270 TRAVELS THROUGH NORTH AMERICA : 
the side of a barren hill; no human creature 
appearing in it except the solitary sentinel; 
who marched backwards and forwards on the 
ramparts overgrown with long grass.* it had a 
most melancholy aspect, that perhaps was 
heightened by the gloominess of the morn¬ 
ing, and the recollection of all the circum¬ 
stances attending the unhappy fate of poor 
Andre. 
/ . 
Near West Point there is also another post, 
called Fort Putnam, which, since the peace* 
has been suffered to get very much out of 
repair; however, steps are now taking to have 
it put in good order. Supposing that a rup¬ 
ture should ever unfortunately again take place 
between Great Britain and the United States 
of America, these posts would be of the 
greatest consequence, as they form a link in 
that chain of posts which extend the whole 
way along the navigable waters that connect 
the British settlements with New York. 
In this neighbourhood the highlands, as 
they are called, commence, and extend along 
the river on each side for several miles. The 
breadth of the river is here considerably con¬ 
tracted, and such sudden gusts of wind, com¬ 
ing from between the mountains, sometimes 
blow through the narrow passes, that vessels 
■ . ■ i " 1 * i 
frequently have their' topmasts carried away. 
The captain of the sl'oop wfc were'in, sail* 
