The Penn's Grove record., 1884-06-07
A Norwegian Army on skates.

Let us figure in our minds two
planks Of wood as broad as the hand
and nearly of the thickness of the little
finger, the middle underneath being
followed, to prevent vacillation and to
facilitate the advance IN a direct line.
The plank fastened under the left foot
is ten feet in length that intended for
the right is only six, or t~hereabouts I;
both of them are bent upwards at the
extremities, but higher before than be-
hind. They are fastened to the feet by
leather straps, attached to the middle,
and for this purpose are formed a little
higher and stronger in that part. The
plank of the right foot is generally
lined below with the skin of the reinr
deer or the sea-wolf, so that in drawing
the feet successfully in right and paral-
lei lines with skates thus lined with
skins. and very slippery in the direction
of the hair, the skater finds them new
ertheless capable of resistance, by af-
fording a kind of spring when he would
support himself with one foot in a cen-
trary direction, as by such movements
he raises up the hair or bristly part of
the skin. 1t Is affirmed that an expert
skater, however loose and uncompact
the snow may be, will go over more
ground in an open place, and will con-
tinue his course for a longer time to-
gether, than the best horse can do upon
the trot wei the finest and best paved
road. If a mountain is to be descend
ed, he does it with such precipitation
that he is obliged to moderate his flight
to avoid losing his breath. He ascends
more slowly and with some trouble,
because he is compelled to make a zig
Tag course but he arrives at the sum-
NIT as soon as the best walker or foot
soldier, with this advantage, that how
ever little consistence the snow may
have acquired, he can never sink into
T..
Experience has proved that in spite
of the multiplied obstacles produced
by the rigor Of the Winter, the Nor
wegians have often been attacked by
their enemies in precisely such seasons ;
and from the above manner of going
out to hunt, and undertaking long
journeys, it was not at all surprising
that the forming of a military corps Of
skaters should be thought of. The
whole body consisted of two battalions,
one stationed in the north, the other in
the South. Its strength was nine hum
dred and sixty men. The uniform con
sisted of a short jacket or w~aistcoat, a
gray surtout with a yellow collar, gray
pantaloons, and a black leather cap.
The skaters arms werea carbine, hung
in a leather belt passing over the Shout
der; a large couteau de chasse, and a
staff three yards and a half long to the
end of which is affixed a pointed piece
of iron. AT a little distance from the
extremity it is surrounded by a circular
projecting piece Of iron, which serves
principally to moderate his speed in
going down hill. The skater then puts
it between his legs, and contrives to
draw it in that manner ; or he drags it
by hIs side or uses it to help himself
forward, when he has occasion to ascend
a hill i'll short, he makes use Of it ac-
cording to the occasion and the circum-
stances in which he may be placed.
Besides, this, it affords a support to the
fre-lock, when the skater wishes to
discharge its contents. With such a
rest, the Norwegian peasant fires a gun
deXterously, and very seldom misses his
aim.