Page:The book of wonder voyages (1919).djvu/228

 were the first Northmen who rose to honor among the Greeks.

Now one day Eric the Thrond asked the Emperor, "O Emperor, tell me if you know how far the earth extends?"

And the Emperor made answer: "You ask about things that it is useless to know. I will, however, tell you. It is one hundred and eighty thousand millions of miles round. It is not held in its place by pillars; God holds it firm."

"How far is it," asked Eric, "from heaven to earth?"

"One hundred and eighty-five thousand miles."

"What is there round about the earth?"

"The great sea, which is called the ocean."

"Which land is furthest from us in the southern half of the world?"

"We consider India the end of the earth on the southern side."

"Where is Odainsakr, of which we have heard tell in our country?"

"It lies in the East, not far from India. We call it Paradise. Northmen call it the 'Land of Living Men.' That, I believe, is the Odainsakr you mean."

"Is it possible to reach it?"

"Most certainly not, for it is surrounded by a wall of fire which stretches from the floor of earth to the ceiling of heaven."

Now when the Emperor had answered these and many other questions, Eric fell at his feet, and said: "I