FORTY YEARS SINCE.
211
"Groaning audibly he returned to his tent, exclaiming—
"The blood of my bravest man is upon my soul to all eternity."
"Cornet Middleton entered. The Major read the settled gloom upon his brow, and his hopes rekindled.
"The traitor has eluded me," he said, and as he retraced the adventure, Lee had need of all his self-controul to repress the rapture that kindled in his eye. His sickness vanished. Throwing himself upon his horse, he hastened to head-quarters, and sought a private interview with the Commander in Chief. Thrice Washington pressed hard the hand of his Major; and once a bright moisture glistened in his eye, as he heard the loyalty, the perils, the escape of the faithful Champé.
