284 CWM BYCHAN. 



your own free mountain air, one who knows not the language of the 

 Saxon, whose foot has never trod English ground, whose life and 

 conduct are without reproach ; who, as a countryman, will protect 

 your property and defend your rights. I am now about to redeem 

 my pledge." Then, turning to an attendant, he took in his arms an 

 infant and presented him to the people, saying " Behold your prince! 

 a true-born Cambrian ! See ! he smiles upon you and asks you for 

 your friendship and support ! You cannot refuse to give them." 



All were taken by surprise. They gazed on the monarch and on 

 his son in silent astonishment during his address. JThe most trivial 

 circumstances very frequently determine the bias of public opinion. 

 In this case, the child's smile did more than all the eloquence of the 

 father. After a short pause, there burst forth one simultaneous 

 shout of " Long live the Prince of Wales." 



When the exhibition had ceased and the assembly began to dis- 

 perse, a horseman was seen making his way with difficulty through 

 the crowd. His steed was jaded, and the rider looked pale and hag- 

 gard. He forced his way up to the gates of the castle, and solicited 

 an audience of the King on a matter of life and death. Edward, 

 who heard what passed, ordered him to be admitted. The port- 

 cullis rose accordingly, and the next moment the messenger found 

 himself within the court of this place of strength. He was quickly 

 ushered into a chamber, at the upper end of which the king waited 

 to receive him. The young man approached and made obeisance. 

 " What is your name and business ?" demanded the monarch, "me- 

 thinks it must be something urgent and extraordinary to need our 

 personal attendance at a time like the present. Speak." " I am call- 

 ed Thalwyn," replied the youth boldly, "my intelligence will speak 

 for itself. I am the page of your Highness* faithful servant Morti- 

 mer. He was last night surprised by a band of mountaineers, his 

 detachment was cut to pieces, and himself carried away a prisoner." 

 Thalwyn then recapitulated the details of the attack of Ffestiniog, 

 and stated farther, that while assisting Mortimer to defend himself, 

 he was struck down by one of the assailants, and remained insensible 

 for some time ; and when he recovered consciousness, the enemy 

 were just retiring, after having plundered the camp of every thing 

 valuable. He succeeded in ascertaining, by their conversation, that 

 Mortimer was not dead, but a prisoner ; and that they intended to 

 bear him with them to the mountain glen called Cwm Bychan, and 

 there to sacrifice him to their ruthless revenge. 



The King heard the narration with increasing interest, and when 

 it was concluded, exclaimed : " These are indeed strange tidings, 



