side the forerigging to the bow, and lashed to the harpoon. When everything was ready the whaleman, whose name was Amaziah Nickerson, took the harpoon, went out to the martingale and lashed himself to it, so as to have the free use of his hands, and stand ready for a chance to strike a porpoise. The chance soon occurred, for a porpoise came within range and Amaziah threw the harpoon with such force and precision that it passed clear through the body of the monster. As soon as the porpoise was struck the mate ordered the helm to be put hard down and eased up the head sheets and the ship came up into the wind, which stopped her headway. In the meantime the porpoise was struggling fiercely, but without avail. The struggle soon ceased, and the porpoise was hauled alongside. Amaziah was placed in the bight of a rope and lowered over the side; he then placed a running bowline over the flukes of the monster and it was hoisted on board with a watch tackle. When it was stretched on deck all the passengers gathered around, and all of them expressed unbounded wonder at the sight of the denizen of the mighty deep. Its weight was reckoned to be about three hundred and fifty pounds. Sailors often call them sea hogs. The monster was immediately opened and its liver taken out. It was then 9:30 A. M. The captain ordered the cook to prepare the liver for a special luncheon for the ladies and have it ready by eleven o'clock. The cook cut the liver into slices and washed it in salt and water, after which he wiped it dry, dredged it with dry flour and fried it with slices of bacon. The odor of the frying liver and bacon that issued from the galley carried the memory of the young passengers from the interior of Pennsylvania back to their father's farm in hog killing time, and excited their gustatory organs to such a degree that it caused the saliva to exude from their mouths and trickle down their chins in tiny rivulets. The eight ladies on board enjoyed the novel dish of fried porpoise liver and bacon, and declared that it was the most delicious morsel that they had eaten in many a day. Then the body of the porpoise was stripped of the blubber, which was tried out for oil for the forecastle lamps, and the meat was cut into strips, parboiled in salt and water and wiped dry. After this it was mixed with a small proportion of salt pork and chopped fine. It was then seasoned with dried sage and summer savory, pepper and salt, and rolled into small balls, covered with dry flour, and then fried in a pan of hot fat, and served piping hot. It must be said that to us it tasted as palatable as a dish of Fulton market sausage meat ever tasted to us when in New York. We all liked it so well that when the supply-which lasted two days-was exhausted we, like Oliver Twist, asked for more of the same kind. The French passengers were so well pleased that one of them sent a bottle of brandy, by the cabin boy, to Amaziah as a reward for his prowess. After this feast everything moved along in the old groove. November 19th, lat. 14 24 N., long. 31 16 W. We expected to reach the equator in a few days and the sailors began to talk about having a visit from Neptune. After discussing the subject they resolved to ask permission from the captain to enact the part, and solicited Mr. Bryson, the second mate, to act as their advocate. Mr. Bryson accordingly approached the captain upon the subject, and strengthened his argument by saying that in nearly all the ships in which he had crossed the line the Neptune drama was allowed to be enacted, and never had resulted in anything unpleasant. The captain said he was willing if the weather should permit, but there should be no tar used in the lather, nor should he allow a rusty iron hoop for a razor-but a wooden razor instead. All these preliminaries being arranged, the sailors commenced at once to prepare for the grand occasion. Mr. Bryson furnished an old topgallant studdingsail from which they made three cloaks and trimmed them with strands of Manila ropeyarns, and painted them green, to resemble sea weed. They also made three pairs of canvas sandals and painted them green also. They made three pairs of leggings of red flannel, which were to be tied around their ankles. A Russian fur cap was fitted with a band of sheet brass, and two bands, crossing each other, over the top of the cap, altogether resembling a coronet, which was to be worn by Neptune. A sailor named Stanwood, possessing a basso profundo voice, was to enact the part of the sea king. His two satellites were to have wigs made of Manila strands. Their faces were to be daubed with yellow ochre. November the twenty-first proved a propitious day for the enactment of the great drama, it being bright and pleasant, with a three-knot breeze. The word was passed around the ship during the forenoon that Neptune might board the ship during the day. One o'clock was the time at which the passengers would be in the cabin taking their dinner. Mr. Bryson had kindly consented to act as master of ceremonies. By observation at 12 meridian we were in lat. 8 23 N., long. 31 05 W. The wind was abaft the beam; the ship was sliding along about four knots; the second mate was in charge of the deck, as the chief mate was in the cabin taking his dinner. At 1:15 P. M. a stentorian voice called out, "Ship ahoy!" "Hello!" answered the second mate through the speaking trumpet, which had been purposely placed at hand. "What ship is that?" "The Samson,' from Philadelphia." "Heave back your maintopsail, as Neptune is coming aboard." 'Aye, aye, sir." Then the chief mate, who had come on deck, ordered the helm to be put hard down, the mainsail to be hauled up, and the maintopsail to be hove aback. 66 The passengers, who had heard the ship hailed, apparently from a distance, hurried out of the cabin and saw a sight that astonished them and caused some of them to blanch with fright. There they saw before them Neptune, dressed in his royal robes of green cloak and red breeches, with crown on his head and scepter or trident in his hand, attended by his two satellites, one on each side; while one carried an immense steel-colored (made of wood) razor, the other one carried a bucket and a huge brush made of oakum lashed to a stick for a handle. The attendants had green cloaks like their master and a head covering of what appeared to be seaweed. They marched with measured step as far aft as the mainmast, where they were met by the chief mate, who raised his cap to Neptune, the monarch of the ocean. Then spoke Neptune, "I know that you have a number of novices on board, who must be inducted into the mysteries of my dominion. Bring a list of their names, and state the occupation of each.” Aye, aye, sir," answered the mate. 66 The list had, of course, been previously prepared, and it was handed to Mr. Bryson, master of ceremonies. Neptune ordered him to read the list and call out the names, which he did in the following order: Deidrich Cluffwater, farmer; John Edgar, pressman; Mons. Dubardie, embassador; Mons. Bayard, soldier; Mons. Bushey, Perruquier to his majesty Louis Phillip; Mons. Guizot, gentleman. The above embraced the list of those persons that were to be inducted into the family of Neptune, and to be known thereafter as the "Sons of Neptune." Preparations were now made for the shaving of the novices. The half of a large water cask was placed near the mainmast and was filled with salt water. Across the cask was placed a capstan-bar to serve as a seat for the candidate. A bucket was used in which the lather of soap and grease had been already prepared. One of the attendants used the mop, while the other one wielded the wooden razor, which was painted steel color. Neptune stood majestically with cloak and crown, holding his trident in his right hand. The master of ceremonies led forward the person whose name was first on the list, Deidrich Cluffwater. A more disconsolate looking young fellow I never looked upon before. They seated him on the edge of the big half cask, with a capstan-bar for a seat. One of Neptune's attendants held him to the seat while the other one plied the brush or mop |