Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1879-01-30

put gold In bis hand and sent him 70
Arnold. Champe found Arnold quar-
tered In an elegant private mansion.
surrounded BY the luxury which Was 80
dear 20 him. The traitor regarded his
visitor with keen, iDquisitorial look.
The Virginia cavalry had borne such
high reputation for fidelity that be could
scarcely believe one OF them stood be-
fore him in the character Of deserfer.
But as he read the letter from the COM
raandcr Of tie galleys, who had witness
sed the escape his doubts vanished.
He congratulated Champe, promised
him The same position in BIS legion that
he bad held in the patriot army, and as
signed him quarters near himself. Some
days later, BY the hands OF another spy.
Major Lee received a letter in cipher,
of which this was the important part
am able confidently TO assure you
that the suspicious excited by Arnold
are as false as himself. Not one Of our
officers is supposed by the British TO be
otherwise than inimical TO their cause.
Only one has fallen-one son Of perdi-
iion. To have the pleasure OF doing
this justice 10 fidelity balances the evils
OF my situation. ! was yesterday COM
PEELED 10 a most affecting step, but one
indispensable to the completion Of my
plans. II was necessary for me TO ac-
cept Q commission in The traitor legion
that I might have uninterrupted access
to his house. Thither he usually re-
turns at midnight, and previously TO re-
firing walks short time in his garden.
There | am TO seize and gag him, and
with the assistance Of trusty spy bear
him 10 boat which will be in readi-
ness. In case of interrogation we shall
say that we are carrying an intoxicated
soldier 10 the guardhouse. Some ofthe
pales from the garden fence are TO be
previously removed. that our silent pas
sage to the alley may be facilitated. On
the night which the bearer is commits
stoned TO appoint meet me at Hoboken
with twenty OF The Virginia Cavalry,
those brothers of my soul, and there,
God willing. will deliver to your hands
the troubler of Israel.
"JoHN CHAMPE."
Lee, on the appointed day, repaired
10 Hoboken with a party OF Dragons
carrying three led horses, one of them
the beautiful steed of Champe. lie con-
cealed himself with his party IN thick
wood. His anxiety may well be i'm
agined as evening drew on, midnight
passed, and morning dawned. Disap-
pointed and full of apprehension, he re-
turned with his party to consult WASH
ington. Several days passed before the
arrival of the trusty spy, from whom
they learned that a sudden movement
of Arnold, who changed his quarters
only few hours before the time fixed
for the execution OF their plans, had
frustrated them.
Poor Champe was obliged TO accom-
pany the traitor 10 Virginia. AT the
peril of his life he escaped in North
Carolina, hiding for whole days in the
thickets, and at length rejoined the army
which was IN pursuit OF Lord Rawdon.
He sought Major Lee, who received
him with iraternal emotion, and intro
duced him to Gen. Greene. The vete-
ran treated him with all the considpra-
tion due to his heroism. Major Lee,
restoring to him his favorite horse, sent
him TO Washington, who comforted
him as only a noble mind could, and
gave him an honorable discharge, fear
ing for him the vengeance OF the ene-
my should the chances Of war place
hIm in their power.
Champe retired to his home in Lou
don County, Virginia, where he lived
several years, honored and respected.
When our brief war with France occur
red, and Washington was appointed Lieu
tenant General, he sought out Champe
to confer on him Captains commits
sion, but the brave Sergeant had gone
to answer higher muster roll.