Major Andre was introduced to Smith, and both descended into the boat. They landed at the foot of a great hill, called Long Clove Mountain, on the western shore of the Hudson, about two miles below Haverstraw. This place had been designated by Arnold for the meeting, and thither he had repaired from Smith's house. Arnold was concealed in the thick bushes, and to the same place Smith conducted Andre. They were left alone, and for the first time the conspirators heard each other's voice; for the first time Arnold's lips uttered audibly the words of treason. There, in the gloom of night, concealed from all human cognizance, they discussed their dark plans, and plotted the utter ruin of the patriot cause. When, at the twilight of an autumn day, I stood upon that spot, in the shadow of the high hills, and the night gathering its veil over the waters and the fields, a superstitious dread crept over me lest the sentence of anathema, maranatha, should make the spot as unstable as the earth whereon rested the tents of the rebellious Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.
The hour of dawn approached, and the conference was yet in progress. Smith came, and warned them of the necessity for haste. There was much yet to do, and André reluctantly consented to mount the horse rode by Arnold's servant, and accompany the general to Smith's house, nearly four miles distant. ** It was yet dark, and the voice of a sentinel, near
* These passes, which are still in existence, are as follows:
"Head-quarters, Robinson House, September 20, 1780.
"Permission is given to Joshua Smith, Esquire, a gentleman,
Mr. John Anderson, who is with him, and his two servants, to
pass and repass the guards near King's Ferry at all times.
"B. Arnold, M. Gen'l."
"Head-quarters, Robinson House, September 21, 1780.
"Permission is granted to Joshua Smith, Esq., to go to
Dobbs's Ferry with three Men and a Boy with a Flag to carry
some Letters of a private Nature for Gentlemen in New York,
and to Return immediately.
"B. Arnold, M. Gen'l.
"N.B.—He has permission to go at such hours and times as
the tide and his business suits.
"B. A."
** The fact that Arnold had provided a spare horse (for there was no necessity for a servant to accompany him to the place of meeting), is evidence that he expected a longer conference than the remainder of the night would afford. Furthermore, convicted as Arnold is of innate wickedness, it may not be unjust to suppose that he was prepared, after getting Andre within the American lines, to perform any act of dishonor to extort a high price for his treason, or to shield himself from harm if circumstances should demand it.
Arrival of the Conspirators at Smith's House.—The Vulture fired upon.—Plan of Operations arranged.—Colonel Livingston.
the village of Haverstraw, gave André the first intimation that he was within the American lines. He felt his danger, but it was too late to recede. His uniform was effectually concealed by a long blue surtout, yet the real danger that environed him, he being within the enemy's lines without a flag or pass, made him exceedingly uneasy.
