I looked long and steadfastly at the inscription, my mind full of thoughts of the past. “Many a year has rolled by since these houses were built,” said I, as I sat down on a stepping-stone. “Many, indeed, sir,” said the woman, “and many a strange thing has happened.” “Did you ever hear of one Oliver Cromwell?” said I. “O yes, sir, and of King Charles too. The men of both have been in this yard and have baited their horses; aye, and have mounted their horses from the stone on which you sit.” “I suppose they were hardly here together?” said I. “No, no, sir,” said the woman, “they were bloody enemies, and could never set their horses together.” “Are these long houses,” said I, “inhabited by different families?” “Only by one, sir; they make now one farm-house.” “Are you the mistress of it?” said I. “I am, sir, and my husband is the master. Can I bring you anything, sir?” “Some water,” said I, “for I am thirsty, though I drank under the old bridge.” The good woman brought me a basin of delicious milk and water. “What are the names of the two bridges,” said I, “a little way from here?” “They are called, sir, the old and new bridge of Tai Hirion; at least we call them so.” “And what do you call the ffrwd that runs beneath them?” “I believe, sir, it is called the river Twerin.” “Do you know a lake far up there amidst the moors?” “I have seen it, sir; they call it Llyn Twerin.” “Does the river Twerin flow from it?” “I believe it does, sir; but I do not know.” “Is the lake deep?” “I have heard that it is very deep, sir; so much so, that nobody knows its depth.” “Are there fish in it?” “Digon, sir, digon iawn, and some very large. I once saw a Pen-hwyad from that lake which weighed fifty pounds.” After a little farther conversation I got up, and, thanking the kind woman, departed. I soon left the moors behind me, and continued walking till I came to a few houses on the margin of a meadow or fen in a valley, through which the way trended to the east. They were almost overshadowed by an enormous mountain, which rose beyond the fen on the south. Seeing a house which bore a sign, and at the door of which a horse stood tied, I went in, and a woman coming to meet me in a kind of passage, I asked her if I could have some ale.