Notice of Runic Inscriptions Discovered during Recent Excavations in the Orkneys Part 4

_Jerusalam Men broke into How._

aehiiminii, a proper name; the second word is too faintly written to be translated; aemisris, a proper name. There are some more very indistinct letters; probably they once indicated--

Ireskir Maen . . . Irish Men.

The stone exhibits traces of former writings, which renders the new carvings very doubtful.--Professor STEPHENS.

THAT MAN SAT . . . aeHE AT FEUAR FORT.

ABROT THRIM NOTOM VAR FI BROT FORT HAELTR.

aeN THAEIR (No. XIV.), JORSALAMEN BURTU HAUK THAENA.

Professor Munch reads Nos. XIII. and XIV. together.

To be read from right to left, and No. XIV. taken in conjunction with it.

This does not that (fool!) remember that the treasury was (already) carried away. Three nights was the treasury carried away rather (_i. e._, before) than the Jerusalem travellers broke this tumulus.--Professor MUNCH.

THAT MAN SAT ER IGI SAEHI AT FE VAR FOERT ABROT THRIM NOTTOM VAR FE BRoT FOERT HAELDR aeN THAEIR IORSALAMEN BURTU HAUG THAENA.

It is true indeed, as Inge states, that the goods were carried away during three nights. The goods were carried away before the Ioraslamen broke open this barrow. Many of the other runes cannot be made out; some of the smaller ones are very indistinct.--Professor RAFN.

(_Note._--Nos. XIII. and XIV. appear to be read as one inscription by the Professor.--J. F.)

[Sidenote: _Plate X._]

No. XV.

ARNFITHR, MATR, RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfith Mate carved these Runes._

The word Matr may signify "the mighty," or "the greedy."--Professor STEPHENS.

ARNFITHR MATR RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfinn Mat (perhaps the greedy) engraved these runes._

Matr was a nickname.--Professor MUNCH.

ARNFITHR MATR RAEIST RUNAR THAESAR.

_Arnfinn, glutton, carved these Runes._--Professor RAFN.

No. XVI.

MAETH, THAERI, OGHSE, ER, ATE, KOR, UKR.

TRAENILSONR, FYRIR, SUNAN LANT.

_With that Axe which Kor owned hews.

Traenaldson along South-lying lands._--Professor STEPHENS.

MAETH, THAEIREI [RUNE]HSE ERATI KOUKR TRAENILSONR.

FYRIR SUNAN LANT.

_With this Axe which Goukr Traenaldson owned or possessed on the south side of the country._

The beginning of the inscription is wanting. Gauk Trandilson was the foster-brother of Asgrim Elsdagrimson--described in "Burnt Njal," one of the chiefs in the south of Iceland about 990. The writer probably means to say that these runes were engraved with the same axe which Gauk Trandilson possessed at the end of the 10th century. The runes here found were perhaps engraved about the year 1152. No doubt "the land" here spoken of is Iceland, and the engraver an Icelander, perhaps even a descendant of the old chieftain.--Professor MUNCH.

MAETH THAERI oHSE ER ATI GoUKR TRAEN ILS SONR FYRIR SUNAN LAND.

_With this Axe, owned by Gauk, the son of Trandil, in the South of the country._--Professor RAFN.

No. XVII.

HAEMUNTR, HARTHEKSI, RAEIST RUN.

_Haermunt Hardaxe carved these Runes._--Professor STEPHENS.

HAERMUNTR HARTHEKSI RAEIST RUN.

_Hermund Hardaxe engraved these Runes._--Professor MUNCH.

HAERMUNDR HARTHIGSI RAEIST RUN.

_Hermund Hardaxe carved the Runes._

Hermund probably had in his possession the axe which formerly belonged to Gauk Trandilson, and was used by him in carving the runes.--Professor RAFN.

(_Note._--Professors Stephens, Munch, and Rafn, all agree that some letters have been lost or miscarried. The letters, [rune] [rune] at the end of the word run are obviously wanting.--J. F.)

No. XVIII.

RIST SA MATHR ER RUNSTR ER FYRIR VAESTAN HAF.

_The man did cut most versed in Runes in the western countries._