To hear of these strange half-mythical shores from one who had seen them with his own eyes, was more than interesting.  The jarls’ sons listened breathlessly while he reeled out his tale between swallows.

“And the fair winds ceased, and northern winds with fog blew continually, so that for many days we did not know even in what direction we were sailing.  Then the sun came into sight, and we could distinguish the quarters of heaven.  We hoisted sail, and sailed all day before we saw land, but when we came to it we knew no more what it was than this horn here.  Biorn said he did not think it was Greenland, but he wished to go near it.  It had no mountains but low hills, and was forest-clad.  We kept the land on our left and sailed for two days before we came to other land.  This time it was flat and covered with woods.  Biorn said that he did not think this was Greenland, for very large glaciers were said to be there.  We wished to go ashore, as we lacked both wood and water, and the fair wind had fallen.  There were some cross words when Biorn would not, but gave orders to turn the prow seaward.  This time we sailed three days with a southwest wind, and more land came in view, which rose high with mountains and a glacier.  Biorn said this had an inhospitable look, and he would not allow that we should land here either.  But we sailed along the shore, and saw that it was an island.  After this we had no more chances, for the fourth land we saw was Greenland.”

A buzz of comment rose from all sides.  “Is that all that you made of such a chance as that?”—­“Certainly the gods waste their favors on such as Biorn Herjulfsson.”—­“Is he a coward, or what does he lack?” “He is as dull as a wooden sword.”

Now whether or no all this coincided with the private opinion of Grettir the Fat, has nothing to do with the matter.  Biorn Herjulfsson had been his chief.  The sailor rose suddenly to his feet, with his hand on his knife and an angry look on his red face.

“Biorn Herjulfsson is no coward!” he shouted fiercely.  “I will avenge it in blood on the head of him who says so.”

Eric was not there to keep order; a dozen mouths opened to take up the challenge.  But before any sound could come out of them, Leif had risen to his feet.  “Are you such mannerless churls that I must remind you of what is due to a guest?” he said, sternly.  “Learn to be quicker with your hospitality, and slower with your judgment of every act you cannot under-stand.  Grettir, I invite you to sit here by me and tell me more concerning your chief’s voyage.”

When Grettir had gone proudly up to take his seat of honor, and the others had returned to their back-gammon and ale, Sigurd looked at Alwin with a comical grimace.

“Now I wonder if my cleverness in bringing this fellow here has happened to overshoot the mark!  Leif is eager to get renown; suppose he takes it into his head to make this voyage himself?”