Page:Joutel's journal of La Salle's last voyage, 1684-7 (IA joutelsjournalof00jout).pdf/73

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very often into Ships, as they are sailing by. That Fish is about as big as a Herring, and very good to eat.

On the 24th, we came into the Trade Wind, which continually blows from East to West, and is therefore call'd by some Authors Ventus subsolanus, because it follows the Motion of the Sun. The 28th, we were in 27 Degrees 44 Minutes of North Latitude, and in 344 of Longitude. The 30th, we had a Storm, which continu'd violent for two Days, but being right astern of us, we only lost Sight of the Ketch, for want of good Steering, but she join'd us again a few Days after.

The 6th of September, we were under the Tropic of Cancer, in 23 Degrees 30 Minutes of North Latitude and 319 of Longitude. There Mons. de la Sale's Obstructing the Ceremony the Sailors call Ducking, gave them Occasion to mutter again, and render'd himself privately odious. So many have given an Account of the Nature of that Folly, that it would be needless to repeat it here; it may suffice to say, that there are three things to authorize it, 1. Custom. 2. The Oath administer'd to those who are duck'd, which is to this Effect, ''That they will not permit any to pass the Tropics or the Line, without obliging them to the same Ceremony''. And 3, which is the most prevailing Argument, the Interest accruing to the Sailors upon that Occasion, by the Refreshments, Liquors or Money given them by the Passengers to be excus'd from that Ceremony.

Monsr. de la Sale, being inform'd that all Things were preparing for that Impertinent Ceremony of Ducking, and that a Tub full of Water was ready on the Deck (the French Duck in a great Cask of Water, the English in the Sea, letting down the Person at the Yard Arm) sent Word, that he would not allow such as were under his Com-*