The Norsemen in the West

by R. M. Ballantyne

  CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.

  DISAPPOINTMENT TERMINATES IN UNLOOKED-FOR SUCCESS, AND THE SAGA COMES TOAN END.

  During some weeks after the events narrated in the last chapter, theScottish brothers continued quietly, stealthily, and steadily to collectprovisions and all things necessary for the projected voyage across theAtlantic.

  During the same period the general business of the settlement wasprosecuted with activity. The Christian missionaries not onlyinstructed the people in the new faith, and baptised those thatbelieved, but assisted and guided them in the building of huts andhouses, the planning of wharves and the laying out of townships; [seeNote at end of Chapter] while the crews of the two recently arrivedships, having found it necessary to make up their minds to winter inGreenland, busied themselves in collecting fats, oil, skins, feathers,etcetera, to be packed and got ready for shipment in the followingspring.

  Karlsefin also made preparations for a voyage in spring to Iceland, andThorward, Biarne, Krake, and the other Vinland heroes assisted in thatwork, or in some other of the multifarious duties that had to beattended to in the colony, while Olaf undertook the responsible duty ofsuperintending the education, mental and physical, of that rampantlittle Vinlander, Snorro, the son of Karlsefin.

  Leif Ericsson exercised a sort of general superintendence of the wholecolony. It seemed to be tacitly agreed on and admitted that he was thenational chief or governor, and as no one was disposed to dispute hisclaim to that position all was peace and harmony.

  Nevertheless there was something unusual in Leif's manner at that timewhich rather perplexed his friends, and quite puzzled Anders, hismajor-domo.

  That free and easy individual could not understand the dreamy moods intowhich his master fell, still less could he comprehend the gleams ofquiet humour and expressions of intense seriousness, with othercontradictory appearances, which occasionally manifested themselves inLeif's visage and demeanour. It was plain that there was much on hismind, and that much of that was gay as well as grave. Anders madeseveral attempts to find out what was the matter, but was met at onetime with grave evasion, at another with quiet jocularity, which lefthim as wise as before.

  Towards the Scottish brothers Leif maintained an unvarying aspect ofreserve, which filled them with uneasiness; but with the female membersof his household, and the children, he was all gentleness, and oftenplayful.

  "Leif," said Karlsefin to him one day, "it appears to me that somethingweighs on your mind, or else ye have left some of your wits in Vinland."

  "Think ye not that the cares of such a large and growing colony aresufficient to account for any new wrinkles that may appear on my brow?"replied Leif, with a peculiar smile, and a glance from the corner of hiseye.

  "Well, I daresay that might account for it, and yet things are swimmingon so well that these cares do not seem to be much increased."

  "Sometimes domestic cares trouble a man more than public ones,Karlsefin. Look at thy friend Thorward, now. 'Tis little that he wouldcare for a mountain of outside troubles on his broad shoulders if hemight only drop them when he crossed the threshold of his own door."

  "That is true," returned the other; "if a man have not peace in his ownhouse, there is no peace for him on earth. Nevertheless my friendThorward is not in such a bad case. Freydissa has improved vastly oflate, and Thorward has also grown more amiable and less contradictions--add to which, he and she love each other dearly. But, Leif, there canbe no domestic troubles in your case, for your household is wellordered."

  "Thank God there are none," said Leif seriously. It was the first timethat Leif had used that expression, and his friend heard it with somesurprise and pleasure, but said nothing.

  "Still," continued Leif, "I am not destitute of troubles. Has not thatthrall Hake overturned the peace of my sweet kinswoman Bertha? The girlloves the thrall--I can see that, as plain as I can see the vane onyonder mast-head--and there is no cure for love!"

  Karlsefin looked earnestly at his friend as if about to speak, butobserving the stern frown on Leif's countenance, he forbore.

  In a minute or so Karlsefin remarked quietly that Hake was a faithfulthrall.

  "I'm not so sure of that as ye seem to be," returned Leif, withincreasing sternness, "but, whether faithful or not, no thrall shallever wed Bertha."

  "What is that you say about Bertha?" asked Biarne, coming up just then.

