One of the shots from the "Vulture" lodged in an oak tree, where it remained for more than half a century, when the oak tree, which had become decayed, was cut down, the ball removed and presented by William Underbill to George J. Fisher, M.D., of Sing Sing. Andre had watched the cannonade with anxious eye from an upper window of Smith's house, and after the " Vulture " had been obliged to shift her anchor, Arnold and Smith, knowing well that she was closely watched from both sides of the river, became convinced that it would be unsafe to return Andre on board. After breakfast the plot for the betrayal of West Point and its

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

dependent posts was completed, and the sum that Arnold was to receive for his villainy agreed upon. Immediately upon Andre's return to New York, the force under Clinton and Admiral Sir George Rodney was to ascend the river. The iron chain stretched across the river at West Point was to be weakened by taking a link out of it and substituting a rope link. The approach of the British was to be announced by signals, and the American forces were to be so distributed that they could be easily captured, and at the proper moment Arnold was to surrender the works with all the troops, 3,000 in number. Andre was furnished by Arnold with plans of the works and explanatory papers, which, at Arnold's request, he placed between his stockings and his feet, promising in case of accident to destroy them. Arnold wrote the following pass for Andre, gave it to Smith, and at ten o'clock departed in his barge for the Eobinson house: