atters of report. And
being desirous to go and see all things foreign and extraordinary, he
thought that he must above all test a report which he had heard from the
men of Thule concerning the abode of a certain Geirrod. For they boasted
past belief of the mighty piles of treasure in that country, but said
that the way was beset with peril, and hardly passable by mortal man.
For those who had tried it declared that it was needful to sail over the
ocean that goes round the lands, to leave the sun and stars behind, to
journey down into chaos, and at last to pass into a land where no light
was and where darkness reigned eternally.

But the warrior trampled down in his soul all fear of the dangers that
beset him. Not that he desired booty, but glory; for he hoped for a
great increase of renown if he ventured on a wholly unattempted quest.
Three hundred men announced that they had the same desire as the king;
and he resolved that Thorkill, who had brought the news, should be
chosen to guide them on the journey, as he knew the ground and was
versed in the approaches to that country. Thorkill did not refuse the
task, and advised that, to meet the extraordinary fury of the sea they
had to cross, strongly-made vessels should be built, fitted with many
knotted cords and close-set nails, filled with great store of provision,
and covered above with ox-hides to protect the inner spaces of the ships
from the spray of the waves breaking in. Then they sailed off in only
three galleys, each containing a hundred chosen men.

Now when they had come to Halogaland (Helgeland), they lost their
favouring breezes, and were driven and tossed divers ways over the seas
in perilous voyage. At last, in extreme want of food, and lacking even
bread, they staved off hunger with a little pottage. Some days passed,
and they heard the thunder of a storm brawling in the distance, as if
it were deluging the rocks. By this perceiving that land was near, they
bade a youth of great nimbleness climb to the masthead and look out; and
he reported that a precipitous island was in sight. All were overjoyed,
and gazed with thirsty eyes at the country at which he pointed, eagerly
awaiting the refuge of the promised shore. At last they managed to reach
it, and made their way out over the heights that blocked their way,
along very steep paths, into the higher ground. Then Thorkill told them
to take no more of the herds that were running about in numbers on the
coast,