n6 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



ship when there are so many dangers around. All that 

 remained of the poor fellow was his boots, a few bones, and 

 torn clothing. 



The ist of May was ushered in with a fresh breeze and 

 thick snow. All preparations had been made to welcome 

 Neptune and his friends on board, similar to what is 

 practised when crossing the line. Troubles were for the 

 time forgotten. The between decks were cleared, play 

 bills posted, judge and jury boxes erected, and the barber's 

 shop made ready for greenhorns, i.e., young men who had 

 not been to the Arctic regions before. At midnight eight 

 bells were struck. A gruff voice hailed the ship through a 

 speaking trumpet, demanding the name of the vessel, the 

 captain's name, the luck we had had, etc. He concluded 

 by asking if we had any of his children on board, meaning 

 green hands, who were at the time stowed in the fore peak 

 amongst the coals, with a watchman guarding them. 



When Neptune's questions were answered satisfactorily, 

 he was politely requested to come on board. The scene 

 was most amusing. His carriage was a main hatch, and his 

 majesty was accompanied by Mrs. Neptune, both in dresses 

 made from rush mats, shavings for curls, and a potatoe net 

 for a veil. Their faces were coloured red to make them 

 look fresh. 



They were followed by their retinue, comprising the 

 barber, similarly dressed, but with a huge paper collar, 

 stiffened with white paint. Next came the barber's clerk, 

 policemen, and jurymen. These carried the music, con- 

 sisting of tin pots, pan lids, and other noisy gear. The 

 procession went round the deck, halted at the cabin door, 

 sung a song waiting for an invitation to go down, or orders 

 from the captain for the steward to give each a dram. 

 They expressed their thanks for the same, and good wishes 

 for a prosperous voyage, and retired to the between decks, 

 when business commenced. 



