THORFINN KARLSEFNI 31 



scribed by Leif Ericsson j they did not discover any 

 grapes in the locality where they wintered. In all 

 probability they explored the country in the summer 

 of 1003, and they must have seen the St. Lawrence 

 from the Gaspe Peninsula, particularly if Streamf jord 

 is Chaleur Bay. 



In the spring of 1004 Thorfinn headed one expedi- 

 tion to seek Vinland, and Thorhall the Hunter headed 

 another. The story of this commences thus: "It is 

 told that Thorhall wished to go north of Wonder- 

 strands and thus to seek Vinland, but Thorfinn decided 

 on a course leading southward around the country." 

 Presumably the Saga is not altogether right here about 

 ThorhalPs intentions j yet he may have pretended 

 that he wished to seek Vinland, although it is difficult 

 to see how he expected to find it by going north of 

 Wonderstrands. The account of his voyage and the 

 ditties ascribed to him, especially the second, show that 

 he had in mind to go back to Greenland. About his 

 voyage the following is told: "Thorhall made the 

 preparations out near the island for his tripj there 

 were nine men altogether, but all the others went with 

 Karlsefni; and when Thorhall carried water to his 

 ship and drank of it he recited this ditty :^^ 



^^ The translation of the two ditties is by A. M. Reeves, of. ch., 

 pp. 45-46. 



