San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-03-15

the ram Ieil IN tOIrcutS' Juns nv o"J
break, from an eminenco some miles
from Bergen, near the "Three Pigeons
u tavern kept ut the present day, the
Dragons deserted Champe about a
half mile in advance. He put spurs
to his horse, and made for the village OF
South Bergen, determined to seek ref
uge on board one of tho British galleys
which usually lay in Newark bay, a
mile or two distant. Presently he heard
tho pursuers again at his heels. But a
few hundred yards separated them. A
long marsh and deep waters lay between
him and safety. He sprang from his
horse, and plunged into the morass.
His pursuers came up, and dismonnted
also. Struggling through the mud and
slime, with his drawn sword held above
his head, Champe reached the rivers
brink, plunged in, and swan toward the
galleys. His cloak and scabbard had
been thrown away, but for time he
still grasped his trusty blade. This
slipped from his hand, and was lost.
The scene had been watched with great
interest, and rightly interpreted by
those on board the galleys. Fire was
opened on the Dragons, some of whom
were preparing to follow Champe in
the water, while light boat quickly
picked up the fugitive.
Champe was kindly received on
board the British galley, and sent at
once to New York. After the usual in
terrogations by the Acknowledgement, he
was taken before Sir Henry Clinton,
who put gold in his hand, and sent him
to Arnold. Champe found Arnold
quartered in an elegant private man
sion, surrounded by the luxury which
was so dear to him. The traitor re-
garded his visitor with q keen inquisi,
torial look. The Virginia cavalry had
borne such high reputation for fidelity
that he could scarcely believe one of
them stood before him in the character
of deserter. But as he read the let
ter from the commander of the galleys.
who had witnessed his escape, his
doubts vanished. He congratulated
Champe, promised him the same posi-
ton in his legion that he had held in
the patriot army, and assigned him
quarters near himself. Some days la
ter, by the hands of another spy, Ma
jor Lee received a letter in cipher, OF
which this was the important part:
81 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-
ton. TO have the pleasure of doing
this Justice to fidelity balances the evils
of my situation. was yesterday COM
PEELED to most affecting step, but one
to the completion of my
plan. 1t was necessary for me to accept
IL commission in the traitors legion, that
1 might have uninterrupted access to
his house. Thither he usually returns
ut midnight, and previously to retiring
walks short time in his garden. There
1 am to seize and gag him, and, with
the assistance of trusty spy, bear him
to boat, which will be in readiness
In case of interrogation, we shall say
that we are carrying an intoxicated sol
der to the guard house. Some of the
pales to the garden fence are to be pre-
viously removed, that our silent passage
to the alley may be facilitated. On the
night which the bearer is commissioned
to appoint, meet me at Hoboken with
twenty of the Virginia Cavalry, those
brothers of my soul, and there, God
willing, 1 will deliver into your hand
the troublcr of Israel
John CHAMPE."
Lee, on the appointed day, repaired
to Hoboken with party of dragons,
carrying three led horses, one of them
The beautiful steed of Champe. He
himself and his party in Il
thick wood. His anxiety may we'll be
as evening drew on, midnight |
passed and morning dawned. Disap-
pointed and full of apprehension, he
with his party to consult
Washington. Several days passed be-
'ore the arrival of the trusty spy, from
whom they learned that sudden move
ncut of Arnold, who changed his quar-
ers only few hours before the time
;xaJ f,, fb, cxo,utinD Of biS planS