In walking up this mountain village I saw no one, and heard no sound but
the echo of my steps amongst the houses. 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. Not many years ago his tomb was discovered there
with an inscription in old Welsh--saying who he was, and how he loved the
sea. I have seen the lines which were found on the tomb."

"So have I," said I; "or at least those which were said to be found on a
tomb: they run thus in English:--

"'Here, after sailing far I Madoc lie,
Of Owain Gwynedd lawful progeny:
The verdant land had little charms for me;
From earliest youth I loved the dark-blue sea.'"

"Ah, sir," said the man, "I see you know all about the son of Owain
Gwynedd. Well, sir, those lines, or something like them, were found upon
the tomb of Madoc in America."

"That I doubt," said I.

"Do you doubt, sir, that Madoc discovered America?"

"Not in the least," said I; "but I doubt very much that his tomb was ever
discovered with the inscription which you allude to upon it."

"But it was, sir, I do assure you, and the descendants of Madoc and his
people are still to be found in a part of America speaking the pure iaith
Cymraeg better Welsh than we of Wales do."

"That I doubt," said I. "However, the idea is a pretty one; therefore
cherish it. This is a beautiful country."

"A very beautiful country, sir; there is none more beautiful in all
Wales."

"What is the name of the river, which runs beneath the bridge?"