About nine o'clock
The novice , then , before entering the Lodge , is taken into another room , where he is blindfolded , and desired to denude himself of his shoes and stockings , his right arm is then taken out of his coat and shirt sleeves , in order to leave his right shoulder bare . He then enters the Lodge , where he is received in silence with the exception of the master , who puts certain queries to him , which must be appropriately answered . After this he receives on the naked shoulder three smart slaps of the open hand , as a proof of his willingness to bear every kind of persecution for the sake of truth -- of his steadfastness to the principles of Orangeism , and of his actual determination to bear violence , and , if necessary , death itself , rather than abandon it or betray his brethren . `` About nine o'clock the business of the Lodge had been despatched , and in a few minutes I received an intimation to enter from the Deputy Master , who was no other than the redoubtable and heroic Phil himself ; the father having been prevented from coming , it appeared , by sudden indisposition . As I entered , they were all seated , to the number of thirty-five or forty , about a long table , from which rose , reeking and warm , the powerful exhalations of strong punch . On paying my respects , I was received and presented to them by Phil , who on this occasion , was in great feather , being rigged out in all the paraphernalia of Deputy Master . The rest , also , were dressed in their orange robes , which certainly gave them a good deal of imposing effect .