Sailors on horseback [graphic]

"Three sailors ride away from the sea-shore (right) where a man-of-war is at anchor. All are in difficulties. A fourth is on his hands and knees on the extreme left; he looks up to say: "Mind what you are at Messmates for I am upset, and the frigate I came on board of--has been under weigh, without me this half hour." The foremost, clasping his rearing horse round the neck, looks back to say: "Keep more to the Star-board and be D--d, to you--dont you see how you make my vessel, run a head." The next man is tied to his galloping mount with heavy ropes; and he says: "Here I come my Hearty's --Right and tight,--smart sailing, but never mind that--I cant be cast away for my commander, Heavens bless him has lash'd me to the deck, with some tough Old Cables!" The last sailor's horse kicks with tail erect; he exclaims: "D--n me--how she heaves. Why this is worse than a Jolly Boat, in the Bay of Biscay. and what a D--d noise she makes in her poop--Signals for sailing I suppose"."--British Museum online catalogue, description of an earlier state