Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-07

IlSnt hui reported the catneaQ LOOKOUT.
"Mnere away?" inquired the ofiicer OF the deck.
Fright ahead now, sir, and close TO u.s."
Before the ofncer or the deck could get his mouth
mysterious light sepulchral, though by no means
weak, voice from somewhere IN the region OF the
dolphin striker rung out,
''sHIP AHoY.r
"Hallo!" promptly reJoined the deck officer.
'What ship is that:"
"The United states sloop-of-war Quinnebaug."
"Where are you from"
1.-THE GabOon River"
"Where are you bound?r
"T0 the Congo"
"Who Is your commanding ofIicer?n
commander q. W.C-USNr
Have you any lubbers on board?'
"Aye; lots OF EN-"
II thought 50. Well, give Capt. c. King Nep-
tune compliments, and tell him that ball given
Ia his maJesty's honor by Davy Jones prevents
him from clanking glasses with him this evening,
put that ne hopes to make II convenient TO call on
board Tomorrow at meridian, when, sir, hope
Go d night, SIR"
AYE aye sir; good night, SIR" from the officer Of
the Heck, terminated a conversation which, as we
steamed slowly along on that starless African
night, Dehoding nothing except the occasional
Illumination OF the water by patches Of phospho-
reScence, with the atmosphere dank almost to
Sunocation, and everything hushed save the beat
OF the screw, smacked OF a weirdness strangely
realistic. The next moment splash was heard,
and an uncommon, brilliant light burst right un-
oerneath our bows, and as 1t passed amidShipS, Lit
up the spars and rigging like an electric light.
There he goes! There goes the Triton!", yelled
nalf the ships company Then the poor philgar-
Ncks, would lain pass the home OF the "ruler Of
.ne seas Switnout doing homage TO him, knew OF a
verify that their game OF blum was over, and that
on the morrow they would have to stand around
THE EvENTFUL DAY.
Hurricanes might have whirled across the South
Atlantic on the day the 'qord OF the ocean" had
decided to visit us. 1t might have blown "great
guns" and rained seats and dogs" but scarce a
cat's-paw skinned across our path. sol got up at
looked m n 2
ne always does, except when eclipsed. The
clouds OF which there were a few, were OF the
meteorologlSts By the name OF CIRRUS The bosom
or the deep, the home of the mighty monarch
whose august presence we expected would cast
halo That would knock all cOmpleXon out OF efful-
gence, presented from horizon to horizon smooth
and CLASSY surface. In fine, not solitary start
ling phenomenon or nature signallized this most
eventful day. Nor, with the exception OF a few
miserable lubbers, whose phySiognomles wore the
agonlzlng expression oil man with boil on his
neck. was there, during the early part OF the day.
anything unusual in the demeanor OF the crew.
PREPARATIONS.
Toward four bells 90 O. n.y. however, things
commenced to buzz. party OF petty officers and
seamen, under the direction Of the chief boat
SWANS mate. rugged a dais on the break OF the
covered with bunting, and several chairs, and
transformed a storm awning into a spacious water
tank, by FIRST suspending IL, with gear, from the
fore rigging and main stays ana then by insert
ing the steam hose filing IL with water. While
these preparations were being made an aggravat-
Ing plot to reduce Neptune TO the level OF mortal
IA deliberate transgreSsion against sea law-came
TO head by representative OF lubbers stealing to
the quarter deck and petitioning the first euJen-
ant 10 shield them from the dread proceedings
connected with the visit OF the monarch OF the
deep. What was the result? What could be the
result? what Is Eanderdecken getting for his
bucking against Boreas and Neptune? Has he
been trying 10 weather the Cape OF Good Hope all
TINS ST. time I0r nothing2 he was advised to appeal
would. no doubt, take all their cases into consid-
GRAFTON.
IN READINESS.
