RESIDENCE AT NEATH 253 



for places where we could fit ourselves into hollows without 

 feeling the harsh contact of our bones with the rock or peb- 

 bles. I found it almost impossible to lie still for half an hour 

 without seeking a more comfortable position, but the change 

 brought little relief. Being midsummer, there were no dead 

 leaves to be had, and we had no tool with which to cut suffi- 

 cient branches to make a bed. But I think we had determined 

 purposely to make no preparation, but to camp out just as 

 if we had come accidentally to the place in an unknown 

 country, and had been compelled to sleep there. But very 

 little sleep was to be had, and while in health I have never 

 passed a more uncomfortable night. Luckily it was not a 

 long one, and before sunrise we left our gloomy bedroom, 

 walked up to the main road to get into the sunshine, descended 

 into the Nedd valley and strolled along, enjoying the fresh 

 morning air and warm sun till we neared Pont-nedd-fychan, 

 when, finding a suitable pool, we took a delightful and refresh- 

 ing bath, dried our bodies in the sun, and then walked on to 

 the little inn, where we enjoyed our ample dish of eggs and 

 bacon, with tea, and brown bread-and-butter. We then 

 walked slowly on, collecting and exploring by paths and lanes 

 and through shady woods on the south bank of the river, till 

 we reached our lodgings at Neath, having thoroughly enjoyed 

 our little excursion. 



A few months later one of our walks had a rather serious 

 sequel. We started after breakfast one fine Sunday morning 

 for a walk up the Dulais valley, returning by Pont-ar-dawe, 

 and about four in the afternoon found ourselves near my 

 old lodgings at Bryn-coch. We accordingly went in and, of 

 course, were asked to stay to tea, which was just being got 

 ready. The Misses Rees, with their usual hospitality, made 

 a huge plate of buttered toast with their home-made bread, 

 which was very substantial, and, being very hungry after our 

 long walk, we made a hearty meal of it. My brother felt no 

 ill effects from this, but in my case it brought on a severe 

 attack of inflammation of the stomach and bowels, which 

 kept me in bed some weeks, and taught me not to overtax my 

 usually good digestion. 



