of the proprietor only afforded them house-room, without any supply of
food or fuel. But, so soon as they entered, an unwonted noise was heard
in the kitchen of the mansion, and the figure of a woman, soon
recognised to be the deceased Thorgunna, was seen busily employed in
preparing victuals. Their inhospitable landlord, being made acquainted
with this frightful circumstance, readily agreed to supply every
refreshment which was necessary, on which the vision instantly
disappeared. The apparition having become public, they had no reason to
ask twice for hospitality as they proceeded on their journey, and they
came to Skalholt, where Thorgunna, with all due ceremonies of religion,
was deposited quietly in the grave. But the consequences of the breach
of her testament were felt severely at Froda.

The dwelling at Froda was a simple and patriarchal structure, built
according to the fashion used by the wealthy among the Icelanders. The
apartments were very large, and a part boarded off contained the beds of
the family. On either side was a sort of store-room, one of which
contained meal, the other dried fish. Every evening large fires were
lighted in this apartment for dressing the victuals; and the domestics
of the family usually sat around them for a considerable time, until
supper was prepared. On the night when the conductors of Thorgunna's
funeral returned to Froda, there appeared, visible to all who were
present, a meteor, or spectral appearance, resembling a half-moon, which
glided around the boarded walls of the mansion in an opposite direction
to the course of the sun, and continued to perform its revolutions until
the domestics retired to rest. This apparition was renewed every night
during a whole week, and was pronounced by Thorer with the wooden leg to
presage pestilence or mortality. Shortly after a herdsman showed signs
of mental alienation, and gave various indications of having sustained
the persecution of evil demons. This man was found dead in his bed one