180 THE FLEETS OF THE .\< HITIIMEN. 



From the Eddas and Sagas we gain an insight into their 

 mode of warfare at sea. The accounts given of some of their 

 combats are so vivid and precise, that we could almost imagine 

 ourselves to be eye-witnesses of those terrific and bloody con- 

 flicts which, even to this day, stand unparalleled in the annals 

 of maritime warfare for the length of their duration, the fierce- 

 ness and obstinacy of the attack or defence, the number of 

 ships or men engaged, and the carnage that took place. 



For centuries these people remained undisputed masters 

 of the sea, In their case, as in that of the ruling nations of 

 to-day, it was their navy that enabled them to conquer, settle, 

 and colonize other lands. If we call these men pirates, we 

 must also apply the name to the English, French, Spaniards, 

 Dutch, &c., because they have taken possession of countries 

 ao-ainst the will of the inhabitants, just as in the United 

 States the land of the Indians has been gradually taken away 

 from them. Civilisation was aggressive in ancient times, as it 

 is to-day. 



