50 THE VINLAND VOYAGES 



were sharp-featured and had big, dark eyes/^ Such a 

 description is not much at variance with the Saga. 

 Other writers on the subject have mentioned the same 

 facial characteristics, swarthy complexion, broad face, 

 and bulging eyes. 



The bartering that went on between Thorfinn's 

 party and the Skrselings is in accordance with the 

 practice of the Indians j the story relates that they 

 came for the purpose of bartering in the spring or 

 early in the summer. They brought furs, displayed 

 a love of finery, and were not at all practical in their 

 dealings. The strangers "were particularly anxious 

 to obtain some red cloth, offered furs in exchange and 

 totally gray pelts. They also desired to buy swords 

 and spears, but Thorfinn and Snorri refused to sell 

 them these. In exchange for perfect unsullied skins 

 the Skraslings took red cloth a span in length which 

 they would bind around their heads. This trade went 

 on for a time, and Thorfinn and his men were getting 

 short of cloth j then they divided it into such narrow 

 strips that it was not more than a finger's breadth wide, 

 but the Skrselings still continued to give them just 

 as much as before or more." 



Everything looked fairly promising for a settle- 

 ment in Hop, peaceful relations with the natives, and 

 a productive country. However, this state of bliss 



^® See Babcock, of. ciL, p. 145. 



