“That we may not bring a certain gentleman upon us, sir, who doesn’t like to have his name taken in vain.”
“Is their much difference between the roads?”
“A great deal, sir; one is over the hills, and the other round by the valleys.”
“Which is the shortest?”
“Oh, that over the hills, sir; it is about twenty miles from here to the Pont y Gwr Drwg over the hills, but more than twice that by the valleys.”
“Well, I suppose you would advise me to go by the hills?”
“Certainly, sir—that is, if you wish to break your neck, or to sink in a bog, or to lose your way, or perhaps, if night comes on, to meet the Gwr Drwg himself taking a stroll. But to talk soberly. The way over the hills is an awful road, and, indeed, for the greater part is no road at all.”
“Well, I shall go by it. Can’t you give me some directions?”
“I’ll do my best, sir, but I tell you again that the road is a horrible one, and very hard to find.”
He then went with me to the gate of the inn, where he began to give me directions, pointing to the south, and mentioning some names of places through which I must pass, amongst which were Waen y Bwlch and Long Bones. At length he mentioned Pont Erwyd, and said: “If you can but get there, you are all right, for from thence there is a very fair road to the bridge of the evil man; though I dare say if you get to Pont Erwyd—and I wish you may get there—you will have had enough of it and will stay there for the night, more especially as there is a good inn.”