“Silence in the ranks!” roared the sergeant. “Now then, sir, what are you?”
“Travellers going south to escape from the war,” said the Doctor, huskily.
“Won’t do,” said the sergeant. “Bad attempt at English. Why, you were speaking in French just now.”
“Yes; I am a French teacher—the tutor to my little pupil here, the son of an English officer.”
“Bah!” cried the sergeant. “What a lame tale. You talked French or some other lingo, and I heard the boy say ‘Oui!’”
“Yes, sir; we talk in French sometimes so that the boy may learn.”
“Oh, indeed! Well, you’re prisoners now, and he shall be taught to speak English. Bring them along.”
“Pardon, sir. You belong to the English force?”
“I rather think we do, mounseer. Search them, my lads. No, wait till we get them to headquarters. What papers have you?”
“Papers, sir?”