The Deserter, Chapters III-VII [pp. 609-619]

SOUTHERN LITERARY MESSENGER.
sibly they were mistaken, but if not, they imaagined there mnight be nothing strange in his exhibiting uneasiness in the situation in which he
was placed. It appeared that, since his unaccountable desertion, his very soul was changed; that
he had utterly sacrificed his Virginia pride and
independent spirit at the shrine of royalty and highhanded power: his manner toward the King's lieutenant was servile in the extreme-as much so as
that of the most abject minion in the royal ranks
could have been. Such a deference it was as he had
never shown to the officers of Congress, and he had
been in the presence of those of the highest rank
among the latter. Formerly his intercourse with
those above him in military rank had been uniformly marked with manly respect; but there had
been no degrading servility in it until now.
"You said the opinion was gaining ground that
General Arnold had taken the wisest course," said
Sir Henry Clinton, after some remarks in an
undertone to two of his aids who sat near him.
"What causes you to think so?"
"Your excellency is well acquainted with the
fact," returned the Virginian," that Lee's Legion
has been throughout the war one of the most faithful corps in the American service."
"I am; and that which most surprised me in
regard to your own defection, was the circumstance
of your having come to us from that corps."
Well, yoir excellency, I know that very
corps is now full of discontent. The men are unpaid, and half the time unfed. Besides that, General Arnold's letter has convinced them that it is
their real interest to discontinue their resistance.
They think his arguments very plain."
They think rightly," returned Clinton, with
a grim expression of satisfaction. " But your account does not agree with information I have heretofore received of the Virginia Legion. I have
been told that Lee is an excellent provider, and
exceedingly careful of the interests of his mennay, that he has even supplied, from his private
resources, the means of paying them, when Congress has been deficient."
I believe that is true, your excellency," returned the self-possessed Chliampe," but I knowand every man in the Legion knows-that he has
not done so lately. It is reported in the corps,
that he has found out that Congress is not likely to
be able to repay him; and since that, we have had
to do without pay altogether. WVhat he calls his
patriotism has cooled down, though he preaches
about it as much as ever."
The stern features of the British Chief relaxed
into a smile, and the two aids indulged in a hearty
laugh.
"I don't mean to say, your excellency," rejoined the deserter quickly, "that the Americans are
any worse than other troops in regard to fighting
without pay; for I believe they will do it as long,
without complaining, as any other people: but
when it comes to seeing their wives and children
starving before their eyes, it is too bad."
Certainly, my good fellow, certainly-I understand you perfectly. But you have spoken
only of the men. Pray, tell me your opinion in
regard to the officers. Will any of them follow
Brigadier Arnold's example?"
The deserter appeared to be immersed in deep
reflection. At length he said," I think they will,
your excellency."
By what do you judge?"
Why, your excellency, after General Arnold first left us, we did not dare to express our
opinions before the officers; but latterly, we have
talked freely, and they do not reprimand us. In
fact, they often smile when they overhear us, and
then assemble together, and have long consultations among themselves. This makes rme think -"
"Go on sir, go on," said Clinton impatiently,
when he observed the hesitation of the American.
"Speak your mind freely, and tear nothing."
" It makes me think, your excellency," resumed
the deserter, " that some scheme for coming over
to the King, with all the troops, is on fbot."
Aha!" eagerly exclaimed Clinton, turning to
his companions, who were regarding Champe with
the closest attention. "Do you hear that, gentlemen? Does not the plot work well? You are a
shrewd fellovw, sergeant. You have shown it no
less in coming to us b)eforehand(l, than in foreseeing
that a revulsion will take place. What inducements do you think most likely to bring this spirit
of defection to an issue?"
Again the deserter hesitated. "Of course, your
excellency is aware," said he, cautiously looking
around, as though fearing he might be overheard
by some person who ought not to be intrusted
with an important secret, " that I am not the best
judge of that; but my poor opinion is, in regard
to the Legion in particular, that if the men were
offered a mronth's pay in advance, and some clothing, such as shirts, stockings, and boots-so that
the men might have them all in plain sight-that
is, if it could be done, your excellency, by a flag
or in any other way-their necessities would compel them to accept them. Promises would not do
so well-first, because they have had too many of
them fi'om Congress; and second, because it is
immediate relief they require. Then if the officers could be offered handsome pay-partly in advance-and that shown them in gold-for they are
entirely disgusted with paper-I think they would
come over at once."
"You perceive, gentlemen," said Clinton, again
turning to his aids, " that my opinion of the rebels was well founded. Tell me not of the virtues
of men reared from the cradle to the art of making
money. Money is their idol-they love it more
than they fear gunpowder-and they shall have it."
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