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“This is good maize.” he said, grinning happily.

“But how do we eat it?” Talu asked.

“You must first shell it and then allow it to soak overnight.”

“In water?”

“Yes,” Erik replied. “Water mixed with a little lime.”

“And then?”

“In the morning have your women rinse the grain in fresh water.”

“And then can we eat it?”

“You do not understand,” Erik said. “This is not something to be eaten as a tomato or a bean.”

“How then?” Talu wanted to know.

“It is to be eaten with tomatoes or with meat or with your other foods. It is nourishing and filling and it will solve many of your food problems.”

“How do we prepare it?” Talu asked.

“You must secure a flat stone, preferably one with a concave surface. Place the maize grains on this and, with another stone or a piece of rounded wood, grind the maize until it becomes a fine paste.”

“I still do not understand.”

“Your women will make this paste into thin cakes, kneading it with their hands. You will then put these on a thin, flat stone-any of your pottery will do-and bake them over a fire. Take care that the flame is a slow-burning one.”

“And the taste?”

“The taste is somewhat flat, but you can dip them in chili pepper. And then, you can always eat maize cakes with your other foods. You will see how it supplements your meals.”

Talu nodded sagely. “We will try it. If it does as you say, we will plant it again. We can use all the food we can get.”

“It will be important to you,” Erik said. “Try it.”

The next day the Mayas began carrying food to Erik’s ship. They streamed onto the beach, handing basket after basket of food to the Norsemen. The baskets were lifted over the side of the ship: potatoes, squash, beans, pears, plums, tomatoes, papaya, chili. Jars of honey, sides of the cured meat of deer, wild boar, turkeys, and small birds.

And along with the stock of food, Talu brought something for Erik to taste.

It was flat and a pasty white color, and it looked very much like a pancake.

Erik bit into it and rolled it around on his tongue.

“Excellent.” he said.

“This is the cake we prepared from the maize. As you say, it is excellent. My people thank you, Erik.”

“And may we have some for our journey?” Erik asked.

Talu grinned. “They are being basketed now. You will have plenty, my friend.”

Water came next. The Mayas struggled onto the beach with enormous jars and hoisted them over the side of the ship.

These were firmly lashed in place, fore and aft, along with the stock of food that the Norsemen had taken aboard.

“Is there enough?” Talu asked at last.

“More than enough,” Erik replied. His face split into a wide grin. “Your people are good, Talu. I wish there were some way to repay you.”

“You have already repaid us,” Talu said.

Neil watched silently as the last of the food was loaded. The Norsemen began climbing aboard, and the Mayas now brought gifts to the ship, jewelry, pottery, fine ornaments of beautifully wrought gold, highly polished semiprecious stones, robes brilliantly embroidered, feathered capes and headdresses, weapons, and small stone carvings.

Erik accepted all these gifts graciously. He stood ready to board his ship, ready to sail to his own land, far across the sea.

Slowly his hands moved to the helmet on his head. He lifted it gingerly and brought it down to hold it before his chest. The sunlight glanced off the shining metal, and the wings on either side of the helmet seemed poised to fly.

“I have accepted your many gifts,” Erik said to Talu, “for which my humblest thanks. And now, I would have you accept a gift from me, a gift you refused when first we met.” He held out the winged helmet.

“Take this, my friend, and keep it well. Let it serve as a reminder, perhaps, of the sacrifices your gods will accept.”

Talu’s old eyes studied the kindly face, the stalwart figure of the big Norseman.

“It will remind us of many things, my friend,” he said. He took Erik’s hand and shook it. “May the gods be with you on your long voyage.”

“Thank you,” said Erik. His eyes sought Neil’s, and he turned to his young friend. He took Neil’s hand and held it firmly.

“Neil,” he said simply.

Neil bit his lip. It wouldn’t do to cry. He was going to miss this big Norseman.

“It was a lucky wind that threw us together,” Erik said. “I have enjoyed knowing you.”

“I… I have too,” Neil stammered.

A sudden inspiration seemed to strike Erik.

“Would you like to sail with us, Neil? Visit my homeland? Stay with us for a little while?”

Neil hesitated.

“Only for a little while,” Erik coaxed. “You can go home to your own land after that.”

If only it were that simple, Neil thought.

“No, Erik,” he replied. “My parents are waiting for me. And I too am anxious to see my own home.”

Erik sighed. “Perhaps, then, we shall meet again sometime.” He squeezed Neil’s hand. “You will always have a friend in Erik, Neil.”

With that he slapped a big hand onto the head of his ax and whirled suddenly. “Prepare to sail,” he shouted.