History's Hotshots VIKINGS Fierce and Fearless conquerors Elsie Olson Checkerboard Library An Imprint of Abdo Publishing abdopublishing com
LIFE ON A LONGSHIP
You’ve spent the last two weeks on a boat with 30 other men You’ve been out in the wind rain and sun You’ve slept under the stars with little protection from the elements It’s been weeks since your last warm meal You’ve eaten only dried fish and meat Now you approach land You’re tired from rowing but you’re also excited You’ve been preparing for this since you were a child You are in the best physical shape of your life And you are surrounded by brave and capable warriors You don’t know what awaits you in the new land ahead but you are not afraid Like the men around you you believe that the time of your death is predetermined There is nothing you can do to stop it So you have nothing to fear As you approach shore several men jump out of the boat into the shallow water You gather your spear and shield Then you rush off the boat into the unknown You are a part of one of the greatest seafaring cultures of all time You are a Viking 5
