companion the vessel, hired by Seymour, lying in sight, | Gurton. As little was known to her of Master Sey

and at anchor. He drew her attention to a little signal floating from the mast.

"Your Ladyship's danger is nearly over now," he said. "In yonder craft, as I well hope, Master Seymour awaits us."

The Lady clasped her hands, and raised her eyes to heaven. Some inaudible words trembled on her white lips. Evans turned away, and made a signal to another wherry, which was passing, without occupants other than its watermen. Entering this boat, they were rowed to the vessel. But here, as everywhere else, Fate was in close attendance upon the Lady Arabella. They were received on board with great respect-but Seymour was not there.

The blood forsook the cheek of the unfortunate wife; but Evans still spoke with hope, and prophesied the speedy arrival of Seymour.

"If he be retaken, Evans, as well might I have proceeded to Durham; for without his presence, liberty is an evil greater than my late restraint. A prisoner in England, I might still have heard of his welfareAbroad!

"Yet despair not, madam," began Evans.

But at this instant his attention was aroused to the noise of the seamen, as they trod the deck, shouting and talking-some busy with the anchor-some with the

ropes.

"Now, God forbid that they should put to sea without him!" cried the Lady Arabella, reading aright the consternation which glassed itself in Arthur's countenance-" Hasten, hasten, Evans! Bid them lie at anchor till he arrives!"

Evans left her side, but returned not. The preparations continued. Arabella Stuart then herself left the cabin, to which upon her first arrival on board she had been conducted. She hastened to the captain as rapidly as the motion of the vessel would allow her. Evans stood with the commander. His eager gestures marked the energy of his expostulations; but they were vain. The craft was already under way. Prayers and tears, poured forth from the torn heart of the Lady, were alike fruitless. The captain spoke to her with the reverence due to her station and misfortunes, but judged in this urgent and unhappy case for her as well as for himself. The vessel's course was already shaped for France; and the Lady Arabella was carried to the cabin in a state of insensibility.

mour as of Evans, and could she even have discovered his retreat abroad-for, more fortunate than his Lady, he had effected his escape-she felt that the Princess was in no state to receive consolation even from intelligence concerning him. Musing upon all this accumulation of sorrow, one night, when sleep had, as she hoped, lent for a time its Lethe to the harassed heart of the Lady, she sat at the window of her own small chamber, alone and in darkness. Tears stole silently down the maiden's cheek, and she wept the more, because there was no one to brush them kindly away.

Was there indeed no one to brush away thy tears, Maud Gurton? Ah! how often, when the shadows of misfortune are gathered around us most gloomily in this world, doth Heaven suddenly set a light in their midst, to give our hearts that illumination and comfort which only from God, the powerful and beneficent, could they derive. How often when despair veileth her eyes from hope, and saith, "It is impossible!" is the miracle achieved, and the wearied spirit permitted to bask securely in sunshine. So was it with thee, faithful Maud Gurton. A sound of light footsteps beneath the window caught thy ear. It was followed by a voice which softly pronounced thy name. Was it imagination? Was it a spirit from the land of shadows that so aroused the beating of thy heart? Ah! joyful Maud Gurton-this time fortune had relented, and it was Arthur Evans himself who greeted thee.

"Arthur! Arthur!" was all that Maud could say. "It is indeed I," whispered Arthur. "No noise, or thy life, Maud! Come forth silently. I have tidings for the Lady Arabella."

Maud, with a step as silent as that of a cat, let herself out of the house-for she was lodged apart from her Lady, and was allowed the means of egress at will. Glad was the meeting of the lovers, and the agitation of Maud almost threatened discovery.

"Command thyself, dearest Maud," said Arthur; "I am here, remember, at mine own peril, for my share in the adventure, you wot of, is known. And I have much to tell thee, and but little time. I must be far away ere dawn; so dry thy tears, dearest, and listen to me. And first tell me of thy Lady? Be brief, Maud, for I have but one poor hour to spend with thee. One more kiss--and now of thy Lady."

"Ill, Arthur-pining to death, and her reason utterly gone," said Maud sorrowfully.

In a few months after this unprosperous enterprise, Maud Gurton, still unsuspected to have been the agent of her Lady's escape, was again her attendant in strict and hopeless confinement, and long, long days of misery were the portion of damsel as well as Lady-for Evans had never been seen, since when "overtaken by a pink in the king's service" in Calais Roads, and aware that his presence would in nothing avail the Lady, he had boldly leaped overboard, and after swimming to a distance from their vessel, had been picked up by a fishing-again attempt escape ?" boat, and landed upon the French coast. Maud was indeed a very wretched woman, for she had other distresses, over and above her painful incertitude as to the fate of her lover. She now often perceived in the manner and words of her mistress a wildness and in-mained, my Lady loved him fervently." coherence, to which even affection could give but one

"Cold news for Master Seymour!" said Evans; "but God's will be done!"

