The National tribune., 1902-06-26

On the 18th of November we crossed
ant upon that event on board man-of-
war were not neglected.
1t is 4 custom as old as sailing, for
aught / know, for every armed vessel on
passing the equator 10 receive a visit from
his aquatic Godship Neptune, who is sup
posed to hold his court in that locality.
suffering no ship TO pass until he has salts
fed himself by personal inspection that
there are none on board hut regularly
initiated sailors; that is. those who have
previously crossed the line and submitted
to his initiatory rites. We had 4 number
of novices among officers and men, and
consequently the event was anticipated
with even more than ordinary interest.
CROSSING THE LINE.
1t was just gone eight bells in the even
fng when Il rough voice over the bows was
heard mailing the ship.
what's wanting:- said the officer of
the deck.
"Heave to. / want to come on board"
was the surly response
The requisite orders were given. and
few moments after a gigantic figure was
seen ascending the side, dressed in an oil
skin coat. and wearing n wig of Manila
yarn. which. at Il little distance, had the
appearance of yellowish curly hair.
He was accompanied by another gro
tesquc figure representing his wife, and
the two We're followed by a third who
was supposed to be His Majesty's conf
Dental barber, provided with the utensils
of his calling, which consisted of bucket
of slush and preposterOus razor. about
three feet long, manufactured from an iron
hoop. His godship carried an immense
speaking trumpet under his arm, trident
in his right hand, and stepped upon the
deck with all the dignity his assumed po-
sltion warranted.
what ship is this?" he said, in an au-
thoritative voice.
''The Confederate cruiser Shenandoah"
replied the Officer OF the Deck, touching
his hat
'Are there any of my subjects on board
who have ncyer crossed the line BEFORE"
was the next question.
There are several. / believe"
Bring them before mel" continued his
eodship. and thereupon such of the COM
pany rs had already passed the ordeal
dispersed in search of the noyices.
We found them slowed away in every
Imaginable place of concealment. but they
were scented ont. and dragged before the
Ocean Deity where they were solemnly
iathered from the siush-bucket and shaved
Will lIUu uout,. iCtOTulHs 10
rial usage
The frolic was kept up until late hour,
and an additional Zest was added to the
festivities by the fact that two or three
of our youngsters actually believed that
they had been in the presence of the veri-
table Neptune. and it was only after the
expiration of a considerable time that they
discovered that they had been imposed
upon by some of their own shipmates.
We warp now c. ee1.jnp IN fha SOJfhws ri
in the hope of falling in with vessels
bound from San Francisco to New York,
round Cape Horn.
We had struck the southeast trade
winds. which waited US along at the rate
of nine or 10 knots an hour. with all sail
set. The weather was delightful. and in
high spirits we sped merrily on our way
Some days had now elapsed without
bringing us in sight of any sail we might
lawfully capture. but the time could
scarcely he said to hang heavily upon our
hands. We had an excellent library on
board comprising over 600 volumes. and
with reading. social games. and story tell
ing We managed TO pass the period of in
activity quite felicitously.
OF course our loOkouts were constantly
on the alert for Yankee craft. which are
readily recognized by the popularity of
their rig; but. although ships of every 9th
er nationality were fitting around us from
time to time. those we sought failed to
cross our path. Occasionally we eychang-
ed signals and reckoning with those we
met by the way. but for the most part we
avoided social intercourse
The Goth found us in 90 30' south lati-
tude. an excellent run from the line.
About q O'Clock that afternoon we gave
chase TO vessel, which. however. proved
to be English, much to the annoyance of
every one, as we were beginning TO feel
impatient for another dash at the enemy.
On the 2Sth we sighted several sails,
but our Captain. for some reason best
known TO himself, did not give chase to
any of them.
On the 4th of December we discovered
craft which had the general appearance
of an American. and we stood in chase
and oyerhauled her, the United States flag
flying AT our peak. She flew the Italian
colors. but looked so thoroughly Yankee
that we sent q couple of officers, dressed
in blue uniform, TO keep up our assumed
character ON beard, to have n look at her
papers.
II turned out as we feared She was
American built, but had been sold to the
Italians to keep her ont of the hands of
enterprising gentlemen in our line of bust
ness.
About O'Clock the same afternoon.
another sail was reported, which for a
saA4' pbIN.iIh hS until Oi!c vi our OIu
sea-dogs pronounced her to be an Amcri-
can whaler, which eventually proved to be
the case.
OUR FIRST WUALER.
AS we steamed near her she hoisted the
American flag, whereupon we stopped our
engines and sent boat with n prize crew
on board. and in u little time her Captain,
having his papers in charge, was with us
She was n bluff bowed. squarc-sterned,
old-fashioned craft, from New Bedford, of
about 400 tons, and had been whaling for
nearly 50 years. She had been out about
four months, and had taken but one
whale. which she was engaged in cutting
in" when we captured her
Her commander, Capt. Worth, was one
of the finest specimens of an American
sailor ] have ever met. Brave, generous.
and open-hearted, he was enc of those men
who inspire an enemy with respect and a
feeling Of regret that the stern necessity
of war involves his capture He had
been n shipmaster % years, and Of course
could not avoid feeling deeply the destruc-
ton of his old craft in which he had faced
so many pcriis, and earned an honorable
fame in his calling. But nothing of this
appeared in his face as he came over the
side and saluted us with a courteous
Good afternoon, gentlemen. You have a
fine ship here for cruiser
Yes, sir" responded the Officer of the
Deck "and that vessel of yours looks as il