Part 38 (1/2)

”Never mind, Bert'a, oos be a tome soon.”

There was a general laugh at this consolatory remark; even Bertha smiled faintly as she patted Snorro's head, while Astrid and Thora--not to mention Gudrid--agreed between themselves that he was the dearest, sweetest, and in every way the most delightful Vinlander that had ever been born.

”Of that there can be no doubt,” said Leif, with a laugh, ”since he is the only white Vinlander that ever _was_ born.”

But although the party a.s.sembled on the p.o.o.p indulged at first in a few humorous remarks, they soon became silent and sad, for they were fast leaving behind them a spot which, with all its drawbacks, had been a pleasant and happy home for upwards of three years.

As they stood leaning on the rails that guarded the p.o.o.p, and gazed regretfully on the lessening hills, each recalled many pleasant or stirring incidents which had occurred there, incidents which would remain--however far or long that land might be left behind--for ever engraven on their memories. And, long after twilight and distance had concealed the coast from view, the Nors.e.m.e.n continued to strain their vision towards the horizon, mentally bidding a long and last farewell to Vinland.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

CHANGES IN BRATTALID--THE SCOTS CONTINUE TO PLOT AND PLAN.

Greenland again! Flatface standing on the wharf at Brattalid; Anders beside him; groups of Norse men, women, and children, and Skraelingers, around and scattered along the bay.

What a commotion there was in the colony, to be sure, when it was discovered that two large s.h.i.+ps were sailing up the fiord; and what a commotion it created in the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of those on board these s.h.i.+ps when it was discovered that two other large s.h.i.+ps were already at anchor in the harbour!

It is not necessary to detain the reader with the details of question and reply, by which the truth was at last elicited on both sides.

Suffice it to say that the two s.h.i.+ps were found to be merchant-vessels from Iceland, and that, among other colonists, they had brought out several men whose purpose was to teach and plant the new religion.

Already a small building had been set up, with a short tower on the roof, which the Nors.e.m.e.n were told was a church, and in which some of the services of the Christian religion were performed. Elsewhere several new houses had been built, and everywhere there were signs of increasing population and prosperity.

Leif was half pleased, half disappointed at all this. It was gratifying to find things prospering so well, but it was not pleasant to see the old place so greatly changed, and to have much of the old home-feeling done away.

However, little was said on the subject. The Vinland colonists were too busy at first, meeting with relations and old companions, and being introduced to new friends, to say or think much about the matter. After a few days they became reconciled to the change, and settled down into a regular busy life.

One evening Heika went to the house of his friend Edwinsson, who owned the boat that he wished to become possessed of. He found that the man was not at home, but there was a serving-woman in the house.

”Edwinsson no longer lives here,” said the girl. ”He has gone to live with old Haraldson and manage his boats, for the old man is not able for that work now.”

”Do you mean Bertha's father?” asked Heika.

”Yes; Haraldson is Bertha's father.”

Heika went at once to search for his friend. By the way he chanced to meet with his brother.

”Come, Hake,” said he, ”I want you to go with me to find Edwinsson.”

”With all my heart,” said Hake.

They soon came to old Haraldson's house, which lay at the extreme west of Brattalid; and when Heika opened the door, there he saw the old man seated in a large chair, propped up with eider-down pillows. Bertha was seated on a stool at his feet holding one of his hands.

”Come in, Heika,” she cried, springing up and hasting forward with pleasure. ”I have been trying to tell dear father about the whale you killed in Vinland.”

She stopped abruptly on observing that Hake was behind his brother.

Recovering herself quickly, however, she welcomed him also with a slight blush.

”I want you, Heika,” she continued, ”to tell the story to my father.”

”Ay, sit down here, young man, and tell it me,” said Haraldson, in a tremulous voice. ”I love to hear anything about Vinland, especially what pleases Bertha. Dear Bertha! I have become very frail since she went away--very frail; and it has been a weary time--a weary time. But come, tell me about the whale.”