mpossible! And who are you, sir? [_To LAROLE._

LAROLE. [_Taking snuff._] Begar, sair, I am von man of fashion aussi, I
am valet de sham to capitain Pendragoon; ve are in de masquerade, sair.

PENDRAGON. It's very true, sir, 'pon honour--we are in masquerade,
though you look as if you doubt it. War, sir, is a kind of a--a singular
science, and if you are to be knock'd on the head, 'tis of very little
consequence whether your nose is tipped with blue or red, damme. I am in
your power, sir, and a man of fashion, 'pon honour.

LENOX. Well, sir, if your example is to govern men of honour or men of
fashion, I hope I am ignorant of the attributes of the one, or the
eccentricities of the other. However, mercy to prisoners, even when they
have forfeited mercy, may teach your nation lessons of toleration and
humanity. Your life is safe, sir.

PENDRAGON. Sir, you speak very like a gentleman, and I shall be happy to
taste Burgundy with you at the Horse Guards.

LENOX. I thank you, sir.

LAROLE. Par example, dis Yankee Doodel is von very pretti spoken jeune
gentiman, I will give him de encouragement. Sair, I vill be ver happy to
serve you en my contree, to take un tasse de caffee at de Palais Royale
en Paris wid you, to dress your hair, or pull your corset tight.

_Enter GENERAL, ADELA and OFFICER._

GENERAL. Who have we here?

LENOX. Prisoners, sir, and in disguise.

ADELA. As I live, an Indian dandy!

PENDRAGON. A lady? [_With an air of fashion._] Ma'am, your most devoted
slave--inexpressibly happy to find a beautiful creature in this damn'd
wilderness. You see, ma'am, I am a kind of a prisoner, but always at
home, always at my ease, _a-la-mode_ St. James--extremely rejoiced to
have the honour of your acquaintance. A fine girl, LaRole, split me!

LAROLE. Oh, oui, she is very fine, I like her ver mush.

ADELA. Pray, sir, may I ask how came you to fancy that disguise?

PENDRAGON. Oh, it's not my fancy, 'pon honour, though I am one of the
fancy; a mere _russe de guerre_. We on the other side of the water, have
a kind of floating idea that you North Americans are half savages, and
we must fight you after your own fashion.

ADELA. And have you discovered that any difference exists in the last
affair in which you have been engaged?

PENDRAGON. Why, 'pon my soul, ma'am, this Yankee kind of warfare is
inexpressibly inelegant, without flattery--no order--no military
arrangement--no _deploying_ in s