Old salt

[A]n old salt don't like to keep under hatches, while powder is burning on deck.

None of the spears, however, had touched any vital part, and being a tough old salt he was able to pull through.

"[Y]ou'll always find an old salt at the harbour ready and willing to take you out cod-fishing or lobstering."

Peerless hero of U. S. mariners is Captain Ahab, the vindictive old salt who sailed the southern oceans screaming for more canvas, cursing tired crews, laughing wildly into the gale.

The old salt probably had more knowledge than anyone around when it came to the ports on the Atlantic coast, but he sensed the captain needed to talk so he patiently indulged him.