The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-04-14
For The Cecil WhiE
HARD YARNS By AN OLD SALT,

Crashing tie Equator-IAe NorM Sur Dis
appenring-H atiatjag the Green Onss--A
|jsH From Old NeptUne- Old Nep as a
Barbrr- Iieuing the EquatoriaI Line
Paying tie Penalty, sc.
Old Neptune pays us 4 visit, much to the
establishment of the land lubbers and to
the amusement of those who had crossed
the equator and paid their penalty for dar-
ing to cross the boundary line marking the
southern and northern dominions of his
majesty. In former times it was customary,
as a vessel passed from northern to south
ern latitude, 10 permit one Of the crew to
pcTSonate this god ot the sea, coming over
the bows arrayed i'll a suit of Sea-weed,
armed with his harpoon and trident &C
comranled by an attendant clothed in like
manner, but bearing huge razor, manu-
featured out OF piece of barrel hoop and
bucket OF siuSh tar and other offensive
matter, 10 be used as a lather, and every
one on board who never had crossed the
line was either to undergo the operation of
being lathered and shaved by this deity of
the ocean, or else pay his initiation fee, a
bottle of whisky; and many comic scene
was witnessed: men hiding themselves in
all parts of the ship OF else going aloft-
out On the yard arms, Nc.-to avoid being
caught, but they were hunted up and
brought to the BARRIERS chair, dashed fast.
and his lordship was as loquacous as some
of the BARRIERS Of the present day, asking
all KIND of questions; but the moment the
mouth was opened in reply, III would 90 a
dab of the lather. All sorts of promises
were made to escape: but he; it was either
the whisky or the shave.
AS our northern latitude began to dwindle
down TO naught, a delegation Of old tars
waited upon the executive officer, to know
II he would allow a visit from hls highnesS
Neptune, subject 10 the discipline of the
snip. AS we had gone through at least
two narrow escapes, it was decided to let
the men have some fun; but iU was kept a
secret from the uniniUiated, those who had
never seen the north star sink behind the
northern horizon, and for the first time
saw looming up in the far south that mag
nliicent and sublime constellation of stars
known as the "Southern Cross" repre-
sentng large and brilliant cross, resting
on the foot ana one arEI. surrounded Oh all
sides by groups of bright and gitterng
stars, IKE host OF angels lowering around
the emblem of our redemption. ''The
heavens declare his righteousness, and all
L
they are more in number than the sand
upon THOUSAND sea shores.
Among the steerage officers were a mum
Der OF young midshipman. on their first
cruise. These Old Neptune was sure to
call upon, knowing that rather than under
go the shaving operation, the Risky would
be forthcoming, and one of the old quarter
masters. whose duty it is to always, when
on watch, carry spy glass, stretched
piece OF silk thread across Que of the inner
glasses of the spy glass, and as the uavi
eating officer reported We were approach
ing the imaginary line, he wonld call the
young "mIds and say to them, "youug
gentlemen, the line is in sight; come, look
for yourselves, and you must prepare to
receive Neptune" presenting them with
the glass. Yes, they could distinctly see
it, and soon it was spread all over the steer
age, that the line was in sight. and to save
them from the penalty, an appeal was made |
to the Captain to allow them to draw from |
the then purser, small portion of the |
'needtui, for III those days the temper /
auce advocates had not deprived Jack of |
his small allowance of grog, served to him |
twice day-a gill at each serving-and |
now and then to splice the "main BRACE" |
after being exposed for three or four hours
to storms of rain and sleet, &c. And here
let me say, that my experience has shown
that this temperance move has not cured |
Jack of his love for his regular grog, for
you deprive him Of that is Just
what he Graves for most and when he gets
on shore drinks twice as much, To make
up, AS he says, for lost time
All the greenhorns having been put
through the process, order was restored.
and many long midnight watch passed
oil IN laughing over the ridiculous scenes
that took place, aud the different manner
III which the ne0phytes, according to their
diversified temperments, bore the initiation
ceremony.
Fearing that my yarns are being spun
too often and too long, | will close, as We