191
DAFYDD WILLIAM DAFYDD AND THE FAIRIES.
HE following story was related by Mr. Howel Walters, of Ystradgynlais, to Mr. G. L. Gomme and myself on Whitsun Monday last. Mr. Walters had heard it from John Williams, late of Penrheol, Ystradgynlais, who died the year before last, aged 94:—
"There was a person of the name of Dafydd William Dafydd living at Bryngrainen farm, Palleg, Ystradgynlais. He was a very religious man, fond of music, and a good player on the flute. One day he went out as usual to see after his cattle and sheep on the adjoining mountain, to a place called Llorfa, near the Van Pool. He often went up there to play the flute. This day, as usual, he took his flute with him; and he did not return home that evening. His wife called together her friends, and said Dafydd had not come home. They went looking for him that night and the day after, and for many days. They dragged all the pools in the rivers, and made a great search for him, but could not find him, nor any account of his whereabouts. His wife and friends at last made up their minds he had come to some sad end. However, in about three weeks after Dafydd came home, about five o'clock one evening, to the great surprise of his wife, who had given up all hope of ever seeing him again. She asked him where he had been instead of coming home as usual; and he was quite as much surprised to hear the question, for, as he thought, there was nothing unusual for him to be out of the house for only a few hours. He inquired why she asked. His wife said: 'Where have you been for the past three weeks?' 'Three weeks! Is it three weeks you call three hours?' said Dafydd. His wife told him they had been looking everywhere for him, but could get no clue to him, and pressed him to say where he had been. At last he told
