This action, hardly noticed in general history, should at least be chronicled among important minor actions of the war, and the name of Hurlburt be honoured with those of Gushing or Hobson. The most notable of all historic events connected with this part of the river was the capture of Major John Andre at Tarrytown, in September, 1780. Fresh from his interview with the traitorous Arnold, within the American lines, Andre was escaping on horseback, in disguise, to Xew York, when stopped by the three American militiamen, John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van Wart. The details of that ca]:)ture ha\'e been worn threadbare by constant repetition, and the merit of captors and captive have been discussed with hardly abated warmth for a century and more. We will not enter into that controversy. At a point near the present highway, probably about an eighth of a mile to the east of it, the trio of scouts were apparently waiting for something to turn up. when they heard the sound of a horse's hoofs and intercepted the rider. Forcing him to dismount, they drew him into the bushes and under a tree somewhat to the east of the present road, searched him, finall}' discovering the criminating papers in his boot. Whether Paulding really exclaimed, " My God, he is a spy, ' ' or whether the question of ransom was ever seriously discussed, are matters that will probablv never be settled. What is important is that the men

In the Land of Irving- 237 who captured Andre did not conclude any bargain for ransom, but actually held their prisoner till they had turned him over to some one who had official authoritv to hold him, and that they were honoured by the Commander-in-chief of the army and by Congress as the saviours of the State.