NO. 12 THE WINELAND VOYAGES — SWANTON 39 



and arrows? A tantalizing insight is suggested into the history of 

 weapons in America but it must remain such. 



The exploration of the coast westward from Hop, as described in 

 the account of Thorvald's voyage in the Flat Island Book, belongs 

 probably to the voyage of Karlsefni and to a period before the Skrel- 

 lings appeared, though it may have happened during Leif 's expedition. 

 Whether the encounter with the five Skrellings actually occurred, as 

 the Saga indicates, during the return voyage from Wineland to 

 Streamfirth, or was an event in the search northward of Streamfirth 

 for Thorhall we cannot say, but I incline to the latter view. The 

 cape covered with excrement was no doubt the breeding place of sea 

 birds instead of the resort of animals. The principal event during the 

 stay of Karlsefni's party at Streamfirth on their return to that place 

 was the expedition in search of Thorhall and the death of Thorvald, 

 which has already been alluded to. 



I am not inclined to reject entirely the story of Freydis' expedi- 

 tion to Wineland, gruesome as it is. It is very likely that the tragedy 

 which took place at that time may have converted the thought of 

 Wineland the Good into the thought of Wineland the Unlucky, and 

 may have added another inhibition to the fear of Skrellings and so 

 prevented further exploitation of the country. It would, indeed, be 

 surprising if only two voyages were made to Wineland. At least we 

 know that Greenlanders sometimes ventured as far as Markland, for 

 in the year 1347 a small Greenland vessel entered an Iceland fiord 

 driven by storms after having visited Markland, and it is unlikely 

 that it was the only one to attempt to bring wood from that country in 

 later times. 



CHRONOLOGY ACCORDING TO THE SAGA OF ERIC THE RED 



999. Leif goes to visit Olaf Tryggvason in Norway. 

 999-1000. Winter spent in Norway. 



1000. Leif returns to Greenland, visiting Wineland on the way. 

 looo-iooi. Winter spent in Greenland. 



looi. Thorstein Ericsson's fruitless expedition. 

 1001-1002. Winter spent in Greenland and at Lysufirth. 



1002. Thorfinn Karlsefni comes to Greenland. 

 1 002- 1 003. Winter spent in Greenland. 



1003. Thorfinn Karlsefni reaches Streamfirth. 

 1003-1004. Winter spent at Streamfirth. 



1004. Thorfinn Karlsefni reaches Wineland; Thorhall goes to Ireland. 

 1004-1005. Winter spent in Wineland. 



1005. Thorfinn Karlsefni reaches Streamfirth on his return. 

 1005- 1006. Winter spent at Streamfirth. 



1006. Thorfinn Karlsefni returns to Greenland. 



Possibly the dates after looi are too short by one year. 



