sucked the tail

• Format: Manuscript
• Language: English
• Published: 1970
• Subjects: English language > Dialects > Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland
• Online Access: http://collections.mun.ca/cdm/ref/collection/elrcdne/id/42541

sucked the tail _The Ceremony of the First Whitecoat_: The little stubby tail has also been carefully cut away from the pelt, and this bit of gristle and hair is now handed to the Captain, with the broadest of smiles and a wish "fer fifty t'ousand more, Sorr!" The Captain cheerily accepts the gift and acknowledges the wish. Then amid the laughter and cheers of all, he summons his Masters-of-Watch while someone is told to "holler" for the Chief Engineer. And off to the Cabin below, the small procession goes down the companion-way and in high jollity. But it is a serious business this wetting fo the first White- coat's tail, and it must be done with due circumspection and with the observance of all the "convaniences" (as Jim says the French at St. Pierre, Miquelon, say) or ill-luck will be the sure result. [over] [Reverse] First of all a piece of strong new wire is firmly wound round the fresh-cut tail, and while this is being done the Captain produces from his own private locker _an unopened bottle of whisky_ (we knew it was there!) - and though a staunch teetotaller while on ship-board, he draws the cork and pours a drop of whisky into the glass, touches it with the tail, and then just moistens his own lips. Then, having started the round, he hands glass, bottle and tail, to his First Hand. He takes his "3 or 4 fingers" like a man, places the bottle on the table and after dipping the tail in the neat whisky till it is covered - with a "Here's a log-load ter us, Cap'n, - an' yer very good healt', Sorr,"- he drains the glass dry. Now in his turn,he passes both glass and tail to the next expectant man./ But _not_, mind you, till he has _sucked the_ _tail_ - for whisky like that is not to be wasted and not a drop of water shall spoil the good stuff of it either! PRINTED ITEM DNE-cit G.M. Story JUN 1970 JH JUN 1970 Not used Not used Withdrawn stamped but not used, Reverse of card at S_25542