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National Geographic : 1964 Nov
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But the wild wind of mystery came singing stronger and stronger out of the west. Heed ing its call, Leif Ericson planned an expedi tion. He would take advantage of Bjarni's findings, and even bought Bjarni's ship. A saga describes Leif as "big and strong, of striking appearance, shrewd, and in every respect a temperate, fair-dealing man." "Leif the Lucky" Reaches New World Ericson plotted his course to reach first the far-north land Bjarni had seen last. That barren place, probably Baffin Island, he named Helluland (Land of Flat Stones). "Leif the Lucky" sailed on southward and found low forested land and white sand beaches. This he called Markland (Wood- land). It was probably Labrador. Onward he sailed for two days and nights and finally arrived at a third place-it may have been L'Anse au Meadow-which tempted the sea farers with fine grazing grounds, salmon, and timber. The sagas tell us that Leif built "large houses" there and that he "gave the land a name in accordance with the good things they found in it, calling it Vinland." He remained a year, returning then to Greenland. Now came the turn of Leif's brother Thor vald. He reached Leif's settlement in Vinland and stayed there. He was apparently the first European to meet with the American natives, the "Skraelings." They fought, and Thorvald was killed by an arrow. Thorvald's last remark, when mortally gouge a smithy in the distant stream hank. Their ship anchors as close to shore as she can. PAINTING BY NATIONALGEOGRAPHICARTIST PETERBIANCH I N.G S. 4i.1x ^4> ii 725
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