Supernatural Beings in the Shielings

One summer day, my brother and another boy from the village were out looking for “gamoxen” (the old ox), who had “gone missing.” Late in the evening, they arrived at Holmstrandsbodarna in Helgum parish. They stayed overnight with two girls who lived in a small cabin. There was joking and merriment and fun worse than ever until midnight approached. Then, suddenly, a terrible storm broke out, so that the cows, in their fright, began to low and shake their bells. Then someone was heard coming and kicking on the door. This was repeated several times. My brother stood guard at the door. The next time there was a crackling sound, he immediately rushed out to catch the troublemaker. No one was there! However, they believed that some rascal was outside, and they tried every way to discover him, but without success. Nevertheless, they were not deterred by this and continued their revelry. But then such a commotion began that they were nearly scared out of their wits. It sounded as if someone had dragged an iron chain around the walls up by the ceiling. When they stopped their noise, the mysterious sound also quieted down. This was “skrömta” or “ofrett” (a mischievous or unsettling supernatural being).