Page:My people stories of the peasantry of West Wales.djvu/28



drove home, singing the hymn which begins:
 * “Safely, safely gather’d in,
 * Far from sorrow, far from sin,
 * No more childish griefs or fears,
 * No more sadness, no more tears;
 * For the life so young and fair
 * Now hath passed from earthly care;
 * God Himself the soul will keep,
 * Giving His beloved—sleep.”

Esau was kicked by a horse, and was hurt to his death; six weeks later Simon gashed his thumb while slicing mangolds, and he died. Two years went by, by the end of which period Old Ianto, the gravedigger of Capel Sion, dug three more graves for the children of Sadrach and Achsah; and over these graves Sadrach and Martha lamented.

But Sadrach the Small brought gladness and cheer to Danyrefail with the announcement of his desire to wed Sara Ann, the daughter of Old Shemmi. Martha and Sadrach agreed to the 16