Immediately afterwards Neptune himself appeared on the forecastle head. He was a burly, dignified old fellow in fantastic attire. His touzled hair and great white beard hung below the shoulders and waist, while his arms and lower limbs were exposed, and in the right hand he held a trident.
His arrival was greeted with rounds of cheering, and much hand-shaking followed, while his trusty 'barber,' laden with an enormous shaving-pot, lathering brush, and large-sized razor, also came in for a good deal of notice.
Accompanied by several retainers, the 'King' reached the main deck. On his mounting a strangely caparisoned steed the animal was distinctly heard to observe, 'If old Bill don't sit farther aft, my back-bone will part amidships.'
Surrounded by an admiring throng, Neptune moved aft and wished Captain Thorne and all his people a safe voyage.
His assistants lost no time in getting to work.
A young ordinary seaman was seized and placed in a chair. His face was covered with a soapy mixture, but, when he objected to the bluntness of the razor, his mouth was filled with soap. Then, suddenly losing his balance, he fell backward into a large water-filled deck tub.
Other 'greenhorns,' who had not previously crossed the equator, received similar attentions, but, thanks to the watchfulness of his friend Readyman, Jack escaped notice.
Some of the young emigrants, however, presently found the sharp eye of Neptune bent on them, and taking to the rigging for safety, they were compelled to 'pay their footing' in lieu of a shave.
The utmost good humour prevailed, but before Neptune retired the amused passengers witnessed yet another strange custom, which, alas! is fast dying out, if not wholly forgotten by present day British sailors.
With some ceremony the crew brought aft the effigy of a horse, which was fastened to a rope that ran through a block at the main yardarm.