Chapter Eighteen.
Anxious Times—A Search Organised and Vigorously Carried Out.
It is not easy to conceive the state of alarm that prevailed in the settlement of the Norsemen when it came to be known that little Snorro and Olaf were lost. The terrible fact did not of course break on them all at once.
For some hours after the two adventurers had left home, Dame Gudrid went briskly about her household avocations, humming tunefully one of her native Icelandic airs, and thinking, no doubt, of Snorro. Astrid, assisted by Bertha, went about the dairy operations, gossiping of small matters in a pleasant way, and, among other things, providing Snorro’s allowance of milk. Thora busied herself in the preparation of Snorro’s little bed; and Freydissa, whose stern nature was always softened by the sight of the child, constructed, with elaborate care, a little coat for Snorro’s body. Thus Snorro’s interests were being tenderly cared for until the gradual descent of the sun induced the remark, that “Olaf must surely have taken a longer walk than usual that day.”
“I must go and meet them,” said Gudrid, becoming for the first time uneasy.
“Let me go with you,” said Bertha.
“Come, child,” returned Gudrid.
In passing the spot where the little bear had been cut up and skinned, they saw Hake standing with Biarne.
“Did you say that Olaf took the track of the woodcutters?” asked Gudrid.