Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1893-02-24

Oucil HuSCuldI SOIcuS SCH, GuclT lutEcpIulty,
their great love of the sea, and their pass
ion for conquest. The men were giants
in stature and superbly developed. They
were commonly fairhaird and blue-eyed,
with massive and handsome features.
The women were beautiful, strong,
healthy. and virtuous. The young girls
lived retired, industrious life, employ
ing their time in weaving. embroidery,
and the cares of the household. The
married women were held in great respect
and esteem. The wife was the com.
panion and helpmate of her husband,
and at liberty to join IN all his pursuits.
In many instances, she accompanied him
on hunting expeditions and on the field
OF battle. ~ -.,s.. .... ....
The Norsemen were almost unknown to
other European nations until the eighth
century. Prior 10 that time their battles
had been chiels between the rival tribes
of their own rue, and nelg hboring people
as we'll, alon. the shores Of the Baltic, the
coasts of tn" islands and even as far south
as lower France and Spain. With time
however, came the desire for larger poss-
essions anl wider conquests. They in
vaded Germany, Gaul, and Brittany. AS
warriors they've almost indomitable,
rarely meeting with repulse or defeat.
Later on they led their victorious hosts
to Spain, The Mediterranean, to Iialy,
Sicily, Grcrre, the Black Sea, Palestine,
and even To Africa. They were undis-
puted masters of their portion of the sea
for over twelve hundred years. :.
The SITUATION of Gheir country and
their natural passion for the ocean led
them to prefer naval warfare. Their
knowledge of nautical matters was at all
times far ahead of their contemporaries,
and the approach of Morse fleets struck
terror to the hearts of the boldest oppon-
ents. Their vessels were of great size,
considering the period, and fitted out on
scale of unparalleled magnificence. In
shape they were low and cut far down
amidships, rising almost to a point ut
the PROV and stern, which were usually
ornamented by huge golden dragons. or
other emblematic devices, often measured
as much as twelve feet in length and
three feet across. Every part of the
vessel was lavishly ornamented with gold
and silver traceries. wrought iron and
carved woodwork. In calm weather the
vessel was propelled by oars, the largest
ships requiring about thirty oarsmen,
the longest Of these oars, SO far rs is
known today. measured twenty-six feet.
The Norsemen prided themselves on the
beauty Of their sails, which were woven
of wool and gorgeously embroidered with
figures in silver and gold.
They were square in shape, and usually
bright-colored, often striped in blue,
scarlet, and green, but sometimes entire
ly white. Strangely enough, many Of
their vessels were ironclads, and conse-
ouently able to resist the weightiest
missiles of the enemy. Their battles
were undertaken with the greatest care
and foresight. Aside from their desper-
ate courage, which was always an i'm
porLant element in the contest of those
days, they managed their attacks. and
when necessary, their retreats, with con-
sumate strategic skill. They were that
compound of the soldier and sailor.
which IN themselves and their descendants
has made northern Europe the controlling
power of the Eastern world From Dem
ores,'s Family Magazine for March.