It did not take long to get the coach ready again. One horse was found to be so badly wounded that it had to be killed. The others were slightly hurt. The baggage and trunks were riddled with bullets. These were once more piled up, the wounded prisoners placed inside, and the travellers, not being able to get in all together, took turns in walking. At the next town the prisoners were delivered up to the authorities. The travellers celebrated their victory by a grand banquet, to which they invited the French officer and the soldiers, who came on with them to this town. Uproar prevailed. The Frenchmen were exuberant in compliments to the gallantry of their entertainers. Toasts followed. "The Emperor and President!" "America and France!" "Tricolor and stars!" "The two countries intertwined!" "A song, Dick!" cried the Senator, who always liked to hear Dick sing. Dick looked modest. [Illustration: An International Affair.] "Strike up!" "What?" "The 'Scoodoo abscook!'" cried Mr Figgs. "No; 'The Old Cow!'" cried Buttons. "'The Pig by the Banks of the River!'" said the Doctor. "Dick, don't," said the Senator. "I'll tell you an appropriate song. These Frenchmen believe in France. We believe in America. Each one thinks there is nothing like Leather. Sing 'Leather,' then." FIGGS. BUTTONS. THE DOCTOR.} "Yes, 'Leather!'" "Then let it be 'Leather,'" said Dick; and he struck up the following (which may not be obtained of any of the music publishers), to a very peculiar tune: I. "Mercury! Patron of melody, Father of Music and Lord, Thine was the skill that invented Music's harmonious chord. Sweet were the sounds that arose, Sweetly they blended together; Thus, in the ages of old, Music arose out of--LEATHER! [_Full chorus by all the company_.] "Then Leather! sing Leather! my lads! Mercury! Music!! and Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus, descriptive of a Cobbler hammering on his Lapstone_.] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we! II. "War is a wonderful science, Mars was its patron, I'm told, How did he used to accoutre Armies in battles of old? With casque, and with sling, and with shield, With bow-string and breastplate together; Thus, in the ages of old, War was begun out of--LEATHER! [_Chorus_.] "Then Leather! sing Leather! my lads! Mars and his weapons of Leather!!! Of all the things under the sun, Hurrah! there is nothing like _Leather_! [_Extra Chorus_.] "Then Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub! Rub a dub, dub!!! say we! III. "Love is a pleasing emotion, All of us know it by heart; Whence, can you tell me, arises Love's overpowering smart? Tipped with an adamant barb, Gracefully tufted with feather, Love's irresistible dart Comes from a quiver of--LEATHER!