What Does it Mean to Pay Your Debts by the Top Sail?
He paid his debts at Portsmouth with the topsail, i.e. he went to sea and left them unpaid. Some soldiers are said to pay off their scores with the drum; that is, by marching away.
He paid his debts at Portsmouth with the topsail, i.e. he went to sea and left them unpaid. Some soldiers are said to pay off their scores with the drum; that is, by marching away.