Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-07-31

L. $ FLAG SNIP CALIFORNIA;,
Orr NALriRAiso, CnIli, ) A. Sept 20, is72
Aler period of two months | am in port
again, and take this my first opportunity Of
writing you. We left Honolulu the 4ih Of
January, and have visited the Islands OF
Rimetara and Juan Fernandez we also
passed the Island Of Maz-a-fera, one hundred
miles from Juan Fernandez.
At crossing the equator King Neptune "
h6norod Us with a visit, which as have
never written you anything about it, think
twill please you somewhat. 1t is an old
practice among sailors to rig up some Of their
-hipmates as Neptune, and " Ampbiuite," his
wife; also the court, which consisted of a
barber, doctor secretary, etc, together with
his police. But | will 20 ahead, aud perhap-
you can pick out Of the following the fun
experienced By his visit
On the 10th of January, at p. NJ, all
hands we're called to muster on the quarter.
deck, aud soon after voice was heard hail.
ing the ship, Snip ahoy,' Snip ahoy,'
which was answered by our First Lieutenant.
We all knew who it was and a great many
green hands began to trcmble. After con.
siderable talk on both sides, Neptune was iu.
yited to come on board, and the procession as
it came FROM forward was truly a comicaI
sight. First came Neptune and his wife
seated on gun carriage then the secretary
and staff, and the police brought up the rear
They proceeded to the quarterback and were
welcomed by Captain Clilz and the officers
He then made short speech, and the secre
tary read the proclamation. forgot to men
ton that Mrs. Neptune had rather a suspi
cious looking bundle in her arms, but no on,
could make out what it was, until the secre
tary mentioned the heir to the throne Ther
most unearthly yell was heard, which was
occasioned by Mrs. Neps pulling the tail o.
our pet pig. which she held in her arms. Ii
set everyone to laughing, and it was som'
time before order could be preserved, for the
names of the poor uDfortunates to be called
out that were to be shaved and ducked TIL,
officers that had never crossed the line befor,
paid the forfeit Of bottle of wine, and Sc
escaped the worst of it. Now let us step for
ward and see what is going on there. BE
tween the fore and main mast a large tar
paulin has been rigged, and is full Of water
In front of this was the BARRIERS chair and
his soap box, which was deck bucket flleC
with paint. Near them stood the barbe
brandishing his huge razor, made from al
iron hoop. As each mans name was called
he took his scat in the chair, while Neptun,
asked him several questions, which, if no
answered prompt enough, he was given
brush full of paint and oil. He was theI
shaved with the iron razor, and then throw
backwards into the tOrpaulin of water tina
contained two more of Neptune's subjects.
That is the way they serve the greer
hands. | escaped it all, as this was my fifth
time for crossing. But about the best part o
it all happened when it was about hal
through. The trpulin needed more water
and the force pump was set to work filling it
When nearly full, the man that held thu
nozzle very dexterousy turned it into tn
rigging, and the officers, from the Captain down
got quite a wetlingi but it was all taken il
good part, aud the Captain was heard 10 re
mark that he thought the man that held tn