154 Crossing the Line 



1849, continued 



On this voyage I am at present relating, I thought it prudent to put a 

 veto upon any such demonstration as I have just described, much to the 

 disappointment of the old seamen and some of the passengers. 



( [George Coffin.] A pioneer voyage to California and round the world. 

 1849 to 1852. Ship Alhambra, Captain George Coffin. Chicago, 1908. 

 p. 17-19.) 



Diligent and persistent search failed to bring any connection with pubUsher or author, and 

 I venture to print this in hope I may be forgiven and excused if thus I seem to break any 

 copyright or other right. 



The Weather continued fine and the gentle N.E. trade vv^inds carried us 

 quickly along. The vi^atch on deck during the day were aU busily employed, 

 some fitting riggin', some making mats for putting on places in Üie rig- 

 gin' and spars where any chafe might occur, some making spunyam. The 

 rattle of the machine used in making same afforded music for those 

 employed. 



One evening as we were about on the Equator, with our watch on deck, 

 the 3d Mate, 4th Mate, the other boat-steerers and myself, standing on the 

 weather side of the deck abreast the mainmast, some leaning against the 

 braces coiled up on the pins in the fife rail, talking and smoking, the 4th 

 Mate proposed having Old Neptune to come on board when we crossed the 

 Line. 



"Who is to take the part of Neptune? said the 2d Mate. "Oh, for that 

 matter, I will," said the 4th Mate. The 2d Mate said, "All right, I will see the 

 Mate and Captain about it, and let you know what they say." The next night 

 we had the middle watch. The 2d Mate told us that both Captain and Mate 

 would help the fun along in any way they could. "I have got a rig most ready, 

 and tomorrow can perfect it. If you say so, we will have it tomorrow night." 

 "There are a number in the forecastle who have been to sea before. We must 

 let them know about this," said the 2d Mate. "All right," said the 4th Mate. 

 "How many are in this watch? Better have them come aft in a quiet way, and 

 the boat-steerers can tell them." 



Before the watch was out we had told the five or six able seamen what was 

 up, and for them to teU the able seamen in the Larboard watch about it and 

 be sure not to let the green hands into the secret. 



The next day at noon, after taking the observation and working up the 

 Latitude, the Captain said to the Mate in the hearing of the man at the wheel, 

 who was one of tlie green hands, "By our reckoning we shall cross the Line 

 by seven or eight p. m. I wonder if Old Neptune will come on board?" "Oh, 

 yes," said the Mate. "He has got so now that he wül not let any whalemen 

 pass his Empire without stopping them." They knew that as soon as the wheel 

 was reheved and the man went forward, he would carry the news of what 

 had been said. 



