8 Around the Fire

Chapter 8 AROUND THE FIRE "Are you serious?" said Annie. "Leif was the first European to step onto the North American continent," said Jack, "five hundred years before Christopher Columbus." "No way," breathed Annie. "Yes way!" said Jack. "Come along!" Erik called from farther up the hill. Annie and Jack hurried to catch up with Leif and his father. "So… you're Erik the Red and Leif Erikson?" Annie asked excitedly. "Yes," Erik said. Before Annie could say more, Jack

changed the subject. "Why did you decide to live here in Greenland?" he said. "I wanted a new life," Erik said. "People call us pirates. But I am a seafarer who searches for safe harbors where I can live with my family. I have found one here at the edge of the world. I named it Greenland." "Why?" asked Annie. "I mean, why'd you call it that?" "Because the word is nice, is it not?" said Erik with a wink. "I hoped it would make others want to come live here, too." The small group of people watched as Jack and Annie climbed to the top of the hill with Leif and Erik. One of the women in the group stepped forward. She had long blond braids and a kind face. "Who are these children, my son?" she said to Leif. "My new friends, Jack and Annie," said

Leif. "They come from far away." Leif's mother smiled. "Welcome, Jack and Annie. Come share our dinner with us," she said. She led them to the largest house on the hill. It was a long stone house with a steep roof made of grass. Leif's mother ushered Jack and Annie through the door. She took Jack's and Annie's hats, gloves, and coats. She put them on a bench near the door. Jack put his wool bag there, too. The Viking house was dark and warm inside. Lit only with oil lamps, the windowless house was one long narrow room. In the center was a fire pit. Smoke rose through a hole in the roof. The house smelled of fish and grease and animal fur. Erik and Leif sat on low stools near the fire. "Sit, warm yourselves," Erik said. Jack and Annie sat down with them. Leif's mother stirred a black pot over the

fire. Then she ladled food into stone bowls and gave them to everyone, along with wooden spoons. "Thank you," said Jack and Annie. The food in the bowl looked like a milky gray mush. Jack was afraid to taste it. But when he did, he actually liked it. It tasted like oatmeal. "Did you sail here with your family and friends?" Erik asked them as they ate.

"No, it's just us," said Annie. "Jack and me." "But how is that possible?" said Erik. "How did two children find their way here alone?" "Uh… well…" Jack didn't know what to say. "We have a map," said Annie. "A map?" said Erik. "A map!" said Leif. "May we see it?" "Sure," said Jack. He put down his bowl and grabbed his bag. He took out their map. He unfolded it and held it up for them to see. Leif and his parents stared in silent wonder. "Our land is south of here," said Jack, pointing. "It's a long way south. It's… well… it's off the map." "So you used this map to come to Greenland in your ship?" asked Erik. "Uh… we came in the tree house," said Annie.

"'Tree House'? That is the name of your ship?" asked Erik. "Well… sort of," said Jack. "It's not much of a ship. But you guys have really great ships. We saw—" "Wait. Your ship must be the best in the world," said Erik. "Two children sailed it alone to Greenland! I would like very much to see a ship such as yours." "Oh." Jack caught his breath. "Let us go see it now!" Erik stood up. "Um… can we please wait until morning?" Annie said. "We're pretty tired." "Erik, let the children rest," Leif's mother said. "In the morning, we will all go—the whole village will go—to see their wondrous ship. Come, Jack and Annie." She picked up an oil lamp. They all stood. "Good night," Annie said to Leif and Erik. Jack put their map back into his bag. Then