J O 4 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



while Andre walked his horse slowly to the ferry alone, and there waited 

 Smith's arrival. 



As they passed through the works at Verplanck's Point, Smith rode 

 up to Colonel Livingston's tent, while Andre, and a servant who attend- 

 ed him, (a negro of Smith's,) rode on. To the Colonel's inquiries, Smith 

 said he was going up the country, and took charge of letters for General 

 Arnold and Governor Clinton. He excused himself from stopping, as a 

 gentleman waited for him whose business was urgent. He then over- 

 took his charge, and they proceeded until between eight and nine at 

 night, when they were hailed by the sentinel of a patrolling party. 

 This was near Crompond, and about eight miles from Verplanck's Point. 

 The sentinel ordered them to stop, and Smith dismounted, gave the 

 bridle of his horse to his servant, walked forward, and inquired who com- 

 manded the party. He was answered, ' Captain Boyd,' who, overhear- 

 ing the conversation, immediately appeared. The captain was unusually 

 inquisitive, and demanded of him who he was, where he belonged, and 

 what was his business. Smith answered these questions promptly, add- 

 ing that he had a pass from General Arnold, and desired not to be de- 

 tained. The captain was not yet satisfied, but inquired how far he 

 meant to go that night; to which he replied, as far as Major Strang's or 

 Colonel Drake's ; but this only increased the embarrassment, for the 

 captain informed him that Major Strang was not at home, and Colonel 

 Drake had removed to another part of the country. 



Captain Boyd then said that he must see the passport ; and, it being 

 dark, they went to a house at a small distance to procure a light. 

 Andre began to be a little alarmed, and advanced with reluctance 

 towards the house, till he was encouraged by Smith, who assured him 

 that Arnold's pass would certainly protect them. 



And so it proved; for the pass was expressed in positive terms, and 

 there was no room to doubt its genuineness or its authority. 



The captain was afterwards more bland in his manner, but the ardor 

 of his curiosity was not diminished. He took Smith aside, and begged 

 to be informed of this important business which carried him down so 

 near the enemy's lines, and induced him and his companion to travel so 

 dangerous a road in the night. As an apology for this inquiry, he mani- 

 fested a good deal of concern for their safety ; telling him that the cow- 

 boys had recently been out, and were believed then to be far up the 

 country — and he advised him by all means not to proceed till morning. 

 Smith prevaricated as well as he could, saying to Captain Boyd, that 

 he and his fellow-traveler, whom he called Mr. Anderson, were em- 

 ployed by General Arnold to procure intelligence; that they expected to 



