As I returned, however, I saw a man standing at a door--he was a short figure, about fifty.

He had an old hat on his head, a stick in his hand, and was dressed in a duffel greatcoat.
"Good-day, friend," said I; "what be the name of this place ?" "Pont Fadog, sir, is its name, for want of a better." "That's a fine name," said I; "it signifies in English the bridge of Madoc." "Just so, sir; I see you know Welsh." "And I see you know English," said I.
"Very little, sir; I can read English much better than I can speak it." "So can I Welsh," said I.

"I suppose the village is named after the bridge." "No doubt it is, sir." "And why was the bridge called the bridge of Madoc ?" said I.
"Because one Madoc built it, sir." "Was he the son of Owain Gwynedd ?" said I.
"Ah, I see you know all about Wales, sir.

Yes, sir; he built it, or I daresay he built it, Madawg ap Owain Gwynedd.

I have read much about him--he was a great sailor, sir, and was the first to discover Tir y Gorllewin or America.