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1. What are the circumstances of Leif's birth?

Leif is born to a woman of the sea with a blood clot held tightly in his fist. The blood clot is believed to be a sign of hardship and danger to come in his life. His mother dies giving birth to him. His father was a man who died fighting a whale.

2. What happens to Leif when he is orphaned?

Because Leif is an orphan, he lives on the docks. He is nursed by sucking rags that are dipped in sour goat's milk and fish oil. He is fed on scraps that others chew to soften.

3. When Leif becomes old enough to walk, what does he become?

When Leif becomes old enough to walk, he is taken on boats. He is passed from one boat to the next and to the next. He becomes a boat rat. When he can use his hands, he is given the task of repairing nets, sewing ripped nets and torn clothing, and sharpening the seal-killing harpoons. He is beaten with wooden rods if he makes a mistake. He cooks the greasy eel meat that the sailors eat.

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