The Norsemen in the West

  CHAPTER FOUR.

  IMPORTANT EVENTS TRANSPIRE, WHICH END IN A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY.

  Some weeks afterwards, Karlsefin and Gudrid went down to walk togetheron the sea-beach. It would appear that lovers were as fond of ramblingtogether in those olden times as they are in these modern days. It wasevening when they went to ramble thus--another evidence of similarity intaste between the moderns and ancients.

  "Karlsefin," said Gudrid, stopping at the margin of the fiord, andlooking pensively towards the horizon, where golden clouds and air andsea appeared to mingle harmoniously, "I wonder that you, with good shipsand many stout men and plenty of means, should choose to remain in thisbarren spot, instead of searching out the famous Vinland and making asettlement there."

  "This barren spot is very bright to me, Gudrid; I have no desire toleave it yet a while. Since you and I were betrothed the ocean has lostits attractions. Besides, would you have me set out on a voyage ofdiscovery at the beginning of winter."

  "Nay; but you do not even talk about going when spring comes round."

  "Because I have other things to talk of, Gudrid."

  "I fear me that you are a lazy man," returned the widow, with a smile,"and will prove but a sorry husband. Just think," she added, withsudden animation, "what a splendid country it must be; and what adesirable change for all of us. Thick and leafy woods like those of oldNorway, instead of these rugged cliffs and snow-clad hills. Fields ofwaving grass and rye, instead of moss-covered rocks and sandy soil.Trees large enough to build houses and merchant-ships, instead of willowbushes that are fit for nothing except to save our poor cattle fromstarvation when the hay crop runs out; besides, longer sunshine inwinter and more genial warmth all the year round, instead of howlingwinds and ice and snow. Truly I think our adopted home here has beenwoefully misnamed."

  "And yet I love it, Gudrid, for I find the atmosphere genial and thesunshine very bright."

  "Foolish man!" said Gudrid, with a little laugh. "And then," she added,recurring to her theme, "there are grapes,--though, to be sure, I knownot what these are, never having tasted them. Biarne says they are verygood--do you think so too?"

  "They are magnificent," answered Karlsefin. "In southern lands, whereTyrker comes from, they have a process whereby they can make a drinkfrom grapes, which maddens youth and quickens the pulse of age,--something like our own beer."

  "It does not please me to hear that," replied Gudrid gravely; "some ofour carls are too fond of beer. When old Heriulf was sick, a little ofit did him good, and when Eric the Red was in his last days he seemed togather a little strength and comfort from beer; but I never couldperceive that it ever did anything to young men except make them boast,and talk nonsense, and look foolish,--or, what is worse, quarrel andfight."

  "Right, Gudrid, right," said Karlsefin; "my opinion at least is the sameas yours, whether it be right or wrong. There is some reason inapplying heat to cold, but it seems to me unnecessary to add heat towarmth, artificial strength to natural vigour, and it is dangeroussometimes to add fuel to fire. I am glad you think as I think on thispoint, for it is well that man and wife should be agreed in matters ofimportance.--But to return to Vinland: I have been thinking much aboutit since I came here, though saying little,--for it becomes a man to besilent and circumspect in regard to unformed plans. My mind is to gothither next spring, but only on one condition."

  "And what may that be?" asked Gudrid, looking up with a little surprise,and some interest.

  "That you shall go with me, Gudrid; for which end it will be needfulthat you and I should wed this winter."

  Gudrid could not help blushing a little and looking down, for Karlsefin,despite his suavity, had a way with him, when thoroughly in earnest,that was very impressive. She did not hesitate, however, but answeredwith straightforward candour, "I will not say nay to that if my brotherLeif is willing."

  "It is settled then," replied Karlsefin decisively, "for Leif hasalready told me that he is willing if you are, and so--"

  At this interesting point in the conversation they were interrupted by aloud merry laugh not very far from them, and next moment little Olaf,starting out from behind a bush, ran shouting into Gudrid's extendedarms. "Oh, what do you think?" he exclaimed, "aunt Freydissa has comeover from Heriulfness, and is in _such_ a rage because Biarne has toldher that Thorward has been making love to his cousin Astrid, and--"

  "Hush, boy," said Gudrid, covering his mouth with her hand, "you shouldnot talk so of your aunt. Besides, you know that it is an evil thing toget the name of a tale-bearer."

  "I did not think it was tale-bearing," replied the lad, somewhatabashed, "for it is no secret. Leif was there, and Astrid herself, andall the house-carls in the hall must have heard her, for she spoke veryloud. And oh! you should have seen her give Thorward the cold shoulderwhen he came in!"

  "Well, well, Olaf, hold your noisy tongue," said Gudrid, laughing, "andcome, tell me how would you like to go to Vinland?"

  "Like to go to Vinland!" echoed the boy, turning an ardent gaze full onKarlsefin, "are you going there, sir? Will you take _me_?"

  Karlsefin laughed, and said, "You are too quick in jumping toconclusions, child. Perhaps I may go there; but you have not yetanswered Gudrid's question--would you like to go?"

  "I would like it well," replied Olaf, with a bright look of hopefulexpectation that said far more than words could have expressed.

  Just then Thorward was seen approaching along the beach. His brows wereknit, his lips pursed, and his eyes fixed on the ground. He was soengrossed with his thoughts that he did not perceive his friends.

  "Here he comes," said Karlsefin--"in the blues evidently, for he doesnot see us."

