ce. In like
manner the great revolution whose development we are about to trace was
merely the natural result of long years of tyranny culminating in the
fearful carnage of the autumn of 1520. The Revolution in Sweden is,
however, in one respect pre-eminent among the great crises known to
history. Never was a revolution so thoroughly the work of a single man
as that in Sweden. From beginning to end there was one figure whose
presence alone infused life into a lukewarm people, and who, working
upon the forces which had been forged by years of tyranny, shaped them
gradually to his own commanding will. The Revolution in Sweden is the
history of Gustavus Vasa. He it was who set the torch, and he, too,
pointed out the direction in which the flame should burn.

Early in January, 1521, the war of independence already had begun. By
this time news of the revolt in Dalarne had spread throughout the land,
and the Danish officers were wild with irritation that the young
Gustavus had escaped their clutches. The charge of affairs, at the
withdrawal of Christiern, had been placed in the hands of a wretch
scarce less contemptible than his master. This was one Didrik Slagheck,
a Westphalian surgeon who, we are told, had "ingratiated himself with
Christiern and ravished the wives and daughters of the Swedish
magnates." Gad, for a time the councillor of the Danish king, was now no
more. Christiern, shrewdly divining that one who had deserted his
former master might desert again, had used him to mediate for the
surrender of Stockholm and had then removed his head. In place of the
old burgomaster and Council of Stockholm, the city was now held by
satellites of Christiern, and any whose hearts revolted against his
sickening cruelties were discreet enough to hold their tongues. Dalarne
had become the only spot in Sweden where liberty still lived, and
thither all liberty-loving Swedes whose hands were not yet tied
repaired. Whenever these recruits appeared, Gustavus placed them in the
midst of his little army, and called upon them to declare what they had
seen of Christiern's deeds. It makes a striking picture, this little
band of patriots, in a far-off mountain region in the dead of winter,
with no arms but their picks and axes, strong only in their high
resolve, and yet breathing defiance against the whole army of the Danish
king. Gustavus knew the Swedish people well. He knew them slow to move,
dull of intellect, and averse from reason. But