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The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
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 TREASON m THE CAMP: 
 
 k %imi m THE EE¥®iyTi^ii 
 
 BY EHERSON BENNETT, 
 
 AuTHOK OF "Viola;" " Claea Moreland ;" " Peaibie Flowee ;" " Leni Leoti ;" 
 "Female Spy;" "Kosalie Dn Pont;" " Teaitoe, ;" etc. etc. 
 
 \. 
 
 ^t-:r^ C I liLC I N N A "^ I : 
 H. M. Rni.ISOy, QUEEN CITT YVM' -r HOUPi 
 
 NEW YORK: A. BA: ■' . iJ5 BKOACn \i 
 
 ■^^f^ji* 
 
A BOOK FOR EVERY FATBER, MOTHER, SON AND DAUGHTER. 
 
 JUST PfJSStlSMEB, ANB J^OW Z.iEA&1[ JTOK SALE, 
 ET 
 
 II. M. RULISOI, 
 
 AT THE QUEEN CITY PUBLISHING flOUSE, 115>^ MAIN ST, CINCINNATI, O., 
 GENERAL AGENT FOR THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN STATES, 
 
 THE PEOPLE'S MEDICAL LIGHTHOUSE, 
 
 Ok the Uses and Diseases of the Lungs, Heart, Liver, Stomach, Kidneys, 
 Womb, and Blood ; a Key (o the Causes, Prevention, Remedies, and Cure 
 of Pulmonary and othier kinds of CONSUMPTION, Asthma, Bronchitis, 
 Heart'D.iseases, Dyspepsia, Liver Complaint, Ague and Fever, Baldness, 
 Deafness, Blindness, Spinal Curvatures, Headaches, Catarrh, Costiveness, 
 Diarrhea, Dysentery, Grul) and Worms, Piles, and Fistula, Miscarriage, 
 Female Diseases, Cancers and Tumors, Falling of the Womb. 
 
 MAEEIAGE .&UIDE; 
 
 On Early Marriage, Growth of the Fetus, Organs of Generation, Preven- 
 tion of Conception, Impressions on the Female Organs and on the Unborn 
 Child, Art of Procreating the Sexes at Will, and how to render Childbirth 
 Easy and Safe, and retain their Youthful Vigor, Beauty, and Elasticity of 
 both Mind and Body to a ripe old age. 
 
 BY HARMON K. ROOT, A. M., M. D., 
 
 Author of a series of Lectures on Health, and Inventor of the Infallible 
 Lung Barometer. Illustrated with sixty-five rare, interesting, and useful 
 engravings. 
 
 This work contains 496 largf, octavo pages, in clear type, and elegantly 
 bound." PRICE $2. - _ 
 
 This book will be sent by mail to any part of the world,on the reception 
 of $2 by letter (post-paid). 
 
 Agents wanted to sell this work throughout the West and South, to whom 
 a liberal discount will be allowed. (Address, post-paid, as above.) 
 
 The People's Medical Li&HiHoiJsE.is a complete guide to the preserva- 
 tion of health and the cuye of every kind of disease, anJ will be found of 
 inestimable value to every individual and family to whom it comes. It con- 
 tains the long and varied experience of the Author in the practice of his 
 profession, so arranged and written as to be plain to every person, and easy 
 of comprehension. The jargon of medical terms, behind which many phy- 
 sicians seek to hide their ignorance, is discarded ; so that, in verity, it is a 
 Lighthouse of Medicines for the universal people. 
 
 The book has received the highest recommendations from the Clergy and 
 Press, ini, various parts of the Eastern and Middle States. 
 
 N. B.— Editors of papers in the Western and Southern States forwarding 
 $1, and giving the ab( ve advertisement, including this note, one or more 
 insertions, and sending a copy of the paper containing the same, shall have 
 a copy of the Medical Lighthouse mailed to their address, free of postage. 
 
 H. m. RULISON. 
 
THE 
 
 FillLE SPY 
 
 OR 
 
 Q 
 
 A STORY OF THE 
 
 REYOLUTION. 
 
 AUTHOR OF THE "TRAITOR, OR FATE OF AMBITION;" "BANDITS OF THE 
 
 CINCINNATI: 
 
 H. M. EULISON, QUEEN CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 115K MAIN ST. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 A. RANNET, 195 BROADWAY. 
 
 'f 
 
fcr 
 
 mi 
 
 itsz 
 
 Entered, according to act of Congress, in the year of onr Lord one thoasand eiglit' hundred 
 and fifty-three, by 
 
 EDWARBS & GOSHOBN, 
 
 In the Derk's Office of the United States' District Court for the District of Ohio. 
 
 
THE 
 
 FEMALE SPY: 
 
 OR, 
 
 TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THB CATALCADE. 
 
 It was on a bright, beautiful morning, near 
 the close of summer, in the year of our Lord 
 1780, that a small cavalcade was seen ascend- 
 ing one of the romantic hills that tower aloft 
 and OTcrlook the glassy Hudson, some forty 
 miles above the city of New York. This oa- 
 Talcade was composed of eight grown persons 
 and an infant, and was moving slowly forward 
 in double file. At the head of the procession 
 rode a rather fine-looking American of&cer, 
 dressed with great care and precision, and 
 bedecked with all the trappings belonging to 
 the high rank of a major-general. He was 
 about forty years of age, rather embonpoint in 
 figure, had a ruddy complexion, and, as was 
 customary at that period, wore his hair brushed 
 back from his forehead and temples, clubbed, 
 and neatly tied with a dark ribbon behind. 
 Every thing about this man bespoke a natural 
 desire for pomp and ostentatious display; and 
 this vanity was clearly expressed in his coun- 
 tenance, which is, after all, about as good an 
 index of the heart as we can find. His front 
 face was oval, almost round, with prominent 
 cheek-bones ; a handsome nose, inclined to 
 the Boman ; dark expressive eyes, full of in- 
 telligence and fire ; a massive, but retreating 
 forehead, whose prominences along the line of 
 the brows denoted keen and active perceptive 
 faculties; and a mouth and chin both well 
 formed, but around which lurked an expres- 
 sioD both voluptuous and sinister. That he 
 
 was a man of the strongest and most violent 
 passions, the discerning physiognomist needed 
 but a single glance to discover ; and he could 
 see, at the same time, that he was a man of 
 more daring than principle, although the out- 
 ward man too often showed the smooth-faced 
 hypocrite. That he was vain, proud, arrogant, 
 voluptuous, grasping, tyrannical, revengeful, 
 cunning, secretive, seductive, prodigal, cou- 
 rageous even to rashness — in short, that he 
 was a perfect dare-devil, and a most selfish 
 voluptuary, would have been discovered al- 
 most immediately by the close observer ; while 
 one relax in scrutiny, who judged men by 
 their speech and actions, rather than looks, 
 might have known him for years as a very 
 clever, winning, agreeable gentleman, with no 
 worse fault than being, perhaps- at times a lit- 
 tle too extravagant, headstrong, rash, and, we 
 will even add, benevolent, for his own good. 
 
 This officer rode a coal-black steed, most 
 gorgeously caparisoned, considering that he 
 belonged to the American service, and that 
 our country was then struggling with poverty 
 against the richest and most powerful nation 
 on the globe. Not that we would contend 
 against his right to equip himself and steed in 
 as costly a manner as his rank would allow ; 
 but vrhen we take into consideration that per- 
 haps otie-half of the very soldiers he had com- 
 manded were now in a state little better than 
 absolute starvation — that Congress was in a 
 great perplexity concerning the means of rais- 
 ing funds to continue the war, so gloriously, 
 begun, to a successful issue — ^we can at least 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 condemn this ostentation as being in decidedly 
 bad taste for one who pretended t» have the 
 good of his country solely at heart. The hous- 
 ing of the General's steed was embroidered 
 with gold ; his saddle, bridle, and martingale 
 were mounted with gold ; as were also his 
 holster pistols, and the handle of his sword ; 
 the latter having the additional foolish ex- 
 travagance of being studded with diamonds. 
 
 By 'the side of the General, on a palfrey 
 gorgeously caparisoned, rode a young and 
 beautiful female. To judge by her animated 
 countenance and sparkling eyes, seen in such 
 pleasing contrast with those of her companion, 
 as she turned her head from side to side, with 
 the eagerness and buoyancy of youth, to ad- 
 mire the majestic scenery on every hand — 
 shaking, by the motion, the long-flowing curls 
 that fairly wantoned in the breeze under her 
 dark riding-cap, and played at hide-and-seek 
 with the ostrich plume that swept gracefully 
 over it and down one side of her fair face — to 
 judge by her looks, we say, as thus seen, one 
 would hardly think that more than sixteen 
 summers had rolled over her head. But she 
 was older by several years, and had seen more 
 of life than one would have thought possible 
 from her girlish appearance, being already a 
 wife and a mother. 
 
 Next behind the two personages thus de- 
 scribed, rode the two aids-de-camp of the 
 General, also finely equipped, and wearing 
 the uniforms assigned to the rank of major ; 
 and next behind these officers rode two black 
 females, one of whom carried an infant in her 
 arms ; while the rear-guard was composed of 
 two black male servants in livery. 
 
 Having brought the whole party to your 
 notice, reader, it may be as well to say here 
 of whom it was composed. The one first de- 
 scribed was Major-General Benedict Arnold ; 
 the lady by his side was his wife ; the aids-de- 
 camp were Majors Varick and Franks ; the 
 blacks were the household servants of the 
 General, and the infant was his own child by 
 his present wife. 
 
 At the moment introduced, the head of the 
 cavalcade was just gaining the summit of a 
 high hill, which commanded one of the finest 
 landscapes to be found in any part of the 
 world; and as it came suddenly upon the 
 
 vision of the lady, she exclaimed with enthu- 
 siasm, while a warm color came into her face, 
 and her bright eyes fairly danced with delight, 
 
 "Beautiful ! 0, gloriously beautiful ! is it 
 not, dear Benedict ?" 
 
 "A very fine scene," answered the General, 
 in a business-like tone, that rather damped 
 the girlish ardor of his young partner — for 
 coldness and indifference check enthusiasm, 
 as water quenches fire. 
 
 Mrs. Arnold gave her husband a reproach- 
 ful look, pouted her pretty lips, and then rein- 
 ing up her palfrey, turned her gaze again 
 upon the scene, and became wholly absorbed 
 in contemplating the view before her. 
 
 Had we the graphic pen of a Scott, or a 
 Cooper, we should attempt to sketch the scene 
 in question, with some idea of giving the 
 reader an outline of its beauties, though with 
 the certainty of coming so far short of the 
 reality, as to make it but a crude drawing; 
 but with our own humble powers of descrif)^ 
 tion, it seems little short of rashness to venture 
 upon so grand an undertaking ; and yet we 
 can not injustice let it pass unnoticed. 
 
 Imagine, then, reader, that you are stand- 
 ing upon an eminence, which, if not as high. 
 as some of the neighbouring hills, is at least 
 sufficiently elevated to command a view of all 
 the others, apd of all that lies immediately bfr: 
 low you. You stand with your face toward 
 the east, and behold the bright sun of an un- 
 clouded sky, some half an hour above the hori- 
 zon, pouring a flood of mellow light upon eack 
 object, and giving the animation of life to each 
 inanimate thing you behold. You cast yoiir 
 eye dovniward, and perceive a broad sheet of 
 water, environed with wild, romantic hills, 
 that are in turn covered with trees, whose 
 luxuriant foliage, of various hues, relieves the 
 view of all monotony, and gives to it suci a 
 quiet, soothing, mysterious , charm, that it 
 seems you might gaze forever and not grow 
 wearied. This sheet of water, which lies be- 
 fore you, is from two to three miles in breadii, 
 and some six in length; and yet, from your 
 high stand, and the deceptive formation of tte 
 hills, you are almost led to believe that, with 
 a little extra exertion, you could cast a stone 
 from one shore to the other. On the side 
 next to you, the sunlight rests bright and 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 glorious, and the tiny wavelets, formed by the 
 90ft hreath of morning, sparkle as they roll, 
 like so manyj^els; while the opposite side 
 ^iiiU lies in somber shadow, with the lofty 
 hills, which rise above it, as deeply, and with 
 all the minuteness of nature herself, mirrored 
 in its dark, glassy bosom. 
 
 This sheet of water forms that beautiful por- 
 tion of the Hudson rivei', knowp as Haverstraw 
 Bay ; and, as you gaze upon it, it seems like 
 a pond, or lake, owing to the peculiar forma- 
 tion of the encircling chains of hills, which cut 
 off all further view of the stream both to the 
 ijorth and south, where it narrows to its or- 
 dinary width, and where, as it appears to you 
 ^om your position, the approaching hills unite 
 and form one chain, instead of being two, di- 
 vided by water. 
 
 At the northern extremity of this bay, you 
 behold two fortifications, one on either side of 
 the river. The one farthest from you is 
 called Verplank's Point, and the one nearest 
 to you, Stony Point. Between these two 
 fortresses, which are garrisoned by Americans, 
 plies a boat, to convey passengers across ; and 
 this is called King's Eerry. Just below you, 
 looking toward Stony Point, and fairly imbed- 
 ded in the Dunderberg hiUs, is a small village, 
 qf the same name as tbe bay ; and just beyond 
 this is Haverstraw Creek, which, finding its 
 head-waters in the mountains behind you, 
 flows down through a fertile valley, and loses 
 itself in the Hudson. Still farther on, some 
 two or three miles distant, you behold a soli- 
 dary mansion, with out-buildings, and grounds 
 laid out in the good old English style, and 
 whioh are now in a high state of cultivation. 
 From where you stand, a traveled road passes 
 djieetly through, Haverstraw village, and con- 
 tljiues /along up the bank of the river, over an 
 undulating and mountainous country, running 
 within a few rods of thisi mansion, and con- 
 ducting you direct to the- ferry. Most of the 
 eountry is heavily wooded, but here and there 
 an open spot bespeakp cultivation. 
 
 The scene is grand and beautiftil ; and as 
 you gaze upon it, lost in rapture, the morning 
 carols of the feathered songsters, the lowing 
 qf cattle, the fehattering of squirrels, the chirp- 
 ing and humming of insects and bees, make 
 a lulling melody in your ear, which you would 
 
 not exchange for the artificial music of the 
 greatest masters. 
 
 For several minutes Mrs. Arnold seemed 
 entranced with the view before her ; but the 
 General, who had halted by her side, grew 
 more and more impatient every moment, and 
 at length said : 
 
 " Come, my dear, when you can spare time, 
 we will set forward, for Smith expects us to 
 breakfast ; it is already getting late, and we 
 have at least two good miles and a half to ride. 
 Yonder you see his mansion, a little off of this 
 road." 
 
 Mrs. Arnold turned upon the General a 
 flashing eye, gave her head a haughty toss, 
 and tightening her grasp upon the bridle-rein, 
 bestowed a severe cut with her riding-whip 
 upon the flanks of her palfrey, and, without 
 deigning a reply, rode away down the hill, at 
 a pace that not only endangered her safety, 
 but troubled the General not a little to keep 
 by her side. 
 
 As the small cavalcade entered the little 
 village of Haverstraw, the citizens all came to 
 the windows and doors to look at it; and 
 many waved their handkerchiefs, and made 
 -other demonstrations of joyful respect; while 
 a few soldiers, that chanced to be present, 
 headed by a sergeant, drew up in military 
 style, and presented arms — during which the 
 shriU notes of a fife, and the roll of a kettle- 
 drum, were heard in honor of the occasion. 
 
 To all these tokens of respect. General 
 Arnold scarcely deigned a nod, but rode along 
 with as much uncivil liauteur as if he were a 
 grand bashaw, receiving the homage of his 
 slaves. But his artogant bearing did not 
 add any thing to his greatness in the eyes 
 of the simple-minded citizens of Haverstraw, 
 many of whom turned away in disgust, and 
 made a very unfavorable comparison between 
 him and other American generals who had at 
 different times passed through the village. 
 And one old woman even went so far as to let 
 her indignation' be known to the General him- 
 self; for he had hardly passed her door, when 
 she called to a young man who stood near, in 
 a loud, shrill voice : 
 
 " Tommy, who is that ere man, that's got 
 so much fillagree-work about him and his 
 hossr 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 "Hush ! mother," replied the one addressed, 
 in a low voice, " that's General Arnold, who's 
 lately loeen appointed to the command at West 
 Point." 
 
 " 0, that's General Arnold, hey ?" almost 
 screamed the old woman, determined he should 
 hear her ; " that's the man as was court-mar- 
 tialed awhile ago ! I've heard he -was a brave 
 man, but I know he haint got much man- 
 ners." 
 
 Arnold heard every word of this, and he bit 
 his nether lip till the blood sprang through, 
 and a dark frown, like a thunder-cloud, ga- 
 thered upon his brow. But he took no other 
 notice of it, and did not turn his head toward 
 the speaker, as did none of the others, save 
 the blacks, who looked at the old woman, and 
 showed the whites of their eyes, amazed that 
 any one should dare speak so irreverently of 
 their master. 
 
 A sharp ride of about twenty minutes 
 brought the cavalcade to a gateway opening 
 into an avenue leading up to the mansion be- 
 fore spoken of, which stood on an eminence, 
 and commanded a view of the whole bay. As 
 the party turned into the inclosure, and rode 
 up toward the mansion, they wete met on the' 
 way by the host — a tall, ■well-formed, good- 
 natured looking gentleman, of thirty-five or 
 forty years — who bowed very ob^sequiously to 
 the General and his lady, and said something 
 about being too highly flattered in being ho- 
 nored with such distinguished visitors. 
 
 "We will let that pass,'' smiled Arnold, 
 condescendingly, all traces of anger and 
 haughtiness having vanished from his coun- 
 tenance. " We will let "that pass, Mr. Smith, 
 and beg you will present us to your good lady, 
 with whom Mrs. Arnold is anxious to become 
 acquainted ; and in doing so, wo will con- 
 sider honors divided, and the obligation on 
 our side." 
 
 "What flatterers you great generals are, 
 when the •whim seizes you," returned the 
 overjoyed host. " No wonder you are always 
 successful among the fair, as well as in the 
 field ;" and he nodded familiarly to the Gene- 
 ral's wife, who bestowed upon him a passing 
 smile; but the moment his gaze was with- 
 dravm, allowed her pretty pouting lips to curl 
 into an expression vefy like contempt. 
 
 "I suppose we have inconvenienced yon 
 some," pursued the General, in a tone so 
 changed from his usual overbearing manner, 
 even when addressing his equals, that his aids' 
 and servants looked at him in surprise, and 
 even his wife turned her pretty face toward 
 him, as if to be certain she had heard aright. 
 " I suppose we have inconvenienced you some, 
 friend Smith, by keeping breakfast waiting ; 
 but the fact is, we did not leave Tappan so 
 early by an hour as I intended; and then , 
 Mrs. Arnold here, vrho has never before 
 seen any of our highland scenery, must of 
 course stop to admire it, and thus are we be- 
 lated." 
 
 "Why, bless my soul. General Arnold, you 
 must have your breakfast very early, if you 
 call this late — for see ! the sun is hardly an 
 hour high." 
 
 "Yes, we soldiers begin our duties early. 
 But here wo are, at the very steps at last; and 
 I assure you I have a good appetite." 
 
 "Allow me, General, to assist you." 
 
 "No, Mr. Smith, my aids will do all that is 
 necessary. If you will take charge of Mrs. 
 Arnold" 
 
 " Why, bless me, yes," interrupted the de- 
 lighted host ; but before he could reach the 
 side of the fair lady, she had dismounted ; and 
 throwing him her bridle-rein, she darted up 
 the steps, and stood on the portico alone, vrhere 
 she amused herself by whipping the leaves 
 of the vines that clambered up a trellis, .till 
 the whole party was ready to enter. 
 
 " Still lame, I see, General," said Smith, as 
 he walked up the steps behind Arnold, having 
 given the horses in charge of his own and the 
 General's servants. 
 
 " Yes, it was an ugly wound I got at Beh- 
 mus' Heights, and it ia slow to heal. Were it 
 not for this, I could not content myself with A 
 life so inactive as holding the command ,of 
 ?uch a place as West Point." ' 
 
 " No, General, we all know your penchant 
 for daring feats ; and the very wound that 
 drags you down to inactivity, speaks volumes 
 in your praise. 0, it was bravely done, and 
 the whole country rings with applause." 
 
 " Yes, it is a rather ungrateful country, after 
 all, Mr. Smith," Arnold returned, with a sneer- 
 ing curl of the lip. " By which I mean," he 
 
TREASON IN THE CA-MP. 
 
 added, quickly, perceiving that Smith looked 
 up in surprise, "that many of the leading 
 men of the country, even in Congress, are 
 actuated by the most selfish motives ; and to 
 promote the interest of a friend, or revenge 
 themselves for some trivial affront, descend to 
 the meanness of seeking to undermine the 
 reputation of one vrho has won every laurel 
 lie wears at the mouth of the cannon, amid 
 the roar and carnage of battle." 
 
 " You allude to yourself, General 1" 
 
 " I do, and to. the cowardly attempt to de- 
 grade me by court-martial. ! would I had 
 the scoundrels at my feet, that I might spurn 
 them from me with a kick ! But, by heavens 1 
 the day shall come" 
 
 The General paused here, for he was about 
 to make an impolitic speech ; but Smith finished 
 the sentence, by adding : 
 
 "When your enemies shall be made to 
 regret their unwise doings." 
 
 "Exactly, Mr. Smith," rejoined Arnold, 
 in an altered tone, again smiling blandly ; 
 "you have anticipated my words. But come, 
 I am sure we are delaying breakfast, and 
 these things are certainly best discussed on a 
 full stomach." 
 
 Smith instantly hurried forward, threw 
 open the door, and offering his arm to Mrs. 
 Arnold, led the way to the drawing-room, 
 where Mrs. Smith was formally presented to 
 the General, his lady, and aids. Breakfast 
 being almdst immediately announced, the 
 guests sat down, without .making their toilet, 
 other than performing the ablutions necessary 
 after a morning's ride. During the meal, the 
 conversation, as was natural at that exciting 
 period, turned upon the war ; and many were 
 the speculations to which this subject gave 
 rise. 
 
 " Do you think it possible for us to conquer 
 in the end. General ?" queried Smith. 
 
 " Well, it is a hard question to answer," 
 replied Arnold. " The country ia in a very 
 impoverished state, money it is almost im- 
 possible to raise, relief-notes are worse than 
 nothing, and the soldiery is in a state of 
 starvation. Of course, I hope tiie best ; and 
 heaven is witness how much I love my 
 country, and how my hearts bleeds for her — : 
 but I have my foars. Were it not for the 
 
 arrival of our French allies, under Chevalier 
 de Ternay, and Count de Rochambeau, I, fgr 
 one, should almost be ready to despair ; and 
 even as it ia, they are of no assistance to us 
 at present, being wholly inactive at Rhode 
 Island." 
 
 "But the blockade cannot last forever," 
 returned Smith, "and once a junction is 
 effected between Washington's army and his 
 allies, the British will have some trouble to 
 maintain even the foothold they now have, 
 to say nothing about their getting possession 
 of more territory." 
 
 " That is true," rejoined Arnold ; " but then 
 I fear there will be greater delay in effecting 
 this so much desired union, than you antici- 
 pate. But we will hope for the best, and 
 trust that the overruling Power will sustain 
 us in our battles for the right, and bring us 
 triumphantly through our trials." 
 
 "I heartily wish the war over," said Mrs. 
 Arnold, joining in the conversation ; " and 
 hope, ere another year rolls around, it will be 
 decided, one way or the other." 
 
 " But you certainly have a preference as 
 to which side conquers?" spoke up Mr. Smith, 
 earnestly. 
 
 " Well, really now," answered Mrs. Arnold, 
 with one of her sweetest smiles, displaying two 
 rows of pearly teeth, " I can not say I have 
 much choice. On some accounts I should like 
 the Americams to gain the victory ; and then 
 again there are reasoi^ why I should like the 
 British arms to be triumphant. My father, and 
 most of my relatives, think it would be no more 
 than right for the mother country to regain her 
 own ; and besides, some of my warmest friends 
 are among the English ofScers, with whom I 
 became acquainted while the British army 
 held possession of Philadelphia, which is, as 
 you are probably aware, my native place, and 
 the present residence of my father." 
 
 " Truly, I hardly expected to hear the wife 
 of so distinguished an American general ex- 
 press such Tory sentiments," rejoined Mrs. 
 Smith, with a gay laugh. 
 
 "Well, Mrs. Smith," said the General, with 
 a meaning smile, "you must make allowance 
 for my better-half, on the score of her suscep-^ 
 tibility to flattery. No one knows better how 
 to use this latter weapon, among the fair sex, 
 
8 
 
 TUB FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 than a fed-coat; and for the toi-m friends, 
 which Mrs. Arnold has used in connection 
 with British officers, please substitute ad- 
 mirers, and you have an easy solution of the 
 enigma." 
 
 "Alia! lunderstand it allnow," rejoined the 
 hostess, with an arch look and ringing laugh. 
 "Bless me!" she continued, "there must be 
 something in it— for see how she blushes ! 
 'Pen my word, General, if I were in your 
 place, I should grow jealous at once ; for who 
 knows but she may even now be correspond- 
 ing with a former suitor !" 
 
 " Good faith, you have guessed my secret, 
 and I may as well own up and be done with 
 it," replied Mrs. Arnold, gayly. 
 
 " Then you really do correspond 1" queried 
 Mrs. Smith, mischievously. 
 
 " Most assuredly." 
 
 " Frankly answered, upon my word. Why, 
 General, if I were in your place, I should 
 feel very uncomfortable, I assure you. Does 
 not the green-eyed monster have any hold 
 upon you?" 
 
 " None whatever, thanks to my unrivaled 
 attractions," replied Arnold, laughing. 
 
 " He flatters himself," rejoined his wife — ■ 
 " but we shall see." 
 
 In this manner the meal passed oif very 
 cheerfully ; and soon after it was finished, the 
 General declared he must be on his way, as 
 he desired to reach head-quarters before night ; 
 and as he designed going up the river in a 
 barge, the progress homeward would neces- 
 sarily be slow. Accordingly the horses were 
 ordered out, and the party was soon mounted. 
 As Smith had volunteered to accompany them 
 to King's Ferry, the General and his lady took 
 leave of Mrs. Smith, first exacting a promise 
 thatshe would visit them as often as convenient 
 in their new home. They then set off, in the 
 same order they had ridden hither; Smith, 
 as a mark of honor, being assigned his place 
 at the right hand of the General — a distinction 
 that made him feel not a little vain, for he 
 was a man on whom flattery of this kind had 
 • a very inflating effect. 
 
 As they approached Stony Point, the officer 
 in command fired a military salute ; and the 
 echoing and re-echoing of the cannon among 
 the hiUs produced a grand effect. The Gene- 
 
 ral's barge was in waiting, manned by four 
 oarsmen. It was a beautiful vessel, and richly 
 carpeted from stern to bow, with stuffed seats 
 for the General and his family, and a silk 
 canopy to protect them from the searching 
 rays of the summer sun, above which the 
 stars and stripes lazily floated on the breeze 
 that swept up the bay, or came down from 
 the hills loaded with the perfume'of a thou- 
 sand flowers. Here the General and his suite 
 dismounted, and the horses were given in 
 charge of the male servants, with orders to 
 crtiss the ferry and conduct them to head- 
 quarters on the opposite or eastern side of 
 the river. Then, seeing his lady, aids, and 
 servants into the barge, the General drew 
 Smith aside, and, iri a low tone, said : 
 
 "I suppose, from your position here, you 
 have frequent opportunities of getting infor- 
 mation from the British of considerable im- 
 portance ?" 
 
 "It sometimes happens that I am so fortu- 
 nate,'j replied the other. 
 
 "Well, if you will be kind enough to 
 convey me whatever intelligence you have, 
 and to none other, you will put me under an 
 obligation which I shall take the earliest 
 means of discharging." 
 
 " I will do so. General ; and if I can render 
 you the least service in this way, the satisfac- 
 tion which a knowledge of this will give' me, 
 will be ample remuneration." 
 
 '• Thank you, friend Smith, thank you !" 
 returned Arnold, with a great show of cor- 
 diality. " Well, come up and see me as soon 
 and as often as you can — Joshua Smith will 
 always be a welcome guest at the head- 
 quarters of General Arnold. The boat waits, 
 and I must go. Adieu ! and remember what 
 I have said." Then shaking Smith's hand 
 with a greater show of warmth than the ocoar 
 sion seemed to demand, so much so that 
 Smith himself was rather surprised. General 
 Arnold turned away to the barge ; but appa- 
 rently recalling something of consequence, 
 that had slipped his mind, he again returned 
 to the other, and added : " By the by, Mr; 
 Smith, suppose I should desire your assistance, 
 ere long, in an affair of some considerable 
 importance, requiring great secrecy and dis- 
 cretion 1" 
 
TIIEASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 "General Arnold may oummand me at any 
 and all times, and I shfill be proud to serve 
 him." 
 
 "Enough! idieu!" and the Guneral en- 
 tered his barge, •which was immediately pushed 
 out into the stream, where, with the assistance 
 of a small sail rigged up in the bow, it began 
 to glide^ with a pleasing ripple, over the glassy 
 bosom of the i-omantic Iladsou. 
 
 When about midway between Verplank's 
 and Stony Point, there was a bright flash on 
 either side of the river, and the- roar of can- 
 non again reverberated afar, and awoke the 
 sleeping echoes of the hills ; and at the same 
 moment a band of music struck up a spirited 
 march, which, considering it was done in 
 honor of her husband, ciime across the water 
 to the ears of the young wife with a peeiiliar 
 melody. Thus, amid the roar of cannon, the 
 inspiring strains of martial music, with colors 
 flying, andaUtiie accessories of military, great- 
 ness. General Arnold passed on his way to 
 the command of that important post — the key 
 to the liberties of this glorious country — ^which 
 in heart, if not in deed, he had already bar- 
 tered for British gold, British rank, a&d a life 
 of damning infamy. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 GENEBAL FEATURES OF 1780. 
 
 At the precise period our story opens. Sir 
 Henry Clinton held possession of New York 
 eity, which was then the head-quarters of the 
 British army in this country. The American 
 army — of which General Washington was 
 Commander-in-chief — was encamped on the 
 west hank of the Hudson, at a place called 
 Tappan, about twenty miles above New York; 
 the left wing resting on the river, near DobbV 
 Ferry, under Lord Stirling ; the right wing, 
 extending back into the country, under Gene- 
 . ral Greene : and the van, composed of five or 
 six battalions of light infantry, thrown some- 
 what forward, and under the command of the 
 Marquis de Lafayette. 
 
 Between the outposts of the two armies, on 
 the east side of the Hudson, was a consider- 
 able range, of country, known as the Neutral 
 Ground. This, on tlie breaking out of the 
 
 war, was rather t|uokly settled with farmers 
 of the better class, who found New York a 
 very convenient market for their grain, fruit, 
 and vegetables ; but, after the war began, and 
 the British got possession of the city, the de- 
 predations committed upon them by two or- 
 ganized classes of banditti, denominated the 
 "Cow Boys," and "Skinners," forced most of 
 them to forsake their homes, and become 
 wanderers, until the establishment of peace. 
 
 These thieving, plundering, house-breaking, 
 house-burning, and murdering bands, were 
 diametrically opposed to each other, and met 
 in many a bloody skirmish ; but they not un- 
 frequently leagued together, robbed alike both 
 Whigs and Tories, and then divided the 
 spoils. The Cow Boys belonged to the Bri- 
 tish, and received their appellation fronf their 
 business, which was to scour the country, and 
 whenever they could find a Whig farmer, 
 known to be Such, to seize upon his cattle, 
 and drive them within the British lines, where 
 they were killed and fed out to the army, the 
 drivers receiving ample remuneration for their 
 services. As might be expected, the esta- 
 blishment of such asystemof plunder, by those 
 high in authority, led to the most deplorablo 
 results ; for men, sanctioned to steal, soon give 
 their worst passions full sway, and hesitate not 
 to commit the most diabolical crimes to gratify 
 a single whim. And when, therefore, instead 
 of confining themselves to the mere taking of 
 cattle by the "right of might," we find them 
 breaking open houses, plundering them of 
 every thing of vahie, and then often wantonly 
 and malieiously setting them on fire^ and mur- 
 dering the inmates in cold blood, we must 
 only regard their original license as a little 
 extended, and hold those high in power mo- 
 rally responsible for all their damning acts. 
 
 Ostensibly to put down or counteract these 
 depredators, the second band of cut-throats 
 was organized, who went by the appellation 
 of " Skinners" — though why so called, we are 
 unable to say, unless from the fact that they 
 literally skinned the country of every thing 
 left by the first party. The Cow Boys warred 
 upon the Whigs, the Skinners upon the Tories ; 
 and between the two, as we have said, they 
 devastated the whole country, and either killed 
 the, owners of the soil, or forced them to for- 
 
10 
 
 THE rSMALB SPY; OR, 
 
 sake their onee happy homes, and undergo 
 the most terrible privations. A few of the 
 inhabitants, who were led to think a flight 
 would bring no change for the better — and 
 who, perhaps, had hopes of being unmolested, 
 notwithstanding the fearful- evidences to the 
 contrary, which they almost daily had in the 
 fate of some harmless and inoffensive neigh- 
 bor — remained upon the Neutral Ground 
 throughout the war ; but they lived a life of 
 constant terror, concealing themselves at night 
 under fences, in hay-ricks, in barns, in tree- 
 tops, in hollow trees, and in every out-of-the- 
 way place of imaginable security, ready to 
 offer up a prayer of thanksgiving in the morn- 
 ing, if so fortunate as to find themselves un- 
 harmed, and their dwellings untouched by the 
 hancft of the ruthless destroyers. 
 
 At this period, the constitution of the state 
 of New York required that every person, liv- 
 ing within its jurisdiction, should take the 
 oath of allegiance ; otherwise they would be 
 considered Loyalists, or Tories, and their 
 property, if they had any, would be confis- 
 cated. To prevent the latter grievance, many 
 perjured themselves, and outwardly appeared 
 as Whigs, while they secretly favored the war 
 of King George, and gloried in every success 
 of the British arms; but these pseudo-re- 
 publicans were generally known, or were, at 
 least, so strongly suspected, that the Skinners 
 boldly ventured to attack and despoil them, 
 in which worthy undertaking they were some- 
 times assisted by the Cow Boys, who pre- 
 tended to regard them as staunch rebels or 
 Whigs, and as such their legal victims; so 
 that between the two parties, their duplicity 
 proved of little or no avail in securing them 
 the pi otection they desired; and thus many 
 of them were forced by circumstances to come 
 out in their true colors, and -seek a safe asy- 
 lum within the British lines. 
 
 As it was very important there should be 
 no communication between the two armies, it 
 was made a lawful proceeding for scouting 
 parties to arrest all strangers found traveling 
 across the neutral territory, and take them be- 
 fore their respective commanders, where, un- 
 less they could give a satisfactory account of 
 themselves, they were heldin custody as spies, 
 at suspected persons, and every thing of value 
 
 in their possession handed over to their cap- 
 tors, as a reward for the vigilance "and fidelity 
 of the latter. Thus, the exigencies of the 
 times established a regular system of espion- 
 age and lawful highway robbery — for we can 
 scarcely give it a milder or less criminal term, 
 although fully aware its heinousness was 
 greatly mitigated by the peculiar circum- 
 stances controlling those who sanctioned it. 
 
 Such as we have described was the deplor- 
 able state of affairs in that section of country 
 known as Westchester county, lying north of » 
 New York, and extending up the Hudson a 
 distance of some thirty miles, and which will 
 form no small portion of the theater of events 
 we are about to lay before the reader ; but as 
 we shall be obliged, in the course of our nar- 
 rative, to go over the ground more thoroughly, 
 and bring up some of these horrible scenes in 
 thrilling detail, we shall return from this jus- 
 tifiable digression, to touch upon matters of 
 greater present importance. 
 
 The two hostile armies, at the precise pe- 
 riod we have chosen to open our story, were 
 both in a measure inactive ; but were watch- 
 ing each other with the guarded keenness of 
 two well-matched combatants, who feel and 
 know that a single wrong movement will give 
 the other a victory fatal to all hopes of re- 
 covery, and deem it safer to stand for a time 
 on the defensive, than to risk a defeat by be- 
 coming the assailant.' Both had spies secretly 
 and assiduously at work, to gain intelligence 
 of the real designs of the other; yet each 
 commander of the respective armies, knowing 
 this, was so very cautious, so unusually re- 
 served in his communications, even to those 
 who frequently had his confidence, that the 
 little information obtained through espionage, 
 generally amounted to nothing more import- 
 ant than mere conjecture. 
 
 The position of General Washington and 
 Sir Henry Clinton, at this juncture, may not 
 inappropriately be likened to two great chess- 
 players, each zealously watching the other, 
 and each equally prepared to win the game in 
 the event of his opponent making a single 
 wrong move. 
 
 In the month of July, a short time pre- 
 ceding the opening of our story, intelligence 
 was received by both armies at the same time, 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 11 
 
 that Chevalier de Ternay had arrived at Neiv- 
 port with a French fleet and an army, under 
 the commarid of Count de Roohambeau, as 
 allies of the Americans. This news in the 
 American army, and throughout the country 
 generally, produced the greatest joy, and 
 raised the drooping spirits of the half-starved, 
 badly-clothed, and unpaid soldiers, as well as 
 those of the citizens and CoiTgress, to the 
 highest degree, and of course produced ex- 
 actly the opposite effect on the British and 
 Tories. General Clinton at once foresaw 
 that, in the event of a junction being formed 
 between Washington's army and his allies, 
 in all probability the combined forces would 
 besiege New York, and the British amy be 
 forced to surrender or evacuate the town ; 
 and to prevent this junction, he determined 
 himself to proceed at onee to Newport, and 
 attack the French. 
 
 This design of Clinton was quickly made 
 known to Washington by his spies, and the 
 latter at once put his army in motion, and 
 crossed Dobb's Ferry, with the intention of 
 sitting down before New York, and, if he 
 found it sufficiently weakened by the force 
 withdrawn, to attack it forthwith. Whether 
 Clinton feared Wasidngton would be success- 
 ful in his absence, pr whether another and 
 better plan suggested itself, certain it is that 
 he suddenly changed his mind, and debarked 
 his troops; and Washington, hearing of this, 
 recroased the river, and returned with his 
 army to Tappan, where we find him at the 
 opening, of our- story. 
 
 But as if fortune were determined to alter- 
 nate between the two parties, ere fairly de- 
 ciding the contest for either, there occurred 
 about this period two events, which spread a 
 temporary gloom over the Americans, and 
 rejoiced the British in the same ratio. The 
 first was the intelligence of the overwhelming 
 defeat of General Gates in South Carolina, 
 and the second the arrival of an English fleet 
 at New York, under command of Sir George 
 Rodney. These two events gave a new turn 
 to affairs ; and Clinton was in daily expecta- 
 tion, of hearing that Washington had given up 
 all hopes of forming a present junction with 
 the French, and was preparing to go south to 
 attempt to remedy the disaster. And he was 
 
 daily too, looking forward to another event, 
 the consummation of which would be of 
 greater importance than all the rest ; and 
 which will be developed in the course of this 
 true history. 
 
 Meantime we will return from the general 
 features of the period, and resume the detail 
 of our story. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 TREASON IN EMBRYO. 
 
 On the corner of Broadway, at its junction 
 with a beautiful park, commonly known as the 
 Battery, there stood, at the time of which we 
 write, a handsome brick mansion, of large di- 
 mensions, with marble steps, and iron balcony 
 and balustrades, before the front entrance of 
 which two sentinels were ever pacing, night 
 and day. In the first story of this mansion, in 
 the front apartment, which, being on the south- 
 ern side of the dwelling, overlooked both 
 Broadway and the Battery, a British officer, 
 in the full dress of a major-general, was walk- 
 ing up and down the white sanded floor — for, 
 at the period we speak of, a carpet was more 
 of a luxury than it is now-a-days, and was 
 used very sparingly even among the wealthy. 
 The "room contained but little furniture, but 
 that little was of the richest quality then mar 
 nufactured. Some half a dozen massive n;a- 
 hogany chairs, with high backs, and quaintly 
 carved,, were ranged round the walls, together 
 with two or three lounges. In the center of 
 the apartment stood a large, heavy, mahogany 
 table, on which lay a few books, one or two 
 English newspapers, a quire or two of white 
 paper, some manuscript, three or four letters, 
 and pens and ink. Drawn up to this table 
 were three arm-chairs, unoccupied, from one 
 of which the officer now pacing the room had 
 just arisen. Between the windows in front 
 was a small double mirror, with a glass 
 frame, ornamented with flowers of gold-leaf; 
 and around the white walls hung several pic- 
 tures in black frames. Add to all these a cou- 
 ple of vases, filled with flowers, which stood 
 onthe high mantel, and the crimson curtains 
 that hung at the windows, and you have 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 a list of all the articles that the room con- 
 tained. 
 
 The officer referred to was a man of low 
 stature, hut very fat and corpulent, with a 
 broad, full, heavy face, a very prominent 
 nose, and large gray eyes. The general ex- 
 pression of his features combined intelligence 
 with benevolence, and a rather studied re- 
 serve. He was dressed with great care. His 
 cravat, the frill of his shirt-bosom, and the 
 ruffles around his wrists, depending over his 
 hands, and even the hands themselves, were 
 all of snowy whiteness ; and every thing, 
 however trivial, was in its place. All this 
 evidenced a man very orderly, punctilious, 
 and formal, and such were his prevailing 
 characteristics. 
 
 It was not far from the middle of the day, 
 and the windows all being open, a soft, de- 
 lightful breeze, which swept up from the bay 
 across the Battery, stole into the room, rustled 
 the curtains, played with the loose papers on 
 the table, and passed out again cityward. The 
 General seemed thoughtful, but not excited ; 
 for he paced the room with a slow even tread, 
 his eyes bent on the floor, and his hands 
 crossed behind him. Occasionally he would 
 halt before the windows looking southward, 
 and gaze out upon the bay — where several 
 large ships of the line were riding at anchor, 
 with a few sloops and smaller craft sailing 
 lazily about in various directions— and then in 
 the same thoughtful manner, resume his walk. 
 
 Some twenty minutes or half an hour were 
 passed in this manner, when a quick tread 
 was heard on the marble steps of the mansion, 
 and the next moment an officer, in full uni- 
 form, stood in the open doorway, and made 
 the military salute due to his superior. 
 
 As the new-comer, as well as the one just 
 described is destined to figure rather con' 
 spicuously in our dram^ of life, we shall^pause 
 here to give a brief description of his per- 
 sonal appearance. In stature he was rather 
 tall, but exceedingly well formed, with a very 
 graceful and dignified bearing. His age was 
 between twenty-five and thirty — much nearer 
 the latter than the former — though, to judge 
 by his fair,open,almostbeardless countenance, 
 one would not be disposed to regard him 
 much beyond his teens. He was what might 
 
 be termed a handsome man, in every partieu^- 
 lar; and if the face may be taken as an index 
 of the heart, then was his heart one of the 
 purest and noblest that ever beat in -the breast 
 of a human being. His features were fine, 
 regular, and intelligent to a degree that would, 
 not fail to arrest the attention of the most 
 casual observer. He wore no wig nor cue, 
 but short curly hair, which was brushed back 
 from his temples and forehejid. The latter 
 was high, broad, and noble, and, united with 
 his dark, lustrous eyes, and the rest, of his 
 comely countenance, gave him that dignified 
 look of lofty intelligence for which he was so 
 remarkable. If there were any defect in the 
 beauty of his countenance, it was in the great 
 breadth between the eyes ; but as this perhaps 
 would not be thought a blemish, scientifically 
 considered, his face in contour, feature, and 
 expression, might be set down as being as 
 perfect as any to be found in the sex mascu- 
 line. We say sex masculine; for beautiful 
 woman more nearly approaches our ideal of 
 perfection ; but, at the same time, whatever 
 in man resembles her beyond that proper 
 limit which we assign him as manly, we con^ 
 demn as too effeminate, and consequently dis^ 
 card as a blemish, if not & deformity. Let it 
 be understood, then, that we wish to say, that 
 the personage we have just been describing 
 occupied that medium stand between the two 
 sexes which gave him all the dignity and 
 manliness of the one, with the delicate refine* 
 ment and sweet urbanity of the other. ■ 
 
 " Well, Major, I am glaijyou have arriv«di" 
 said the .General, addressing the new-comer 
 in a less formal manner than was his wont 
 when speaking to an inferior ; "for the cou- 
 rier has been here in your absence, and left 
 another mercantile missive for yqu, and you 
 know I am deeply interested itt this corre- 
 spondence just now." 
 
