlyformedofclay，issteepandofdifficultascent。Inheightitisaboutthirtyfeet，andindiameteratthetopaboutfifty。Onthetopgrowsagwernoralder—tree，aboutafootthick，itsbarkterriblyscotchedwithlettersanduncouthcharacters，carvedbytheidlersofthetownwhoarefondofresortingtothetopofthemoundinfineweather，andlyingdownonthegrasswhichcoversit。TheTomenisaboutthesamesizeasGlendower’sMountontheDee，whichitmuchresemblesinshape。Bothbelongtothatbrotherhoodofartificialmoundsofunknownantiquity，foundscattered，hereandthere，throughoutEuropeandthegreaterpartofAsia，themostremarkablespecimenofwhichis，perhaps，thatwhichstandsontherightsideofthewayfromAdrianopletoStamboul，andwhichiscalledbytheTurksMouradTepehsi，orthetombofMourad。Whichmoundsseemtohavebeenoriginallyintendedasplacesofsepulture，butinmanyinstanceswereafterwardsusedasstrongholds，bonhillsorbeacon—heights，orasplacesonwhichadorationwaspaidtothehostofheaven。
　　FromtheTomenthereisanobleviewoftheBalavalley，theLakeofBeautyuptoitssouthernextremity，andtheneighbouringanddistantmountains。OfBala，itslakeandTomen，Ishallhavesomethingtosayonafutureoccasion。
　　LeavingBalaIpassedthroughthevillageofLlanfairandfoundmyselfbytheDee，whosecourseIfollowedforsomeway。ComingtothenorthernextremityoftheBalavalley，Ienteredapasstendingduenorth。Heretheroadslightlydivergedfromtheriver。Ispedalong，delightedwiththebeautyofthescenery。Onmyleftwasahighbankcoveredwithtrees，onmyrightagrove，throughopeningsinwhichIoccasionallycaughtglimpsesoftheriver，overwhosefarthersidetowerednoblehills。Anhour’swalkingbroughtmeintoacomparativelyopencountry，fruitfulandcharming。Ataboutoneo’clockIreachedalargevillage，thenameofwhich，likethoseofmostWelshvillages，beganwithLlan。ThereIrefreshedmyselfforanhourortwoinanold—fashionedinn，andthenresumedmyjourney。
　　IpassedthroughCorwen；againvisitedGlendower’smonticleupontheDee，andreachedLlangollenshortlyaftersunset，whereIfoundmybelovedtwowellandgladtoseeme。
　　Thatnight，aftertea，Henriettaplayedontheguitartheoldmuleteertuneof"ElPuntodelaVana，"orthemainpointattheHavanna，whilstIsangthewords—
　　"Nevertrustthesamplewhenyougoyourclothtobuy：
　　Thewoman’smostdeceitfulthat’sdressedmostdaintily。
　　ThelassesofHavannaridetomassincoachesyellow，Buteretheygotheyaskifthepriest’sahandsomefellow。
　　ThelassesofHavannaasmulberriesaredark，AndtrytomakethemfairerbytakingJesuit’sbark。"
　　CHAPTERLI
　　TheLadiesofLlangollen—SirAlured—Eisteddfodau—PleasureandCare。
　　SHORTLYaftermyreturnIpaidavisittomyfriendsattheVicarage，whowererejoicedtoseemeback，andweremuchentertainedwiththeaccountIgaveofmytravels。InextwenttovisittheoldchurchclerkofwhomIhadsomuchtosayonaformeroccasion。Afterhavingtoldhimsomeparticularsofmyexpedition，toallofwhichhelistenedwithgreatattention，especiallytothatpartwhichrelatedtothechurchofPenmynyddandthetomboftheTudors，IgothimtotalkabouttheladiesofLlangollen，ofwhomIknewverylittlesavewhatIhadheardfromgeneralreport。
