CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
THE BURNING ON THE FORTRESS--A THREATENED FIGHT ENDS IN A FEAST, WHICHLEADS TO FRIENDSHIP--HAPPY REUNION AND PROPOSED DESERTION.
Next morning, according to arrangement, the Norsemen were up and away bydaybreak; but they did not start off alone. A much larger fleet thanthey had bargained for accompanied them. Karlsefin, however, made noobjection, partly because objection would have been unavailing, andpartly because the natives were so genuinely well-disposed towards him,that he felt assured there was no reason to distrust them or to feartheir numbers.
Little did Karlsefin think, as they proceeded happily and leisurely downthe stream at that time, the urgent need there was for haste, or thedire extremity to which his friends at Leifsgaard had been reduced.Knowing, of course, nothing about this, they descended by easy stagesand encamped in good time at night, in order to have their fires lightedand food cooked before daylight had quite disappeared, so that theymight have the more time to sit chatting by the light of the camp-firesand enjoying the fine summer weather.
On the other hand, had Leif only known how soon his friends were toreturn, he might have held the fortress longer than he did, bycontinuing his desperate sallies to check the raising of the pile thatwas meant to burn him out; but not being aware of this, and finding thatthe necessity for constant vigilance and frequent sallies was wearingout his men, he resolved to abandon the castle to its fate and take tothe ship.
Watching his opportunity, he had everything portable collected, and,during the darkest hour of a dark night, quietly issued from the littlefortress, descended to the beach, and got on board the _Snake_, with allthe women and men, without the savages being aware of the movement.
Once on board, he fortified the vessel as well as he could, and hung theshields round the bulwarks.
Curiously enough, the savages had fixed on that very night for settingfire to their pile of timber, which by that time towered to a heightthat made it almost equal to the fortress it was about to consume. Atgrey dawn the torch was applied to it. At the very same hour Karlsefinand his men, accompanied by their savage friends, launched their canoesand left the encampment of the previous night.
The leader of the fleet had purposely encamped when not very far fromthe settlement, preferring, with such a large and unexpected party,rather to arrive in the morning than at night.
Great then was the surprise of the Norsemen when, soon after starting,they saw a dense cloud of smoke rising in the far distance, and deep wastheir anxiety when they observed that this cloud not only spread abroadand increased in density, but appeared to float exactly over the placewhere the settlement lay.
"Give way, lads! push on! There is something wrong at the gaard,"shouted Karlsefin when he became thoroughly alive to the fact.
There was little necessity for urging the men. Each man became animpulsive volcano and drove his paddle into the water with such forceand fury that the canoes almost leaped out of the river as well as overit.
Meanwhile the sun rose in splendour, and with it rose the mighty flamesof the bonfire, which soon caught the neighbouring trees and licked themup as if they had been stubble. Such intense heat could not be longwithstood. The wooden fortress was soon in flames, and then arose ayell of triumph from the savages, which sent dismay to the hearts ofthose who were approaching, and overawed the little band that still layundiscovered on board the _Snake_.
But when it was ascertained that there was no one in the fortress, a cryof fury followed the shout of triumph, and the whole band, at oncesuspecting that their enemies had taken to their vessel, rushed down tothe shores of the lake.
There they found the Norsemen ready to receive them; but they found morethan they had expected, for, just then, Karlsefin and his men sweptround the point above the bay with a tremendous cheer, and were followedby a continuous stream of the canoes of their savage friends whom theyhad outstripped in the mad race.
Karlsefin did not wait to ascertain how affairs stood. Enough for himthat the village seemed to be in flames. Observing, as he passed, thathis comrades and the women were safe on board the _Snake_, he ran thecanoes high and dry on the beach and leaped ashore. Drawing quickly upinto a compact line, the Norsemen rushed with wild shout upon the foe.The natives did not await the onset. Surprise alone had kept themwaiting there as long as they did. With one consent, and a hideousyell, they turned and fled like autumn leaves before the wind.
