KINGS OF NORWAY. 353 to their tent, and the leader asked them what people were in appendix. the tent. Thorstein replies, " Two : who is it that inquires ? "
- ' Thorstein," was the reply ; " and I am called Thorstein the
Black, and it is my errand here to offer thee and thy wife lodging beside me." Thorstein said he would speak to his wife about it ; and as she gave her assent, he agreed to it. " Then I shall come for you to-morrow with my yoke, for I do not want means to entertain you ; but few care to live in my house, for I and my wife live lonely, and I am very melancholy. I have also a different religion from yours, although I think the one you have the best." Now the following morning he came for them with horses ; and they took up their abode with Thorstein Black, who was very friendly towards them. Gudrid had a good outward appear- ance, and was knowing, and understood well how to behave with strangers. Early in winter a sickness prevailed among Thorstein Ericsson's people, and many of his fellow-travellers died. He ordered that coffins should be made for the bodies of the dead, and that they should be brought on board, and stowed carefully. " For I will transport all the bodies to Ericsfiord in summer." It was not long before sickness broke out also in Thorstein Black's house ; and his wife, who was called Grimhild, fell sick first. She was very stout, and as strong as a man, but yet she could not bear up against the illness. Soon after Thorstein Ericsson also fell sick, and they both lay ill in bed at the same time ; but Grimhild, Thorstein Black's wife, died first. When she was dead Thor- stein went out of the room for a skin to lay over the corpse. Then Gudrid said, " My dear Thorstein, be not long away ;" which he promised. Then said Thorstein Ericsson, " Our goodwife is wonderful ; for she raises herself up with her elbows, moves herself forward over the bed-frame, and is feeling for her shoes." In the same moment Thorstein the goodman came back, and instantly Grimhild laid herself down, so that it made every beam that was in the house crack. Thorstein now made a coffin for Grimhild's corpse, removed it outside, and buried it. He was a stout and strong man, but it required all his strength to remove the corpse from the house. Now Thorstein Ericsson's illness increased upon him, and he died, which Gudrid his wife took with great grief. They were all in the room, and Gudrid had set VOL. III. A A
