150 Crossing the Line 



1844, continued 



The breeze had subsided to a light pleasant air, that just kept the sails 

 sleeping — the water was as smooth as a mill-pond, and the decks nearly 

 as level as a paved yard. None but those who had crossed the line before 

 were permitted to witness the first reception of the liquid deity, but exactly 

 at four bells ( ten o'clock ) in the forenoon watch, the same distant hail was 

 heard and answered — the splashing and noise was much greater than 

 before, and shortly afterwards the screen was raised, and the procession 

 moved aft along the gangway. First came two Tritons, as avant couriers, 

 with harpoons; then followed the band playing "Come, cheer up, my lads;" 

 and next were four other Tritons, two and two. To them succeeded the car 

 ( a gun carriage ) of Neptune and Amphitrite, drawn by eight most imruly 

 sea monsters, that caused the monarch to sit very shaky and unsteady — 

 his ghttering crown tottering on his head — and though his consort ap- 

 peared to have been very recently close-shaved, yet there was something 

 extremely main-topmanish in her look, and she had either an immense 

 gum-boil or a huge hillock of tabacco in her left cheek; but this latter article 

 admits of a doubt, as ladies, especially Queens, never chaw their quid. 

 Immediately behind the car walked the most important personage of the 

 whole — the Barber, wielding a long tremendous razor, gapped like a 

 hand-saw; and by his side was his mate, with a lather-brush and a bucket, 

 half filled with, a compound of abominations. Next appeared Davy Jones, 

 on the back of one of his subordinates, both displaying sprouting horns on 

 their forehead, and 



"Such a length of tail behind." 



The procession was closed by Tritons and other aquatic attendants, iu 

 their proper, or rather improper costume. 



The Captain received them on the quarter-deck, and after the usual 

 compliments and ceremonials, they proceeded to a large tub of water abaft 

 the mainmast, over which a piece of plank was placed for a seat. The first 

 name on the hst was called, and being brought up blindfolded, he was 

 placed on the plank to xmdergo an examination by Davy Jones, whilst the 

 Barber and his assistant stood ready to shave him. The first question was 

 relative to his birth and parentage — and if the innocent dear opened his 

 mouth to reply, slap went the brush, well charged, right into it, and this 

 was repeated as often as he answered. The lather was then daubed over 

 his chin, and the razor roughly scraped a portion of it o£F; the plank was 

 drawn from under him, and he was left to flounder out of the tub the best 

 way he could, whilst numbers stood ready with buckets to repeat the dose 

 as he ran from his tormentors. The shaving occupied three or foiur hom-s, 

 and grog flowed in abundance till the whole ceremony was completed; the 