 '■But why did not your excellency open it, 
 an4i satisfy yourself at once ooncerniiig its 
 intelligence?" 'queried the other, advancing 
 to the table, and taking up a letter bearing 
 the superscription of " Mr. John Anderson, 
 Merchant, New Tmfh," the seal of which he 
 instantly broke. 
 
 " Because,*' said the General^ in reply, " I 
 know of no plea that can justify a friend in 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 1» 
 
 opening the confidential letter Of a friend, 
 Without that friend's pei'mission." 
 
 "Pardon ine," returned the othei) looking 
 round to his superior, while he tore open the 
 epistle, iind struck it across the baol: of his 
 left hand, to straighten the wrinkles : " Pardon 
 me, if I say, I think your Excellency is a, trifle 
 too much a stickler for the most delicate points 
 of etiquette-^points so delicate, indeed, that 
 the breach is in the observance," rather than 
 otherwise, fts the present instance witnesseth. 
 if i did not give youif excellency permission to 
 open these letters, it Was because it never oc- 
 curred to me that your excellency would see 
 any of them before tUyself ; but lest the same 
 thing should again occur, I now formally de^ 
 clare to your excellency, that Sir HCnry Clin- 
 ton is duly authorized by Major Andre, to 
 open at any and all times, all letters which 
 may accidentally or designedly fall int6 his 
 possession, beaming the superscription of Mr. 
 John Anderson, Merchant ;" and the speaker 
 closed with a pleasant laugh. 
 
 " Good faith ! you are as formal as a prime- 
 minister," sniiled the other. "I thank you, 
 however, for the permission granted, and 
 Would fain know the contents of the One in 
 hand as soon as possible." 
 
 " Well, here it is," rejoind Andre ; and he 
 read aloud as follows : 
 
 " Deah Sift,-^In ilecurring to the business 
 on which I last addressed you, I must beg 
 leave to repeat what I then said, that the 
 junior member of the fitm is decidedly opposed 
 to the partner proposed by the senior ; and 
 there is no doubt in toy mind, if the senior 
 pushes the matter, and I lihink he will, that a 
 Yupiure will ensue, and a diSsotutitin' follow: 
 in which case he begs me to say, he Will come 
 to New York, and enter into speculation there 
 quite lately — provided, in all cases, an offer 
 is Inade that suits him^otherwise he will 
 remain where he is. In coming to New York, 
 in these troublous times, ybu must, sir, be 
 aWare, a merchant runs a great risk, amd ifir 
 dueements must be held out acarrdingly. Mr. 
 
 M is a man of capital, which is true to 
 
 iny knowledge ; and he ean command a certain 
 inarket, that wUl he sivre to make the foftunes 
 of till those eotuxrrxd vAtJi him ; and I leave 
 
 it to you to say, whether you will form a now 
 copartnership under these favorable auspices 
 or not. 
 
 " Answer as soon as convenient ; and in the 
 
 meantime, in behalf of Mr. M , believe 
 
 me, dear sir, 
 
 " Your most Obedient and humble servant, 
 
 " GUSTAVDS. 
 
 " Mr. John Anderson, Merchant." 
 
 'Well, what think you now. Adjutant?" 
 inquired Sir Henry Clinton, when the other 
 had finished the epistle. 
 
 "I am more than ever convinced, your 
 exoellencyj that our previous surmises are 
 correct." 
 
 "You feel confident, then, that General 
 Arnold, and Gustavus, are one and the same 
 person." 
 
 " I do." 
 
 " Well, I agree with yOu ; but, enire nous, 
 what a consummate rascal he must be, to seek 
 this mode of betraying his country into our 
 hands." 
 
 " Your excellency must not overlook, that 
 he is thus returning to the allegiance of his 
 king," suggested Andre, with a peculiar smile. 
 
 " A fig for his allegiance, since it is prompted 
 by no honorable motives, but solely with a 
 view to bettering his own condition." 
 
 " No doubt we all too much act from selfish 
 motives," returned the other. 
 
 '' There is a good dealbf truth in that ; and 
 there is an old adage, that 'we should not 
 look a ^ft-ho]?se in the mouth.' But with 
 motives we have nothing to do in the present, 
 instance. The result to us is all-important, and 
 if the scheme succeed, farewell to Mr. Wash- 
 ington's dreams of glory, as Well as those of 
 his coadjutors ; for King Geotge the Third will 
 surely reign again in rebel America, and as 
 surely will a few of the leaders of this rebel- 
 lion pay the penalty of their temerity on an 
 English scaffold.' How cleverly the man has 
 worded his letter, as in fact he has all of 
 them ; for no one, however suspicious. Would 
 think there was so treacherous a, plot contained 
 in so apparently an open mercantile corre- 
 spondence. Let me see the letter. Ah ! here he 
 says, 'The junior memher of the firm is de- 
 eidedlp opposed to ike partner proposed by the 
 
,14 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 senior.' Now, how do you translate that, 
 Andre ?" 
 
 " Simply, that it refers to the French alli- 
 ance. Washington is, of course, the senior, 
 and Arnold himself the junior, and the part- 
 ner proposed is the Count Kochambeau." 
 
 " I think the same. And he goes on to say, 
 that if the senior pushes the matter, there will 
 be a rupture, and of course a dissolution of 
 copartnership, when he will be willing to come 
 to New York, and enter largely into specula- 
 tion, provided proper inducements are held 
 out to him ; which means, I suppose, that as 
 an equivalent for yielding .up his honor and 
 betraying his country, we must give him a 
 colonel or general's commission, with a few 
 thousand pounds of ready money. Well, well, 
 we must buy him, at any price, provided we 
 can be made sure of his scheme succeeding. 
 In order to do this, there must be a personal 
 interview ; and who so capable of negociating 
 the matter as yourself. Major ? for you know 
 all, the facts of the case, from being the sole 
 correspondent on our side." 
 
 " I am ready and willing to engage in any 
 undertaking which your excellency may deem 
 advantageous to the cause I serve," replied 
 Andre. 
 
 " Of course I do not wish you to run any 
 risk in the affair ; but, on the contrary, to re- 
 member you have my especial command to 
 avoid all hazard ; for sooner than evil'should 
 befall you. Adjutant, I would lose the oppor- 
 tunity of putting a coup de grace to this war 
 through the channel afforded me by treach- 
 ery." 
 
 " Your excellency is very, very kind," re- 
 turned the other, in a voice tremulous with 
 emotion; "and though I never expect to be 
 able to cancel the debt of gratitude I owe 
 you, for the many favors done me, yet I trust 
 that time will give me an opportunity of ex- 
 pressing, in other manner than by words, the 
 true feelings of my heart." 
 
 "Tut! tut!" rejoined Sir Henry Clinton ; 
 "you overrate the little I have done for you 
 and overlook the fact, that I, as well as all 
 others, have been in a greater or less degree 
 governed by selfish motives. But to the 
 point. It is necessary that some one should 
 meet Arnold, alone, and arrange every thing 
 
 to the satisfaction of both parties ; for this can 
 not be effected in a correspondence where 
 neither party dare speak out, for fear the let- 
 ters may be intercepted, and the whole plot 
 be ruined by an untimely exposure to the 
 enemy. Arnold has recently been given the 
 command at West Point ; and i^ through his 
 treachery, we can get possession of this strongs 
 hold, glorious victory is surely ours, and the 
 war will be brought to a close in less than six 
 months. I know the place well, and also ita 
 importance; for in the campaign of 1777, I 
 had occasion to examine it. It is situated in 
 a narrow pass of the Hudson, among the 
 highlands, and so fortified by nature and art, 
 that, occupied by a full and determined gar- 
 rison, our whole army would be unable to 
 carry it. Now, what I want is this : Washing- 
 ton is evidently determined on a junction with 
 the French troops ; and if he effect it, he will 
 either attack New York at once, or march his 
 army south ; in either case West Point will be 
 the grand depot for his military stores ; and if 
 matters can be so arranged, that just at the 
 moment when the deposit is made, this fortress 
 can fall into our hands, the death-blow to his 
 hopes will be given ; for, in the impoverishe(J 
 state of the country, it would, of course, be 
 impossible to recover from the misfortune ; 
 and disheartened and disgusted, the rebels 
 would prefer the service of King George, with 
 good pay and plenty to eat, to fighting for 
 democratic liberty «n an empty stomach, with 
 no hope of an ultimate reward. Aside from 
 this, our possession of West Point would 
 enable us to command the river, hold free 
 communication with our friends in Canada, 
 and intercept all dispatches between the east- 
 em and southern states, which must neces- 
 sarily cross the Hudson." 
 
 " I understand. General, the great import- 
 ance there is for having a personal interview 
 with Arnold, if, as we suspect, he is pur 
 mercantile correspondent," replied Andre; 
 "and of that I think there should be no 
 doubt, although we cannot be positive till 
 we know more. Shall I write an answer to 
 this letter?" ■ .; 
 
 " Yes, and so w;ord it, that he shall under- 
 stand his rank and name must be immediately 
 made known, and that a meeting between the 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 15 
 
 parties must be brought about as soon as pos- 
 sible. You can say you are anxious to efifect 
 a copartnership of the kind proposed, and that 
 •you have ample capital at your command to 
 make it an object for him to connect himself 
 with your house. Say also, that under the ex- 
 pectation of an arrangement of the kind being 
 effected, you are about making extensive 
 preparations to carry on business on a large 
 scale ; and that, in a few days, if his answer 
 still be favorable, you will proceed to ship a 
 Tieavy amount of goods for {he market proposed. 
 He of course will understand by this, that our 
 troops will be put in readiness for instant em- 
 barkation ; and we can give out that we are 
 about setting out on an expedition to the 
 Chesapeake ; and the recent arrival of Sir 
 George Rodney's fleet, and the news of Gates' 
 defeat, will assist us materially in giving the 
 air of truth to this false report. Of course, 
 "Washington will hear of our intention through 
 his spies, and will be the more eager to form a 
 junction with his allies, in order that the com- 
 bined forces may attack the city the moment 
 it is weakened by the withdrawal of a large 
 detachment of onr troops. Now, the result is 
 easily foreseen. Washington, at the head of 
 his main army, as I have every reason to be- 
 lieve, will move upon King's Bridge and Mor- 
 risania — a detachment will menace Staten 
 Island — while the French allies will approach 
 the city by way of Long Island. Thus they 
 will aim to distract us by three separate at- 
 tacks ; but in the meantime we will seize West 
 Point, with all its supplies, throw their plans 
 into confusion, and perhaps, by concentrating 
 our whole force upon the French (for Wash- 
 ington will be obliged to fall back), be able to 
 block up their retreat, and take them prison- 
 ers, and thus close the campaign of 1780 
 more gloriously than any since the commence- 
 ment of the war." 
 
 "This is a consummation devoutly to be 
 wished," returned Andre, with enthusiasm, 
 " and I already feel proud at the thought, that" 
 I shall be an humble instrument in bringing 
 it about." 
 
 "Ay, and if it succeed, it shall be the best 
 year's work you ever performed," pursued 
 Sir Henry ; " for as certain as that we both 
 live to see it, so cettain shall you have a pro- 
 
 motion, that shall make the proudest proud 
 to call you friend." 
 
 "Ah! Sir Henry, from my soul I thank 
 you; for since the unfortunate termination 
 of all my hopes of domestic felicity, I have 
 become — I do not deny it — almost wildly am- 
 bitious to distinguish myself in the service of 
 my king and country. To me there ever 
 seemed something grand and glorious in 
 one obscurely born raising himself to an 
 enviable station ; and if I, through your in- 
 valuable friendship and disinterested par- 
 tiality, succeed in doing this, your excel- 
 lency can readily imagine in what estima- 
 tion, as my patron and benefactor, you will 
 be held by me." 
 
 " Well, well, we shall see, we shall see. By- 
 the-by, did you receive your usual missive from 
 Mrs. Arnold ? Ah ! you sly one, I see by 
 that blush you did. But no matter — it is none 
 of my concern — only I must say, that as a girl, 
 she was one of the most fascinating I ever be- 
 held. How she could fancy such a personage 
 as Arnold, with such disparity in their ages, 
 passes my understanding ; though well I know 
 there is no accounting for woman's caprices. 
 Well, I will leave you to yourself a few mi- 
 nutes, and let you indite an answer to Gusta- 
 vus, which must be sent off by a messenger 
 who leaves at two o'clock ;" and Sir Henry 
 Clinton walked slowly out of tiie apartment 
 into the hall, passed the sentinel that paced 
 to and fro before his door, and ascended a 
 flight of stairs leading to the upper parts of 
 the mansion. 
 
 The moment he found himself alone, An- 
 dre opened a neatly-folded, sweetrscented 
 billet-doux, bearing the delicate tracery of a 
 female hand, and perused it hastily. When 
 he had finished, he laid it upon the table, and 
 from a concealment nearest his heart, drew 
 forth a small miniature, done on ivory, upon 
 which he gazed for several moments, in an 
 abstracted mood. , Then heaving a long, deep,, 
 mournful sigh, and with one hand brushing 
 the dew from his eyes, hg exclaimed, in a low, 
 tremulous tone : 
 
 "Oh! Honora — sainted Honora ! thou 
 madly-loved, wildlyrworshiped, but wantonly-, 
 sacrificed being ! how fades all other beauty 
 and loveliness when brought to compare with 
 
16 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 thee! They consigned thee to another; but 
 death took pity on thee, and annulled the per- 
 jured contract. Sweet saint in heaven! pray 
 intercede for him who loves thee still, with a 
 devotion that can never change. A short 
 time, at the longest, and death will reunite 
 us, to part no more forever !" 
 
 He pressed his lips with affectionate reve- 
 rence to the painted ivory as he spoke, and 
 carefully returned it to the place whence 
 taken. Then seating himself at the table, he 
 laid Arnold's letter open before him, and tak- 
 ing up a pen, prepared to write an answer. 
 
 Alas ! in the morning of life, in the meri- 
 dian of his glory, poor Major Andre little 
 dreamed to what a horrible doom this dealing 
 with a traitor was destined to consign him. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE MTSTEMOUS BEAUTY. 
 
 At the time of which we vrrite, New York 
 was scarcely more than a village, compared 
 to its present size and dense population. All 
 that portion of the town now laid off so regu- 
 larly, with its wide clean streets intersecting 
 each other at right angles, on which front the 
 splendid mansions of the wealthy, was then 
 devoted to agriculture, with here and there 
 a farm-house, the tenants of which looked 
 upon themselves as living in the country, a 
 goodly distance out of town. Pearl-street 
 (then called Queen), where i.it intersects 
 Broadway in front of the Hospital, was the 
 extreme northern, as Catharine-street was the 
 extreme eastern, limit of the city ; and but 
 few of the more wealthy cared to live so much 
 in the suburbs as even this, unless it were 
 during the warm months of summer. The 
 mansions of the latter, at this period, were 
 generally on Broadway, near the Battery, on 
 Wall and Broad streets, and on Queen-street ; 
 and even this part of the town, now so crowded 
 with five and six story edifices, devoted to 
 commerce on a grand scale, with scarcely 
 ground enough unoccupied to give one a sight 
 of the sun at noonday, was then generally 
 kid off with extensive gardens, and not un- 
 frequently with private parks, as large as the 
 largest of the present public squares. 
 
 On the street last mentioned, namely, 
 ,Queen, not far from where it now crosses 
 Fulton, stood a double two-story brick dwell- 
 ing, with oolonade, balcony, marble steps, and 
 an exterior finish not usually seen at that 
 period. A large silver plate, on one of the 
 folding-doors that ■ gave you entrance, bore 
 the single but aristocratic inscription of 
 "Percy." Thfe doors also opened by means 
 of a silver knob, and a heavy silver-mouBted 
 knocker stood ready to summon a servant to 
 undo the inner fastenings. You entered a 
 wide old-fashioned hall, whose high, frescoed 
 ceiling, painted floor, massive antique furni- 
 ture, wainscoted walls, of a somber hue, hung 
 round with generations of portraits, and with 
 rich old paintings by the grbat masters, gave 
 it an air of gloomy, stately grandeur, and be- 
 spoke the owner a man of wealth, who prlde'd 
 himself on his lineage. At the right of this 
 hall was a double drawing-room, divided by 
 folding-doors, and furnished in a light fand-. 
 ful style of magnificence, which strangely 
 contrasted with the apartment just describedi 
 A large pier-glass occupied the space be- 
 tween the front windows, reaching nearly 
 from the ceiling to the ground. The win- 
 dows themselves were shaded by damast 
 curtains, and a rich, soft carpet, whereon the 
 half-buried foot gave back no sound, covered 
 the floor. This of itself was sufioient at 
 that day to bespeak opulence, and every thing 
 corresponded with this unusual display of 
 taste and affluence. 
 
 The rear of the mansion opened into a 
 beautiful shrubbei^y, with green and flowery 
 walks, beyond which was a garden, extending 
 down to the East river, a distance from the 
 dwelling of some two or three hundred yards. 
 Here were a long hot-house and arbors at 
 every turn, and the whole was fenced in by a 
 high wall of masonry. 
 
 A broad winding staircase led to the upper 
 parts of the mansion, which was divided into 
 various compartments, from which we shall 
 only select one for description. This was an 
 elegant little boudoir, the vrindows of which' 
 overlooked the river and the grounds already 
 mentioned. The room was not carpeted, and 
 in fact this luxury here would have been su- 
 perfluous ; for nothing could add to the chaste- 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 17 
 
 ness and beauty of the snowy whito and highly 
 .polished floor. Neither did the apartment 
 contain much furniture ; but what little there 
 was in it, was of the most costly material and 
 neatest ■workmanship. A beautiful toilet-table 
 of carved rosewood stood between the windows, 
 surmounted by a mirror in a rosewood frame. 
 On this table was the usual number of soeut- 
 bottles, brushes, and combs, andbefore it stood 
 a rosewood chair, of delicate workmanship, 
 having turned legs and rounds, and a split 
 cane seat. Two other chairs, of the same 
 material and make, stood in the room, one 
 of them in front of an open window, and the 
 other facing a small escritoire, also of rose- 
 wood, with a bookcase surmounting it. The 
 lid of the escritoire was down, and displayed 
 paper, pens, and ink, with several letters neat- 
 ly folded and arranged in its pigeon-holes with 
 precise order. The folding^doors of the book- 
 case were also open, and three rows of books, 
 consisting of poetry, history, biography, and 
 romance, bound in morocco, with the letter- 
 ing in gold, in the costliest style of art, were 
 exposed to view. Besides the articles men- 
 tioned, a large round mahogany table occupied 
 the center of the apartment, on which lay 
 several pieces of music and a guitar. Several 
 pictures adorned the snowy walls ; and on the 
 marble mantel, over a large fireplace, which 
 was hidden by a painted fire-board, were a, 
 couple cf vases, filled with freshly culled flow- 
 ers, whose sweet odors reperfumed the balmy 
 air that stole in from over the garden. The 
 room had a softened light, for it was shaded 
 by vines clambering . over the trellis of the 
 windows, and, by snowy linen curtains, that 
 swept gracefully doTvn from the upper case- 
 ment, and, being parted below, were sus- 
 pended on glass knobs to the right and left. 
 But the most beautiful and attractive object 
 in the apartment yet remains to be described. 
 On a delicately carved mahogany lounge, 
 covered with damask,, which extended along 
 the wall farthest from the windows, a beauti- 
 ful female, robed in the purest white, was 
 .^gracefully reclining. We say a beautiful fe- 
 male ; but the term is all too impotent to con- 
 vey any idea of a seraphiq comelijiess, seldom 
 seen, and never excelled. Her skin was as 
 fair as a lily, and so clear and transparentthat 
 2 
 
 one could fancy a soft halo was exhaled there- 
 from, which surrounded it like a glory. Her 
 face was of Grecian formation, and would 
 have made a model for an artist seeking to 
 paint a divinity, so perfect was every feature, 
 and so ethereal the whole. Yet with all this 
 comeliness o_f formation, there was not, as is 
 too frequently the case, only the mere animal 
 to admire ; but combined with it was an ex- 
 pression of intellect, of soul, of the very highest 
 order. You could not gaze upon that coun- 
 tenance, and fancy it a superior work of art ; 
 for in every, lineament was there an evidence 
 of its having been wrought by the band of a 
 Deity. Her lips were like ruby, her teeth 
 like pearl, her eyes black and sparkling, and 
 her raven hair, in glossy ringlets, clustered 
 around a neck of alabaster. Her form was 
 like, a Hebe, graceful and airy ; and when 
 we add that she was just in the bloom of 
 eighteen summers, we fancy the picture of 
 terrestrial beauty is nearly complete. 
 
 We have said she was reclining upon the 
 lounge. One snowy arm, on which her head 
 rested, was half buried in her raven ringlets, 
 ithat swept wantonly over it in beautiful pro- 
 fusion. Her other hand held an open book 
 before her, and her black sparkling eyes were 
 fixed intently upon the printed page. As if 
 aware her beauty needed no extraneous ap- 
 pendages, she wore no ornament, with the 
 exception of a diamond ring that glittered on 
 the third finger of her left hand. Her drape- 
 ry, of snowy linen, was perfect in its arrange- 
 ment, though apparently unstudied; with one 
 tiny foot jnsj; visible, covered with a white 
 satini slipper. 
 
 Such was Rosij,lie Du Pont, the belle of New 
 York, the p.dmired, the courted, the envied 
 beauty of the day, and, we will add, the hero- 
 ine of our, story, who is destined to figure con- 
 spicuopsly in the following pages. Who, or 
 what she was, the rep,der must for the present 
 be keptin ignorance. Even those who fancied 
 they knew her "best, knew her' only as the 
 sprightly, gay, ooeentrio, witty, accomplished 
 and beautiful Rosalie'Du Pont, piece of Gra- 
 h.am Percy, a atsiunch Loyalist, devoted'heart 
 and soul to the cause of King George'. 
 
 But they kneio hernot. ,) ;. • :, 
 
 The time wo have chosen to introduce 
 
18 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 Rosalie, was some three hours subsequent to 
 the conversation between Major General Sir 
 Henry Clinton, and Adjutant General Major 
 Andre, as recorded in the foregoing chapter. 
 For a few moments, she remained in the posi- 
 tion described, wholly absorbed with her book ; 
 and then suddenly looking up, she turned her 
 head aside in a listening attitude. At the 
 same instant, there came a light tap on the 
 door ; and stretching out her hand, without 
 rising, Rosalie turned the knob and threw it 
 open. This proceeding disclosed a straight, 
 slim, and rather tall mulatto boy, apparently 
 about fifteen years of age, standing quietly 
 in the doorway, as motionless, and with the 
 same immobility of countenance, as a wax 
 figure or statue. On being signed to enter by 
 Rosalie, he slowly walked into the apartment, 
 softly closed the door behind him, and then 
 turned to his mistress, as if for further orders. 
 His. features were good, and seemed not to 
 lack intelligence, though there was something 
 about them would strike a stranger as being 
 very peculiar. He wore a tight-fitting round- 
 about, buttoned close to the throat, with a 
 white linen collar, of perhaps an inch in 
 width, turned over it at the neck. His suit 
 was entirely black, with bright metal but- 
 tons, and fitted his handsome figure with 
 great exactness. Small slender feet were in- 
 cased in morocco boots of high polish, and, 
 one hand held a cap, surrounded by a gold 
 band, not unlike those worn by military 
 officers of the present day. His hair was 
 black, short, and curly, and his eye still 
 blacker, and capable of a very intense and 
 fiery expression, though in general it ap- 
 peared soft and mild as now. 
 
 " Well ?" said Rosalie in a whisper. 
 
 The youth instantly partly unbuttoned his 
 waistcoat, thrust one hand into his bosom, 
 and drew forth a letter, which he held up 
 before him with a gleam of triumph. ' 
 
 On beholding the missive, Rosalie sprang 
 to her feet, eagerly caught it from the hand 
 of the other, and breaking the seal, hurried 
 to the window and devoured its contents. 
 Then turning to the boy, she inquired, but 
 Btill in a whisper ; 
 
 " Did you find this where you did the last 
 one ?" 
 
 The boy nodded in the afBrmative. 
 
 " Did you place the one I gave you as T 
 directed ?" 
 
 The boy nodded again. 
 
 " Did you meet with any adventures wortL 
 relating ?" 
 
 The boy advanced to the table, picked up 
 a pen, and wrote, in a light, genteel, legible 
 hand: 
 
 "I saw Dame Hagold's house burned by 
 the Skinners." 
 
 " Indeed !" exclaimed Rosalie, with a start. 
 " So the old fortune-teller-is burned out, eh? 
 What became of her, do you know ?" 
 
 Again the boy wrote : 
 
 " She escaped, and took refuge within the 
 British lines." 
 
 " But where were the Cow Boys, when the 
 burning took place 1" 
 
 The mute — for such he was — answered in 
 the same manner as before : 
 
 "Within sight." 
 
 " And did they not try to prevent it ?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 " And why, do you think ?" 
 
 "Because they were leagued with the 
 Skinners to get her money." 
 
 "Did they get any?" 
 
 " I overheard Dame Hagold saying she had 
 lost two hundred dollars." 
 
 " And where were you all this time V 
 
 " Concealed in a thicket near." 
 
 " Were you not frightened ?" 
 
 " I did not think myself in safety." 
 
 " In returning to town, were you stopped 
 by the sentinels of the out-posts ?" 
 
 " Twice, but showed my passport, which 
 proved satisfactory in both cases." 
 
 "What time did you get within th« 
 lines?" 
 
 " About daylight." 
 
 " How long have you been returned 7" 
 
 " Three hours or more." 
 
 " What have you been doing t" 
 
 " Sauntering about the town." 
 
 " Any news 1" 
 
 " Yes ; there is a rumor Sir Henry intendi 
 erelong to embark for the Chesapeake." 
 
 "Do you think it true?" 
 
 "No." 
 
 "Why- not?" 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 19 
 
 " Because, if true, it would be kept moro 
 Fccret, at least for the present." 
 
 "What then do you think the meaning 
 of it ?" ^ 
 
 "That it is some design to mislead the 
 American commander." 
 
 " For what purpose 1" 
 
 " I can not say." 
 
 " Did you gather any news of Washington's 
 designs ?" 
 
 " Yes ; he will set off soon on a yisit to 
 Count Rochambeau at Hartford." 
 
 " Did you communicate this intelligence to 
 Sir Henry Clinton ?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " What said he ?" 
 
 " He thanked me, and you through me, for 
 our zeal in the royal cause ; but cautioned me 
 against needless exposure, lest I should be 
 taken by the rebels and hung as a spy." 
 
 "A very proper precaution for Mm," re- 
 turned Rosalie, with a meaning smile. 
 
 The mute smiled also, but made no reply, 
 and the other proceeded : 
 
 " But is there not danger in this business, 
 Munee 1 Suppose, for instance, you should 
 be taken by the Skinners, and passports from 
 the commanders of the hostile armiesbe found 
 on you, what would be the consequence 1" 
 
 The mute passed his hand quickly around 
 his neck, and then holding it aboye his 
 head, and letting the latter drop forward 
 toward his bosom, made a gurgling sound, 
 the whole intimating that he would be hung 
 as a spy. 
 
 Rosalie shuddered and turned pale. 
 
 " Poor Munee," she said, "this must not be 
 for me, for I could never forgive myself. No, 
 no; you must not venture so again. Sooner 
 than that I will go myself." 
 
 The mute started, with a look of alarm, and 
 catching up the pen, wrote nervously : 
 
 " Impossible ! you would surely be dis- 
 covered. Munee would die for the beautiful 
 Rosalie without a murmur." 
 
 " I know you would, Munee, I know you 
 ■would," returned the other warmly, a tear 
 trembling in her eye; " and for this reason I 
 should feel your loss only the more keenly. 
 No, I am resolved — seek not to change my 
 purpose ; your habiliments will exactly fit me, I 
 
 and you and I must change places, as we have 
 more than once done before." 
 
 " But I could not personate you during so 
 long an absence as this mad whim would 
 require, without being detected," wrote the 
 mute. 
 
 "I will arrange every thing for this purpose. 
 It is well known that I am a girl of strange 
 caprices — gay, wild, and wayward — so that 
 what I do out of the ordinary way, will cause 
 less surprise than would the same freak per- 
 formed by any other lady of my acquaintance. 
 Now, in a few days, my uncle will sail for a 
 southern port, as bearer of dispatches from 
 Sir Henry Clinton, and my aunt will go to 
 spend a few weeks with a friend on Long 
 Island, leaving the house and most of the ser- 
 vants in my charge. Well, during her absence, 
 if I feel disposed, I can manage my plot in 
 this way. I will give out that I am goihg to 
 keep my room for a week, during which time 
 I vrill see no one, and speak to no one — that 
 my meals, and so forth, must be brought to 
 the door of my boudoir, and there left, with- 
 out any questions — that if I want any thing, 
 I will write on a piece of paper and leave it 
 outside ; and that all visitors inquiring for me, 
 must be told that I am in one of my whims, 
 and will not see them — the rest I am sure 
 you can perform, with no other inconvenience 
 than being a close prisoner till my return. 
 But enough for the present — for the remain- 
 der can be told when the moment for the exe- 
 cution of my scheme arrives, which possibly 
 may never come. By-the-by, Munee, are you 
 much fatigued 1" 
 
 " Not if my mistress requires my services," 
 wrote the other. ■ 
 
 " Will you ascertain then, if Dame Hagold 
 has returned to her old. quarters in the city V 
 
 The mute bowed, and passed out ; and as 
 the door closed behind the messenger, Rosa- 
 lie continued : " Poor dumb Munee, what an 
 invaluable treasure as a Servant ! Ah ! who, 
 even among her associates, suspects her of 
 being other than she seems ? It was a capital 
 whim, that led me to dress her as a youth at 
 first ; for now she can serve me as no waiting- 
 maid could ; and such is the afiection she bears 
 me, that I can safely trust my life in her 
 hands. Ay, for that matter; I am even now 
 
20 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 in her power, if she be evil disposed ; but still 
 I have no fear;" and taking up the letter 
 Munee had brought her, Rosalie was soon 
 lost in its reperusal. 
 
 At this moment there came a light tap on 
 the door ; and on being bidden to enter, a 
 servant approached Rosalie bearing a neatly- 
 written cai'd on a silver waiter. 
 
 " Ha ! Major Andre ?" said our heroine, as 
 her eye fell upon the inscription. " Say to 
 him I will be with him presently. Surely," 
 she continued to herself, aS the servant quitted 
 the room, " surely, I can not have made a con- 
 quest of the proud, handsome, accomplished, 
 and gallant Major, during our brief acquaint- 
 ance ! and if not, what brings him here to- 
 day ?" and her features slightly paled. "But, 
 then," she added, forcing a look of unconcern 
 she did not feel, " why not here as well ks 
 elsewhere ? and why not to-day as well as at 
 any other period? Pshaw 1 why does my 
 heartbeat quicker? is it so wonderful that he, 
 more than another, should call to while away 
 an idle hour with one whose beauty is over- 
 praised, whose talents are overrated, and 
 whose eccentricity has made her a topic 
 of conversation in every circle ? No, I will 
 think not. But this letter must be destroyed. 
 Yet why so ? It contains nothing improper ; 
 and who would know the author? No, no, 
 it shall be preserved ;" and touching a secret 
 spring in her rosewood escritoire, she disclosed 
 a small aperture, into which she thrust the 
 epistle ; and then making a hasty toilet, de- 
 scended to the drawing-room, where she found 
 the young Adjutant-General awaiting her pre- 
 sence, who, on her queen-like entrance, arose, 
 with a courtly grace, and made the salutation 
 of the day. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE INTERVIEW. 
 
 " Pardon my intrusion!" said Andre, with 
 a bland smile ; "for I fear this unseasonable 
 hour makes my presence unwelcome." 
 
 "How slily you gallant oflScers of King 
 George fish for compliments !" returned Ro- 
 salie, laughing, "for well you know your pre- 
 sence is never unwelcome to the fair." 
 
 "And if we slily fish for compliments, as 
 you say," rejoined the Adjutant, gayly, " we 
 seldom bait our hook in vain ; for the wittiest 
 of your sex, I perceive, can flatter as well as 
 others." 
 
 "0, if you deem what I said flattery, I 
 grant you so," responded Rosalie; "for I 
 thought that so plain a truth would pass 
 for staple fact, and nothing more be thought 
 of it." 
 
 "Nay, stop, prithee, or you will make me 
 vain by sly reiteration." 
 
 " Good faith ! I see not well how that can 
 be." 
 
 "How so?" 
 
 " Because one can not make what is already 
 made.'" 
 
 " Ha ! now the cutting sarcasm comes," re- 
 turned the Major, laughing and colpring. 
 
 " Only a truth, as plain as the other," said 
 Rosalie, archly. 
 
 " You think me vain, then ?" 
 
 " Assuredly." 
 
 " In what way ?" 
 
 " In being the handsomest and best-dressed 
 officer in the Royal Army !" 
 • " You mistake me. Miss Du Pont." 
 
 " I must beg to contradict you. No gentle- 
 man, so precise in toilet as yourself, can with 
 impunity boast his freedom from vanity to it 
 me." 
 
 " But this precision is a duty every gentle- 
 man owes to society." 
 
 "Call it what you will, 'tis vanity that 
 prompts it." 
 
 " I trust you do not think me over-nice in 
 dress." 
 
 " Nay, nor under-nice ; for th«n the term I 
 just applied to you would not be a correct one. 
 You are exactly what you should be, to be a 
 well-dressed man. The frill of your shirt- 
 bosom, the ruffles around your hands, have 
 neither a plait too much nor too little. The 
 tie of your cravat is precisely d la mode, and 
 your sword knot has no fault to answer for. 
 Your coat fits you as it would a tailor's block, 
 and your boots and buttons are brighter than 
 your eyes." 
 
 "But not so bright as yours. Miss Du Pont," 
 returned Andre, rallying. 
 
 " Aha ! you think to buy me off with flat- 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 21 
 
 tery, eh? but you shall not do it. Let me 
 see ! the next thing is your hair. Ah, how 
 nice it is combed, and brushed, and curled, 
 and oiled, and scented, and" — r- 
 
 " Come, come. Miss Du Pont," interrupted 
 Andre, "if you go on this way, you will 
 force me to believe what I have heard of 
 you." 
 
 " Of me ? is it possible that any one dares 
 to talk of me in my absence? And what 
 have you heard ?" 
 
 "That you But I think I'll not tell 
 
 you, just to punish you for making a jest of 
 me." 
 
 "Jest of you, indeed!" exclaimed Rosalie, 
 arching her brows. "I assure you, I was 
 never more in sober earnest in my life. But 
 as you refuse to tell me, why, I must go on 
 vrith my personal critique." 
 
 "Nay, now, if you will desist, I will tell 
 you what I heard — is it a bargain 1" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "Well, then, report says you are the most 
 beautiful and eccentric creature in the city." 
 
 "Is that all? Why, I have heard that re- 
 peated so often, that the matter has become 
 stale. Really, I thought that Adjutant-Gene- 
 ral Major Andre would be the last one to re- 
 tail musty gossip." 
 
 "Nay, I did not deem it such. Miss Du 
 Pont," replied the Adjutant, coloring, and 
 compressing his lips, a little vexed in spite 
 of himself. " Do you know now," he pur- 
 sued, rather maliciously, " that I should re- 
 gard Miss Rosalie as one of the most interest- 
 ing beings in the world, were it not that she 
 mixes so much bitter with the sweet.'' 
 
 "Ah, sir, that is so it shall not pall the 
 taste," returned Rosalie, good-humoredly. 
 " And another thing : were I to show only my 
 fascinations to the accomplished Major Andre, 
 he might fall in love with me, and forget the 
 absent." 
 
 "The former, perhaps, but not the lat- 
 ter." 
 
 " Nay, you could not truly hold to both, 
 'ye can not serve God and Mammon,' " was 
 the quick rejoinder. " And besides, I would 
 have no lover sighing for another." 
 
 "And I could never forget the absent," 
 said Andre, mournfully. 
 
 " Then I see we can not be lovers ; and so, 
 a truce to this badinage, and let us endeavor 
 to bo friends.'' 
 
 "With all my heart, Miss Rosalie; and 
 Heaven forbid Me ever be enemies. And 
 since we have come to an understanding, I 
 may venture to make known my business 
 here.'' 
 
 Rosalie gave him a quick, searching look, 
 and a close observer could have seen the blood 
 retreating from her face, till even her checks 
 became ghastly pale. Fearing he might no- 
 tice it, she turned her head aside, and in an 
 assumed, careless tone, said: 
 
 "Well, I am all attention." 
 
 "In the first place,'' resumed Andre, "Sir 
 Henry Clinton bids me thank you warmly, 
 for your untiring efforts to render yourself 
 useful to the royal cause, and says if there is 
 any thing he can do to serve you in return, 
 you must command him." 
 
 Rosalie looked hard at Andre as he said 
 this, and seeing by his open countenance 
 there was no duplicity in his speech, she 
 breathed more freely, and ansVered : 
 
 "I am much obliged to his excellency, for 
 his distinguished consideration, and should I 
 require a service at his hands, assure him I 
 shall make bold to ask it." 
 
 "And by this token it shall be granted," re- 
 joined Andre, extending to Rosalie a diamond 
 ring of very peculiar workmanship. " His 
 excellency also bade me give you this, and 
 request you to wear it for his sake ; and who- 
 ever returns it to him and seeks a favor, 
 within his power to render, that person shall 
 not ask in vain." 
 
 " I will wear it for the giver's sake, and re- 
 member its talismanic power," replied Rosa^ 
 lie, placing it on her beautiful, tapering finger, 
 as a companion to the only one she wore. 
 " You see this," she continued, pointing to the 
 other: "that also is the gift of a very dear 
 friend, else would it not be there ; for jewelry, 
 as mere oi-nament, I despise." 
 
 " And well you may," said Andre, gallantly ; 
 " for nature has done so much for you, that 
 seeking to enhance your beauty by things of 
 art, is like holding a candle to the sun, or 
 attempting to paint the rainbow." 
 
 " Well, I see you can flatter, too," replied 
 
22 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 Rosalie: and then added, gravely. "But 
 flattery, sir, I despise, as much as I do gew- 
 gaws." 
 
 " I beg your pardon, Miss Du Pont, but I 
 can not help saying you are a very singular 
 being.'' 
 
 "Yes, singular, because I despise ornament 
 and flattery, and prefer sense to nonsense. I 
 am aware, sir, I form a rare exception to most 
 of my sex ; but would to Heaven I could not 
 say so ! When I say my sex, I mean those of 
 my own age and position. But on you gentle- 
 men much of the blame must rest, after all ; 
 for from the time a girl is old enough to be 
 thrown into society, you make it a point to 
 fiU heri ear with flattery and nonsense ; and 
 though she may be averse to these at first, yet 
 time makes the poison both palatable and ap- 
 parently harmless ; and she grows to like it, 
 and even to require it, to keep her mental 
 system from being prostrated by ennui: 
 whereas, did you take a different course at 
 the start, and treat her like a rational being, 
 talk to her as if she had common understand- 
 ing, and seek to elevate her by your superior 
 knowledge, to let her know and feel that she 
 J is, in its true sense, a woman, sent here as a 
 helpmate to man, to rear and educate his 
 children, and occupy no inferior position in 
 the great drama of life, you would entirely 
 renovate this feminine imbecility, and find in 
 the gentler sex companions fit to be partners 
 in all your undertakings, to rejoice in your 
 prosperity, to stand unshrinkingly by your 
 side in the hour of adversity, when even a 
 broken reed to lean on would be an invaluable 
 treasure." 
 
 " This is a great truth you have spoken," 
 returned Andre, gazing upon the other with 
 a look of sincere admiration : " a great truth. 
 Miss Du Pont ; and it raises you, in my es- 
 teem, as far above the butterfly legion of your 
 sex, as they stand in the divine right above 
 the lowest order of animated beings. If I 
 flatter you now, pardon me, for it is the flat- 
 tery, only of earnest truth, spoken with no 
 false purpose, but warm from the heart. But 
 notwithstanding I regard your censure of our 
 sex just, in a great measure, yet I must take 
 exceptions ; for with most young ladies, we 
 are forced to talk trifling nonsense, or be de- 
 
 prived of their valuable society; as higher 
 thoughts and more dignified discourse are 
 looked upon by them as vulgar, and are 
 certainly unsuited to their understandings 
 and tastes. It is their bringing up; and 
 we must go back to childhood, and their 
 parents, for the true cause of this deplor- 
 able evil, and apply there for the remedy, 
 after all." 
 
 "I grant you this is true, so fax as it goes," 
 replied Rosalie; "but you must take into 
 consideration the customs of society, and not 
 blame the mother too much, who, wishing to 
 see her daughters shine in the fashionable 
 world, takes especial care that they shall 
 have just such knowledge as the fashionable 
 world requires ; and you well know the gene- 
 ral parlance of the drawing-room excludes all 
 discussions of a literary and scientific nature. 
 The evil, I may say, is with all parties ; and 
 the sooner it is. eradicated, the sooner will 
 mankind reach the goal of intellectual hap- 
 piness.'' 
 
 "Pray, Miss Du Pont," returned Andre, 
 "may I ask where you received your educa- 
 tion, and what position your parents occupied, 
 or do occupy ? — for I know not whether they 
 are living or dead : and, in fact, only know 
 so much of your history as report gives out, 
 which is limited to the fact that you are the 
 niece of Graham Percy." 
 
 "And to those who seek to know more I 
 have but one answer — that I am a myth, an 
 enigma, and so for the present wish to re- 
 main." 
 
 "I crave your pardon, then, for my inquisi- 
 tiveness, and assure you, that whether nobly 
 born or not, your talents alone are sufficient 
 to entitle you to rank with the proudest of the 
 realm." 
 
 " Again, sir, I must chide you for overstep- 
 ping the limits prescribed. I perceive you 
 are determined to flatter me, whether I like 
 it or not." 
 
 "Forgive me this time. Miss Du Pont, and 
 I will promise not to offend again." 
 
 "Be it so." 
 
 " Would it be an impertinent question io 
 ask if you write ? for persons of your turn of 
 mind are very apt to commit their thoughts 
 to paper." 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 23 
 
 " I have written some little, to while away 
 ft leisure hour." 
 
 " Would it be asking too great a favor to 
 request you to show me some of your com- 
 positions ?" 
 
 " Why, for the most part, they are in a 
 crude state ; and really, sir, I must confess 
 myself too modest to venture placing them 
 before a person of such critical judgment, 
 and well-known literary attainments, as 
 Major Andre. Rather let mo request that 
 you will favor me with some of your last 
 poetical effusions — some, for instance, that 
 have not been published." 
 
 " I would with pleasure. Miss Du Pont, only 
 it so happens that I have nothing on hand at 
 present. The last article I wrote is a satiri- 
 cal poem, founded on an amusing occurrence 
 in one of the skirmishes of old General 
 Wayne, and that I gave to the editor of the 
 Royal Gazette this morning." 
 
 " It is not published, then V 
 
 " No ; he said it would appear soon, how- 
 ever." 
 
 "Whaiis it called?" 
 
 "The Cow Chase." 
 
 " A curious title." 
 
 " Ay, and for that matter, a curious sub- 
 ject poorly handled." 
 
