as a sailor might say

"'But yonder is land on our lee bow,—as a sailor might say—'"

"Scenes Beyond the Western Border" Southern Literary Messenger 17 (September 1851): 568

and
Scenes and Adventures in the Army ("on our lee bow" revised, now "to leeward")

 ".... dark objects floating on the sea, some three points off our lee-bow."   (White-Jacket)

F.  "Then fire away !—though hang me if I know what you mean."

("Scenes Beyond the Western Border" Southern Literary Messenger 18 (August 1852): 508 and, slightly revised,
Scenes and Adventures in the Army)

 "'Look you: one man—hang me, half'a man—with one leg, one arm, one eye—hang me, with only a piece of a carcass, flogged your whole shabby nation.'"  (Omoo)

 "'...what, in that jacket? Hang me, I hope the old man hasn't been shipping any more greenhorns like you—'"  (Redburn)

"'Hang me, but I know you, sir!'" (White-Jacket)