"Master Seymour? What of him? Know you aught of him? Ah! tell me tell me that I may cheer my poor lady, if failing reason may indeed find cheer."

"He is in Flanders, Maud, safe and well, but as thou mayest well judge, most anxious. When he arrived at Lee and found not our vessel, he hired a craft from Newcastle, and escaped. And now, could thy Lady

"Name it not, Arthur-it is impossible! Her mind wanders, and her health could not endure it. Never in this world can she again achieve escape. Tell Master Seymour of her case, and add that while reason re

"I will," answered Evans; "but it is melancholy

name. Hope seemed to have taken leave of Maud news to bear abroad. And now, Maud, when I have

Poor lost Alonzo! Fate's neglected child!
Mild be the doom of Heaven--as thou wert mild!
For oh thy heart in holy mould was cast,
And all thy deeds were blameless, but the last.

Campbell. Of the whole Legion, the alert and sagacious Lee appeared the slowest either to realize the startling fact of his favorite's desertion, or to acknowledge the importance of the circumstance. He had retired to rest about half an hour, when the officer of the day entered his quarter, and without reserve sought his bed-side.

Major," he cried, in an agitated voice, and shaking his superior by the shoulder, in order to awaken him-"Awake! arise !-Treason is afoot! Our patrole has fallen in with a dragoon, who, being challenged, put spur to his horse, and, though instantly pursued, escaped!"

The reply to this hurried communication was nothing more or less than an emphatic yawn.

probably? These fellows ride hither and yon without leave or license, and, as it would seem, without aim or object."

"My dear Major," said Carnes earnestly, "do you really think I would come here at this time of night with an idle tale? The man I speak of is no countryman, but a dragoon. Of that the patrole are certain: they think he may be from the army above: but their serious impression is, that he is of the Legion! Let that arouse you; for I must take the liberty of observing that you seem strangely apathetic on such a subject for Major Lee."

"And I must add, Captain," returned the other, "that you appear as strangely bent upon magnifying the matter. Remember, sir, we have had but one desertion during the war. It is impossible that the fellow belongs to the Legion.”

Carnes shook his head. "The infamous desertion of Arnold," he said, (for as before stated, this then recent circumstance had made so vivid an impression on the minds of the whole army, that it was scarcely absent from the thoughts of officer or soldier,) "has had its effect, and

Lee interrupted him.

"The desertion of Arnold," he repeated, "has consolidated the Legion-I tell you, Carnes, there is but one kind of feeling toward him in the corps ;-deep detestation of his crime-implacable hatred of himself."

"Captain Carnes,” cried a subaltern, hastily The officer repeated his intelligence, and added-opening the door of the apartment, cap in hand, "Arise, Major, for Heaven's sake! and give orders" the cavalry are assembled, waiting your further for pursuit."

Lee turned drowsily over, and rubbing his eyes, exclaimed

"Ah, Carnes! is that you? What is the matter? What brings you here?-the enemy? eh?" "Worse than an enemy," replied the other with bitterness. "Treachery, Major, treachery!— I fear the example of the accursed Arnold has had its effect upon the Legion. Do get up and give orders for pursuit."

orders."

"Very well, sir-let the rolls be called, and report to me immediately if any man is absent." "You have ordered out the dragoons then?" said Lee.

“I have, sir, in pursuance of our established usage," returned the Captain with emphasis, and hastily moving toward the door.

"True-but where are you going?"
"To my duty, unless Major Lee has orders for

"Pursuit?" repeated Lee deliberately-" of me." what? of whom?"

"In the name of Heaven, Major," cried the vexed Carnes, "what ails you? Do you think nothing of treachery and desertion?"

"None-nay, stay a minute," said Lee, who was by this time dressed. Pressing his hand upon his brow, the commander of the Legion walked several times across the room in apparent perturbation of mind: but, perceiving the great impatience of the Captain, he said slowly—“ No

will be well to ascertain whether any dragoon is missing from the Legion, and if so, who he is, before I issue any orders.”

