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28 A History of Sweden
E. CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS OF THE NORTHMEN
Courage and Endurance. Children were early made
acquainted with dangers and conflicts. They were
trained in labors and sports that required courage and
presence of mind. The boy had to learn to help him-
self. In many places playgrounds were found, where
the youth gathered for athletic contests, such as ball
games, jumping, wrestling, etc.
Accustomed to bloodshed, the men became hard and
cruel. But they could also endure torture without a
word of complaint. A story is told of a man named
Gunnar, who was attacked one evening at his home.
From his window he hurled a spear into the waist of
the man sent to spy out if he were home. The wounded
man tottered to the hiding place of his comrades. ’Is
Gunnar at home?" they asked. "Look for yourselves;
I have indeed found out that his spear was at home/
7
replied the man as he fell dead. And think of Ragnar
Lodbrok who in the snake pit sang, "Smiling shall I
die/
7 *
Havamal gives the following picture of a first-
class warrior:
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