Andre consoled to mount a led horse brought to the Clove with Arnold, and to accompany him to Smith's house, there to remain through the day, and return to the sloop of war next night. It was still dark, and, as Andre asserts, the voice of the sentinel demanding the countersign, was tlie first indication to the adjutant-general that he was within the American lines. About the break of day, the conspirators arrived at Smith's house. He had proceeded with the boat to Crown

Smith's words are, " hid among the firs."

206 HISTORY OF THE

Island in Haverslraw creek, and dismissing the Colquhouns joined Arnold. To the alarm of the group, a cannonade was very soon heard, and from the window, Andre beheld that the Vulture was in peril from the guns, and saw her obliged to weigh anchor and stand down the river. In an upper apartment in Smith's house, the spy and the traitor viewed this unexpected incident, and Sir Henry Clinton's adjutant general, no doubt, felt for a time, that the net prepared for others, was closing around him. It is to be supposed, (hat the commander of West Point reassured him, and after breakfast, Smith left him to finish "the plot of treachery" between them ; it was understood that Arnold was to receive a stipulated sum. The day fixed upon, Andre was to return to New York, and the British troops (already embarked under the pretence of an expedition to the Chesapeake,) were to be ready to ascend the river. Arnold was to weaken the post of West Point by such a disposition of the garrison, as would yield it an easy prey to the troops brought against it.