ITS EFFECT ON THE MULTITUDE. 191 



father-land has been in question, you Dalecarlians have always 

 shown yourselves fearless and undaunted, and our chronicles 

 are filled with your heroic deeds. All the inhabitants of 

 Sweden, therefore, have now their eyes upon you, for they 

 are accustomed to look up to you as the protectors and 

 champions of the country. I will gladly join your ranks, 

 and spare in the good cause neither my sword nor my 

 blood more the Tyrant has not left me ; but he shall yet 

 be made to remember that Swedish men are both faithful 

 and brave, and that they must be governed by law and not 

 by force." 



To this touching appeal a large portion of the people 

 replied with shouts and cries of vengeance. Some shed 

 tears, and many professed themselves in readiness instantly 

 to take up arms. But there were others Danish partizans, 

 no doubt who denied altogether the " Blod-bad," and said 

 they were tired of the numerous wars in which they had 

 been engaged ; that, moreover, they had heard speak of 

 Christian's friendly feeling towards the peasants, and that 

 his ferocity extended only to the higher classes, by whom 

 they had been oppressed. The assembled multitude could 

 not therefore come to any decision, but as at Rattvik 

 " must first," they said, " take counsel with their neigh- 

 bours." 



In the meanwhile, they advised Gustavus to seek for a 

 more secure abode. And the precaution was needful, for 

 the search after him became more rigid than ever. He there- 

 fore removed from his hiding-place ; and although it was 

 about Christmas time, and the weather dreadfully severe, 

 he concealed himself for several days under the bridge at 

 Morkarleby, which is about a mile north of Mora church. 



