"Then let us go!" cried Thorfinn.
So in the spring they fitted up their two ships and put into them provisions and a few cattle. Some of Eric's men also got ready a boat, so that three ships set sail from Eric's harbor carrying one hundred and sixty men to Wineland. As they started, Gudrid stood on the deck and sang:
"I will feast my eyes on new things—
On mighty trees and purple grapes,
On beds of flowers and soft grass.
I will sun myself in a warm land."
They sailed on and past those shores that Leif had spoken of. Whenever they saw any interesting place they sailed in and looked about and rested there.
They had gone far south, past many fair shores with woods on them, when Gudrid said one day:
"This is a beautiful bay with a smooth, green field by it, and the great mountains far back. I should like to stay there for a little while."
So they sailed in and drew their ships up on shore. They put up the awnings in them.
"These shall be our houses," Thorfinn said.
They were strange-looking houses—shining dragons with gay backs lying on the yellow sand. Near them the Norsemen lighted fires and cooked their supper. That night they slept in the ships. In the morning Gudrid said:
"I long to see what is back of that mountain."