minious retreat.[57]

On returning from his recruiting-tour to the headquarters of his army,
Gustavus put his men through a regular course of training. Most of them
were farmers, with scarce enough knowledge of military affairs to
distinguish a javelin from a flagstaff. Their weapons were of the rudest
sort,--axes and bows and arrows. He therefore taught them first of all
to forge javelin and arrow heads. He also introduced a pike with spiral
point which could be driven into a man's armor so as to hold him fast.
To meet the necessities of a soldier, who was prevented by his
occupation from paying for his goods with wheat or rye, Gustavus issued
a copper coin which was at once received as money. These preparations
seem all to have been made with the prospect of a long-continued war.
While they were in progress, a letter came from the burgomaster and
Council of Stockholm, dated April 10, and addressed to the people of
Dalarne, informing them that a number of vessels had just arrived from
the Hanse Towns, laden by order of Christiern with clothing and food,
which were to be distributed among the people. After administering this
mealy morsel the letter of the burgomaster and Council went on to urge
the Dalesmen to have nothing to do with the lies and treachery of
Gustavus, but to consider their own and their children's welfare and bow
humbly before their gracious king. This letter seems not to have
produced the effect that was intended. Another that came about the same
time was more effective. It was from some German soldiers who declared,
with more or less exaggeration, that they were four thousand strong,
that they had come to lend their succor to Gustavus, had already seized
nine of Christiern's best men-of-war, and expected within a few days to
get possession of Stockholm. The news of this marvellous achievement
seems never to have been confirmed, but at all events it fanned the
enthusiasm of the infant army.[58]

Discontent had by this time spread throughout the land. On the 18th of
April we find the Danish authorities in Stockholm writing that tumult
and confusion reign in all parts of the kingdom, and on the 23d of April
they write of an insurrection that has broken out in Stegeholm. This
rapid spread of the conflagration made it necessary for the Danish
officers to increase their vigilance, and on the 26th of April they
found an opportunity to win their spurs. It occurred in this wise. One
of the recruiting-officer