276 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



closely pursued that his life was in danger, and he was on the point of 

 being taken prisoner. By some oversight the boats had not been with- 

 drawn, or it may have been expected that Arnold would come with a 

 flag, which appears not to have been the case. 



"Having landed on the west side of the river, he went down to the 

 Ferry, where he remained till night. Whether Andre and Robinson 

 were at the landing place on the opposite side, or whether they came up 

 from New York in a vessel and remained on board, has not been ascer- 

 tained; but, at any rate, no meeting took place. 



"Not forgetting his accustomed caution, Arnold wrote a letter to 

 General Washington while at Dobb's Ferry. His passage down the 

 river had been in so public a manner, that it could not fail to be known, 

 and he feared suspicions might be raised concerning his motives and ob- 

 jects. Filling up the principal part of his letter with matters of some 

 importance appertaining to his command, he said, as if accidentally, that 

 he had come down to that place, in order to establish signals, which 

 were to be observed in case the enemy ascended the river ; and also 

 to give additional directions respecting the guard-boats, and to have a 

 beacon fixed on a hill, about five miles below King's Ferry, which would 

 be necessary to alarm the country. These reasons were plausible, and 

 afforded apparent proofs of his vigilance, rather than grounds for sus- 

 pecting any sinister design. 



"Being foiled in this attempt to mature his scheme of treachery, he 

 left Dobb's Ferry a little after sunset, went up the river in the night, and 

 reached his quarters at Robinson's House, before morning. Andre and 

 Colonel Robinson returned to New York." 



When Arnold left Andre, (the day previous to his capture at Tarry- 

 town,) after delivering the treasonable papers, "Andre (continues Mr. 

 Sparks) supposed he was to be sent on board the Vulture, as will appear 

 by the following extract, which he wrote after his capture. 'Arnold 

 quitted me,' said he 'having himself made me put the papers I bore be- 

 tween my stockings and feet. Whilst he did it, he expressed a wish, in 

 case of any accident befalling me, that they should be destroyed; which 

 I said of course would be the case, as, when I went into the boat, I 

 should have them tied about with a string and a stone. Before we par- 

 ted, some mention had been made of my crossing the river, and going 

 another route; but I objected much against it, and thought it was set- 

 tled — that in the way I came I was to return.' 



" Arnold left him, and went up the river to head-quarters. Before he 



a Spark's Life of Benedict Arnold, 180, 181, 182. An account of the second interview will 

 be found in Coitlandtown. 