And now all that appertains TO the preparations
made TO receive his majesty can be said In a very
few words. gun-carriage, to be used as chariot,
for conveying him fore and aft the ship was placed
alongside the starboard bow port. through which
he and his suite We're expected to enter; and all OF
the necessary details carried out By 'seven bels'
Q1 80 ANY,, when all hands were piped TO dinner
and at IL 30 mustered on the quarterback Pune.
tually at meridian the hiring or a 1O-pounder from
the forecastle, The footing OF a cOwshorn and the
hoisting OF the oceanic royal standard to the main
truck proclaimed that the autOcrat OF a vaster do
lin than all the empires, kingdoms and republics
on earth put together, the friend OF all good tars
ana the holy terror OF the lubber, had boarded US
A few seconds later the royal party, amid the
blarings OF a half-dozen rog-hOrns and the Ihlmp-
ing's or innumerabie tin pans was on It's progress
TO the qu.rter-deck.
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION
General commanding In chieD of the Oceanic
Forces, wearing plumed hat, red coat, with silver
cross OF the Independent Order OF Sea Serpents ON
breast, and paint swabs for epaulettes blue iron.
serS, white leggtngS. and carrying at his side an
enormous two-edged wooden sword.
Ten OF the Oceanic Forces On two fles), armed
with stuffed ciuDs and attired in dllapidaIed uni.
forms or every description and color.
The "erudite" Chief Physician OF the Oceanic
court, IN proless!onal costume carrying severI
nostrumS In satcael at his SIDE The Leaf her.unped
Clerk OF the Oceanic High Court, In evening dress
bearing an enormous quill and demljohn OF ink
Neptune, bearing trident, and AmphitriIe with baby
a m NJ g
oosS Two Tritons, blowing horns. Deputy OFF,
GERS OF stare. The pussant Judge OF the Oceanic
hlSh Court In wig and gown, bearing Oceanic
charter. Neptunes skilled and specIacied Tonso.
rial Professor, carrying wooden razor about feet
long.
Ten OF the Oceanic Forces armed and attireo
the same as the preceding ones.)
When the procession reached the mainmast the
command "HalJr' was given. As the bIariny of the
horns ceased and the forces formed into TWO lines
Neptune alghted and CALAMITY assisted Amph!-
tr1te with her babe to do the same
STRANGE SPECTACLE.
The spectacle Of Neptune and Amphitrite. got.
ten up exactly as the old pictures represent them,
being received by the first lieutenant and ushered
into the presence OF the captain was, to say the
least, 9laddenin to the heart OF every old sailor
on board. After shaking hands with the captain
tne ruler OF the seas thus spoke: "LaSt evening
we received notice from our water sprltes that
you were about to enter our capital, and we deter
mined That on your approaching thus far we, ac-
companied by our suite, would honor you with a
VISIT IL Is many years since you visited these our
particular waters ana We have observed In pass
ing many strange and unfamiliar faces. Who are
they, captain? Do they know the penalty or COM
Ing mere unlnvlted; Of daring to enter our pres
ence without frst being shaved and washed?
We demand The roll OF your officers and men
tAat we may discover who these strangers are"
Alter Few minutes conversation, during which
the captain and first lieutenant took occasion 10
compliment Neptune upon the beauty OF Amphi-
trite, and Neptune replied they should have
was young, the roll Of IuDbers was handed
10 him; the captain besought him to change his
tuoDerS into good seamcn and the first lieutenant
on DehalI OF the captain, who by reason or illness
was on duty, turned over the snip.
NEPrUNE'S DECREE.
Motioning the judge, who Immediately stepped
forward and made obelsance, Neptune handed him
the roll OF luDbers. saying he did so sOur we'll
beloved Judge VIII faithfully administer our de-
cree which Is that those who enter our capital for
the nrst time be well shaved and washed for clean.
illness Is next 70 gOdiness." Then addressing his
retlnue: "You will assist the most noDe Judge TO
The best OF your ability In the carrying OF our
decree ne aud Ampnitrtte mounted their chariot
and were hauled by the sea dogs 10 the break OF
the top-gailant forecastie.
After the royal party had been enthroned and
the high officers Of state had taken their places
court was formed, and the CLERK exclaimed, ''Oh,
yez! on, yez! Oh, yez silence In court! The hign
ana honorable court of King Neptune Is about TO
open. and those who have been summoned are
connahdeo 10 appear before IT, silence in court
while the Judge exp0unds the law"
feriect silence reigning, the Judge proceeded TO
Neptune IS now pronounceu open for such business
as may % brought before IT, The police will seq
lnaS all cuipritS are properly brought TO the bar
LUG oaroer and his assistants Will See that they