Leif sat huddled by the bulwarks, with a white face and a gasp in his throat, like one coming out of a swoon.
They went ashore at a bend of the stream where was a sandy cape, beached the galleys, felled trees from the neighbouring forest and built them a stockade.

The dying sun flushed water and wood with angry crimson, and Biorn observed that the men wrought as it were in a world of blood.
"That is the meaning of Leif's whimsies," he thought, and so comforted himself.
That night the Northmen slept in peace, but the scouts brought back word of a desert country, no men or cattle, and ashes where once had been dwellings.
"Our kinsfolk have been here before us," said King Ironbeard grimly.

He did not love the Danes, though he had fought by their side.
Half the force was left as a guard by the ships, and next day the rest went forward up the valley at a slant from the river's course.

For that way, ran the tale, lay a great Roman house, a palace of King Kristni, where much gold was to be had for the lifting.

By midday they were among pleasant meadows, but the raiders had been there, for the houses were fired and the orchards hacked down.