  "Nothing of moment," replied Leif. "What news bring you, Biarne? forthat ye bring news is plain by the glance of your eye."

  "My eye is an incorrigible tell-tale," cried Biarne, laughing."However, it has not much to tell at present. Only that you are aboutto receive a visit from some old friends, and that Anders will have tokeep his kettles full for some time to come. A band of Skraelingersare--. But here they come to speak for themselves."

  At that moment a troop of the Greenland savages came round the point--the identical point where they had received such a terrible shock someyears before--with Flatface dancing joyously in front of them.

  Flatface had heard of their coming, had gone out to meet them, had foundseveral of his relations among them, and was now returning, scarce ableto contain himself with delight, as he made their mouths water bydilating at great length on the delicious things contained in Anders'scapacious kettles.

  While Leif and the others went to meet the Skraelingers, Heika and hisbrother sat in their own sleeping-closet, talking in a low tone, andmaking the final arrangements for their flight.

  "Now are ye sure that all is on board--nothing omitted?" asked Hake,"for it will be hard to obtain anything once we are out on the sea, andwe can't well return to fetch what we have forgotten."

  "All is ready," answered Heika sadly. "I cannot tell how much itgrieves me to go away in this fashion; but freedom must be regained atany price. Now remember, meet me exactly when the moon shows its upperedge above the sea to-night. Not later, and not sooner, for the longerye can remain about the hall the less likely will any one be to inquireafter _me_."

  "I will be sure not to fail you; but, Heika, is that not a little toolate? The flood-tide will be past, and if there is any sea on, it willbe ill passing the skerries, many of which are but little covered, evenat high water."

  "Trust me, Hake; it will not be too late. Be sure that ye come nosooner--else evil may ensue."

  "My heart sinks when I think of Bertha," said Hake, with a deep sigh."It will seem so cold, so hard, so unaccountable, to leave her withoutone word, one farewell."

  "Think better of it, brother," said Heika eagerly; "I am prepared tostart alone even now!"

  "Never!" exclaimed Hake, flushing,--"What? shall I draw back like acoward at the last moment, after pledging my word to go? and shall Ileave you to face this enterprise alone? Nay, Heika, we have sufferedfor many years together, we shall triumph now together--or perish."

  "My poor brother," said Heika, grasping Hake's hand, and kissing it withdeep feeling.--"But go now to the hall, and leave me; I hear them layingthe tables for supper. The window is easily removed; I will hasten atonce and get things ready. Take good care not to re-enter this closetafter leaving it, for the carls are moving about the hall, and maychance to observe that it is empty. Be circumspect, brother."

  They squeezed hands again, and Hake went into the hall, where he mingledwith the house-carls, and chatted carelessly about the events of theday.

  The instant he was gone Heika rose and removed the parchment window,took a billet of firewood and laid it across the bed, then, leaping out,he walked smartly towards the west end of the village.

  It was beginning to grow dark, and few of the people were about. Tothose whom he passed Heika nodded familiarly, but did not stop. Themoment he had rounded the cliff which hid Brattalid from view, he ranwestward at full speed.

  Meanwhile supper was laid in the hall, and all were awaiting theentrance of the master of the house and Karlsefin, but there was noappearance of either. After a quarter of an hour had passed, and theywere beginning
to wonder what had become of them, the door opened andBiarne entered, saying that Leif had sent him to say that as he hadbusiness which would keep him out late, they were not to wait supper forhim.

  Hake began to feel somewhat uneasy at this, and when supper was finishedhe resolved to leave the house a little before the appointed time. Forthat purpose he entered the sleeping-closet, intending to pass out bythe window.

  The first thing that caught his eye was the billet of firewood lying_across the bed_! His heart almost stood still at the sight, for this,coupled with Heika's display of deep feeling, and their recentconversation about signs, caused the truth to flash upon him.

  With one bound he passed through the window and flew westward like thewind-round the point, over the ridge, and down towards the appointedrendezvous at the skerries.

  But, to return to Heika. When he neared the inlet he changed his paceto a rapid walk, and glanced cautiously from side to side, to make quitesure that he was not observed by any one who might chance to havewandered in that direction.