 " I should like to see it." 
 
 " You will, soofi enough, no doubt." 
 
 " You write poetry altogether, do you not, 
 Major?" 
 
 " Why, poetry is my delight ; but I am 
 forced to write a good deal of prose, in the 
 way of correspondence, etc." 
 
 " You have some female Correspondents, I 
 presume 1" 
 
 " A few — only a few." 
 
 " Do you write prose to them ?" 
 
 " Poetical prose," laughed Andre. " It 
 would not do, you know, to be very prosy 
 with a sentimental lady. The periods must 
 be well rounded, and every sentence must 
 contain some metaphox-ical nonsense ; else one 
 is called stupid, and dismissed, without so 
 much as a chance to sue for pardon. But 
 truly, Miss Du Pont, I am forgetting the real 
 business on which I called, after all ; and as I 
 have an engagement with Sir Henry at four 
 o'clock precisely, you must pardon me for 
 
 checking the conversation at so interesting a 
 moment. On Tuesday next, there is to be a 
 grand military ball at the mansion of Sir 
 Henry Clinton, and I have called to know if 
 I can have the pleasure of your company 
 thither." 
 
 " I will not promise positively," replied 
 Rosalie ; " but if I go at all, I will do myself 
 the honor to accompany you." 
 
 " Thank you ;" and Andre rose to take his 
 leave. 
 
 "By-the-by, Major Andre," said Rosalie, 
 also rising, " you have not told me what news 
 there is in town 1" 
 
 " Why I believe there is none of any 
 importance. The rebels, we hear, are very 
 anxious to effect a junction with their French 
 allies — ^but whether they will or not is very 
 uncertain." 
 
 "And if they do?" 
 
 " I suppose they will proceed to, attack the 
 city." 
 
 " Oh ! merciful heaven ! another siege ! the 
 very thought of it terrifies me," gried Rosalie, 
 in well-feigned alarm. " I have been through 
 one; and heaven knows, I never wish to be 
 connected with another." 
 
 "Nay, have no fears, then; no harm will 
 be done here, depend upon it." 
 
 " How know you that ? Ah ! you merely 
 say so to reassure me; for of course, you can 
 not tell what will happen in such a case, any 
 more than myself." 
 
 " True, it is impossible for any one to say 
 what will, or what will not happen ; but I 
 have more knowledge of what will be the 
 result, if the Americans attempt to^ take New 
 York,, than you can possibly have." 
 
 " And what will be the result?" 
 
 " A signal defeat." 
 
 " You speak confidently," 
 
 " I speak what I know. An event is about 
 
 to happen,. Miss Du Pont, that will But 
 
 I foi-get myself I trust I shall have the 
 pleasure of your company to the ball." 
 
 " I will endeavor, sir, to do myself the 
 honor. But one word more, on this subject. 
 Should the Americans and their allies attack 
 New York, during the absence of Sir Henry 
 and his army, it seems to me they must find 
 an easy, victory." 
 
24\ 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 "And -who Bays Sir Henry is going to be 
 absent Tvitli his army ?" 
 
 "Why, it is everywhere reported that he 
 is about embarking his troops on an expedi- 
 tion to the Chesapeake." 
 
 " Then report must make obeisance to you 
 on starting, Miss Du Pont; for it is not more 
 than three hours since his excellency and 
 your humble servant held the matter under 
 discussion, and I was not aware it had be- 
 come generally known, even among the of- 
 ficers, as yet." 
 
 " It is true then ?" said Rosalie, watching 
 the countenance of Andre closely. " It is 
 true, then, Sir Henry sails shortly for the 
 Chesapeake ?" 
 
 " It is true, he designs setting out on an 
 expedition of considerable importance ere 
 long." 
 
 "To the Chesapeake?" 
 
 "Why npt?" 
 
 " Nothing ; only my mute, who picked up 
 the intelligence and brought it to me, seemed 
 to think it was only true in part — that the 
 expedition in reality is intended for another 
 destination." 
 
 " Indeed ! and did he learn what other t" 
 
 " No ; for beyond the report given out, all 
 is mere conjecture. But you know, Major, 
 ■whether it is true or hot." 
 
 "And grant I do?" 
 
 "Perhaps you will favor me by saying 
 whether it is, or is not, to be as reported." 
 
 " And why, if I may ask, are you so anx- 
 ious to know ?" 
 
 " Why, my fears make me anxious ; for if 
 the force here is weakened, New York will 
 certainly fall into the hands of the hated 
 rebels." 
 
 "Then rest easy, Miss Du Pont;yb»' tJie 
 force here will assuredly not he weakened — at 
 least for the present." 
 
 " Ah, thanks ! you take a weight from my 
 heart. Well, if I can conveniently. Major 
 Andre, it will afford me great pleasure to ac- 
 company you to Sir Henry's entertainment." 
 
 "I shall make dependence on you^now 
 remember ! Adieu." 
 
 "Auremirl" responded Rosalie ; and the 
 gallant Major Andre took his departure. 
 
 " So," said Rosalie, as the door closed 
 
 behind him. " So, then, this expedition is not 
 designed for the Chesapeake. Aha! there is 
 some plotting here — a deep stratagem. What 
 can it mean ? Can it be Sir Henry meditates 
 an attack on the Americans, or on the 
 French? There is something in the wind 
 that bodes no good to the right cause, and 
 I must have this mystery unraveled. Now, 
 then, to answer my letter ;" and Rosalie Du 
 Pont glided, gracefully out of the splendid 
 drawing-room, < and went bounding up the 
 broad steps to her own charming little bou- 
 doir. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE ASTKOLOGER. 
 
 About ten o'clock 'on the night succeeding 
 the events recorded in the last few chapters, 
 a solitary individual, in a citizen's dress, was 
 hastening dbwn a narrow, crooked street, 
 which then ran from Broadway to Queen. 
 The night was hot and sultry, and a heavy, 
 black thunder-cloud, that stretched its huge 
 front along he western horizon, from which, 
 the lurid lightning issued^ with a gloomy 
 glare, betokened the approach of a shower. 
 The street threaded by the wayfarer, as we 
 have said, was very narrow, and, unlike the 
 streets of the present day, it had no sidewalks, 
 but was paved with small, round stones al-1 
 the way across, and had but one gutter, which 
 was in the center — the sides, instead of the 
 middle, being the highest. The street was 
 dark and gloomy, and was lighted only by 
 the occasional flashes of the approaching 
 storm. The buildings on either side were low 
 wooden structures, with steep, pointed roofs, 
 and overhanging gables presenting to the 
 street, and though very picturesque to look at 
 from without, were not exactly the kind to 
 tempt a stranger to an interior exploration. 
 
 Before one of these, however, our nocturnal 
 wayfarer paused ; and observing it for a short 
 time, by the almost constant flashes of light- 
 ning, he approached a little gate that opened 
 into a narrow passage between two buildings, 
 and lifting a lion's-head knocker, gave three 
 loud raps. Immediately the voice of a negro 
 responded from the opposite side : 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 25 
 
 "Whodar?" 
 
 "A stranger, who desires to consult the 
 great Carlo Carlini," was the answer. 
 
 The negro opened a wicket door in the gate, 
 of some ten inches square, and reconnoitered 
 the stranger ; and then saying he would just 
 run and inform his master, disappeared. In a 
 few minutes he returned, unlocked the gate, 
 and bade the visitor enter. Shutting and 
 locking the gate behind the latter, the negro 
 passed him, and led the way to a side-door, 
 which he opened, and ushered the other into 
 a long, dark hall, with low ceiling, and with 
 no other furniture than a rough-looking table, 
 on which stood an iron lamp, whose sickly 
 flame dispelled just enough of the darkness 
 to make the dismalness of the place visible. 
 From this hall, just to the right of the en- 
 trance, a rickety flight of stairs led to the 
 second story; and up these the negro con- 
 tinued, first securing the door behind him. 
 On reaching the next story, the guide took 
 the stranger by the hand, and led him along 
 under a steep roof, in total darkness, till he 
 came to another flight of stairs, which de- 
 scended about half way to the lower story. On 
 reaching the bottom of these, the black guide 
 continued to lead the way, through a narrow, 
 crooked passage, till the stranger, becoming 
 alarmed, seized him by the throat, and threat- 
 ened to blow his brains out on the spot, if he 
 did not instantly promise to reconduct him to 
 the street. 
 
 "Te-ye-yes, massa stranger, sartingly I will, 
 
 ef you don't want to go no furder," cried the 
 
 • astonished negro ; " bu-bu-but you most dar 
 
 now, and I t'o't mebby you'd like to see 
 
 massa Carlini." 
 
 " So I should, you rascal ; but you are not 
 conducting me to him." 
 
 " Ye-ye-yes, massa, I is, sartin — on'y jest 
 a little bit furder, and you see for you'seff." 
 " Go on, then — ^but remember there is ■ a 
 pistol at your head, primed and cocked ; and 
 if you attempt the least treachery, you shall 
 te the first victim." 
 
 "No-no-now, massa stranger, jest don't, 
 please, hold dat instrument so proxumatic to 
 dis chile's head ; case it might go off conse- 
 dentally, you know, and den poor Tom hab 
 no brains in his interregnum." 
 
 " Silence !" cried .the other, sternly, " and 
 go on!" 
 
 After continuing through the narrow, 
 crooked passage some time longer, the negro 
 came to another door, on which he made three 
 distinct raps with his knuckles. Instantly, as 
 if by magic, it flew open, and disclosed a light 
 so brilliant, that the stranger started back, 
 and covered his eyes with his hands. When, 
 after a little, he withdrew them, he found him- 
 self standing alone, in a small room, or vesti- 
 bule, the walls of which were black, covered 
 with illuminated hieroglyphics. By what 
 sorcery he had been thus suddenly transferred 
 from where he stood a moment or two since, 
 exceeded all speculation. The brilliant light 
 and black guide had both vanished, and the 
 stranger almost doubted that what he how be- 
 held was real. The apartment was about four 
 feet square ; and the only apparent outlet was 
 a door immediately before him. A soft light 
 filled the room; but whence it came, he could 
 not tell, unless through the hieroglyphics, 
 which appeared to be ground glass. Half be- 
 wildered, he stood and gazed around him for 
 a few moments, and then approaching tht 
 door, made an effort to open it, but it was fast. 
 At the same instant, a clear, distinct, ringing 
 voice, said: 
 
 " Who enters the Chamber of Fate, must 
 knock." 
 
 Acting on this suggestion, the stranger ap- 
 plied his knuckles to one of the panels of the 
 door ; and like the other, it flew open, as if 
 by magic, and disclosed a black screen, with 
 a single illuminated light figure in the center, 
 holding in one hand a pen, and in the other 
 a scroll, with this inscription over its head, 
 
 " Fate writes ihe destinies of individuals, of 
 nations, of worlds." 
 
 The wondering stranger had barely read 
 the words, when the screen parted in the 
 center, and disappeared, andalarge apartment 
 was before him, the walls of which were hung 
 with black drapery, and the ceiling of which 
 represented the heavens, as seen in a bright, 
 starry night. But the most remarkable ob- 
 ject in the room was the occupant, and on him 
 the stranger gazed with a feeling akin to awe. 
 He was a personage apparently between forty 
 
26 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OE, 
 
 and fifty years of age, Tvith a countenance 
 strongly marked by deep lines, and so deadly 
 pale as to appear almost frightful; To this 
 unearthly pallor, his long, raven hair, falling 
 in wild profusion around his neck and over 
 his shoulders, and his small, black, fiery eyes, 
 formed a most striking contrast. He was 
 dressed in a close-fitting suit of black velvet, 
 which set off his fine figure to the best advan- 
 tage, and not a single ornament was on his 
 person. He was seated on a black stool, 
 before a black table, on which lay manuscript, 
 soiled white paper, pens, and ink. On the 
 opposite side of the table was another black 
 stool, and above the table hung a ponderous 
 globe lamp, of ground glass, which filled the 
 apartment with a soft, even light. Pointing 
 to the vacant seat, the astrologer — for such 
 heprofessed to be — said: 
 
 " Put up thy weapon, young man ; no harm 
 will befall thee here." 
 
 The stranger, who still held the pistol in 
 his hand, uncooked and concealed it beneath 
 his vestments, and advanced to the stool, 
 which brought him face to face with the 
 astrologer. He was a handsome, well-formed 
 man, something under thirty years of age, 
 with an open, frank, and highly intelli- 
 gent countenance. The excitement of the 
 last few minutes had made him very pale ; 
 but as he took the seat indicated by the 
 other, he said, with assumed nancha- 
 lance : 
 
 " I will return my weapon, as I see there 
 is no use for it here ; but wandering about an 
 old building, with no very prepossessing 
 guide, and that, too, in a darkness impene- 
 trable to the eye, is a very different thing. 
 By-the-by, Signor Carlini — I suppose I am 
 right in the name 1" 
 
 " My name, sir, is Carlo Carlini," replied 
 the other, almost sternly. 
 
 " Well, Carlo Carlini, I must say you have 
 a very admirable arrangement for impressing 
 the vulgar with a due sense of your greatness 
 in the occult sciences." 
 
 " Didst come here, sir, to tell me this ?" 
 
 " 0, no — because I knew nothing of it tUl I 
 came. Or, rather, I should say, I had heard 
 there was something of the kind, but did not 
 believe it could be done half so skillfully and 
 
 impressively. Why, it beats the jugglery of 
 the mother country." 
 
 " Young man, beware 1" cried the astrolo- 
 ger, angrily, his black, snaky eyes flashing, 
 and the purple veins of his forehead and tem- 
 ples beginning to stand out like whipcords. 
 "Beware how thou dost ridicule mysteries 
 beyond thy- ken !" , 
 
 " 'Pen my faith, one would think you were 
 threatening me, by your stem speech and 
 sterner look," returned the stranger, with 
 forced assurance, for he did not in reality feel 
 so much at his ease as he wished to make the 
 other believe. 
 
 But he did not deceive Carlini, who, what- 
 ever other qualifications he might possess, 
 was certainly a keen physiognomist, and 
 could read the thoughts, or at least the cha- 
 racteristics, of a man by his countenance, aa 
 easily as he could the title-page of a book. 
 
 "Young man," he answered, "I do not 
 threaten, but rather caution. I see thou. 
 doubtest my ability to exhibit a miracle ; and 
 yet thou art afraid to put me to the test." 
 
 " Come, come, that ia too good," returned 
 the other, jocularly. "Afraid, indeed! Why,' 
 I came here expressly for that purpose." 
 
 "Sir," returned the astrologer, "thy skep-) 
 ticism shall be removed." He then fixed hia 
 eyes sternly upon the other, and after gazing, 
 upon him for perhaps a minute, resumed: 
 "Now, sir, thou art wholly in the power of. 
 Carlo Carlini; and until I will thee, thou' 
 canst not stir hand nor foot." 
 
 The stranger made an effort to do so, hat 
 finding it impossible, was so affected, that cold 
 perspiration pressed through the pores of his 
 skin, and stood in beads on his face andhands. 
 
 " Art satisfied 7" inquired the astrologer. 
 
 " I am satisfied you possess a power which 
 I never believed till now was given to mortal." 
 
 "Enough, then, — and now to business. 
 What brings thee here ?" 
 
 " It is reported you can tell a man's for- 
 tune by the stars." 
 
 " I profess to do so." 
 
 " I would know the past and the futur*.^' 
 
 "Why the past?" 
 
 " Beoauae, if you can tell what will happen, 
 you can what has happened ; and as you tell 
 me right or wrong concerning the latter, so 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 27 
 
 shall I kno-w what dependence to place on 
 your predictions." 
 
 " Be it so. Where wert born 1" 
 
 "England." 
 
 "Place?" 
 
 "London." 
 
 "Age?" 
 
 " Twenty-nine years, one month, seven days, 
 and [looking at his watch] three hours." 
 
 "I will cast a, horoscope, and make the 
 calculation." 
 
 The astrologer then took a bundle of alma- 
 nacs from a drawer in the table, and having 
 selected one, examined it for a few moments 
 attentively. He then referred to an epheme- 
 ris of the same year, and taking up a pen, 
 marked a square on a white sheet of paper. 
 Within this square, near the black lines, he 
 next made characters to represent the differ- 
 ent planets, placing each in such position as 
 the rules of his craft dictated. This done, he 
 examined them attentively for several min- 
 utes, and again taking up his pen, began to 
 make figures with great rapidity. In this 
 manner he was occupied some half an hour, 
 daring which time a dead silence reigned in 
 the gloomy Chamber of Fate — or, at least, a 
 silence. broken only by the rumbling thun- 
 der of the approaching shower — and the 
 stranger, pale as death, and with compressed 
 lips, sat and watched him, as though upon 
 the first syllable he should utter depended all 
 his hopes. 
 
 At length, raising his pallid, corpse-like 
 fece, and his black, snaky eyes from the 
 work before him, the astrologer regarded his 
 guest for a short time, with something like a 
 mournful expression, and then said, in a clear, 
 sonorous voice of great solemnity : 
 
 "My friend, go home, and seek not to 
 know the mysterious ordination of the Book 
 of Fate." 
 
 "Wherefore do this?" queried the other, 
 with a slight tremor in his voice, although he 
 evidently made an effort to seem at ease. 
 
 "Because it is not well with thee,'' was the 
 solemn answer. " Seek to know no more — 
 but go home, and be earnest in thy prayers." 
 
 '' You think, then, I have not long to live 1" 
 
 " Seek to know no more !" was the still 
 solemn rejoinder. 
 
 " Speak out, Signer Carlini 1 I am a man, 
 and a soldier, and have no vulgar fear of 
 death," returned the other, more firmly. 
 
 " Ha I thou art a soldier, then ?" said Car- 
 lini, eyeing the other closely ; and if a soldier, 
 an officer in the king's army — for no man of 
 thy address, look, and manner, can hold the 
 humble station of a private. The stars did 
 not deceive me, then, though thy dress is far 
 from corresponding with thy calling." 
 
 " Well, sir,'' returned the other, " since you 
 know me to be a soldier, speak out what else 
 you know, for I would hear the worst at once." 
 
 " Thou wilt have it, then ?" 
 
 " Yes ; but first you shall tell me of the 
 past, for reasons already named." 
 
 " I will tell thee so much of the past, as will 
 convince thee my words are true. The last 
 years of thy life have been rendered unhappy, 
 by reason of a great disappointment." 
 
 " The nature of that disappointment 1" 
 
 "Love." 
 
 The young man started, colored to the tem- 
 ples, and then said, with a sigh, 
 
 " True — too true — but go on." 
 
 " That event, sir, changed thy course of life. 
 Had it not occurred, long years of happiness 
 had still been thine — ^on so trifling a matter 
 does our good or evil destiny sometimes de- 
 pend. Of an ardent, high-souled temperament, 
 thou didst fall in love with abeautiful lady, who 
 as ardently loved thee in return, and who was 
 in every respect worthy to become the partner 
 of thy bosom ; but friends and fate interfered, 
 ye were separated, she was married, and to 
 drown thy sorrow, thou didst forsake thy 
 former employment in disgust, and take up the 
 noble profession of arms. The lady so loved, 
 wedded another — but her heart was thine, 
 as her untimely death hath proven. Like a 
 flower plucked from its parent stock, she 
 withered and passed from among the living 
 to the holy mansion of the just." 
 
 " She did ! she did 1" cried the young of- 
 ficer, covering his face with his hands, and 
 rocking himself to and fro in great mental 
 agony. " By what means you are possessed 
 of this knowledge, Signior, I know not — but 
 it is the painful truth." 
 
 "Well, sir," pursued the other, "since that 
 period, thy fortunes have been various ; and 
 
28 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 by the stars I read, that from the captivity of 
 war thou hast been delivered, and been favored 
 with the confidence and friendship of those 
 high in power — in sooth, hast been elevated 
 to such a rank as might well make older heads 
 than thine proud of the distinction." 
 
 " Again true," responded the stranger. 
 
 " And have I told thee enough of the past?" 
 
 "Yes, yes — I would now hear of the future." 
 
 "Alas ! that thou forcest me to tell thee thy 
 doom." 
 
 "My doom?" 
 
 " Ay; for as surely as that thou continuest 
 in thy present profession, so surely wilt thou 
 die a sudden and violent death." 
 
 " Well," replied the other, " I have no fears 
 of a soldier's death. I am prepared for the 
 fate of war, and trust, if I fall, I shall fall 
 gloriously, in the cause of my king." 
 
 " But thou wilt not die in battle." 
 
 " No ? — how then ? — by accident, or by the 
 hand of an assassin ? 
 
 " Neither ; iliou art doomed to die upon tlie 
 scaffold.!" said the astrologer, in a tone of 
 great solemnity. 
 
 The stranger started, and at the same in- 
 stant a crash of thunder shook the house to its 
 very foundation, as if in confirmation of the 
 awful words. True, there was nothing re- 
 markable in this, considering that the shower 
 had been some time approaching — ^but com- 
 ing as it did, in conjunction with the sentence 
 uttered by the astrologer, it made a very start- 
 ling impression upon the mind of one whose 
 nerves were unusually relaxed by what he had 
 just heard. For a minute or two he spoke not 
 a word ; and then rallying, said, with a forced 
 laugh : 
 
 "Come, come, my friend, you can not be 
 serious in what you have said — so own up 
 that you have spoken to frighten me." 
 
 "I would to heaven I could, and speak 
 truth \" returned the other ; " but the stars — 
 not I — have spoken, and they never lie. I 
 have but translated their language, at thy 
 earnest solicitation." 
 
 " And how long ere the consummation of 
 this dire event?" asked the officer. 
 
 " It is near at hand — it is even now im- 
 pending ; and at the very longest, I can not 
 stretch the time beyond three months." 
 
 " And is there no way to avoid it?" 
 
 " Art about setting out on a dangerous en- 
 terprise V was the interrogative reply. 
 
 " Not that J. am aware of, Siguier. It is 
 possible I may absent myself from the city 
 for a few days, on an aff'air of considerable 
 importance ; but in doing so, I shall run no 
 risk whatever, at least none is apparent. Stay, 
 should I be successful in this adventure, I may 
 soon be called into battle — but there, you, say, 
 I shall not die." ]^ 
 
 "Avoid the present contemplated enter- 
 prise, if possible," said Carlini. 
 
 " That I can not do, consistent with duty 
 and honor, and therefore can not do at all." 
 
 "Then the consequences must rest with 
 thee — thou art warned." 
 
 " But you say I shall die on the scaffold?" 
 
 " I have spoken." 
 
 " But I see not how that can be, since I am 
 certain that my heart contains no treason." 
 
 "Young man," pursued the astrologer, 
 sternly and solemnly, "it is not for me to 
 argue my own assertions with one who is 
 prone to be skeptical. What I have said, I 
 believe to be as true as holy writ. I have 
 done." 
 
 The stranger arose, and tlirew upon the 
 table a gold coin.: 
 
 " Is that satisfactory 1" he inquired. 
 
 " No, for I would not take money from one 
 to whom it has been my unpleasant duty to 
 utter such painful words." 
 
 " But if those words prove true," rejoined 
 the other, with an evident attempt at joeU' 
 larity, " I shall not need the money, and you 
 should have something for dispa,tchingaman 
 prospectively." 
 
 " Stranger, thou art standing upon the verge 
 of an awful abyss^-consider well thy steps 1" 
 returned Carlo Carlini. " Thy levity lessens 
 not thy danger. Take back thy gold — our 
 interview is ended." As he said this, he arose 
 and touched a small btass knob that projected 
 above the table. In a moment a black servant, 
 not the one who had coilduoted the stranger 
 hither, made his appearance, holding in one 
 hand a light. 
 
 " Conduct this gentleman to the street 
 by the nearest passage," pursued Carlitii, 
 addressing him, " and then return to me." 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 29 
 
 " And since your master refuses this, take 
 it you, for your trouble," said the stranger, 
 handing the negro the gold, whose eyes fairly 
 sparkled on receiving it. Then turning to 
 the astrologer, the officer continued : " I may 
 in time call upon you again, to prove you 
 mistaken in your prediction." 
 
 " Never !" returned Carlini. 
 
 " We shall see," was the response, as, with 
 a graceful bow, the officer withdrew, to fol- 
 low his guide. 
 
 He saw nothing more of a wonderful na- 
 ture, but was conducted direct to the street, 
 by a near passage. The rain was falling in 
 torrents ; but unmindful of this, the stranger 
 plunged into the storm, and a moment later 
 was lost in the gloom. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A TRAITOR S SCHEMES. 
 
 The course of our narrative again calls us 
 to the residence of Joshua Smith, on the bank 
 of the Hudson. It was an early hour on the 
 morning of a fine day in September, and on 
 the grounds owned' by Smith, near the river, 
 in a retired and beautiful valley, through which 
 the Haverstraw creek makes its last journey 
 to the Hudson, two individuals were standing, 
 looking off upon the bay, and engaged in con- 
 versation. These two personages were Gene- 
 ral Arnold and the proprietor of the grounds. 
 
 Arnold had come down from head-quarters 
 in his barge the day before, had spent the 
 night at Smith's house, but not finding a suit- 
 able opportunity for a private interview, had 
 invited Smith to take a short stroll down by 
 the river's bank. The scene that now lay be- 
 fore them was one of rare beauty. The sun 
 was just rising above the eastern hills, and 
 pouring a flood of golden light down upon the 
 '^oiet bay,, whose bright waters seemed bent 
 iOn making a suitable return in the shape of a 
 JBucoeBsion of silver wavelets. The air was 
 ^oft and balmy, the dew sparkled on leaf, and 
 blade, and flower, and the birds skimmed 
 over the waters gayly, or sang most sweetly 
 (from among the foliage of a surrounding syl- 
 van grove. 
 
 But neither the sun, the water, the birds, 
 nor the charm ef the whole combined, made 
 any visible impression upon the mind of the 
 plotting General, who, as soon as he could 
 properly bring the discourse to suit his pur- 
 pose, said: 
 
 "By-the-by, Smith, if I remember rightly, 
 I said something to you the morning I con- 
 ducted Mrs. Arnold up the river, about keep- 
 ing a good look-out on the enemy, and report- 
 ing to me only, all intelligence you might 
 gather of any imiportance." 
 
 " You did, General ; and my reply was that 
 I should be very happy to serve you in any 
 way, and that you might rely on me to use 
 my best endeavors to this purpose." 
 
 " True ; and that you have no superiors in 
 this business, I have the word of my prede- 
 cessor, General Howe, who recommended you 
 i^ the highest terms, as a wealthy citizen, de- 
 voted heart and soul to the American cause ; 
 and said that you had a written permission 
 from him to pass the guards at all times, and 
 do as you might think proper, without ques- 
 tion or hindrance." 
 
 "General Howe so honored me with his 
 confidence," returned Smith, proudly. 
 
 " I will do the same, Mr. Smith," rejoined 
 Arnold. " I should have given you the pass 
 before this ; bufc the fact is, I have had so 
 much to see to since taking the command at 
 West Point, that the matter was entirely 
 overlooked till this morning. Here is the 
 required paper ; and though it confers upon 
 you privileges that, in these troublous times, 
 can be given to the very fewest number, yet I 
 feel certain no act of yours will ever make 
 me regret my confidence in your integrity and 
 honor." 
 
 " I trust I may be deserving of your excel- 
 lency's distinguished consideration," rejoined 
 Smith, as he took the proffered paper. 
 
 " By-the-by, I suppose you have no im- 
 portant intelligence to communicate now 1" 
 
 " None, your excellency ; unless it be a 
 rumor of Sir Henry Clinton's intended expe- 
 dition to the Chesapeake.'' 
 
 " Ah ! yes, I have heard something of that," 
 replied Arnold ; " and I really do not know 
 whether to believe it true or not. It is all 
 ■important that I have information direct from 
 
30 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 the city ; and this brings me to an affair in 
 which I may require your aid." 
 
 "Your excellency has only to command, to 
 be obeyed," answered Smith. 
 
 " Thank you ; you see the matter is just this : 
 There is a young man in New York, acting 
 as a spy for me, with whom it is all important 
 I should have immediate communication; and 
 I haye hit upon a plan by which I think it can 
 be effected. This young man, whose name is 
 Anderson, is believed by the British to be de- 
 voted to their cause, and, not unlike yourself, 
 holds Clinton's written permit to pass the out- 
 posts of the enemy at any and all times. By 
 a letter recently received from him, I learn he 
 has something to communicate of the utmost 
 importance, and I am now on my way to meet 
 him, by appointment, at Dobbs' Ferry, and 
 would like your company down, if it would 
 not be trespassing too much upon your time." 
 
 " I shall only be toj happy to accompany 
 you, General." 
 
 " Thank you — thank you kindly, Smith. 
 Really, it is so tedious going by one's self, 
 with no more congenial spirits than a few 
 common boatmen, to converse with whom is 
 , like throwing pearls before Bvrine. You will 
 accompany me, then ?" 
 
 " With great pleasure, General." 
 
 " Then I wiU step into your library, write 
 a short note to Colonel Sheldon, and be ready 
 to set off in a few minutes. By-the-by, friend 
 Smith, suppose anything should occur to-day 
 to prevent this interview, could I ask of you, 
 as a great favor, that you would let me have 
 the use of your house for a short time, where- 
 in to meet my expected messenger?" 
 
 " Certainly, General — ^my house is at your 
 service." 
 
 " Could you not manage to have your family 
 absent ? The fact is, you see, my dear Smith, 
 I wish, for important reasons, to have this in- 
 terview as private as possible. 'Tis true, I am 
 now going openly to meet my secret agent ; 
 but in this case he bears a message from Sir 
 Henry Clinton, and this amply cloaks the real 
 designs of both. In short, my dear Smith, to 
 make you my confidant in this matter, I ex- 
 pect to meet Mr. Anderson openly, in the 
 presence of others, and before them attempt 
 a negociatiou concerning the exchange of cer- 
 
 tain prisoners ; but hope, ere the interview is 
 over, to find an opportunity to fix upon a se- 
 cret meeting, that I may be able to get the de- 
 sired intelligence ; and as it may be possible 
 I shall require the use of your house, if you 
 will be so obliging as to get your family and 
 most of your servants removed, I will en- 
 deavor, if in my power, to requite the obliga- 
 tion." 
 
 " Certainly, my dear General, certainly ; it 
 shall be done. I will take my family to Fish- 
 kill, under pretence of paying a visit to my 
 relations ; and on my return therefrom, I 
 will call at head-quarters, and inform your 
 excellency thereof." 
 
 " Just the thing, preSisely ; and now, as all 
 is arranged satisfactorily, we will retrace our 
 steps to the house, abd prepare for our trip 
 down the river. I declare, it will be delight- 
 ful on the water to-day, and I am really eager 
 to be afloat. By-the-by, as to this affair, it 
 may be as well not to mention it to any one — 
 not that there is any thing wrong about it — 
 but then you know, my dear Smith, we mili- 
 tary men always make it a point to keep our 
 most trifling acts from the quizzing, vulgar, 
 gossiping herd." 
 
 " I understand. General," replied Smith, 
 evidently elated at the idea that he, a mere 
 citizen, was thus raised so far above the " gos- 
 siping herd," as to possess the confidence of 
 so distinguished a general. "I understand 
 the matter, and your excellency may rely 
 upon the secret being as safe with me as if no 
 breast held it but your own." 
 
 The General and his tool — ^for Smith was 
 neither more nor.less than one — now returned 
 to the house of the latter; and being con- 
 ducted at once to the library, Arnold pro- 
 ceeded to write the following epistle : 
 
 " Smith's Housb, below Stony I 
 Point, Sept. 11, 1780. J 
 " Sir, — ^Your letter, inclosing that of John 
 Anderson to you, in which he states he will 
 come out with an escort to Dobbs' Ferry, and 
 be there to-day at twelve o'clock, in order to 
 have the interview with me of which I spoke 
 to you, was received in due time ; and as there 
 are some things in Anderson's letter of an 
 equivocal nature, which I do not understand, 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 31 
 
 And as you say you are too unwell to ^ i-ido 
 down there yourself to meet him, for the pur- 
 pose of conducting him to your quarters, as I 
 requested, I have concluded to attend to the 
 matter myself, and am so far on my way. 
 Smith will accompany me. In writing to 
 Anderson, over the signature of Giisiavus, re- 
 questing this interview, I was obliged to be 
 very circumspect, lest the missive should fall 
 into the hanJs of the enemy, and so defeat 
 our plans, with the most serious results to him 
 to whom it was directed. I managed, how- 
 ever, to make him understand that if he came 
 within the American lines, he would be under 
 your protection ; and hence, I suppose, his 
 letter to you, of which there are parts, as I 
 said, particularly those relating to an escort 
 and a flag, which I do not understand. How- 
 ever, I will go down and attend to the mat- 
 ter myself, and trust to find all right. Should 
 I fail in having an interview with him to-day, 
 and should he come within the American out- 
 posts, you will send an express to me, and 
 allpw Anderson to follow with an escort of 
 two or three horsemen, as my wounded leg 
 renders it extremely difficult, not to say pain- 
 ful, for me to ride so far as Salem. If your 
 health will permit, I should like you to. ac- 
 company the escort. 
 
 " When General Parsons returns from Con- 
 necticut, you may show ^im this letter, and 
 explain the whole affair, so that there may not 
 seem any mystery about it. By complying 
 with these requests, you will much oblige 
 Yours, etc. B. Arnold." 
 
 " Col. Sheldon." 
 
 Having folded and sealed this letter, Gene- 
 ral Arnold dispatched it to Salem, Colonel 
 Sheldon's quarters — on the east side of the 
 Hudson, some fifteen or twenty miles dis- 
 tant — and then, accompanied by Smith, went 
 down to his barge, which was awaiting him, 
 all manned, at the mouth of the creek just 
 below. In a few minutes, the barge was 
 floating over the glassy waters of Haverstraw 
 Bay, bearing its treacherous freight, the oars 
 of the boatmen glistening in the sun like so 
 many bars of silver. 
 
 And here we find it proper to interrupt the 
 thread of our story, in order to briefly chroni- 
 
 cle the plot of the perfidious Arnold to sell 
 his country to the foes of human liberty. 
 
 Of strong and violent passions — haughty, 
 self-willed, headstrong, overbearing — with a 
 temper that could brook no control, and a 
 vanity that led him to acknowledge no supe- 
 rior — combined with an intrusive ostentation, 
 a lavish extravagance, ii reckless prodigality 
 — Benedict Arnold was a man calculated to 
 make far more enemies than friends, and run 
 through afortune in a very short space of time. 
 
 He was born in 1740, at Norwich, Connec- 
 ticut ; and even in boyhood displayed that 
 daring recklessness, that obduracy of con- 
 science, that irritability of temper, that innate 
 cruelty and brutality, which so infamously dis- 
 tinguished him in after life. Bobbing birds- 
 nests, and even maiming and ^mangling the 
 young birds themselves, within view of the old 
 ones, that his ears might be greeted with their 
 cries of distress, was one of his favorite amuse- 
 ments. And what could be expected of the 
 man, who, as a boy, displayed such a brutal, 
 vicious nature ? Nor was this all. He de- 
 lighted to torment his schoolmates, by playing 
 dangerous tricks upon them, and then boating 
 them if they dared to inform on him. Even 
 at this age, he seemed to stand in fear of no- 
 thing ; and one of his feats of daring was to 
 go down to an old mill, not far from his far 
 ther's residence, and while the big water- 
 wheel — which, in those days, was generally 
 outside and uncovered — was going round, to 
 catch hold of one of its arms, and go round 
 with it — now suspended high in the air, now 
 wholly immersed in water — to the great asto- 
 nishment and even alarm of the by-standers. 
 
 These traits of character were rather sharp- 
 ened than softened by time, and consequently, 
 in the army, Arnold had few or no friends, 
 beyond the admirers of his rash daring and 
 personal prowess. While he held command 
 of the army in Philadelphia, he gave so much 
 offense to the citizens and civil authorities, 
 that complaints were made against him, and 
 he was subsequently suspended and tried by 
 court-martial. The sentence of the court, 
 however, in consideration of the valuable ser- 
 vice he had rendered the country in several 
 battles, was very light, the verdict being that 
 he should receive a reprimand from the com- 
 
32 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 mander-in-ohief, and be allowed to resume his 
 official duties. But Arnold chafed not a little 
 under this dishonor, and secretly resolved to 
 be revenged on a country tvhich he now re- 
 garded as very ungrateful. His wor^t passions 
 ■were roused by this slight upon his dignity, to 
 call it by no harsher term, and he immediately 
 set about carrying out a devilish scheme, 
 which ho had planned in his idle moments. In 
 doing this, he had two objeots — to revenge him- 
 self upon his enemies, and accumulate a 
 good round sum to support him in his extra- 
 vagance. His style of living while in Phila- 
 delphia was far beyond his means. He had a 
 large mansion, furnished in the most expen- 
 sive manner, gave balls and dinners to distin- 
 guished characters, and kept his coach ancj 
 four, with an array of live'ry servants commen- 
 surate to his other follies. In consequence of 
 this, he contracted debts he could not pay, 
 and an appeal to Congress to liquidate them 
 proved abortive. In this strait, hewasTeady 
 to sell himself, body and soul„ for gold. Not 
 that he cared a straw about the moral obliga- 
 tion of his debts — but without new funds, he 
 saw that he must dispense with new luxuries, 
 and this was a sore grievance. 
 
 About this period, an event occurred which 
 opened a ready means to the accomplishment 
 of the base project he had in view. Among 
 the belles of Philadelphia, was one universally 
 acknowledged queen. This was the youngest 
 daughter of Edward Shippen, afterward dis- 
 tinguished as chief justice of the state of' 
 Pennsylvania. She was young, being scarcely 
 eighteen, beautiful, gay, attractive, accom- 
 plished, and ambitious. Her father rather 
 favored the royal cause, and his was one of 
 the families that remained in Philadelphia 
 during the period the British held the town. 
 She was much admired, courted, and flattered 
 by the British officers, " and was a conspicu- 
 ous personage at the gorgeous festival of the 
 Mischianza, an entertainment given in honor 
 of Sir William Howe, on the occasion of his 
 resigning the command of the army, and de- 
 parting for Europe. Her acquaintance with 
 Andre was on so familiar a footing, that she 
 corresponded with him aftei: the British army 
 had retired to New York."* 
 
 * Sparks' Life and Treafon of Arnold. 
 
 Arnold, at this time a widower, bordering 
 upon forty, became acquainted with Miss 
 Shippen, and was so smitten with her charms, 
 that ho soon made her an offer of his hand ; 
 and she, ambitious, and dazzled by his splen- 
 dor, unwisely accepted it. They were shortly 
 after married ; and at the opening of our 
 stovy, as the reader has seen, they had an in- 
 fant only a few weeks old. 
 
 By this alliance, Arnold was thrown among 
 a class of persons opposed to the rebellion, as 
 they termed the war, and all their arguments, 
 of course, were in favor of the treason he medi- 
 tated. The correspondence between his wife 
 and Andre, which he was privy to, also laid 
 him under new temptations, as by this means 
 he could make direct advances to the British 
 commander, with whom Andre was a grecit 
 favorite. He wrote in a disguised hand, and 
 over the signature of " Gustavus," and further 
 concealed himself behind a mercantile mask, 
 so that should any one of the missives fall ' ' '■ 
 into the wrong hands, it would attract no 
 more notice than an ordinary business letter. 
 
 But even in this disguise, Arnold, by his 
 ambiguous language, conveyed such accurate 
 information concerning American officers of 
 great importance, that Sir Henry Clinton, to 
 whom Andre showed the letters, became 
 deeply interested in their contents and the 
 unknown writer, and began to dictate the re- 
 plies, which were ever returned, as we have 
 seen in a former chapter, over the signature 
 of "John Anderson." 
 
 Thus matters went on for a long time, with- 
 out any definite result. Arnold was anxious 
 to sell his country at a price that would pay 
 him a fortune in British gold ; but Clinton 
 did not care to huy, unless, to use a common 
 parlance, he could get his money's worth; 
 and this was not to be got in the mere person 
 of a treacherous general. Np, it was not the 
 man he wanted ; it was wha^ .he m^ght bring 
 with him ; and as for a long time there was 
 little prospect Arnold would ever be able to 
 bring any thing, so the discreet British gene- 
 ral held out just sufficient encouragement to 
 keep him corresponding, in which capacity, 
 under present circumstances, he was likely 
 to be more useful to him than iii any other. 
 
 At last Arnold solicited and obtained the 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 t>0 
 
 command ofWest Point; and no sooner -vvfis 
 this eifeetod, tlian the overture of tlie traitor 
 assumed an importance, a magnitude, in the 
 eyes of Sir Henry Clinton, commensurate to 
 the result to the royal cause in the betrayal 
 of the stronghold of an enemy into his hands 
 — a stronghold, in fact, which at tliis time was 
 a key to the possession of the country — and 
 he directed Andre to hold out such mysterious 
 inducements as would liaston the negociatlon 
 to the desired crisis. 
 
 It was not positively knoj\-n' to Clinton or 
 Andre, that Arnold and Gustavus were one 
 and the same ; .but there was strong circum- 
 stantial evidence of sucli being the fact, and 
 they of course acted upon this supposition. It 
 was necessary, however, to make the matter 
 certain, and also to conclude a definite bar- 
 gain, and this could only be effected by a per- 
 sonal interview. For this interview, Arnold 
 was as eager as Clinton ; and there was no 
 one who could act as a substitute for the chief 
 himself so properly as Andre, who had all 
 along been the correspondent on, the British 
 side, and consequently knew every thing con- 
 nected witli the transaction from first to last. 
 Arnold even hinted that Andre should be sent 
 to his head-quarters, and there, under the dis- 
 guise of a person devoted to American inter- 
 ests, make an arrangement satisfactory to both 
 parties ; but this proposition Clinton declined 
 —fearing that the man who was willing to 
 play the infamous part of a traitor to his coun- 
 try, might take it into his head to prove treach- 
 erous to those with whom he was dealing. 
 He finally consented that Andre should meet 
 him on the Neutral Ground, and preparations 
 to carry out this plan were accordingly made. 
 Arnold, to insure the success of his plot, and 
 also to blind the eyes of any who might watch 
 his movements, informed Colonel Sheldon, 
 who commanded the American outposts on 
 the east side of the Hudson, that he expected 
 a secret agent from New York, vvho would 
 bring him a full report of the plans of the 
 enemy, and that if such a person came within 
 the American posts, he must be conducted to 
 Sielilvin's own quarters at Salem, and an 
 express be immediately sent to Robinson's 
 h^.u-.'^ wh%re the General himself resided. 
 Suspecthig nothing sinister, Sheldon promised 
 
 compliance with the General's request ; and 
 Artiold immediately wrote to Andre, inform- 
 ing him of the ari'angement. On receiving 
 this letter, Andre at once wrote as follows to 
 Colonel Sheldon : 
 
 " New York, Sept. 7, 1780. 
 
 " Sir, — I am told my name is made known 
 to you, and that I may hope your indulgence 
 in permitting me to meet a friend near your 
 outposts. I will endeavor to obtain permis- 
 sior^ to go out, with a flag, which will be sent 
 to Dobbs' Ferry on Monday next, the 11th 
 instant, at twelve o'clock, where I shall be 
 
 happy to meet Mr. G . Should I not be 
 
 allowed to go, the officer who is to command 
 the escort, between whom and myself no 
 distinction need be made, can speak on the 
 affiiir. Let me entreat you, sir, to favor a 
 matter so interesting to the parties concerned, 
 and which is of so private a nature, that the 
 public on neither side can be injured by it. 
 
 "With all due respect, I have the honor 
 to be 
 
 "Your most ob't. and humble servant, 
 " John Anderson. 
 
 " To Colonel Sheldon.'' 
 
 This epistle proved an enigma to Colonel 
 Sheldon, who had never before heard of the 
 name of the writer ; but supposing it to come 
 from the person to whom General Arnold had 
 alluded as his secret agent, he inclosed it in 
 one of his own to the General, asking an ex- 
 planation of the language concerning the flag 
 and escort, and saying he was himself too 
 unwell to ride as far aa Dobbs' Ferry by the 
 time appointed, and hoped the General would 
 either attend to it himself, or employ some 
 other trusty messenger. 
 
