m. When he came to
the Thing he had his tent put up, and within it another black tent, that
the light might not penetrate. After some days of the Thing had passed,
Leif and Karl came to Thrand's tent, with a great many people, and found
some persons standing outside. They asked if Thrand was in the tent, and
were told he was. Leif told them to bid Thrand come out, as he and Karl
had some business with him. They came back, and said that Thrand had
sore eyes, and could not come out; "but he begs thee, Leif, to come to
him within." Leif told his comrades to come carefully into the tent, and
not to press forward, and that he who came last in should go out first.
Leif went in first, followed by Karl, and then his comrades; and all
fully armed as if they were going into battle. Leif went into the black
tent and asked if Thrand was there. Thrand answered and saluted Leif.
Leif returned his salutation, and asked if he had brought the scat
from the northern islands, and if he would pay the scat that had been
collected. Thrand replies, that he had not forgotten what had been
spoken of between him and Karl, and that he would now pay over the scat.
"Here is a purse, Leif, full of silver, which thou canst receive." Leif
looked around, and saw but few people in the tent, of whom some were
lying upon the benches, and a few were sitting up. Then Leif went to
Thrand, and took the purse, and carried it into the outer tent, where it
was light, turned out the money on his shield, groped about in it with
his hand, and told Karl to look at the silver. When they had looked at
it a while, Karl asked Leif what he thought of the silver. He replied,
"I am thinking where the bad money that is in the north isles can have
come from." Thrand heard this, and said, "Do you not think, Leif, the
silver is good?" "No," says he. Thrand replies, "Our relations, then,
are rascals not to be trusted. I sent them in spring to collect the scat
in the north isles, as I could not myself go anywhere, and they have
allowed themselves to be bribed by the bondes to take false money, which
nobody looks upon as current and good; it is better, therefore, Leif, to
look at this silver which has been paid me as land-rent." Leif thereupon
carried back this silver, and received another bag, which he carried to
Karl, and they looked over the money together. Karl asked Leif what he
thought of this money. He answered, that it appeared to him so bad that
it would not be taken in pa