Horror and astonishment struck me dumb; and when I told my tale, the watchman declared that both of us must remain in custody, till next morning; and then be carried before the magistrate. Accordingly, he escorted us to the watchhouse, a room filled with smoke and culprits; where we stayed all night, in the midst of swearing, snoring, laughing and crying. In the morning we were carried before a magistrate; and with step superb, arms folded, and neck erect, I entered the room. 'Pert enough,' said the magistrate; and turning from me, continued his examination of two men who stood near him. It appeared that one of them (whose name was Jerry Sullivan) had assaulted the other, on the following occasion. A joint sum of money had been deposited in Sullivan's hands, by this other, and a third man, his partner, which sum Sullivan had consented to keep for them, and had bound himself to return, whenever both should go together to him, and demand it. Sometime afterwards, one of them went to him, and told him that the other being ill, and therefore unable to come for the money, had empowered him to get it. Sullivan, believing him, gave the money, and when he next met the other, mentioned the circumstance. The other denied having authorized what had been done, and demanded his own share of the deposit from Sullivan, who refused it. Words ensued, and Sullivan having knocked him down, was brought before the magistrate, to be committed for an assault. 'Have you any defence?' said the magistrate to him. 'None that I know of,' answered he, 'only I would knock him down again, if he touched my honour again.' 'And is this your defence?' said the magistrate. 'It is so,' replied Sullivan, 'and I hope your worship likes it, as well as I like your worship.' 'So well,' said the magistrate, 'that I now mean to do you a signal service.' 'Why then,' cried Sullivan, 'may the heavens smile on you.' 'And that service,' continued the magistrate, 'is to commit you immediately.' 'Why then,' cried Sullivan, 'may the Devil inconvenience you!' 'By your insolence, you should be an Irishman,' said the magistrate. 'I was an Irishman forty years ago,' replied Sullivan, 'and I don't suppose I am anything else now. Though I have left my country, I scorn to change my birth-place.' 'Commit him,' said the magistrate. Just then, a device struck me, which I thought might extricate the poor fellow; so, having received permission, I went across, and whispered it to him. 'The heavens smile on you,' cried he, and then addressed his accuser: 'If I can prove to you that I have not broken our agreement about the money, will you promise not to prosecute me for this assault?' 'With all my heart,' answered he; 'for if you have not broken our agreement, you must have the money still, which is all I want.' 'And will your worship,' said Sullivan, 'permit this compromise, and stand umpire between us?'