　　IfoundherememberedtheirfirstcomingtoLlangollen，theirlivinginlodgings，theirpurchasingthegroundcalledPenymaes，andtheirerectinguponitthemansiontowhichthenameofPlasNewyddwasgiven。Hesaidtheywereveryeccentric，butgoodandkind，andhadalwaysshownmostparticularfavourtohimself；thatbothwerehighlyconnected，especiallyLadyEleanorButler，whowasconnectedbybloodwiththegreatDukeofOrmondwhocommandedthearmiesofCharlesinIrelandinthetimeofthegreatrebellion，andalsowiththeDukeofOrmondwhosucceededMarlboroughinthecommandofthearmiesintheLowCountriesinthetimeofQueenAnne，andwhofledtoFranceshortlyaftertheaccessionofGeorgetheFirsttothethrone，onaccountofbeingimplicatedinthetreasonofHarleyandBolingbroke；andthatherladyshipwasparticularlyfondoftalkingofboththesedukes，andrelatinganecdotesconcerningthem。HesaidthattheladieswereinthehabitofreceivingtheveryfirstpeopleinBritain，"amongstwhom，"saidtheoldchurchclerk，"wasanancientgentlemanofmostengagingappearanceandcaptivatingmanners，calledSirAluredC—。
　　Hewasinthearmy，andinhisyouth，owingtothebeautyofhisperson，wascalled，’thehandsomecaptain。’Itwassaidthatoneoftheroyalprincesseswasdesperatelyinlovewithhim，andthatonthataccountGeorgetheThirdinsistedonhisgoingtoIndia。
　　Whetherornottherewastruthinthereport，toIndiahewent，whereheservedwithdistinctionforagreatmanyyears。Onhisreturn，whichwasnottillhewasupwardsofeighty，hewasreceivedwithgreatfavourbyWilliamtheFourth，whoamongstotherthingsmadehimafield—marshal。AsoftenasOctobercamerounddidthisinterestingandvenerablegentlemanmakehisappearanceatLlangollentopayhisrespectstotheladies，especiallytoLadyEleanor，whomhehadknownatCourtasfarbacktheysayastheAmericanwar。ItwasrumouredatLlangollenthatLadyEleanor’sdeathwasagrievousblowtoSirAlured，andthathewouldneverbeseenthereagain。However，whenOctobercameroundhemadehisappearanceattheVicarage，wherehehadalwaysbeeninthehabitoftakinguphisquarters，andcalledonanddinedwithMissPonsonbyatPlasNewydd，butitwasobservedthathewasnotsogayashehadformerlybeen。Intheevening，onhistakingleaveofMissPonsonby，shesaidthathehadusedherill。SirAluredcoloured，andaskedherwhatshemeant，addingthathehadnottohisknowledgeusedanypersonillinthecourseofhislife。’ButIsayyouhaveusedmeill，veryill，’saidMissPonsonby，raisinghervoice，andthewords’veryill’sherepeatedseveraltimes。Atlasttheoldsoldierwaxingratherwarmdemandedanexplanation。
　　’I’llgiveityou，’saidMissPonsonby；’wereyounotgoingawayafterhavingonlykissedmyhand？’’Oh，’saidthegeneral，’ifthatismyoffence，Iwillsoonmakeyoureparation，’andinstantlygaveheraheartysmackonthelips，whichceremonyheneverforgottorepeatafterdiningwithheronsubsequentoccasions。"
　　Wegotonthesubjectofbards，andImentionedtohimGruffyddHiraethog，theoldpoetburiedinthechancelofLlangollenchurch。
　　Theoldclerkwasnotawarethathewasburiedthere，andsaidthatthoughhehadheardofhimheknewlittleornothingabouthim。
　　"Wherewasheborn？"saidhe。
　　"InDenbighshire，"Ireplied，"nearthemountainHiraethog，fromwhichcircumstancehecalledhimselfinpoetryGruffyddHiraethog。"
　　"Whendidheflourish？"
　　"Aboutthemiddleofthesixteenthcentury。"
　　"Whatdidhewrite？"
　　"Agreatmanydidacticpieces，"saidIinoneofwhichisafamouscouplettothiseffect：
