The party now consisting of six, took the direct road for Cross river. Here they were joined by David Williams from Bedford. From Cross river they proceeded' to Pleasantville, formerly Clark's Corner, where they halted for the night. From a lady by the name of Mrs. Powell, (who had recently arrived at this place from Morrisania,) the volunteers ascertained that the British horse from Long Island, New Jersey and New York, had advanced from the Island into tlie neighborhood of Boar hill, Yonkers.

Whilst Andre slept at Crunipond, our volunteers turned into a hay barrack, (then standing a few yards fiom the present Methodist Church,) ai Pleasantville.

Up by times on the next morning, the party followed the windings of the Saw Mill valley to the house of Capt. Jacob

214 HISTORY OF THE

Rormer, where they obtained breakfast and a basket well provided for their dinner. From this place ihey marched to the hill iiiimediately above Tarrytown. Here it was agreed that three of the number, viz. Paulding, Van AYart and David Williams should go below, whilst the remaining four should watch the road above, with the full understanding, (according to Yerks,) that whatever might be taken should be equally divided among the whole band.

The upper party were stationed two hundred yards east on the hill above the lower party, the latter being concealed in the bushes near the post-road.

At Smith's trial, (which was by a court martial, and commenced the day after Andre's examination, Paulding and YVilliams gave the following testimony. Paulding said, '• myself, Isaac van Wart and David Williams, were lying by the side of the road about half a mile above Tarrytown, and about fifteen miles above Kmgsbridge, on Saturday morning between nine and ten o'clock, on the 23d of September. We had lain there about one hour and a half, as near as I can recollect, and saw several persons we were acquainted with, whom we let pass.