tructions already drawn up. They were read to
Champe, he taking note of them in such a way that no one else could
understand their true meaning. He was to deliver letters to two
persons in New York, unknown to each other, but who had both been long
in Washington's confidence. He was to procure such aid in bringing
Arnold away as he deemed best, but was strictly enjoined to forbear
killing the traitor under any circumstances.

"All these matters having been settled, they next considered the
difficulties that lay in Champe's way between the camp and the enemy's
outposts at Paulus Hook. There were many pickets and patrols in the
way, and often parties of American irregulars in search of booty or
adventure. Major Lee could not offer Champe any aid against these
dangers lest he should be charged with favoring his desertion; so the
sergeant was left to manage his flight as well as he could without
help, Lee only doing what he could to delay pursuit as long as
possible after it should become known that the sergeant-major had
deserted.

"It was eleven o'clock at night when Champe took his orderly book, his
cloak, and valise, and, with three guineas in his pocket,--given him
by Lee,--mounted his horse secretly and started on his perilous
expedition. Lee went at once to his bed, but not to sleep. He was
doubtless much too anxious and excited for that. Within an hour the
officer of the day, Captain Carnes, came hurrying in to tell him that
one of the patrols had fallen in with a dragoon, who, on being
challenged, put spurs to his horse and escaped.

"Lee was slow in replying; pretended to be very weary and drowsy--only
half awake. In this way he detained the captain for some little time
before he seemed fairly to understand what was wanted. Then he
ridiculed the idea that one of his dragoons had deserted; for such a
thing had occurred only once during the whole war.

"But the captain would not be convinced by any such arguments, and by
Lee's reluctant orders immediately mustered a squadron of horse,
satisfied himself and Lee that one had deserted, and that it was no
less a personage than Champe, the sergeant-major, who had decamped
with his arms, baggage, and orderly book.

"Captain Carnes ordered an immediate pursuit. Lee delayed the
preparations as much as possible, and, when all was ready, ordered a
change in the command, giving it to Lieutenant Middleton, a young man
of so tender a disposition that he would no doubt trea