The Nineteenth Century 175 



Seas, was answered, followed by a request to heave to .... In obedience to 

 the request the Officer of the Deck rang two bells, at the same time informing 

 the Admiral and Captain through their orderHes that his Majesty was along 

 side and desired to see them. Call aU hands to muster, was now the order 

 from the Officer of the Deck; the Boatswain's mates sounded their calls, and 

 passed the order in a loud tone of voice, the ship's company irmnediately 

 assembled on the port side, the Admiral, Captain and Officers at their 

 customary stations on the starboard side, of the quarterdeck. Nepttme, ac- 

 companied by his wife, had by this time reached the quarter-deck; they 

 boarded the ship over the starboard bow, instead of coming aboard by the 

 more convenient way of the sealadder at the starboard gangway, which he 

 was requested to use, if not for his own convenience, at least out of respect 

 for his consort. . . . 



[Here Neptune addressed the Admnal and Captain in 24 lines of runes 

 "composed by John Bezanson, Quarter Gunner," paying respects to Admiral 

 Enghsh, Captain Potter, and his "fine ship" with "big guns," recommending 

 that the "good crew" be made better by shaving, introducing "my wife, 

 Amphitrite, the Queen," and promising to be "ready with my razor and 

 lotion" tomorrow at nine when "you'U be crossing my line."] 



After finishing his address Neptime engaged the Admiral in conversation 

 for a few moments, in which old times were referred to. Receiving his promise 

 of returning on the following morning, he handed to the Admiral a package 

 containing telegrams from the Equatorial Submarine Telegraph Company 

 ( Limited ), and a mau bag containing letters for the officers and some of the 

 crew, as well as certificates for aU of the officers and crew whom he recog- 

 nized as subjects; and similar ones, with the name and date blank, which 

 were to be filled out and delivered to all who should on the following day 

 imdergo the process necessary to make them children of the sea. 



Good night all hands! and he was gone. [All received their maü from the 

 Master-at-Arms — a "Fac-simQe of King Neptune's Certfficates, ( one quarter 

 size. )" is printed on page 3 — and thought of the morrow.] 



At 9.00 A. M. on the morning of the 24th, everything was in readiness for 

 the day's sport, all hands were called to muster, and . . . assembled on the 

 quarter-deck .... [Neptune] before presenting himself to the Admiral and 

 Captain . . . ordered his pohce, headed by their chief, to form in two ranks 

 in the starboard gangway. As soon as they were in marching order the band, 

 which was stationed on the forecastle, struck up tlie PoHceman's Song. They 

 stepped out, marched down the starboard gangway to the mainmast, halted, 

 faced to the front and sang: — 



When constabulary duties are to be done. 

 You will generally find us basking in the sim. 

 Taking one consideration with another, 

 Neptime's force is a bully one, bully one. 

 When we are sent for any one. 

 You bet your life they come .... 



