Originally Arnold had no other intention than to return Andre by boat to the " Vulture." If, during his night conference with Andre, he had foreseen the necessity of sending him back overland, through numerous American posts and a wide strip of neutral territory patrolled by vigilant American bands, he certainly would have managed to bring the traitorous transactions to an end before daylight. The aggressive conduct of the Americans with their gun on Teller's Point demonstrated to him that the " Vulture " was very closely watched from the river banks. Moreover, the main body of the American army was encamped just

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

below at Tappan, and it was presumable that with the " Vulture" (whose movements during the previous days had been rather sensational) lying at anchor in midstream in that immediate locality the guards along the river would be exceptionally numerous and inquisi tive. Hence the decision upon the fatal return journey by land. Although Arnold departed from Joshua Ilett Smith's house at ten o'clock on the morning of September 22, leaving passes for Smith and Andre, it was not until dusk that the pair ventured forth. Andre, the previous night, when coming ashore from the " Vulture/' had not removed his uniform, merely taking the precaution of throwing around him a blue great-coat. Rut on leaving Smith's house for his hazardous journey he carefully disguised himself, took off his uniform, and put on an under-coat belonging to Smith and a dark oreat-coat with ik a wide cape and buttoned close to the neck." The sufficiency of his disguise was soon to be put to a startling test. Scarce had he left the post at Verplanck's Point when he came face to face with Colonel Webb of our army, whom he knew perfectly. His heart gave a great leap.