THORFINN KARLSEFNI 55 



There may possibly be some misunderstanding here 

 as to the reason for the flight of the Skrselings. Per- 

 haps they felt that they had sufficiently avenged the 

 ill treatment they considered themselves to have suf- 

 fered j and, furthermore, they may have realized 

 that these newcomers might become dangerous. "Two 

 of Thorfinn's men were slain and a large number of 

 the Skraslings." Their departure for their boats may 

 not have been a real flight but a sudden decision to 

 leave. 



If the Skrselings were Indians, it must be remem- 

 bered that these are said to be more ready to make an 

 attack than to follow up a victory. No doubt they 

 were superstitious and afraid of everything they did 

 not understand or have an acquaintance with. Thus 

 their interpretation of Freydis' way of striking her 

 breast may have been something entirely different 

 from anything that either she or her companions 

 imagined. One may even infer that from the story, 

 inasmuch as Thorfinn and his men praised her "good 

 fortune." It is not easy to establish the real reason 

 for the flight of the Skraslings. Doubtless Freydis 

 made a strong impression on them and inspired them 

 with mysterious fear 5 but that is hardly a sufficient 

 reason for their flight. 



It now became clear to Thorfinn and his companions 

 that, although the country was attractive, their life 



