"Defend/defence" to what, or in what sense, John? I have simply suggested what I believe to be a truer reading than [or at very least a viable alternative to] the transcription most often given: for which I have been denounced as a 'troll', and enjoined to have more respect for your authority because someone on Christian names with you points out in an aside that you have written books, cor! Surprised to find BM coming over like this ~~ have never prevuously had him earmarked as that sort of creep.

But I am genuinely exercised as to what you think I should be "defending": it seems you mean more than the view I have expressed?

If you do simply mean defence of my view: surely "little they thought they were going to meet coil" would mean, quite literally, if my reading is correct, "they were surprised to run into a bit of trouble, which made them pause for a while".

~Michael~