My father swore by the Gods Odin and Thor that he would surely return again within a year or two and pay them another visit.

And thus we bade them adieu.

We made ready and hoisted our sail, but there was little breeze.

We were becalmed within an hour after our giant friends had left us and started on their return trip.
The winds were constantly blowing south, that is, they were blowing from the northern opening of the earth toward that which we knew to be south, but which, according to our compass's pointing finger, was directly north.
For three days we tried to sail, and to beat against the wind, but to no avail.

Whereupon my father said: "My son, to return by the same route as we came in is impossible at this time of year.