He related, that on the day Andre was taken, he was standing at the door of his father's residence, upon the Crum Pond road, when he observed a person approaching on horseback, leisurely walking his horse. As he rode up, he observed the stranger to be closely enveloped in a light blue swan's down cloak, with high military boots, and a low-crowned and broad brimmed hat on his head. The animal he bestrode was a beautiful bay, bitted with a handsome double snaffle bridle; the mane particularly about the head, being thickly matted with burs. The stranger immediately asked for a drink of water. It deserves to be noticed, in connection with this incident, that Mr. Hammond's father -- who was lying, at the time, badly wounded on the floor -- caught a glimpse of the stranger, whom he pronounced to be a spy, from the fact of his being enveloped in the manner described.

David Hammond, having procured a drinking vessel, accompanied by his sister, led the way to the adjoining well. Here the girl drew the water, which was offered to the stranger, who requested David to hold the bridle whilst he drank. After satisfying his thirst, he turned toward Mrs. Hammond, and asked the distance to Tarrytown; she replied, "Four miles." "I did not think it was so far," said he.

At Chappequa, in the vicinity of Underbill's tavern, the spy encoun^ tered several Quakers. From them he again inquired the road, at the same time asking whether any troops were out below, &c.