"It was near midnight when at last they pushed off from the shore, and so still that not a leaf stirred in the forests, and there was not a ripple on the water. When they neared the ship they were hailed by the sentinel on its deck. Smith gave some explanation of their errand, and after some rough words was allowed to go on board. He found Captain Sutherland and Beverly Robinson in the cabin. He had a missive for the latter from Arnold, but though addressed to Robinson its contents were evidently meant for Andre--inviting him to come ashore and assuring him of safety in so doing. Robinson understood it and, I presume, explained it to Andre. Two passes signed by Arnold, which Smith brought, made still plainer Arnold's wish that Andre should come ashore. Andre yielded and went with Smith, who landed him at the foot of a great hill called Long Clove Mountain, about two miles below Haverstraw, on the western side of the river. "This was the place Arnold had set for the meeting with Andre, and he was there hidden in the bushes. Smith took Andre to him, then left them alone together, and for the first time they heard each the other's voice. They were plotting the utter ruin of this land, and the darkness and gloom of the place seemed to suit the nature of the wicked work. They had not finished their conference when Smith returned to give warning that dawn approached and it would be dangerous for them to linger longer. Smith's house was four miles away. Arnold proposed that they should go there to finish their talk, offering Andre a horse which he called his servant's, though it is altogether probable it had been brought there for this purpose. Andre reluctantly complied with the request. He did not know that he was within the American lines until he heard the voice of a sentinel near the village of Haverstraw. His uniform was concealed by a long blue surtout, but he knew that he was in real danger because he was within the enemy's lines without a flag or pass. At dawn they reached Smith's house, and at the same moment heard the sound of a cannonade on the river. It was in the direction of the _Vulture_." "Fired by the Americans, papa, or by the British?" asked Elsie. "The Americans," replied her father. "It was an attack upon the British ship _Vulture_. Colonel Livingston had heard that she lay so near the shore as to be within cannon shot and had conceived the idea of destroying her, and during the night had sent a party with cannon from Verplanck's Point; and at dawn, from Teller's Point, they opened fire upon the _Vulture_; so severe a one that the vessel's crew raised her anchor and moved down the river. "Colonel Livingston had asked Arnold for two pieces of heavy cannon for the purpose of destroying the _Vulture_, but on some slight pretence Arnold refused, and Livingston's detachment could bring only one four-pounder to bear upon her.