DISCOVERIES I:^4 THE NORTH. 63 



to us along with his translation of the Ormesta of 

 Orosius. 



About the middle, or towards the end of the 

 tenth century, an extensive country to the west- 

 ward of Iceland was discovered, by one of the colo- 

 nists of the name of Gunbiorn *, which country 

 was visited in the year 982, by one Eric Rauda, 

 a person who had fled from Norway to Iceland, to 

 avoid the punishment due to the crime of murder, 

 with various other misdemeanours, of which he had 

 been guilty. Kauda wintered in the southern 

 part of the country ; and after spending part of 

 three years in exploring it, returned to Iceland. 

 For the purpose of encouraging persons to become 

 settlers in the newly discovered country, he deno- 

 minated it Greenland , and gave a most exagger- 

 ated account of its products and appearance. In 

 consequence of his representations, a fleet of twenty- 

 five sail was shortly afterwards equipped, which, 

 laden with people of both sexes, and the requisite 

 stores and cattle for forming a settlement, put ofit' 

 for Greenland ; but only about one-half of the fleet 

 arrived safe at their destination. These people were 

 soon joined by others, both from Iceland and Nor- 

 way ; so that, in a few years, they also became a re- 

 spectable colony. 



* Forster's " Voyages and Discoveries made in the North,' 

 P- 79. 