Returning to the friendly savages, who had looked on at all this in somesurprise and with no little concern, Karlsefin looked very sternly atthem, pointed to the woods into which his enemies had vanished, shookhis fist, and otherwise attempted by signs to indicate his displeasure,and to advise the instant interference of the friendly savages in theway of bringing about peaceful relations.
The natives were intelligent enough and prompt in action. A party ofthem at once started off to the woods, while Karlsefin went on board the_Snake_, where he found Leif and his friends right glad to meet him, andthe women, in a state of the wildest delight, almost devouring Olaf andSnorro, who had been sent direct to the vessel when the men landed toattack the savages.
"'Tis good for the eyes to see thy sweet face, Gudrid," he said, givinghis wife a hearty kiss, "and I am quite sure that Snorro agrees with mein that."
"He does, he does," cried Gudrid, hugging the child, who clung round herneck with a tenacity that he had never before exhibited, having learned,no doubt, that "absence makes the heart grow fonder."
"Oh! I am so happy, and so thankful. My sweet bairn! Where did youfind him? How did you rescue him? I felt _sure_ you would do it. Howdid he look when he saw you? and--"
"Hold, Gudrid," cried Karlsefin, laughing, "joy has upset thy judgment.I can answer but one question at a time."
Gudrid made no reply; indeed she did not seem to expect an answer to herqueries, for she had turned again to Snorro and Olaf, whom sheoverwhelmed with embraces, endearing epithets, and questions, in allwhich she was ably assisted by Bertha, Astrid, and Thora. EvenFreydissa became soft for once; kissed Olaf and Snorro several times ina passionate manner, and was unusually gracious to Thorward.
"Ye came in the nick of time," said Leif, as he and his friends retiredto the poop for a brief consultation.
"So it would seem," said Biarne, "but it was more by good fortune thangood planning, for I left you weak-handed; and if good luck had notbrought us here just at the time we did, methinks there would have beenheavy hearts among us."
"A higher Power than good luck brought us hither in time," saidKarlsefin.
"That is true," said Leif, with a nod and an earnest look at his friend.
"I doubt it not," returned Biarne, "and the same Power doubtless led meto start off with a reinforcement in time to help you in the hour ofneed, Karlsefin. But it is my advice now that we go ashore and put thehuts in a state of defence as quickly as may be."
"That is just my opinion," replied Karlsefin, "for it may be that thefriendly natives will find it easier to be converted into foes than toturn our enemies into friends. What is your advice, Leif?"
"That we land and do as Biarne suggests without delay."
"And what if these villains come down in such overwhelming numbers--asthey now can easily do--that they shall carry all before them and driveus into the lake?" asked Thorward.
"Why, man," cried Biarne, with a touch of ire, "if I did not know theewell I would say that thou wert timid."
"Knowing me well; then, as ye say," returned Thorward, "and reservingthe matter of timidity for future discussion, what reply have ye to maketo my question?"
"That we must make up our minds to be drowned, like Freydissa's cat,"replied Biarne.
"Nay, not quite that," said Leif, with a smile; "we can at least havethe comfort of leaving our bones on the land to mingle with those of asmany savages as we can slay."
"The thought of that would prove a great comfort to the women, no doubt,when they were carried off by the savages," returned Thorward
, with atouch of sarcasm in his tone.
"I see what you mean," said Karlsefin; "that we should have the _Snake_ready to fall back on if we chance to be beaten; but, to say truth, theidea of being beaten by such miserable savages never entered my head."
"The consideration of your head's thickness, then," said Thorward,"would be an additional element of comfort, no doubt, to the women incase of things going against us."
At this Karlsefin laughed, and asked Thorward what he would advise.
"My advice is," said he, "that we not only get the _Snake_ ready for along voyage, but that we haul round my ship also,--which by good fortuneis here just now--and get her ready. There is no need to put our goodsand chattels on board, for if things went ill with us we could no doubtkeep the savages at bay long enough to accomplish that by means ofplacing Biarne at the post of danger with orders to die rather than givein; but I would leave the women and children on board at any rate tokeep them out of harm's way--"
"And it is _my_ advice," cried Freydissa, coming up at the moment, "thatye set about it at once without more talk, else the women and childrenwill have to set you the example."