　　"HewhosatirelovestosingOnhimselfwillsatirebring。"
　　"DidyoueverhearofWilliamLleyn？"saidtheoldgentleman。
　　"Yes，"saidI；"hewasapupilofHiraethog，andwroteanelegyonhisdeath，inwhichhealludestoGruffydd’sskillinanoldWelshmetre，calledtheCrossConsonancy，inthefollowingmanner：
　　’"InEden’sgrovefromAdam’smouthUpsprangamuseofnoblegrowth；
　　Sofromthygrave，Opoetwise，CrossConsonancy’sboughsshallrise。’"
　　"Really，"saidtheoldclerk，"youseemtoknowsomethingaboutWelshpoetry。ButwhatismeantbyamusespringingupfromAdam’smouthinEden？"
　　"Why，Isuppose，"saidI，"thatAdaminventedpoetry。"
　　Imadeinquiriesofhimabouttheeisteddfodauorsessionsofbards，andexpressedawishtobepresentatoneofthem。Hesaidthattheywereveryinteresting；thatbardsmetatparticularperiodsandrecitedpoemsonvarioussubjectswhichhadbeengivenoutbeforehand，andthatprizeswereallottedtothosewhosecompositionsweredeemedthebestbythejudges。HesaidthathehadhimselfwontheprizeforthebestenglynonaparticularsubjectataneisteddfodatwhichSirWatkinWilliamsWynnpresided，andatwhichHeber，afterwardsBishopofCalcutta，waspresent，whoappearedtounderstandWelshwell，andwhotookmuchinterestintheproceedingsofthemeeting。
　　OurdiscourseturningonthelatterWelshpoetsIaskedhimifhehadbeenacquaintedwithJonathanHughes，whothereaderwillrememberwasthepersonwhosegrandsonImetandinwhosearm—chairIsatatTyynypistyll，shortlyaftermycomingtoLlangollen。
　　Hesaidthathehadbeenwellacquaintedwithhim，andhadhelpedtocarryhimtothegrave，adding，thathewassomethingofapoet，butthathehadalwaysconsideredhisfortelayinstronggoodsenseratherthanpoetry。ImentionedThomasEdwards，whosepictureIhadseeninValleCrucisAbbey。Hesaidthatheknewhimtolerablywell，andthatthelasttimehesawhimwaswhenhe，Edwards，wasaboutseventyyearsofage，whenhesenthiminacarttothehouseofagreatgentlemanneartheaqueductwherehewasgoingtostayonavisit。ThatTomwasaboutfivefeeteightincheshigh，lusty，andverystronglybuilt；thathehadsomethingthematterwithhisrighteye；thathewasverysatiricalandveryclever；thathiswifewasaverycleverwomanandsatirical；histwodaughtersbothcleverandsatirical，andhisservant—maidremarkablysatiricalandclever，andthatitwasimpossibletolivewithTwmO’rNantwithoutlearningtobecleverandsatirical；thathealwaysappearedtobeoccupiedwithsomething，andthathehadheardhimsaytherewassomethinginhimthatwouldneverlethimbeidle；thathewouldwalkfifteenmilestoaplacewherehewastoplayaninterlude，andthatassoonashegottherehewouldbeginplayingitatonce，howevertiredhemightbe。TheoldgentlemanconcludedbysayingthathehadneverreadtheworksofTwmO’rNant，buthehadheardthathisbestpiecewastheinterludecalled"PleasureandCare。"
　　CHAPTERLII
　　TheTreacheryoftheLongKnives—TheNorthBriton—TheWoundedButcher—ThePrisoner。
