“Do the large stones and hills remain undisturbed?” asked the old man.
“Yes, except one stone, which, if I remember correctly, is toppling over,” said the Hisinger.
“That is too bad! But do you know where Gloshed’s Altar is, and does it remain sound?”
“Upon that point,” said the sailor, “I have no knowledge.”
Finally the old man continued: “If you will say to those who now live in Thorsby and Torrebräcka that they shall not destroy the stones and elevations at the foot of Ulfve Mount, and, above all, to take care of Gloshed’s Altar, you shall have fair winds for the rest of your voyage.”
The Hisinger promised to deliver the message when he arrived home, whereupon he asked the old man his name, and how he, living so far from Thorsby, was so well acquainted with matters there.
“I’ll tell you,” said he, “my name is Thore Brock, and I at one time lived there, but was banished. All my relations are buried at Ulfve Mountain, and at Gloshed’s Altar we were wont to do homage to our gods and to make our offerings.”
Hereupon they separated.
When the man from Hisinger returned home he went about the fulfillment of his promise, and, without knowing how, he soon became one of the principal farmers in the parish. [[97]]