The Magistrate addresses the Sailor, “I really wonder you are not ashamed of yourself. A man of your athletic build make to beat a poor fellow so much inferior to you in point of size. What have you to say for yourself.” to which the Sailor replies, “Please your Magistrates Worship and glory, he run foul of my Larboard Side as I was steering through Wapping - so I hove him a gentle topper & knock’d him down, but I meant no harm for as I hope to see salt water again I had nothing at all in my hand but my fist.”
