will not be possible for him to carry away the treasure.




VIII


THE TOUCH OF CLAY


Long, long ago before the Cymry came into the beautiful land of Wales,
there were dark-skinned people living in caves.

In these early times there were a great many fairies of all sorts, but
of very different kinds of behavior, good and bad.

It was in this age of the world that fairies got an idea riveted into
their heads which nothing, not even hammers, chisels or crowbars can
pry up. Neither horse power, nor hydraulic force nor sixteen-inch
bombs, nor cannon balls, nor torpedoes can drive it out.

It is a settled matter of opinion in fairy land that, compared with
fairies, human beings are very stupid. The fairies think that mortals
are dull witted and awfully slow, when compared to the smarter and
more nimble fairies, that are always up to date in doing things.

Perhaps the following story will help explain why this is.

These ancient folks who lived in caves, could not possibly know some