Page:Sketch of Connecticut, Forty Years Since.djvu/216

 order of Washington, that you offer him no personal injury, but restore him to be made a public example."

"There was a settled sorrow on the brow of the soldier, and he almost gasped for utterance, as he said "Speak not to me of desertion!"

"Lee approached him, as he traversed the tent with unequal steps, and waving all circumstance of rank, drew his arm within his own, and spoke in a low voice, words which made him start. He exclaimed rapidly—

"It is false. The army holds not an officer more loyal to the liberties of America, than him you mention. The suspicion was created by the execrable Arnold. If, as you say, it might be in my power to prove its falsity, I know of nothing that would sooner tempt me to accede to your purpose. Would to God, it were at the expense of my blood, and not of my integrity."

"His emotion redoubled, and his breast heaved strongly against the band which compressed it. This was the parting struggle. Lee was astonished at the length of his resistance.

"I knew," he said, "that the plan was replete with peril. Therefore I entrusted it to you. I said, I have known Champé from his youth. He will not shrink from danger. It seems I was mistaken. Since you are more moved by the semblance of present evil, than the prospect of immense good, you are released from all obligation, save that of secrecy. Leave my tent. I will seek for another, who shall clear innocence from suspicion, bring