The native American., 1838-05-12


the presence of the army; but kill him if he re-
sists, or escapes after being taken
j OBTAINING the cornet few minutes longer in
advising him what course to pursue, urging him
to take the horse and accoutrements, if re-
covered; and enjoining him to be on his guard,
lest he might, by his eager pursuit, i.nprovdently
/ fall into the hands of the enemy, the major dis
missed Middleton, wishing him success. A
shower of rain fell soon after Champe's depar-
ture, which enabled the pursuing dragoons to take
the trail of his horse, knowing, as officer and
trooper did, the make of their shoes, whose i'm
preston was an unerring guide.
/ When Middleton departed, it was a few min
utes past twelve; so that Champe had only the
start Of rather more than an hour; by no means as
long as was desired. Lee became very unhappy,
not only because the estimable and gallant Cham
pc might be injured, but lest the enterprise might
| be delayed; and he spent seepless night. The
pursuing party during the night was, on their
part delayed by the necessary halts to examine
occasionally the road, as the impression of the
horses shoes directed their course; this was, un-
fortunately, 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 pressed on with rapidity. As
Icending an emnence before he reached the Three
Pigeons, some miles on the north of the village
of Bergen, as the pursuing party reached its sum-
nit, Champe was deserted not more than half
mile in front. Resembling an Indian in his vigi-
lance, the sergeant at the moment discov-
cred the patty, (whose object he was no stranger
| to,) and, giving spur to his horse, he determined
to outstrip his pursuers. Middleton at the same
instant put his horses to the top of their speed and
being (as the legion all were) well acquainted with
the country, he recollected short route through
the woods to the bridge below Bergen, which
diverged from the great road just after you gain
the Three Pigeons. Reaching the point of sep
aration, he halted and, dividing his party, di-
rected 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 but that Champe must de-
liver himself up, as he would be closed between
himself and his sergeant. Champe did not for
get the short cut, and would have taken it him
self, but he knew it was the usual route of our
parties, when returning in the day from the
neighborhood of the enemy, properly preferring
the woods to the road. He consequently avoid
| ed it, and, persuaded that Middleton would avail
himself of it, wisely resolved to renquish his in
tention of getting to Paulus Hook, and to seek re-
fuge from two British galleys, lying few miles
Ito the west of Bergen
| This was 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, turning they turned he passed through
the village and took the road towards Elizabeth
town Point. Middleton's sergeant gained the
bridge, where he concealed himself ready to
pounce upon Champe when he came up; and
Middleton, pursuing his course through Bergen,
soon got also to the bridge, when, to his eX-
treme notification, he found that the sergeant
had slipped through his fingers. Returning up
the road, he inquired of the villagers of Bergen,
whether a dragoon had been seen that morning
preceding his party. He was answered in the
affirmative, but could learn nothing satisfactory
as to the route he took. While engaged in in
quiries himself, he spread his party through the
village, to strike the trail of Champe's horse, q
resort always recurred to. Some oil his dragons
hit it Just as the sergeant, leaving the village got
i'll the road to the Point. Pursuit was renewed
with vigor, and again Champe deserted
| He, apprehending the event, had prepared him
self for it, by lashing 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 he did to save
what was indispensable to him, and to prevent
any interruption to his swimming, by the scab-
bard, should Middleton, as ne presumed, when
disappointed at the bridge, take the measures
adopted by him. The pursuit was rapid and
close, the stop occasioned. by the sergeants
preparations for swimming had brought Middleton
within two or three hundred yards. As soon as
Champe got abreast of the galleys, he dismoun-
ed, and running through the marsh 10 the river,
plunged into it, calling upon the galeys for help.
This was readily given; they fred upon our
horse and sent boat to meet Champe, who was
taken in and carried on board, and conveyed to
| New York, with letter from the captain of the
galley stating the past scene, all of which he had
seen.
The horse, with his equipments, the sergcant's
cloak and sword scabbard, were recovered; the
sword itself, being held by Champe until he
plunged into the river, lost as Middleton
found it necessary to retire without searching for
| it.
About three o'clock in the evening our party
returned, and the soldiers, seeing the horse (well
known to them) in our possession, made the air
resound with accamations that the scoundrel was
killed.
| Major Lee, called, by this heart-rending an
nuncation, from his tent, saw the sergeant's
horse led by one Of Mddleton's Dragons, and
began to reproach himself with the blood of the