According to Smith's account, it was a weary and restless night to his companion. The burden on his thoughts was not of a kind to lull them to repose ; and the place of his retreat so near the watchful Captain Boyd and his guard, w^as hardly such as would impress upon him a conviction of perfect security.
At the first dawn of light he roused himself from his troubled slumber, wakened the servant, and ordered tlie horses to be prepared for an early departure.
Having solicited their host in vain to receive a compensation for the civilities he had rendered, they mounted and took the road leading to Pine's bridge,"=i which crosses the Croton River on the way to North Castle. " The countenance of Andre brightened when he was fairly beyond the reach of the patroHing party, and, as he thought, he left behind him the principal difficulties in his route. His cheerfulness revived, and he conversed, in the most animated and agreeable strain, upon a great variety of topics. Smith professes to have been astonished at the sudden and extraordinary change which appeared in him, from a gloomy taciturnity to an exuberant flow^ of spirits, pleasantry, and gay discourse. He talked upon poetry, the arts, and literature; lamented the war. and hoped for a speedy peace."^ As they passed Major Strang's house, two miles below Yorktown church, they were observed by its inmates, who supposed them to be Continental officers. " In this manner they passed along, without being accosted by any person, till they came within two miles and a half of Pine's Bridge. At this place Smith had determined to end his journey in the direction of White Plains. The Cowboys, whom he seemed anxious to avoid, had recently been above-