CROSSING THE EQUATOR By K. A. SPAULDINS, QMS C JLSLSLSLSULSUULSlJLSLSJiJULSLSLSLSLSiSLSLSU innririnr Tnreirsirins-iririrsinrinr The Greeks, as usual had a word for it. To the ancient salts who girded themselves to sail around the Mediterranean the water just outside the Strait of Gibraltar was a river encircling a disc-shaped earth, an ominous sea ruled by the dread Oceanus. To this fearful deity the sailors of ancient Greece made costly sacrifices, but it was not until Roman times that any- one dared sail the waters beyond the Pillars of hHercules. And even the Romans paid tribute to the god — now named Neptune — who ruled the grey Atlantic. During the centuries that followed, the abode of Neptune was shifted from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Equator, although he retained the old Greek symbols of fish spear, dolphin, and sea horses. Why the change was made is a mystery, but for several hundred years seamen have been forced to pay tribute to Neptunus Rex on first crossing the Line. In modern times the ceremony consists of gathering the Pollywogs and bringing them one at a time before the Royal Court. Neptunus Rex and attendants then try the neophytes for crimes committed against the King, the Court, and the Royal Domain, and test their worthi- ness to consort with citizens of the Deep. After they have been clubbed, shocked, soaked, and frightened for an appropriate period of time the Pollywogs are tossed into a saltwater bath to determine whether they are still alive. Those who sink are dredged up and tossed over the side. But those who float are skimmed off and proclaimed fit company for dolphins, mermaids, eels, and all other denizens of the Mighty Deep. In other words, they are Shellbacks. Having satisfied themselves that all remaining aboard are worthy citizens of the Royal Domain, Neptunus Rex and Court then depart by way of the hawse pipe to await the next shipful of unfortunates. The ocean boils no more, and the vessel slides smoothly through blue water with only her bloody decks to mark her as Neptune ' s own. Vale, Neptunus Rex! 25
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Top: Royal Court ; Center leff: Whack! Cenfer right: Davy Jones, Where Art Thou? ; Bottom: Shell- back? .. iiiiiSs?-,, 27 ■ ' y yf '
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