 The reply of Arnold, written at Smith's 
 house, the reader has already seen. Even he 
 was at loss to explain the ambiguous language 
 of Andre ; but it was enough for his purpose 
 to know that Andre was to be at Dobbs' Ferry 
 at such a time, and he was resolved to meet 
 him at all hazards. Knowing that his progress 
 down the river would be observed, he put in 
 the clause respecting having his letter shown 
 to General Parsons — who was daily expected 
 on from Connecticut to take command of a 
 body of troops in the vicinity of Sheldon's 
 
34 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 quarters— in order that, should any suspicion 
 be entertained of his movement, this might 
 he brought forward as an incontestible proof 
 of his innocent frankness. 
 
 As by this digression we have made the 
 reader acquainted with the general outline of 
 Arnold's maneuvers, for the completion of 
 his treasonable projects, we shall now return 
 to the General himself, and follow him down 
 the river to the place of his intended meeting 
 with Andre. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 A DANGEKOUS MISTAKE. 
 
 The day, as we have said, was truly de- 
 lightful, with a soft south breeze, that stole 
 up the bay, bearing on its invisible wings 
 the sweet incense of forest and plain, over 
 which it had passed in light dalliance. The 
 scene was one fully calculated to make an 
 impression on any mind more susceptible to 
 the beautiful than that of the plotting traitor. 
 A broad glassy sheet of water spread out its 
 smooth surface to the bright sun, environed 
 by hills, some of which rose majestically 
 above its tranquil bosom, clothed with a 
 forest whose foliage presented the variegated 
 hues of early autumn, and whose inverted 
 summits could be seen far down the silent 
 depths of the flowing river, along its shadowy 
 margin. To the right, peeping out from 
 among the hills, was visible the little hamlet 
 of Haverstraw, vrith the flag of freedom 
 floating above it, and spreading its stairy 
 folds to the gentle breeze. Behind were the 
 fortifications of Verplank's and Stony Point, 
 apparently resting upon the water, with 
 the same glorious banners of liberty gently 
 waving over parapet and bastion. Near the 
 fortress of Verplank's Point, upon the side 
 of the hill, a few white tents dotted the dark 
 background, with soldiers sauntering about 
 among them, adding life to a portion of the 
 scene, and increasing the picturesque beauty 
 of the whole. 
 
 All these charms of scenery were noi with- 
 out their effect upon Smith, as, with long- 
 measured strokes, the hardy boatmen made 
 the gay barge skim over the bright waters. 
 
 which rippled under her prow that pleasing 
 sound so soothing to the ear, and in such 
 harmonious keeping with the delighted vision. 
 For some time no one spoke ; Smith was 
 busy drinking in the surrrounding beauties 
 of flood and field, Arnold with dark thoughts 
 of his own, and the boatmen stood too much 
 in awe of their stern master to venture a 
 remark of any kind in his presence. 
 
 At length Smith broke the silence. 
 
 " Do you know, General," he said, " I think 
 this bay a sort of kaleidoscope 1" 
 
 "Eh!" returned Arnold, starting from a 
 deep reverie, and -looking hurriedly around. 
 "Eh! why so?" 
 
 "Because, come on it as often as I will, it 
 always assumes new beauties ; and the charm 
 it presents this morning, methinks I have 
 never seen equalled." 
 
 " Very fine, very fine," yeplied Arnold, in 
 the same tone of indifferent acquiescence he 
 would ha'^e praised a garden patch. " I said 
 the ride would be delightful. An excellent 
 place for fishing here, I should judge." 
 
 " 0, very," returned Smith, somewhat iron- 
 ically, fixing his gaze upon the little village 
 of Haverstraw, where a few loiterers were 
 seen on the high bank, watching the progress 
 of the General's targe down the river. 
 
 "Yonder, to the right, is a fine-looking 
 mountain," resumed Arnold; "has it a 
 name ?" 
 
 "Yes, your excellency, it is called Long 
 Clove." 
 
 "Huml another Dutch appellative, I sup- 
 pose 1" 
 
 " Doubtless." 
 
 The conversation dropped here, and save an 
 occasional common-place expression, nothing 
 more was said, till the party had passed the 
 Long Clove on the right, and Teller's Point 
 on the left, where the river suddenly contracts 
 to about its usual width, and then as suddenly 
 expands into another broad sheet of some 
 ten miles in extent, known as Tappan Bay, 
 which, with its beautiful, romantic, and majes- 
 tic scenery on either hand, may not inappro- 
 priately be likened to a large mirror set in a 
 heavy-carved frame. At the farther end of 
 this bay, where Ihe Hudson again narrows to 
 its regular channel, the traveled route from 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 35 
 
 Tappan to White Plains crossed the river, and 
 this crossing was known as Dobbs' Ferry. 
 
 •'Ah! here we are, in sight of our destina- 
 tion," exclaimed Arnold, with an unusual 
 degree of animation; and as he spoke he 
 opened a small telescope he carried with him, 
 and brought it to his eye. After looking 
 through it a short time, he resumed : " There 
 is a sloop-of-war, if I mistake not, lying at 
 anchor about two miles below the ferry. I 
 can not divine for what purpose she is there." 
 
 "Perhaps she brings you freight, General," 
 suggested Smith. 
 
 " That may be ; but why stop so far down ?" 
 
 "For a good reason, perhaps," answered 
 Smith. " She may not care to be in too close 
 proximity to those white tents which dot the 
 west bank of the ferry." 
 
 " But she should carry a flag of truce, and 
 that, of course, would protect her." 
 
 " It may be she has other business up here," 
 suggested Smith again. 
 
 "Ah 1 that is true — it must be so — for if she 
 brings the persons seeking an interview with 
 me, I am sure, if they come with honorable 
 intentions, they need have no fear to come 
 even into the American camp. We are not 
 such barbarians as to forget what is due even 
 to our enemies, when they see proper to ap- 
 proach us in the peaceable form prescribed by 
 the law of nations. I declare, it makes my 
 blood boil to think of the insults heaped upon 
 us in every way, by these overfed, arrogant, 
 bull-dog red-coats ; and when I get into a 
 fight with them, I always make it a point to 
 wipe off old scores — at least I have some 
 satisfaction in letting out the heart's blood 
 of a few of old half-cracked King George's 
 minions. It has been a long while now since I 
 have been able to rest well of nights, just 
 because this crippled leg ties me down to in- 
 activity ; but I trust the time will soon come, 
 when a little more blood-letting will allay the 
 fidgets, and give me sounder sleep." 
 
 As Arnold said this, his eyes flashed, his 
 features flushed, and he must have been keen 
 of penetration indeed, who could have pro- 
 nounced this assumed indignation other than 
 reaL 
 
 "Well," said SmltJi, in reply, "in the first 
 place, as regards this vessel, you are not 
 
 sure, Generijl, that she has come up on the 
 business that interests you ; and in the second 
 place, allowing that she has, it is too early 
 for the appointment ; and unless the business 
 can be transacted by another as well as your 
 excellency, it would be as proper for her to 
 wait below for the present." 
 
 "Right, Smith— you are right— I did not 
 think of that. Twelve o'clock is the time set 
 for the meeting, and it is now hardly ten. I 
 thank you for the suggestion. Row, men, 
 row — we must be at Dobbs' Ferry in two 
 hours, and it is good ten miles." 
 
 The men renewed their exertions, and the 
 barge sprang over the glassy waters. Arnold 
 threw himself back in a reclining attitude, 
 and became lost in reverie ; while Smith, 
 taking up the glass, amused himself in look- 
 ing through it at the different objects both on 
 land and water. 
 
 As the party drew near Dobbs' Ferry, the 
 shrill notes of a fife, and the roll of the drum, 
 came borne across the water from the Ameri- 
 can encampment on the right, where a clus- 
 ter of white tents, retreating in military order 
 behind the hills that lined the shore, could be 
 seen, with here and there a company march- 
 ing to and fro, their plumes waving, and arms 
 glittering in the sun like bars of polished 
 steel. On hearing the music, Arnold arose 
 from his recumbent position, and looked long 
 and steadily toward the western shore, during 
 which time a close observer might have seen 
 a shade of uneasiness cross his sinister fea- ' 
 tures. This encampment was the head quar- 
 ters of Washington ; and knowing himself a 
 traitor, he feared lest some unforeseen circum- 
 stance might expose his guilty design, ere it 
 were brought to a consummation. 
 
 "Now, then, for the eastern shore," he 
 said, when about half a mile above the ferry. 
 "I think I will land on that side of the river." 
 
 In a few minutes his barge drew near some 
 half a dozen British gun-boats, which were 
 stationed in that part of the stream to inter- 
 cept communications, and otherwise annoy 
 their foes in every possiBle manner. Every 
 thing went well, till the treacherous general 
 had got within some two hundred yards of 
 the nearest craft, when suddenly Smith ex- 
 claimed : 
 
36 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 "General Arnold, what means the unusual 
 commotion on that boat ? See ! the men are 
 running to and fro across the deck, and seem 
 to be making preparations to attack us. ThSTe 
 is an officer looking at us through a glass, who 
 seems also to be giving orders to his men." 
 
 " 0, merely curiosity,'' returned Arnold ; 
 but the words had scarcely passed his lips, 
 when a bright flash was seen from the deck, 
 and a cannon-ball came whizzing over his 
 head, followed by the booming sound of a 
 piece of ordnance. 
 
 "D — n — n !" cried the General, starting up 
 in rage. " Do the infernal scoundrels intend 
 to murder us in cold blood? Ha ! there they 
 go again,'' he continued, as another bright 
 flash was seen, and two balls came in close 
 proximity, one cutting across the stern of the 
 barge, and the other striking the water a few 
 feet short of the mark at which it was aimed. 
 "By heavens ! I wish I were near enough to 
 cut a few of their cursed throats." 
 
 "See!" cried Smith in alarm, "they are 
 making preparations to overhaul us, and the 
 other boats are no longer idle spectators. 
 There ! they open their cannonades ;" and as 
 he spoke, three more flashes were seen on 
 board as many of the other boats, and three 
 more balls came whizzing through the air, one 
 of them actually passing between the speaker 
 and Arnold, the latter of whom ground his 
 teeth in rage, and uttered a horrid oath. 
 
 At the same moment a small boat was 
 lowered from the nearest gun-boat, into 
 which sprang some half a dozen armed men, 
 who, each seizing an oar, began to row di- 
 rectly toward our party. 
 
 " By !" exclaimed Arnold, " they do 
 
 intend to capture us, and no mistake. This 
 must not be. All together, men, and pull, 
 pull for your lives ! for if taken, a stout rope 
 or a British prison will be your doom. Give 
 way, lads — give way ! and if you beat them, 
 you shall have a gallon of rum each," 
 
 The General might have spared this tempt- 
 ing oifer to men whose every nerve would be 
 strained to avoid the horrors he had just set 
 forth, and 'who, consequently, would not be 
 likely to increase their efforts for life," for the 
 additional luxury of a gallon of rum. They 
 grasped their oars with that look of savage 
 
 sternness, so frequently seen on the faces of 
 the lower class in a moment of extreme peril, 
 and fairly bent them with their Herculean 
 strength, as they drew them home with long, 
 regular, but rapid sweeps, every stroke almost 
 lifting the barge from the water, and sending 
 it skimming over the surface, with a velocity 
 one would have hardly thought possible for it 
 to attain by such means. For a while the 
 gun-boats kept up a regular cannonade — their 
 shot falling all around our adventurers, and, 
 as fate would have it, leaving the barge and 
 those it contained untouched — but as soon as 
 the pursuing party had got far enough away 
 to render their firing perilous to them, it 
 ceased, and then the danger to the pursued 
 lay only in the event of being overtaken. 
 
 "Pull away, men! pull away!" cried Ar- 
 nold, a good deal excited. " Pull away now, 
 
 all together ! — by ! the foe is gaining on 
 
 us. 0, the scoundrels ! if I only had a 
 
 swivel here to pepper them ! Eternal curses 
 on them for a set of blockheads ! There, now, 
 give way ! give way ! that was nobly done ; 
 how the oars bend; we shall escape them 
 yet 1 only hold out a little longer ! See ! we 
 are rapidly gaining the western shore. The 
 
 bull-dog ignoramuses — not to know any 
 
 better than this ! 0, I'll teach them — only 
 hold out a little longer, noble lads ;" and thus 
 alternately urging forward and encouraging 
 his own men, and cursing his pursuers for 
 every thing mean and base, Arnold continued 
 for some fifteen minutes^by which time the 
 small boat was within fifty yards of the barge, 
 and the latter some quarter a mile yet from 
 a point of safety. 
 
 "We are lost!" exclaimed Smith, as he 
 looked on the sinking and fainting boatmen, 
 down whose hard, weather-beaten features the 
 sweat was rolling in streams, without a rag 
 upon their bodies from which a child might 
 not have wrung water. " See, they can not 
 hold out, and our pursuers are gaining on us 
 faster than ever ! General, we must take the 
 oars ourselves !" 
 
 " I'll be if I do !" roared Arnold ; " I 
 
 will lay to and fight them first. I've got two 
 pistols and a sword with me, and I'll have 
 satisfaction outof some of the cursed red-coated 
 scoundrels! Ha! see! we are saved, if we can 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 37 
 
 only hold oat five minutes longer ;" and ho 
 poijited to tho shore do-wn the river, near the 
 ferry, where two American gun-hoats were 
 seen to spread sail, and stand out toward 
 him. " Come on, you thieving scoun- 
 drels !" he now yelled to his pursuers, exult- 
 ingly. " Come on, I say, and catch a tartar." 
 
 For a few minutes the pursuers seemed to 
 renew their exertions, as if aware the fugi- 
 tives were on the point of escaping them. They 
 now gained rapidly upon the General's barge, 
 and there was every prospect that the latter 
 would he captured ero the succoring gun- 
 boats could get near enough to afford any 
 protection. 
 
 The distance had been lessened to about 
 twenty-five yards between the small boat and 
 barge, when the boatmen of the latter simul- 
 taneously rested on their oars, and declared 
 themselves unable to pull another stroke. 
 
 "Then by ! we must fight!" roared 
 
 the General, uttering a blaspehmous oath ; and 
 standing up in the stern of his boat, he drew 
 his pistols, and holding one in each hand, 
 pointed them at his pursuers, who were, now 
 rapidly coming within pistol-shot. 
 
 " Surrender !" cried the officer in command 
 of the small boat, a heavy-bearded, bronze- 
 featured, Sampson-like fellow. " Surrender, 
 or you, we will give you no quarter." 
 
 Arnold answered by discharging one of his 
 pistols at the speaker, the ball of which passed 
 within an inch of his head — so near, in fact, 
 that its whizzing caused him to incline his 
 head one side. And this trivial movement 
 saved his life; for at the instant.he dodged his 
 head, a six-pound shot brushed his ear, and 
 immediately the heavy boom of a cannon 
 rolled across the water. The pursuers drop- 
 ped their oars, and both parties turned with 
 surprise to the shore, where they beheld a 
 detachment of artillery, with two field-pieces, 
 from one of which the smoke was just clear- 
 ing away, while along the barrel of the other 
 an ofBcer was glancing. The next moment 
 he stepped back, the match was applied, a 
 bright flash was seen, and as a heavy volume 
 of smoke rolled toward the boats on the river, 
 a ball struck the water about two feet short of 
 the small boat, and, glancing, passed between 
 a couple of the boatmen, dashing the spray in 
 
 their faces, followed by the same heavy boom- 
 ing roar. 
 
 Instantly the order was given to put about 
 and row back. The men obeyed with ala- 
 crity ;, and a minute or two later, more than 
 a hundred yards divided the pursuers and 
 pursued. 
 
 " There they go, the prowling, foreign 
 
 thieves !" growled Arnold. 
 
 " A lucky escape !" said Smith, drawing a 
 long breath of relief. 
 
 "Ay, lucky for them," was tho General's 
 response. 
 
 The bargemen now resumed their oars, and 
 in a few minutes the General and Smith were 
 landed en the west side of the river; the 
 gun-boats put back to their former station, 
 and the artillery, after firing one or two more 
 unsuccessful shots at the retreating foe, retired 
 from their position on the hill. 
 
 As Arnold stepped upon the bank, a young, 
 athletic, noble-looking officer, with fine, regu- 
 lar, handsome features, a clear hazel eye, and 
 an appearance both prepossessing and com- 
 manding, approached him, and making the 
 military salute, said : 
 
 "I trust you are not injured, General." 
 
 " No, thanks to timely assistance, and the 
 cowardice of our pursuers. Am I indebted 
 to you for this escape. Captain Milford?" 
 
 " Only partially. I was waiting here for 
 an escort to take me across, when I chanced 
 to espy your predicament, and immediately 
 communicated the intelligence to Major Hol- 
 ton, who ordered a detachment of artillery to 
 take a couple of six-poundera up the hill to 
 your relief." 
 
 " I am deeply obliged to both Major Hol- 
 ton and yourself," returned Arnold blandly. 
 " You say you are waiting here for an escort 
 to take you across. You are still with Colonel 
 Sheldon's detachment of cavalry, then, on the 
 opposite side 1" 
 
 " I am. General." 
 
 "Where are you quartered?" 
 
 " At Northcastle." 
 
 " May I inquire what brought you here ?" 
 
 " I was sent by Lieutenant Colonel Jame- 
 son, who commands the detachment at North- 
 castle, to Colonel Sheldon at Salem, with a 
 verbal message concerning some recent depre- 
 
38 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 dations of the Cow Boys and Skinners ; and 
 Colonel Sheldon, on receiving the message, 
 requested me to he the bearer of a letter from 
 him to General Washington." 
 
 On hearing this, Arnold slightly started, 
 and turned a little pale ; but quickly recovered 
 his self-possession, without his emotion being 
 noticed by the other, and in a tone of assumed 
 indifference, replied : 
 
 " Ah ! a letter to General Washington, eh 1 
 Have you any idea of the nature of its con- 
 tents ?" 
 
 " I have not, sir." 
 
 "You delivered it, of course?" 
 
 "I left it with Lord Stirling, as General 
 Washington and aids are absent." 
 
 "Absent !" repeated Arnold, feeling greatly 
 relieved at this intelligence. " Do you know 
 whither he has gone 1" 
 
 " I do not, sir — I did not inquire." 
 
 " Hum ! hum ! I am sorry, as I wished to 
 see him ere my return." Then after a pause : 
 " Where did you cross the River V 
 
 " At King's Ferry." 
 
 " And intend to return by Dobbs' Ferry?" 
 
 " Ay, sir, as soon as the escort is ready." 
 
 " A word with you aside ;" and stepping 
 out of earshot of Smith and the boatmen, Ar- 
 nold continued : " I suppose. Captain Milford, 
 you are kept rather busy on the outposts at 
 present 1" 
 
 "Why, yes, sir — what with an occasional 
 skirmish with the Cow Boys, now and then 
 administering a flogging to the Skinners, over- 
 hauling travelers, catching spies, and keeping 
 close watch upon the movements of the enemy 
 generally, we have little time to be idle." 
 
 " Well,' what I wish to say, is," pursued Ar- 
 nold, in a very bland tone, " I am expecting a 
 young man to come up from New York, who 
 will bring me intelligence of the secret plans 
 of the enemy ; and should you chance to fall 
 in with him, you will at once conduct him to 
 Colonel Sheldon's quarters, who already has 
 my instructions concerning him." 
 
 " Is his name Anderson ?" 
 
 " It is." 
 
 "Then I have already received similar 
 orders from Colonel Sheldon himself." 
 
 " Ah ! well, yes ; then it is all correct." 
 
 At this moment a voice called Captain Mil- 
 
 ford, and looking up the steep bank that here 
 arose above them, the General and Captain 
 espied an orderly sergeant standing on the 
 brow of the hill. 
 
 " What is it, Champa 1" inquired the young 
 Captain. 
 
 " The escort is ready." 
 
 "Ah! then I must go," said Milford. 
 "Adieu, General;" and turning away, he 
 sprang up the hill with great agility. 
 
 " Present my warmest regards to Colonel 
 Jameson and Major Tallmage," Arnold called 
 after him. 
 
 "I will do so. General," was the reply of the 
 young officer, as he gained the brow of the 
 eminence and disappeared. 
 
 Arnold, accompanied by Smith, now went 
 down to the ferry, where he passed the day in 
 waitingfor an interviewwith Andre. Whether 
 the latter was on the opposite side or not, he 
 did not know ; but the parties did not meet. 
 Arnold chafed and swore a good deal to him- 
 self at the blunder of the guard-boats, and was 
 altogether in a very unamiable mood at his 
 signal failure. Why he had been fired upon, 
 when his presence was expected by the enemy, 
 sorely puzzled him ; but he thought it proba- 
 ble that the withdrawal of the guard-boats had 
 been either overlooked by those who knew of 
 his coming, or that it was supposed he would 
 approach with a flag, which, for many good 
 reasons, he did not think proper to do. 
 
 As night drew near, with no appearance of 
 Andre, the General went into the ferry-house, 
 and procuring pen, ink, and paper, wrote a 
 letter to General Washington, which he sent 
 to Lord Stirling's quarters by one of the boat- 
 men. This letter, after expressing the regret 
 of the writer that the commander-in-chief was 
 absent, went on to state some important mat- 
 ters concerning his command at West Point, 
 and incidentally, as it were, mentioned that 
 he, Arnold, " had come down the river to that 
 place, in order to establish signals, which were 
 to be observed in case the enemy ascended 
 the river, and also to give additional directions 
 respecting the guard-boats, and to have a 
 beacon fixed on a hill about five miles below 
 King's Ferry, which would be necessary to 
 alarm the country. 
 
 Having written this to lull any suspicion 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 39 
 
 V\-li;oh might by chance be raised in regard to 
 his presence at that time in that quarter, Ar- 
 nold felt more secure ; and waiting at the 
 ferry till after sunsef, he went up the river in 
 the night, landed Smith near his own mansion, 
 and continued on to his head-quarters at Ro- 
 binson's house, which he reached a little be- 
 fore daylight on the following morning. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE WAGER. 
 
 The plan of our story now requires us to 
 return to Captain Milford, whom we left on 
 the point of departing from the American en- 
 campment for his quarters, at Northcastle, 
 some fifteen or twenty miles distant, back in 
 the country, on the opposite or eastern side of 
 the Hudson. The escort before referred to 
 was composed of ten strong, robust dragoons, 
 commanded by Sergeant Champe, the same 
 who had called Milford while conversing with 
 Arnold. As the Sergeant will figure somewhat 
 conspicuously in our narrative, it may not be 
 improper here to give a passing description of 
 bis personal appearance. 
 
 In stature he was about six feet, and his 
 broad, massive chest, and large, brawny, mus- 
 cular limbs, gave evidence of a man of very 
 superior strength. His countenance was in 
 keeping with the rest of his person, and in its 
 general expression was grave, thoughtful, and 
 even taciturn. He had a large Roman nose, 
 thin, compressed lips, angular cheeks, rather 
 prominent cheek-bones, cool gray eyes, stern 
 and penetrating, and a high, broad, intellec- 
 tual forehead, which, projecting just over the 
 eyes, indicated great perceptive faculties. You 
 could see at a glance that he was a man of 
 stern integrity, invincible courage, and inflex- 
 ible perseverance — one who would shrink 
 from no responsibility, if once convinced he 
 was acting honorably, but one who could not 
 be bribed to do a mean or dishonorable action. 
 His hair was sandy, and his skin was natu- 
 rally of that fair, soft, effeminate texture per- 
 taining to individuals of this class ; but con- 
 stant exposure to all kinds of weather had 
 made it rough, and given it a peculiar red 
 huo sometimes produced by holding one's 
 
 hands in very hot water. He was apparently 
 about thirty years of age, and had a rather 
 thin sandy beard, which he kept closely 
 shaved. 
 
 As Sergeant Champe rode along by the 
 side of Captain Milford, the contrast between 
 these two officers was somewhat striking. The 
 latter, as we have already said, was a well- 
 formed athletic man. He was not bony, and 
 not so muscular as his companion ; but still he 
 was not much his inferior in strength, and cer- 
 tainly his superior in agility, which, doubtless, 
 as an antagonist, would have given him the 
 advantage in any struggle where mere animal 
 force was not absolutely necessary. He was 
 nearly six feet in height, straight as an arrow, 
 and built very compact and solid, every por- 
 tion of his frame and limbs being well knit 
 together. His countenance was open, intelli- 
 gent and manly, with fine, regular, handsome 
 features, and a, full, clear hazel eye, which 
 would reflect every emotion of its owner — be- 
 ing soft and mild with sympathy, languid with 
 love, sparkling with wit and mirth, and flash- 
 ing with anger. In the round, well-turned 
 chin, full, handsome lips, dilating nostrils, and 
 clear, open brow, were expressed decision and 
 firmness without undue severity, voluptuous- 
 ness without sensuality, pride without haughti- 
 ness, and intelligence without conceit. In 
 short you could see at a glance that he was 
 " every inch a man,'' possessing a noble soul, 
 full of lofty, generous thoughts, where the 
 baser passions held no place. Brave, resolute, 
 and energetic, he had the confidence of his 
 superiors, and was already looked upon as a 
 suitable personage for promotion, when a 
 proper vacancy should occur in the corps in 
 which he served. His complexion was dark, 
 with dark-brown hair, and his skin was 
 browned by exposure, but had none of that 
 reddish tinge which so peculiarly marked his 
 companion. His age was about twenty-five. 
 
 Captain Milford and his escort crossed the 
 ferry without molestation, and took the road 
 leading to White Plains, where it was thought 
 probable he would fall in with some of his 
 corps, and be able to dispense with the drar 
 goons, who had orders to return as soon as 
 they should see him to a point of safety. The 
 road to White Plains lay over an uneven 
 
40 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 hilly surface, only partially cleared, with here 
 and there a deserted farm-house, or the ruins 
 of one, as landmarks of the plundering devas- 
 tation which had swept over the country. The 
 party was now on the Neutral Ground, of 
 which we have before had occasion to speak, 
 and every-where the horrors of war were visi- 
 ble. Farms which a few years since had been 
 under the cultivation of the industrious hus- 
 bandman — with horses, cattle, kine, and sheep 
 roaming over their verdant fields — now ap- 
 peared gloomily desolate, with tall rank weeds 
 occupying the former place of the golden 
 harvest, and broken down fences every-where 
 bespeaking neglect and decay. 
 
 As the party rode along, silent and thought- 
 ful,' Captain Milfbrd and his companion gazed 
 around upon the cheerless scene, without ut- 
 tering a word, till at length the former, in a 
 tone of some despondency, partly addressing 
 his companion, and partly expressing his 
 thoughts in soliloquy, said : 
 
 "Oh! when will this desolation cease? — ■ 
 when will these deserted dwellings again be- 
 hold their rightful tenants ? — when will these 
 black ruins give place to cheerful homes? — 
 these farms, that now run to waste, feel the 
 pruning hand of the industrious yeoman? — 
 and under what banner of sovereignty will 
 this much-needed change be effected ?" 
 
 " When the proud eagle floats the stars and 
 stripes above the tri-colored cross of St. 
 George, will all these things be," calmly re- 
 plied Champe. 
 
 " Do you think, my friend, there is such a 
 blessing in store for us ?" inquired Milford. 
 
 " Can you doubt it ?" interrogatively an- 
 swered the other. r 
 
 " Heaven knows I would not — but I can not 
 help thinking that at present our prospects 
 are rather gloomy." 
 
 "What! with a noble French force em- 
 barked in our cause t" 
 
 " Ay, Champe, even with this ; for as yet 
 no junction between the two armies has been 
 effected ; and the news of Gates' defeat in the 
 south, and the recent arrival of Sir George 
 Rodney's fleet at NeM? York, will, I fear, fully 
 counterbalance the elation felt by the country 
 on learning that France is with us in our un- 
 equal struggle, and leave us in a state of mind 
 
 scarcely more sanguine than before this 
 event." 
 
 " ' Nil desperandum de Repuhlica,' is my ' 
 motto," returned Champe, sententiously. 
 
 " And BO it is mine, as a general thing," re- 
 turned Milford, coloring at this well-conveyed 
 reproof; " but my fears for success sometimes 
 subject me to feelings of despondency; and 
 the scene upon which we are gazing, and the 
 train of thought associated with it, has been 
 productive of an effect to which I strive to 
 be as much a stranger as possible. When a 
 matter lays so near the heart as the success or 
 failure of our arms does mine, I hardly think 
 the best of us can be blamed for having our 
 fears of the result. Sergeant." 
 
 " Do not understand, Captain Milford, that 
 I blame you for your fears," replied Champe ; 
 " for Heaven knows it is a trying crisis in our 
 history ; but if we make our doubts a public 
 topic, the disaffected will have an opportunity 
 to enlarge upon them, prognosticate therefrom 
 certain success to the royal cause, and thereby 
 cause the disheartened and timid to shrink 
 from lending us their countenance and sup- 
 port. No, no ; whatever we may think, feel, 
 or fear. Captain- Milford, we must make an 
 outward show of unbounded confidence in our 
 own resources ; for as the chameleon takes the 
 hue of whatever object supports it, so the 
 common soldier argues triumph or defeat from 
 the assurance or indecision of those who com- 
 mand him." 
 
 "Right, Champe," returned the Captain, 
 warmly ; " you|are right, and I thank you for 
 the timely caution ; for though I have nev,er 
 given expression to my thoughts or feelings 
 before any of my men, yet there is no know- 
 ing what I might have done in an, unguarded 
 moment. But enire nous, Sergeant Champe, 
 what is your own private opinion as to the re- 
 sult of this contest?" 
 " That we shall ultimately triumph." 
 " Do you really think so, my friend?" 
 " I do. You and I, Captain, may not live 
 to see it ; but as certain as that there is a just 
 God in heaven, so surely do I believe the 
 reign of monarchy is at an end on this soil al- 
 ready hallowed by the blood of patriots fight- 
 ing for freedom. Look around you, and be- 
 hold the facts on which J found this prophecy ! 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 41 
 
 You see these Houses in ruins, or falling to de- 
 cay; you see these once peaceful and happy 
 homes deserted ; and where are the tenants, 
 the rightful owners of the soil, whom we are 
 too weak to protect? Go search the army 
 list, and you will find the names of nearly one 
 half of those capable of bearing arms enrolled 
 thereon. When men freely sacrifice home, 
 wealth, and all domestic comforts, and, taking 
 the hard fate of the unpaid, half-starved, com- 
 mon soldier, periling their lives in the cause 
 of their country against a well-fed, well-paid, 
 well-disciplined army, with every inducement 
 held out to them to desert and return to their 
 BO-oalled allegiance, what chance has his Ma- 
 jesty of ever finding faithful subjects in such 
 citizens? His overwhelming host of minions 
 may succeed in crushing them for a time ; but 
 like the fabled Hydra, for every head decapi- 
 tated a new one will grow upon the old trunk, 
 and they will be fairly represented in their 
 posterity." 
 
 CBampe spoke with an enthusiasm almost 
 foreign to his nature ; for, as a general thing, 
 he was a man of action rather than words, 
 and at all times calm, cool, and self-collected ; 
 but this only showed how near his valiant 
 heart lay the subject which the Captain had 
 introduced. His own enthusiasm aroused that 
 of his more excitable companion ; and the mo- 
 ment he had concluded. Captain Milford ex- 
 claimed, at the same time extending him his 
 hand: 
 
 " Sergeant Champe, henceforth count me 
 among your warmest friends. 0, would that 
 our army were composed entirely of such men 
 as you ! there would indeed then be no cause 
 to fear the result of our struggle. The chi- 
 valrous blood of old Virginia runs in your 
 veins ; I am a native of New England ; but 
 though there may in some minds exist a pre- 
 judice between the descendant of a Cavalier 
 and a Puritan, yet I trust no such simple acci- 
 dent of birth may ever be cause to weaken the 
 warm friendship I now pledge you.'' 
 
 "Kest assured, Captain Milford, no such tri- 
 fling matter will ever have any weight with me. 
 No matter where born, nor of what parentage ; 
 I feel that we are brothers, embarked in a no- 
 ble cause, and on my part no effort shall be 
 wanting to preserve the fraternal and friendly 
 
 tie. Nay, more. Captain; I acknowledge I feel 
 honored by being allowed to distinguish you 
 from the many, by the term you have just 
 proposed ; and though not a man given to 
 flattery, I beg leave to say in return, that no 
 officer of your years and rank stands higher 
 in the army, on the score of courage and 
 ability, than yourself." 
 
 This unequivocal compliment, coming from 
 one of Champe's well-known integrity, caused 
 a glow of pride to mantle the handsome fea- 
 tures of the gallant Captain ; but he instantly 
 said, with a gay laugh : 
 
 " I cry you quits, Sergeant, ere my vanity 
 has an opportunity to get the better of my 
 judgment." 
 
 The party now ascended a steep hill, which 
 commanded an extensive view ; but there was 
 little in the gloomy aspect of the country to 
 put one of a contemplative turn of mind in a 
 cheerful mood. The land was still uheven and 
 hilly, with the exception of a fertile plain, 
 which stretched away from the base of the 
 eminence for the distance of about half a mile, 
 the farther portion of it bounded by a little 
 rivulet, which wound around the foot of a 
 ridge similar in appearance to the one from 
 which our party were taking their survey. 
 About midway of this plain was an old, 
 quaint, dilapidated structure, with steep roof, 
 small windows, huge chimney, and pointed 
 gables, which, before the war, had been' used 
 as a dwelling for an honest, industrious. Dutch- 
 man and his family. It was now, like most of 
 the houses in this quarter, untenanted, save 
 by an occasional straggler, who, perchance, 
 belated in reaching his intended destinatioi, 
 ventured to pass the night within its gloomy 
 walls. There were at this time no out-build- 
 ings belonging to it; but here and there a 
 heap of black, charred rubbish, half-buried in 
 rank weeds, proclaimed where had been sev- 
 eral, ere the plunderer came with his destroy- 
 ing brand. Why the dwelling was preserved 
 beyond the general wreck, we are unable to 
 say ; though it might have been too well de- 
 fended to permit the cowardly incendiaries to 
 get near eliough to fire it, without too much 
 risk of their own unworthy lives ; or it might 
 have been, as was sometimes the case, that the 
 marauders were satisfied to burn the out- 
 
42 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY- OE 
 
 houses and barns, and drive oif the folded cat- 
 tle by the light of the conflagration. What- 
 ever the cause of its preservation may have 
 been, matters not to our story ; enough for our 
 purpose, that it stood alone, as we have de- 
 scribed it, another landmark of the terrible 
 devastation which had swept, and was still 
 sweeping, over this portion of the country. 
 
 " Yonder is another tenantless house," said 
 Captain Milford, gazing at it from the brow of 
 the hill, " and there is no knowing but it once 
 contained another argument in support of 
 your prediction, Sergeant, in the shape of a 
 true patriot now in the army." 
 
 " I know not whom it contained," replied 
 Champe, fixing his cool gray eye steadily upon 
 it ; " but if I were given to sporting, I would 
 wager my horse against yours. Captain, that 
 it is not now tenantless." 
 
 "Indeed, Champe," returned the other, 
 " what induces you to think so ?" 
 
 "A head, attached to a body, which just 
 now disappeared from one of the windows." 
 
 " The open window t" 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " I will not contradict you, but I must say 
 I think you are mistaken ; for I was looking 
 straight at that when I spoke, and both before 
 and after, and I saw nothing." 
 
 " Then I must congratulate myself on hav- 
 ing the best eyesight, Captain." 
 
 " You really think, then, you saw a human 
 head ?" 
 
 " More — I know I did," was the positive 
 rejoinder. * 
 
 " Well, if you did, Champe, you doubtless 
 saw the head of some vagabond; and it will 
 afford us a little pleasant pastime to overhaul 
 him, and hear his blundering account of him- 
 self; but so confident am I that you are mis- 
 taken, that I will wager twenty-five dollars of 
 Continental scrip, against the middle button 
 of your coat, that you neither find a human 
 being in the house, nor see one leave the 
 premises." 
 
 "Done!" said Champe. "Forward, men 
 — keep your eyes upon yonder building, and 
 tell me if you see any one leave it." 
 
 He spurred hia horse as he spoke, and 
 dashed down the hill, Captain Milford keep- 
 ing him company, and the others following at 
 
 a fast gallop. A few minutes' ride brought 
 the party to the old structure, when Champe 
 ordered his men to surround it, and throwing 
 himself from his horse, approached the cen- 
 tral door, and pushed it back on its rusty 
 hinges. Milford also dismounted, and both to- 
 gether entered a lai-ge, gloomy-looking apart- 
 ment, with low ceiling, and a fireplace of suf- 
 ficient dimensions to consume at least a half- 
 cord of wood at a time. 
 
 Our friends at once commenced a search 
 for the occupant, if such there were ; and af- ' ' 
 ter carefully examining the first apartment, 
 they proceeded to the next, and from that to 
 the next, and so on through the whole house, 
 peeping into every nook and corner, and even 
 crawling along under the steep roof, and feel- 
 ing with their hands close to the eaves, where 
 it was too dark to see. But so far nothing but 
 dirt and cobwebs rewarded them for their 
 trouble ; and when at last eyery room in the 
 house had been brought under their inspec- 
 tion. Captain Milford said, with a laugh : 
 
 "Well, Sergeant Champe, I shall now be 
 under the disagreeable necessity of calling on 
 you for that button. It is a pity to spoil the 
 looks of your coat ; but then, you know, your 
 eyes not being quite so sharp as yon sup- 
 posed, you may perhaps not be able to discern 
 the difference." 
 
 " Laugh while you may, Captain," returned 
 the Sergeant, good-humoredly ; " but I am 
 just as confident of winning now as,before." 
 
 "Indeed! why, I thought our search com- 
 plete." 
 
 "You forget the cellar." 
 
 " True enough — ^but we shall not be able to 
 explore that without a light." 
 
 " Then we must have a light." 
 
 " But where will you get it?" 
 
 " I saw an iron stick, with a piece of candle 
 in it, standing on one of the shelves of the 
 dresser, in the first room we entered. Even 
 here, it seems, my eyes do better service than 
 yours." 
 
 " We shall see." 
 
 "Of course we shall," returned Champe, 
 drily ; " else what were the use of our eyes in 
 a wager like this V 
 
 The two of&cers now descended a flight of 
 old creaking stairs, to the ground floor, and 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 43 
 
 having lighted the candle, by means of flint, 
 Bteel, and punk, -which Champe carried with 
 him, they proceeded to explore the cellar. 
 The air here was impure, damp, and cold, 
 andthe walls were covered with slime. There 
 was little in it, and consequently the search 
 was soon over, without discovering any body 
 but themselves. 
 
 "Well, what say you now, my friend?" 
 asked the Captain, triumphantly. "What 
 think you of your eyes and the button ?" 
 
 " You forget the oven," replied the other. 
 
 " Very well, we will search the oven ; but 
 we might have done that before coming down 
 here." 
 
 Our friends ascended to the first floor, and 
 proceeded to search the oven, which was 
 large, and built in the chimney, on one side 
 of ihe fireplace. It was empty. 
 
 "Well, what next?" asked Milford. 
 
 "The chimney." 
 
 " Good faith I will you ever be satisfied ?" 
 
 " Not till I find the head, save the button, 
 and win the scrip," was the reply. 
 
 The friends approached the chimney, 
 looked up, saw the blue sky through the top, 
 but nothing in the shape of a human being. 
 
 " Come, come, Champe," laughed Milford, 
 " I must have the button ; so pray make a vir- 
 tue of necessity, and yield the wager. Even 
 you, who saw the head, must now see that you 
 have lost." 
 
 Champe made no reply ; but taking hold of 
 the huge chimney stones with his hands, and 
 placing his feet on such as projected, he 
 quickly ascended some ten feet, to a point 
 where another flue entering, left a small space 
 concealed from the view of any one below. 
 After remaining here a moment or two, he 
 carefully descended, and without replying to 
 the triumphant jests of his companion, who 
 was now more importunate than ever for the 
 payment of the wager, he gathered up a 
 handful of loose straw that was lying in one 
 comer of the room, and lighting it with the 
 candle, threw it into the fireplace. He then 
 entered the adjoining room, did the same 
 thing there, and then quietly rejoined his 
 companion, without speaking a word. 
 
 For some moments nothing was audible 
 but the crackling flame, as it greedily de- 
 
 voured its combustible food, sending up a 
 huge volume of thick, black smoke ; but at 
 length a snufBing, sputtering sound was 
 heard, quickly followed by a voice in the real 
 nasal twang, peculiar to a certain portion of 
 the New Englanders, which, in a sort of 
 smothered shout, managed to articulate loud 
 enough for our friends to hear : 
 
 " Let me eout ! let me eout ! — maa-der, fire, 
 brimstone, thunder and lightnin', let mb oout ! 
 and darn it to darnation, stop ofi' your darned 
 old fire and smoke ! or I swovr to Guinea, I'll 
 jest report the hull oapoodle on ye to Gineral 
 Washington, and have ye hung for u, set o' 
 prowling vagabonds and thieves ! 0, boo-oo- 
 oogh — stup-ff — stup-ff— ough ! Murder ! fire ! 
 let me eout !" 
 
 The voice had proceeded thus far, ere Mil- 
 ford and Champe, both convulsed with laugh- 
 ter, could succeed in removing the burning 
 straw from the two fireplaces ; and then as 
 much more time was spent in putting it out ; 
 when the Sergeant, in a stern, commanding 
 tone, said : 
 
 " Come down here, you sneaking varlet, 
 and give an account of yourself." Then in 
 an undertone to Milford he added : " He is 
 evidently a countryman of yours. Captain, 
 and the making of his distinguished acquaint- 
 ance will cost you twenty-five dollars." 
 
 " Well," laughed the other, " I can see the 
 joke, if I couldn't the head. I think you 
 must have stolen the eyes of a lynx. Sergeant, 
 and faded them to a light gray." 
 
 A great snuflling, sputtering, and coughing 
 was now heard in the chimney, down rattled 
 the soot in large quantities, and down soon 
 came the cause of this disturbance, and the 
 au!thor of the sublime language which we have 
 recorded as uttered in a moment of great 
 bodily fear and partial suffocation. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A LITE YANKEE. 
 
 The new-comer, thus singularly introduced 
 to our friends, was one of those rare speci- 
 mens of the genus homo, in giving birth to 
 which New England stands unrivaled even at 
 
44 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 the present day. He was tall, lank, bony, and 
 round-shouldered, had along, sharp nose, and 
 sharp features generally, with small, keen 
 black eyes, that peeped out from under a low 
 forehead, and glanced about with a shrewd, 
 cunning, suspicious expression. His hair, 
 somewhat between a tow-color and dirty 
 brown, was long, uncombed, and not only fell 
 around his face and neck in no very elegant 
 profusion, but over his low forehead even 
 down to his eyes. It was impossible for our 
 friends to guess his age, owing to his face be- 
 ing literally covered with soot ; but as we do 
 not need to wait for him to perform a very 
 necessary a'blution, we may as well state here, 
 that about thirty winters had passed over his 
 head. His dress was in keeping with his own 
 ungainly person. A kind of surtout, made of 
 homespun cloth, served the donble purpose of 
 coat and waistcoat. Under this was a tow-co- 
 lored shirt, with a flaunting bandanna tied 
 carelessly around his neck. His trowsers 
 were too short to reach the tops of his heavy 
 cowhide brogans, and as he wore no stock- 
 ings, there was in consequence an ample dis- 
 play of bony ankles. A hat, with an immense 
 bell-crown, and a rim of an inch in width, 
 which came tumbling down the chimney just 
 after its owner, all covered with soot and dirt, 
 completed his attire. He was, take him all in 
 all, a singular being ; and you could hardly 
 judge, by looking into his countenance, whether 
 to pronounce him honest or dishonest, harm- 
 less or dangerous, there was such a curious 
 commingling of candor and duplicity, simpli- 
 city and cunning, timidity and boldness. His' 
 eyes, as we have remarked, expressed both 
 shrewdness and suspicion, and his sharp, in- 
 telligent features showed an active mind, 
 either for good or evil. A half-smile, which 
 lurked around the corners of his mouth, gave 
 him a look of easy assurance, and was at th« 
 same time of so doubtful a nature, that one 
 was at a loss whether to attribute it to good- 
 humor or natural deceit. 
 
