Charlotte Fiske Bates.
But Arnold, the chief offender, had escaped, and a plan was set on foot to abduct him from the midst of the British and bring him back to the American lines. The execution of this plot was intrusted to John Champe, a sergeant-major in Lee's cavalry. On the night of October 20, Champe mounted his horse and seemingly deserted to the British, escaping a hot pursuit. He gained Arnold's confidence, and made every arrangement to abduct him, but was foiled at the last moment by Arnold's embarkation on an expedition to the south.
SERGEANT CHAMPE
[October 20, 1780]
Come sheathe your swords! my gallant boys,
And listen to the story,
How Sergeant Champe, one gloomy night,
Set off to catch the Tory.
You see the general had got mad
To think his plans were thwarted,
And swore by all, both good and bad,
That Arnold should be carted.
So unto Lee he sent a line,
And told him all his sorrow,
And said that he must start the hunt
Before the coming morrow.
Lee found a sergeant in his camp,
Made up of bone and muscle,
Who ne'er knew fear, and many a year
With Tories had a tussle.
Bold Champe, when mounted on old Rip,
All button'd up from weather,
Sang out, "good-by!" crack'd off his whip,
And soon was in the heather.
He gallop'd on towards Paulus Hook,
Improving every instant—
Until a patrol, wide awake,
Descried him in the distance.