The Norsemen in the West

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER NINETEEN.

  NEW EXPERIENCES--DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED AND OVERCOME--THORWARD ANDTYRKER MAKE A JOINT EFFORT, WITH HUMBLING RESULTS.

  It may be as well to remark here, that the Norsemen were not altogetherignorant of the course of the great river on which they had nowembarked. During their sojourn in those regions they had, as we havesaid, sent out many exploring parties, and were pretty well acquaintedwith the nature of the country within fifty miles or so in alldirections. These expeditions, however, had been conducted chiefly onland; only one of them by water.

  That one consisted of a solitary canoe, manned by four men, of whomHeika was steersman, while Hake managed the bow-paddle, these havingproved themselves of all the party the most apt to learn the use of thepaddle and management of the canoe. During the fight with the savages,recorded in a previous chapter, the brothers had observed that the manwho sat in the bow was of quite as much importance in regard to steeringas he who sat in the stern; and when they afterwards ascended the river,and found it necessary to shoot hither and thither amongst the surges,cross-currents, and eddies of a rapid, they then discovered that simplesteering at one end of their frail bark would not suffice, but that itwas necessary to steer, as it were, at both ends. Sometimes, in orderto avoid a stone, or a dangerous whirlpool, or a violent shoot, itbecame necessary to turn the canoe almost on its centre, as on a pivot,or at least within its own length; and in order to accomplish this, thesteersman had to dip his paddle as far out to one side as possible, todraw the stern in that direction, while the bowman did the same on theopposite side, and drew the bow the other way--thus causing the lightcraft to spin round almost instantly. The two guiding men thus acted inunison, and it was only by thoroughly understanding each other, in allconceivable situations, that good and safe steering could be achieved.

  The canoes which had been captured from the savages were frail barks inthe most literal sense of these words. They were made of the bark ofthe birch-tree, a substance which, though tough, was very easily splitinsomuch that a single touch upon a stone was sufficient to cause a badleak. Hence the utmost care was required in their navigation. Butalthough thus easily damaged they were also easily repaired, thematerials for reparation--or even, if necessary, reconstruction--beingalways at hand in the forest.

  Now although Heika and his brother were, as we have said, remarkablyexpert, it does not follow that those were equally so who managed theother two canoes of the expedition. On the contrary, their experiencein canoeing had hitherto been slight. Karlsefin and his bowman Krakewere indeed tolerably expert, having practised a good deal with theScottish brothers, but Thorward turned out to be an uncommonly badcanoe-man; nevertheless, with the self-confidence natural to a goodseaman, and one who was expert with the oar, he scouted the idea thatanything connected with fresh-water voyaging could prove difficult to_him_, and resolutely claimed and took his position as one of thesteersmen of the expedition. His bowman, Tyrker, as ill luck would haveit, turned out to be the worst man of them all in rough water, althoughhe had shown himself sufficiently good on the smooth lake to induce thebelief that he might do well enough.

  But their various powers in this respect were not at first put to thetest, because for a very long way the river was uninterrupted by rapids,and progress was therefore comparatively easy. The scenery throughwhich they passed was rich and varied in the extreme. At one part theriver ran between high banks, which were covered to the water's edgewith trees and bushes of different kinds, many of them being exceedinglybrilliant in colour. At another part the banks were lower, with levelspaces like lawns, and here and there little openings where rivuletsjoined the river, their beds affording far-reaching glimpses ofwoodland, in which deer might occasionally be seen gambolling.Elsewhere the river widened occasionally into something like a lake,with wooded islets on its calm surface, while everywhere the water,earth, and air teemed with animal life--fish, flesh, fowl, and insect.It was such a sight of God's beautiful earth as may still be witnessedby those who, leaving the civilised world behind, plunge into the vastwildernesses that exist to this day in North America.

  Beautiful though it was, however, the Norsemen had small leisure and notmuch capacity to admire it, being pre-occupied and oppressed by anxietyas to the fate of the children. Still, in spite of this, a burst ofadmiration would escape them ever and anon as they passed rapidly along.

  The first night they came to the spot where the natives had encamped thenight before, and all hands were very sanguine of overtaking themquickly. They went about the encampment examining everything, stirringup the embers of the fires, which were still hot, and searching forlittle footprints.

  Hake's unerring bow had supplied the party with fresh venison and somewild-geese. While they sat over the fires that night roasting steaksand enjoying marrow-bones, they discussed their prospects.

  "They have got but a short start of us," said Karlsefin, lookingthoughtfully into the fire, before which he reclined on a couch ofpine-branches, "and if we push on with vigour, giving ourselves onlyjust sufficient repose to keep up our strength, we shall be sure toovertake them in a day or two."

  "It may be so," said Thorward, with a doubtful shake of the head; "butyou know, brother, that a stern chase is usually a long one."