There was a general laugh at the tone and manner in which this was said,and the four chiefs left the poop to carry out their plans. Meanwhilean immense concourse of natives assembled on the neighbouring heights,and for a long time carried on a discussion, which, to judge from theviolence of their gesticulations, must have been pretty hot. At lasttheir meeting came to an abrupt close, and a large band was seen toseparate from the rest and move down towards the hamlet.
Before they reached it the Norsemen had manned the defences and awaitedthem.
"They come on a peaceful errand, I think," said Karlsefin, who stood atthe principal opening. "At least it seems to me that they carry noarms. What say you, Hake? Your eyes are sharp."
"They are unarmed," replied Hake.
This was found to be the case; and when they had approached to within along bow-shot of the defences, all doubt as to their intention wasremoved by their holding up their hands and making other peacefuldemonstrations.
Judging it wise to meet such advances promptly and without suspicion,Karlsefin at once selected a number of his stoutest men, and causingthem to lay aside their arms, issued forth to meet the savages. Therewas, as on a former occasion, a great deal of gesticulation and talkingwith the eyes, the upshot of which was, that the brown men and the whitemen vowed eternal friendship, and agreed to inaugurate the happycommencement thereof with a feast--a sort of picnic on a grand scale--inwhich food was to be supplied by both parties, arms were to be left athome on both sides, and the scene of operations was to be a plot of openground near to, but outside, the hamlet.
It is easy to record all this briefly, but it must not therefore besupposed that it was easy of arrangement, on the part of the highcontracting parties, whose tongues were unavoidably useless in theconsultation.
Krake proved himself to be the most eloquent speaker in sign-language,and the manner in which he made his meaning intelligible to the savageswas worthy of philosophic study. It is, however, quite beyond thepowers of description; a great deal of it consisting not only of signswhich might indeed be described, but of sounds--guttural and otherwise--which could not be spelt. We are constrained, therefore, to leave it tothe reader's imagination.
At the feast an immense quantity of venison and salmon was consumed, asyou may easily believe, and a great number of speeches were made by bothparties--the men of each side approving and applauding their ownspeakers, and listening to those of the other side with as muchsolemnity of attention as if they understood every word.
There were two points of great interest connected with this feast, whichwe must not omit to mention. One was, the unexpected arrival, in themiddle of it, of the old chief, Whitepow, in a canoe, with Utway and afew of his principal men, and his grandson Powlet. These were hailed byboth parties with great delight, because they formed an additional bondof union between them.
It had been arranged by Karlsefin, for the sake of security, that thesavages and Norsemen should not intermingle, but that they should sit intwo distinct groups opposite to each other. Whitepow, however, ignorantof, or indifferent to such arrangements, passed over at once to theNorsemen on his arrival, and went through the ceremony, which he had sorecently acquired, of shaking hands all round. Powlet also followed hisexample, and so did Utway. They then sat down, and the latter did goodservice in the cause of peace by making an enthusiastic speech, whichthe Norsemen could see, from his pantomimic motions, related to his owngood treatment at their hands in time past.
Powlet also unwittingly aided in the same good cause, by running up toOlaf and bestowing on him a variety of attentions, which were allexpressive of good-will and joy at meeting with him again. He alsoshouted the name of Snorro several times with great energy, but Olafcould only reply by shaking his head and pointing towards the hamletwhere Snorro and the women had been left under a strong and trustyguard.
The other point of interest to which we have alluded was, that a numberof the savages became particularly earnest and eager, when the eatingwas concluded, in their endeavours to impress something on their newfriends, which they could not for a long time be made to understand evenby the most graphic and energetic signs.
"I fear, Krake, that you have eaten too much, or by some other meanshave spoilt your powers of interpretation," said Leif with a laugh, asthe puzzled interpreter shook his head for the fifth time at anenergetic young savage with a red spot on his chin, and a blue stripe onhis nose, who had been gesticulating--we might almost say agonising--before him for some time.
