The difference between plaintiff and defendant

A sailor in court to give evidence in a murder on board ship was asked by Crown counsel whether he was for the plaintiff or the defendant.
'I don't know what the words mean', said the sailor.
'Well, you are a fine witness not to know what plaintiff and defendant mean,' said the barrister.

A little later the barrister asked him what part of the ship he in was at the time of the murder.
'Abaft the binnacle,' the sailor replied.
'And what part of the ship is abaft the binnacle,' asked the barrister.
The sailor laughed. 'Well, you are a fine counsellor not to know where abaft the binnacle is,' he replied.
(From same magazine as previous.)