  Now, it is a well-known fact in the affairs of this world, that manystrange things occur in a most unaccountable manner. Who can tell howit was, or why it was that, just a few minutes before Heika approachedthe inlet from the landward side, a small boat entered it from theseaward side, out of which stepped Leif Ericsson and Karlsefin? Theydrew their boat into a corner in deep shadow, and then, going to anothercorner, also in deep shadow, sat down on a ledge of rock withoututtering a single word.

  They had never been in that inlet before; had never seen it, probablynever thought of it before, yet there they were, quietly seated in it--and, just in the nick of time!

  From the place where they sat neither their own boat nor Leif's could beseen--only the landward opening of the inlet.

  Presently approaching footsteps were heard. The two friends rose. Amoment later and Heika stood before them. He stopped abruptly onbeholding them, and his eyes blazed with astonishment, rage, anddespair. Suddenly he looked round as if in search of a weapon, or of away of escape.

  "Be wise, lad," said Leif, kindly yet very gravely; "no evil will comeof it if ye are wise, and take your misfortunes like a man."

  Heika was subdued by the gentle tone. He crossed his arms on hisheaving chest, and stood erect before them with his head slightlydrooped, and a look of profound sadness, rather than disappointment, onhis countenance.

  "Come hither, Heika," said Leif, pointing seaward, "I have somewhat toshow thee."

  They went down the beach till they stood beside the boat, which wasready for sea.

  "This is a strange sight," he continued; "here is an excellent boat,well found, well loaded, well busked in every way for a long voyage.Knowest thou aught in regard to it, Heika?"

  "I know," answered the Scot, bitterly, "that if ye had come hither onlyhalf-an-hour later, that boat would have been on its way with me toScotland."

  "What, with you _alone_?"

  "Ay--with me alone."

  "That is strange," said Leif, somewhat perplexed; "I had fancied thatyou brothers loved each other passing well; but I suppose that a man whocan be guilty of ingratitude is not to be much depended on in the matterof affection."

  Heika winced at these words--not that the charge of ingratitude affectedhim, but he could not submit calmly to the unjust supposition that inhis contemplated flight he had been actuated by selfish indifference tohis brother. At the same time he would not condescend to give anyexplanation of his conduct. Drawing himself up, he looked Leif full inthe face.

  "Norseman," he said, "small is the gratitude I owe to thee. 'Tis true,ye have treated me and my brother kindly since we came hither, and forthat I owe thee thanks, and would gladly have paid this debt beforeleaving, had such been consistent with flight; but kindness, howevergreat, is not a worthy price for liberty, and when King Olaf Tryggvissonsent me to thee, I made no promise to sell my liberty at such a price.But in regard to Hake--"

  "Ay, in regard to Hake, go on; why dost thou stop?" said Leif, in astern tone. "There is some truth in what ye say about gratitude; butwhat of Hake?"

  The Scot still remained silent, with his lips compressed, and droppedhis eyes sternly on the ground.

  "This seems to me a bad business," said Karlsefin, who had hithertolistened with an expression of anxiety and disappointment graduallydeepening on his countenance. "I had thought better of thee, Heika.Surely Hake's longing to be free and in his own native land must be tothe full as strong as thine. I am puzzled, moreover, for two werebetter than one in the mad voyage ye thought to undertake."

  Heika smiled at this.

  "Truly," he said, "my brother loves his native land and freedom,nevertheless he prefers bondage to freedom, and Greenland to his nativeland. And yet would he fain have sacrificed his preference, andresigned his bondage out of love to me, if I would have allowed him."

  "Resigned his bondage, Heika!" exclaimed Leif. "Ye speak in riddles,man; what mean you?"

  Instead of replying the Scot looked at Leif with an intelligent smile,and held up his forefinger as if to call attention. At the same momentthe sound as if of some one running at full speed was heard faintly inthe distance.

  Leif and Karlsefin looked at the Scot in surprise.

  "It is my brother," he said, sadly.

  In a few seconds the steps were close at hand. Leif seized Karlsefin bythe arm, and dragged him swiftly under the deep shadow of the cliffsjust as Hake came through the narrow opening with such a rush that onseeing Heika he could not avoid plunging violently into his extendedarms.

