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16

an every day affair, that some vessels escape
Neptune's visit altogether, in others the crews
obtain an extra glass of grog upon the
occassion, and that finishes the matter, formerly
the initiation which preceded the sailor's claim
to the title of being a real 'son of Neptune'
was often carried to extremes even to barbarity.

Long before we got near the Equator we
learnt the determination of the 'Old Salts' or "Sons
of Neptune" as they called themselvs, to give us a
clean shave and a dose of medicine. On the day we
should pass into the Southern Ocean, both considered
very excellent and necessary things in a warm
climate, and at the Equator it is warm and no
mistake.

The near approach to the Line is always
hailed with delight by all those who have been
fortunate enough to have crossed it before,
it affords them a few hours of liberty and fun,
and is a break in the monotony of a long voyage,
besides it affords an opportunity of paying off
a few "old scores" upon those of their shipmates
or others that they may dislike, and we were
quite prepared to expect that Neptune would
exact his dues to the utmost. We had on board
some forty or fifty including several young
midshipment who were fresh invaders of his Godship's
territories.

Our reckoning with Neptune among ourselves
was often discussed on our voyage out, and
occupied our thoughts a good deal, and
often did the idea flit across our minds that

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