Weird Tales from Northern Seas

by Jonas Lie

[9] See note 3 above.

[10] Være med hu, Mor. Hu is the Danish Hun.

JACK OF SJÖHOLM AND THE GAN-FINN

JACK OF SJÖHOLM AND THE GAN¹-FINN

In the days of our forefathers, when there was nothing but wretched boats up in Nordland, and folks must needs buy fair winds by the sackful from the Gan-Finn, it was not safe to tack about in the open sea in wintry weather. In those days a fisherman never grew old. It was mostly womenfolk and children, and the lame and halt, who were buried ashore.

Now there was once a boat's crew from Thjöttö in Helgeland, which had put to sea, and worked its way right up to the East Lofotens.

But that winter the fish would not bite.

They lay to and waited week after week, till the month was out, and there was nothing for it but to turn home again with their fishing gear and empty boats.