  "Was this right in thee, brother?" he cried, laying his hand on Heika'sshoulder, on recovering himself; "was it wise to treat me thus like achild?"

  "It was kindly meant," said Heika, much perplexed as to how he shouldact in existing circumstances.

  "Kindly meant!" exclaimed Hake, vehemently. "Ay, well do I know that,yet it was not wisely kind to forsake me after promising to take me withyou, when ye knew that I did but leave Bertha for a time, and meant tocome back and win or demand her from--."

  "Hush! brother, hush!" cried Heika, laying his hand on the other'smouth. "Whatever I thought or meant to do matters little now, for Ihave found it impossible to undertake this voyage after all."

  "Impossible!" echoed Hake; "why, what craven spirit has come over thee?Is not the boat ready? am not _I_ ready, and is not the opportunityfavourable?"

  "All is ready, no doubt," replied Heika, hesitating, "but--"

  "But the truth is," cried Leif, as he and Karlsefin issued from theirplace of concealment, laughing heartily, "the truth is, that theopportunity is _not_ favourable, for I have some objection to either ofyou leaving me at present--though the objection is not so strong butthat it might give way if ye desired it greatly. Come hither, all ofyou."

  He went a few steps towards the boat, and pointing to it, said--"Tellme, Hake, for thou art not a bad counsellor at need, dost think thatvessel there is a sufficiently large one to venture a voyage in it onthese northern seas at this time of year?"

  "It is large enough for men who would be free," replied Hake moodily,for his astonishment on first beholding his master had given place todeep mortification, now that he perceived his brother's hopes and planswere frustrated.

  "Nay, as to being free," returned Leif, with a laugh, "thy brotherhinted not long ago something about thy preference for thraldom, inregard to which I now perceive some glimmering of reason; but I ask theefor a matter-of-fact opinion. Dost think there would be much risk inthe voyage thy brother contemplated?"

  "There would be some risk, doubtless, yet not so much but that we wouldhave run it for the sake of freedom."

  "H'm! In my opinion it would have been a mad venture," rejoined Leif."What say you, Karlsefin?"

  "A useless venture, as well as mad," he replied; "for death, notfreedom, would have been the end of it."

  "So I think," returned Leif, "and that is my only objection to yourundertaking it, Hake. Nevertheless if you and Heika a
re still willingto venture, ye may do so. There lies the boat; a fair wind is blowingoutside; get on board, shove off, hoist the sail and away to bonnyScotland if you will, for _I grant you freedom to go_!"

  "It is ill to jest with thralls," said Heika, looking sternly at hismaster.

  "Nay, I do not jest--nor are ye thralls," replied Leif, assuming a lookand tone of unwonted seriousness. "Give me your attention, friends; andthou, Karlsefin, take note of what I say, for I care not to talk much onthis subject until my mind is more clear upon it. My opinion is thatthis new religion which we hear so much of just now, is _true_. It isof God--not of man, and I believe that Jesus Christ, my Lord, has comein the flesh to save His people from their sins. Many things have ledme to this opinion, in regard to which I will not speak. I have thoughtand heard much for some years past, and woefully have I been staggered,as well as helped on, by the men who have been sent to Greenland withthe Good News. Some have, by their conduct squaring with theirprofession, led me to believe. Others have, by their conduct belyingtheir profession, hindered me. But the Lord Himself has led me into acertain measure of light; and there is one law of His in particular,which just now comes home to me with much power, namelythis--`Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even sounto them.' This law, I am persuaded, is of God. Long have I lived,and never before have I seen it acted on till these Christians cameamongst us. They do not, indeed, always practise as they teach; butthey are imperfect, therefore they cannot practise _fully_ as theyteach, because they teach _perfection_. This law I shall henceforthfollow as I best can. I follow it to-day. If I were in thraldom to_you_, Heika, just now, I would wish you to set me free, therefore I nowset you and your brother free. The rule is very simple of application.It only wants a willing spirit. And let me add--ye have to thank theLord, not me, for your freedom."