"Treachery? desertion?" repeated Lee again. "What are you talking of? Your communication is so confused, that I cannot understand you. Ex-matter, Carnes, you can go. Upon the whole it cuse me," he added quickly, perceiving that his companion appeared very angry; "but really, Captain, I am so fatigued with my ride to and from head-quarters to-day, that I could not suddenly shake off sleep. Have the goodness to repeat your information. I am now fully awake."

Lee had been but a short time alone when the indefatigable Carnes returned. It had not been found necessary to call the rolls: he whose office Captain Carnes complied, though with somewhat it was to perform that duty was himself missing; of an ill-grace. "Who could it have been?" and, upon examination, it was discovered that he asked Lee, again yawning. "Some countryman, had taken his baggage, arms and orderly book,

VOL. III.-78

and that his horse had been withdrawn from the are acquainted. If John Champe has deserted, it picket! will require some precaution to insure his capAt this intelligence, Lee appeared deeply affect-ture." ed; but, to the infinite surprise of Carnes, he di- Carnes hastily recounted all that had been rerectly returned to his former apathy. He spoke ported to him, and Lee then seated himself at a of the sergeant-major's well known, excellent cha-portable desk, and wrote that stern order of which racter; and appeared to think, despite the fact of his we have given a literal copy at the conclusion of having taken his valise, cloak, &c. with him, that the preceding chapter. But as though again dehis excursion was merely one of personal pleasure:termined to exhibit conduct as much at variance "An example," he added sternly, " too often set as possible with his established character, the comby the officers themselves, destructive as it is to mander of the Legion detained the Cornet for some discipline, opposed as it is to orders, and disastrous time after he had his orders, advising him not to as you now perceive it is likely to prove to the push so eager a pursuit as to risk a chance of fallcorps." ing into the hands of the enemy, and even kept him some minutes, urging him to take care of the horse and accoutrements of the deserter, if recovered. Indeed, so did he appear to trifle with time in this important juncture, that his surprised officers, as they left his quarters, could not forbear comment upon the circumstance.

"The officers, sir," replied the spirited Captain, feeling the reproof, "I acknowledge, have, in certain instances, rendered themselves liable to the charge. But it may not be unworthy of remembrance, that their men have not dared to imitate the practice."

"Directly. To whom have you given com- at all. Why, I have seen him at midnight, after mand of the party intended for pursuit?”

being in the saddle the whole day, actually inspect

"To Lieutenant Carrington, sir. Does it meet ing in person the situation of our horses, when your approbation?" scarcely a trooper in the corps could keep an eye open

"Not exactly. I have in view a particular service which must probably be performed early in the morning. If so, Carrington's aid will be indispensable. Cannot the officer be changed?"

"He must be if you wish it, Major," replied the impatient Carnes; " but it will occasion delay. Will you name an officer yourself?"

"Where is Cornet Middleton?"

"After which, sitting down and writing to the commander-in-chief, until two or three o'clock; and then the first man up in the morning," added Carnes. "But, to-night, he is fatigued with a ride of two hours."

"It is my opinion," returned the Cornet, “ that the desertion of a man whom he has heretofore "Perhaps, sir, you had better name another. held up to the corps as a model of complete solThat boy, though brave as a lion, was particularly diership, has deeply affected him. He really does friendly to the sergeant-major; besides which, he not appear to be the same man he was three hours appears more horror-stricken at this desertion than since. Indeed I can scarcely reconcile the fact any man in the camp, and his tenderness of dispo- to my own mind that Champe has deserted. He sition may induce him to favor the scoundrel. Not is the last man in the Legion I could have suspectthat it could make him swerve from his duty-ed. So grave, so thoughtful, so attached to his but-in short, I would respectfully suggest that companions, and teaching them by his example to an older and a more thorough going officer be en- endure hardships and privations without a murtrusted with this command." mur. Depend upon it, Captain, there is a deep

Lee hesitated. "No," said he, at length. mystery in this business. Would to God I could "Let Middleton be summoned."

So great was the assiduity of the wondering but determined Carnes, that within ten minutes Middleton was in the room.

Now, Captain," said Lee, seeming for the first time to enter fully into the business before him, "you will please inform me of the precise time and place at which the patrole encountered Champe, the direction he took, and of every other circumstance connected with the subject, with which you

have seen the poor fellow but for a minute ere this dreadful event occurred, or that I could even have drawn from him the cause of his habitual melancholy, and have ministered a word of comfort to his afflicted spirit."

“D—n_his melancholy," muttered Carnes, becoming more enraged, the more he reflected upon the mortifying subject; "it has been villainously assumed; and we, whom it has interested so much, are all his dupes. By Heaven, I should not be

surprised if we discover that the demure hypocrite
has been under British pay for months!"
"It cannot be," replied the Cornet emphati-
cally.

