k. Their
faces and arms were glistening with sweat, but they breathed easily and
were not at all distressed. One of them carried a fine bunch of
grapes, the other some ears of corn. It was wheat, but redder than
what they had in any country which Karlsefne or his friends knew about.
They collected from the Scot that it was wild wheat, and that the
country where it grew was fruitful and good.

There was a debate about this expedition, the first of many. Karlsefne
was sure that the scouts had found Wineland where Leif had once been;
Thorhall the Huntsman thought not. Karlsefne was for going up the
creek as far as a ship could go, and there to land their stock and
spend the winter. Biorn, who was afraid of attack by natives, desired
to keep to the open sea. It was compromised finally. Biorn's ship
would remain in her present anchorage, but Thorhall would go up with
Karlsefne. Thorhall was a man ill to deal with in any event. Neither
company wanted him, but Karlsefne's company wanted him least--therefore
he chose for that. Most of the stock and all the women but one were of
that ship. Gudrid's child should be born about Christmas time. Her
husband was keen to have a good harbourage for her, and all settled
down before the time came.

So for a while the two ships parted company, and Karlsefne, having all
his party safe aboard, hauled up his anchor, spread his canvas, and
sailed into the creek on a flowing tide.

XXVI

Right in the mouth of the creek there was an island which they named
Streamsey, because the currents about it were so many and so strong.
It fairly swarmed with sea-birds, which hung over it like a cloud. It
was very difficult to find a passage, but they managed that with hard
rowing, and once past it, found plenty of water, and a noble country on
either hand. They went up three days sailing, and there, where the
woods fell more sparse and there seemed plenty of herbage for cattle,
Karlsefne decided to make his winter quarters. The stock was
disembarked; the stores, and the tents. They built themselves a
stockade all round the camp, and hoped to have a good winter of it.

The winter came late, but was severe. There was great scarcity of
pasture, the fishing fell off; they had to kill some of their cattle,
but dared not depend upon that. There was trouble with some of the
crew, begun by Thorhall the Huntsman, who began to preach heathenry to
them, getting a few at a time in the woo