 Brushing the soot and dirt in some measure 
 from his face, hair, and eyes, and spitting it 
 from his mouth, he looked at the two oficers 
 with a mingled expression of anger, fear, and 
 curiosity, and then said : 
 
 " Consarn it all 1 why didn't ye say you 
 
 wanted mo to oome deown, without raising 
 sich an all-fired smoke ? I swow ! I thought 
 the hull darned old shanty was afire — I did, 
 by thunder." 
 
 Captain Milford, in spite of his efforts to 
 look serious, burst into a hearty laugh ; but 
 Champe, with a grave countenance, sternly 
 demanded : 
 
 "AVTio are you, and what brought you 
 here?" 
 
 "You want to know who I be, do ye?" 
 was the rather insolent rejoinder. 
 
 " Answer my questions, knave, or I'll have 
 you tied up and flogged." 
 
 "Wal, then, as I see you're in 'arnest about 
 it, I'll tell ye. I'm Joshua Snipe — ginerally 
 called Josh for short — all the way from tho 
 state of Connecticut, and I was fetched here 
 by my legs." 
 
 " And what were you doing here ?" 
 
 " Darn it all, I thought you knowed that ; 
 I was hiding. up the chimbley." 
 
 "And why were you hiding?" 
 
 " So you wouldn't find me." 
 
 " And why wore you afraid we should find 
 you?" 
 
 " 'Cause you officer fellers al'ays bother a 
 feller so asking questions." 
 
 " And if your pursuits and intentions wero 
 honest, why should you have any fear to be 
 questioned ?" 
 
 " Wal, I didn't want the trouble of answer- 
 ing ; and besides, I couldn't tell, so fur off, 
 but you might be Britishers." 
 
 " Well, sir, answer me truly — for what 
 purpose are you here ? , and what business 
 have you in this part of the country ?" 
 
 " Why, I haint no business here at all, 
 and that's what troubles me ; 'cause you 
 see I'd like tarnal wal to git into some kind 
 of business, if so be I might make a speck 
 by it. I'll jest tell ye the hull on't, and may 
 be you can help me a bit. Ye see, old Snipe, 
 my dad, was as brave a chap as could be 
 skeered up in oiir parts, and al'ays had a 
 sneaking notion arter a fight, so much so that 
 all the neighbors, for a great way round, 
 called him Fighting Snipe. Wal, he was 
 taruel poor for a long spell arter I got to be a 
 youngster, and used to go out to days' works 
 for Deacon Sam Peabody, a near neigh- 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 45 
 
 bor of ourn. I guess you never heerd tell on 
 the deacon, may be." 
 " Go on with your story, sir, and be brief." 
 "Wal, he used to go out to days' work for 
 the deacon, and used to arn jest enough to 
 keep marm and sis children, all gals but me, 
 from starving." 
 
 "Well, vrell, Mr. Snipe," interrupted 
 Champe, " we care nothing about this rigma- 
 role. Come to the point, and be as brief as 
 possible, for our time is precious." 
 
 " Darn it all, that's jest what I m coming to, 
 if you'll let me alone. "Wal, you see, dad he 
 had a putty hard time on't, and we too — but 
 arter a while, marm she tuck sick and died, 
 and the deacon he died, and dad he got the 
 place to halves of the deacon's widder, and 
 then we got along better, only he sot me to 
 work, and I had to pull up like a nigger — but 
 we got enough to eat, any how." 
 
 "I see you are trifling with us, fellow," 
 again interrupted the Sergeant, seizing Mr. 
 Joshua Snipe by the collar. "Come, we 
 must take you along, and let you tell your 
 story elsewhere." 
 
 " I aint a trifling with ye, I swow, by gosh, 
 I aint!" cried the now frightened Yankee. 
 " Every word I've told ye's true as preaching, 
 and a darned sight truer'n some kinds of 
 preaching I've heerd afore now." 
 
 "But why don't you come to the point?" 
 asked Captain Milford, sternly. 
 
 " I'm coming to the p'int as fast's I can. I 
 aint a woman, by a darned sight, and so I 
 don't see as how I'm 'spected to keep up with 
 one talking," returned Josh, rather angrily. 
 " You are a shrewd knave at all events," 
 said the Sergeant, releasing his hold on the 
 Yankee's collar, and turning his head aside 
 to conceal a broad grin, while the Captain 
 laughed outright. " But you have only got 
 three minutes to finish your story in," pur- 
 sued Champe, " and so I give you fair warn- 
 ing." 
 
 "Wal, as I's a-saying," resumed Josh, " ar- 
 ter marm and the deacon died, and dad got 
 the deacon's widder's farm to halves, we got 
 along putty wal, till the war come on, and 
 then dad, who hadn't had a fight for a long 
 spell, said he was going to Bosting to jine it. 
 Wal, the next day he set out, and the fust 
 
 thing we heerd from him was, that he'd been 
 killed at Bunker's Hill." 
 
 " Ah 1 this sounds better," interrupted Mil- 
 ford. " So your worthy father was one of the 
 first martyrs on the shrine of freedom." 
 
 " Wal, I calculate he was — least ways ho 
 got killed in the Bunker Bght, if that's what 
 you mean, Gineral." 
 
 " I am only a captain," smiled Milford ; 
 " but go on with your story, for we have de- 
 layed here too long already." 
 
 " Wal, Capting, since you will have it so — 
 but I swow you look like you oughter be a 
 gineral, if you aint — wal, as I's a saying, ar- 
 ter dad got killed, I stuck to widder Peabo- 
 dy's farm like a tick to a sheep, till all the 
 gals got married off— the youngest one, Eu- 
 nice, went last March — and then I packed up 
 my duds, and told the deacon's widder she 
 might get somebody else to farm it, for I was 
 jest a going to tramp a bit, and see the world 
 for myself. The deacon's v^idder hated to let 
 me go like darnation, and I reckon Sal Stacy 
 didn't like it none too well ; but ye see Sal 
 had another feller a courtin' her, and she 
 thought may be she could git him, and kind 
 o' gin me the sack ; but I calculated I'd be 
 even with her, and I shouldn't wonder if I 
 was ; for jest afore I left, the other feller left 
 too, and so she's got nobody now." 
 
 " Ah ! then here is your secret, after all, 
 Mr. Snipe," returned Milford, good humor- 
 edly. " Disappointed in love, you thought, 
 like many another gallant knight, you would 
 drown your grief in the wild excitement of 
 war. Eh ! is that it !" 
 
 "Wal, so'thinglike that, Gineral — Capting 
 I mean," returned Josh, vrith a rather simple 
 look. " Wal, ye see, I sot off, and tramped 
 abeout a good bit, till I got clean out of 
 money ; and then I let myself to a, farm- 
 er through haying; and arter that I jest 
 thought I'd come over here to the army, and 
 see how things looked ; and if it suited me, 
 I'd a notion I'd list, and try fighting' a spell, 
 jest for variety." 
 
 " So you wish to enlist, do you ?" demand- 
 ed the Sergeant. 
 
 "Wal, I don't know yit, 'caufe I haint 
 seen the fellers train — arter I've seen 'em 
 train, I can tell better." 
 
46 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " Are you aware, Mr. Snipe, that you are 
 in a very dangerous part of the country V 
 pursued Champe. " I am surprised you hare 
 not been rohbed and murdered, traveling 
 thus, alone, without even a passport." 
 
 " That's just what I's coming at, Major." 
 
 " I am only a sergeant, sir." 
 
 " Ye-a-s,— I thought you looked like you 
 might be a major, so fierce and dignified like. 
 Wal, Sargent, since you will have it so, I's 
 jest a going to say I'd been robbed of every 
 darned thing I'm worth, but these ere clothes, 
 and I've been kicked and cufiFed about as if I 
 was a nigger. But when I git to Gineral 
 Washington's lines, I calculate to tell him the 
 hull story ; and if he's the man I take him for, 
 I guess the darned scamps '11 wish they'd ne- 
 ver had nothing to do with Josh Snipe. But 
 now I think.on't, I'll jest tell ye so'thing that's 
 a going to happen to-night — so'thing that'll 
 make your hair stand right up,_ I guess." 
 
 " Well, out with it, and be quick !" said 
 Champe. 
 
 " Wal, ye see, as I's coming down through 
 the country here, ajid not exactly liking the 
 chaps I meet on the road, I thought I'd take 
 it cross-lots. I got robbed day before yester- 
 day, and ever since I've been afeared some of 
 the darned scamps would kill me. I'll jest 
 up and tell ye how it was." 
 
 " Never mind that, now, my good fellow," 
 interrupted Milford, "but come directly to 
 the point of the story you set out with." 
 
 " Wal, ye see, arter being robbed and kicked 
 about a good deal by them ar darned thieving 
 scamps I's telling ye on, I begun to be putty 
 keerful how I let any body see me ; and so, 
 for the last two nights, I've slept out o' doors, 
 in the branches of the trees — and a putty con- 
 siderable darned hard kind of a bed it was, I 
 tell you. Wal, last night I mounted a tree, 
 arter chucking an ear of old hard corn I found 
 in a mean;looking house I come by in the day- 
 time, and I'd jest got myself cleverly fixed for 
 a nap, with my back agin a big limb, and lots 
 of branches each side to keep me from rolling 
 off-— I'd jest got fixed this way, I say, and was 
 beginning to feel right dozy, when I heerd a 
 lot of fellers all talking together, putty loud, 
 jest as if they was disputing about so'thing, 
 and gitting mad. I laid right still and lis- 
 
 tened, but couldn't make out a darned thing 
 for a good spell, though the fellers was com- 
 ing right toward where I was all the time — 
 but jest as if they knowed I was in the tree, 
 thej- kept lowering their voices all the way 
 up. At last I heerd one on 'em say : 
 
 " 'Now hush, can't ye, and not make sich 
 a darned noise about it ! 'Spose any body 'd 
 be a listening ?' and then another feller said — 
 
 " 'Pshaw ! you talk like a fool. Jack — as if 
 there was any one about here to listen, at this 
 time of night. By Jupiter ! I'd like to catch ♦ 
 any feller a listening — I'd jest cut his darned 
 heart out on him.' 
 
 " I swow to Guinea! I never felt more un- 
 comfortable in my life, than I did when I heerd 
 that feller say that ; and the way the sweat 
 rolled ofi" o' me, made me think o' the time 
 when I first tried to keep up with dad a mow- 
 ing, on Deacon Sam Peabody'S widder's farm. 
 I knowed if they found me out, there'd be one 
 Snipe less in the world, putty tarnal soon, too ; 
 and being as I thought a good deal of that 
 Snipe, I jest held right tight to the limbs, and 
 didn't breathe louder 'n thunder, no how. Wal, 
 the fellers — there wasn't less nor seven or 
 eight on 'em — they kept talking away, and 
 disputing abeout this and that, and'tother, 
 till I wished to thunder they'd clear out and 
 let mo go to sleep. By'm-by, one on 'em says — 
 
 " 'Wal, you can db's you like ; but if I've 
 got any thing to do or say in't, I'll have the 
 throats of every one on 'em cut, and the old 
 shanty burnt up with them all in it." 
 
 " 'Jemima,' says I to myself — 'so there's 
 murder abeout ; and here you be. Josh Snipe, 
 you good-for-nothing feller, a listening to it, 
 without daring to say your soul's your own. 
 Now,' thinks I, ' If I could only see Gineral 
 Washington, and tell him all abeout''^^^ 
 
 " Well, well, cut your story short," cried 
 Champe, impatiently, " and come to the point. 
 Who are these men? and whom do they in 
 tend to pillage and murder 1" 
 
 " You want to know who they be, do ye ? 
 Wal, there you ^t ahead of me ; but they're 
 some darned scamps or other, you may de- 
 pend upon it. All I know consarning thp 
 persons they're going to attack is, that I heerd 
 one o' the fellers say there was four on 'em — 
 an old man, bis wife, one eon, and daughtQl^- 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 and that he agreed to kill three, and take 
 the gal for his paius ; but another feller said 
 he shouldn't do that, for the gal had got to 
 be killed along with the rest." 
 
 " And did you hear the name of this fami- 
 ly V asked Milford, anxiously. 
 
 " Ye-a-s, I heerd one of the fellers mention 
 it — ^but oonsarn me, if it hasn't slipped my 
 mind. Let me see? Bont — ^Bony — Burt?" — 
 
 " Burnside," suggested Milford. 
 
 " Ye-a-s, that's it — Burnside — I guess you 
 know^em, don't ye, Captlng?" 
 
 "Ay, sir, and a worthy family they are. 
 By heavens ! they shall be protected, too, and 
 these midnight assassins shall reap the reward 
 due to cut-throats ! You overheard this last 
 night?" 
 
 " Yes, Capting." 
 
 "And the attack is to be made to-night?" 
 
 " Yes, Capting, abeout ton or twelve 
 o'clock." 
 
 " Then no time is to be lost — it is now hard 
 upon three. Champe, can you be spared 
 from your corps over night?" 
 
 " I regret to say I can not, Captain. Ma- 
 jor Lee gave me express orders to set out for 
 camp the moment I should see you to a point 
 of safety. He said it was possible you would 
 find some of our corps at White Plains, in 
 which case he should expect to see me before 
 sunset." 
 
 " Ah ' this makes it bad 1" returned Milford, 
 musingly. "The Burnsides live about five 
 miles below here ; and should none of my 
 men be at White Plains, it will be a rather 
 tedious ride to Northcastle and back again, 
 in time to prevent this horrible tragedy. But 
 prevent it I must, and will, at all hazards. 
 You are not deceiving me in this matter?" 
 he queried, fixing on Josh a, searching look. 
 
 " Wal, I calculate I aint, Capting," was the 
 cool reply. " Why, what good d'ye think it 
 'ould do me to lie abeout it?" 
 
 "None, Mr. Snipe, unless you have a 
 penchant for a striped back," was the marked 
 rejoinder. 
 
 " I don't know what you mean by pang- 
 thang," said Josh, simply ; " but I am not any 
 ways curious abeout a striped back — for dad 
 lamt me enough o' that when I was a young- 
 Bt«r." 
 
 "Perhaps if none of ray corps are tiierc," 
 pursued Milford, musingly, " I can fall in 
 with Paulding and some of his men, and per- 
 suade them to accompany me. 'Go I will, at 
 all events, if I go alone." 
 
 "And who is this Paulding?"astcd Oharape. 
 
 " A trusty fellow, and one of a brave little 
 band of scouts, who have done us and the 
 country good service, in procuring important 
 intelligence from the enemy, arresting suspi- 
 cious characters, and, to some considerable 
 extent, protecting the inhabitants around here 
 against the marauding bands of Cow Boys 
 and Skinners. They are generally scouting 
 in this quarter, or below, and it is more than 
 probable I can learn of their whereabouts at 
 White Plains, even if I do not find some of 
 the party there. Come, we must be on the 
 move. Champe, I will pay my wager at the 
 village. Josh, you must go with us — you can 
 ride behind one of the troopers." 
 
 Thus saying, the Captain led the way out 
 of the house, mounted his horse, and in a few 
 minutes the whole party arrived at the vil- 
 lage of White Plains, at this time containing 
 scarcely more than a dozen houses. As none 
 of his corps had been here through the day, 
 Milford made inquiries for Paulding, and 
 learning that he was somewhere about the 
 place, he told the Sergeant he could get along 
 without him. The two officers then shook 
 hands and parted — Champe to return to camp, 
 and Milford to prepare for a new adventure. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A STRANGE METAMORPHOSIS. 
 
 On the same day that the events of the last 
 few chapters occurred, Rosalie Du Pont was 
 seated in her little boudoir, beside one of the 
 windows, which commanded a southern view. 
 Her position was one of careless ease. Her 
 soft, white arm, bare to the elbow, was rest- 
 ing on the casement, her head upon her hand, 
 with her beautiful fingers half buried among 
 her raven ringlets, which, in wanton pro- 
 fusion swept down her lovely face, and in 
 rich, heavy rolls \fiy upon her alabaster neck. 
 
 Her soft, dark eyes were fixed mournfully 
 upon some objects without, aud a shade of 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OE, 
 
 deep, sad thought rested on her features, and 
 ever and anon her snowy bosom would swell 
 with a long, heavy sigh. 
 
 A casual o-bserver would have seen little in 
 the view to make her sad. The curtains of 
 the window were drawn aside, and through a 
 trellis covered with creeping vines, a gentle 
 breeze stole in, and kissing her lovely person 
 as it passed, played wantonly with the loose 
 papers on her escritoire, the music leaves on 
 the table, and gliding around the apartment, 
 slipped out through the open doorway, softly, 
 silently, and unperceived. Looking down 
 through the vine-clad trellis of the window, 
 the eye fell upon the shrubbery and garden 
 before mentioned — then upon the dark river, 
 gliding calmly and silently along — and then, 
 continuing the view in the same direction, upon 
 the heights of Brooklyn, and the redoubts 
 and military works, where, a few years before, 
 the American army had taken refuge, after 
 that disastrous battle by which the British 
 gained a decided victory, and subsequently, 
 from this cause, the possession of New York, 
 which they had ever since retained. 
 
 But not upon any thing we have mentioned 
 was the gaze of the beautiful Rosalie riveted. 
 Turning more to the l^ffc, and looking across 
 that point of land, a part of which is now used 
 for naval purposes, a portion of Wallabout 
 Bay was visible, with several dark hulks floats 
 ing upon its bosom. These only she saw, and 
 these, and the thoughts associated with them, 
 caused her features to assume that mournful 
 look, and her breast to heave those long, sad 
 »ighs. And good cause had she for mournful 
 looks and sighs, if that her gentle heart were 
 tuned to throb with sympathy for brave men 
 doomed. Those low, dark, floating hulks were 
 English prisons for Americans ; and from 
 their noisome holds, where disease, fed by 
 disease and absolute starvation, ran riot, more 
 ffum eleven, thousand human beings were borne 
 to an untimely grave, and their bones left to 
 whiten and decay beneath the dark waters. 
 
 " Oh ! cruel, cruel war !" murmured Rosa- 
 lie, wiping a tear from her eye ; " and cruel, 
 cruel tyrants of a race that would be free ! 
 Are these the horrid means ye use to make 
 yourselves masters of those who will not bend 
 the knee to eaithly monarch ? Out upon such 
 
 cowardly assassination ! for I can call it by no 
 milder terms. Meeting a gallant foe upon the 
 open field, and man to man, life staked 'gainst 
 life, there striving for the victory, is noble, 
 even in so base a cause as yours, compared to 
 such a vile resort as this. Think Heaven will 
 smile upon your murderous deeds, and crown 
 your efforts with success ? No ! for Heaven is 
 fast, and ye will find it so in time. Oh ! 
 that the time were come to end this human 
 batcherj', and let the broad white folds of 
 gentle peace float o'er a land now red with ta, 
 blood of martyrs ! Ay, martyrs — that's the 
 word — martyrs on freedom's holy shrine — 
 martyrs in a cause that has the undivided sym- 
 pathy of every philanthropic heart throughout 
 the world. Europe is looking on in wonder at 
 this long-protracted struggle, and even mon- , , , , 
 archy itself begins to sympathize with the un- 
 fortunate, and lend its powerful aid to right 
 the wronged. France, la belle France, my 
 native land, home of my childhood, thou, I 
 am proud to say, hast set a noble example, in 
 sending hither aid to the oppressed ! And 
 thou, noble champion of liberty — thou who 
 from thy ancestral halls of luxury and ease 
 didst come to lift thy arm against the foes of 
 them that would be free — thou noble, gallant 
 Lafayette ! — immortal honors shall be thine ! 
 and millions yet unborn shall couple thy proud 
 name with his, the man of men, the great, 
 the good, the heaven-sent Washington ! 
 
 " Oh ! that I were a man 1" pursued Rosa- 
 lie, with enthusiasm : " that I -were a man, 
 possessed of a hundred lives, that I might lay 
 each down in the great sacred cause of 
 liberty, to show these minions of King George 
 how much I hate — these noble patriots how 
 much I love them !" 
 
 As Rosalie said this, with swelling heart, 
 glowing features, and in a tone too loud for 
 prudence, a hand lightly touched her shoulder. 
 She started, her face grew ashy pale, and 
 turning, she beheld Munee standing quietly 
 by her side. In an instant she recovered 
 her self-possession, the blood agaiji coursed 
 rapidly along its proper channels, and in a 
 hurried voice she said : 
 
 " You here, Munee ? how long have you 
 been listening ?" 
 
 The mute caught up a pen and wrote : 
 
TREASON IN THE CAJIP. 
 
 49 
 
 "Too long, did I serve King George as 
 faithfully as my mistress." 
 
 " I have heeu imprudent, Munee, I see ; 
 very imprudent ; but yonder is the cause. 
 You see that boat, returning to that hulk, 
 Munee ! It has been out on an unliallov^od 
 mission — to consign more tyrant's victims to 
 I their watery grave ! Poor follows ! //ictr earthly 
 troubles at last are over ; and I could rejoice 
 at their fate, did I not know how soon they 
 will have company from among the living ; and 
 sympathy for those so doomed usurps theplace 
 of joy. But art sure, Munee, no other listener 
 heard my treasonous thoughts ?" 
 
 " There were none near when I entered," 
 wrote Munee, "and I took the precaution to 
 close the door. But my sweet mistress must 
 not so risk her thoughts aloud again." 
 
 " I will not, my kind friend, believe me," 
 said Rosalie, seizing the hand of the mute, and 
 pressing it warmly. " But the horse ?" 
 
 " Awaits its rider," wrote the othev. 
 
 " J^t the place I named?" 
 
 The mulatto nodded an affirniative. 
 
 " Then quick ! assist me to make my toilet 
 for this new adventure. Make haste — braid 
 up my hair ! What ! tears, Munee ! Come, 
 come, be not so sad — no harm will befall me, 
 depend upon it ! I shall be back to-night, or 
 early in the morning, for to-morrow night I 
 must attend Sir Henry's ball. You shake your 
 head, but you shall see. You must personate 
 me, Munee, in my absence. You need not 
 fear interruption, now that uncle and aunt are 
 both away ; for while you were gone for the 
 horse, I called the servants together, and told 
 them they must not intrude upon my privacy 
 to-day, under any circumstances, and they 
 promised obedience. Now I think of it again, 
 Munee, perhaps it would be as well for you 
 not to make any change in your apparel ; and 
 should any thing happen — there, do not look 
 so frightened! I do not mean to "myself — 
 should any thing happen, I say, that might 
 expose you, and inquiry be made for me, you 
 can simply answer that I am out, and you 
 know not how soon I may return. It was 
 lucky I thought to'havS you get another suit 
 throughout, the exact counterpart of the one 
 you wear ; for by this addition to our ward- 
 robe, there can be two Mutiees at th'e same 
 
 time — Munee the elder, and Muuee the 
 younger ;'' and Rosalie laughed gayly, not be- 
 cause she felt in a laughing humor, but that 
 her seeming light spirits might raise the spirits 
 of her desponding servant. 
 
 Some half an hour was spent in completing 
 the metamorphosis of Rosalie from a young 
 lady into a stripling boy ; but when done, the 
 change was so great her own father would not 
 have known her. Her long, flowing ringlets 
 were braided close upon her crown, and then 
 covered by a curly, black wig, which had been 
 procured expressly for the purpose. The 
 jacket and trowsers fitted her as if made for 
 her; and when she stood before the glass, with 
 the gold-banded blue cloth cap upon her head, 
 she burst into a gay laugh, and said : 
 
 " Pardon me, Munee, if I hurt your sensi- 
 tive feelings — but really, I see nothing to pre^ 
 vent our being twin hrofhers, except our color, 
 and that is easily remedied with this prepa- 
 ration." 
 
 As she spoke, she took up a vial of dark 
 liquid, and pouring out a small quantity, rub- 
 bed it freely upon her hands, face, and neck. 
 In an instant her fair, white skin assumed that 
 sallow-brown hue peculiar to the mulatto, 
 and even Munee acknowledged her to be a 
 very handsome representative of the colored 
 race. 
 
 " And now gopd-by, Munee, till to-morrow. 
 Pshaw ! you must not bry, girl 1 I tell you I 
 will be prudent. Ah I the passports — I was 
 nearly forgetting them. Grood-by !" and shak- 
 ing Munee's hand warmly, Rosalie bounded 
 out of the room, and down the stairs, leaving 
 the other standing pale and motionless, and 
 gazing after her with tearful eyes." 
 
 Rosalie turned up Queen-street, a:hd. walk- 
 ing very fast, soon reached a Cross-street lead- 
 ing out of an open space on the summit of a 
 hill. Taking this, she hurried down the hill, 
 into a low, marshy portion of the city, where 
 stood several mean-looking houses. Selecting 
 one of these, she rapped hastily on the door. 
 It was opened by a large, fat woman of forty, 
 with broad, heavy features, which were, in 
 some measure, relieved from dulness,.by small 
 keen, intelligent black eyes. 
 
 "Well, boy, what do you want?" she in 
 quired, in'a harsh, gruiT tone. 
 
50 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " Is this the residence of Dame HagoH t" 
 interrogatively rejoined Rosalie. 
 
 "Yes, Dame Hagold stops here — what 
 then ?" 
 
 " Can I see her t" 
 
 " What's your business with her ?" 
 
 " That I can only reveal to herself." 
 
 " Well, tell it to me, then— I'm her." 
 
 "It is private, and must not be spoken where 
 it can possibly be overheard," said our heroine, 
 in a loW tone, glancing cautiously around. 
 
 " 0, it's private, hey ? Come in, then ;" and 
 as the other entered. Dame Hagold closed the 
 door with a slam, and added, "Who sent ye?" 
 
 " My mistress." 
 
 " And who's your mistress ?" 
 
 " Any listeners 1" 
 
 "No, I never have them things — there's 
 nobody in the house but us." 
 
 "Well, then, it was Rosalie Du Pont sent 
 me." 
 
 " Ha ! Rosalie Du Pont, hey !" returned the 
 other, with a look of interest, her tones be- 
 coming less harsh, and her manner more re- 
 spectful. " So Rosalie Du Pont sent you ?" 
 she continued, eyeing her guest very closely. 
 " How long have you been in her sarvice ?" 
 
 " Only a few days." 
 
 " I thought so. I knowed I never seen ye 
 before. Well, what are ye laughing at. I 
 reckon you haint been teached your place as 
 yet. Where's Munee, her tother servant ?" 
 
 " He is with her still." 
 
 " Be you brothers 1" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 "How comes it you can talk and he can't ?" 
 
 " He was sick, about five years ago, and 
 lost his speech." 
 
 "0, that's it, hey? Well, if you comes 
 from Miss Rosalie, you've got her ring, I 
 'spose V 
 
 " Yes, here it is," returned the other, hold- 
 ing out her hand. 
 
 " Ha I two on 'em, hey 1 and both diamonds. 
 What's tother for?" 
 
 " What — ^why, that — that is for something 
 else," purposely stammered Rosalie, averting 
 her face. 
 
 "Young chap, you're a spy," cried the 
 other, iadignantly, seizing Rosalie roughly by 
 the arm. " You aint what you pretend you 
 
 is, or else you stole that ring — so own up, or 
 it'll be the wor^e for ye." 
 
 "I am not what I pretend to be, sure 
 enough," laughed Rosalie : " but I think my 
 disguise is perfect, since it has deceived you, 
 mother Hagold." 
 
 " Why, who are you 1" queried the dame, 
 in surprise, releasing her hold, and looking 
 eagerly and searchingly into the laughing face 
 of her guest. " No, it can not be— yes, it is!" 
 and hurriedly, as she spoke, the dame tore off 
 the cap and wig — "Yes, it is, as I'm a sinner, 
 Rosalie Du Pont herself! Why, gal, what 
 are you up to now, you eccentric creature ? 
 Why, if I'd a been your mother, I wouldn't 
 known ye from a half-bred nigger boy. Well, 
 well, this is a curious world, and no mistake. 
 But again I ask, what are you disguised this 
 way for ?" 
 
 "I am going into the country, toward White 
 Plains." 
 
 " Not alone I" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Why, what ails the gal ? you surely won't 
 run sich a risk ?" 
 
 " How much of a risk is it ?" 
 
 " A powerful one — all your life's wo'th, in 
 these troublous times. The Cow Boys and 
 Skinners is out every night now, and don't 
 let any one off they can git their hands on to. 
 My curses on 'em both for plundering me, and 
 burning my house !" cried the dame, savagely. 
 " But I've marked 'em, and I'll be even with 
 the villains yet, if I live.'' 
 
 " AVell, I am resolved to go, if only for the 
 novelty of it. You know, mother Hagold, 
 when I once set my mind upon a venture, it 
 is no trifling matter can stop me." 
 
 " I know you're self-willed and headstrong 
 aa old Nick himself; but still I must protest 
 agin your going out there to git captured, and 
 may be killed — for sartingly one, or tother, or 
 both '11 happen to ye." 
 
 " I think not. But tell me — ^have you any 
 news since I saw you last ?" 
 
 " Well, no, not much wo'th telling — news 
 are scarce now. I can't find out nothing about 
 Sir Henry's plans. All I can pick up is jest 
 the same old story, about the Chesapeake ex- 
 pedition ; and it don't vary but trifling, though 
 I don't believe much into it, after all." 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 51 
 
 "Have you made any thing at your busi- 
 ness, lately ?" 
 
 "Not much — times is getting dull — and as 
 long as there aint much chance of a fight, 
 soldiers don't keer particularly about their 
 fortunes. I advertised in the Gazette, Satur- 
 day, that I'd come back to town, and could 
 be found at my old quarters, in Queen-street, 
 every night after seven ; and last night I had 
 two customers, one on 'em a gentleman. He 
 kept his face hid a good deal ; but I knowed 
 he was a gentleman by his hand, before I 
 seen his face." 
 
 "You did see his face, then?" 
 
 "Yes, I seen it, and I knowed him at once, 
 although he was disguised as a citizen." 
 
 "Who is he?" 
 
 " Guess." 
 
 " I can not." 
 
 " Major Andre." 
 
 "Indeed I and what kind of a fate did you 
 predict for him ?" 
 
 "Well, not over good ; his palm was dread- 
 fully cut up with trouble, and his line of life 
 stopped powerful sudden. Poor fellow! I 
 reckon the next fight he gits into will finish 
 him." 
 
 "God forbid!" rejoined Rosalie, solemnly; 
 " for he is one of the most noble young men 
 I have ever met. But I have always noticed 
 the good die first. How did he take your 
 prediction ?-^id he seem to put any faith in 
 what you told him ?" 
 
 "Well, I don't hardly know; he looked 
 kind o' sad and troubled, and said as how it 
 tallied pretty well with what another fortin- 
 teller had told him." 
 
 "Who?" 
 
 " He didn't say, but I guessed it was Car- 
 lini. He axed me what I thought of one 
 man's holding another motionless jest by his 
 will — and you know Signer Carlini's got the 
 knack of doing them things." 
 
 "And what did you answer him?" 
 
 "That it wasn't nothing so very wonderful 
 to them as understood the hidden sciences of 
 man's composition; for if mind governed 
 matter, mind was the most powerfuler; and 
 tome minds being more powerfuler than 
 jther minds, could govern them, and will 
 •ieir matter to do as they pleased." 
 
 "A very lucid explanation," laughed Rosa- 
 lie. " But, come ; I must be going ; ;for the 
 afternoon is half spent already, and I design 
 being back in the morning ; and to-n(orrow 
 night intend to accompany this same gallant 
 Major Andre to Sir Henry Clinton's, ball." 
 
 "Heaven forbid you be disappointed!" 
 ejaculated the dame. "But do you know 
 where xpu're going ?" 
 
 "I wish to see the Burnsides: they are 
 true, are they not?" 
 
 "As steel. A right smart ride that — do 
 you know the road ?" 
 
 "No, and it is part of my business here to 
 have you point it out, so I shall make no 
 mistake.'' 
 
 " Gal, you're mad — mad as a moon-struck 
 loon — to think of making sich a ventur as 
 this, and you not even know the way at that ! 
 I declare I'll jest go down and tell your uncle 
 Percy of your folly." 
 
 "What? betray my confidence. Dame Ha- 
 gold ? — for shame !" 
 
 "Well, well, you know I aint in earnest, 
 Rosalie; but I declare I ought to do some- 
 thing desperate, to stop yoh. Are you going 
 to ride?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 " Then you'll sartainly be captur'd ; but I 
 can't help it." 
 
 "No, good mother, you can not help it; 
 and so be quick, now, and tell me the road — 
 for every moment's delay makes my return 
 just so much later." 
 
 " But pray tell me what you're going for ?" 
 
 " Partly for a ride, and partly to convey 
 some intelligence I have gathered, that may 
 be of importance to our friends." 
 
 " Why don't you send Munee ?" 
 
 "Why, you know he is dumb; and the 
 last time he was out, as he informed me to- 
 day, when I questioned him closely on the 
 subject, he was near losing his life, because 
 he did not answer the challenge of the out- 
 post guard. He stopped, and groaned, and 
 the sentry advanced to him with leveled 
 musket, when he held out his passport, and 
 by signs made him understand he could not 
 speak. I had rather venture myself, than 
 have any harm befall him." 
 
 " But you can send somebody else?" 
 
52 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " No, I would rather trust loyself, this time 
 at least. But the road, mother ? — you forget 
 the road." 
 
 The dame, in a few hurried sentences, now 
 conveyed to Rosalie the desired information, 
 coupled .-with much caution and advice, re- 
 specting how to proceed, and how to conduct 
 herself in the event of such and such things 
 happening. 
 
 "And now good-by," she said, in conclu- 
 sion, " and may the great God preserve you 
 from all harm !" 
 
 " Amen I" responded Rosalie, in a solemn 
 tone ; and giving the other's hand an affec- 
 tionate squeeze, she took her departure. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 TKOUBlESOiSIE ADTENTUKES. 
 
 On quitting the premises of Dame Hagold, 
 Rosalie hastened to the junction of Queen- 
 street and Broadway — which was here no- 
 thing more than an unpaved road — and con- 
 tinuing up this some two hundred yards, she 
 came to a very genteel-looking farm-house, 
 near which a fine, noble steed, bridled. and 
 saddled, stood tied to a sapling. As she began 
 to Undo the halter, a man came out of the house 
 and inquu-ed if the horse belonged to her. 
 
 " If it was left here an hour or two since, 
 by a dumb boy, for one Henry Pierpot, it 
 does," replied Rosalie. 
 
 " All right," replied the man ; and vaulting 
 upon the back of the noble animal, Rosalie 
 put spurs to him, and galloped away up the 
 road, leaving a cloud of dust behind her. 
 
 During the first half hour, she passed several 
 parties of soldiers, none of whom offered any 
 interruption, though more than one petty ofli- 
 cer eyed her very hard. By this time she was 
 some four or five miles on her way — city and 
 suburbs had entirely disappeared — and the 
 road she was travelling led over a wild, hilly 
 country, with only here and there a habitation 
 at long intervals. Suddenly, as she turned 
 the angle of a hill, she came upon another 
 party, of a dozen in number, headed by a ser- 
 geant, who had stopped at a spring beside the 
 road to rest themselves, make a frugal repast, 
 and replenish their canteens. Some were sit- 
 
 ting around the spring, eating their lunch and 
 cracking jokes ; others were stretched at full 
 length upon the ground, under the shadowof 
 a few tall oaks, with their hats lying by their 
 side, and their knapsacks serving them for 
 pillows ; while another party of four, among 
 whom was the sergeant, were amusing them- 
 selves with a game of cards. As Rosalie sud- 
 denly burst upon them, the sergeant and 
 several others sprang up in surprise ; when 
 finding they had been disturbed by nothing 
 more important than a "white nigger," as 
 one of them termed our heroine, they began 
 to vent their spite upon the innocent cause of 
 this interruption, in a series of coarse impre- , 
 cations and ribald jests, such as it had never 
 been poor Rosalie's misfortune to listen to 
 before, and which caused her heart to sink 
 within her — though she managed, by a power- 
 ful effort, to cloak her fears, under a, well- 
 assumed indifference. But she was not 
 allowed to pursue her journey without still 
 more alarming demonstrations of the ser- 
 geant's displeasure; for she had scarcely 
 passedthe party, and was just beginning to con- 
 gratulate herself on escaping from such a vul- 
 gar crowd, when the leader called out gruffly : 
 
 " Halt, you mongrel thief, and give an 
 
 account of yourself ! Who are you ? and what 
 are you doing up in this quarter, hey ?" 
 
 At first Rosalie thoughtof putting spurs to 
 her horse, and ridding herself of the party by 
 flight: but a moment's reflection convinced 
 her this course would be both irapolitici and 
 dangerous — ^the former, because it would at- 
 tach suspicion to her, as being on an unlaw- 
 ful business ; and the latter, because in all 
 probability the sergeant would order hia men 
 to fire, and a chance shot might arrest her 
 progress forever. Besides, what had she to 
 fear from British soldiers, while she had in 
 her possession the passport of their chief, 
 which they were in duty bound; to respect ? 
 Resolved upon her manner of proceeding, she 
 wheeled her horse suddenly, and fixing her 
 eye sternly upon the sergeant, who was 
 leisurely approaching her, she said, in a tone 
 of severe dignity : 
 
 " Did you address that language to me, sir?" 
 
 " Yes ye ! to you," answered the offi- 
 cer, with a swaggering air. 
 
TREASON IN THE OAMP. 
 
 " Have, a care, sir, or I will report your 
 insolence where you will least like to hear 
 from it." 
 
 "Who are you?" inquired the* sergeant, 
 more respectfully, evidently a little awed by 
 the bold, confident, haughty tone of the other. 
 
 " This paper will inform you," answered 
 Rosalie, drawing the passport from her pocket 
 and handing it to the sergeant, who opened 
 it and read : 
 
 "Permit the bearer, a mulatto youth, to 
 pass the British lines and outposts, at all 
 times, without question or hindrance. 
 , "H. Clinton, Major-General. 
 
 " Head-quarters, New York, 1 
 "Aug. 15, 17S0." ; 
 
 " That's all right," said the sergeant, re- 
 spectfully returning it ; " but I couldn't 
 know you had it, you see, when I stopped 
 ye. Pass on I" 
 
 Rosalie made no reply, too glad to escape 
 without more words ; and putting spurs to her 
 horse, she soon left the party far behind her. 
 
 She met with no other adventure, except 
 being once or tivice required to show her pass- 
 port, /till she reached a wooden structure 
 spanning the stream that divides Manhattan 
 Island from Westchester county, when a sen- 
 tinel, pacing before it, not only demanded her 
 written authority to cross the bridge at that time 
 of day — it was past sunset, and beginning to 
 grow duskish — but when he had received and 
 examined it, gave it as his private opinion 
 that it was a forgery, and called the officer of 
 the guard — a strapping, big-headed Dutch- 
 man, who was sitting on the steps of the guard- 
 house close at hand, quietly engaged in smok- 
 ing a meerschaum — ^to come and look at it. 
 
 " Yaas," drawled the other, slowly taking 
 the stem of his pipe from his mouth, and la- 
 zily puffing out a thin, white wreath of smoke, 
 with an air of great satisfaction and self-com- 
 plaisance: "Yaas, dat ish all perry veil for 
 me to comes to you ; put you pringst him to 
 me, an dat wilt pe all very mush petter." 
 
 After examining the paper by the light, 
 carefully turning it over some half a dozen 
 times, and scrutinizing the signature right- 
 side-up, up-side-down, sideways, and in every 
 
 other possible manner his beetle-headed 
 guirdship could think of— besides making the 
 sentry read it over to him, till the latter could 
 repeat it from memory — this wonderful speci- 
 men of Hollandish extraction at last decided 
 the matter in this wise : 
 
 " I tink him all pe rights mit Sir Henree's 
 own hand write ; put ash it pegins for to grows 
 dark, I tink de poy better pe keeps in te 
 guard-house all nights, till ter morning — eh \ 
 Shon?" 
 
 "Do it, sir, if you dare !" oviod Rosalie, in 
 a sharp, firm tone ; for overhearing the con- 
 versation, she saw that the quickest mode of 
 making an impression upon the dull compre- 
 hension of such a dolt, would be by a bold, 
 confident, and threatening manner. " Ay," 
 she continued, " I repeat, do it if you dare! 
 and as I live, I will have you court-martialed 
 for disobeying the orders of your oommandei;- 
 in-chief. Sentry, give me back that paper, 
 and let me pass, or I will make it the worst 
 day's work you ever had a hand in ! Good 
 heavens ! is it possible that Sir Henry's pri- 
 vate messengers are no better respected than 
 this ? and even his own signature regarded 
 as doubtful authority ! I shall take good 
 care to let him hear of this." 
 
 " Shon," said the Dutchman to the sentry, 
 laying down his pipe, and looking anxious 
 and troubled — " Shon, ter poy speaks goot, 
 and Sir Henree may be not like him. I tink 
 him over, and I tinks I gives him a mug of 
 peer, and lets him co, mit himself, and dat 
 will pe petter ash goot." 
 
 At this moment the attention of all three 
 was directed- to the bridge, by the clattering 
 of horses' feet on the opposite side. The 
 sentry resumed his post, and almost at the 
 same moment two British officers, splendidly 
 equipped, and mounted on two noble beasts, 
 covered with foam, dashed across, when their 
 progress was arrested by the challenge of the 
 sentinel : 
 
 " Halt ! who goes there ?" 
 
 " Friends : Here are our passports ; exa- 
 mine them and be quick !" and as the sentinel 
 ran to the guard-house for a light, the two 
 new-comers walked their horses along, till 
 they came abreast of Rosalie, where they drew 
 rein, when one of them, whose features Rosalie 
 
54 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OB, 
 
 could not distinguish in the' deepening dark- 
 ness, but whose white hair denoted him to be 
 a man somewhat advanced in life, said, jocu- 
 larly — 
 
 " Whom have we here for a traveling com- 
 panion ?" 
 
 "Unfortunately for myself, gentlemen, I 
 am going the other way," answered our 
 heroine, " so soon as these dolts here can be 
 satisfied that Sir Henry Clinton's written 
 permit is sufficient authority for allowing me 
 to do so." 
 
 " And do they dare dispute that 1" ques- 
 tioned the second horseman, quickly. " I 
 must look" into this matter. Where is the 
 paper, boy?- — for by your size and voice I 
 judge you are not yet a. man." 
 
 " I gave it to the sentry, who I believe gave 
 it to the ofiicer of the day,'' replied Rosalie, 
 in a tone that was nigh betraying her agita- 
 tion ; for she fancied the other's voice was not 
 unknown to her, and now feared this second 
 investigation might result in more serious 
 consequences than the first. 
 
 Already she regretted having drawn so 
 much scrutiny upon herself by her imprudent 
 remark ; but it was now too late to repent, and 
 so she nerved herself for the trying moment. 
 
 The Dutch officer now advanced to the 
 horsemen, and making the military salute, 
 said, as he reached them their papers : 
 
 " Pegs bardon, shentlemens, for make you 
 stops. All ish rights — all ish goot." 
 
 "But why do you detain this boy, here?" 
 demanded the younger horseman. " He tells 
 me you have his passport, signed by his 
 excellency. Sir Henry Clinton ; let me see 
 itl" 
 
 " Here it ish. I pegs" 
 
 "Get me a light," interrupted the other 
 authoritatively. 
 
 The light was soon brought, and the fright- 
 ened Dutchman began to stammer forth an- 
 other apology, when he was again interrupted 
 by the horseman, with, " Peace, man !" and 
 at the same moment the light and paper were 
 held before his face, and every feature of his 
 handsome countenance was revealed to the 
 trembling Rosalie, who saw her worst fears 
 confirmed. 
 
