Next morning Cahal took what treasures his father gave him, and provisions, went to his ship and raised sails. Away he went on his voyage, sailing over the sea in one way and another, in this direction and that. He sailed one year and three-quarters of a second year, but found no man to give tale or tidings of the King of Hathony.
Once on a gloomy day he was sailing along through the waves, when a strong north wind rose, and blew with such force that he let his ship go with it.
Three days and nights the ship went before the north wind, and on the fourth day, in the morning, it was thrown in on a rocky coast.
Cahal saved his life and his sword, and went away walking through the country. On the evening of the fifth day he came to an old castle near the seashore, and said to himself, “I will not go in here to ask for lodgings like any poor traveller.” With that he walked up and put a blow on the pole of combat that made the whole castle tremble.
Out rushed the messenger. “What brought you here, and what do you want?” asked he of King Conor’s son.
“I want men to meet me in combat, seven hundred champions on my right hand, seven hundred on my left, seven hundred behind me, and the same number in front of me.”
The man ran in and gave the message to the king.
“Oh,” said the King of Hathony, “that is my son-in-law from Erin;” and out he went.
“Are you the son of King Conor?” asked the king.