"There are two roads, sir, to the Pont y Gwr Drwg; which do you
mean to take?"
"Why do you call the Devil's Bridge the Pont y Gwr Drwg, or the
bridge of the evil man?"
"That we may not bring a certain gentleman upon us, sir, who
doesn't like to have his name taken in vain."
"Is their much difference between the roads?"
"A great deal, sir; one is over the hills, and the other round by
the valleys."
"Which is the shortest?"
"Oh, that over the hills, sir; it is about twenty miles from here
to the Pont y Gwr Drwg over the hills, but more than twice that by
the valleys."
"Well, I suppose you would advise me to go by the hills?"
"Certainly, sir - that is, if you wish to break your neck, or to
sink in a bog, or to lose your way, or perhaps, if night comes on,
to meet the Gwr Drwg himself taking a stroll. But to talk soberly.
The way over the hills is an awful road, and, indeed, for the
greater part is no road at all."
"Well, I shall go by it. Can't you give me some directions?"
"I'll do my best, sir, but I tell you again that the road is a
horrible one, and very hard to find."
He then went with me to the gate of the inn, where he began to give
me directions, pointing to the south, and mentioning some names of
places through which I must pass, amongst which were Waen y Bwlch
and Long Bones.
