About this time considerable activity went on forward among the old sailors in both watches. One dog watch, men from both sides of the fo'c'sle went aft and interviewed the captain.
"We are near the line," said Frenchy to me shortly afterward. "Don't make any fuss about what goes on, and you'll get off easy," he cautioned.
There were quite a few of us who had never crossed the equator, and the preparations in the dog watches augured ill for those who chose to resist the just tribute demanded by Father Neptune of all green sailors who, in those days, ventured across the magic bounds.
A fair slant of wind had helped us along for a few days, when the Old Man called Jimmy aft and imparted important information.
At eight bells in the afternoon watch, as all hands were mustering in the waist, a hoarse hail from forward greeted us.
"Ship Ahoy! Ship Ahoy!" came the deep bass summons from a point beneath the bow.
"Forward, there! Who hails us?" answered the captain, who stood out on the poop, replying to the voice from forward.
"Father Neptune hails us, Captain," answered Hitchen, returning from the bow. "He asks if there are any of his children on board who would receive his blessing on their heads."
"Aye, bring him on board," ordered the skipper, a broad grin lighting his features, and the two mates reflected the feeling aft by joining in the smiles.