of co-operation, and Washington prepared for an attack on New York in his absence. This brought Clinton back to his old quarters, which movement of course arrested the design of the American commander.

Thus all prospects of a junction of the allied forces of America and France were destroyed. The policy of the French in co-operating with the Americans had a twofold object: One was to assist America, the other to protect the French West India Islands. Hence, in the history of those times, the conduct of the French admirals, in appearing at one moment here, and the next sailing for the West Indies, is explained by the necessity of following the movements of the fleet of the enemy.

By the unexpected return of the Admiral Count de Guichen to France, which created great disappointment among both French and Americans, the British land and naval forces were each left in the ascendency, and the allies forced to act on the defensive. Washington, however, still cherished a determination to attempt New York the first opportunity; when the arrival of Admiral Rodney, with eleven ships of the line, rendered all further prosecution of the design hopeless, until a change should take place in the relative force of the parties.

CHAPTER VIII.

HEN the English had abandoned Philadelphia, General Benedict Arnold, who had been wounded in the north, and was still unfitted for the

active services of the field, was

placed in command of that city. He had often shown himself possessed of courage, and of military ability; and his patriotism had not yet, perhaps, been doubted. But the life of pleasure which opened before him, as he recovered from his wounds, presented too many temptations to vice, for his resistance; and he abandoned himself to dissipation and extravagance. The unbecoming means to which he resorted to obtain money, brought him into collision with the local authorities, and under the censure of Congress. He demanded a trial, and was sentenced to be reprimanded by Washington. His pride was deeply wounded, and the mild lesson he received from his

commander, instead of inducing his reform, determined him to deeper transgressions. Either before, or soon afterwards, he entered into a correspondence with the British in New York, and only waited to become worth buying, to propose the purchase to Sir Henry Clinton. That opportunity offered itself when, at his solicitation, he was placed in command of the post of West Point, which was the key to the Highlands, the head-quarters of the American army, and the very stronghold of our cause. He now meditated the final consummation of his treason. In conjunction with Major John Andre, adjutantgeneral of the British army, he matured a plan, which, had it been successfully executed, would in all probability have resulted in the capture of the entire army, and all the military stores deposited at West Point. Sir Henry Clinton was to proceed by water to the Highlands with all his force, where he would find the American troops dispersed in situations which would render defence impossible and their capture certain. The absence of Washington in Connecticut furnished the favourable moment. To give the last finish to this fatal scheme, the Vulture sloop of war was sent up the river, as near the Highlands as was prudent, bearing Andre to an interview with Arnold, who had come down to Haver

straw for this purpose. Accordingly they met, and settled the final preliminaries of this momentous project. But Providence, who seems ever to have watched over the liberties of the United States, interposed a series of obstacles, apparently trifling in themselves, but decisive in their consequences. Andre was to have been put on board the Vulture by daylight in the morning, but that vessel had been obliged to remove so far down the river, by a fire from the shore, from a small cannon, that the men appointed to row the boat, which belonged to a man of the name of Smith, refused to perform the task. They either feared detection, suspected something wrong, or were, as they pleaded, too much fatigued for such a service.

It then became necessary to provide for the return of Andre by land. The country between the Highlands and Kingsbridge was at that period called "between the lines," and was subject to the inroads of both parties.

As it was possible Andre might encounter some of the Americans on his route, it was determined, after much alleged opposition on his part, that he should lay aside his uniform and put on a disguise. Thus relinquishing his character of soldier, he was passed over to the east side of the river, and fur

nished by Smith with a horse. Smith also accompanied him as far as he thought necessary or prudent, and then, bidding him farewell, returned to his home. Andre pursued his way without meeting any interruption, or encountering a single obstacle, and was congratulating himself, as he afterwards declared, on being now in safety, when, in the act of crossing a little bridge, near the village of Tarrytown, he was stopped by a young man, who darted out of the woods and seized his bridle. Completely taken by surprise, he acted as men usually do in such situations. He asked the young man, whose name was John Paulding, where he came from? He replied, "From below," a phrase signifying that he came from the British posts in that direction. "And so do I," cried Andre, expecting to be immediately released. But this confession betrayed him, and on the appearance of two other young men, named Williams and Van Wart, who were called out by the first, he discovered his imprudence. It was then that he produced his pass from Arnold, which would probably have assured his release, but for the previous declaration, that he came "from below." He was taken into an adjoining wood, and searched, without making the least resistance; and nothing being found to excite suspicion, the young men began