ENTRY 22-- The Dig

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An Excerpt from the Travel Journal of Nigel Fox circa 1925

ENTRY 22 -- The Dig



Even with her research lost at sea, Norah knew all she needed to know in order to find the Viking site and the talisman; if they existed. According to the Sagas, Vinland the Good was a "simple" society patterned after the teachings of Christ. It adopted the architecture and ways of the Skraelings: the aboriginal people. The settlers of Winelandia used their great wealth to pursue spiritually and spread the Gospel. In all probability, the community extended around Pistolet Bay and beyond. It would be difficult for Norah to establish her find as Viking, due to the great Skraeling influence. Fortunately, the Sagas described the Viking's first North American settlement in great detail. It was Nordic in design.

'The Deckers boy'

"Well," said Missus Pittman. "The person that knows the Bay best is the Deckers boy. Knows Pistolet Bay like the back of his hand. 'The Deckers boy', as it turned out, was a young man in his twenties...maybe thirties. He was solidly built, with a rugged face. His features showed both warmth and quiet humour. More importantly, he really did know "the Bay like the back of his hand."

Norah explained in detail the plans describing the original Nordic landing site. The young man listened respectfully, nodding. Then there was a long pause as he looked pensive. After about three minutes of prolonged and rather tense silence he said: "soddy humps." There was more silence. We watched his face closely. The Deckers boy was a man of few words. He got up, walked down to his boat and said, "Follow me,"

I suggested we go after breakfast, but Norah was too excited. Our small fishing vessel passed Great Sacred Island, Warren's Island and in the early morning we entered Epaves Bay. From Black Duck Brook we walked to a beautiful place with lots of grass...and seven small mounds! Norah and I could not believe our good fortune. The sun was hot, the 'nippers' were thick and swarmed around us, but the love of my life did not notice. It was obvious that this was a very, very old site. The local fishermen assumed it had been an Indian site...but Indians didn't use this kind of building. The style and construction of the longhouses and outbuildings were identical to those of 11th century Greenland. We also found butternuts which was considered a delicacy by the Vikings. By late morning Norah had found the Leader’s Hall of Leif the Lucky; this was the largest building, twice the size of Eirik the Red’s home in Greenland, even surpassing the chieftain’s hall in Iceland."It will take years to excavate it properly," she exclaimed. Then she pulled out a sketch of the bishoprick showing the original Viking cathedral site. "Mister Decker, is there another large bump?"

After a long silence he got to his feet and started walking along the brook in a determined fashion. Norah and I followed. As the three of us walked at a good pace, Norah explained that if the Vikings had to leave because of ongoing conflict with the Skraelings, they would normally take their possessions with them back to Greenland. However, after the death of the Dane-Saxon, Freydis cursed the Kristgod and possibly left the Christian relics behind.

After several minutes the Decker boy led us across the shallows to the other side of Black Duck Brook. Then we walked three minutes and as Norah had predicted, there was a hill with another mound. Norah's eyes gleamed in anticipation. All her years of work had led up to this moment. With her discovery confirmed we returned to our lodgement late that night; marvelling at the fact that the sky was still not totally dark. Joyful, we truly revelled in to-day's unearthing!

Messianic Seal

The next morning we arose early and returned to the site. We now had the "equipment" for the dig. I must say the small cruciform structure was not much of a cathedral by modern standards; it was a simple wooden building with turf walls. Norah made sure we excavated in a fashion that would not damage anything. I was truly amazed, for she actually knew what she was doing and where she was heading: the cathedral treasure trove.

We had planned to camp out for about a week. It was truly one of the most beautiful places in all the world: bright sunshine cooled by a delightful sea-breeze. On the morning of the fifth day we found the remains of an indentation in the wall of the structure: the cathedral's aumbry preserving the world's most sacred vessel. The Deckers boy was clearly disappointed as he saw one rather plain looking limestone cup with writing on it. No gold, no silver, nothing of value. The condition of the cup was not good: it was chipped in several places. The inscription was in Koine Greek along with three connected symbols: the Menorah, the Magen David, and the Icthus.

Norah said, “This cup bears the Messianic Seal! It is said that Joseph of Arimathea inscribed the cup himself." Norah explained that the old, battered cup was important to her. The Decker boy still had an air of gloom about him. She directed the young man to cover the cathedral so that the 'bump' on the hill would not be visible, instructing him to tell no one about the find. Norah further explained that she planned to return as soon as she could with a proper archaeological team.

