When the coffin had been lowered, the priest threw three handfuls of earth upon it, but none of the mourners followed his example.

Among the earth which had been dug out of the grave I noticed four skulls, several human bones, and a board of a former coffin.

These were all thrown in again upon the coffin, and the grave filled in presence of the priest and the people.

One man trod the soil firm, then a little mound was made and covered with grass-plots which were lying ready.

The whole business was completed with miraculous speed.
The little town of Skalholt, my station this night, was once as celebrated in religious matters as Thingvalla had been politically famous.