"Cannot?" repeated Carnes, in tones of bitter sarcasm. "Can it be, think you, that Arnold is a traitor! Or are we to follow Lee's strange example, and shut out the evidence of our senses?" The dialogue was here interrupted by Middleton's putting himself at the head of his command. Neither man nor horse was spared by the young Cornet that night. The roads were rendered muddy by the recent shower, but this was no impediment to the speed of the avengers of the Legion's sullied honor. The first shock of feeling had passed over, and now every man of the pursuing party was bent on the destruction of the deserter. The hatred that took possession of them was more deadly than any they had ever borne their open enemies:—it is ever thus with hatred for those we have just ceased to love.

The detachment now swept impetuously around the base of the hill on which the old church is situated, but halted in the sandy highway just below it. The heavy shower had obliterated all previous tracks from the roads, and consequently, those subsequently made were plainly seen. Two were all that were discernible: both of horses,-one leading from, the other toward the camp. So complete was the organization of the Legion, that the horses were all shod precisely alike, the shoes being made by blacksmiths attached to the corps. Besides this, the fore shoes bore a private mark. The tracks mentioned were both those of the horses of the Legion :—of course, it was instantly known that one of these must have been made by the steed of Champe, and the other by that of the dragoon from the patrole who had brought in the news of his desertion.

The pursuit was now recommenced with vigor. A detachinent under a sergeant, mounted upon the swiftest horses, were from time to time ordered to ride forward at full speed, in order to ascertain whether the track turned from the highway; while the main party, headed by Middleton, being warned by them, as they successively approach each cross-road, that the deserter had adhered to the direct route to Paules Hook, moved forward at an even, but rapid rate.

pointed out by Middleton. Every eye was strained toward it, and, by observing it steadily, it was discovered that it was leisurely mounting the hill.

Now, my boys," said the Cornet, "keep a bright look-out when it reaches the summit. We shall then be able to discover distinctly what it is. In the meantime our horses can take breath. If it should turn out to be the traitor, which God send it may, he is ours in despite of his utmost efforts. You remember your orders- bring him alive, that he may suffer in presence of the army.'

The first rays of the rising sun now touched the summit of the high hill on which they had halted, and intercepting their sight, seem to sink the road, where it entered the wood, in deeper obscuri.. ty than before. But after the first effect of this sudden effulgence, they could still perceive the object of their suspicion. It continued to approach nearer the top of the distant hill, at the same slow pace as when they first descried it. The gaze of the pursuers became painfully intense in their high-wrought anxiety.

It was now within a short distance of the very summit, and every sense of the men selected to wipe out with their sabres the stigma that had been cast upon the Legion, seemed merged into one-that of sight; and each trooper sat his steed in the most rigid silence, as though sound could operate upon that; when, with a sudden velocity, that seemed to belong more to the lightning in its rage than to man, the point on which every eye was fixed was passed by a horseman! The "best soldier in the Legion" as Lee was wont to call his favorite, (and it was no other they had been watching) was already rushing at full speed down the opposite declivity.

Not the least doubt now remained in the minds of the pursuing party-nor could it; for a beam of the sun, fortunately penetrating an opening in the woods, flashed athwart the path of the deserter, at the same instant that his horse bounded forward, revealing the glittering ornaments of the Legion uniform. Thus had the unfortunate Champe practised one of those feats of ingenuity and skill, that marked his best days of patriotism; favoring his jaded horse by deliberately walking him up a hill under the eyes of pursuers, who knew his acuteness from experience; whose express duty was to guard against it, and whose most ardent desire Passing in this manner through the village of was to destroy him. As was afterwards learned, Hackensack, the pursuers halted on an eminence, he had recognized them at the very instant they soon after daylight, and just before arriving at the discovered him; and but for the aid of the solilittle neighborhood which takes its name from a ta-tary sunbeam, would have passed the very point vern then, and until very lately, called "The Three Pigeons." In front of them the road was straight, giving an uninterrupted view of half a mile. At that distance, a hill, smaller than that upon which the party were, and bounded by woods on either side, obstructed a farther view of the road; but, at the foot of this rise, some object was dimly seen, and

they were watching, leaving them in doubt whether he was the man they sought or not.

Not an order issued from the lips of the surprised Middleton. As by one impulse, the horses of officer and soldier were instantly straining every nerve; and without a shout-without one solitary word-commenced, with the silence of