lished there the settlement of Thorfinnsbudir. One morning, about a fortnight afterward, he saw the bay crowded with little boats, containing men of a blackish color, with flat faces and big eyes. They were the Skraelings (Esquimaux), say the sagas. They raised aloft long poles with which they made a hissing sound by moving them rapidly in the air. “What do you think of this?” said Thorfinn to Snorre. “I think it means peace, and the white shield should be held up.” So the white shield of peace was raised. The Esquimaux approached, gazed curiously a moment on the Northmen, and then disappeared behind the promontory. But they returned in the spring of 1009 in such numbers that the bay looked to their eyes as if covered with lumps of coal. The whites traded with the natives, bartering red cloth for skins and furs, and, when the cloth was gone, Thorfinn directed the women to offer the savages milk porridge, which pleased them so well that they no longer wished for any other food, “and so,” says the saga of Thorfinn, “they carried in their bellies the results of a barter that the Scandinavians put carefully aside to load their ships with.” Meanwhile, to be ready for a surprise, he surrounded the little colony with a palisade. In the autumn there was born to Thorfinn a son, who was named Snorre, and was in all probability the first child of European parentage born within the limits of the present United States. The Skraelings did not return until the beginning of winter, but they came then in larger numbers than usual, and laid down their merchandise before receiving the price of it, contrary to their custom. As soon as the milk porridge was brought to them they took up their bundles and flung them over the palisade. Profiting by the confusion that ensued, they rushed in and attempted to seize the arms of the Scandinavians; but as soon as they saw one of their number slain they took to flight, abandoning both merchandise and porridge. They returned in still larger numbers soon afterward, and the Northmen raised the red shield of war in reply to their fierce cries. There was trouble with the natives in the ensuing winter, hostilities began, and the Northmen, after fighting bravely for a time, fled, believing that they saw a host in their rear. They soon recognized that they had been the victims of mirage, which, according to Prof. Edward Hitchcock, in his “Report on the Geology of Massachusetts” (Amherst, 1833), still occurs on that coast; but Thorfinn resolved to leave the country. First he explored the coast in the neighborhood of Mount Hope bay, visiting several harbors and making inquiries as to the productions of the soil. He is believed by some to have ascended the Potomac. He then passed the winter in Straumfjord, when the turbulence of his followers forced him to sail homeward. One ship was lost, so that of the three vessels that left Ericsfjord in 1007 only that of Thorfinn returned in 1011. He carried his merchandise to Norway, where he was received with great distinction, but in 1016 he sailed for Glœmbœland, in Iceland, where he spent the rest of his days. The illustration represents a ship of that period. The remains of such a ship were discovered in 1880 in a mound at Gogstad, Norway, and are now to be seen in a good state of preservation at Christiania. The erection of the tumulus is ascribed by antiquarians to the most ancient iron age, or the 10th century of our era — most probably to the age of Harold the haired, founder of the Norwegian state.
THORN, Frank Manly, superintendent of the
coast survey, b. in Collins (now North Collins),
N. Y., 7 Dec, 1836. He was educated at common
schools in Erie county and at the Fredonia acade-
my. After studying law he held the office of clerk
of the surrogate's court in Erie county, N. Y., in
1857-'60. Subsequently he was occupied with pro-
fessional work and as a journalist until 1871, when
he was chosen a member of the county board of
supervisors, continuing as such until 1880, except
during 1876. In July, 1885, he was appointed chief
clerk in the bureau of internal revenue in Wash-
ington, and a few weeks later was made superin-
tendent of the U. S. coast and geodetic survey,
which office he still fills.
THORNBOROUGH, Sir Edward, English naval officer, b. in England in 1758; d. 3 April, 1834. He held the rank of 1st lieutenant on board " The Falcon," one of the vessels that took part in the attack on Bunker Hill in 1775. He afterward en-
deavored to take a schooner out of Cape Ann harbor, but was wounded in the attempt. He was on the " Flora " frigate, which captured " La Nymphe " in 1780, was promoted to the rank of commander for
his gallantry on the occasion, and became post-captain in the following year. He was wrecked in 1782 in the "Blonde" while bringing a captured vessel into Halifax. He distinguished himself in subsequent campaigns, was thanked by the British
parliament, and became admiral of the white.
THORNBURGH, Thomas T., soldier, b. hi
Tennessee about 1843 ; d. near White river agency,
Wyoming, 29 Sept., 1879. He was graduated at
the U. S. military academy, and promoted 2d lieu-
tenant in the 2d artillery in 1867. At the open-
ing of the civil war and prior to his admission to
West Point he enlisted in the 6th east Tennes-
see volunteers in 1861, and passed rapidly through
the grades of private, sergeant-major, lieutenant,
and adjutant. He took part in the battle of Mill
Spring, Morgan's retreat to the Ohio, and of Stone
River. As an officer of artillery he served in gar-
rison in California (excepting a tour of duty at the
artillery-school) until 1870, and as professor of
military science at East Tennessee university till
1873, having been promoted 1st lieutenant in April,
1870. In April, 1875, he was appointed paymaster
with rank of major, serving in that department
until May, 1878, when he exchanged into the 4th
U. S. infantry, with the same rank. He command-
ed the post of Fort Fred Steele, Wyoming, until
1879, when he was killed while in command of an
expedition against the Ute Indians.
THORNDIKE, George Quincy, artist, b. in Boston, Mass., about 1825 : d. there in December, 1886. He was graduated at Harvard in 1847, and then went abroad, studying for some time in Paris.
After his return to the United States he settled in Newport, R. I. He was made an associate of the National academy in 1861. His landscapes showed many of the characteristics of the French school,
and James J. Jarves wrote of him: "Thorndike is so thoroughly French in style and motive that his pictures require naturalization before being popularly welcomed at home." His better-known works
include " The Wayside Inn," "Swans in Central
