, and you have right and
title to take therefrom whatever you wish, and to make your
entertainment such as consorts with your munificence." And Eirik
accepted the offer. Then was preparation made for the Yule-feast, and
so magnificent was it that the men thought they had scarcely ever seen
so grand a feast. And after Yule, Karlsefni broached to Eirik the
subject of a marriage with Gudrid, which he thought might be under
Eirik's control, and the woman appeared to him to be both beautiful
and of excellent understanding. Eirik answered and said, that for his
part he would willingly undertake his suit, and said, moreover, that
she was worthy of a good match. It is also likely, he thought, that
she will be following out her destiny, should she be given to him;
and, moreover, the report which comes to me of him is good. The
proposals were now laid before her, and she allowed the marriage with
her to be arranged which Eirik wished to promote. However, I will not
now speak at length how this marriage took place; the Yule festival
was prolonged and made into a marriage-feast. Great joy was there in
Brattahlid during the winter. Much playing at backgammon and telling
of stories went on, and many things were done that ministered to the
comfort of the household.

7. During this time much talk took place in Brattahlid about making
ready to go to Vinland the Good, and it was asserted that they would
there find good choice lands. The discourse came to such conclusion
that Karlsefni and Snorri prepared their ship, with the intention of
seeking Vinland during the summer. Bjarni and Thorhall ventured on the
same expedition, with their ship and the retinue which had accompanied
them. [There was a man named Thorvard; he married Freydis, natural
daughter of Eirik the Red; he set out with them likewise, as also
Thorvald, a son of Eirik.] There was a man named Thorvald; he was a
son-in-law[B] of Eirik the Red. Thorhall was called the Sportsman; he
had for a long time been Eirik's companion in hunting and fishing
expeditions during the summers, and many things had been committed to
his keeping. Thorhall was a big man, dark, and of gaunt appearance;
rather advanced in years, overbearing in temper, of melancholy mood,
silent at all times, underhand in his dealings, and withal given to
abuse, and always inclined towards the worst. He had kept himself
aloof from the true faith when it came to Greenland. He was but little
encompassed with the love