“There are many trials for you to pass through during the next moon, and if you leave the city on a journey to the general walking on the banks of the great river, you shall lose your life.” Segwuna paused and said no more. Andre sat as though fixed to his chair. His thoughts were afar off. The words of the Indian maiden seemed to stun him, and confound his understanding. He started to rise and to speak, but he sat down again, turned away and began to think. At last he regained enough presence of mind to state to Segwuna: “I am profoundly impressed with what you say. I shall be pleased to consult you again. I hope that I shall reward you sufficiently by giving you this small token of my esteem,” as he arose and held out in his hand a guinea for Segwuna to accept. Segwuna arose and declined the proffer of the gold by declaring with dignity: “I thank you, Mr. Andre, but the Great Spirit hath no token of worth, except His bounteous love and kindness.” Major Andre could say nothing. He was dumbfounded. He simply bowed Segwuna out, overwhelmed by the startling revelations made by this sagacious Indian prophetess. CHAPTER XXXVII Major Andre went back to his desk, and sat down for serious reflection. He reasoned with himself: “Here was a picture of Arnold and Barclugh. How did this simple Indian maiden get such knowledge of my secret affairs? She can have no means of gaining this knowledge. She is simply inspired.” During the next week, Andre could not dispel the visions of Segwuna’s prophecy. He did not dare to tell his friends, not even General Clinton, for they would think him ridiculous. He was naturally timid, and these words made him doubly so. They made him hesitate more than once as to what he ought to do. Whereas he was formerly all enthusiasm about his plot with Arnold, he now began to be doubtful and suspicious of his own ability. The thought of the ire of the Great Spirit of the Indian maiden being brought to bear against the project that he had in hand worked upon the fancy of Andre’s poetical nature and unnerved him. However, the Commander-in-Chief, General Clinton, had ordered Andre to carry out these plans of ensnaring Arnold and taking West Point by bribery, for it had been through the correspondence started by Andre himself, that Arnold was led into correspondence with the enemy. The whole plan had to carry or fall by the exertions of Andre’s own skill. A letter was received by Major Andre at this time which read as follows: Phila., August 20, 1780. “Sir: I have heard from Mr. P---- about the arrangements to sell you the goods that you spoke of in your last favor. “He has every detail arranged, but he must meet you to make the contract in person. My authority in the matter has now come to an end.