Page:Arrian's Voyage Round the Euxine Sea Translated.djvu/9

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
4
ARRIAN'S PERIPLUS

might indeed be ſafe from the North-Eaſt wind, but not from the North, nor from that wind, which is called in Pontus, Thraſcias, but in Greece, Sciron. During the night there came on a violent ſtorm of thunder and lightning; nor did the wind continue in the ſame quarter, but came about to the South, and ſoon after from the South to the South-Weſt, which rendered the bay, or road, in which we lay, no longer a ſafe ſtation. Therefore, before the ſea had begun to rage violently, we drew up into the harbour of Athenæ as many of our ſhips as it would contain, excepting one trireme, which having found a convenient ſhelter under cover of a rock, rode there in ſafety. We thought proper alſo to ſend ſeveral of our veſſels to the neighbouring ſhores to be drawn aground; which ſucceeded ſo well, that they all eſcaped ſafe, excepting one, which entering the bay expoſed its ſide improperly to the wind, and the ſwell of the ſea drove it aſhore, where it was wrecked. Every thing on board however was ſaved, not the ſails only, and the nautical inſtruments, but the bolts alſo, and the men. We alſo ſcraped off the wax, which is as neceſſary an article in ſhip-building as any, timber excepted; of which laſt material there is, as You know, a great quantity in the countries that border upon this ſea. The ſtorm continued two days, and neceſſarily detained us during that time. It would indeed have indicated a want of reſpect to have paſſed by Athenaæ, even the one of that name on the Pontic ſea, as if it were ſome deſerted and nameleſs port.

Setting ſail thence early in the morning, we attempted to make our way with the waves, or ſwell of the ſea, bearing upon the ſide of our ſhip; but as the day advanced, the North-Eaſt wind blowing gently calmed the ſea, and rendered it altogether ſmooth and tranquil. Before noon we reached Apſarus, having ſailed more

than