  Thorward was one of those unfortunate men who get the credit of desiringto throw wet blankets and cold water upon everything, whereas, poor man,his only fault was a tendency to view things critically, so as to avoidthe evil consequences of acting on the impulse of an over-sanguinetemperament. Thorward was a safe adviser, but was not a pleasant one,to those who regard all objection as opposition, and who don't like tolook difficulties full in the face. However, there is no question thatit would have been better for him, sometimes, if he had been gifted withthe power of holding his tongue!

  His friend Karlsefin, however, fully appreciated and understood him.

  "True," said he, with a quiet smile, "as you say, a stern chase is along one; nevertheless we are not _far_ astern, and that is what I counton for shortening the chase."

  "That is a just remark," said Thorward gravely, applying a marrow-boneto his lips, and drinking the semi-liquid fat therefrom as if from acup; "but I think you might make it (this is most excellent marrow!) astill shorter chase if you would take my advice.--Ho! Krake, hand meanother marrow-bone. It seems to me that Vinland deer have a peculiarsweetness, which is not so obvious in those of Norway, though perchanceit is hunger which gives the relish; and yet can I truly say that I havebeen hungered in Norway. However, I care not to investigate reasons tooclosely while I am engaged in the actual practice of consumption."

  Here he put another marrow-bone to his lips, and sucked out the contentswith infinite gusto.

  "And what may your advice be?" asked his friend, laughing.

  "I'll wager that Hake could tell you if his mouth were not too full,"replied Thorward, with a smile.

  "Say, thou thrall, before refilling that capacious cavern, what had bestbe done in order to increase our speed?"

  Hake checked a piece of wild-fowl on its passage to his mouth, and,after a moment's consideration, replied that in his opinion lighteningthe load of the canoe was the best thing to be done.

  "And say," continued Thorward, beginning to [eat] a large drumstick,"how may _that_ be done?"

  "By leaving our provisions behind," answered Hake.

  "Ha! did not I say that he could tell you?" growled Thorward between histeeth, which were at that moment conflicting with the sinewy part of thedrumstick.

  "There is something in that," remarked Karlsefin.

  "_Something_ in it!" exclaimed Thorward, resting for a moment from hislabours in order to wash all down with a cataract of water; "why, thereis everything in it. Who ever heard of a man running a race with a fullstomach--much less winning it? If we would win we must voyage light;besides, what need is there to carry salt salmon and dried flesh with uswhen the woods are swarming with such as these, and when we have a manin our
company who can bring down a magpie on the wing?"

  "And that's true, if anything ever was," observed Krake, who had beentoo busy up to that point to do more than listen.

  Hake nodded his approval of the sentiment, and Karlsefin said that hequite agreed with it, and would act upon the advice next day.

  "Just take a _very_ little salmon," suggested Tyrker, with a sigh, "forfear this good fortune should perhaps come suddenly to an end."

  There was a general laugh at Tyrker's caution, and Karlsefin said he wasat liberty to fill his own pockets with salmon for his own use, if hechose.

  "Sure it would be much better," cried Krake, "to eat a week's allowanceall at once, and so save time and trouble."

  "If I had your stomach, Krake, I might try that," retorted Tyrker, "butmine is not big enough."

  "Well, now," returned Krake, "if you only continue to over-eat for aweek or two, as you're doing just now, you'll find it big enough--andmore!"

  "We must sleep to-night, and not talk," said Karlsefin gravely, for hesaw that the dispute was likely to wax hot. "Come, get you all to rest.I will call you two hours hence."

  Every man of the expedition was sound asleep in a few minutes afterthat, with the exception of their leader, who was to keep the firsthalf-hour watch--Thorward, Heika, and Hake being appointed to relievehim and each other in succession.

  The moon was shining brightly when the two hours had elapsed. This wasvery fortunate, because they expected to arrive at the rapids ere long,and would require light to ascend them. Owing to recent heavy rains,however, the current was so strong that they did not reach the rapidstill sunrise. Before starting, they had buried all their provisions insuch a way that they might be dug up and used, if necessary, on theirreturn.

  "'Tis as well that we have daylight here," observed Karlsefin, as he,Thorward, and Hake stood on a rocky part of the bank just below therapids, and surveyed the place before making the attempt.

  It might have been observed that Thorward's face expressed some unusualsymptoms of feeling, as he looked up the river, and saw there nothingbut a turbulent mass of heaving surges dashing themselves wildly againstsharp forbidding rocks, which at one moment were grinning like blackteeth amidst the white foam, and the next were overwhelmed by theswelling billows.

  "You don't mean to say we have to go up that maelstrom?" he said,pointing to the river, and looking at Hake.

