They said to Karlsefni that they considered they had found good and
choice land. Then they received them into their ship, and proceeded on
their journey to where the shore was cut into by a firth. They
directed the ships within the firth. There was an island lying out in
front of the firth, and there were great currents around the island,
which they called Straums-ey (Stream-island). There were so many birds
on it that scarcely was it possible to put one's feet down for the
eggs. They continued their course up the firth, which they called
Straumsfjordr, and carried their cargo ashore from the ships, and
there they prepared to stay. They had with them cattle of all kinds,
and for themselves they sought out the produce of the land thereabout.
There were mountains, and the place was fair to look upon. They gave
no heed to anything except to explore the land, and they found large
pastures. They remained there during the winter, which happened to be
a hard one, with no work doing; and they were badly off for food, and
the fishing failed. Then they went out to the island, hoping that
something might be got there from fishing or from what was drifted
ashore. In that spot there was little, however, to be got for food,
but their cattle found good sustenance. After that they called upon
God, praying that He would send them some little store of meat, but
their prayer was not so soon granted as they were eager that it should
be. Thorhall disappeared from sight, and they went to seek him, and
sought for three half-days continuously. On the fourth half-day
Karlsefni and Bjarni found him on the peak of a crag. He lay with his
face to the sky, with both eyes and mouth and nostrils wide open,
clawing and pinching himself, and reciting something. They asked why
he had come there. He replied that it was of no importance; begged
them not to wonder thereat; as for himself, he had lived so long, they
needed not to take any account of him. They begged him to go home with
them, and he did so. A little while after a whale was driven ashore,
and the men crowded round it, and cut it up, and still they knew not
what kind of whale it was. Even Karlsefni recognised it not, though he
had great knowledge of whales. It was cooked by the cook-boys, and
they ate thereof; though bad effects came upon all from it afterwards.
Then began Thorhall, and said, "Has it not been that the Redbeard has
proved a better friend than your Christ? this was my gift for the
poetry which I composed about Thor, my patron; seldom has he failed
me." Now, when the men knew that, none of them would eat of it, and
they threw it down from the rocks, and turned with their supplications
to God's mercy. Then was granted to them opportunity of fishing, and
after that there was no lack of food that spring. They went back again
from the island, within Straumsfjordr, and obtained food from both
sides; from hunting on the mainland, and from gathering eggs and from
fishing on the side of the sea.
Eirik the Red's Saga
by Anonymous
Chapter Seven: 1 2
