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Author: AgProv

Mar 13th 2016 at 7:24:54 AM

* In Creator/GeorgeMcDonaldFraser's ''{{Flashman}}'' series, the titular coward is faced with implacable native assassins trying to hunt him down.  He reasons that the last place they will look is among native soldiers in the Indian army.  So ~Flashman grows his beard long, exploits his native-fluency in Urdu and Pushtan, and signs up, masquerading as an ordinary native cavalryman. Later, he is able to justify this as he is there on Intelligence duties assessing the likelihood of native mutiny and has realised the only way a white Englishman can acurately understand what is going on, is to get to the natives on their level.

* In Creator/BernardCornwell's ''{{Starbuck}}'' series about the American Civil War, the titular Major Starbuck exposes corruption in the base depot by posing as a notoriously drunken junior officer who nobody takes seriously.  He exposes his real identity and higher rank when he is sure, and has proof that,  supplies and rifles meant for the front are being sold for profit on the black market.