  "I would there were any other road," answered Hake, smiling, "but trulyI know of none. The canoes are light, and might be carried by land tothe still water above the rapids, but, as you see, the banks here aresheer up and down without foothold for a crow, and if we try to go roundby the woods on either side, we shall have a march of ten miles throughsuch a country that the canoes will be torn to pieces before the journeyis completed."

  "Have you and Heika ever ascended that mad stream?" cried Thorward.

  "Ay--twice."

  "Without overturning?"

  "Yes--without overturning."

  Again Thorward bestowed on the river a long silent gaze, and hiscountenance wore an expression of blank surprise, which was so amusingthat Karlsefin forgot for a moment the anxiety that oppressed him, andburst into a hearty fit of laughter.

  "Ye have little to laugh at," said Thorward gravely. "It is all verywell to talk of seamanship--and, truly, if you will give me a good boatwith a stout pair of oars, and the roughest sea you ever saw, I willshow you what I can do--but who ever heard of a man going afloat in anegg-shell on a monstrous kettle of boiling water?"

  "Why, Hake says he has done it," said Karlsefin.

  "When I see him do it I will believe it," replied Thorward doggedly.

  "You will not, I suppose, object to follow, if I lead the way?" askedHake.

  "Go to, thrall! Dost think I am afraid?" said Thorward sternly; andthen, as if he thought such talk trifling, turned on his heel with alight laugh, and was about to descend the bank of the river to the spotwhere the men stood in a group near the canoes, when Karlsefin calledhim back.

  "Softly, not so fast, Thorward. Although no doubt we are valiantsailors--and woe betide the infatuated man who shall venture to denyit!--yet must we put our pride in our pouches for once, and acceptinstruction from Hake. After all, it is said that wise men may learnsomething from babes--if so, why may not sea-kings learn from thralls?--unless, indeed, we be not up to the mark of wise men."

  "I am all attention," said Thorward.

  "This, then," said Hake, pointing to a large rock in the middle of thestream, "is the course you must pursue, if ye would reach the upper endof the rapid in a dry skin. See you yonder rock--the largest--where thefoam breaks most fiercely, as if in wrath because it cannot overleap it?Well, that is our first resting-place. If you follow my fingerclosely, you will see, near the foot of the rapid, two smaller rocks,one below the other; they only show now and then as the surges rise andfall, but each has an eddy, or a tail of smooth water below it. Do yousee them?"

  "I see, I see," cried Thorward, becoming interested in spite of himself;"but, truly, if thou callest that part of the river smooth and a `tail,'I hope I may never fall into the clutches of the smooth animal to whichthat tail belongs."

  "It is smooth compared with the rest," continued Hake, "and has aback-draught which will enable us to rest there a moment. You willobserve that the stone above has also a tail, the end of which comesquite down to the head of the tail below. Well, then, you must makesuch a bold dash at the rapid that you shall reach the lower eddy. Thatgained, the men will rest a space and breathe, but not cease paddlingaltogether, else will you be carried down again. Then make a dash intothe stream and paddle might and main till you reach the eddy above. Youwill thus have advanced about thirty yards, and be in a position to makea dash for the long eddy that extends from the big rock."

  "That is all very plain," observed Thorward; "but does it not seem toyou, Hake, that the best way to explain matters would be to go andascend while we look on and learn a lesson through our eyes?"

  "I am ready," was the youth's brief reply; for he was a little hurt bythe seaman's tone and manner.

  "Thorward is right, Hake," said Karlsefin. "Go, take your own canoe up.We will watch you from this spot, and follow if all goes well."

  The young Scot at once sprang down the bank, and in a few minutes hiscanoe with its six men, and Heika steering, shot out from the banktowards the rapid.

  All tendency to jest forsook Thorward as he stood beside his friend onthe cliff with compressed lips and frowning brow, gazing upon thecork-like vessel which danced upon the troubled waters. In a minute itwas at the foot of the broken water. Then Heika's voice rose above theroar of the stream, as he gave a shout and urged on his men. The canoesprang into the boiling flood. It appeared to remain stationary, whilethe men struggled might and main.

  "'Tis too strong for them!" cried Thorward, becoming excited.

  "No; they advance!" said Karlsefin in a deep, earnest tone.

  This was true, but their progress was very small. Gradually theyovercame the power of the stream and shot into the first eddy, amid thecheers of their comrades on shore. Here they waited only a moment ortwo, and then made a dash for the second eddy. There was a shout ofdisappointment from the men, because they swept down so fast that itseemed as if all the distance gained had been lost; but suddenly thecanoe was caught by the extreme tail of the eddy, the downward motion ofits bow was stopped, it was turned straight upstream, and they paddledeasily towards the second rock. Another brief pause was made here, andthen a dash was made for the eddy below the large rock. This was moreeasily gained, but the turbulence of the water was so great that therewas much more danger in crossing from one eddy to the other than therehad been before.

