26 Crossing the Line 



1666, continued 



Mariners, and other people, in the Ship. But, as for other gifts, which the 

 newly baptized do frequently offer, they are divided among the old Sea-men; 

 and of them, tliey make a Banquet, among themselves. 



The Hollanders likewise do use to baptize such as never passed that way 

 before. And not only at the passage abovementioned, but also at the Rocks 

 called Berlingues, nigh the coast oi Portugal, in the latitude of thii-ty nine de- 

 grees, and forty minutes, ( as being a passage very dangerous, especially by 

 night, when, through the obscurity thereof, the Rocks are not distinguishable, 

 by reason the Land is very high, ) they use some such ceremony. But their 

 manner of Baptizing is much distinct from that we have described above, 

 performed by the French. He tlierefore, that is to be baptized, is fast'ned, 

 and hoised up three times at the main yard's end, as if he were a Criminal. 

 If he be hoised tlie fointh time, in the name of the Prince of Orange, or of 

 the Captain of the Vessel, his honovir is more than ordinary. Thus they 

 are dipped, every one, several times in the main Ocean. But he that is tlie 

 first dipp'd, hath the honour of being saluted with a Gun. Such as are not 

 willing to fall, are bound to pay twelve pence, for their ransom: if he be an 

 Officer in the Ship, two shillings: and if a Passenger, according to their 

 pleasure. In case the Ship did never pass that way before, the Captain is boimd 

 to give a small Runlet of Wine; which if he doth not perform, the Mariners 

 may cut off the Stem of the Vessel. AH the profit, which accrueth by this cere- 

 mony, is kept by the Masters Mate; who after reaching their Port, doth 

 usually lay it out in wine, which is drank amongst the ancient Seamen. Some 

 wiU say this ceremony was instituted by the Emperour Charls the Fifth; 

 howsoever it is not found amongst his Laws. But here I leave these customes 

 of the Sea; and shall return unto our Voyage. . . . 



This uncouthsom weather being spent, we had again the use of very 

 favourable gales untül we came unto the Tropick of Cancer. This Tropick 

 is nothing else, but an imaginary circle, which Astrologers have invented in 

 the Heavens, and serveth as a period to the progress of tlie Sun towai'ds the 

 North-pole. It is placed in the latitude of three and twenty degrees, and Üiirty 

 minutes, under the Line. Here we were baptized the second time, after the 

 same maimer as before. The French do alwayes perform this Ceremony at 

 this Tropick; as also under the Tropick of Capricornus towards the South. 



( Bucaniers of America: or, A true account of the most remarkable assaults 

 committed of late years upon the coasts of the West-Indies, by the 

 bucaniers of Jamaica and Tortuga, both English and French . . . Written 

 originally in Dutch, by John Esquemeling . . . and thence translated into 

 Spanish . . . Now faithfully rendred into EngHsh. London: Printed for 

 William Crooke, 1684-85. p. 1-6.) 



Alexander Olivier ExquemeHii (made John Esquemeling in the English translation of 1684) 

 must have been a doughty warrior if he carried a sword as effective as his pen. He is the first to 

 tell about the passing of the Ras as place for the ceremony. So too, witli Dutertre, he shows more 

 than passing curiosity as to the beginning of it all. Not satisfied with laying it to tlie credit of 



