SOME YEARS AGO I came upon the historical story of the discovery of America by Leif Ericsson in A by prefered Read Free Book Online Page A

sorry.
    LEIF (Worried) My father sent me on a mission to the King in Norway, but he expects me back this year. If I don't get to Norway till July I shall have to stay the winter there.
    THORGUNNA The wind won't change because of that, Leif.
    LEIF No. (He stands for a minute, deep in thought.) There's another thing, Lady. I shall have to be careful that my men don't get into trouble if I keep them here in idleness so long. They're only human, and they are a long way from their homes and from their wives. Will you warn your people to keep their daughters well away from this place? I don't want difficulties of that sort to make your father angry with us.
    THORGUNNA I will do that, Leif. It was good of you to think of warning me. We are a hot-blooded people in this island, and your men are very handsome. I will see that no girls come about this place.
    LEIF What is this island like? What lies beyond that hill?
    THORGUNNA There is a strip of farm-land, and then a quick-running river, full of fish. Beyond that lies the moor where cattle and sheep pasture, and beyond that again there is the mountain and the sea.
    LEIF Are the fish fresh-water fish, like they get in Iceland? Can a man eat them?
    THORGUNNA We eat them fresh, and salted in the winter. They are very good food.
    LEIF Lady, I have a net. It will help my men in this long idleness if they can have a variety of food. Would your father allow me to go to this river with my net, with perhaps one other man to help me with the net, to get some of these fish?
    THORGUNNA There is no need to ask my father if I go with you. You'll want somebody who knows the river to show you the best pools. I can do that, and I can help you with the net.
    [DISSOLVE TO:
    The River
    (Thorgunna and Leif are shown walking up to the river together. This is a typical Hebridean salmon river, rocky and fast-running. The scene should be beautiful. The montage should emphasize the slender dark beauty of the girl in contrast to the blond strength of the man. )
    ( They pause on the bank and study the river, A fish jumps in the pool. )
    [DISSOLVE TO:
    The River
    ( Thorgunna and Leif are shown wading waist-deep in a pool, one at each side of the river with the net stretched across between them, working it up the pool. They are intent upon the water, and moving quietly and stealthily, but they are smiling; it is great fun. )
    [DISSOLVE TO:
    The River Bank
    (Thorgunna and Leif are dragging the net into a shallow with a sandy or a flat stone beach, to get the fish ashore. They pull it in; it has perhaps one salmon and a few parr or trout in it. They crouch down together by the water's edge to examine their catch. This scene should be sunny and beautiful. )
    THORGUNNA These little ones with spots are very sweet; I like them best, myself. But your men are so big—( She glances at Leif shyly. )—that I think they will like the big ones better.
    LEIF They are grand fish. We catch fish in the sea, but not so good as these. We have no fishing of this sort at home.
    THORGUNNA Are there no rivers in your country?
    LEIF None like this. You'd think our country was a poor place if you came to visit it.
    THORGUNNA (Looking round over the wild Hebridean scenery. ) Is your country much worse than ours?
    LEIF Most of it is covered in ice and snow all the year round. We tell everybody that it's the best land in the world, and we get along all right there, but it's not so good as this. I don't mind you knowing.
    THORGUNNA (Wistfully) I want to travel some day and see other places. I do envy you, going to Norway. They say it's a wonderful country. The trees there grow seventy or eighty feet high in the valleys.
    LEIF No!
    THORGUNNA It's quite true. I'd like to go there and see trees like that. I'd like to see your Greenland, too.
    LEIF You wouldn't like Greenland. It's not a good country.
    THORGUNNA (Thoughtfully) A good country is a country where there are good people, a place where men are kind, and generous, and simple. I think