IN THE PACIFIC. 6 



excursion, but mentally resolving never again 

 to seek for sport in Madeira. 



A German corvette, the " Nyrnpke," was 

 lying at anchor in the roads with us ; she was 

 also bound to Rio de Janeiro, and was to sail 

 three days before us. The " Nymphe " was 

 as nearly as possible the same size as the 

 " Reindeer," and was reported to sail well; so 

 we looked forward to a trial of speed with her, 

 and we asked them to report our coming, in 

 case they were in first. 



Sailing from Madeira on the 9th of September, 

 we passed to the eastward of the Cape de Verde 

 Islands, and crossed the equator a few days 

 afterwards. The ceremony usually performed 

 on board ship when crossing the line has too 

 often been described to need repetition here ; the 

 scene represents Father Neptune surrounded 

 by his staff on the forecastle of the " Reindeer." 

 A wretched victim is undergoing his examination 

 before the board previous to being tilted back- 

 wards into the sail, where he will meet 

 with a warm reception from the "bears," 



B 2 



