So it was, at least, with the rich and fortunate man whom we have seen trudging along the wind-swept cliff.

By nature and education he was of a strongly and simply religious mind, as he was in body powerful, placid, and healthy to an exasperating degree.

It may be said that it is easy to be religious and placid on ten thousand a year, but Owen Davies had not always enjoyed ten thousand a year and one of the most romantic and beautiful seats in Wales.

From the time he was seventeen, when his mother's death left him an orphan, till he reached the age of thirty, some six years from the date of the opening of this history, he led about as hard a life as fate could find for any man.
Some people may have heard of sugar drogers, or sailing brigs, which trade between this country and the West Indies, carrying coal outwards and sugar home.
On board one of these, Owen Davies worked in various capacities for thirteen long years.

He did his drudgery well; but he made no friends, and always remained the same shy, silent, and pious man.