The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-08-02
WHOLE RECIPIENT ON SKATES.
Soldiers of Norway Use Them in
Their Winter EvoIutions.

Norway, during a considerable portion
oil the year, is covered with snow, and
her winters, which in other countries are
of short duration, extend to five or six
months, and in the most northern parts
10 much, longer period. During this
time 1t is impossible to leave the beaten
roads, for the purpose at least of travel
ing, and when fresh snow happens to fall
even the communication by means of
them is stopped until the sledging is able
winch, by being dragged by horses along
the road, restores the former track by
clearing away the snow in part and flat
tening and leveling the remainder.
The thinness, however, of the popula-
ton, widely scattered over such an i'm
mense extent of territory, renders it in
many places Impossible to keep the roads
open by these means. 1t was natural,
some mode by which to leave his hut,
generally removed from roads, and ira
verse the forests in various directions
with sufficient CELEBRITY to follow the chase
his favorite occupation.
For this purpose he devised the skies,
or snow skates, which consist of two
thin narrow pieces of fir of unequal
length, the foremost part being pointed
and turned upward.
The longest, which measures about
seven feet, is used ON the left foot and
the other, which is about two feet shorter,
on the right The latter is called aander,
lIOIll the IOOL DernS uSeQ more IHdn
the left, particularly in turning. Both
skates are about three inches in width
and an inch in thickness in the center,
where the foot is placed, which is firmly
bound to the skie by loops at the side,
made of willow or the fiber of fir roots,
to which are fastened leather thongs.
The skies are smeared with tar or pitch,
and the under side is followed in the
center into groove to prevent their
slipping literally and to enable the skie-
lober, or skater to keep a straight course
The arms of the sk:elober were a rife,
20 which was attached broad leathern
strap passing over the shoulder, and a
short sword. He carried with him be-
sides a staff (skiestoken) seven feet in
length and rather more than an inch in
diameter. This, which was held in his
right hand, was armed at one end with
an iron spike, and above it was placed
circular piece of wood. The use of the
former was to penetrate the frozen snow
and of the latter to prevent the staff
sinking in, giving thus a firm support
to the bearer.
The sk:estok, or skiestay as it was
called, was Likewise, as has been before
observed, of considerable use to the Skie-
lober in enabling him to moderate his
speed make certain wheels and preserve
the necessary balance during the descent
of steep declivities. The sllielober to the
skate exercise united that of the ordinary
chasseurs. orSlight troops, of which it
constituted a part, and it performed al
the duties differing from them only in
marching on skates, which gave it a very
great superiority. The skielobers moved
with singular agility, and from the depth
of snow were safe from every pursuit of
cavalry or infantry.
On the other hand, they could attack
the enemy's column on march and harass
them necessarily on both sides of the
road without mourning any danger to
effect against them, dispersed as they
were at the distance of 200 or 300 PAGES,