　　ONthetenthofSeptemberourlittletownwasflungintosomeconfusionbyonebutcherhavingattemptedtocutthethroatofanother。ThedelinquentwasaWelshman，whoitwassaidhadforsometimepastbeensomewhatoutofhismind；theotherpartywasanEnglishman，whoescapedwithoutfurtherinjurythanadeepgashinthecheek。TheWelshmanmightbemad，butitappearedtomethattherewassomemethodinhismadness。Hetriedtocutthethroatofabutcher：didn’tthislooklikewishingtoputarivaloutoftheway？andthatbutcheranEnglishman：didn’tthislooklikewishingtopaybackupontheSaxonwhattheWelshcallbradwriaethycyllyllhirion，thetreacheryofthelongknives？SoreasonedItomyself。Buthereperhapsthereaderwillaskwhatismeantby"thetreacheryofthelongknives？"whetherhedoesornotIwilltellhim。
　　HengistwishingtobecomeparamountinSouthernBritainthoughtthattheeasiestwaytoaccomplishhiswishwouldbebydestroyingtheSouthBritishchieftains。Notbelievingthatheshouldbeabletomakeawaywiththembyopenforcehedeterminedtoseewhathecoulddobytreachery。AccordinglyheinvitedthechieftainstoabanquettobeheldnearStonehenge，ortheHangingStones，onSalisburyPlains。Theunsuspectingchieftainsacceptedtheinvitation，andontheappointeddayrepairedtothebanquet，whichwasheldinahugetent。Hengistreceivedthemwithasmilingcountenanceandeveryappearanceofhospitality，andcausedthemtositdowntotable，placingbythesideofeveryBritononeofhisownpeople。Thebanquetcommenced，andallseeminglywasmirthandhilarity。NowHengisthadcommandedhispeoplethatwhenheshouldgetupandcry"nemeteouresaxes，"thatis，takeyourknives，eachSaxonshoulddrawhislongsax，orknife，whichheworeathisside，andshouldplungeitintothethroatofhisneighbour。Thebanquetwenton，andinthemidstofit，whentheunsuspectingBritonswererevellingonthegoodcheerwhichhadbeenprovidedforthem，andhalf—drunkenwiththemeadandbeerwhichflowedintorrents，uproseHengist，andwithavoiceofthunderutteredthefatalwords"nemeteouresaxes："thecrywasobeyed，eachSaxongraspedhisknifeandstruckwithitatthethroatofhisdefencelessneighbour。Almosteveryblowtookeffect；onlythreeBritishchieftainsescapingfromthebanquetofblood。ThisinfernalcarnagetheWelshhaveappropriatelydenominatedthetreacheryofthelongknives。ItwillbeaswelltoobservethattheSaxonsderivedtheirnamefromthesaxes，orlongknives，whichtheyworeattheirsides，andattheuseofwhichtheywereterriblyproficient。
　　TwoorthreedaysaftertheattemptatmurderatLlangollen，hearingthattheWelshbutcherwasabouttobebroughtbeforethemagistrates，Ideterminedtomakeanefforttobepresentattheexamination。AccordinglyIwenttothepolicestationandinquiredofthesuperintendentwhetherIcouldbepermittedtoattend。HewasaNorthBriton，asIhavestatedsomewherebefore，andIhadscrapedacquaintancewithhim，andhadgotsomewhatintohisgoodgracesbypraisingDumfries，hisnativeplace，anddescantingtohimuponthebeautiesofthepoetryofhiscelebratedcountryman，myoldfriend，AllanCunningham，someofwhoseworkshehadperused，andwithwhomashesaid，hehadoncethehonourofshakinghands。Inreplytomyquestionhetoldmethatitwasdoubtfulwhetheranyexaminationwouldtakeplace，asthewoundedmanwasinaveryweakstate，butthatifIwouldreturninhalf—
　　an—hourhewouldletmeknow。Iwentaway，andattheendofthehalf—hourreturned，whenhetoldmethattherewouldbenopublicexamination，owingtotheextremedebilityofthewoundedman，butthatoneofthemagistrateswasabouttoproceedtohishouseandtakehisdepositioninthepresenceofthecriminalandalsoofthewitnessesofthedeed，andthatifIpleasedImightgoalongwithhim，andhehadnodoubtthatthemagistratewouldhavenoobjectiontomybeingpresent。Wesetouttogether；asweweregoingalongIquestionedhimaboutthestateofthecountry，andgatheredfromhimthattherewasoccasionallyagooddealofcrimeinWales。