"'Tis beyond my powers entirely," said Krake. "Try it again, Bluenose,"he added, turning once more to the savage with resolute intensity ofconcentration; "drive about your limbs and looks a little harder. I'llmake ye out if it's in the power of man."
Thus adjured, the young savage opened his mouth wide, pointed with hisfinger down his throat, then up at the sky, spread both hands abroad ina vague manner, and exclaimed "ho!" as though to say, "that's plainenough, surely!"
"Oh, for shame! Is it eaten too much ye have? Is that what ye want tosay?"
That was evidently not what he wanted to say, for the poor savage lookedround with quite a disconsolate aspect.
"Come hither, Powlet," cried Biarne; "you're a smart boy; see if you canmake the matter somewhat plainer."
Powlet at all events understood his name, and Biarne's beckoning finger,for he rose and went to him. Biarne confronted him with the youngsavage, and told the two to talk with each other by means of signs,which consisted in his touching the lips of both and thrusting theirheads together.
The young savage smiled intelligently and spoke to Powlet, who thereuponturned to Biarne, and, rolling his eyes for a few seconds, uttered a lowwail.
"Sure it isn't pains you're troubled with?" asked Krake, in a voice ofpity.
"I do believe it must be that they refer to some one whom we havewounded during the fight," suggested Leif, "and that they think we havehim concealed in the hamlet."
"It seems to me," said Thorward, "that if they were troubled about awounded or missing comrade, they would have asked for him sooner."
"That is true," replied Leif. "I wish we knew what it is they wouldcommunicate, for they appear to be very anxious about it."
As he spoke, a tall savage, with an unusually grave countenance, stalkedfrom among his fellows, thrust Powlet and the young man whom Krake hadstyled Bluenose aside, and seated himself on the ground in imitation ofthe free-and-easy manner of the Norsemen. Suddenly his face lighted up.He clapped both hands to his chest and breathed hard, then raised hishands aloft, looked enthusiastically up at the sky, rolled his eyes in afearful manner, opened his mouth wide, and gave utterance to a series ofindescribable howls. Checking himself in the midst of one of these, hesuddenly resumed his grave aspect, looked straight at Krake, and said"Ho!"
That he thought he had hit the mark, and con
veyed the meaning of himselfand his friends precisely, was made evident by the other savages, whonodded their heads emphatically, and exclaimed "Ho!" with earnestness.
"H'm! 'tis easy to say `Ho!'" replied Krake, more perplexed than ever,"and if `Ho' would be a satisfactory answer, I'd give ye as much as yeliked of that; but I can't make head or tail of what it is ye would beat."
"Stay," exclaimed Hake, stepping quickly forward, "I think I know whatthey want."
Saying this, he looked earnestly at the grave savage, and ran over oneor two notes of a song.
No words in any language could convey such a powerful meaning as did thebeam of intelligence and delight which overspread the faces of thesesons of the wilderness. The "ho! ho! hos!" and noddings were repeatedwith such energy, that Krake advised them to "stop that, lest theirheads should come off altogether!"
"I thought so," said Hake, turning away from them; "they want you togive them a song, Krake."
"They shall have that, and welcome," cried the jovial Norseman, strikingup the "Danish Kings" at once, with all the fire of his nature.
The natives sat in rapt solemnity, and when the Norsemen joinedlaughingly in the chorus, they allowed a faint smile to play for amoment on their faces, and murmured their satisfaction to each otherwhen the song was done. But it was evident that they wanted somethingmore, for they did not seem quite satisfied until one of their numberrose, and going up to Hake touched his lips with his finger.
"Ha! I thought so!" exclaimed Krake in contempt. "It's bad taste yehave to want a song from _him_ after hearing _me_! But what else couldwe expect from ye?"
Hake willingly complied with their wish, and it then became evident thatthe savages had gained their point at last, for they listened withhalf-closed eyes, and more than half-opened mouths, while he wassinging, and heaved a deep sigh when he had finished.
Thus pleasantly was the feast concluded, and thus they sealed theirfriendship.
