They had found no signs of
inhabitancy; but Karlsefne was very careful.

They had their meal in the open under a clear sky. The stars came
out--larger, wetter stars, Gudrid said, than they had at home. Far off
in the forest they heard beasts bellowing, and supposed them wild
cattle. The bull from Karlsefne's ship thundered his answer to the
challenge. They heard wolves at dusk, a chorus of them, and the
barking of wild dogs. No sound of men came near them, nor were they
disturbed in the night. In the morning Karlsefne sent a boat over to
fetch the Scots.

They came, and fixed Karlsefne with intent blue eyes while he told them
what they had to do. He showed them the sun, and with a sweep of his
arm drew his course into the south. He made them understand that they
were to run due south for three days, and then work back to the camp
with whatever they could carry out of the country. They followed every
sign he made, they looked at each other and spoke together, fierce,
curt speeches. It was certain that they knew what they had to do, for
without hesitation they began to do it at once. They looked at each
other, then set off at a trot towards the creek below the stockade.
Arrived there, they stripped off their single garments, folded them and
put them on their heads; they swam the creek, which was a good
half-mile broad, clothed themselves on the further shore, and then
began to run towards the south. They ran like deer, incredibly fast,
with high and short bounds, as if exulting in their legs, and very soon
they were out of sight.

They waited for them three full days which were spent by the men in
hunting and fishing. Game of all kinds was plenty. Karlsefne had a
pony out and put Gudrid upon it. He took her a long way into the
forest and made her happy. She said to him: "You are kinder to me than
I deserve, my friend." His answer was: "It is not hard to be kind to
you, for you answer to the touch like an instrument of music. I win
melody from you that way which enchants me." She said: "Believe me to
be grateful. Believe that I give you in return all I have." "My dear
love," said Karlsefne, "I know that. You have given me of your life.
I never forget it." And then it was her turn to say: "It is not hard
to give you that." So they were a happy couple.

Freydis too was expecting a child, but took it hardly, as she did
everything else.

At sunset on the third day from starting the Scots came bac