In "Treasure Island" Long John Silver says:
"If you had been mixed up with the like of that, you would never have put another foot in my house, you may lay to that. And what was he saying to you?"

The meaning is clear enough, but can you explain it?

Seen that in comic strips as late as the early 20th century. I always supposed it refered to laying down money as a bet.

Dear Faldage: that was also one of my interpretations. But I have never seen it used except in old sea stories, and so wondered if it was something like a secure anchorage.

I know it from an early Mutt and Jeff, if memory serves.