his general, questioned the man closely as to their dress, manner and appearance, so far as he could judge, and having obtained all the information which the sentinel could communicate, hastened to the barracks, and requested an instant audience of Major Gibbs, to whom he reported what he had just learned.

"Has Captain Martin reported yet?" was the inquiry of the major, after he had heard the sergeant's

statement.

"There's a company just below the barracks, major; but I don't know whose it is. They came up just before I started on my rounds.”

"Send the orderly here, and allow no person to pass the lines, even if he has the countersign," was all the reply which the major made, and, in a few moments after the sergeant's departure, the orderly entered the

room.

66 Whose company is that below the barracks ?" "One from Colonel McDougal's regiment," was the reply, accompanied by the military salute.

Major Gibbs, as commander of the Life Guards, was, of course, in the most intimate confidence of the commander-in-chief, and to him had been communicated the information brought by Major Burr, which made him cognizant of all the orders issued by General Washington, and of the reasons which had governed him. He had been informed of the disclosures made within the past few hours, and fairly worshipping his

general, had received the impression that the plot thus providentially betrayed, was much more extended than had been supposed. As the custodian of the personal safety of the commander-in-chief, holding the very highest post of honor in the army, the major realized the full sense of his responsibility, and, with characteristic prudence, he resolved to act upon his own judgment. Thus far he had rigidly obeyed his orders. He had none others to act upon; but the emergency seemed to be such as to demand prompt action, and that he determined to take upon his own responsibility; and, after a few moments' reflection, feeling that he had not only the right, but, by virtue of his office, the power to do so, he resolved to act. The passage of two persons through the lines, with the countersign, might or might not be unimportant; but with the prudence of a cautious, brave, and devoted soldier, he determined at once upon his course.

66

Captain Martin, major," said the orderly, interrupting the major's reverie, and ushering in the commander of the company in McDougal's regiment, who had been ordered to make the arrest at Corbie's house when the proper time had arrived.

"Captain, I am glad to see you so prompt; but I had no reason to expect anything else from you,” and the captain bowed in response to the compliment, which, by the way, was hardly merited.

"You will please take your men by any route the

least noticeable, and post them on the banks of the river near Corbie's. We have reason to believe that he is in constant and direct communication with the enemy. If any boat approaches, let it land, and make the whole party prisoners."

"If any boat attempts to pass your command, and does not land when hailed, fire into it without hesitation. There is treason and treachery abroad, Captain Martin, and we must put them down. Go at once, captain, we have no time to lose," and, with a salute, the captain was about to retire, when Major Gibbs added: "By the way, you had better take the lane just north of us; it leads to the river, and you can get down by that path without trouble, and the fact of your going past Corbie's, will disarm the inmates of any suspicion as to your purposes."

In a few moments, his command, some forty men, was in motion, and he led them by the lane mentioned by Major Gibbs, which wound down to the edge of the river, and through which Margaret and Captain Blanchard had passed a few minutes previously, intending by making a detour to get in the rear of Corbie's house, and where, secured from observation by the bushes which skirted the river, everything could be

seen.

CHAPTER XXXV.

AARON BURR FREE AGAIN.

WHILE matters are in this posture, let us turn to Major Burr, whom we left as he arose from the tea-table at General Putnam's. He ascended to his own apartment, and locking himself in, threw himself into a large, leather-bottomed chair which stood by the table in the centre of the room, and burying his face in his hands, he gave way to the thoughts which the occasion would naturally be supposed to excite.

Here was he a youth just out of his teens, who had won honor, fame and distinction, such as hundreds of older officers would have been glad and proud to enjoy. His reputation as a brave, cool, skillful and accomplished officer, was not surpassed by that of any young officer in the Continental army, and by few of his seniors. He had enjoyed the confidence and regard of the commander-in-chief, who had evinced his appreciation of his worth and talents, by making him one of his aidsa position which he had abandoned voluntarily, for the reason, as he had said, that he was not content as a soldier to discharge only the clerical duties which devolved upon an aid, and desired more active ser

vice; and he was then, at his own request, backed by that of General Putnam, transferred to his staff as aid, where he had service as constant and active as his heart desired. He was the intimate friend and confidant of this brave old general, who loved him as a son, while every member of the family treated him as one of themselves.

The career before him under such a leader, gave promise of abundant active service, with the certain prospect of promotion if he should deserve it, and he felt that he could; and more than all, he was in the very presence of the enemy, for they were daily expected to arrive, and in such numbers as would call forth all the energies and courage and talents of every man in the army. Here was a chance for distinction, for new laurels, for added honors, and his defection now, at this imminent crisis, would it not be attributed to cowardice? He shrunk with a blush of shame from this thought.

Then again, the fact that Margaret had fled the city at the same time with himself, would, no doubt, make his name a very by-word of ridicule and contempt, as one who for the sake of a pair of brilliant eyes, a voluptuous form and fascinating manners, had forsaken his country in her sorest hour of trial-had forfeited his honor, and sullied a name which now bade fair to shine in the firmament of the country's history, among the brightest of the bright stars which studded it.