Small additions to the Vinland Problem. 93 
They remained there during the winter, [and they had a severe 
winter (ok gördisk vetr mikill)*), for which they had not prepared (en 
ekki fyrir unnit), and they grew short of food, and the fishing fell off. 
[Then they went out to the island, in the hope that something might 
be forthcoming in the way of fishing or flotsam. But there was little 
food to be obtained on it, although their live-stock fared well there!).... 
Soon afterwords there came a whale, and they went to it and cut it 
up, but no one knew what sort of whale it was. Karlsefni had much 
knowledge of whales, but he did not know this one. The cooks boiled 
this whale, and they ate of it, but were all Ш from it... .2) They were 
then able to row out to fish, and they had no longer any lack of the 
necessities of life. In the spring they went into Straumsfjord, and 
obtained provisions from both regions, hunting on the mainland, 
gathering eggs?), and fishing in the sea. 
Now they consulted about their expedition, and came to an agree- 
ment. Thorhall the Hunter wished to go northward along Furdustrands 
[and past Kjalarness*) in order to find Vinland (ok leita sva Vinlands); 
while Karlsefni wished to proceed southward along the coast [and east — 
of the land, believing that country to be greater, which is farther to 
the southward, and it seemed to him more advisable to explore in both 
directions’). Thorhall prepared for his voyage out by the islands5), 
having only nine men in his party, for all of the remainder of the company 
went with Karlsefni. And one day when Thorhall was carrying water 
aboard his ship, and was drinking, he recited this ditty: 
“The men said, when I came here, 
that I should get the best drink; 
I can justly blame the country for all; 
Pil be obliged to swing the (water) pail, 
there came not a drop of wine to my lips. 
On the contrary I must 
creep down to the spring”. 
[Then they put to sea, and Karlsefni accompanied them out off 
the island"). Before they hoisted sail, Thorhall recited this ditty: 
“Let us travel back 
where our countrymen are, 
let us let the ship plough 
the broad sea, 
whilst the unwearied warriors 
who praise the country here, 
settle on Furdustrand 
and cook their whale’’. 
1) From [ omitted in Hausbok. 
*) Hauksbök has: “The weather then improved, and” 
3) Hauksbok adds: “on the island” 
*) From [ omitted in Hauksbök. 
3) 
Hauksbåk has: “island”. 
