The shades of evening fell before the frolic was over, and the wonted order and discipline restored.
It was formerly the invariable practice with all American and British vessels to observe ceremonies, when crossing the line, of a character similar to those I have described, varying, of course, according to the taste of the commander of the vessel and other circumstances.

In a large ship, with a numerous crew, when it was deemed expedient to be particularly classical, Neptune appeared in full costume, accompanied by the fair Amphitrite, decorated with a profusion of sea-weed or gulf-weed, shells, coral, and other emblems of salt water sovereignty, and followed by a group of Tritons and Nereids fantastically arrayed.
Sometimes, and especially when remonstrances were made to the mandates of the sea god, and his authority was questioned in a style bordering on rebellion, the proceedings were of a character which bore unjustifiably severe on his recusant subjects.

Instances have been known where keel-hauling has been resorted to as an exemplary punishment for a refractory individual.
This cruel and inhuman mode of punishment, in former ages, was not uncommon in ships of war of all nations.

It was performed by fastening a rope around the body of an individual, beneath the armpits, as he stood on the weather gunwale.

One end of the rope was passed beneath the keel and brought up to the deck on the opposite side, and placed in the hands of half a dozen stout seamen.