  Under the large rock they rested for a few minutes, and then, dashingout into the rapid, renewed the struggle. Thus, yard by yard, takingadvantage of every available rock and eddy, they surmounted thedifficulty and landed at the head of the rapids, where they waved theircaps to t
heir friends below.

  "It's Krake that wishes he was there!" observed that worthy, wiping theperspiration from his brow and drawing a long deep breath; for the meresight of the struggle had excited him almost as much as if he hadengaged in it.

  "'Tis Krake that will soon be there if all goes well," remarkedKarlsefin, with a laugh, as he came forward and ordered his canoe to bepushed off. "I will be ready to follow, but you had better go first,Thorward. If anything befalls you I am here to aid."

  "Well, come along, lads," cried Thorward. "Get into the bow, Tyrker,and see that you do your duty like a man. Much depends on you--more'sthe pity!" He added the last words in a low voice, for Thorward, beinga very self-reliant man, would like to have performed all the dutieshimself, had that been possible.

  "Shove off!"

  They shot from the bank and made for the rapid gallantly. Thorward'sshout quite eclipsed that of Heika on taking the rapid. Truly, ifstrength of lung could have done it, he might have taken his canoe upsingle-handed, for he roared like a bull of Bashan when Tyrker missed astroke of his paddle, thereby letting the bow sweep round so that thecanoe was carried back to the point whence it had started.

  Tremendous was the roar uttered by Thorward when they faced the rapidthe second time, and fierce was the struggle of the men when in it, andanxious was Tyrker to redeem his error--so anxious, in fact, that hemissed another stroke and well-nigh fell overboard!

  It is said that "Fortune favours the brave." There was no lack ofbravery in Tyrker--only lack of experience and coolness--and Fortunefavoured him on this occasion. If he had _not_ missed a stroke andfallen forward, his miscalculation of aqueous forces would have sent thecanoe past the mark in the opposite direction from the last time; butthe missed stroke was the best stroke of all, for it allowed the canoeto shoot into the first eddy, and converted a terrific roar of wrathfrom Thorward into a hearty cheer.

  Resting a few moments, as Heika and his crew had done, they thenaddressed themselves to the second part of the rapid. Here Thorwardsteered so well that the canoe took the stream at the proper angle; butTyrker, never having perceived what the right angle was, and stronglyimpressed with the belief that the bow was pointing too much up theriver, made a sudden stroke on the wrong side! The canoe instantly flewnot only to the tail of the eddy, but right across it into the wildsurges beyond, where it was all but upset, first to one side then to theother, after which it spun round like a teetotum, and was carried withfearful violence towards one of those rocky ridges which we havedescribed as being alternately covered and uncovered by the foam. Onthe crest of a bulging cascade they were fortunately borne right overthis ridge, which next moment showed its black teeth, as if grinning atthe dire mischief it might have done if it had only chosen to bite!Next instant the canoe overturned, and left the men to flounder to land,while it went careering down towards the gravelly shallows below.

  Now Karlsefin had anticipated this, and was prepared for it. In thefirst place, he had caused the arms, etcetera, to be removed fromThorward's canoe before it set out, saying that he would carry them upin his canoe, so that his friend's might go light. Then, having hisvessel ready and manned, he at once pushed out and intercepted the othercanoe before it reached the gravelly shallows, where it would have beenmuch damaged, if not dashed to pieces.

  "That is bad luck," observed Thorward, somewhat sulkily, as, afterswimming ashore, he wrung the water from his garments.

  "Not worse than might have been expected on a first trial," saidKarlsefin, laughing. "Besides, that rascal Tyrker deceived me. Had Iknown he was so bad, you should have had Krake."

  Poor Tyrker, very much crestfallen, kept carefully away from the party,and did not hear that remark.

  "Now it is my turn," continued Karlsefin. "If we get up safely I willsend Heika down to take the bow of your canoe."

  Karlsefin, as we said, was somewhat more expert than most of the men inmanaging canoes, and Krake, besides having had more experience than manyof his fellows, had once before visited and ascended this rapid. Theytherefore made the ascent almost as well as the Scots had done.

  Arrived at the upper end, Hake and Heika were ordered to removeeverything out of their canoe, and, with a full crew, to run down to theaid of their friends. Karlsefin himself went with them as one of thecrew, so that he might take the steering paddle when Heika should resignit in order to act as Thorward's bowman. Thus manned, the secondattempt was crowned with success, and, not long afterwards the threecanoes swept into a smooth reach of the river above the rapids, andproceeded on their way.

  But a great deal of time had been lost in this way, and Karlsefin feltthat it must be made up for by renewed diligence and protracted labour.