Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1848-05-05

We ANt aNsfe thdt luG soluier UliQfe tncA was
fugitive from the army of Wellington, on
heaiIng tie wous OF Clinton, rose liJ.n bis
chair, and approaching murs closely, seated
himself Immediately b,hind his commander.
This movement was iusisnIiy noticed By Ser.
8 ant Champe, who mentally C1claimed-"Ay.
re looks more guudy in those scarlet Irappings,
hut ] dare be sworn he is less happy than when
his livery WIS ihai ufihe country he once 50
nuby served" Afer pgrusirg he leuer, Sir
Henry continued
why did you desert, my good Sergeant"
ID sappoinIld ambition prompted mel" re.
sponded Champc, casting furiya glancing at
M Scowling and confused counleunuce Of Ar-
no'd. Surprised al this reply Of the humble
subalIcrn, the British Commander passed his
eyes quickly over bis companions, who sat ST.
lenIly listening to the examination. aud psrcey-
eJ that each face, save that oi Ihs traitor, mir.
Tored forth smile.
"Pay, sir, what know VOC Ofambitlonl" still
mterrogoted Clinton.
"Tha il sometimes makes an honest man
knave. and dreamer, like myself. hero"
THAT is very true, good Strg ant butto what
do yoI aspire'"
"a name, Your Excellencv!"
Faith. mediuks. Sir Henry, ,"said Knyphau-
sen. s'rokirg his grey nouslache he hash taken
cuot plans 10 pc damned TO everlasting fame
as your Shakespeare hash it in de loysh."
"Oh, sir" quickly observed Cbampe, turning
10 the Hessian G,neml, 81 am but poor Ser.
ecant Major, and cannot, therefore, gain eciat
BY my Perfdy."
'D,tish uut--you will not pc damned"
81 thank your Excsllency for your good opin-
1 1 hs
mine G5l hash no opinion Of you al all,
rrtorted The German, joining in the laugh ofhis
brother officers.
81 look auxously forward to the day when
you will be wiling to acknowledge some liule
merit in Sergeant Champe,' were the deliberate
and measured words of the ftigned desrrler.
"If the General is done with you, my man."
sud Clinton, with graceful inclination of the
head towards the llessian, 81 would ask you
whether any American officers are suspected of
deserion. nnl, ir so, who those officers are!"
This was a point upon which the Sergeant
hal been particularly forewurncd by Major
lie. Suspicion Of contemplated desertipn TO
the enemy e.tod upon SC orul American officers
orhigh grade; and twas partially The object of
Champe's dcseitiOn TO ob,ain evidence, the most
tul aud satisfactory, as to whether thai susp.
clon was well founded, or foul culumny and
n forgery perpctrated by The adherenls Of the
king. Turning, therefore, the full light Of his
earnest eyes upon the English commander,
Champo replied, with well aAecto surp 'ise-
81 heard, your Exce,lency, such IA report
whispered in tho camp, but neither officers nor
men believe i'll If General Washington put
rredence in the matter, he has not, ! should
iulu,, impaired his belief to any Of his st lll."
Dark and furtive gances were Immediately
exchanged between the cotore of officers sur
rounding the dcscrter on hearing these words,
and Arnold, rising from his chair, strobe to the
,ur,ain, I'D window and gaz'd out into the street..
Returning, however, to his compeers, and TAX
mo position directly in front Of Chnmpe, he
injured sharply, and with considerable temper
playing in his restless eyes
"Come, sirrah, give US the truth in few words
your opinions, when necessary, will be recey.
IA ard not else" Champc bowed, and fold
10 his stout arms across his deep Ghost, turn.
Al bi,back partially upon the Hor, ard gnz'
Il steadily Uul Of one Of the windows Of the
apartment.
Are YOU prepared, Sergeant Champe, to
,ryo your king well and honoraby!" asked
q neral Robertson.
L. !
ed the Sergeant, "when | say that already have
iskcd limb and life, and sacrificed reputation
md friends. in devotion TO the cause"
AGcru short conference between Sir Henry
Clia,on aui Arnold, the former turned It
Chnmpe and said
"l consen you, Sergeant, to the care Of Gen
Arnold, who will retain you in your rank o
Sergeant Major to the troops under his persona
inspec,on. BE devoted to. and faithful in, the
dis barge Of your duties, and YOU may yet viii
name aud n reputation worthy 10 be written ol
the historic page" smiled the tJlled Briton.
"Bolieyc M, your ExccIIcncy," returned
Champe, II shall Cndeapor TO do sol"
Beng dismissed by wave Of Sir Henry
hand, Champe repaired nj once to the quarter
Of Aruold's command, where he was gladly re
rciyed by those at whose side he had fought III,
battles Of his county, ere they had grown COW
ards aud urncd craven back upon their noble
anl more devoted compcers.
Having been allowed, al al tines, free an
uninterrupted access 10 Arnold, Champo marke
his hubils and movements, aud only awaited
favorable opportunity for the successful cxecu
tlon Of his project lie so managed matters Il
TO find frequent excuses for waiting upon tn
traitor in the discharge of his duties as SergeaI
MAJOR, by which means he AT length oscerloine
taut Arn.ll Usually retired to rest about lwev
o'clocG at ught, and that, previous 10 this,
sen. some portion Of his time in private ga
del adjoining his quarters. Arnold was pow
orlul man, and possessed Of the most unAlnchr
coura!.; and it, therefore, became necessary f
Chlmpe 10 employ at least Two lrusty conIode
atss from among The American deserters 10 a
nm in securing the object Of his mission. Tin
wore on, aud, although The Sergeant cease
not single moment in his efforts to accon
plish his well arranged plans, the traitor vi
s,iil al large. Al length he discovered that COZ
siIerablo discomfort had sprung up among II
refugees. aud projects were starred by SOU