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DrvmATioN. . 289
"there was a great famine in Greenland. Those
who had gone to the wild districts (hunting and
fishing), had met with little succeBS,'on account of
storms and bad roads. Some had never returned.
There was a woman living in the settlement, whose
name was Thorbjorg ; she was a Spae-wife, and was
called the little Vala or Prophetess (litil-volva).
She had had nine sisters, of whom she was the only-
survivor. Thorbjorg was in the habit of going
round to the festivals, and she was invited chiefly
by those who wished to learn their fate and the
coming seasons. As Thorkel was the best man of
the settlement, it seemed to be incumbent upon him
to gain some information when the prevailing
famine should cease. Thorkel therefore invites the
Spae-wife to his house and prepares for her a good re-
ception, such as was customary when a woman of
her standing was expected. A cushion was pre-
pared for her; it had to be stuffed with hen-
feathers. It was laid upon the high-seat in the
evening, when she came in with the man who had
been sent out to receive her. She was dressed on
this occasion as follows:—She wore a blue cloak
with fastenings of cords (tyglarmotull), set with
stones around the bor4er from top to bottom (alt i
skaut ofan). Around her neck she had glass beads
upon her head a black lambskin hood (kofri), lined
with white catskin. She carried a staff mounted
with brass, with the head inlaid with stones. She
was girded with a young bearsldn belt (hiinskan
linda), and to this hung a large pouch in which she
kept the instruments of magic belonging to her
;