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instead brought the conversation around to himself and his flock.
Thus the Norse learned that this happy, contented people had lived upon the island for seventy-five
years, having established a community and an economy that suited them well. They had come there in
curraghs of oak-tanned hides, made of three layers in such a way that air chambers were sealed in. Such
boats were still in use. The curraghs carried a mast, with a triangular lug-sail also made of hides, and
were fitted for oars as well. Even when loaded, the craft drew but a few inches and when empty was
easily carried up on the land and stowed away.
The original colony had been increased by several other shiploads of the Children of Ood during that
time. They had sought a peaceful refuge and found it here, some in curraghs and others in ships of wood
large enough to bold sixty people.
Some had brought sheep and a carefully tended flock was now increasing, though somewhat harassed by
foxes. Wool was as yet in short supply. They had no cattle and no horses  and they had thrown away
such weapons they had come with, for they trusted in the protection of God.
Biarki grunted, thinking his own black thoughts, but said nothing of such folly.
The Bishop went on, undisturbed.
As other visitors came, less kindly minded, the Culdees had withdrawn before them to the little islands,
hidden their skin boats in places made ready for them, and kept their larger ships upon the other side of
Iceland proper. So it was that neither Gardar, the Swede, nor the Viking Floki had ever been aware of
the people and had thought the land to be uninhabited.
However, the Celts knew that this isolation could not continue and it must come about one day that they
would be discovered by those who had driven diem for so many weary years and hundreds of sea miles.
Now there was no other place to go, unless they submitted to slavery or death by returning to their
southern homelands.
At this, Gwalchmai started, remembering Ms own warm homeland of Alata. It would seem a paradise to
these people, who lacked so many things and who were in such dread-ful danger. But at this time he said
nothing and, catching the eye of Corenice, he saw that she concurred with his opinion.
The heat and the warm food began to take its toll among the weary wayfarers. Soon one, then another,
began to yawn.
The Bishop, noticing this, broke off his discourse.
 Enough, brothers, he said.  Let us pray and sleep. There will be time for talk tomorrow. Woman of tke
house, will you put away your sewing now, for I see you have done little upon it in all this time. Our
guests would rest now.
The robes were brougkt in from the boat and spread down upon heaps of heather in the farther chamber.
It was not large, but there was room for everyone. After all necessary things were done, the Bishop took
down one of his holy books from a short shelf and prayers were said. Flann, as thrall, was delegated to
smoor the fire.
Well accustomed to the task, he  quickly covered the coals with dry peat, damp peat, and ashes,
following these layers with a good coating of wet peat on top. The banking would last through the short
night
Then, under the warm cloud of smoke and steam that layered the upper part of the room, adding to the
streamers of soot that hung there, he lay down on his pallet near the fire where he could tend it if he must.
He blew out the remaining grease lamp and was soon asleep, although thoughts of Thyra disturbed him in
his dreams.
In the following days, it was a marvel to the voyagers to see how lightsome of spirit these people were. It
was not an occasional gaiety, but a steady outpouring of happiness that extended to all. They were a
hardworking folk, for to prepare for the winter no time could-be wasted. The men fished every day; the
women laid by the berries in great store, drying them in the sun; the young boys danced and played, but
gathered eggs, cotton grass, and salt from the evaporating pans. Birds were snared, their flesh likewise to
be dried and salted, and seal meat and oil were put away.
All the time, through the long days now perceptibly growing shorter, they laughed and sang.
Biarki laid their high spirits to the taking of strong drink and at one time or another he visited all the
houses, hinting and peering about He could never believe that their laughter was due to sheer joy of life
and the feeling of brotherhood that permeated the entire settlement His temper grew uglier as his
frustration increased.
He took to swaggering through the village with buckler on his arm and battle ax loose in his hand,
swinging it to and fro as though he was instantly ready to strike out with it. His scowl brought soberness
to aU he met and nothing Skeggi could say deterred him in this growing habit.
He watched the women as they worked and one day followed one of the girls on her way to tend the
sheep. When he found that they could not be seen from the village, he approached and drew her down
into a hollow. As they struggled, a group of children seeking eggs came up, singing, and Biarki let her go
with no worse to befall her than torn clothing.
She said nothing, for she was in fear of her life, but because of her manifest terror whenever she saw
Biarki, Bishop Malachi suspected what had happened and afterwards no child watched the sheep alone.
The others took a hand with their hosts and shared the work. They were well liked and the Culdees
considered them, except for their alien faith, as valuable members of the community and would have been
glad to have them stay. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]