　　"AretheWelshaclannishpeople？"Idemanded。
　　"Very，"saidhe。
　　"AsclannishastheHighlanders？"saidI。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，"andagooddealmore。"
　　Wecametothehouseofthewoundedbutcher，whichwassomewayoutofthetowninthenorth—westernsuburb。Themagistratewasinthelowerapartmentwiththeclerk，oneortwoofficials，andthesurgeonofthetown。Hewasagentlemanofabouttwoorthreeandforty，withamilitaryairandlargemoustaches，forbesidesbeingajusticeofthepeaceandalandedproprietor，hewasanofficerinthearmy。HemademeapolitebowwhenIentered，andI
　　requestedofhimpermissiontobepresentattheexamination。Hehesitatedamomentandthenaskedmemymotiveforwishingtobepresentatit。
　　"Merelycuriosity，"saidI。
　　Hethenobservedthatastheexaminationwouldbeaprivateone，mybeingpermittedornotwasquiteoptional。
　　"Iamawareofthat，"saidI，"andifyouthinkmyremainingisobjectionableIwillforthwithretire。"Helookedattheclerk，whosaidtherecouldbenoobjectiontomystaying，andturningroundtohissuperiorsaidsomethingtohimwhichIdidnothear，whereuponthemagistrateagainbowedandsaidthatheshouldheveryhappytograntmyrequest。
　　Wewentupstairsandfoundthewoundedmaninbedwithabandageroundhisforehead，andhiswifesittingbyhisbedside。Themagistrateandhisofficialstooktheirseats，andIwasaccommodatedwithachair。Presentlytheprisonerwasintroducedunderthechargeofapoliceman。Hewasafellowsomewhatabovethirty，ofthemiddlesize，andworeadirtywhitefrockcoat；hisrightarmwaspartlyconfinedbyamanacle。Ayounggirlwassworn，whodeposedthatshesawtheprisonerrunaftertheotherwithsomethinginhishand。Thewoundedmanwasthenaskedwhetherhethoughthewasabletomakeadeposition；herepliedinaveryfeebletonethathethoughthewas，andafterbeingsworndeposedthatontheprecedingSaturday，ashewasgoingtohisstall，theprisonercameuptohimandaskedwhetherhehadeverdonehimanyinjury？hesaidno。"Ithen，"saidhe，"observedtheprisoner’scountenanceundergoachange，andsawhimputhishandtohiswaistcoat—pocketandpulloutaknife。Istraightbecamefrightened，andranawayasfastasIcould；theprisonerfollowed，andovertakingme，stabbedmeintheface。Iranintotheyardofapublic—houseandintotheshopofanacquaintance，whereIfelldown，thebloodspoutingoutofmywound。"Suchwasthedepositionofthewoundedbutcher。Hewasthenaskedwhethertherehadbeenanyquarrelbetweenhimandtheprisoner？Hesaidtherehadbeennoquarrel，butthathehadrefusedtodrinkwiththeprisonerwhenherequestedhim，whichhehaddoneveryfrequently，andhadmorethanoncetoldhimthathedidnotwishforhisacquaintance。Theprisoner，onbeingasked，aftertheusualcaution，whetherhehadanythingtosay，saidthathemerelywishedtomarkthemanbutnottokillhim。Thesurgeonoftheplacedeposedtothenatureofthewound，andonbeingaskedhisopinionwithrespecttothestateoftheprisoner’smind，saidthathebelievedthathemightbelabouringunderadelusion。Aftertheprisoner’sbloodyweaponandcoathadbeenproducedhewascommitted。