"No!" replied Thorward, in a stentorian voice.
Leif's countenance fell.
"Is all well in Vinland?" he shouted.
"All is well," was the reply.
Leif's countenance brightened, and in a few minutes he was shaking
Thorward heartily by the hand.
"Why did ye not bring my son?" said Leif, somewhat reproachfully, as
they went up to the house together.
"We thought it best to try to induce you to go to him rather than bring
him to you," answered Thorward, smiling. "You must come back with me,
Leif. You cannot conceive what a splendid country it is. It far
surpasses Iceland and Norway. As to Greenland, it should not be named
in the same breath."
Leif made no reply at that time, but seemed to ponder the proposal.
"Now we shall feast, Thorward," said Leif, as he entered the hall. "Ho!
lay the tables, good woman.--Come, Anders, see that ye load it well.
Have all the house-carls gathered; I will go fetch in our neighbours,
and we shall hear what Thorward has to say of this Vinland that we have
heard so much about of late."
Leif's instructions were promptly and energetically carried out. The
tables were spread with all the delicacies of the season that Greenland
had to boast of, which consisted chiefly of fish and wild-fowl, with
seal's flesh instead of beef, for nearly all the cattle had been carried
off by the emigrants, as we have seen, and the few that were left behind
had died for want of proper food. The banquet was largely improved by
Thorward, who loaded the table with smoked salmon. After the dishes had
been removed and the tankards of beer sent round, Thorward began to
relate his story to greedy ears.
He was very graphic in his descriptions, and possessed the power of
detailing even commonplace conversations in such a way that they became
interesting. He had a great deal of quiet humour, too, which frequently
convulsed his hearers with laughter. In short, he gave such a
fascinating account of the new land, that when the people retired to
rest that night, there was scarcely a man, woman, or child among them
who did not long to emigrate without delay. This was just what Thorward
desired.
Next day he unloaded the ship, and the sight of her cargo fully
confirmed many parts of his story. The upshot of it was that Leif
agreed to go and spend the winter in Vinland, and a considerable number
of married men made up their minds to emigrate with their wives and
families.
Having discharged cargo and taken in a large supply of such goods as
were most needed at the new colony, Thorward prepared for sea. Leif
placed Anders in charge of his establishment, and, about grey dawn of a
beautiful morning, the _Snake_ once again shook out her square sail to
the breeze and set sail for Vinland.