I heard a yell of rage, and observed that Gresson seemed to have kicked his assailant on the shin.

I began to long for the police.
Then there was that swaying of the crowd which betokens the approach of the forces of law and order.

But they were too late to prevent trouble.
In self-defence I had to take my jock seriously, and got in my blow when he had overreached himself and lost his balance.

I never hit anyone so unwillingly in my life.

He went over like a poled ox, and measured his length on the causeway.
I found myself explaining things politely to the constables.