 The young officer was Major Andre, and 
 
 his companion was Colonel Beverly Robin- 
 son. 
 
 " This is all correct," said Andre, " so far aa 
 the pass Is concerned," and he turned his 
 large, lustrous eyes full upon Rosalie. "And 
 I see nothing wrong here," he added, after a 
 close and severe scrutiny of her person. 
 " Why do you tremble so, boy?" he continued, 
 observing that Rosalie was greatly agitated. 
 " No harm can befall you here ; though if you 
 ride much farther on this road to-night, I will 
 not answer for your safe return. You have **>' 
 been wrongly delayed here, and those who, 
 have taken upon themselves the responsibility 
 of retarding a messenger bearing the pass of. 
 Sir Henry, couched in such positive terms, 
 had better have a care how they exercise such 
 unlawful powers in future. Not a word in your 
 defense !" he continued, sternly, addressing 
 the Dutchman, who was once more on the 
 point of trying to exonerate himself. " Not a 
 word in your defense, sir, but thank youi 
 lucky stars if my good nature lets you off with 
 nothing more severe than a reprirhand. And 
 you, boy," he went on, turning again to Ro- 
 salie, and eyeing her somewhat suspiciously, 
 "it must be important business that takes 
 you into the country to-night. The date of 
 this pass is rather old; and as it confers 
 marked privileges, the bearer must certainly 
 be a personage of some importance. May I 
 ask if Sir Henry sends you himself?" 
 
 " He does not," replied Rosalie, by a master 
 effort, speaking in a calm, quiet tone. " But 
 the permit, which you pronounce genuine, I 
 believe is positive on the point of prohibiting 
 the bearer from being annoyed with questions." 
 
 " You are right, boy," rejoined Andre, co- 
 loring, and restoring the paper to Rosalie. 
 " You are right, lad, and I am vrrong in ques- 
 tioning you. Ride on !" 
 
 " And yet," hesitated our heroine, " lest 
 you should suspect me without cause, I may 
 venture to say that I am in the service of 
 Miss Rosalie Du Pont." 
 
 " Indeed !" exclaimed Andre, with a marked 
 change in his demeanor ; " then I must say 
 you serve a noble mistress. But I thought her 
 messenger a mute ; and you, I perceive, not 
 only have a tongue, but can use it with an 
 elegance of diction seldom found in persons of 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 55 
 
 your class. Pardon me ! but you are not he 
 who passes for dumb ?" 
 
 " Not exactly," -was the smiling response ; 
 " he you mean is my twin brother." 
 
 " Ah ! yes ; I see now, there is a strong 
 likeness. I thought you resembled some 
 one I had seen, but did not know where to 
 place you. Have you been long with Miss 
 Rosalie 1" 
 
 " Only a couple of days. I came on a visit 
 to my brother, and expect to leave shortly. 
 I undertook the task before me, rather than 
 let him risk his life again in this manner." 
 
 " Ay, it is a very risky business, boy, and I 
 am sorry to see one so young and inexpe- 
 rienced as you seem to be, making so bold a 
 venture. If you are taken by the rebels, you 
 know the old saying, ' a long rope and short 
 shrift.' Miss Rosalie should be more prudent 
 with those that serve her than she seems to 
 have been of late ; for though I can but ap- 
 plaud her loyal spirit, in striving to assist her 
 king and country all she can, yet the little she 
 can do for us, over and above what is done by 
 others, is certainly not commensurate to the 
 hazard she runs. But I am delaying you and 
 myself. Commend me to your mistress, if you 
 see her before I do, which is hardly probable, 
 unless you return to-night, which Heaven 
 send you may do in safety ! Come, Colonel, 
 we must make up for this delay ;" and put- 
 ting spurs to his horse as he spoke, Andre 
 dashed away up the road, the Colonel follow- 
 ing close behind, and soon overtaking him. 
 
 Rosalie watched the two officers till their 
 shadowy forms were swallowed up in the dark- 
 ness ; and then, without replying to the Dutch- 
 man — who, laboring under the belief that he 
 could only escape some terrible calamity by a 
 complete exculpation qf himself, was already 
 enacting the ludicrous tragedy of murdering 
 the " king's English" — she put spurs to her 
 own gallant steed, and soon found herself on 
 the other side of the bridge. 
 
 Night had, by this time, unfurled her sable 
 Wings, and settled over reposing nature. 
 Clouds, flitting athwart the heavens, shut off a 
 goodly portion of starlight, and made the night 
 dark ; and the soughing of a strong breeze 
 among the<rees, rendered it unusually gloomy. 
 The scenes through which she had passed, the 
 
 many warnings against danger she had re- 
 ceived, the loneliness of her situation, the un- 
 certainty that lay before her, all conspired to 
 depress the spirits of Rosalie to an unwonted 
 degree ; and more than once she was on the 
 point of turning back, when she would seem to 
 overcome her fears with a hasty "pshaw," and 
 allow her steed to continue upon his course. 
 
 The road she was traveling was none of the 
 best, even for that period, and led over a rough, 
 hilly country, in many places heavily wooded 
 on cither side ; and frequently, as Rosalie de- 
 scended into some dingle, where interlocking 
 branches overhead made it impossible for her 
 to distinguish a single object, she would cling 
 to her beast and shudder, with the dread of 
 some impending calamity. Her progress was 
 necessarily slow ; and when a couple of hours 
 had elapsed, after crossing the bridge, without 
 bringing her to her destination, she began to 
 grow weary and discouraged, and to regret 
 having been so foolish as to undertake such a 
 serious adventure. She now came to a fork 
 of the road, and took the right ; and after 
 continuing along this for something like an 
 hour, without finding the house she sought, 
 her heart sunk with despair ; and she fully 
 resolved, if the next half mile did, not reward 
 her efforts with success, she would retrace 
 her steps, and return home, much wiser for 
 her sad experience. 
 
 At this moment, the glimmer of a distant 
 light caught her eye ; and as this was the first 
 she had seen since crossing the bridge, it made 
 her heart bound with joy ; and putting spurs 
 to her jaded steed, she rode forward at a fast 
 gallop. As she drew nearer to the light, 
 it suddenly disappeared, which somewhat 
 damped her hopes, lest it should prove but a 
 deceitful ignis-fatuus after all. She did not 
 slacken her speed, however, but kept her 
 gaze steadily fixed in one direction ; and a 
 ride of a quarter of an hour brought her 
 alongside of a genteel-looking farm-house, 
 which, from the description received from 
 Dame Hagold, she doubted not was the resi- 
 dence of the Burnsides, and the dwelling 
 from which she had seen the light, though 
 all now appeared dark within, as if the family 
 had retired for the night. 
 
 Dismounting at once, she approached the 
 
56 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 door, and rapped loudly. Receiving no an- 
 swer to this, she rapped again, and again, each 
 time louder than feefore — but still no answer. 
 Rosalie now became alarmed, lest something 
 had happened to the family; for well she 
 Ifnew they lived in a portion of the country 
 whore, and at a period when, neither life nor 
 property were safe against prowling bands of 
 plunderers and assassins. Almost fearful to 
 make another trial, lest she should attract 
 the notice of some lurking marauder, and yet 
 not wishing to return with her perilous en- 
 terprise unaccomplished, she finally resolved 
 upon one last desperate effort ; and procuring 
 a heavy stick, she struck several times on the 
 door, and shouted : 
 
 "What ho! within here! If you hear me, 
 for the love of heaven let me in ! I bring 
 news of importance." 
 
 She listened again, and her heart bounded 
 with joy, for she fancied she heard smothered 
 voices in eager conversation; and she was 
 about to repeat her demand for admittance, 
 when a light step approached the door, and a 
 stern voice said : 
 
 "Who's there?" 
 
 " A messenger from Rosalie Du Pont." 
 
 " Any one else 1" 
 
 " No, I am alone." 
 
 The door was now speedily unbolted, and 
 the voice said, hurriedly : 
 
 " Come in ! come in !" 
 
 " But my horse," hesitated Rosalie ; " he is 
 fatigued, and must have immediate attention." 
 
 " Never mind the horse now, but hurry in, 
 that I may bolt the door again." 
 
 ", You need not be alarmed,'' began Rosa- 
 lie ; " there is no one — " 
 
 Her speech was cut short by the rush of a 
 body of men from a thicket close at hand ; and 
 uttering a piercing scream of fear, she threw 
 herself forward to enter the house ; but ere she 
 could accomplish her purpose, she felt herself 
 roughly seized and hurled back ; and at the 
 same moment some six or eight dark figures 
 flitted past her, and effected an entrance, 
 uttering deep imprecations and horrid oaths. 
 The next moment she heard the roar of a vol- 
 ley of musketry, succeeded by shrieks, groans, 
 and a terrible confusion within : and as she 
 turned, with the instinct of self-preservation, 
 
 to fly from such a scene of horror, a blow on 
 the head, fi^om an unknown hand, laid her 
 senseless upon the earth. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE ATTACK AND THE DISGUISE. 
 
 We left Captain Milford at White Plains, 
 going in quest of one John Paulding, for the 
 purpose of organizing a party to proceed 
 forthwith to the protection of the Burnsides. 
 It will only be necessary here to say, that 
 Paulding was soon found, and on being in- 
 formed of the danger supposed to threaten 
 this worthy family, who were known to be 
 staunch Whigs, he not only gallantly volun- 
 teered his own services, but declared that, in 
 an hour's time, he would place ten more 
 brave fellows at the Captain's disposal. He 
 was good as his, word; and in less than an 
 hour and a half from his arrival at White 
 Plains, Captain Milford, at the head of twelve 
 stalwart fellows, of whom Josh Snipe made 
 one, all armed to the teeth, with muskets, 
 pistols, cutlasses, and knives, was on his way 
 to the residence of Peter Burnside. 
 
 As the design of Milford was to kill and cap- 
 ture as many of the marauders as possible, 
 every precaution was taken to make the ex- 
 pedition a secret one ; and in consequence of 
 this, the whole party rendezvoused at a Well-, 
 known wood, about a rnile from the village, 
 without horses, whence they set off afoot across 
 the fields. Taking a circuitous route, in cou- 
 ples, within hailing distance of each other, 
 and moving slowly and cautiously forward, 
 they came in sight of their destination a little 
 after sunset. Here they waited until it was 
 quite dark, and then prpceeded in a body to 
 the dwelling of the Burnsides — the main party 
 halting Justin its rear,until theCaptain shoulfi 
 make known his business, so as not to occa- 
 sion the family any unnecessary alarm. 
 
 Although an early hour in the evening, he 
 found the shutters closed, and the door bqlted 
 — but had no trouble in gaining admittance ; 
 for the moment he mentioned his name, the 
 door flew open, and he received a hearty wel- 
 come ; this' being not the first time, by seve- 
 ral, the gallant Captain had been a guest be- 
 
TREASON IN THE CA.MP. 
 
 57 
 
 neath the roof of Farmer Peter, as the head 
 of the house -was sometimes familiarly deno- 
 minated. 
 
 " Ah ! glad to see you, Captain Milford," 
 said the host, a stout, hale man, about fifty 
 years of age, with gray hair, fresh complexion, 
 and a fine, open, intelligent countenance. " In 
 fact, we are always glad to see you ; and Betty 
 here, if you are away inore than a week with- 
 out calling, gets dreadful uneasy, and gives 
 me no rest, for wondering what has become 
 of Captain Milford." 
 
 " Now, father, I'll be even with you for tell- 
 ing every thing," returned Betty, a fine, stout, 
 healthy, rosy-cheeked lass of eighteen, who 
 might very properly be termed a rustic beauty; 
 and as she spoke, she blushed to the temples, 
 and went bounding out of the room to hide 
 her confusion. 
 
 The old man laughed, and remarked that 
 Betty was a fine girl, a little shy, but would 
 make some honest fellow none the worse wife 
 for all of that. 
 
 The hostess was a fat, fair, round-faced, 
 matronly dame, of about forty-five, who, un- 
 like most of her sex, used her ears far more 
 than her tongue, and seldom joined in a 
 general conversation, unless directly appealed 
 to, and even then made her remarks short and 
 to the point. 
 
 The only remaining member of the family, 
 if we except two black servants — old Tom and 
 his wife Dinah — ^was a bright, sprightly, hand- 
 some, black-eyed lad of fifteen, who, as soon as 
 the first salutations were over, advanced to 
 the Captain and said : 
 
 " Shall I see that your horse has an agree- 
 able time over a few oats V 
 
 " No, George, I thank you," returned Mil- 
 ford ; " my horse is well stabled at White 
 Plains." 
 
 "At White Plains \" repeated father and son 
 in the same breath. "Surely you. did not 
 walk?" added the senior Bumside. And then, 
 without waiting for a reply, continued: " But 
 I«8ee by your fatigued and heated looks you 
 did ; and so before I bother you with ques- 
 tions, you must have some supper. We have 
 just finished ; [the table, covered with a clean, 
 white cloth, and set out with bright pewter 
 dishes, stood shoved back against the wall, at 
 
 which the two blacks sat eating], but we will 
 have something ready in a few minutes. 
 Come, Dinah, hasten— the gentleman is hun- 
 gry. Do you like ham and eggs, Captain 1" 
 " All in good time, Mr. Burnside; but just 
 now I have something important to commu- 
 nicate ;" and the Captain, in as few words as 
 possible, made the whole family acquainted 
 with the object of his visit. 
 
 As might be supposed, alarm and horror 
 sat on every countenance ; and old Tom and 
 Dinah were so frightened, that their eyes in- 
 creased to nearly double their ordinary size, 
 and their sooty complexions lost several shades 
 of color. 
 
 The old farmer's first surprise over, he was 
 prompt and decisive in his arrangements. 
 The house was a two-story building, of mode- 
 rate size, with a door central way of the front, 
 which opened into a kind of vestibule, or entry, 
 of some three feet by five, with an inner door 
 on either side, and stairs facing the entrance, 
 leading to the upper apartments. Of these 
 two inner doors, the one on the left opened 
 into a sort of dining and sitting-room, where 
 the meals were served, and where the family 
 generally assembled in their every-day social 
 circle ; and the one on the right into a large 
 square apartment, with painted floor, and fres- 
 coed ceiling and walls, which was kept re- 
 served as a kind of parlor wherein to entertain 
 visitors of note. Dividing the men into three 
 parties, the Captain, at Farmer Peter's request, 
 stationed two of them within the apartments 
 just mentioned, and the other on the stairs, so 
 that, on the entrance of the robbers, a terrible 
 cross-fire could be poured in upon them, leav- 
 ing them very little chance of escape. The 
 women were withdrawn into a rear apartment 
 up stairs, where the danger, in the event of an 
 attack, would be less than in any of the lower 
 rooms. In these positions, the several parties 
 awaited the onset of the banditti in silence ; 
 for it was judged better to dispense with all 
 conversation, so that in case any of the ma- 
 rauders should be prowling around, they would 
 believe the family had retired for the night, 
 and make the attack earlier than had been 
 agreed upon in the conversation overheard by 
 the Yankee. 
 Two hours were passed in this manner, 
 
58 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 when Mra. Burnside, becoming slightly indis- 
 posed, probably occasioned by nervousness, a 
 light was taken into her room ; and the win- 
 dows not having shutters to them, allowed it 
 to be seen from without ; and this was what 
 had caught the eye of Rosalie, and hastened 
 her approach ; although, as wo have recorded, 
 it was shortly after withdrawn. 
 
 The clattering of a horse's hoofs on the high- 
 way, and the arrival of Rosalie, were heard 
 distinctly by all ; and it was believed when 
 she rapped on the door, that this was a scheme 
 of the robbers to get the door unfastened by 
 some one of the family, and thus eiJect an easy 
 entrance. At first it was thought best not to 
 take any notice of it ; but when they heard 
 the voice of the knocker, they knew it was 
 either that of a female or a youth ; and to pre- 
 vent any mistake, it was decided, after a hur- 
 ried consultation between Milford, Paulding, 
 and Burnside, that the last-mentioned should 
 approach the door, and challenge the party 
 without, and then be guided by the answer as 
 to further proceedings. The mention of the 
 name of Rosalie Du Pont satisfied the farmer 
 that the speaker had no connection with the 
 villains expected ; and in consequence the 
 door was hastily unbolted, and the new-comer 
 bidden to enter with all haste. Had Rosalie 
 known the danger which menaced her delay, 
 she would have escaped all harm ; but ignor- 
 ant of this, and anxious to have her horse cared 
 for, she dallied till the bandits, concealed in 
 some bushes close at hand, heard enough to 
 lead them to suppose their presence suspected ; 
 when resolved to accomplish their design by 
 a coup de main, they simultaneously rushed 
 forward, and, hurling back Rosalie, efiected 
 an entrance before the door could be closed 
 against them. 
 
 As they sprang into the house, Burnside 
 darted into the room on the left ; and at the 
 same instant the three parties, from the right, 
 left, and front, gave them the contents of their 
 muskets. Three of the marauders were shot 
 dead, four more were severely wounded and 
 disabled, leaving their leader and one other 
 — for their force consisted of ten persons, 
 and nine had entered the dwelling — unhurt. 
 The scene of confusion, and, on the part of 
 the assailants, dismay, which followed this 
 
 discharge of musketry, baffles desorip*-J.ou. 
 Shrieks, groans, curses, and shouts, resounded 
 on all sides, above which the hoarse, stento- 
 rian voice of the leader of the bandits could 
 be heard : 
 
 ""We are betrayed! we are lost! h — I'a 
 curses on the traitor ! — fiire, villains, fire, and 
 then retreat !" 
 
 As he spoke, he discharged both pistols to- 
 ward the party on the left, and then sought to 
 gain the door ; but he was too late to effect hig 
 exit ; for the door was closed, and between it 
 and him were Milford and Paulding. 
 
 " Surrender \" shouted the Captain, present- 
 ing a pistol to his head — " or I fire !" 
 
 " Fire, and be !" cried the infuriated 
 
 ruflian, as he leaped forward to grapple with 
 his opponent. 
 
 " I spare you for the halter !" rejoined Mil- 
 ford ; and quick as lightning, he struck the 
 bandit full in the face with the butt of his un- 
 discharged weapon ; and as the blood gushed 
 out of his nose and mouth, he fell back sense- 
 less upon his wounded comrades. 
 
 Meantime, Paulding secured and disarmed 
 the other ; and the rest of his men, leaping 
 upon the wounded assailants, wrested from 
 them their weapons, and could hardly be re- 
 strained from despatching them on the spot. 
 The contest was a short and bloody one, but 
 the victory for our friends was complete. Of 
 those that entered the dwelling of the Burn- 
 sides with unlawful intentions, not a man 
 escaped ; and fortunately none of the other 
 party were injured beyond a scratch, which 
 one of them received from one of the pistols 
 discharged by the leader of the bandits. 
 
 As soon as order could be restored, the dead 
 and wounded, along with the others, were 
 taken into the family room and left under a 
 strong guard ; while the rest of Paulding's 
 men, after reloading their muskets, headed by 
 MilforiJ, made a sally, to loam if any more 
 were skulking about the premises. 
 
 One of the first objects they d.isoovered on 
 coming out of the house, was Rosalie Du Pont, 
 lying unconscious where she had been struck 
 down by the only one of the bandits that had 
 escaped. Milford was one of the first at her 
 side ; and as he bent over, to examine her 
 hurts, he said, sadly — 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 59 
 
 " Poor lad ! I fear thou art an innocent vic- 
 tim of these accursed cut-throats; but, by 
 heavens! they shall pay dearly for their 
 ■wicked doings. Ah !" he continued, placing 
 his hand on Rosalie's heart, " he is not dead. 
 Goon, comrades ; Paulding, Iresigntheleader- 
 ship to you ; scour the grounds well around 
 here, and be certain there is no concealed 
 foe. I ■will in ■v^ith this youth, and see what 
 can be done for him: perhaps he is only 
 stunned, and not dangerously injured." 
 
 "Don't you -wan't help to carry him ?" in- 
 quired Paulding. 
 
 " 0, no— I can manage him with all ease ;" 
 and as the others departed, Milford raised Ro- 
 salie in his arms, and bore her into the house 
 , muttering to himself as he ■went — " So, then, 
 the lad is not dead, as I feared, Heayen be 
 praised ! and doubtless he bears something for 
 me. Will you show me into a room ■with a 
 bed in it ?" he continued, addressing the host, 
 who opened the door for him. " This poor 
 boy is wounded — ^how badly I do not know — 
 but, with your permission, I will be alone with 
 him till I ascertain. You doubtless think my 
 request a singular one — but — '' 
 
 " 0, no matter. Captain — no matter," in- 
 terrupted the other. " You have your rea- 
 sons, and that is enough for me. Thank 
 Heaven, that along with other failings, I am 
 not overly inquisitive ! Right up the stairs, 
 Captain, the first room on the left. Stay! 
 shall I assist you 1" 
 
 " 0, no, I thank you ; I will only trouble 
 you for a light." 
 
 " Bless me, yes ;" and as the farmer hast- 
 ened into the next room for a candle, Milford 
 ascended the stairs, and entering the apart- 
 ment indicated by the host, deposited his bur- 
 den on the bed. 
 
 Immediately after, the good man of the house 
 handed in the light, inquired if there were 
 any thing else he could do, and being an- 
 swered in the negative, retired, closing the 
 door behind him. Rosalie now began to show 
 signs of returning consciousness ; and on look- 
 ing for the wound, Milford was surprised he 
 could not find one. There were a few drops 
 of blood on her neck ; but he could find the 
 skin in no place broken. The blood appeared 
 to have issued from among her hair ; but on 
 
 feeling and examining her head, all was dry, 
 and no fracture was visible. For some mo-' 
 ments Milford stood perplexed as to the mys- 
 tery of this, during which time Rosalie was 
 gradually reviving, when the idea suddenly ' 
 flashed across his mind that the youth — for so 
 he still believed her to be — wore a wig. No 
 sooner had this thought entered his head, than 
 he put forth his hand for the purpose of ascer- 
 taining if his conjectures were right ; but at 
 the same instant Rosalie started up suddenly, 
 opened her eyes, stared hard at him a mo- 
 ment, glanced around the apartment, and ex- 
 claimed — 
 
 "Where am 1 1 and why am I here? And 
 you, Edgar Milford — you" — she continued, 
 wonderingly — " how came you here with me ? 
 Am I awake, or is this a dream ?" 
 
 "You are awake, boy; you have been 
 wounded — stunned, I presume, with a blow 
 on the head. But you seem to know me 1" 
 
 "He calls me boy, and says I seem to 
 know him," returned Rosalie, in a kind of 
 wondering soliloquy, staring strangely upon 
 the Captain. "Why, Edgar, do you not 
 know me?" 
 
 "I have not that honor, my lad," answered 
 the Captain, with a kind of haughty reserve ; 
 " but if you serve Rosalie Du Pont, as I have 
 understood you do, perchance we may become 
 somewhat better acquainted. You will please 
 drop the familiar manner you have for some 
 unknown cause adopted, of calling me by my 
 given name, and henceforth address me as 
 Captain Milford. It ill becomes one in your 
 position — and, if I must speak plainly, of your 
 color — to attempt to set up for an equal with 
 those you have to deal with, merely because 
 your s-weet, kind, noble-hearted mistress shows 
 you undue lenity at home. I do not say this 
 to hurt your feelings, but merely to put you 
 on your guard for the future ; for nothing is 
 more disagreeable to me, and to others I know 
 it is the same, than to be obliged to have any 
 thing to say to a forward, upstart, impertinent 
 servant. Perhaps you of the town think we 
 of the country know nothing of good manners ; 
 but you must not overlook, that most of us 
 have been in town a good portion of our lives, 
 and therefore are not whoUy ignorant of town 
 etiquette. But enough of this ; pray tell me 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OR 
 
 •srhere and Tviien you saw me before, for your 
 face is new to me." 
 
 When Milford first began his reprimand, 
 Rosalie looked at him in astonishment, for her 
 mind was still a little bewildered from the 
 effects of the blow on the head ; but suddenly 
 the whole truth of her disguise, position, and 
 errand, flashed across her brain; and she 
 blushsd deeply, even tlirough the dark stain 
 that changed her fair skin to the hue of the 
 mulatto. Milford sawthe blush, but attributed 
 it to a far different cause than the right one ; 
 and doubtless took much credit to himself for 
 the effect of his words upon a rather imperti- 
 nent servant ; for Rosalie seemed very much 
 humbled, and turned her head aside, as if in 
 shame, but in truth to conceal a quiet laugh, 
 which she found irresistible. At one time she 
 resolved to tell him all ; but on second con- 
 sideration, deemed it the wisest course, for va- 
 rious reasons, to keep her own secret ; and 
 when he had finished speaking, she replied — 
 
 " I crave pardon, sir, if my language gave 
 offense. I did not intend any disrespect. I 
 have so often heard my mistress speak of you, 
 as Edgar Milford, that, unconsciously, I had 
 fallen into the same habit ; but I will correct 
 it." 
 
 " Ah ! so you heard your mistress speak 
 of me, eh ? What did she say — a — I believe 
 I have not been favored with your name as 
 yet!"' 
 
 "Henry Pierpot is my name. I don't 
 know as I am at liberty to tell you what she 
 said. But what has become of those ruffians 
 I saw entering the house ?" 
 
 " Some are dead, some are badly wounded, 
 and all the living are prisoners." 
 
 Rosalie slightly shuddered, as she con- 
 tinued : 
 
 " But how happened it. Captain, that you 
 were here at such a critical moment ?" 
 
 " I had heard of their intentions before- 
 hand. It was their design to rob and murder 
 these worthy people, and then set fire to the 
 buildings ; but I am inclined to think they 
 will never make another similar attempt." 
 
 " What will be done with them V 
 
 " They will be taken to my quarters, at 
 Northcastlo, and there be tried and hung. But 
 of your mistress — what of her ? is she well 1" 
 
 " Well, to the best of my belief, save a head 
 ache, which she had when I saw her last," re- 
 plied Rosalie, again managing to conceal a 
 smile. ' 
 
 " Nothing serious, I trust?" suggested Mil- 
 ford, anxiously. 
 
 " 0, no, sir— I think not." 
 
 " But you have not told me where you saw 
 me before." 
 
 " I think it was in Charleston. You were 
 taken prisoner by the British." 
 
 "Ay, and owe my release to your noble ""■'■'■ 
 mistress. But, surely, you are not the young \^^^^'.'.i 
 lad that was with her then? I think she 
 called him Munee ; and if I remember rightly, 
 he was dumb — or if not, at least he pretended 
 to be so." 
 
 " Munee is dumb — I am no nearer related 
 to him than a brother." , 
 
 "Ah 1 I understand. But I have little time 
 to spare — so we must talk fast. Do you bring 
 any news for me ? Were you intrusted with 
 a letter for any one ?" 
 
 " No ; my mistress thought the risk too great 
 for me to bear a written missive, and so my 
 only message is a verbal one." 
 
 " For whom ?" 
 
 " Why, I believe it was intended to reach 
 you, through Mr. Buruside." 
 
 " Then you may as well tell me at once, 
 and not trouble a third party." 
 
 "A certain person — I wiE call no names — ■ 
 bids me say, that the rumor respecting the de- 
 sign of Clinton to sail for the Chesapeake is 
 false, and circulated to deceive the American 
 commander. No force of consequence will be' 
 withdrawn from New York ; but active pre- 
 parations are being made for some enterprise 
 of great moment, and Washington must be on 
 his guard against a fatal surprise." 
 
 " Indeed!" saidMilford; "this is important, 
 and must be made known to our commander- 
 in-chief without delay." 
 
 " And inform him also," pursued Rosalie, 
 "that should he succeed in effecting a junc- 
 tion with his French allies, he can not, at the 
 present time, please Sir Henry Clinton better, 
 than by laying siege to New York with the 
 combined forces — as the British general is 
 not only fully prepared for this, but hoping 
 and expecting it. The latter has some deep 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 6] 
 
 scheme on hand — ^but what it ia I am unable to 
 say ; though if one as humble as myself vrere 
 permitted to give expression to conjecture" — 
 
 "Well, say on!" rejoined Milford, as the 
 other hesitated. 
 
 " I should hint at treason in high places," 
 concluded Rosalie. 
 
 "Good heavens!" cried Milford, with a 
 look of alarm. " What foundation have you 
 for this surmise 1" 
 
 "Hardly any — none, perUaps, that would 
 have weight as evidence. I must own it pro- 
 ceeds as much (if not more) from my own 
 forebodings, as from any thing I have seen 
 or heard. Doubtless I am influenced not a 
 little by a dream I had last night, connected 
 as it was with a slight incident which oc- 
 curred the day previous. A week or so ago, 
 a British officer, high in the confidence of 
 Sir Henry, called to see me" — 
 
 "You?" 
 
 " My mistre'ss, I should say," pursued Ro- 
 salie, coloring; "I feel so much interested 
 in her fortunes, that making myself identical 
 may almost be pardoned, — called to see my 
 mistress, I say, for the purpose of inviting her 
 to a ball at Sir Henry's, which comes off to- 
 morrow evening. Well, on Saturday he 
 called again, staid a few minutes, and left. 
 After he had gone, I saw a letter lying on 
 the carpet, addressed to some person whose 
 name I disremember — it certainly was not 
 the officer's in question — and, prompted by 
 curiosity, I opened it. The first and only 
 words my eyes fell upon, were these : 
 
 "'All is ojiranged, for our meeting — have no 
 fears to come vnihinihe American outposts! 
 Colonel' 
 
 " The name of the officer was on the oppo- 
 site page ; and ere I could turn to it, I heard 
 the gentleman's step in the hall. I hastily 
 folded the letter, and had barely done so, 
 when this personage entered the room, and 
 inquired if I had seen it. As I held it out to 
 bins, he colored deeply, and seemed not a 
 little confused ; but immediately rallied, and 
 laughingly remarked it was a borrowed 
 epiBtle, and the owner was very anxious to 
 have it preserved. Well, so much for the 
 letter — now for the dream." 
 
 " No matter about the dream, Hehry," in- 
 
 terrupted Milford ; "dreams go for nuthing. 
 Can you not recall the address of the epistle ? 
 for that is of more consequence by far. Bo- 
 think you now, seriously." 
 
 Rosalie pondered a moment, prcaaed her 
 hand on her temples, and then exclaimed, 
 suddenly: 
 
 " I have it ! I have it ! It was ' John Ander- 
 son, merchant." 
 
 " Indeed !" exclaimed Milford, with renewed 
 interest. " So, so," he muttered, musingly ; 
 " so, so ! then the young man is detected, and 
 will doubtless swing for it !"• 
 
 "You know something of this Anderson, 
 then ?" said Rosalie, in surprise. 
 " No, nothing, only his name.'' 
 " Do you think him a spy ?" 
 " It is not always wise to give expression, to 
 one's thoughts, boy, in these critical times," 
 replied Milford, with an air of reserve. 
 
 " Well, I must give mine so much expres- 
 sion as to say that I do think the individual 
 in question a spy," returned Rosalie. 
 " Well, then, I am sorry for him." 
 "I think you misunderstand me. Captain — 
 I mean a British spy." f 
 
 "Ha! a British spy! say you so?" cried 
 Milford, quickly. " What reasons have you 
 for this suspicion ?" 
 
 "I was about to tell you my dream.'' 
 " Confound your dream, boy ! I have some- 
 thing more important to think about," re- 
 joined the Captain, testily. " Who is the 
 gentleman to whom you gave the letter ?" 
 
 " I beg leave to withhold his name," replied 
 Rosalie, with a cold, offended air. 
 
 " So, then, you wish to serve your mistress 
 a,nd her enemies at the same time, eh ? By 
 heavens ! if I thought you were playing a 
 
 double game, I" 
 
 " Well, sir, speak out." 
 "No matter, no matter," returned the 
 Captain, evidently half-ashamed of his suspi- 
 cions and display of temper. " Have you any 
 more news ?" 
 
 "I believe I have mentioned all of any 
 importance." 
 
 " When do you return to the- city ?" 
 " To-night, if possible. But may I be per- 
 mitted to ask a question?" 
 " Say on." 
 
62 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " Do you know, or suspect, who wrote N;hat 
 letter to Anderson 1" 
 
 " I suspect." 
 
 " Is he a man of stern integrity, above sus- 
 picion ?" 
 
 " He is." 
 
 " Then my fears must be groundless," re- 
 joined Rosalie, thoughtfully. " There can be 
 no harm, however," she added, "in closely 
 watching the movements of all parties." 
 
 " Certainly not," coincided Milford, " I 
 hope you will have a safe journey back, 
 Henry ; and when you see your mistress, 
 commend me to her in the warmest terms, 
 and say to her that my thoughts are divided 
 between herself and my country. Had I 
 time, and it were safe, I would write. Warn 
 her to be guarded, very guarded, in all she 
 says or does ; for were any harm to befall her, 
 no one, would more deeply grieve to learn it, 
 than he who sends this message. God bless 
 and preserve her ! is my constant prayer. Be 
 true to her, Henry, for her like you ne'er may 
 find again." 
 
 "I will treasure up your words as my 
 heart's blood,", returned Rosalie, in a voice 
 made tremulous by deep emotion. 
 
 She paused, her heart beat wildly, and she 
 was on the point of making herself known, 
 when the voices of the returning party were 
 heard outside. Milford started up quickly, 
 , muttered something about duty, and left the 
 room. 
 
 " Better as it is," sighed Rosalie, " for 
 he would certainly not approve of this ad- 
 venture." 
 
 Below stairs all was now noise and confu- 
 sion, consequent upon the return of Paulding 
 and his men, who reported that no more of 
 the freebooters were to be found ; though one 
 of the men declared, that shortly after setting 
 out in search, he distinctly heard the feet of 
 a horse going at full speed. 
 
 "Then doubtless the villain has run off 
 with my steed," said Rosalie, who overheard 
 the remark. 
 
 Such proved to be the case — her horse was 
 stolen — and she was obliged to procure one of 
 the host, who had two in his stable, Captain 
 Milford volunteering security. 
 
 It was near upon midnight when Rosalie 
 
 set out for home, which she did without 
 making herself known to the Captain, al- 
 though she had another tite-a-iete with him of 
 a few minutes' duration, relating to some 
 matters unnecessary for us to mention. 
 
 Without following Rosalie on her fatiguing 
 and perilous journey back to town. Jet it suffice 
 here to say, that by great good fortune she 
 reached home in safety, a little after daylight, 
 and, entering the house through the garden, 
 stole up to her room, unperceived by any 
 of the servants. Here she found poor Munee 
 sitting in a chair, fast asleep — ^the faithful 
 and affectionate creature having watched all 
 night for her mistress, and only been overcome 
 by wearied nature a few minutes before the 
 arrival of the latter. We scarcely need add, 
 there was heart-felt rejoicing, when the 
 mute was aroused by the gentle touch and 
 sweet voice of Rosalie. It was that rejoicing 
 which is expressed by tears, and a heart too 
 full for words. 
 
 Leaving Milford and his men to find their 
 way back with their captives, we shall now 
 turn to an entirely different scene. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE BALL AND THE PLOT. 
 
 The ball at Sir Henry Clinton's was a 
 splendid affair. At an early hour in the even- 
 ing, carriage after carriage, bearing gentlemen 
 and ladies of rank and fashion, with powdered 
 and liveried servants, rolled up to the door, 
 and deposited their distinguished burdens. 
 The whole mansion seemed a blaze of light, 
 so brilliantly was every portion of it illumi- 
 nated. The large hall for dancing was in the 
 second story, and occupied nearly the whole 
 extent of the building — the partitions of the 
 different rooms having been removed for this 
 purpose — thus making a grand apartment, 
 which was fitted up in a style commensurate 
 to its size, the occasion, and the rank of him 
 who gave the entertainment. Through thia 
 saloon — for it was worthy to bear the name — 
 ran a row of fluted columns, beautifully 
 twined with laurel, and hung round with the 
 different banners belonging to the army and 
 navy of Great Britain, while the royal colors 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 63 
 
 weic restooned over the grand entrance. Mag- 
 nificent drttpery concealed the walls, and gave 
 the apartment a gorgeous appearance ; im- 
 mense chandehers, depending here and there 
 from the ceiling, made it as light as day; 
 while large mirrors, in every quarter, doubled 
 and trebled the bsaaiy, splendor, and grand(^ur 
 of the -whole. The piatform for the musician?, 
 covered with crimson velvet, was in the cen- 
 ter ; and here more tnaii fifty of the best per- 
 formers were stationov^, whose united efforts 
 tilled every portion of thv> room ■« ith a strength 
 of melody seldom heard. 
 
 But as it is not our design tu enter into a 
 detail of the ball itself, we shail therefore only 
 touch upon such incidents as have a direct 
 bearing upon our story, We may remark, 
 however, en passant, that the saloon was well 
 filled with personages of both sexes, possess- 
 ing rank, riches, and beauty, among whom 
 were a few alike distinguished in the field and 
 the councils of the British nation. 
 
 Among the beauties pre^nt, Rosalie Du 
 Pont was conspicuous. Robed in spotless 
 white, with ii pink rose on her bosom — her 
 snowy arms bare below the elbows — her raven 
 tresses falling around her alabaster neck — a 
 single gold band around her head, with a large 
 diamond sparkling in the center of her smooth, 
 fair forehead, rivaled only by her flashing 
 eyes — ^with all her features intellectually ani- 
 mated — she never appeared more fascinating, 
 more lovely, more dazzlingly beautiful than 
 now. And as she promenaded through the 
 saloon, hanging on the arm of the handsome, 
 acoompliffhed, and distinguished Major Andre, 
 every eye was bent on the pair, either in ad- 
 miration or envy. Rosalie seemed in a great 
 flow of spirits ; mirth sparkled in her eyes, 
 wit rolled from her tongue, and she became 
 an object of universal note. Wherever she 
 went, a crowd followed her, each one eager to 
 be distinguished by being seen in so matchless 
 a presence; and her engagements for the 
 dance always numbered some five or six in 
 advance of the present sett. 
 
 At length, becoming wearied -svith her cote- 
 rie of admirers — ^wearied with the scene in 
 which she was playing no inferior part — Ro- 
 salie refused any new engagements, and in 
 terms so peremptory, that only one individual, 
 
 and he a conceited coxcomb, ventured to 
 press his suit; and ho, wo may add, had 
 little cause to congratulate himself on the 
 result; for turning to him, with a look of 
 Iiauglity scorn, Rosalie said, in a tone of the 
 most cutting sarcasm: 
 
 "Sir, are j'ou a brazier by trade?" 
 
 " No, Ma'm'selle, I'm a gentleman," lisped 
 the other, with an air of great affectation. 
 
 " Then I am at a loss to account for your 
 having such a brassy face,'' rejoined Rosalie, 
 turning away with an expression of sincere 
 contempt. 
 
 A shout of laughter from those near enough 
 to hear the conversation, attracted the atten- 
 tion of others more remote ; but ere the retort 
 of the beauty could be repeated, the coxcomb 
 had left the saloon, nor did he again make 
 his appearance among the guests that night. 
 
 It was a late hour when Rosalie concluded 
 her engagements, and found an opportunity to 
 steal from the saloon unfoUowed. Heated and 
 fatigued, she sought the garden, which, beau- 
 tifully laid out, and tended with great care, 
 skill, and taste, by an experienced gardener, 
 presented ho mean attraction, with its vine- 
 clad arbors, rosy bowers, shaded avenues, and 
 labyrinthine walks, as the presence of more 
 than fifty people, already strolling about here, 
 bore ample testimony. Rosalie was not now 
 in a mood to come in collision with any more 
 admirers — she wished to be alone — and hear- 
 ing loud conversation and laughter just in 
 advance of her, as she was entering the garden, 
 she turned back, and perceiving a door on the 
 left opening into a library, lighted only by 
 the great lamp in the hall, she stepped in 
 here, hoping she might for a time wholly 
 escape observation, and have to herself a few 
 minutes of calm, quiet reflection. 
 
 It was not light enough in the library to en- 
 able Rosalie to read, even had she been so dis- 
 posed ; and after merely glancing at the goodly 
 array of books on the shelves, she passed be- 
 hind a screen 'that had evidently been set in 
 here from some other room, and threw herself 
 down upon a settee, which stood along the 
 wall. Scarcely had she settled herself into a 
 comfortable position, when a party approached 
 the door, and a voice, which she immediately 
 recognized as Sir Henry Clinton's, said : 
 
64 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " Step in here, gentlemen — we shall not be 
 disturbed here ; and as light is not necessary 
 to our conference, I will close the door." 
 
 How many entered tlie library, Rosalie 
 could not tell, nor of whom the party was 
 composed ; but she knew by the sound of feet 
 there were several, and she was on the point 
 of making her presence known, and beating 
 a retreat, when she heard the door close, and 
 found herself enveloped in darkness. At the 
 same moment, Sir Henry proceeded, and the 
 words that reached her ears arrested her at- 
 tention, and held her spell-bound. 
 
 "And now, Sir George," he continued, "I 
 will come to the point in as few words as pos- 
 sible. That our mercantile correspondent is 
 General Arnold, there is in my mind not 
 the shadow of a doubt. True, there has been 
 no meeting between him and Andre, here, as 
 yet, although there was an appointment for 
 one yesterday, and which would have taken 
 place, only for an oversight of Captain Suth- 
 erland, who commands, as your excellency 
 knows, the sloop-of-war Vulture. .The meet 
 ing, per arrangement, was to have taken place 
 at Dobbs' Ferry, on yesterday, at twelve 
 o'clock; and for this purpose the Vulture 
 sailed up the river the night.previous, bearing 
 Andre, or Anderson, as he is known in the 
 correspondence, and Colonel Robinson. The 
 Vulture anchoring a mile or two this side the 
 ferry, Major Andre thought it best to await 
 the approach of General Arnold, before pro- 
 ceeding to the rendezvous. Near twelve, Ar- 
 nold's barge was seen coming down the river ; 
 and landing on the east side of the Hudson, 
 the Adjutant and Colonel set off to meet him. 
 But a mistake occurred, which prevented the 
 meeting, and was nigh being fatal to Arnold 
 himself. Sutherland had neglected to with- 
 draw the guard-boats; and as Arnold ap- 
 proached without a flag, they, of course, con- 
 sidered him a legitimate enemy, and fired 
 upon him. He was doubtless a good deal as- 
 tonished, and angered, and beat a hasty re- 
 treat, followed by a small boat, which was 
 nigh overhauling him, when a couple of rebel 
 guns opened upon it, and so he fortunately 
 escaped capture, which would in all proba- 
 bility have spoiled our plans. I have not heard 
 from Arnold sinc6 ; and it is possible, out of 
 
 malice to us for this gross mistake, ho may de- 
 cline further negociations; but I think not, as 
 the stake, if ho win, is in his eyes of too much 
 importance to be sacrificed for a mere whim. 
 Andre and Robinson remained on the east 
 side of the ferry till near sundown; Isut 
 finding there was no likelihood of a meet- 
 ing, they procured a couple of horses, and 
 rode into town, to make report to me of their 
 failure." 
 
 "And what does your excellency propose 
 now ?" inquired another voice, which Rosalie 
 took to be that of Sir George Rodney. 
 
 "Why, I have thought the 'matter over" se- 
 riously," replied Sir Henry, "have consulted 
 with my friends here, Andre and Robinson, 
 on the subject, and we have finally decided on 
 this plan, which, if your excellency and Gene- 
 ral Knyphausen approve, shall be carried 
 into effect as soon as possible. Colonel Ro- 
 binson will return to the Vulture, with orders 
 to Captain Sutherland to take her up as far 
 as Teller's Point, where the nogociation will 
 be greatly facilitated, without any personal 
 risk. The Colonel will then write a letter to 
 General Putnam, under pretense he is still in 
 the Highlands, soliciting an interview on 
 private business. This he will inclose in one 
 to General Arnold, requesting the latter to 
 hand it to Putnam, or if Putnam has gone 
 away, to return it to him — adding, that if 
 such be the case, he trusts, from Arnold's 
 well-known humane and generous character, 
 he will grant the same favor he was about to 
 ask of Putnam. These letters, in one en- 
 velope, will then be sent with a flag to the 
 officer commanding at Verplank's Point, some 
 five or six miles above, with a request that 
 the parcel be forwarded to Arnold's head- 
 quarters without delay." 
 