  "We had better leave you to his company," said Gudrid, laughing; "a mani' the blues is no pleasure to a woman.--Come, Olaf, you and I shall tothe dairy and see how the cattle fare."

  Olaf's capacity for imbibing milk and cream being unlimited, he gladlyaccepted this invitation, and followed his aunt, while Karlsefinadvanced to meet his friend.

  "How now, Thorward, methinks an evil spirit doth possess thee!"

  "An evil spirit!" echoed Thorward, with a wrathful look; "nay, a legionof evil spirits possess me! A plague on that fellow Biarne: he haspoisoned the ears of Freydissa with lies about that girl Astrid, to whomI have never whispered a sweet word since we landed."

  "I trust you have not whispered sour words to her," said Karlsefin,smiling.

  "And Freydissa, forsooth, gives me the cold shoulder," continued theexasperated Norseman, not noticing the interruption, "as if I wereproved guilty by the mere assertion."

  "It is my advice to you, Thorward, that you return the compliment, andgive the cold shoulder to Freydissa. The woman has a shrewish temper;she is a very vixen, and will lead you the life of a dog if you marryher."

  "I had rather," said Thorward between his teeth, and stamping, "live adog's life with Freydissa than live the life of a king without her!"

  Karlsefin laughed at this, and Thorward, taking offence, said fierily,and with some scorn--"Thinkest thou that because thy Gudrid is sosmooth-tongued she is an angel?"

  "That is what I am inclined to think," answered Karlsefin, with a smilethat still further exasperated his friend.

  "Perchance you may find yourself mistaken," said Thorward. "Since youare so free with your warnings, let me remind you that although thecourse of your courtship runs smooth, there is an old proverb--descendedfrom Odin himself, I believe--which assures us that _true_ love neverdid so run."

  "Then I recall my words, Thorward, and congratulate you on your truelove--for assuredly your courtship runs in an uncommonly rugged course."

  At this Thorward turned on his heel and walked away in a toweringpassion.

  It so happened that, on drawing near to Brattalid, he met Biarne comingin the opposite direction. Nothing could have pleased him better--forin the state of his mind at the time he would have turned savagely onhimself, had that been possible, in order to
relieve his feelings.

  "So!" he cried, confronting Biarne, "well met! Tell me, Biarne, didstthou poison the ears of Freydissa by telling her that I had beencourting thy cousin Astrid?"

  Biarne, who was not aware of the consequences of what he had said injest, felt inclined to laugh, but he checked himself and flushedsomewhat, not being accustomed to be addressed in such haughty tones.Instead of explaining the matter, as he might otherwise have done, hemerely said, "I did."

  "Liar!" exclaimed Thorward fiercely, for he was a very resolute man whenroused; "go, tell her that the assertion was a falsehood. Go _now_, andcome back to tell me thou hast done it, else will I chop thy carcaseinto mince-meat. Go; I will await thee here."

  He laid his hand upon his sword, but Biarne said quietly, "I go, sir;"and, turning round, hastened up to the hamlet.

  Thorward could scarcely believe his eyes, for Biarne was fully as stoutas himself, and somewhat taller, besides having the look of a courageousman. He had issued his imperative mandate more as a defiance andchallenge than anything else, so that he gazed after the retreatingBiarne with mingled feelings of surprise, contempt, and pity; butsurprise predominated. He had not long to wait, however, for in aboutten minutes Biarne returned.

  "Well, have you told her?"

  "I have," replied Biarne.

  "Hah!" exclaimed Thorward, very much perplexed, and not knowing what tosay next.

  "But, Thorward," said Biarne, after a momentary pause, "methinks thatyou and I must fight now."

  "With all my heart," answered Thorward, much relieved, and againgrasping his sword.

  "Nay, not with such weapons," said Biarne, stepping up to him, "but withthe weapons of friendship."

  With that he bestowed such a hearty buffet on Thorward's left ear thatit turned the irascible man head over heels, and laid him at full lengthon the sand.

  Thorward rose slowly, being somewhat stunned, with a confused impressionthat there was something wrong with his head. Before he had quiterecovered, Biarne burst into a laugh and seized him by the hand.

  "Freydissa bids me tell you--" he said, and paused.

  The pause was intentional. He saw that Thorward was on the point ofsnatching away his hand and returning the blow or drawing his sword; buthe restrained himself in order to hear Freydissa's message.

  "She bids me tell you," repeated Biarne, "that you are a goose."

  This was not calculated to soothe an angry man, but Thorward reflectedthat the epithet was figurative, and bore a peculiar signification whenuttered by a woman; he therefore continued his self-restraint and waitedfor more.

  "She also said," added Biarne, "that she never for a moment believed mystatement (which, by the way, was only made in jest), and that shethinks you deserve a good buffet on the ear for taking the thing up sohotly. Agreeing with her entirely in this, I have fulfilled her wishand given you your deserts. Moreover, she expects you to accompany herto Heriulfness to-night. So now," said Biarne, releasing Thorward'shand and touching his sword-hilt, "if you are still inclined--."

  "Well, well," said Thorward, whose visage, while his friend wasspeaking, had undergone a series of contortions indicative of a wildconflict of feelings in his breast, "well, well, I am a goose, anddeserved the buffet. After all, I did call you a liar, so we are quits,Biarne--tit for tat. Come, let us shake hands and go up to Leif'scottage. You said Freydissa was there, I think."

  During that winter Karlsefin married Gudrid and Thorward Freydissa, and,in the following spring, they embarked in Karlsefin's ship--with a largeparty of men, women, children, and cattle--and set sail for Vinland.