th strong oarsmen was quickly sent to his help, and
directly he was in the galley with all the evidences of his desertion.

"Before night he was safely quartered in New York, having arrived
there with a letter from the captain of the galley to Sir Henry
Clinton in which the scene of his escape from the American troopers
was described.

"Middleton's men picked up Champe's cloak and the scabbard of his
sword, then caught his horse and returned with it to Tappan. As Lee
caught sight of the articles he took them to be evidence that Champe
had been killed, and was grieved at the thought; but his grief was
turned into great joy when he learned from Middleton that the sergeant
had escaped safely on board one of the enemy's galleys.

"Four days later a letter in a disguised hand, and without signature,
came to Lee. It told of the occurrences of Champe's escape, and Lee
knew it was from him.

"The British were much pleased with the desertion of Champe, as they
knew that Lee's legion was considered very faithful and that
therefore this desertion was an evidence of increasing defection among
the American troops. Champe did what he could to increase the idea by
adroit answers to questions asked of him, giving the impression that
he had a strong desire to serve the king. Clinton gave him a couple of
guineas, and advised him to call upon Arnold, who was engaged in
raising an American legion to be composed of loyalists and deserters.
Arnold received him politely, gave him quarters among his recruiting
sergeants, and invited him to join his legion. Champe begged to be
excused from that, saying that if caught by the rebels he would surely
be hanged; but added that if he changed his mind he would surely join
his legion.

"Champe soon found means to deliver the letters Washington had
entrusted to him, made arrangements with one of the correspondents to
aid him in his designs upon Arnold; then communicated with Major Lee,
telling him that he had made inquiries in regard to those who were
suspected of beginning to favor the enemy, and learned that there was
no foundation for the report. Soon he enlisted in the traitor's
legion that he might have free intercourse with him and learn his
night habits and pursuits. He soon discovered that it was Arnold's
custom to return to his quarters about midnight and then to visit a
garden at the back of his house which extended down to the edge of the
river. Adjoining the garden was a dark alley lea