 "But suppose," interrupted Sir George, 
 "that by any accident these letters fall into 
 the wrong hands, suspicion be awakened, and 
 they be opened and perused ?" 
 
 "Well, what then?— there will not be 
 a line in them which Washington himself 
 might not read, without guessing, or even 
 mistrusting, the object for which they were 
 written." 
 
 " Only it might strike him as singular," pur- 
 sued the other, " that a colonel in the British 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 65 
 
 service should request a private iuterview 
 with one of his generals. 
 
 " I -would grant you so, Sir George," re- 
 joined Clinton, " were the officer in question 
 any other than Colonel Robinson." 
 
 " And why not him as well as another?" 
 
 " Ah ! I overlooked the fact that you know 
 nothing of Robinson's private affairs. I will 
 be more explicit. The house and grounds 
 where General Arnold now resides, are the 
 rightful property of the Colonel, which, by a 
 law of the State of New York, has been made 
 eonfisoate, because of tlie latter's adherence 
 to the crown. The purport of the letters is 
 to be a request for a private interview, for the 
 purpose of ascertaining if some means can 
 not be devised for recovering and retaining 
 this estate, which, under existing circum- 
 stances, will seem all very right and proper. 
 I believe I have stated the matter correctly. 
 Colonel Robinson?" concluded Sir Henry, 
 appealing to that officer, who made one of the 
 party present. 
 
 "Tou have, your excellency," was the 
 reply. 
 
 " Ha ! I see it now," returned Sir George. 
 " A capital plan : but go on, Sir Henry." 
 
 "Well, these letters," resumed General 
 Clinton, "being forwarded to General Ar- 
 nold, will of course convey to him the im- 
 portant fact that Colonel Robinson is on 
 board the Vulture ; and will be a sufficient 
 excuse for him to return them in person 
 — or, if not, by another party — in which 
 case he can readily make known where and 
 when an interview can be had. Such is our 
 plan." 
 
 " And I like it well," returned Sir George. 
 " I approve of it, most decidedly." 
 
 " I concur with Sir George," said another 
 voice, in a fpreign accent, which Rosalie 
 doubted not was that of General Knyphausen, 
 who commanded the Germans. 
 
 "I hope the scheme will be successful," 
 pursued Sir George Rodney ; and as I told 
 you before. Sir Henry, I am ready to give you 
 any naval assistance in my power." 
 
 " And again I return thanks for the offer," 
 answered Sir Henry. 
 
 " I suppose it is unnecessary for me to sug- 
 gest caution," pursued Sir George ; " but we 
 
 should never for a moment lose sight of the 
 fact that we are dealing with a traitor." 
 
 " I am too well aM'are of that," replied Sir 
 Henry Clinton, " to run any needless risk ; 
 and this makes it so important there should 
 be a personal interview with Arnold. Every 
 thing must be arranged definitely, not only in 
 what manner he is to surrender himself, the 
 forts, and garrison to me — so that the King's 
 troops, sent on the expedition, shall be in no 
 danger from a counter-plot or surprise — but 
 also the precise amount we are to pay him, 
 and the precise rank we are to bestow upon 
 him, in return for all the noble sacrifices he 
 will make in our behalf." 
 
 " I care not for the gold," rejoined Sir 
 George, sarcastically ; " for every rascal can 
 be paid in filthy lucre ; but if this traitor is 
 destined to hold rank in the British army, I 
 thank Heaven my lot has been cast on the 
 water." 
 
 " We shall be obliged to give him a com- 
 mission, without doubt," answered Sir Henry; 
 " and though I dislike the idea as much as 
 your excellency can, yet the bargain is so im- 
 portant to the cause we serve, that we must 
 make the end j-ustify the means, and so put 
 up with it." 
 
 "Ay, it should be a very important end that 
 can justify such means," returned the other. 
 
 " So it is. Sir George — so it is an important 
 end — no less than the end of this rebellious 
 struggle — the coup de grace of this war," re- 
 plied the General, quickly. 
 
 " Ay, so you say. General Clinton ; but you 
 must pardon me if I do not see it in the same 
 strong light as your excellency. If we suc- 
 ceed in getting possession of West Point and 
 its dependencies, it will be an advantage 
 gained, I readily admit — ay, a great advan- 
 tage — -but I can not so readily admit that it 
 will be t'he finishing stroke, as you term it, of 
 the war." 
 
 " Of course something must depend on the 
 time when it falls into our hands," rejoined 
 Sir Henry, "Now Washington, it is well 
 known, to me at least, is on the point of effect- 
 ing a junction with his French allies ; and but 
 for your excellency's arrival here with a fleet, 
 would doubtless proceed at once to lay siege 
 to this city ; and may even do so as it is ; at 
 
66 
 
 TUB FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 all events, he ■will be likely to make West 
 Point a depot for his military stores till some 
 decisive plan of operations is determined on. 
 Now, if we can get possession of this post at 
 the critical moment when the deposit is made, 
 we shall thwart his plans, cripple his exer- 
 tions, breed disaffection in his army, and as 
 Congress is too poor to recover from the blow, 
 it is altogether probable our own terms will 
 be acceded to, and so the rebellion will end 
 to our own satisfaotion and the glory of King 
 George. But with your excellency's per- 
 mission, I will take another opportunity to 
 discuss this subject more at length, for I fear 
 our company will be missed, and our friends 
 be at a loss to account for our absence. 
 Come, gentlemen, as our plan is settled for 
 the present, let ua return to the saloon, and 
 join in the hilarious excitement, of the oc- 
 casion.'' 
 
 " With all my heart," returned Sir George, 
 laughing ; "for after so serious and important 
 a council of war, I tliink a little music and 
 dancing would not come amiss. Eh ! Major?" 
 
 " Certainly not to me," replied a voice that 
 Rosalie had not before heard, but which she 
 at once recognized as that of Andre's. " I 
 must hunt up my fg-ir partner, and see if she 
 wiU not honor me with her hand for another 
 sett, notwithstanding I understand she has 
 peremptorily refused more than a dozen eager 
 admirers that pleasure already." 
 
 " Ah ! Major, you are a lucky fellow,'' re- 
 joined Sir George, pleasantly ; " and many a 
 one would give ten years of his life to stand 
 in your shoes this night. I observed your 
 partner closely, and must unhesitatingly 'pro- 
 nounce her, not only the handsomest lady in 
 the saloon, but the most beautiful creature I 
 ever beheld." 
 
 " And as good and loyal as she is beautiful," 
 chimed in Sir Henry. " I would there were 
 more of her sex like her. But come, gentle- 
 men, come ;" and opening the door as he spoke, 
 he went out, followed by all the others. 
 
 It were no easy task to portray the feelings 
 of Rosalie Du Pont, as, half-dead with fear, 
 afraid to move, or even draw a natural respi- 
 ration, she listened to the detail of a scheme 
 on whose failure or success the triumph or 
 defeat of the American struggle for freedom 
 
 depended. There was no longer any mystery 
 to her in the strange Jiints that Andre had 
 thrown out concerning the success of the Bri- 
 tish arms, in the event of the allied armies be- 
 sieging New York. The enigma of the Chesa- 
 peake expedition was now clearly solved ; 
 and the fears that, from some unknown cause, 
 she had entertained, of there being treason in 
 high places, now had a terrible confirmation 
 • — at least to her a terrible confirmation — for, 
 as the reader has already seen, all her sympa 
 thies were enlisted in the American cause.' 
 
 It was, therefore, with a feeling of inex- 
 pressible relief she saw the party depart, and 
 found herself alone, undiscovered. Now came 
 the thought of what was to be done. Had she 
 a right to make use of the knowledge thus 
 accidentally obtained, and endeavor to thwart 
 this treasonous project? or was she bound to 
 keep it as the secret of others, who were to 
 all appearance her personal friends ? She 
 thought rapidly, and even with pain, but the 
 struggle yvith herself was soon over. This 
 secret had not been intrusted to her in confi- 
 dence ; she had learned it by one of fortune's 
 chances, as it seemed to her providentially ; 
 and to make use of it to serve the cause whose 
 interests she had at heart, seemed more a duty 
 than a breach of faith. iShe was not pkdged 
 to retain the secret, and she felt it could in- 
 flict no personal injury, save on the person 
 of a treacherous general, whose very acts con- 
 demned him in the eyes of those who were 
 about to pay him for his villany. And was it 
 not just and proper he should be punished for 
 his meditated crime against a nation that had 
 elevated him to the distinguished position he 
 now held 1 Her heart whispered in the af- 
 firmative. By exposing him, she would only 
 be taking advantage of an accident, the same 
 as those who were to reap success from his 
 perfidy ; and that this was justifiable, under 
 the circumstances, she felt convinced beyond 
 a doubt. 
 
 " Had I overheard a plan to assassinate a 
 friend I esteem," she argued, mentally, "should 
 I not be accessory to the crime, did I not take 
 immediate steps to make it known, and bring 
 the guilty to justice 1 Conscience says yes. 
 Then how much more necessary that I should 
 act promptly from the present knowledge, 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 67 
 
 which threatens not merely the death of an 
 individual, but of a nation — that will bring 
 sorrow and woe not only to the present gene- 
 ration, but to generations yet unborn !" 
 
 Having thus settled all scruples with re- 
 spect to the course she designed to pursue, 
 the next question was how this important in- 
 telligence could be immediately conveyed to 
 General Washington. There was no time to 
 be lost, for the scheme of iniquity was al- 
 ready ripe, and on the very point of success, 
 and the delay of a single day might be fatal 
 to her hopes. 
 
 " I can not go myself," she reasoned, " and 
 whom can I send ? Ah ! I have it," she men- 
 tally added, a moment after. " Yes, he must 
 know of some one, and he has power to ac- 
 complish almost any thing he undertakes. I 
 must see him this very night." 
 
 AH- these thoughts passed with lightning 
 rapidity through the mind of Rosalie ; and 
 as she came to the final decision, she arose, 
 and cautiously advanced to the door lead- 
 ing into the hall. Fortunately, no person 
 was in sight, although voices could be heard 
 at the top of the stairs and in the garden ; 
 and gliding forward with a quick, light step 
 toward the latter, she soon found herself 
 in the open air, where she drew a long 
 breath of relief; for until now the fear of 
 discovery had made her weak almost to faint- 
 ing. 
 
 The garden was brilliantly illuminated; 
 and by the light of the hundred lamps de- 
 pending from the trees and shrubbery, she 
 saw it was occupied by the larger portion of 
 the guests, some of whom were seated under 
 the arbors tHe-OrUte, while others, arm-in-arm, 
 were strolling about in every direction. A 
 constant hum of voices, relieved every now 
 and then by a gay ringing laugh, proclaimed 
 general conversation and great conviviality. 
 All seemed to be enjoying themselves, and, 
 what was more important to Rosalie, all ap- 
 peared occupied, for just now she desired 
 above all things to be alone, that she might 
 have time to regain her wonted composure, 
 and seriously reflect upon the terrible plot 
 she had discovered, and the part she was 
 about to take to prevent its succeeding. Per- 
 ceiving an unoccupied seat to the right of 
 
 the main avenue, where it chanced to be less 
 light than elsewhere, she advanced toward 
 this, thinking she might here escape obser- 
 vation, at least for a few minutes. But she 
 was disappointed, for she had not advanced 
 half a dozen steps, when she felt a hand 
 lightly touch her arm, and a full-toned, musi- 
 cal voice said, playfully : 
 
 "Ah ! truant, so I have found you at last. 
 Come, the queen of night must not withdraw 
 her luster, and leave us to grope in darkness 
 thus early." 
 
 As Rosalie heard these words, a strange, 
 faint, tremulous feeling made her whole frame 
 quiver like an aspen ; she felt the blood for- 
 sake her cheeks, and retreat to her heart ; and 
 a kind of awful dread rendered her powerless 
 and unable to move. Fortunately it was only 
 momentary in its duration ; and partially 
 recovering herself by a great effort, she half- 
 turned her head, with a coquettish air, and 
 in a tone of playful irony, replied : 
 
 " The gallant Major Andre must be short 
 6f metaphors to-night, or he would not com- 
 pare such dazzling splendor as mine to the 
 pj,le moon. Or," she added, quickly, " is it 
 possible he is moon-struck t" 
 
 " I must protest the pale moon is no such 
 bad comparison after all," rejoined Andre, 
 catching a slight view of the other's features. 
 " Why, Ma'm'selle Rosalie, your face is as 
 white as a sheet, and your hand trembles ner- 
 vously. Good heavens ! are you ill ?" 
 
 " Yes, I do feel slightly indisposed," mur- 
 mured Rosalie, faintly. " I am glad you are 
 here. Adjutant ; for I would ask, as a favor, 
 you will take me home without delay." 
 
 "Certainly, certainly. Take my arm back 
 into the mansion, and I will call< assistance, 
 and order the carriage." 
 
 " No, no, do not call any one ; I will remain 
 here till the carriage is ready ; I am strong 
 enough for that. And let me beg of you, as 
 a favor, you wiU not make my indisposition 
 known to any one till I have gone, and then 
 make my excuses and regrets to the host and 
 his family. Do not look so alarmed. Major ; 
 it is nothing serious ; a little faintness from 
 over-exertion, and a heated room, perhaps. 
 There, go and order the carriage, and I wiU 
 be here on your return. Here is the number 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 of my shawl, which any of the servants will 
 hand you.'' 
 
 "I will soon return," said Andre ; and he 
 hastened into the house. 
 
 He was good as his word ; and in less than 
 ten minutes Kosalie was on her way home. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE ASTROLOGER AGAIN. 
 
 "I AM really sorry this has occurred," said 
 Andre, as the splendid carriage, containing 
 Rosalie and himself, rolled almost noiselessly 
 over the flinty pavement; "fori had' been 
 anticipating^ great pleasure in being honored 
 with your hand for another dance." 
 
 "And I sincerely regret my sudden indis- 
 position has been the cause of depriving Ma- 
 jor Andre of so important a gratification," 
 replied our heroine, somewhat ironically. 
 
 "Pshaw!" rejoined Andre, in a vexed 
 tone ; " why will you always persist in put- 
 ting a wrong construction upon whatever I 
 say 1" 
 
 " Because, against my express desire, you 
 will persist in addressing to me meaningless 
 compliments," replied Rosalie. 
 
 " Well, well, I will not offend again," re- 
 turned the Adjutant. And then, as if to 
 change the subject, he added: "Has your 
 messenger returned yet from the country 1" 
 
 "Yes, he came home this morning. But 
 how know you any thing of his journey?" 
 
 "I met him at the bridge;" and Andre 
 proceeded to narrate the particulars of the 
 meeting, little dreaming that the incident was 
 more powerfully impressed upon the mind of 
 his hearer than on his own. 
 
 "Ah ! yes, I have heard something of this," 
 said Rosalie, as the other concluded; "and 
 taking all things into consideration, I hardly 
 think I shall again send out for more news." 
 
 " Just the course I would advise," rejoined 
 Andre ; "for the little intelligence of the en- 
 emy's movements to be gained at present, is 
 not adequate to the risk your messenger must 
 necessarily run. Besides," he added, after a 
 moment's pause, " I may as well inform you, 
 apropos to your decision, that, for the present, 
 
 the other course will be wholly impractica- 
 ble." t 
 
 " I do not understand you," almost gasped 
 Rosalie, alarmed, yet scarcely knowing what 
 she had to fear. 
 
 " Why, his excellency. Sir Henry Clinton, 
 for especial reasons, has just issued orders, to 
 have the lines and outposts doubled, a vigi- 
 lant watch to be kept, and no person, under 
 the rank of major, to be allowed to pass to- 
 ward the enemy, and not then, unless he show 
 his VTritten permit, bearing date the very day 
 the attempt is made ; and all persons coming 
 from the enemy are to be arrested and con- 
 ducted straightway to his presence.' 
 
 Well did Rosalie now understand the 
 wherefore of this caution ; and her heart sunk 
 within her, as she reflected on how small was 
 the chance of conveying to Washington in- 
 telligence of the diabolical plot for the ruin 
 of himself and country. But still she was de- 
 termined the effort should be made; an4 
 while studying out some plan by which to 
 effect her purpose, she suddenly recollected 
 she was not alone, and that her silence might 
 be mistaken for indifference or caprice, and 
 she said, hurriedly : 
 
 " Major Andre must pardon me for not re^ 
 plying to his remarks ; but, really, I feel far 
 from well." 
 
 At this moment the carriage stopped before 
 the residence of Rosalie ; and as the Major 
 assisted her to alight, and saw her into the 
 mansion, he expressed a hope her illness 
 would not proVe serious, and said he should 
 take an early opportunity of sending round to 
 learn the state of her health. He then wished 
 her a good night, returned to his carriage, 
 and a moment later the sound of wheels an- 
 nounced his departure. 
 
 Rosalie now informed the servants who had 
 waited up for her, that they were at liberty to 
 retire as soon as they pleased, and she could 
 get along without any assistance ; and taking 
 a sUver lamp from the porter, she slowly pro- 
 ceeded to her owa apartment, where she 
 threw herself down upon a seat, with an air of ~ 
 extreme exhaustion. She had spoken no un- 
 truth, when she told the Major she was far 
 from feeling well ; for what with the excite- 
 ment and fatigue of her journey to the coun- 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 69 
 
 try, loss of rest for two successive nights, to- 
 gether with the startling plot she had just 
 overheard — a«plot which involved the ruin of 
 her dearest and most cherished hopes — she 
 was now in a fitter condition for the bed, than 
 for the adventure she had in contemplation. 
 But undue excitement lent atransient strength 
 •to her nearly worn out frame ; and after sit- 
 ting a few minutes to recover her shattered 
 faculties, she hastily arose, and throwing off 
 her ball attire, donned the disguise she had so 
 successfully used the night previous. She now- 
 put out her light, locked the door of her dress- 
 ing-room or boudoir, which communicated 
 with her sleeping chamber, and stealing softly 
 down the stairs, entered the shrubbery, and 
 passed out of the garden through a wicket 
 gate that opened upon the bank of the river. 
 
 Some fifteen' minutes 'later, Rosalie stood 
 before the gloomy residence of Signer Carlini, 
 demanding of the black porter, who slept near 
 the gate, instant admittance to the presence 
 'of his master, on pressing business ; for well 
 she knew the habits of the astrologer, who 
 made it a point never to slumber while the 
 ■Btars shone, although he seldom received a 
 visitor at so late an hour. To this demand 
 the black replied, that his master was survey- 
 ing the heavens from his observatory, as he 
 Styled a small cupola built on the ridge of the 
 house, and that he had given express orders 
 not to be disturbed. 
 
 "I must see him, nevertheless," replied 
 Rosalie, " and I will stand between you and 
 harm. Here, take him this ring, and say 
 that the bearer must have immediate au- 
 dience, on business that will not admit of a 
 moment's delay. And for your trouble," 
 added Rosalie, as the negro received the ring 
 through the little wicket before mentioned, 
 but still seemed to hesitate whether he should 
 take it to his master or return it, " for your 
 trouble here is half a crown, which, if you 
 bring back a favorable answer, shall instantly 
 have a fellow to jingle with it," 
 
 This was a temptation irresistible ; and 
 away went the black, with a haste that argued 
 little fear of his master's displeasure. Pre- 
 sently he returned, and opening the gate, in- 
 formed our heroine that, through a little extra 
 persuasion of his own, his master had swerved 
 
 from his usual habit, and consented to see 
 her. Rosalie was not slow to take the hint; 
 and slipping another half crown into the hand 
 of the guide, she followed him to th« same 
 apartment wherein we first introduced Car- 
 lini to the reader ; though unlike her prede- 
 (T'ssor on that occasion, she saAV no dazzling 
 lights anrl no magic changes. 
 
 The Chamber of Pate was now exactly as 
 we described it then, the astrologer was seated 
 in the same manner and place, and tlie large 
 globe lamp, hanging ovci- the black table, 
 shone on the same deadly-pale, strongly- 
 marked countenance, and small, black, fiery 
 eyes. 
 
 "Well, boy, thy business with Carlini?" 
 said the astrolorrcr, in the same cloar, sono- 
 rous tone, making a gesture with his hand to 
 the chair opposite. " This ring 1 know — is 
 its owner thy mistress? and did she send 
 thee? Come, speak! speak! for I have left 
 the heavens, and all the starry host, to give 
 thee audience." 
 
 "Are we alone?" asked Rosalie, glancing 
 round the apartment. 
 
 " As much alone as two can be, while the 
 spirits of departed friends keep us company," 
 was the singular answer. 
 
 " I mean, is there no danger of our being 
 overheard 1" 
 
 "None; but if thy communication be a 
 very important secret, thou mayest speak 
 low." 
 
 " It is important," said Rosalie, hurriedly. 
 " In thg first place, I am Rosalie Du Pont." 
 
 "Thou?" returned the astrologer, arching 
 his brows, with a look of surprise. 
 
 " Yes, I am in disguise. Behold ! this is 
 a wig; and look! this arm is as white as 
 your own." 
 
 " Ah ! my lady," began the other in an 
 altered tone, at the same time rising and 
 bowing with a deferential air. 
 
 " Hush !" interrupted Rosalie, with a ges- 
 ture of impatience ; " no time for idle cere- 
 mony now. I must s^y what I have to say, and 
 be off; for the old church bell has just tolled 
 three, and daylight must find me in bed at 
 home. I will, therefore, come to the point at 
 once. Not two hours since, I accidentally 
 overheard a plot which threatens destruction 
 
70 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 to all our hopes, and death to freedom. You 
 start. Signer Caj-lini, as well you may, when I 
 tell you this yile scheme is to be accomplished 
 through the treachery of a distinguished 
 American general, who has the confidence 
 of Washington and Lafayette, and who has 
 recently been appointed, by the former, to the 
 command of one of the most important mili- 
 tary posts in the country." 
 
 "Just Heaven! can this be true ! of whom 
 dost speak ?" cried Carlini, greatly excited, 
 his small black eyes fairly emitting rays like 
 fire. 
 
 " Of General Arnold — no less — who, for a 
 stipulated price, will betray West Point and 
 its dependencies into the hands of Sir Henry 
 Clinton. I see you are disposed to be incredu- 
 lous, as I would be with less proof than I 
 have had ; but wait one moment, and I will 
 convince you of the truth of my words. I 
 will not scruple to tell you all in confidence ; 
 but remember ! it must go no further ; this I 
 enforce, as a condition, on your honor as a 
 gentleman.'' 
 
 " Which is sacred, my lady. Pray, go on." 
 
 Rosalie ' now proceeded to relate, in a hur- 
 ried manner, how she had been at Sir Hen- 
 ry's ball, and what she had chanced to hear 
 concerning the meditated treason of Arnold. 
 And she wound up by asking : 
 
 " And now what is to be done ? It is all 
 important this scheme should be communi- 
 cated to Washington immediately ; and yet I 
 am at a loss for meana to convey the intelli- 
 gence ; and therefore have I sought you, who 
 rarely fail in any thing you undertake." 
 
 "A trus'ty courier must be dispatched at 
 once," replied Carlini ; " this intelligence is 
 too important to risk by any chance convey- 
 ance." 
 
 " But a courier will hardly be able to get 
 through the lines, for" — 
 
 " He must have a pass," interrupted Car- 
 lini, decidedly, " even if it be a forged one ; 
 for in this strait, where the fate of a nation 
 hangs in the balance, Jhe end will surely 
 justify the means." 
 
 "But a pass will not avail him," rejoined 
 Rosalie, quickly, " as I was about to inform 
 you when you interrupted me. I have it 
 from Major Andre, that Sir Henry Clinton 
 
 has issued imperative orders, to have the sen- 
 tries on the lines and out-posts doubled, and 
 that no person, under the rank of major, shall 
 be allowed to pass toward the enemy, and 
 not even then, unless he bear a written per- 
 mit, dated the very day he presents it." 
 
 " Ha ! is this so ?" exclaimed Carlini, knit- 
 ting his brows, with a troubled look. " This, 
 is bad for us — unfortunate — decidedly so." 
 
 " You see they fear us," returned Rosalie ; 
 "they fear their diabolical secret may leak 
 out; and they are taking every precaulion 
 to prevent its reaching our friends." 
 
 " But we must try and thwart their plans, 
 nevertheless,'' rejoined Carlini, walking up 
 and down the room. " Let me see ! let me 
 see ! Ah ! there is but one way — a courier 
 must get through the lines. Does your lady- 
 ship know of any one, who, for love of country 
 or gold, can be tempted to make the trial ?" 
 
 "I know of no one," answered Rosalie, 
 "and therefore have I come to you." 
 
 " It is a fearful emergency," rejoined Car- 
 lini, resuming his walk back and forth, and 
 seeming to reflect intensely. "A fearful risk," 
 he added, after a short pause. " But it must 
 be done," he said, as if in conclusion of the 
 argument held in his own mind : "ay, it must 
 be done ; it is the last resource ; God grant 
 it may not fail ! for I love the youth and the 
 cause I serve." Then turning to Rosalie, he 
 continued: "There is one way, your lady- 
 ship, by which the trial can be made. There 
 is in town a noble youth, whose life I saved ; 
 and who, out of gratitude for the act, solemnly 
 vowed to do any thing honorable I might re- 
 quire at his hands. He loves me as a son, 
 and I may add, I love him as a father — 
 therefore you can readily understand how 
 painful it is to my feelings to request him to 
 set out on so dangerous a mission ; for if 
 taken, and the slightest evidence be adduced 
 concerning his object, he will as surely swing 
 as that I am a living man." 
 
 Rosalie shuddered, a faint, sickening feel- 
 ing came over her, and staggering to a seat, 
 she threw herself heavily down upon it, and 
 placing her arms upon the table, rested her 
 head upon them. 
 
 " Thou art ill, my lady !" said the astrolo- 
 ger, with a look of some alarm. "Surely 
 
TREASON IN TI£B CAMP. 
 
 71 
 
 mere sympathy for one thou dost not know 
 would not affect thee thus." 
 
 "Go on," said Rosalie, faintly ; "do not 
 mind me ; I shall be better soon." 
 
 "Here, try some of this cordial," pursued 
 the other, producing a vial of dark liquid. 
 " If thou art faint, weak, and nervous, it will 
 revive thee, and give thee new strength. 
 Only a little, only a few drops," continued the 
 other, as Rosalie reached out her trembling 
 hand for the vial, "for much would do thee 
 harm." 
 
 Rosalie touched it to her tongue, and re- 
 turned it. A moment after she said : 
 
 "Ah! I feel better already: that should 
 be called the Elixir of Life." 
 
 "Thou hast guessed the name, my lady. 
 To resume my subject : I have thought of a 
 plan by which the danger to this young man 
 can be materially lessened. Should no paper 
 of any kind be found upon his person, there 
 would not, of course, be sufficient proof of 
 any secret design to justify hanging him ; 
 and therefore he would not, in all probability, 
 suffer any thing more serious than a short 
 imprisonment and rude examination." 
 
 " You mean, then, he shall carry a verbal 
 njessage," said Rosalie. 
 
 " No, my lady, for his word, unsupported 
 by other evidence, might not be sufficient 
 to induce Washington to take those prompt 
 measures which the emergency of the case 
 demands." 
 
 " But it would be enough to put him on 
 his guard ; and by watching the movements 
 of the traitor, he might detect him in his 
 rascality, and that would be all the proof he 
 would need." 
 
 " True, that is true ; but still I think my 
 plan the best. But I forget, I have not yet 
 explained it to your ladyship." Here the 
 astrologer advanced to one side of the room, 
 drew aside the black tapestry, and from a 
 shelf in the wall, took down a box, which he 
 opened, and shortly produced a silver bullet. 
 "By this contrivance," he continued, exhi- 
 biting it to Rosalie, " we can send a written 
 message without much risk to our messenger. 
 I perceive you look puzzled, my lady — let me 
 explain. Here, as you can see, when I press 
 on the sides thus, a small door, or lid, flies 
 
 open, showing the ball to be hollow. Well, 
 into this aperture our written message can 
 be placed, and our messenger can conceal the 
 bullet about his person. Should he be taken, 
 he has only to swallow the ball at once, and 
 then he will have nothing to fear. But, good 
 heavens ! your ladyship is ill !" exclaimed the 
 astrologer, suddenly struck with the deathly 
 pallor of the other, and an air of extreme ex- 
 haustion which all her efforts could not over- 
 come. " Ha ! she is sinking," he added, as 
 he sprang forward to give her support. 
 
 "Air! air!" gasped Rosalie, faintly : and 
 as she uttered the words, sho sunk lifeless 
 into the arms of the astrologer. 
 
 Stretching her foir form upon the table, 
 Carlini hurriedly procured water, and dashed 
 it into her face, at the same time pouring out 
 a few drops of his Elixir of Life, with which 
 hcmoistened her lips. Soon she began to 
 revive ; and when animation and conscious- 
 ness had fully returned, she said : 
 
 " I will go home. Signer Carlini, and leave 
 this business wholly with you." 
 
 " I will attend your ladyship," returned 
 Carlini. 
 
 "No, no— I will not—" 
 
 " Nay, not a word — I shall go !" said the 
 astrologer, in a decided tone. 
 
 And well was it for Rosalie he went ; for 
 so weak and faint was- she, at times, as to be 
 unable to stand without support. How she 
 reached her own room, after Carlini, who 
 persisted in conducting her to the foot of the 
 stairs, left her, was ever a mystery to herself; 
 but reach it she did; and when Munee entered 
 her chamber shortly after daylight, and found 
 her stretched upon the floor insensible, her 
 surprise and grief may readily be imagined. 
 To raise her up, strip off her disguise, wash 
 the dark stain from her hands and face, and 
 place her properly in bed, was the first care 
 of the faithful mute ; and to arouse the ser- 
 vants, and have a physican immediately sent 
 for, her second. 
 
 Fortunately the disguise of Rosalie, and 
 her absence from the house after her return 
 from the ball, was never known to, or even 
 suspected by, the rest of the household ; and 
 this she owed to the presence of mind dis- 
 played by Munee. 
 
72 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 Whan Major Andre, faithful to his promise, 
 called at an early hour to inquire after Rosa- 
 lie, he learned, much to his surprise and sor- 
 row, that she was delirious, and suffering 
 from a raging fever of the worst type. 
 
 Leaving our heroine on her sick couch, 
 and the astrologer to carry out the plan 
 already known to the reader, we must again 
 shift the scene, and introduce new characters 
 upon our stage of action. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 WASHINGTON AND THE TKAITOR. 
 
 Some several days after the events re- 
 corded in the last two chapters, and on a fine, 
 delightful afternoon in September, a group 
 of officers was collected on the western bank 
 of the Hudson, at King's Ferry. The central 
 figure of this group, and who was ever ad- 
 dressed with a certain air of daference by the 
 others, was very tall, his stature not being 
 less than six feet, but so symmetrically pro- 
 portioned as not to appear much above the 
 ordinary size, unless a comparison were made 
 between him and those who stood around him, 
 when his noble dimensions became strikingly 
 apparent. There was a certain air of com- 
 manding majesty about this man, aside from 
 mere proportions — a kind of god-like dignity, 
 if we may use the term without irreverence — 
 which none who saw him once could ever 
 forget. Very few men could approach him 
 without a feeling of awe; none dared presume 
 on a trifling familiarity. And yet there was 
 nothing withering, terrible, or even haughty, 
 in either look, speech, or action. No, all was 
 calm and quiet as a lake without a wavelet. 
 His face was one a child would love, and 
 stand less in awe before than even a man in 
 years — it was so noble, so mild, so serene, so 
 benignant, and so gentle in expression. And 
 yet, withal, was it grave almost to sternness, 
 dignified almost to cold reserve, and thought- 
 ful almost to melancholy. You felt, in gazifag 
 upon it, you were looking upon the face of 
 no ordinary man — that you stood in the 
 presence of a superior being — a being to love 
 and reverence. That broad, high, thoughtful 
 brow ; those large, soft eyes ; that classic- 
 
 shaped nose; that handsome mouth; that 
 well-turned chin ; — in short, each feature, 
 either separately or coUeotiyely, expressed a 
 majesty before which that of mere royalty 
 must sink in comparison as the puppet sinks 
 before the man. It was the majesty of good- 
 ness, of greatness, set there by nature ; and 
 whether surrounded by princely velvet, or 
 beggar's sackcloth, it could not be mistaken. 
 Over this benign countenance, when in repose, 
 lingered a sweet, almost melancholy, smile, 
 that proved one of its greatest charms, albeit 
 it made you sad to behold it. It touched 
 your inmost sympathies ; and while you might 
 sorrow to behold it there, you could sot wish 
 it otherwise. This ofEoer wore a blue cloth 
 military coat, in shape not unlike those now 
 worn by the Quakers, which was fastened by 
 a single button across the breast of his fawn- 
 colored waistcoat, or vest. A white cravat, 
 buffskin breeches, high top-boots, and a three- 
 cornered hat, completed his attire, which set 
 off his commanding figure to the best advan- 
 tage. A heavy, gold epaulette pressed either 
 shoulder, denoting his high rank, and a beau- 
 tiful sword was attached to his girdle. 
 
 But why dwell on a portrait which is in- 
 delibly impressed upon the heart of every 
 true American — ay, for that matter, every 
 true lover of liberty throughout the world I 
 Need we say more, than that the personage 
 of whom we have attempted a slight descrip- 
 tion, was the commander-in-chief of the Ame- 
 rican forces, the father of his country, the 
 immortal George "Washington ? 
 
 On the left of G-eneral Washington stood 
 another important personage in our country's 
 history. He was a stout, thick-set man, with 
 a broad, heavy, strongly-marked, intellectual 
 countenance. This was the Marquis de La- 
 fayette. Grouped around the two generals, 
 were several other officers, holding the rank 
 of colonels and majors; and these composed 
 the suite of Washington, who was now on his 
 way to Hartford, to have an interview with 
 Count de Rochambeau, for the purpose of 
 effecting the long-desired union of the two 
 friendly armies. 
 
 At the moment introduced, Washington 
 and his retinue were lool^ing at the beautiful 
 barge of General Arnold, which, propelled by 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 73 
 
 two stout oarsmen, was rapidly Hearing tlie 
 shore ; the General himself being seated in the 
 stern, stiffly erect, pompouBly equipped, and 
 steering with his own hands. 
 
 "Arnold certainly has a very handsome 
 water-craft," observed Washington to Lafay- 
 ette ; " and on so fine a day as this, one could 
 be more disagreeably employed than in gliding 
 over the tranquil bosom of the Hudson. If 
 we had any time to spare, I should not mind a 
 short ride in it myself." 
 
 " With the General's permission, I think we 
 may as well cross the river in it," returned the 
 Marquis. 
 
 " Ah ! true — doubtless we can test its luxury 
 a little in this way," smiled the commander- 
 in-chief. 
 
 The boat had by this time touched the shore, 
 and Arnold immediately advanced toward the 
 group of oficers, with a dignified, respectful 
 air, and a very placid countenance ; but in 
 truth, his feelings were very different from 
 what they seemed ; and though not appearing 
 to do so, he closely scrutinized every feature 
 and expression of every member of the party. 
 He saw nothing, however, indicating a know- 
 ledge, or even suspicion, of his guilty design ; 
 and greatly relieved by this, his salutations 
 were more cordial than usual. 
 
 " I give you good day, gentlemen," he said, 
 touching his hat, and slightly lifting it from 
 his head, with true military grace and polite- 
 ness, and as a special mark of deference to his 
 senior in command. 
 
 All returned the salute, even to Washing- 
 ton himself, with the same air of respectful 
 courtesy, when the latter said, pleasantly : 
 
 "I was almost envying you. General, the 
 possession of so beautiful a boat, and time to 
 sail in it on a day like this." 
 
 " If your excellency wiU accept of it as a 
 slight token of regard — " 
 
 " No, no," interrupted Washington, " I could 
 not use it if I had it, for duty leaves no time 
 for pleasure. I thank you aU the same ; and 
 for the gift, if you will substitute the loan of it 
 to cross the river — " 
 
 " Most certainly," interrupted Arnold, in 
 turn. " I was about to ask of your excellency, 
 as a favor, that you would honor me by pass- 
 ing over in it. I knew your excellency was 
 
 to set out on your journey for Hartford to-day, 
 and I came down expressly to meet you 
 though I feared I might be too late." 
 
 "Yes, I am on my way to visit the Count 
 and hope soon to have matters arranged for 
 more active operations than it has been our 
 fortune to experience of late. The army has 
 been rapidly increasing for some time by new 
 recruits, who will not long be satisfied with 
 mere drills : inactivity is a foe to content. 
 How comes on your wound, General ? I see 
 you still walk lame." 
 
 " Yes, your excellency, and I fear there is 
 little reason to hope any change for the better 
 just at present. My surgeon tells me I must 
 keep perfectly quiet — but that I believe is 
 something I never did in my life, and I am, 
 to quote a common phrase, almost ' too old a 
 dog .to learn new tricks.' Were it not that I 
 fear active service at this time would cripple 
 me for life, I assure your excellency, and you, 
 gentlemen, I should not long be found in com- 
 mand of so idle a post as West Point." 
 
 "None know that better than his excel- 
 lency and your humble servant," chimed in 
 the Marquis of Lafayette, with a smile, and 
 graceful indication of the head. "General 
 Arnold never was represented, even by his 
 enemies as a very quiet individual, particu-' 
 larly forld of retirement." 
 
 " At least not before his second marriage," 
 remarked Washington jocularly ; " but almost 
 any man might be tempted to domestic re» 
 tirement, with so young and beautiful a wife, 
 saving your presence. General Arnold. But 
 apropos : how is Mrs. Arnold, and the res(j 
 of your family?" 
 
 " I thank your excellency, they were well 
 when I left home." 
 
 " I hope to have the pleasure of dining with 
 your good lady on my return, and I shall also 
 proceed to inspect the works at West Point — 
 so I give you fair warning. General, to be pre- 
 pared at all points." 
 
 " General Washington can never come save 
 as a welcome visitor to the quarters of Bene- 
 dict Arnold," was the cordial response of th& 
 wily traitor. 
 
 " Thank you," returned Washington, " and 
 make sure I shall profit by the knowledge. 
 Tilghman, (turning to one of his aids, whose 
 
74 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 dress bespoke the rank of colonel,) do you 
 think the horses have sufficiently rested to 
 continue our journey ?" 
 
 " I think so, your escellency," returned that 
 officer, bowing ; " but I will look to their con- 
 dition myself, if such be your excellency's 
 pleasure." 
 
 "Do so, and if not ready give orders to 
 have them taken across at the earliest mo- 
 ment practicable. Meantime, we will cross 
 ourselves ; and what leisure I have, I will em- 
 ploy in an inspection of the works on the op- 
 posite side." 
 
 Colonel Tilghman touched his hat and with- 
 drew ; and immediately turning to another 
 officer near, who was the quarter-master, sta- 
 tioned at Stony Point, the commander-in-chief 
 continued : 
 
 " Major Kierse, I will see that that matter 
 is attended to on my return. Tell Carson I 
 think his prices are high, but do not posi- 
 tively reject. Get a refusal for a few days, 
 say a week, and by that time I trust I shall 
 know better what to do. If you can get him 
 to fall ten per cent., however, close with him 
 at once, and let him deliver at West Point. 
 Adieu." 
 
 " Adieu ! and may your excellency have a 
 pleasant journey and speedy return ;" and as 
 this officer retired, Washington said quickly : 
 
 "Come, gentlemen, let us try Arnold's 
 barge, and see what virtue there is in cush- 
 ioned seats." 
 
 This was spoken without the slightest shade 
 of sarcasm ; but it seemed to touch the Gene- 
 ral, for his face, flushed to the temples. He 
 said nothing, however, and the party de- 
 scended to the water, and entered the boat. 
 Washington took his seat in the stern, as did 
 also the Marquis, Arnold in the bow, and the 
 other officers where they found most conve- 
 nient places. As the boat pushed out from the 
 shore, a military salute was fired from the re- 
 doubt at Verplank's Point ; and as soon as its 
 echoes had subsided, Washington observed : 
 
 " Colonel Livingston, it seems, is prepared 
 to receive us." He then glanced down Ha- 
 verstraw Bay, andperceiving avessel anchored 
 near Teller's Point, immediately produced his 
 glass, and looking through it steadily, added, 
 in a low tone : " It is a sloop of-war — but for 
 
 what purpose is she' there ? Does any one 
 know her name ?" 
 
 " I do not, General," returned the Marquis. 
 
 " I believe, your excellency," rejoined Co- 
 lonel Hamilton, who, sitting near, chanced to 
 overhear the question, " she is called the Vul- 
 ture ; she passed Dobbs' Ferry in the night, I 
 am told." 
 
 "But what is she doing there?" queried 
 Washington, quickly, but still in a low tone. 
 " She is certainly venturesome, to advance so 
 far info the territory of an enemy, unsup- 
 ported. She must be closely watched." 
 
 " I understand," returned the same.officer, 
 " that a boat put off from her bearing a flag, 
 and came to Verplank's Point ; but for what 
 object I do not know." 
 
 "Ah! then, doubtless Colonel Livingston 
 can tell us something about her,'' rejoined 
 Washington, shutting his glass, and turning 
 his attention to something else. 
 
 This conversation was carried on in a tone 
 too low to be heard by Arnold, who, as we 
 before remarked, was seated in the bow ; but 
 those who sat near him observed that he 
 turned very pale while AYashington was speak- 
 ing, seemed very uneasy, and exhibited con- 
 siderable emotion. Another incident shortly 
 after occurred, which made the guilty man 
 tremble, and by which he came near betray- 
 ing himself. The conversation, as was na- 
 tural, turned upon the war, and the object the 
 party had in view. 
 
 " If we can only effect a speedy union with 
 our land allies," said Washington, " and get 
 the cooperation of Count de Guichen's fleet, 
 we shall probably give Sir Henry's men some- 
 thing more important to do than stealing cat- 
 tle, pillaging honest farmers, singing ribald 
 songs, and plunging into general dissipation. 
 Ah ! that disaster of Gates was so unfor- 
 tunate ; but for that, I could think our pros- 
 pects more flattering now than ever. How- 
 ever, we must not despair of retrieving our 
 losses, even in the south." 
 
 " But what will Congress say to Gates ?" in- 
 quired Lafayette. 
 
 " He will doubtless be removed," answered 
 Washington, "even if it be not done al- 
 ready." 
 
 " And who will supersede him 1" 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 " I do not know : Greene should, for he is 
 an efficient commander." 
 
 "Does your excellency think the report 
 true, concerning Sir Henry's expedition to 
 the Chesapeake ?" 
 
 " No, Marquis, that is only a feint to de- 
 ceive us. Clinton has an object in vie-vv nearer 
 home. I forgot to mention to your lordship, 
 that I received positive information on this 
 subject, from a' young officer in Colonel Shel- 
 don's detachment, who, by some means, pro- 
 cured it from one of our city friends." 
 
 --" To whom does your excellency allude ?" 
 
 Washington whispered a word in the other's 
 ear. 
 
 "Ah! indeed?" said Lafayette, in a low 
 tone ; " I am glad to hear it. She has the 
 true blood in her. General — ^pray Heaven no 
 harm befall her." 
 
 "Amen, Marquis," returned "Washington, 
 gravely. "It is a post of danger, which few 
 in her position would care to undertake." 
 
 "But to come back to our starting-point," 
 said the Marquis, after a moment's pause. 
 " Your excellency was speaking of Guichen — 
 have you had any intelligence of him of late ?" 
 
 " I am sorry to say, none whatever. It is 
 strange, is it not, my lord 1 I am fearful some 
 disaster has befallen him, or that he has re- 
 ' turned to France." 
 
