When will it please you to give me the meeting ?" "The sooner the better, sir!" said the Colonel, fuming with rage.
"The sooner the better," hiccupped Captain Grace, with many oaths needless to print--( in those days, oaths were the customary garnish of all gentlemen's conversation)--and he rose staggering from his seat, and reeled towards his sword, which he had laid by the door, and fell as he reached the weapon.

"The sooner the better!" the poor tipsy wretch again cried out from the ground, waving his weapon and knocking his own hat over his eyes.
"At any rate, this gentleman's business will keep cool till to-morrow," the militia Colonel said, turning to the other king's officer.

"You will hardly bring your man out to-day, Captain Waring ?" "I confess that neither his hand nor mine are particularly steady," said Waring.
"Mine is!" cried Mr.Warrington, glaring at his enemy.
His comrade of former days was as hot and as savage.

"Be it so--with what weapon, sir ?" Washington said sternly.
"Not with small-swords, Colonel.

We can beat you with them.