A year later, an old ship captain walked the way, and the guards brought him to the king.
“Do you know where a fitting wife for my son might be found?” asked the king.
“I do,” said the captain; “but my advice to you, and it may be a good one, is to seek a wife for your son in the land where he was born, and not go abroad for her. You can find plenty of good women in Erin.”
“Well,” said the king, “tell me first who is the woman you have in mind.”
“If you must know,” said the old captain, “the daughter of the King of Spain is the woman.”
Straightway the king had a notice put up on the high-road to bring no more tidings to the castle, as he had no need of them.
When Saudan Og saw this notice, he knew that his father had the tidings, but would not give them. Next morning he went to the father and begged him to tell. “I know,” said he, “that the old captain told you.”
The king would say nothing for he feared that his son might fall into trouble.
“I will start to-morrow,” said Saudan Og at last, “in search of the woman; and if I do not find her, I will never come back to you, so it is better to tell me at once.”