Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

1832. SHARKS— CROSS EaUATOH. 57 At short intervals the men beat the water with their oars all round the boats, in order to drive away the sharks ; and for a few minutes afterwards the groupars swarmed about the baited hooks, and were caught as fast as the lines could be hauled up— then another rush of sharks drove them away — those just caught were snatched off the hooks; and again the men were obliged to beat the water. When the boats returned they were deeply laden with birds and fish, both welcome to those who had been living on salt provisions. From the highest point of the rock,* no discoloured water, nor any breaking of the sea, could be discerned, apart from the place itself ; and from the soundings taken in the boats, as well as on board the ship, I conclude that it is uncon- nected with any shoal, being merely the summit of a steep- sided mountain rising from the bottom of the ocean. There was a sHght current setting to the westward, not amounting to a mile an hour. At sunset that day we were out of sight of St. Paul (or St. Peter), and soon after dark were hailed by the gruff voice of a pseudo-Neptune. A few credulous novices ran upon the forecastle to see Neptune and his car, and were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow, on such occasions. Next morning we crossed the Equator, and the usual cere- monies were performed. Deep was the bath, to wash away all ill Notched was the razor — of bitter taste the pill. Most ruffianly the barber looked — his comb was trebly nailed And water, dashed from every side, the neophyte assailed. The disagreeable practice alluded to has been permitted in most ships, because sanctioned by time ; and though many con- demn it as an absurd and dangerous piece of folly, it has also many advocates. Perhaps it is one of those amusements, of which the omission might be regretted. Its effects on the minds of those engaged in preparing for its mummeries, who enjoy it * Sixty-four feet above the sea.