Arnold's TempterComfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
History
Arnold's Tempter
Comfort, Benjamin F. (Benjamin Freeman)
Arnold, Benedict, 1741-1801 -- Fiction; United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Fiction
During the morning, in a room overlooking Haverstraw Bay, Andre and
Arnold secretly concluded the plans. Andre made the agreement in
writing with Arnold, and Arnold gave to Andre a detailed description of
the redoubts at West Point and continued with a plan of attack for a
bloodless English victory.
But again the hand of Providence brings about unexpected events. While
these dealings were concluding, they heard the booming of cannon and
saw the Vulture drop down stream out of range of the battery posted by
Colonel Livingston to drive off the enemy’s ship.
Much concern now came over the principals in this drama. Arnold
reassured Andre by stating that Mr. Smith would convey him by boat or
land through the American lines. Passports from the Commanding-General
would insure safe convoy through the district under Arnold and then
when Andre reached the British outposts he could manage himself.
Providing Major Andre with three passes to meet all possible
contingencies, as he thought, and leaving him in the hands of Mr. Smith
as Mr. John Anderson, Arnold returned in his barge soon after nine
o’clock that morning, to his headquarters to await the results of his
treachery.
Following are the passes provided for the return of John Anderson, in
Arnold’s own handwriting:
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Joshua Smith has permission to pass with a boat and three hands and a
flag to Dobb’s Ferry on public business and to return immediately.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Joshua Smith has permission to pass the guards to White Plains and to
return, he being on public business.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
“Headquarters, Robinson House,
“September 22, 1780.
“Permit Mr. John Anderson to pass the guards to the White Plains, or
below, if he chooses, he being on public business by my direction.
“(Signed) B. Arnold, M. Gen’l.”
Andre passed the day in hiding, awaiting impatiently for darkness to
come that he might be returned to the Vulture. But the more Andre
insisted, the more opposed Smith grew to the route by boat. However,
Smith won his point for reasons not entirely logical, and after Andre
had exchanged his officer’s red coat for one of Smith’s, and had
wrapped himself up in a great military coat with a cape, the two
set out on horseback, a little before sunset, accompanied by a negro
servant belonging to Smith.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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