lders
with his wooden sword. Meanwhile, the standers-by cast a bucket of water
upon each man's head; and so ended the ceremony. But that done, each of
the baptized must give a bottle of brandy, placing it nigh the
main-mast, without speaking a word; even those who have no such liquor
not being excused. If the vessel never passed that way before, the
captain is obliged to distribute some wine among the mariners and
passengers; but as for other gifts, which the newly-baptized frequently
offer, they are divided among the old seamen, and of them they make a
banquet among themselves.

The Hollanders likewise, not only at this passage, but also at the rocks
called Berlingues, nigh the coast of Portugal, in 39 deg. 40 min. (being
a passage very dangerous, especially by night, when, in the dark, the
rocks are not distinguishable, the land being very high) they use some
such ceremony: but their manner of baptizing is very different from that
of the French; for he that is to be baptized is fastened, and hoisted up
thrice, at the mainyard's end, as if he were a criminal. If he be
hoisted the fourth time, in the name of the Prince of Orange, or of the
captain of the vessel, his honour is more than ordinary. Thus every one
is dipped several times in the main ocean; but he that is dipped first
has the honour of being saluted with a gun. Such as are not willing to
fall, must pay twelve pence for ransom; if he be an officer, two
shillings; and if a passenger, at their own pleasure. If the ship never
passed that way before, the captain is to give a small rundlet of wine,
which, if he denies, the mariners may cut off the stem of the vessel.
All the profit accruing by this ceremony is kept by the master's mate,
who, after reaching their port, usually lays it out in wine, which is
drank amongst the ancient seamen. Some say this ceremony was instituted
by the Emperor Charles V. though it is not amongst his laws. But here I
leave these sea customs, and return to our voyage.

Having passed the Ras, we had very good weather, till we came to Cape
Finis Terrae: here a sudden tempest surprised us, and separated our ship
from the rest that were in our company. This storm continued eight days;
in which time it would move compassion to see how miserably the
passengers were tumbled to and fro, on all sides of the ship; insomuch,
that the mariners, in the performance of their duty, were compelled to
tread upon them. This boisterous weather being over