The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-01-27

| answered this question by borrowing a
quadrant breaking it the first day, getting Peter
to splice it on the second, and learning just
enough on the third to believe that the sun
could no more be taken by a green hand,
than whale could be captured by marine.
Nevertheless, continued to keep kind of
log book; and, receiving the information second
hand from the mate, succeeded in keeping my
self and the sailors in entire ignorance of all the
particulars of our daily progress
may as well confess here, that my knowledge
of practical navigation never advanced beyond
this point, my absolute incapacity for study
growing partly out of natural stupidity, but
chiefly out of the wretched regime of my school
days, rendered it utterly out Of the question for
me to succeed in anything which required either
application or "parts."
Much to the delight, then, of the old salts
| resigned the quadrant in disgust, and resolved
to aspire to no other dignity than that of an
g able hand " Theuceforth, I had no desire to
go on the quarterback except to scrape it, orto
serve my trick at the wheel The low narrow
forecastIe, with its eternal scent of tar and bge
came my delight. The hours which I spent
there, during my day watches below, were en-
ployed in learning to sew, splice, swear, weave,
darn, tattoo, carne, and whistle The night
watches were passed in the enjoyment Of such
sleep as on shore is never known.
The most exciting of my sea-experienees was
incident to crossing the equator, The occasion
was celebrated on board the Lovely Matilda
with all the honors. The rites were as grotes-
que as those of Fee Masonry or Odd Fellow
ship.
One fine day. just after the mate had taken
the sGn," Who was very docie that morning,
and consented to be taken without winking, ii
was officially announced, with great parade Of
trumpets and telescopes, that the Line" was
in full sight.
"Ths Lins !" exclaimed /, "where-a.
bouts ?"
"Come and see," shrieked the mate, through
his hair-lip. He handed me a spy glass, and
babe me look forward. | looked, and, sure
enough l saw distinct black line right ahead
close down to the Water's edge and extending
from horizon to horizon
Now | had heard Of this " Line . from child
hood up, and believed in it just as much as be-
leved in the clothesline which extended from
"poe to pole" every bright Monday, in oul
little back yard.
Indeed who could help believing in it, when
there it was, as l have said so palpably real
and so directly in sight, that at the rate oul
little craft was sailing, it was evident she would
be dancing upon it in few moments, like al
acrobat upon tight rope. How would she evel
cross " it ?--the thought completely bewildered
me; and, to aggravate my state of mind was
told by the sailors that the moment we touched
the Line" cid Neptune would rise from the
sea, leap on our bows, and subject those of us
who had not yet crossed it to a.frghtful ordeal
| was all of SILVER" The prospect of being
crucifed by an invisible, and perhaps Internal
spirit (for believe me, / had no more doubts OF
| Neptunes actual existence than of Davy Jones
or the Devil's) was appalling. My imagination
at that period about the only faculty had
left, except digestion, peoped my poor brain
and everything about me with such host of
terrors, that l felt myself in perfect Pandemo-
MUM Our little brig Chow cursed her tim
bers y few over the Kissing waters like a DEM
on Every wave appeared to be crested with
fire.
Presently, the Captain seized his speaking
trumpet, and in voice of thunder ordered eve
nv one on board who had not crossedthe Line, !"
to leave the deck instantly, on pain OF death
The only companions ofmy fate were the cabin
passenger and the super-cargo. We obeyed the
| command asst had been the last trump. Indeed,
SO far as my game or life was concerned l
thought it was.
/ coNcLUDED NEXT WEEK
The Senate of New York has passed a bill to