But there was something still more satisfactory in store for theNorsemen, for it was soon afterwards discovered that the savagespossessed a large quantity of beautiful furs, with which, of course,they were willing to part for the merest trifle, in the shape of a shredof brilliant cloth or an ornamental bauble.
This was not only fortunate, as affording an opportunity for theNorsemen to procure full and valuable cargoes for both their ships, butas creating a busy and interesting occupation, which would prevent thenatives from growing weary of inaction, and, perhaps, falling into thoseforms of mischief which proverbially lie ready to idle hands.
"It seems to me, friends," said Leif one evening, shortly after thefeast just described, while he was seated in the chief hall, polishinghis iron headpiece, and occasionally watching the active hands of Gudridand Thora as they busied themselves about domestic affairs, while Berthasat beside him dandling Snorro on her knee,--"It seems to me that wehave got together such a rich cargo that the sooner we send our ships toGreenland the better. They can then return with fresh supplies of suchthings as are needed in good time. For myself, I will go with theships, and overlook the loading of them in Greenland."
"Oh! may I go with you?" exclaimed Bertha, looking up suddenly with mucheagerness.
Hake, who was seated at the lower end of the hall, busily engaged inmaking a bow, paused abruptly in his work, but did not raise his head.
"I have no objection, if Freydissa has none," answered Leif.
"Freydissa will be only too glad to get rid of her," replied thatamiable woman, who was engaged in the manufacture of a leathern tunicfor Snorro; "she is tired of milk-and-water."
"And yet milk-and-water is more likely to agree with you than anythingresembling beer," said Biarne, with a laugh.
"I should be sorry to leave Vinland," returned Bertha, "but I am very_very_ anxious to see my dear father again. Besides--I can returnhither."
Hake's hand was suddenly released, and resumed its occupation.
"If you go, Leif," asked Karlsefin, "will you return and spend thewinter with us?"
"I will not promise that," replied Leif with a smile.
There was silence for some minutes, which was broken at length by a verysmall voice saying:--
"'Norro go to G'eenland too?"
Poor Snorro was as regardless of the _S_ in his own name as he was ofthe _l_ in Olaf's!
"'Norro may go, if Gudrid will allow him," answered Leif, patting thechild's curly pate.
"And O'af too?" added Snorro.
"Of course _I_ must go if Snorrie goes," cried Olaf who had just enteredthe hall. "We could not live separate--could we, Snorrie?" He caughtup the child and placed him on his back in his wonted fashion. "Justthink," he continued, "what would it do in Greenland without O'af togive it rides and take it out for long walks?"
"Ay, and go lost with it in the woods," added Biarne.
Olaf blushed, but replied promptly--"That would be impossible, Biarne,for there are no woods in Greenland."
"If Snorro goes so must I," said Thora. "He could not get on withouthis nurse."
"Methinks we had better all go together to Greenland," said Astrid, whowas busy preparing supper.
"Not bad advice," observed Biarne, somewhat seriously.
"Do you mean what you say?" asked Karlsefin.
"I half mean it," replied Biarne.
There was a pause here. Karlsefin then said--"It seems to me, friends,that our minds are all jumping together. I have thought for a long timeof leaving Vinland, for it is plain to me that as we stand just now wecannot make much headway. Many of our men are longing to get back totheir families, some to their sweethearts, and some to their nativeland; while, from what you have said, it would seem that none of us arevery anxious to remain."
"Do not speak for _all_," said Thorward.
"Well, dost _thou_ wish to stay?"
"It may be that I do. At any rate, we have had much trouble in cominghither and settling ourselves, and it would be a pity to lose all ourlabours unless we can't help it. There may be others of my way ofthinking in the colony. It is my advice that before we discuss such amatter we had better call a Thing, [an assembly for discussion] and doit in an orderly way."
"By all means," said Karlsefin, "let us discuss the matter for_decision_ in a Thing; yet our discussing here for amusement is notdisorderly."
After a little more conversation it was finally arranged that a Thing,or general assembly of the people, should be called on the followingday, to discuss and decide on the propriety of forsaking Vinland andreturning home.
The Norsemen in the West Page 24