  The brothers stood speechless with surprise on hearing this, butKarlsefin grasped Leif's hand and said very earnestly--"Ye have donewell, brother. Long have I thought to urge thee to this, and frequentlyhave I asked of Him that it might be as it has turned out. Now, myprayer is answered. But what say Heika and Hake to this?"

  "Never mind what they say," returned Leif brusquely. "Doubtless theirthoughts interfere with their speech at present. And hark 'ee, all; asI said before, I desire to have no further talk at present on thispoint. Ye are welcome to tell whom ye please what I have said, and whatI have done, and why I have done it--there let the matter rest. So now,Heika and Hake," he added, in a gay tone, "I mean what I say. Therelies the boat, and ye are free to go if it please you. Only, if ye willaccept my advice you will make up your minds to spend this winter inGreenland as my guests, and in spring there will be better weather and amore fitting craft to carry you over the sea to Scotland. MeanwhileHake will have ample opportunity to woo, win, and wed--withoutdemanding--the fair Bertha!"

  Need we say that the brothers gladly accepted this generous invitation,and endeavoured, in spite of Leif's prohibition, to express theirgratitude in a few earnest though broken sentences.

  Great was the surprise that night in Brattalid, when it was made knownthat Leif Ericsson had given freedom to his thralls out of regard to theChristian religion. Leif afterwards told his friends that it was out ofregard to the Founder of that religion, but it was long before many ofthe people could see a distinction in that. Numerous were thetheological discussions, too, which this act of emancipation calledforth in every household, and great was the joy which it created in oneor two hearts.

  To say nothing of the young Scots themselves, it caused the heart oftimid little Bertha to sing for joy, while Gudrid, Astrid, and Thorarejoiced sympathetically, and looked forward with pleasant anticipationto the approaching marriage. Even Freydissa opened out in a new lighton the occasion, and congratulated her handmaiden heartily, telling herwith real sincerity that marriage was the only thing she was fit for!

  But it was Olaf who displayed the greatest amount of feeling on theoccasion, and it was Snorro on whom he expended himself!

  On the morning after the great event, he hoisted Snorro on his back withhis wonted care and tenderness, and hurried off with him to the solitudeof the sea-shore--for, alas! there were no umbrageous solitudes inGreenland. There, not far from the spot where Flatface and his friendshad once been made to wriggle their coat-tails with terror, he setSnorro down, and, sitting on a rock beside him, said--

  "Now, old man, it is going to have a talk with me."

  "Iss," replied Snorro, very contentedly.

  "Does it know what has happened to Hake and Heika?"

  Snorro shook his head.

  "Well, my father has set them both free."

  "Bof f'ee?" repeated Snorro, with a puzzled look.

  "Yes, both."

  "W'at's _f'ee_?" asked Snorro.

  Olaf was greatly perplexed, for he knew not how to convey an idea of themeaning of that word to his little friend. He made various attempts,however, by means of simple illustrations and words, to explain it, butwithout success--as was made plain by Snorro's usually intelligentcountenance remaining a perfect blank.

  At last he seized the child by both wrists and held him fast for a fewseconds.

  "Snorro," he said, "you are _not_ free while I hold you. Now," headded, releasing the wrists, "you _are_ free."

  Snorro's countenance was no longer blank, but, on the contrary,extremely perplexed.

  "Leif," he said, "no' hold Heika an' Hake by e _hands_!"

  "No," replied Olaf, "but he holds them by the spirit."

  "W'at's spiwit?" asked Snorro.

  Olaf was in despair!

  "Well, well," he cried, after stroking his chin and pulling his nose,and knuckling his forehead in the vain hope of hitting on some othermode of explaining his meaning; "it don't matter, old man. They arefree, and that has made them very happy; and oh! I am very glad,because I am so fond of Hake. Don't you remember how he came to save usfrom the Skraelingers, and nearly did it too? And he is going to bemarried to Bertha. Isn't that nice? It knows what married means, don'tit?"

  "No," said Snorro.

  "Well, no matter; it's what seems to make everybody very happy; andBertha is very happy, and so am I, for I'm fond of Bertha, as well as ofHake; and so is Snorro, isn't he?"

  "Iss," replied Snorro, with a very decided nod.

