American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-14
FRoM THAcHER's JOURNAL,
Adventures Of Sergeant Champe.
[coNcLuDED.l

advising him what course to pursue,-ureng him
to take care Of the horse and accoutremens, if re-
covered,-an enjoining him to be on his guard,
lest he might, by his eager pursuit, improvi
IDENTIFY tall into the hands OF the enemy,-the major
dismissed Middleton, wishing him SUCCESS
shower OF rain fell soon after Champe's departure,
which enabled the pursuing dragoons TO take the
trail OF bis horse knowing, as officer and trooper
did, the make Of their shoes, whose impression was
an unerring guide.*
: When Middleton departed, il was few minutes
past twelve, SO that Champe had only the start Of
rather more than an hour,-by no means so long as
was desired. Lee became very unhappy, not only
because the estimable and gallant Champe might be
injured. but lest the enterprise might be delayed ;
and he spent seepless night. The pursuing par
" during the night, was, on their part, delayed by
The necessary hats examine occasionally the road
the mpt esslon of the horses shoes directed their
course this unfortunately too evident no other
horse having passed along The road since the shower.
When the day broke, Middleton was no longer
forced to halt and he passed on with rapidity. AS
cendng an eminence before he reached the Three
Pigeons some miles on the north of the village of
Bergen, as the pursuing party reached its summit,
Champe was deserted not more than half mile in
front. Resembling an Indian in his vigilance. the
sergeant at the same moment discovered the party
to whose object he was stranger, and giving spur
20 his horse, he determined TO outstrp his pur.uers
Middleton at the same instant put his horses to The
top OF their speeds and being the legion all
well acquainted W it'll the country, he recoleced q
short route through the woods to the bridge below
Bergen, which dverged from the great road just
alter you gain the Three Pigeons Reaching the
point OF separation, he halted and dividing his party
directed sergeant with few dragons to take the
near cut, and possess with all possible despatch the
bridge, while he with the residue, followed Champe ;
not doubling bot that Champe must deliver himself
up, he would be enclosed between himself and
his sergeant. Champe did not forget the short cut,
and would have taken it himself, but he knew it was
the usual route OF our parties when returning in the
day from the nelghborhood Of the enemy properly
prelerring the woods to the road He consequently
avoided it; and persuaded that Middleton would
avail himself OF it, wisely resolved relinquish his
intention of getting TO Paulus' Hook, and to seek
refuge from two British gaeys laying few miles
10 the west of Bergen
" This station always occupied by one or
two galleys, and which it was known now lay there.
Entering the village of Bergen, Champe turned to
his right and Disgusting his change of course as
much as he could by taking the beaten streets, turn
Ing as they turned, he passed through the village
and took the road towards Elizahethtown Point
Aliddeton's sergeant gained the bridge, where he
concealed himself, ready to pounce on Champe,
when he came up; and Middleton, pursuing his
course through Bergen, got also TO the bridge,
when, TO his extreme modification, he found that
'he sergeant had slipped through his fingers. Re-
turning up the road. he inquired of the villagers Of
Bergen, whether dragon had been seen that
morning preceding his party. He was answered
IN The affirmative, but could learn nothing satisac.
tory as 10 the route he had taken. While engaged
IN inquiries himself, he spread his party through
the village to strike the trail of Champe's horse,
resort always REQUIRED to. Some OF his dragons
h't IT. just the sergeant. leaving the village, got
III the road to the point. Pursuit was renewed with
ygor, and again Champe deserted He appre.
hending the event. had prepared himself for it, by
ashng his valise containing his clothes and orderly
book, on his shoulders, and holding his drawn sword
IN his hand, having thrown away its scabbard This
ne did to save what was Indispensable 10 him, and
10 prevent any interruption to his swimming from
The scabbard, should Middleton, as he presumed,
when disappointed DIT the bridge, take the measures
adopted by him. The pursuit was rapid and close,
as the stop occasioEed by the sergeanl's prepara-
sons for swimming had brought Middleton within
The horses being al shnd by fariicrs, the
shoes were made III the fmn which, with private
MARI annexed to the fore shoes ard known 10 the troop
rs, pointed the trail If cur apoons to each cler