Early the next morning he proceeded to Dobb's Ferry, at which place Andre had arrived, according to his appointment, accompanied by Colonel Beverly Robinson, to whom the secret had already been entrusted by Sir Henry Clinton, probably at the suggestion, or at least with the knowledge of Arnold. An accident occurred which prevented the interview, and was near putting an end to the plot itself. When Arnold was approaching the point of destination by water, he was fired upon by the British gun boats stationed in that part of the river, and so closely pursued that his life was in danger, and he was on the point of being taken prisoner. By some oversight the boats had not been withdrawn, or it may have been expected that Arnold would come with a flag, which appears not to have been the case.

"Having landed on the west side of the river, he went down to the Ferry, where he remained till night. Whether Andre and Robinson were at the landing place on the opposite side, or

a Heath. Mem. 69. b Ibid. 84. ^ Ibid. 113.

181 HISTORY OF THE

whether they came np from New York in a vessel and remained on board, has not been ascertained ; but, at any rate, no meeting took place.

" Not forgetting his accustomed caution, Arnold wrote a letter to General Washington while at Dobb's Ferry. His passage down the river had been in so public a manner, that it could not foil to be known and he feared suspicions might be raised concerning his motives and objects. Filling up the principal part of his letter with matters of some importance appertaining to his command, he said, as if accidentally, that he had come down to that place, in order to establish signals, which were to be observed in case the enemy ascended the river, and also to give additional directions respecting the guard-boats, and to have a beacon fixed on a hill, about five miles below King's Ferry, which would be necessary to alarm the country.