food for powder

And after the thought the humour again—"food for powder, food for powder."

From The Man Shakespeare by Frank Harris

The new levies came unwillingly, and were often only "food for powder."

From Speeches, Addresses, and Occasional Sermons, Volume 3 (of 3) by Theodore Parker

Your Army, sir, is most efficient, and I am proud to be able to tell you that you pay more for your food, for powder, than any other nation under the sun.

From The Life of a Celebrated Buccaneer A Page of Past History for the Use of the Children of To-day by Richard Clynton

As for the few common soldiers taken, they gave him little uneasiness,—as Sir John has it, they were "mortal men, and food for powder;" but there was a staff-officer among them, aiguilletted and epauletted.

From Charles O'Malley, The Irish Dragoon, Volume 1 by Charles James Lever

As one way of turning pirates to some useful account, these forgiven rogues were promptly drafted into the royal navy as able seamen, and doubtless made excellent food for powder.

From The Book of Buried Treasure Being a True History of the Gold, Jewels, and Plate of Pirates, Galleons, etc., which are sought for to this day by Ralph Delahaye Paine