38 DANIEL BRUUN. 
farms surrounded by ancient masses of lava; which became the scene 
of the events about to be related. 
About Thorbiörn. 
“Thorgeir Vifilsson married Arnora daughter of Einar Sigmunds- 
son from Laugarbrekka, whose father Sigmund was a son of Ketil Thistil 
who had taken Thistilfiord in possession. Einar had another daughter 
Halveig. Thorbiörn married her and she brought him ZLaugarbrekka- 
land in Hellisvellir. Thorbiörn removed here and became an esteemed 
man. He was a good farmer and he kept a stately house. His daughter 
was named Gudrid and she was the most beautiful woman seen, and 
brisk in all her doings. She was brought up by Orm on his farm Arnar- 
stapt. He was an honest farmer and a good friend of T’horbiörn. His wife 
was called Halldis. — — — 
When spring came, Thorbidrn invited his friends, many people came 
and the feast was magnificent. During the feast Thorbiörn bade silence, 
and said: “Here I have lived a long time, and seen proof of people’s 
kindness and friendship towards me, and it occurs to me that we have 
lived in good understanding with one another, but now I am declining, 
and instead of being a rich man, Г am hard pressed for money. 1 would 
rather dissolve my household and leave here than lose my reputation, 
and so as not to disgrace my family I will leave the country, and I de- 
pend upon the promise given me, by my friend Eric the Red, when we 
parted at Breidafiord. If all goes well, I intend leaving for Greenland this 
summer”. 
Thorbiörns speech made a deep impression upon the people, as 
he had been very popular — and as it had got thus far that he acknow- 
ledged his poor position they were convinced that it was of no use to 
advise him not to do it. 
Thorbiorn gave them presents and the feast ended, after which 
every man went home. He sold his property and bought a ship which 
was drawn up at the entrance of Hraunhöfn (Hraunharbour). Thirty 
people were to travel with him, amongst them Orm and his wife from 
Arnarstapi besides several of Thorbiörns friends who would not be sepa- 
rated from him. 
They sailed, and after reaching open-sea the wind dropped, they 
lostitheir way and had great difficulties to fight with during the summer. 
Besdes which illness broke out amongst them, Orm died, his wife like- 
wise,.änd half of the crew. The sea became more and more tempestu- 
ous, they suffered great inconveniences, and wretchedness increased in 
every way; but in the beginning of winter they reached, in spite of all, 
Heriolfsness in Greenland (one of the farms furthest south in the eastern 
settlement, now Ikigait). The man living at Heriolfsness was called Thor- 
kel, he was an exceedingly worthy man, who received Thorbiörn and 
