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

CHAPTER III.
In small room on the eground floor Of a house
situated in the vicinity of the Continental army
which was encamPed near the village of Ber
gen, New Jersey, sat two officers engaged in low
and earnest conversation. The eldel of these
men, from the uniform which he wore, was evi
DENLY an officer of high grade; the other, how
ever, was an individual Of less distinction, for he
was arrayed in the plain habilimenIs of ser
geant major. An oaken table of quaint work
manship stood in the centre of the room, upor
which the staff officer rested his elbow, willis
his head was supported by his widely extended
fingers. The light Of large mould candle
which burned brightly before him, was complete
ly shaded from his sun-browned face by the po
sition he had assumed, and thus his companion
was, in measure, prevented from reading the
various expressions of thought which flitleC
across his countenance. Starting suddenly from
his chair. at a remark made by his superior off
Ger, the Sergeant said:
"Believe me, Major Lee, cannot be party
in this strange business"
"Why, Champe," quickly returned the Ma.
jor, "there is nothing dishonorable in it"
"What, sir, say you there is nothing dshon-
orabe in deserving, like knavish coward
from the cause Of my country, and joining my.
self to that of the British kiUg No, Major
Lee, whatever may belall John Champe, he
will never prove rsCreant to his friends anC
the interests Of his nation"
81 believe you, my good Sergeant, and re
| joice to hear you utter such a patriotic senti
ment. But permit me TO explain this matte
| fully to you. The Commander-in-C Chief ha
resolved to arreet General Arnold or at eas
make an attempt, and TO me alone has he i'm
parted his plans"
aha! then General Washington is privy to
this marter" interrupted Champe, eagerly.
SAY, and it is by his advice have sent for
you tonight"
A slight smile of qualification fitted over the
saturnne countenance of the Sergeant upon
hearing these Iaudatory words. Then raising
his deep set eyes 10 the earnest face Of Lee, he
apologetical!y Observed
"Pardon me, my dear sir, but | already be.
gan to suspect your faith, and thought youwere
about to prove u second Arnold"
"Ha! hal" laughed the Major, "you are tru-
y complimentary. Methinks our army can,
at least for while, spare much better man"
Champe blushed deeply at these words, for
he at once understood their import. Recov-
ering from his confusion, he at length rejoined:
81 have ever striven TO perform my duties,
faithfully, Major Lee, and the highest gratifca-
ton could possibly feel is the confidence OF
my superiors. But to return. If General Wash
i tb,t | oh b,,
will do it, whatever may be the consequen-
ces!"
"This feigned desertion is full of danger, and
in Justice 10 Yourself, as well as General Wash
ington, conceive it proper TO acquaint you
thereon"
"Dulce ct decOrum est pro patria mOri,"
sung Roman bard, and re-echo the words"
returned Champe, looking the Major steadily
in the eyes; for the Sergeant had not forgotten
his Latin.
"Then you undertake the accomplishment
Of our plans lreely!"
SAY, freely and eagerly"
"Then, listen: ii is the desire of Washington
that you desert to the British this very night.
take your horse, orderly book, and these three
guineas, and proceed forthwith to the head-quar-
ters of Sir Henry Clinton. In all probability,
Sir Henry, when you are taken before him,
will question you closely; be careful how you
answer him, so as not TO compromise yourself.
One word may lead you to the foot of the glib
bet! You are already aware that Arnold is
with the British Commander-in-C Chief. Make
it your especial care to learn his habits, as we'll
as notice narrowly his every moven.e ent. En-
deavor to gain his confidence by impartng to
him the opinions which his late brother officers
have so freely expressed in relation TO recent
perfdious conduct. lf, as will probably be the
case, you are placed under his immediate COM
mand, you will, doubtless, ere long, have abun-
dant opportunity to seize and bind him privately
and convey him to the river, whenc you can
carry him safely TO the Jersey side. | shall
employ means TO confer with you by letter al
most daily after the first fortnight Of your de-
sertion. Be punctual, therefore, in informing
me as to the precise time and place you pur-
pose conveying your Uorthy prisoner. And
now, sir, time bids US separate; there is my
purse-take it, and may fortune speed your
Champe, pulling out bis watch. compared it
with Lees, and requested that pursuit should
be delayed as long as possible.
TIE two officers then separated, after cor
dial shake of their hands; one sought sleep
less couch, the other hastened to perform his
bold and perilous adventure.
Perhaps it is we'll to give, in this place, a
short description Of the hero Of this adventure;
and in doing so. we will employ the words ,of
Major Lee, as found in the Memoirs Of the War