The Two Witch Cats
In old days, it was believed
that the seventh son, in a family of sons, was a conjurer by nature, and that
he could work wonders like the fairies and cure diseases better than any
doctor. If he were the seventh son of a seventh son, he was himself a wonder of
wonders.
There was always great rivalry
between these conjurers, and the monks who made money from the Pilgrims at Holy
Wells, but a fellow called Huw, a great conjurer, kept on friendly terms with
the monks. They often ate dinner together, for Huw was a great traveler over
the whole country and always had news to tell to the holy brothers who lived in
cells, particularly about his adventures outwitting robbers.
One night, as he was eating
supper at an inn, four men came in and sat down at the table with him. By his
magical power, Huw knew that they were robbers and meant to kill him that
night, in order to get his money.
So, to divert their attention,
Huw made a statue of beautiful woman grow up out of the center table, and then
he laid a spell on the robbers, so that they kept gazing at the curious lady
all night long, while he went to bed and slept soundly.
When he rose in the morning,
he paid his bill and went away, while the robbers were still gazing at the
statue.
Now at Bettws-y-Coed there was
a hotel, named the «Inn of Three Kegs.» The shop sign hung out in the front. It
was a bunch of grapes set below three small barrels.
This inn was kept by two
sisters. In that very hotel, several travelers, while they were asleep, had
been robbed of their money. They could not blame anyone nor tell how the
mischief was done. They had kept their doors locked during the night with the
keys in the keyholes. They were sure that no one had entered their rooms. There
were no signs of men’s boots, or of anyone’s footsteps in the garden, while
nothing was visible on the lock or door, to show that either had been tampered
with. Everything was in order as when they went to bed.
Some people doubted their
stories, but Huw the conjurer believed them and was determined to solve the
mystery.
When Huw arrived one night at
the inn, they all chatted together merrily. Huw, who was always ready with a
good story, told the two sisters about the various kinds of people and the many
countries he had visited. All the vivid stories came from his imagination, for
he had never set foot outside of Wales.
When he was ready to go to
bed, he said to the ladies:
«I like to keep a light
burning in my room, all night, but I will not ask for candles, for I have
enough to last me until sunrise.» So saying, he bade them good night.
He entered his room and locked
the door, undressed, and laid his clothes near at hand. He drew his trusty
sword out of its sheath and laid it upon the bed beside him, where he could
quickly grasp it. Then he pretended to be asleep and even snored.
It was not long before,
peeping between his eyelids, only half closed, he saw two cats come stealthily
down the chimney.
When in the room, the animals
frisked about, and then gamb
oled and romped in the most lively way. Then they chased each other around the
bed, as if they were trying to find out whether Huw was asleep.
Meanwhile, the supposed sleeper kept perfectly still. Soon the two cats came
over to his clothes and one of them put her paw into the pocket that contained
his purse.
At this, with one sweep of his
sword, Huw struck at the cat’s paw. The beast howled frightfully, and both
animals ran for the chimney and disappeared. After that, everything was quiet
until breakfast time.
At the table, only one of the
sisters was present. Huw politely inquired after the other one. He was told
that she was not well, for which Huw said he was very sorry.
After the meal, Huw declared
he must say good-by to both the sisters, whose company he had so enjoyed the
night before. In spite of the other lady’s many excuses, he was admitted to the
sick lady’s room.
After polite greetings and
mutual compliments, Huw offered his hand to say «good-by.» The sick lady smiled
at once and put out her hand, but it was her left one.
«Oh, no,» said Huw, with a
laugh. «I never in all my life have taken any one’s left hand, and, as
beautiful as yours is, I won’t break my habit by beginning now and here.»
Reluctantly, and as if in
pain, the sick lady put out her hand. It was bandaged.
The mystery now cleared up. The two sisters were cats.
By the help of bad fairies they had changed their forms and were the real
robbers.
Huw seized the hand of the
other sister and made a little cut in it, from which a few drops of blood
flowed, but the spell was over.
«Henceforth,» said Huw, «you are both harmless, and I trust you will both be
honest women.»
And they were. From that day
they were like other women. Neither as cats with paws, nor landladies, with
soaring bills, did they ever rob travelers again.
