Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-02-04

daybreak, from an eminence same miles from
Bergen, near the ..Three Pigeons,"a tavern
kept at the present day, the dragons de-
scried Champe about half a mile in advance.
He put spurs to his horse, aud made for the
village of South Bergen, determined to seek
refuge on board one of two British ga'leys.
which usually lay in Newark Bay, mile or
two distant Presently he heard the pursuers
again ut his heels. But a marsh aud deep
waters lay between him and safety. He
sprang from his horse and plunged toto the
morass. His pursuers came up and dis
mounted also. Struggling through the mud
and slime, with his drawn sword shove his
head, Ghampe reached the rivers brink,
plugged in, and swan toward the galleys.
His CLOAK and scabbar6 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 aud rightly interpreted
by those on board the galleys. Fire was
orened on the dragons. some of whom were
preparing to follow Chsnpe in the water.
while n light boat quickly picked up the fu>
gitive.
Champe was kindly received on board the
British galley and sent ut once to New York.
After the usual interrocations by the Adju-
Clinton, who put gold in his hand and sent
him TO Arnold. Champe found Arnold
quartered in an elegant private mansion, sur
rounded by the luxury which ives so dear to
him. The traitor regarded his visitor with
keen, inquisitorinl 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 letter from the
commander of the gal-ys, who had wit
u IS, el the escane, his doubts vanished. He
congratulated Champe, promised him the
same position in his legion that he had hold
in the patriot army, and assigned him qlar-
ters near himself. Some days later, by the
hands of another SPY. Major Lee received a
letter in cipher, of which this was the ini>
port1ut part:
Il am able confidently to assure you that
the susricions excited by Arnold arc false as
himself. Not one of our officers is supposed
by the British to be otherwise thao inimicsl
to their cause. Only one has iallen-oue
son of perditiou. To have tho pleasure of
doing this justice to fidelity balances tho
evils of my tuatinn. | was yesterday COM
PEELED to a most affl citing step, but one in
dispensabIe tO the completion OF my plan
1t was necessary for me to accept commits
sion in the traitors legion that | might have
uninterrupted access to his house Thither
he usually returns at midnight, and previous
ly to retiring walks short time in the gar
den There am 10 seize and gag him. and
with the assistance of trusty spy bear him
20 n boat which will be in readiness. In
case of Interrogation we shall say that wo
are carrying nn intoxicated soldier to tho
.euardhnuse- Some of the pales from the
garden fence are to be previously removed,
that our silent passage to the alley may DO
facilitated On tho night which the bearer
is commissioned TO appoint meet me at Ho-
bokeu with twenty of the Virginia Cavslry,
those brothers of my soul, and there. God
willing. | will deliver to your hand the trou-
bier of Israel JoHN CHAMPE"
Lee, on the appointed dag, repaired to
II Hphokeu with n party of dragons, carrying
three led horses one of them the beautiful
stecd OF Champe. Ho concealed himself
with his party in a thick wood His anxiety
NAV well be imagined evening drew on,
midnight passed and morning dawned- Dis
appointed and full of apprehension. he res
turned with his party tn consult Washington.
Several days passed before the arrival of the
trusfy spy, from whom they learned that
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 Chamre was Obliged to accompany
the ,raitor to Virginia A, the peril of his
life he escaped in South Carolina, hiding for
whole days in the thickets. and at length
rPinined the army which was in pursuit of
Lord Rawdon lie sought Major Lee. who
received him with fraternal emotion, and in
trofuced him to Gen Greene. The Veter-
IN treated him with. all the consideration due
to his heroi-m. Major Lee, restoring to him
his favorife horse. sent him to Washing ton,
who comforted him as only a noble mind
could and gave him honorable discharge,
fearing for him the vengeance Of the enemy
should the chances Of war place him 10 their
power.
Champe retired to his home in LoudOun
county, Virginia, where he lived several
years, honored and respected. When our
brief war with France occurred. and Wssh>
ington was appointed Lieutenant>Ge enersl,
he sought out Champe to confer on him
Captains commission, but tho brave Ser
geaat had gone to answer higher muster.
j. W. b.
A SICK SExAToR-The excessive corpu-
Iency of a certain United States Senator has
long been the butt OF editorial Wit a1d spicy
Ian naots from the pens Of Washington cor
respondents Few persous have suspected
that his obesity was disease, and liable TO
to prove fatal. Yet this is the sad fact
Excessive fatness is not only disease in it.
self, but one liable to generate other and moro
serious ones. Chemistry has at last revealed
safe, sure, aud reIiabis remedy for this ab>
normal condition of the system iD Alian's
Anti Fat. Distinguished chemists have pro-