LENOX. Aye, what was it?

ADELA. Why you must know, that I accompanied my father, who with his
suite, and a small detachment, went out on a reconnoitering
project.--Just as we _debouched_ from the wood, according to the
military phrase, we came suddenly and unexpectedly on a foraging party
of the enemy, who began to fight and retreat at the same time.

LENOX. Well?

ADELA. My horse happening to be an old trooper, the moment the bugles
sounded, and he heard the prattle of the small arms, he dashed in
amongst them, and there was I screaming in a most delightful style,
which, by some, must have been mistaken for a war-whoop, and to mend the
matter, a very polite and accomplished Indian took aim at me with his
rifle, and actually shot away the plume from my hat, which, I dare say,
was as valuable a prize to him as I should have been.

LENOX. And how did you escape from your perilous situation?

ADELA. Oh, I soon recovered my fright, and reined in my old horse; my
father and a few soldiers cut in before me, and covered my retreat, so
that in the conclusion of this little affair, I gained a feather in my
cap, though the enemy carried off the plume; and I found myself at last
on the field of battle, as cool as any hero in the army.

LENOX. And so, my lively Adela, you have been fairly introduced to Mars
and Bellona; how do you like them?

ADELA. Prodigiously. I find, after all, that courage is something like a
cold bath; take the first plunge, and all is over. Lord, Lenox, how
delightful it would have been, had I been armed and fought gallantly in
that affair; my name would have been immortalized like Joan of Arc's.
Congress would have voted me a medal, I should have had a public dinner
at Tammany-Hall, and his honour the mayor would have made me one of his
prettiest speeches, in presenting me with the freedom of the great city
in a gold box.

LENOX. And so, then, you admire a military life?

ADELA. Oh, I'm in raptures with it! I am a perfect female Quixote, and
would relinquish a thousand dandy beaux for one brave fellow; and,
therefore, Lenox, don't be surprised, if you should see me going about
from tent to tent, chaunting the old songs of

_"Soldier, soldier, marry me,
With your fife and drum."_

_CHRISTINE suddenly appears in the background and surveys the party with
astonishment._

CHRISTINE. Heavens! what do I see? Lenox, and with a female so
affectionately?

LENOX. Your spirits charm me, dear