XVII] RESIDENCE AT NEATH 



253 



where we could sleep with the minimum of discomfort, but 

 with very little success. We had only our usual thin summer 

 clothing, and had nothing whatever with us but each a small 

 satchel, which served as a pillow. As the cave faces north 

 the rocky floor had not been warmed by the sun, and struck 

 cold through our thin clothing, and we turned about in vain 

 for places where we could fit ourselves into hollows without 

 feeling the harsh contact of our bones with the rock or 

 pebbles. 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 sufficient 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 sun- 

 shine, 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 refreshing 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 ex- 

 ploring 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 



