[SN: A capital execution in Sweden.]

In the morning, in the market-place, near Whitelocke's lodging, was an
execution of one adjudged to die for a murder. The offender was brought
into the midst of the market-place, which was open and spacious, and a
great multitude of people spectators. The offender kneeled down upon the
ground, a great deal of sand being laid under and about him to soak up
his blood, and a linen cloth was bound about his eyes: he seemed not much
terrified, but when the company sang a psalm, he sang with them, holding
up his hands together, and his body upright, his doublet off. He prayed
also with the company, but made no speech to them; nor did any other
speak to the people. The executioner stood behind him, with a great naked
sword in his hand and a linen apron before him, and while the offender
was praying the headsman in an instant, at one back-blow, cut off his
head, which fell down upon the sand; and some friends took it from the
executioner, and carried it away with the body to be buried. Presently
after this execution was past, two other offenders for smaller crimes
were brought to the same place, to suffer the punishment of the law,
which they call running the gauntlet,--a usual punishment among
soldiers.

[SN: Running the gauntlet.]

The people stood in length in the market-place about a hundred yards,
leaving an open space or lane between them of about five yards' distance;
then the offender, being naked to the waist, was brought to one end of
the lane or open place. The people had rods or switches of birch given to
as many as would take them; the offender was to run or go, as he pleased
(and one of them walked but a Spanish pace), from one end of the lane of