We shall not see the like of those days again! On such
mornings, the hotel steps and the esplanade would be dotted with anxious
groups waiting for breakfast, and observing the omens of the sky. If
these are favourable, a little before eight a broad stream sets towards
the station, and fills the sunny platform with a vivacious crowd.
Masters, who organise the several expeditions, use the interval to count
heads and sort their parties. The benevolent Cambrian railway supplies
spare carriages and return tickets at single fares. Presently the train
is sighted sliding down the winding incline from Langfihangel; it picks
us all up--near two hundred souls, it may be--moves out into the open
plain, still glittering with the morning dew, and reaching Glandovey,
drops half its passengers at the junction to explore the northward coast,
while it carries the rest to Machynlleth and Cemmes Road. Here and there
it sows little companies of explorers at some mountain's foot or river's
mouth. One band assails Cader Idris from the rich vale of Dolgelley, and
meets on the summit another which has scaled it from Tal-y-llyn.
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