Bogs 



121 



of apparitions from the nether world, when viewed through 

 a darkening fog, so that we will do well to leave the gloomy 

 glen behind us ere night descends. The way over the 

 mountain is treacherous even in the gloaming ; and sheep 

 tracks, though generally safe to follow, when they lead in 

 the right direction, have a disagreeable way of bifurcating at 

 inopportune moments, just when we happen to be least 

 certain of our ground, or of disappearing altogether where 

 the heather is supplanted by a stretch of grassy pasture. 

 And the bogs ! He that would wander over these hills 

 with dry feet will do well to keep to hard roads, if he can 

 find them ; for the hollows are often so wet that to cross 

 them, dry-shod, is nearly an impossibility, even in daylight, 

 and under other circumstances, becomes altogether hopeless. 

 Personally, I never attempted it. Knee-boots would hardly 

 suffice in many places, and are, of course, out of the question 

 if a long tramp is to be undertaken with any degree of 

 comfort. Low brogues, bored with holes along the welt, 

 are by far the most satisfactory foot-gear. They let in the 

 water, of course, at the first step from the path, but they 

 let it out again as freely, and they make one quite inde- 

 pendent of the intolerable nuisance of always having to pick 

 one's steps. 



I foregathered here with one of the clan Jones, dis- 

 tinguished, as usual, by the name of his residence, as 

 cc Harry Gadfa," and learned from him, that he had trapped 

 two Polecats, about a dozen years ago, which he regarded as 

 being almost the last of their race. This I found to be the 

 opinion of most of the farmers, and keepers, in the district, 

 few of them having seen a Ffwlbart^ Fwlpar, or Gwichyll, for 

 many years past, where twenty or thirty years ago they 

 were abundant. In parts of South Wales, they are still 

 pretty numerous, and they exist, also, in fair numbers, a 

 little to the north of the Dee valley ; but where keepers are 

 active, and moors well looked after, a fall of snow is sure 

 to betray their presence, in unaccustomed parts, and in all 

 probability lead to their undoing. The tell-tale track 

 catches the eye of the observant Highlander (who fills the 

 position of gamekeeper on so many estates in Wales), and 



