﻿NO. 19 NORSE VISITS TO NORTH AMERICA — BABCOCK IO3 



reward for the verses which I composed to Thor the Trustworthy; seldom 

 has he failed me " ; and when the people knew this, none of them would eat, 

 and they cast [it] down over the rocks, and invoked God's mercy. The 

 weather then improved, and they were able to row out to fish, and they had 

 no longer any lack of the necessities of life. In the spring they went into 

 Straumfirth and obtained provisions from both regions, hunting on the main- 

 land, gathering eggs, and deep-sea fishing. 



Now they took counsel together concerning their expedition, and came to 

 an agreement. Thorhall the Huntsman wished to go northward around Won- 

 derstrands and past Keelness, and to seek Wineland; while Karlsefni wished to 

 proceed southward along the land and to the eastward, believing that country to 

 be greater, which is farther to the southward, and it seemed to him more advis- 

 able to explore both. Thorhall prepared for his voyage out below the island, 

 having only nine men in his party, for all of the remainder of his company 

 went with Karlsefni. 



Of this picturesque dissentient and minority-leader we hear earlier 

 in the saga : 



Thorhall was called the Huntsman ; he had long lived with Eric, engaging in 

 fishing and hunting expeditions during the summer, and had many things under 

 his charge. Thorhall was a man of great stature, swart and giant-like; he 

 was rather stricken with years, overbearing in manner, taciturn, and usually a 

 man of few words, underhanded in his dealings, and yet given to offensive 

 language, and always ready to stir up evil ; he had given little heed to the true 

 faith after its introduction into Greenland. Thorhall was not very popular, 

 but Eric had long been accustomed to seek his advice. He was in the same ship 

 with Thorvald and his companions because he had extensive knowledge of the 

 uninhabited regions. 



Continuing the narrative : 



And one day when Thorhall was carrying water aboard the ship, and was 

 drinking, he recited this ditty : * 



" When I came, these brave men told me, 

 Here the best of drink I'd get, 

 Now with water-pail behold me, — 



Wine and I are strangers yet. 

 Stooping at the spring, I've tested 



All the wine this land affords ; 



Of its vaunted charms divested, 



Poor indeed are its rewards." 



Then they put to sea and Karlsefni accompanies them out off the island. 

 Before they hoisted sail, Thorhall recited this ditty: 

 " Comrades, let us now be faring 

 Homeward to our own again ! 

 Let us try the sea-steed's daring, 

 Give the chafing courser rein. 

 Those who will may bide in quiet, 

 Let them praise their chosen land, 

 Fasting on a whale-steak diet, 



In their home of Wonder-strand." 



A. M. Reeves: The Finding of Wineland the Good. 



