noon
Nothing of note happened till May 1st , only that sometimes we had Thunder , Lightning , Rain , and Squalls of Wind . On the 7th we made the Island of Ascension , S. Lat . 8.2 . On the 14th at noon we found we had just crossed the Equator , being the eighth time we had done so in our course round the World . We had a Dutch Squadron with us , who expected Convoy Rates , and all manner of Civilities from us , though there was now Peace , and we wanted nothing from 'em ; but 't is always the way with this Grasping and Avaricious People . Soon too we observed that the Dutch ships began to scrape and clean their sides , painting and polishing and beeswaxing 'em inside and out , bending new sails , and the very Mariners putting on half a dozen pair of new breeches apiece . This it is their custom to do as they draw near home ; so that they look as if newly come out of Holland .