Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Tyrker

TYRKER, the German foster-father of Leif, son of Eric the Red, lived in the 11th century. He accompanied Leif on his voyage of discovery in the year 1000. After the Scandinavian navigator had built Leifsbudir, near the present site of Newport, R. I., as is supposed by many, he divided his men into two parties, which alternated in exploring the neighborhood. He cautioned his followers to keep together and return to sleep at their quarters. But one evening Tyrker did not return with his party. In great sorrow Leif, at the head of twelve men, went in search of him. He had not gone far when he discovered the old German, evidently greatly excited and gesticulating wildly. “Why, my fosterer,” cried Leif, “have you come so late? What made you leave your companions!” Tyrker answered in German, but, remembering that the Scandinavians could not understand him, he spoke, after some time, in Norsk. “I have not gone very far; still I have some news for you. I have discovered vines loaded with grapes.” “Are you telling the truth, my fosterer?” exclaimed Leif. “I am sure of telling the truth,” he returned, “for in my native land there are vines in plenty.” This caused Leif to give the country the name of Vinland. See Adam of Bremen's “Historia Ecclesiastica.”