The young man nodded in such a way that indicated as far as he could see nothing had happened that day worth repeating. Then Norah went on to say that for keeping the secret she would pay him one thousand pounds sterling, five hundred now and five hundred upon her return.

His look was transformed. That was a fortune to him. "Y'ull nare hear a word coming from these lips ... God help me! I'll be saying nare strangers never been here! I swear by Almighty God to take your secret to the grave.

It was more than he had said all week. The sincerity of his oath gave Nora a sense of security.

The Journey Home to England

On the journey home to England, Norah was a woman so filled with joy that mere words cannot describe it. Her discovery would rewrite the history of the western world. Christopher Columbus had not discovered America in 1492. John Cabot did not discover a New Found Land; a Greenlander and a Dane-Saxon monk settled it 500 years earlier. It had been a Christian community. Vinland the Good was not a legend; the artefacts of the site would have great impact on the modern world. What other archaeological discoveries would be made? The Vinland treasure could rival the Hapsburg treasure in Vienna - no, maybe surpass it! Our imaginations ran wild.

We were also in love. Our adventures bound us in a fashion that no two human beings have ever experienced. We would marry upon our arrival in England.

Our First Disagreement

I was euphoric. Sipho wanted me to go to the hospital, fearing one of my episodes. Norah and I felt as though we had come to know Leif the Lucky of Greenland, the Dane-Saxon Monk of the Hebrides and even the evil Freydis. We had lived in Vinland the Good and experienced the magic that had spawned the many sagas.

Then we had our first disagreement: over the subject of security. Norah felt the artefact was of such great value that she should hire a security company to take care of it around the clock; I felt that would just draw attention to our find. It did not look valuable and, even if a thief did break into her home they would take her jewellery, art work, et cetera, and not bother with the stone cup.

We argued. She won. Norah had a vault and several alarms installed. The security company set her up with four armed guards. Of course the town-folk gossiped about what we must have found on our quest to warrant such extraordinary measures.

Robbed . . .

As we left for London, I did have to admit that Norah's home was virtually impregnable. I could not find fault when she expressed her feelings that peace of mind was worth every penny spent. Both of us had much to tend to in the City. We had been out of the country for quite some little time. Also, our wedding was only a fortnight away. In our somewhat limited leisure time we did manage to take in a number of motion pictures. The enchantment of the bioscope had truly been missed.

We went to the firm that handled all my business affairs. Mister Baldwin gave me a warm smile and a firm handshake. I introduced my fiancé, Norah.

"Mister Fox, a Pastor Hoff telephoned and conveyed he would be arriving to-morrow in East Avalon and would make himself at home."

I smiled. "Hans is family, and Sipho will take good care of him."

"Secondly," his face grew more serious, "Scotland Yard wants Missus LaPierre to contact them immediately."

"She will when we finish our business."

"They stressed the word immediately."

It took a few minutes to get through to the authorities. Their report was so very grievous and unexpected that we were fairly dumbfounded. I could not believe my ears as Norah turned to me and said, "We've been robbed . . .

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Comments

[Bryan]

OK with us
QUESTION Hi Bryan and Miranda, My name is Andrea Short and I am from Cook's Harbour, Newfoundland, and I am now attending the College of the North Atlantic in St. John's, taking graphic design. For one of my projects, we have to complete a 56-page magazine, all our own. I'm basing mine on Newfoundland, its history and culture, and just stories about the Island. I came across your story and have read it over and over many times. Mostly wondering about Nigel Fox, as, I guess, many did. But I was wondering if I could use parts of your journal in a story I am writing for my magazine. Mostly the part about coming to Cook's Harbour and everywhere you went, people kept telling you it was the worst weather, in canada, in newfoundland, on the northern peninsula, and in the community itself. It would be greatly appreciated to use this. But I understand if you wouldn't want me to. All the Best. Thank you, Andrea ANSWER You have my permission to use our blog. Note. We have changed the name to 'Nigel" and others. You will likely be able to figure out their real names. We request that you do not leak them. Bryan

[Nate Getz]

The Germans did collect a great deal of information and articfacts about our Nordic heritage, particularly the Viking sagas. So much was lost or destroyed by the end of the war. Sad. Nate