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 accompanied them by the island.  Before they hoisted sail Thorhall recited a verse:—­

“Go we back where our countrymen are.  Let us make the skilled hawk of the sand-heaven explore the broad ship-courses; while the dauntless rousers of the sword-storm, who praise the land, and cook whale, dwell on Furdustrandir.”

Then they left, and sailed northwards along Furdustrandir and Kjalarnes, and attempted there to sail against a wind from the west.  A gale came upon them, however, and drove them onwards against Ireland, and there were they severely treated, enthralled, and beaten.  Then Thorhall lost his life.

9.  Karlsefni proceeded southwards along the land, with Snorri and Bjarni and the rest of the company.  They journeyed a long while, and until they arrived at a river, which came down from the land and fell into a lake, and so on to the sea.  There were large islands off the mouth of the river, and they could not come into the river except at high flood-tide.  Karlsefni and his people sailed to the mouth of the river, and called the land Hop.  There they found fields of wild wheat wherever there were low grounds; and the vine in all places were there was rough rising ground.  Every rivulet there was full of fish.  They made holes where the land and water joined and where the tide went highest; and when it ebbed they found halibut in the holes.  There was great plenty of wild animals of every form in the wood.  They were there half a month, amusing themselves, and not becoming aware of anything.  Their cattle they had with them.  And early one morning, as they looked around, they beheld nine canoes made of hides, and snout-like staves were being brandished from the boats, and they made a noise like flails, and twisted round in the direction of the sun’s motion.  Then Karlsefni said, “What will this betoken?” Snorri answered him, “It may be that it is a token of peace; let us take a white shield and go to meet them.”  And so they did.  Then did they in the canoes row forwards, and showed surprise at them, and came to land.  They were short men, ill-looking, with their hair in disorderly fashion on their heads; they were large-eyed, and had broad cheeks.  And they stayed there awhile in astonishment.  Afterwards they rowed away to the south, off the headland.