A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II. — John Locke — John Shaqi
A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
Many rocks all along on the shores, and islands of rocks, with the smell
of the fir-trees on them, was a variety for strangers; and the water
being calm, they made use only of their oars. The trumpets sounding where
the rocks were most uneven and made concavities, gave much delight by the
resounding of seven or eight echoes to one sound. Yet the multitudes of
craggy rocks of vast greatness and huge tallness, with their uneven heads
and ragged sides, filling all the shores and making many islands, and
those causing no small danger in the passage, appeared, especially at
first and to the younger seamen, very dreadful and amazing; but after a
little acquaintance with them, and constant being in their company, and
the seamen knowing the passage, caused the less fear, and the sevenfold
answering echoes, as if they had been so many trumpets, gave delight to
the hearers, with some admiration of that multiplying sound. But their
cheerfulness was increased by meeting with a boat about two Swedish miles
from Stockholm, whose men informed Whitelocke that the 'Amarantha' was
that day come into the Dollars, which good news added hopes and spirit
to the company of advancing in their voyage towards their longed-for
country; and the night seemed the less tedious by discoursing of this
providence, that, the same day that Whitelocke came away, his ship should
fall down to be ready to meet him, and not sooner, and whereof he knew
nothing beforehand.
Clerke informed Whitelocke of the places by which they passed, and the
condition of the country. They came into a very narrow way and straits,
about a bow-shot in length, where a great vessel could not pass, both for
want of breadth and depth of water, the greater boat with Whitelocke
striking the sands as she passed over. This way was to get into the road
and channel for the ships from Stockholm to the Dollars, which is near
twenty Swedish miles for the ships to go about. From this strait they
came again into deep water, environed as before with rocks, and full of
islands.
[SN: and reaches his ship at the Dollars.]
When they were within a mile of the Dollars, the wind came about to east
and north-east, very fair and good to carry them out to sea, whereas
before it was flat against them. Hereupon Whitelocke took occasion, the
wind being now good, to order his galley to make way forthright to the
'Amarantha' without going on shore at all, which was done, although it
seemed long at the latter end of the way, the company weary, and the
watermen tired with rowing, though they did not at all row with that
nimbleness and mettle as the English use to do.