  "Well, that's all very pleasant," continued Olaf, running on with thesubject until it led him into another subject, which led him into athird and fourth, and so on, with the ever-varying moods of his gay andfanciful mind, until he was led in spirit to Vinland, where he andSnorro remained lost in the woods, perfectly contented and happy, forthe remainder of the day.

  And now, patient reader, we must lead you in spirit away from the sceneson which we have dwelt so long, across the wide ocean to Scotland.

  There, on the heights of a lion-like hill, stand Heika and Hake. Aprecipitous crag rises behind them. In front towers a rock, from whichEdwin's castle frowns down on the huts of an embryo city. Theundulating woodland between resounds with the notes of the huntsman'shorn. Away in the distance lie the clear waters of the fiord of Forth,and the background of Scotia's highland hills mingling with the sky.

  The brothers stand in rapt and silent admiration of the scene, as wellthey may, for it is surpassingly beautiful. But they do not standalone. Bertha leans on Hake's arm, and a tall girl with dark hair leanson Heika's. Beside them stands a fine-looking though somewhat delicateold man; whose benignant gaze seems to be more attracted by the youngpeople than the scenery.

  Need we say that this is the Scottish Earl, the father of ourfleet-footed thralls, and that the dark-haired girl is Emma? We willnot violate your sense of propriety, gentle reader, by talking of MrsHeika; nor will we venture to make reference to the little Heikas leftat home!

  But these are not all the party. Karlsefin, Biarne, and Thorward arethere--on a visit to the Earl--with Gudrid and Freydissa; and away onthe fiord they can see their two Norse galleys towering
like quaintgiants at rest among the small craft that ply and skim about there.

  Shall we listen to what our friends say? We think not. Too longalready have we caused them to break the silence which they havemaintained for the last eight hundred years. Let us rather bid theirshades depart with a kind farewell.

  But before the memory of them is quite gone, let us say a word or two inconclusion.

  Whether the Norsemen ever returned again to Vinland is a matter ofuncertainty, for the saga is silent on that point; and it is to befeared that Snorro, the first American, did not return to takepossession of his native land, for when the great continent wasre-discovered about five hundred years later, only "red-skins" werefound there; and the Pilgrim Fathers make no mention of having met withdescendants of any colony of white men.

  What ultimately became of Snorro and Olaf is, we regret to say, unknown.This, however, is certain, that Karlsefin, according to hisoft-expressed intention, retired to Iceland, where he dwelt happily withGudrid, Leif, Biarne, and Thorward for many years. It is thereforeprobable that Snorro and Olaf took to a seafaring life, which was almostthe only life open to enterprising men in those days. If they did, theydistinguished themselves--there can be no doubt whatever upon thatpoint.

  As to the other personages who have figured in our tale, we can onlysurmise--at least hope--that they lived long and happily, for the sagarelates nothing as to the end of their respective careers. But of thiswe are quite sure, that wherever they went, or however long they lived,they never failed to retain a lively recollection of that romanticperiod of their lives when they sojourned in the pleasant groves ofVinland--that mighty continent which, all unsuspected by these men ofold, was destined, in the course of time, to play such a grand andimportant part in the world's history.

  Thus ends all that we have got to tell of the adventures of the Norsemenin the West, and the Discovery of America before Columbus.

  THE END.

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  Note. An important Christian colony existed in Greenland for nearly 400years--from some time in the tenth to near the end of the fourteenthcentury,--a colony in which, in the fourteenth century, there were 190townships and a town called Garda, in which were a cathedral, bishop'sseat, and twelve or thirteen churches, besides other Christianestablishments, with a regular succession of bishops for theirsuperintendence, of whom seventeen are named in the sagas. This colony,strange to say, was obliterated, no one knew how or when, and its veryexistence was forgotten by the civilised world. It was chronicled,however, in the Icelandic sagas and brought to light by antiquaries ofthe highest authority. The statistical details given by the sagas havebeen corroborated by the actual discovery in Greenland, in theeighteenth and nineteenth centuries, of vast ecclesiastical and otherbuildings. These are facts which do not admit of reasonable doubt--sowrites Samuel Laing in his translation of "The Heimskringla, orChronicle of the Kings of Norway," volume one, page 141.