But
even as to the salt beef, they are scarcely dealt fairly with; for
whenever a barrel is opened, before any of the beef is put into the
harness-cask, the steward comes up, and picks it all over, and takes
out the best pieces, (those that have any fat in them) for the
cabin. This was done in both the vessels I was in, and the men said
that it was usual in other vessels. Indeed, it is made no secret,
but some of the crew are usually called to help in assorting and
putting away the pieces. By this arrangement the hard, dry pieces,
which the sailors call "old horse," come to their share.
There is a singular piece of rhyme, traditional among sailors, which
they say over such pieces of beef. I do not know that it ever appeared
in print before. When seated round the kid, if a particularly bad
piece is found, one of them takes it up, and addressing it, repeats
these lines:
"Old horser old horse! what brought you here?"
-"From Sacarap to Portland pier
I've carted stone this many a year:
Till, killed by blows and sore abuse,
They salted down for sailors' use.
The sailors they do me despise:
They turn me over and damn my eyes;
Cut off my meat, and pick my bones,
And pitch the rest to Davy Jones.
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