ay
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.

8. When summer was at hand they discussed about their journey, and
made an arrangement. Thorhall the Sportsman wished to proceed
northwards along Furdustrandir, and off Kjalarnes, and so seek
Vinland; but Karlsefni desired to proceed southwards along the land
and away from the east, because the land appeared to him the better
the further south he went, and he thought it also more advisable to
explore in both directions. Then did Thorhall make ready for his
journey out by the islands, and there volunteered for the expedition
with him not more than nine men; but with Karlsefni there went the
remainder of the company. And one day, when Thorhall was carrying
water to his ship, he drank, and recited this verse:--

"The clashers of weapons did say when I came here that I should have
the best of drink (though it becomes me not to complain before the
common people). Eager God of the war-helmet! I am made to raise the
bucket; wine has not moistened my beard, rather do I kneel at the
fountain."

Afterwards they put to sea, and Karlsefni