 " He would hardly do that, I think," re- 
 plied Lafayette. Then looking toward the 
 bow, he continued, in a louder tone, " Gene- 
 ral Arnold, since you have a correspondence 
 with the enemy, you must ascertain, as soon 
 as possible, what has become of Guichen 1" 
 
 Arnold, who had taken no part in the re- 
 cent conversation, but was busy thinking over 
 his treasonous projects, on hearing himself 
 thus addressed, in language that seemed to 
 imply a knowledge of his guilty doings, and 
 who for the moment thought his base plot had 
 been detected, at first turned as pale as death, 
 then quickly flushed up to the very roots of ^ 
 his hair, and starting to his feet, laid his hand 
 upon his sword, a;nd in a fierce tone demanded: 
 
 " Who dares accuse me ? — ^what does your 
 lordship mean, by addressing such language 
 to me 1" , 
 
 All looked surprised, but none more so than 
 the Marquis, who hastened to reply : 
 
 " I did not intend any offense, General Ar- 
 nold, but was merely alluding to the freedom 
 of intercourse which, owing to the water com- 
 munication, has ever existed between West 
 Point and New York." 
 
 "I beg your lordship's pardon! I was 
 hasty; I should have, known," rejoined Ar- 
 nold, in a tone of conciliation, who now per- 
 ceived the gross mistake he had made, and 
 was anxious to gloss it over. " I am always 
 hasty — always rash," he continued, deproeat- 
 ingly, as he reseated himself, and wiped the 
 perspiration from his face ; " it has been my 
 failing through life, and will doubtless follow 
 me to my grave." 
 
 At this moment, the barge touched the shore, 
 and the party landed in silence, and walked 
 up to the military works, where they were 
 met by Colonel Livingston, with whom Wash- 
 ington immediately entered into conversation. 
 These incidents concerning Arnold made no 
 striking impression at the time, but were after- 
 ward recalled with painful distinctness, when 
 the perfidy of the traitdr had become known 
 to the world. 
 
 About a quarter of an hour after crossing 
 the river, the horses of Washington and suite 
 were brought over, with an extra one for Ar- 
 nold ; and the whole party remounting, set off 
 for Peekskill. On their way to this place, 
 Arnold seemed in an unusual flow of spirits, 
 and chatted and laughed gayly. This was 
 done to quell any suspicion which might have 
 been excited by his stupid blunder while 
 crossing the ferry ; but he might have spared 
 himself this effort at jovialty — for an effort it 
 was, and a, severe one, too, in his peculiar 
 frame of mind — as no one of the party had the 
 least suspicion of his guilt. 
 
 At Peekskill the party passed the night ; 
 and watching his opportunity, the wily traitor 
 drew Washington aside, and said, with all 
 seeming frankness : , 
 
 " I have sought this opportunity, your ex- 
 cellency, to lay before you a private matter, 
 and get your excellency's advice. Your ex- 
 cellency has doubtless heard that I this morn- 
 ing received a letter from the enemy, sent up 
 from the Vulture by a flag to Colonel Living- 
 ston's quarters, and thence forwarded to my 
 own?" 
 
76 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 ■Washington merely nodded assent, and 
 Arnold proceeded : 
 
 " Here is the letter ; it is from Colonel Be- 
 verly Robinson, who inclosed another to Gene- 
 ral Putnam, probably on the same business. 
 You perceive he is anxious to find some means 
 by which he can recover and retain the estate 
 where I now reside, and solicits a personal 
 interview with me to advise with him what 
 steps to take. Now I desire your excellency's 
 opinion as to the propriety of my granting his 
 request."' 
 
 " By no means do it," replied Washington, 
 as he finished a perusal of the epistle ; " for 
 your doing so would only afford grounds of 
 suspicion in the minds of some, and all these 
 things had better be avoided. We military 
 men can not be too careful of our reputation 
 at present ; for we are watched by jealous 
 eyes, and slander flies on every breath of air. 
 Besides, you could do nothing in the matter, 
 were you ever so much disposed ; for it is a 
 case which does not come within the powers 
 of a military officer, or a, military tribunal. 
 The civil government of the state is the only 
 authority that can act in his case ; and I am 
 surprised that a man of Colonel Robinson's 
 reputed sense should think of applying to any 
 other.'' 
 
 " I am happy to learn your excellency's 
 views of the matter exactly coincide with 
 my own," rejoined the traitor; "and I 
 will embrace an early opportunity of re- 
 i turning Colonel Robinson, for answer, that 
 his request will be impolitic for me to 
 grant." 
 
 " Speaking of letters," pursued Washing- 
 ton, " reminds me that some days since I re- 
 ceived one from you, in which you mentioned 
 your intention of establishing a beacon about 
 five miles below King's Ferry, whereby the 
 country would be alarmed in case the enemy 
 should make any demonstrations toward this 
 quarter. Have you put your plan in execu- 
 tion yet. General ?" 
 
 " I have not, your excellency." 
 
 " I wish you would, then, without delay, as, 
 from some hints I have recently received of 
 Sir Henry's designs, I think it an important 
 precaution." 
 
 " I will attend to it, your excellency. But 
 
 may I inquire if your excellency apprehends 
 an attack from the British soon ?" 
 
 " It is always safe to be prepared," re- 
 turned Washington, evading the question. 
 
 Arnold colored, bowed, but made no reply, 
 and the interview ended here. The moment 
 he was left to himself, the traitor ground his 
 teeth in rage, aad with a horrible oath, mut- 
 tered, half audibly : 
 
 " By ! I will teach him how to answer 
 
 me some day." 
 
 As we have before said, the party passed 
 the night at Peekskill ; and early the follow- 
 ing morning Washington and his retinue re- 
 sumed their route to Hartford ; while General 
 Arnold returned to West Point, and, knowing 
 he had no time to lose, immediately took ac- 
 tive steps toward the accomplishment of his 
 infamous design. 
 
 CHAPTER jXVII. 
 
 STKATAQEM MANEUVERS. 
 
 The plan of Sir Henry Clinton for effect- 
 ing an interview between Colonel Robinson 
 and General Arnold, as detailed to Sir George 
 Rodney, on the night of the ball, in the hear- 
 ing of Rosalie Du Pont, was, as the reader has 
 been made aware by the events of tltt pre- 
 ceding chapter, so far successfully carried out, 
 as to have the letter of Robinson reach -the 
 hands of the traitor ; and but for the arrival 
 of Washington at King's Ferry at this import- 
 ant crisis, the desired meeting would have 
 taken place, and Arnold's scheme of villainy 
 would undoubtedly have been consummated. 
 But as matters turned out, the traitor deemed 
 it too impolitic, not to say hazardous, to ven- 
 ture an interview with Robinson in direct op- 
 position to the advice of Washington, and 
 therefore set his wits to work to bring about 
 a meeting of a less public nature. To this end, 
 on his return to head-quarters, he immediately 
 wrote two letters to Colonel Robinson, one in- 
 closed within the other, which he dispatched to 
 the Vulture by an officer in a flag-boat. Both 
 of these missives were carefully worded ; but 
 why two w«re sent, when one would have an- 
 swered the purpose, is something we can not 
 explain. The envelope letter merely stated, in 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 77 
 
 general terms, that the writer had consulted 
 Washington, -who disapproved the proposition, 
 and said it -was a business wholly belonging to 
 the civil authority. The inclosed letter was 
 more explicit, and, among other things, ^Yent 
 on to say, that on Wednesday night, the 20th 
 inst., a person would be at Dobbs' Ferry, or 
 on board the Vulture, who would be furnished 
 with a boat and a flag of truce, and whose se- 
 crecy and honor might be implicitly relied 
 upon. He also advised that the Vulture 
 should remain in her present position till the 
 time appointed ; and concluded by saying, that 
 he expected Washington to lodge at Robin- 
 son's house on Saturday night next, and that 
 he would then lay before him any communica- 
 tion he, Robinson, might wish to make. 
 
 Washington crossed King's Ferry on Mon- 
 day, the 18th of September, and this letter 
 was dated at Arnold's head-quarters the day 
 following ; and as it did not reach the Vulture 
 tiU late in the afternoon of the same day, there 
 was, consequently, but little more than twenty- 
 four hours between its arrival and the time 
 appointed for the meeting. 
 
 Previous to this, however, and shortly after 
 his return from his first unsuccessful attempt 
 to meet Andre — which, as the reader has 
 seen, was only prevented by a mistake of the 
 guarfi-boats — General Arnold, not knowing 
 any thing of Sir genry's plan in regard to 
 sending Robinson, wrote a letter to John An- 
 derson, in which, in his usual ambiguous style 
 of a mercantile correspondent, he cautioned 
 Andre not to reveal any thing to Colonel 
 Sheldon or any other person, saying that he 
 himself had made one confidant too many, 
 who had prevented some very profitable spe- 
 culations. He then concluded as follows ; 
 
 "A person, in whom confidence can be 
 placed, will be at the landing on the east side 
 of Dobbs' Ferry, on Wednesday evening, the 
 20th inst.; and if you will be there, this per- 
 son will conduct you to a place of safety, 
 where I will meet you. It will be necessary 
 for you to be in disguise — I can not be more 
 explicit at present. Meet me if possible. 
 You may rest assured, if there is no danger in 
 passing your lipes, you will be perfectly safe 
 where I propose a meeting." 
 This letter bore the usual signature of 
 
 "Gustavus;'' and on receiving it, Andre im- 
 mediately consulted with Sir Henry as to what 
 was best to be done under the oircumstanoos. 
 Robinson having already gone up the river 
 on this business, it was finally decided to 
 await some message from him, as it was more 
 than probable the afiair would be settled be- 
 fore the time appointed in Arnold's letter. 
 
 To further secure Andre against difficulty, 
 Arnold, at the same time he wrote to him, also 
 wrote to Major Tallmage — who, as the reader 
 has already been informed, was quartered at 
 Northoastle — and requested him, in case a 
 person by the name of John Anderson ar- 
 rived at his station, to send him without delay 
 to head-quarters, escorted by two dragoons. 
 
 A copy of the letter which Arnold had 
 written to Andre previous to Robinson's arri- 
 val at Teller's Point, was also inclosed to the 
 last-mentioned officer by Arnold, at the same 
 time he sent the others ; and after a brief con- 
 sultation on board the Vulture, Robinson and 
 Sutherland decided to forward the whole three 
 by express to Sir Henry Clinton, who would 
 thus be informed exactly how matters were 
 progressing. This was accordingly done, 
 and Sir Henry received them at a late hour 
 the same night. 
 
 Andre was with him when the courier ar- 
 rived; and as soon as the letters had been 
 read and commented upon, it was agreed that 
 the latter should set out the following morn- 
 ing for Dobbs' Ferry, to meet the messen- 
 ger of Arnold — or rather Arnold himself — for 
 it was believed by both Clinton and Andre, 
 that he was the individual alluded to in his 
 correspondence, as it was customary for him 
 to speak of himself in the third person, in 
 order to make the deception more complete. 
 
 Ere his departure from New York, Sir 
 Henry Clinton positively enjoined upon Ma- 
 jor Andre not to change his dress, nor dis- 
 guise himself in any manner, as proposed by 
 General Arnold, nor to go within the Ameri- 
 can lines, nor under any circumstances what- 
 ever to take papers. 
 
 "Remember," he said, "you are dealing 
 with a traitor — a being lost to every sense of 
 honor and moral rectitude — and therefore you 
 can not be too guarded how you place your- 
 self in his power. But," he added, " I do not 
 
THE FEMALE SPYj OR, 
 
 think Arnold will ever ask you to venture 
 within the American lines, as it is probable 
 he will come off to the Vulture himself, and 
 the business will all be transacted there. 
 Now go, and may the Almighty bless you, 
 guard you, and grant you a speedy return !" 
 
 "Farewell," said Andre, with a heavy 
 heart ; for the terrible prediction of the as- 
 trologer was now ringing in his ears, and a 
 strange, unaccountable dread was creeping 
 over him. " Farewell, Sir Henry 1 my friend! 
 my benefactor! Should any thing occur that 
 we never meet again " 
 
 "Tut! tut!" interrupted the other hastily: 
 "nothing of the kind shall occur. There, 
 God bless you ! go !" 
 
 Andre grasped Sir Henry's hand, pressed 
 it to his lips, and sprang away with an over- 
 flowing heart. Alas ! that we must say it — 
 never to meet his benefactor again on earth. 
 
 It was Andre's first intention to go up to 
 Dobbs' Ferry, and thence send a message to 
 Captain Sutherland, requesting him to drop 
 down wihh the Vulture to that place ; but as 
 it was rather late in the day when he arrived 
 there, and as Arnold's letter stated a messen- 
 ger from him would either that be night at 
 the ferry, or on board the Vulture, Andre re- 
 solved to push forward to the vessel without 
 delay. 
 
 It was about seven o'clock in the evening 
 when he arrived at his final destination, where 
 he remained over night ; but, much to his dis- 
 appointment, without seeing Arnold, or re- 
 ceiving any message from him. His anxiety 
 to complete the business in hand was now 
 very great ; for the time favorable to the ob- 
 ject was fast slipping a-way ; and it was well 
 known, from Arnold's correspondence, that 
 Washington was expected back on the coming 
 Saturday. 
 
 On Thursday, the day following his arrival 
 on board the Vulture, not having, as we just 
 remarked, heard any thing from Arnold, An- 
 dre wrote a rather desponding letter to Sir 
 Henry Clinton, in which, afler stating what 
 he had done, he went on to say that this was 
 the second journey he had made without any 
 ostensible reason, that a third would undoubt- 
 edly excite suspicion, and, therefore, he had 
 thought best, under the circumstances, to 
 
 feign sickness, and remain where he was for 
 the present, in the hope that something would 
 soon transpire favorable to his object. And 
 it was also possible, he drgued, that Arnold, 
 not knowing of his arrival, had sent a mes- 
 senger to the ferry, who, in consequence, had 
 missed him, and that a little more time might 
 set every thing right. , 
 
 As soon as this letter had been dispatched 
 to Clinton ; Andre, Robinson, and Sutherland, 
 the only persons on board the Vulture who 
 knew any thing of the treasonous plot, at 
 once set to work to devise means of making 
 Andre's presence here known to Arnold. An 
 incident which had occurred the day previous 
 gave them an excellent opportunity for doing 
 so, without incurring any risk or exciting the 
 least suspicion. On the day of Andre's arri- 
 val, a flag of truce had been exhibited at Tell- 
 er's Point, seemingly to invite a friendly in- 
 tercourse with the vessel. The captain so 
 understanding it, had sent off a boat with 
 another flag ; but the moment it approached 
 within a short distance of the shore, it was 
 fired upon by several armed men hitherto 
 concealed. This, of course, was a violation 
 of the laws of war ; and was deemed not only 
 a fit subject for remonstrance, but a suflicient 
 reason for dispatching a flag-boat with a 
 letter to the American commanding officer. 
 Accordingly, the dispatch was prepared, dated 
 on board the Vulture, September the 21st, 
 signed by Captain Sutherland, and counter- 
 signed by John Anderson, as secretary. This, 
 of course, would convey to Arnold the import- 
 ant fact, that Andre was on board the Viilture ; 
 and yet, if read by others, would occasion no 
 suspicion of a sinister design. 
 
 Let us now return to Arnold. It vriU be 
 remembered that in a former chapter of this 
 true history, we described an interview be- 
 tween the traitor and Smith, in which the lat- 
 ter agreed to have his family removed when- 
 ever the former should desire, in order that 
 Arnold and Anderson might meet at his house, 
 and be undisturbed in their intercourse. We 
 will not impute to Smith any bad motive in 
 thus readily yielding to the request of Arnold; 
 for from all the evidence we have seen on 
 the subject — and we have spared neither time 
 nor expense in collecting the facts we here 
 
TREASOJSr IN THE CAMP. 
 
 79 
 
 record— we do not honestly believe that he 
 had any idea of thabase plot in which he was 
 a very prominent actor. No ; we believe that, 
 being naturally vain, his better judgment was 
 dispossessed by the flattering attentions of an 
 officer holding the distinguished position of 
 Arnold, and that he thought he was doino; his 
 country good service in assisting him to obtain 
 accurate information respecting the designs nf 
 ,the enemy ; this being the plea which Arnold 
 held out to him for having an interview 
 strictly private. Be this as it may, however, 
 we will not longer interrupt our narrative to 
 intrude our opinions upon the reader, but pro- 
 ceed to state the facts as they occurred. 
 
 After making a second appointment for An- 
 dre to meet him or his agent At Dobbs' Ferry, 
 Arnold informed Smith what he had done, 
 and further added that the time was approach- 
 ing when he should expect him to fulfil his 
 promise, not only in having his family re- 
 moved, but in himself going down to the ferry 
 to meet Anderson, for the purpose of conduct- 
 ing him to his own house. 
 
 Accordingly, on Monday, the same day that 
 "Washington crossed King's Ferry, Smith set 
 off with his wife and family up the river, 
 ostensibly to pay a visit to his relations in 
 Fishkill, a small village on the Hudson, a few 
 miles above West Point. Leaving his family 
 there, Smith the next day set out on his re- 
 turn ; and as Arnold's head-quarters was only 
 a little out of his road, he called there on his 
 way back to let the General know that so far 
 his request had been complied with. Arnold 
 had just returned from his trip down the 
 river, and written the letters to Robinson, else- 
 where mentioned ; and consequently Smith's 
 arrival could not have been more opportune, 
 nor the information he brought more welcome 
 than now. 
 
 Arnold now told him, that instead of pro- 
 ceeding to Dobbs' Ferry, as at first intended, 
 he wished him, on the night of the following 
 day, to go on board the Vulture, and bring on 
 shore Colonel Beverly Robinson, who wished 
 to see him in private on some business con- 
 nected with the recovery of his estate ; and 
 to give the matter an apparent interest in his 
 own eyes, hinted that Robinson might be in- 
 duced to desert the British, which just at this 
 
 time would be of incalculable benefit to the 
 American cause. Ho then gave Smith the 
 customary pass for a flag of truce, and a let- 
 ter to Colonel Robinson, together with direc- 
 tions how to pass the American gun-boats, 
 (which wore always stationed on the river, 
 whenever a British man-of-war came up, in 
 order to prevent intercourse with the shore,) 
 and how to proceed when he should get along- 
 side the vessel. He also told him that Jta.jor 
 Kierse, the quarter-master at Stony Point, 
 would supply him with a boat whenever ho 
 should want one, and that he could proceed 
 with all safety, as all the oificcrs were'*ac- 
 quainted'with his purpose- 
 
 With these instructions and his papers, 
 Smith left Arnold, and pursued his route 
 home, where he arrived the same evening ; 
 and on the following day, Wednesday, he set 
 about making preparations to execute the 
 wishes of the General. But he met with two 
 obstacles which completely frustrated his de- 
 sign. In the first place, there was no boat to 
 be procured short of the Continental village, 
 some miles distant; and, in the second place, 
 he could not get any one who would consent 
 to row it. He tried Samuel Colquhoun, one 
 of ilis tenants, and used every kind of persua- 
 sion, argument, and even added a bribe ; but 
 all to no effect : the man positively refused to 
 go ; alleging as a reason, that he feared being 
 taken up by the guard-boats. 
 
 Finding himself utterly foiled in his attempt 
 to comply with the wishes of Arnold, Smith 
 thought it advisable to forward the General 
 immediate intelligence of his failure ; and he 
 accordingly mounted Colquhoun as an ex- 
 press, who rode all night, and reached Robin- 
 son's house just before sunrise. Arnold re- 
 ceived Smith's written message in bed, and 
 immediately sent the bearer word that no an- 
 swer was required, and that he might return 
 without delay. 
 
 At an early hour in the morning, Arnold 
 started down the river ; and as chance wouH 
 have it, he arrived at Verplank's Point jupt as 
 the flag-boat, sent off by Captain Sutherland, 
 had left on its return to the Vulture. Colonel 
 Livingston at once handed him the letter of 
 remonstrance, countersigned by John Ander- 
 son. Arnold understood it at once ; and it 
 
80 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 was with a gleam of delight he thus learned 
 that Major Andre had come up from New 
 Tort, and was now on board the vessel at 
 Teller's Point. To make preparations for 
 bringing him on shore the following night, was 
 now his sole object. "With this design, he in- 
 formed Colonel Livingston that he had been 
 made aware there was a person on board the 
 Vulture, who, if he could procure an interview 
 with him, would give him .secret intelligence 
 of the enemy, and that to effect this purpose 
 it was necessary he should have the counter- 
 sign to pass the guard-boats without molesta- 
 tion. Not suspecting any thing wrong, Living- 
 ston readily gave him the word for the night, 
 and also promised to provide against any acci- 
 dent happening to his messenger. Arnold's 
 next care was to have a boat ready for the 
 occasion, as Smith had written him that he 
 had not procured one. For this purpose he 
 crossed over to Stony Point, and not finding 
 one tliere, despatched an officer in his own 
 barge to the Continental village, which stood 
 near a creek that emptied itself into the Hud- 
 son some distance above, with orders to bring 
 down a row-boat from that place. Leaving 
 directions with Major Kierse to send this boat, 
 the moment it should arrive, to a certain place 
 in Haverstraw Creek, Arnold now repaired to 
 Smith's house, to make further preparations 
 .for the nocturnal journey of the latter and the 
 completion of his own base design. 
 
 Having thus shown the maneuvering of all 
 parties for several days, and reduced the 
 whole affair within a definite compass, we 
 shall now proceed to give the incidents which 
 followed something more in detail. 
 
 CHAPTEE XVIII. 
 
 THE MEETING OF ARNOLD AND ANDRE. 
 
 The sun had set, twilight had almost deep- 
 ened into night, and the stars, one after an- 
 other, were just beginning to spangle the clear 
 dome of the heavens, as, with impatient strides. 
 General Arnold paced up and down a small 
 square chamber in the second story of Smith's 
 mansion. On two sides of this apartment 
 were arranged several heavy book-cases, the 
 shelves of which separated a goodly collection 
 
 of books of various kinds; and partly for this 
 reason, and partly by way of distinction, the 
 room was denominated the library. It occu- 
 pied the south-eastern angle of the house, and 
 had two windows, one looking east, and the 
 other south, and these commanded an entire 
 view of Haverstraw Bay. The apartment 
 contained no superfluous furniture. Besides 
 the book-case, there was an escritoire in one 
 corner, several massive arm-chairs standing 
 carelessly about, and a heavy oaken table in 
 the center, on which books and papers were 
 mingled in what we may be allowed to term 
 literary confusion. On one of these books, 
 which occupied a higher position than the rest, 
 stood a neat silver lamp, whose clear but feeble 
 rays were just sufEcient to make objects visi- 
 ble, without bringing them into bold relief. 
 As Arnold, in his impatient strides, passed 
 this light, an occasional gleam fell upon his 
 face, and showed it very pale, while now and 
 then some muscle could be seen to twitch and 
 quiver, indicating that the mind, which governs 
 the outward man, was in a state of unusual 
 excitement and agitation. 
 
 Several times did he halt before one or 
 other of the windows, and peer out, with a 
 quick, eager look ; but only each time to ex- 
 perience a fresh disappointment, if one might 
 judge from the haste with which he ever re- 
 sumed his walk, and the bitter imprecations 
 which occasionally passed his lips. 
 
 la this manner nearly half aii hour rolled 
 away, and the treacherous general was just 
 working himself into a terrible passion, when 
 a quick step was heard along the corridor, and 
 the next moment the door opened, and Smith 
 entered. 
 
 ""Well?" cried Arnold, in an impetuous tone, 
 turning almost fiercely upon the other 
 
 "He will be here presently, your excel- 
 lency," answered Smith, respectfully. 
 
 "Presently?" repeated the General, sav- 
 agely ; " and when is presently ? he should bo 
 here now — ay, should have been here half an 
 hour ago. Presently, indeed I Am I a dog, 
 to wait patiently the coming of this raan, as 
 if he were my master 1" 
 
 ""Well, General, it is not altogether hia 
 fault. I could not find hinj as soon as I ex 
 peoted, and then he complained of fatigue, 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 83 
 
 and said he could not come till lie had eaten 
 his supper." 
 
 "Dmph! By ! then I am to wait for 
 
 his loggerheadsliip to eat, eh ? and the busi- 
 ness of state to suifer for his empty belly? 
 Well, well, things have come to a pretty pass, 
 truly." 
 
 " I fear, your exoollenoy, ho will bo of lit- 
 tle service to you when he does come, unless 
 your persuasive powers are greater than 
 mine," rejoined Smith. 
 
 " You think he will refuse to go, eh 1" 
 
 " I know he will." 
 
 " Indeed ! well, let him — ay, sir, let him !" 
 returned Arnold, sneeringly ; and then, with 
 sudden energy and a horrid oath, added : 
 " By — — ■ ! sir, he shall go ! — mark that ! I 
 say he shall go !" and his features became 
 flushed with passion, and his black eyes 
 seemed to shoot rays of fire. 
 
 To this Smith made no reply; and after 
 pacing up and down the room a few times 
 more, Arnold stopped, threw himself heavily 
 into a chair, and in an altered tone said : 
 
 "By-the-by, friend Smith, what was that 
 you were telling me a while ago about the 
 capture of a spy by the British? I only 
 heard part, as, while you were talking, I was 
 busy thinking over some important matters 
 of my own. You must pardon my inattention 
 — but recently I have had so much on my mind 
 that I am only surprised I retain my reason." 
 
 " Why, your excellency was asking after 
 news, and I replied that the most important I 
 had heard was the capture of a spy, which in- 
 telligence a friend of mine picked up down 
 the river. It seems that a young man was 
 taken while attempting to pass the British 
 lines, and while the guard was conducting 
 him to the nearest station, he was observed to 
 put something into his mouth and swallow. 
 The guard related what he had seen to his 
 commanding officer, who immediately had the 
 prisoner searched ; but not finding any thing 
 on his person, and his suspicions being 
 aroused, he sent for the surgeon, who admi- 
 nistered an emetic. The result was, the pri- 
 soner vomited up a silver ball, wiich, on be- 
 ing broken open, was found to contain a paper 
 giving an account of a recently discovered 
 plot of the British against the Americans." 
 
 "Indeed !" returned Arnold, quickly ; "and 
 did you learn the nature of this plot?" 
 
 "I did not." 
 
 " Well, and what was done with the spy ? — 
 hung, of course." 
 
 "If not, doubtless he will be," replied 
 Smith. " I only heard that he had been sent 
 to General Clinton's head-quarters for further 
 examination, as it was supposed he was only 
 an agent in the business, and not a principal, 
 and there was a great anxiety to find out the 
 latter. If his life is spared, depend upon it, 
 it will only be by his turning King's evidence." 
 
 The conversation was here interrupted by 
 the entrance of a servant, who said that one 
 Samuel Colquhoun was below, who wished to 
 speak with General Arnold. 
 
 " Show him up instantly," replied the Ge- 
 neral; and very soon after, a stout, muscu- 
 lar, coarse-featured individual, whose plain, 
 dirt-soiled dress, heavy hoots, sun-browned 
 complexion, and calloused hands bespoke the 
 ordinary laborer, entered the library. 
 
 "Well, Mr. Colquhoun, it seems you are 
 here at last," said Arnold ; " though I must be 
 free to say your tardiness has tired my pa- 
 tience not a little. But let that pass. I have 
 sent for you, my man, to request you will do 
 me the favor of accompanying Mr. Smith in 
 a boat to the Vulture, and bring thence to 
 shore a certain person with whom it is neces- 
 sary I should have a private interview to- 
 night. The boat is already in the creek be- 
 low here, and you have nothing to do but row 
 down and back, and for this service I am will- 
 ing to pay you liberally. Come, what say 
 you ? — will go, of course." 
 
 While Arnold was speaking, Colquhoun 
 stood with his back against the door, and his 
 hat in his hand, which he was looking down 
 upon and twirling about in a rather embar- 
 rassed manner, evidently meditating upon the 
 reply he should make to the General's request. 
 When the other had done, he still hesitated a 
 moment, and then said : 
 
 "Why, you see, your excellency, I should 
 like to accommodate you — but the fact is, you 
 see, I was up all last night, riding express, and 
 I'm too tired to undertake so hard a job. Be- 
 sides, your excellency, I don't much like the 
 notion of going out on the Bay in the night ; 
 
82 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 for the guard-boats is all about ; and if they 
 Bhould happcE to git hold of us, as I know 
 they will, it would be a right troublesome job 
 maybe, and I'd much rather be clear on't. 
 Now, your excellency, I wouldn't mind going 
 in the morning, by daylight, with a flag of 
 truce ; but this night business don't suit j and 
 BO, although I'd like to oblige your excellency 
 in every thing that's proper, I must, for the 
 reasons I've told you, decline going to-night." 
 
 "Why, my good fellow, the morning will 
 be too late," replied Arnold ^ " for there is a 
 person on board the Vulture whom I must see 
 to-night, and who must be brought on shore 
 without delay. The business I have with him 
 is of the utmost importance to the country ; 
 and if you are a true friend to your country, 
 I am sure you will not hesitate to go on the 
 mission I send you. You shall be furnished 
 with a flag of truce, and I will give you the 
 countersign, so that you will have no difficulty 
 in passing the guard-boats." 
 
 " It seems to me," joined in Smith, " that 
 you are wilfully obstinate, Sam. Can you not 
 do what General Arnold requires of you for 
 the public good ? Remember, that I am to 
 go with you, and whatever risk you may run, 
 I shall, of course, run the same ; and do you 
 think I would venture on a dangerous enter- 
 prise, or insist on your accompanying me to- 
 night, were it not all important this person, 
 whoever he is, should be brought on shore ?" 
 
 Colquhoun listened, twirled his hat round 
 more than ever, and after some hesitation, 
 again replied : 
 
 " Why, I'd like to accommodate ye, gentle- 
 men ; but I don't much like this night busi- 
 ness, as I said afore ; and besides, I don't see 
 what use there is in going in the dark, when 
 it appears to me that daylight might do just 
 as well. It's out of the regular way of doing 
 things ; alid these secret businesses always is 
 dangerous, say what you like about 'em." 
 
 " The business on which I send you is no 
 secret," replied Arnold; "it is one well 
 known to all the officers ; even Major Kierse 
 furnishes the boat you are to go in ; and the 
 commanders of the guard-boats have had their 
 instructions from Colonel Livingston himself, 
 understand the countersign, and will let your 
 boat pass witnout molestation. As to the 
 
 business being put off till morning, that is im- 
 possible ; for it is absolutely necessary the 
 man should be brought on shore secretly, in 
 order to prevent the transaction from becom- 
 ing generally known to the inhabitants, who 
 would, of course, make more or less talk about 
 it, start a thousand vague rumors, and in all 
 probability defeat the great end I have in view 
 for the public good." 
 
 " Well, General, if I was ever so much in- 
 clined to go, I couldn't manage the boat 
 alone," rejoined Colquhoun. 
 
 "Well, then," chimed in Smith, "why not 
 call your brother Joseph ?" 
 
 " I don't believe Joe would go," answered 
 Sam ; " but to please you, I'll try him." 
 
 "Be quick, then, for I am very impa- 
 tient, as we have delayed too long alrear 
 dy," said Arnold ; and as Colquhoun went 
 out, the traitor added, to Smith : " The 
 fellow don't intend to go, I see plainly; 
 
 but by ! he shall, or it shall be the 
 
 worse for him." 
 
 In about half an hour, Samuel Colquhoun 
 retifrned, in company with his brother Joseph. 
 Smith immediately took the latter aside, and 
 used the same arguments with him he had 
 done with Samuel, and with the same result ; 
 for the brothers had agreed upon one point 
 while left to themselves, namely, that they 
 would resist all persuasions, and refuse to 
 embark in an enterprise which, notwith- 
 standing all that Smith and Arnold might 
 say to the contrary, they believed to be im- 
 proper and hazardous. Arnold next tried 
 his persuasive powers ; but finding all his 
 arguments fruitless, that the brothers were 
 firm in their determination, he at length re- 
 solved upon a difierent course, and in a harsh, 
 imperious tone, said : 
 
 " Men, you are stubborn and wilful, and 
 have refused to comply with my request, just 
 to have your own way. Now, if you persist 
 in this — persist in refusing to give your aid to 
 your country in a time of need — there remains 
 but one course for me to pursue. I shall 
 be obliged to look upon you as disaffected 
 
 toward the common cause ; and, by ! as 
 
 surely as that my name is Benedict Arnold, I 
 will put you both under arrest in less than 
 twenty-four hours ; so choose now between 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 83 
 
 doing a worthy deed, or being forever brand- 
 ed with disgrace." 
 
 On hearing this threatening language, the 
 brothers became alarmed ; and after a short 
 consultation together, said, that uiider the' 
 circumstances, they would consent to do the 
 General's bidding. 
 
 " Well, then," replied Arnold, " you must 
 prepare to set off forthwith ; and to show you 
 that I do not ask your labor for nothing, I 
 will promise you, as a reward for your ser- 
 vices, fifty pounds of flour apiece." 
 
 Arnold then drew Smith aside, and after a 
 short consultation, said, in conclusion : 
 
 " You have all the necessary papers — mar 
 nage as I have directed, and you will have no 
 trouble. Let there be as much expedition as 
 possible. I shall be at the rendezvous before 
 you." 
 
 Arnold then accompanied the party to the 
 boat, which was at the landing near the 
 mouth of Haverstraw Creek. A considera- 
 ble delay had been occasioned by one means 
 and another, and it was past eleven o'clock 
 when the boat got under way, and retreated 
 from the shore. By the General's directions, 
 the oars were muffled, and not a sound was 
 audible, as it glided over the tranquil waters, 
 and was finally swallowed up in the dark- 
 ness. Arnold watched it on its progress, tiU 
 only a mere speck was visible, and then re- 
 traced his steps to Smith's house, with what 
 feeling we must leave to treacherous souls to 
 imagine. 
 
 The die was now cast ; the last link which 
 connected him with those great, immortal 
 spirits, contending for liberty and the rights 
 of man, was now broken ; and nothing seemed 
 to remain for him but success in his vile 
 undertaking, or an ignominious death upon 
 the scaffold. It was, therefore, with strange 
 feelings, not unmixed with fears for the 
 result, that Arnold reflected upon his work 
 of treason ; but there was no hesitation ; 
 he had coolly, deliberately, resolved upon 
 his course of infamy, and he was now as 
 determined as ever to push it through at all 
 hazards. 
 
 As soon as he had returned to the mansion, 
 he ordered one of the servants to saddle two 
 iiorses, and prepare to accompany him ; and 
 
 in less than half sm hour, he was on the road 
 leading to the village of Haverstraw. He did 
 not enter the village, however, but, when 
 fairly in sight of it, turned off to the left, and 
 made his way as best he could to the bank 
 of the river, at the foot of , the Long Clove 
 mountain — the place agreed upon between 
 him and Smith as the rendezvous. Ordering 
 the servant to remain at some distance with 
 the horses, Arnold next ensconsed himself 
 in a dense thicket, and, with all the patience 
 he could command, awaited the arrival of 
 Andre. 
 
 Meantime, let us return to Smith. The 
 night was clear and serene, the stars shone 
 brightly in the great firmament above, and 
 not a ripple disturbed the glassy surface of 
 the tranquil bay, as the boat, steadily pro- 
 pelled by the strong arms of the oarsmen, 
 glided silently over the bosom of the waters, 
 vfith its white flag hanging motionless around 
 the staff ill the bow. Not a word was spoken, 
 not a whisper breathed, as though each were 
 too much impressed vrith his dangerous mis- 
 sion to give, voice to thought. Gradually the 
 boat approached its destination, undisturbed, 
 till at last the dark sides of the Vulture 
 loomed up dead ahead, vrithin speaking dis- 
 tance. A moment after, a hoarse seaman's 
 voice challenged : 
 
 " Boat ahoy I who are you, and whither 
 bound?" 
 
 "Americans," replied Smith, answering 
 according to Arnold's instructions, " going 
 from King's Ferry to Dobbs' Ferry, with a 
 flag of truce.'' 
 
 "Heave to, and come alongside with your 
 d — d lubberly craft, before I scuttle her with 
 a six-pounder," was the gruff response ; and 
 as Smith, anticipating some such reply, or- 
 dered the oarsmen to approach the ship's side 
 as quick as possible, the officer of the watch 
 continued to pour forth a strain of the most 
 uncourtly epithets with which his sailor vo- 
 cabulary was stored. 
 
 " You lubberly, piratical rebels,'' he 
 
 continued, " what are you doing out here at 
 this time of night ? A fine time to be scull- 
 ing your worm-eaten craft over his Majesty's 
 waters, on some thieving exploit, with a cow- 
 ardly white rag stuck up to keep gentlemen 
 
84 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OK, 
 
 of our cloth from sending you to Davy Jones's 
 
 locker ! How dare you rebel greenhorns 
 
 approach one of his Majesty's vessels under 
 
 cover of darkness? By ! I've a mind to 
 
 give you the cat o'-nine, and run you up at 
 the yard-arm, vsjthout time to say the Lord's 
 prayer ; and then you'd be too well served, 
 for such piratical dogs as you are !" 
 
 While the night-watch was venting his 
 spleen in this manner. Smith improved the 
 time in clambering up the side of the ship ; 
 and the sight of him standing coolly on deck, 
 without any apparent fear, increased the fury 
 of the officer to such a degree, that even 
 Smith began to grow alarmed, lest he should 
 proceed to some act of violence ; but just at 
 the moment when his rage appeared at the 
 highest, a boy came on deck, and said : 
 
 " It is Captain Sutherland's orders that the 
 man be shown into the cabin." 
 
 Smith followed the boy down ; and on en- 
 tering the cabin, perceived two officers, one 
 of whom, dressed in a colonel's uniform, with 
 gray hair, and a venerable countenance, he 
 at once recognized as Beverly Robinson, with 
 whom he had had some slight acquaintance 
 previous to the war. The other person, 
 dressed in a naval uniform, he did not know, 
 but rightly conjectured him to be the com- 
 mander of the Vulture. 
 
 " Ah, Mr. Smith," said Robinson, coming 
 forward and extending his hand, "happy to 
 renew our acquaintance, sir. Eh! what is 
 this ?" he added, as Smith presented Arnold's 
 letter. " Addressed to me. Hum ! take a 
 seat, Mr. Smith, and I will see if any answer ^ 
 is required." 
 
 He broke open the missive as he spoke, 
 and read to himself, as follows : 
 
 "SiK, — This will be delivered to you by 
 Mr. Smith, who will conduct you to a place of 
 safety. Neither Mr. Smith nor any other per- 
 son shall be made acquainted with your pro- 
 posals. If they, which I doubt not, are of 
 such a nature that I can officially take notice 
 of them, I shall do it with pleasure. I take 
 it for granted. Colonel Robinson will not pro- 
 pose any thing that is not for the interest of 
 the United States, as well as himself." 
 
 This was signed Benedict Arnold, Major- 
 Qeneral ; and as soon as he bad peinised it, 
 
 Robinson turned to Smith, and asked him if 
 he had any other papers. 
 
 " These passports are all," replied Smith, 
 putting them in Robinson's hand. 
 
 The first read : 
 
 " This paper duly authorizes Joshua Smith 
 to go to Dobbs' Ferry, with three men and a 
 boy in a boat, with a flag, to carry some let- 
 ters of a private nature for a gentleman in 
 New York, and to return immediately, he 
 having permission to go at such hours and 
 times as the tide and his business suit ;" and 
 the other granted permission "to Joshua 
 Smitli, Mr. John Anderson, and two ser- 
 vants, to pass and repass the guards near 
 King's Ferry; at all times." 
 
 Both bore recent date, and were signed by 
 Arnold ; and as soon as Robinson had read 
 them, he understood the meaning; which was, 
 that Andre, and not himself, should come on 
 shore — they also serving to secure the boat 
 from being detained by the water-guards, in 
 case any of the latter had not been furnished 
 ■with the countersign. 
 
 Robinson now spoke aside with Sutherland 
 for a few minutes ; and then apologizing to 
 Smith for having neglected to introduce him 
 to the Captain, immediately did so, and 
 quitted the cabin, leaving the two in conver- 
 sation. 
 
 At once seeking Andre, Robinson placed 
 Arnold's papers before him, and said : 
 
 " I do not like this business. Arnold should 
 have come on board himself, and not sent a 
 third party. He evidently expects you to go 
 on shore to him." 
 
 " And so I will," replied Andre. 
 
 "Well, I would not," rejoined Robinson, 
 in a decided tone; "for between ourselves, I 
 do not think too much confidence should be 
 placed on the word of a man, who is, by this 
 very interview, seeking to betray has country. 
 No ; let him come to you, or let the business 
 fall through— it is too hazardous for you to 
 go to him. Were Sir Henry himself herej 1 
 do not believe he would consent to your leav- 
 ing the vessel." 
 
 "Well, perhaps not," responded. Andre; 
 " buti am tired and sick of this suspense, and 
 will take upon myself all risks, for the sake of 
 bringing the affair to an end. It is useless to 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 85 
 
 attempt to dissuade me, for I am fixed in my 
 determination ; so pray assist me to get away, 
 that I may be back before the dawn." 
 
 "■Well, you must conceal your uniform, for 
 Smith is not aware you are a soldier. There, 
 this blue overcoat will do it." 
 
 A few minutes after this conversation, Ro- 
 binson cpnduoted Andre, completely enveloped 
 in a blue cloth greatcoat, into the cabin, and 
 advancing to Smith, introduced him as Mr. 
 John Anderson, adding : 
 
 "As I am at this time not in very good 
 health, Mr. Smith, I have deputed this gentle- 
 man, who being perfectly acquainted with the 
 business upon which the consultation is to be 
 held, can fully act in my stead, and give all 
 the information desired." Then turning to 
 Andre : "You can express my regrets to Gene- 
 ral Arnold, Mr. Anderson, and say that ill 
 health alone prevents my going on shore to 
 see him to-night." 
 
 Andre bowed an affirmative, and led the 
 way out of the cabin, followed by Smith. The 
 Captain also accolnpanied the parties on deck, 
 and proposed that one of his own boats should 
 go armed and tow the other ; but this being 
 strongly objected to by both Smith and An- 
 dre, Sutherland did not urge the point, and the 
 parties soon after embarked in silence. The 
 Colquhouns, with muffled oars, now rowed 
 steadily from the ship's side, and soon all 
 were invisible to those who had watched them 
 from the deck. 
 
 On their way to the rendezvous. Smith 
 made several remarks, intended to draw his 
 companion into conversation ; but as Andre 
 replied not, or answered Only in monosylla- 
 bles, the former ceased his vain attempts, and 
 a deep silence, unbroken save by the rippling 
 of the water against the boat's prow, suc- 
 eeeded. At length the shore was reached ; 
 and bidding Andre and the boatmen await his 
 return. Smith disappeared up the side of the 
 steep mountain. The exact place of rendez- 
 vous had been previously agreed upon between 
 him and Arnold; and after groping about 
 sometime in the tangled bushes, alow, guarded 
 voice in a nervous accent, inquired : 
 
 "Is that you. Smith?" 
 
 "Ay, your excellency." 
 
 "Hush! is all right?" 
 
 " Mr. Anderson has come on shore with 
 me." 
 
 For some time there was no reply to this, 
 during which the bushes just to the right of 
 Smith were a good deal agitated, as if some 
 person, closely hemmed in by them, were 
 shivering with the cold. 
 
 " Conduct him hither," at lengtli said Ar- 
 nold, in an uneven voice; "and then be so 
 kind as to leave us to ourselves for a short 
 time. Ah ! I believe I am getting a i-liill." 
 
 "I hope not, General, for I too well know * 
 what that is. Indeed, I have suffered a good 
 deal with the fever and ague of late, and I 
 fear this night's business will not be likely to 
 mitigate the disorder." 
 
 Smith then retm-ued to the boat, find re- 
 quested Andre, or Anderson, as he supposed 
 him to be, to follow him ; and having con- 
 ducted him to where Arnold was concealed, 
 he left the parties together, in the darkness 
 and dead hours of night, to consummate their 
 diabolical plot of treason. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRE.t30N. 
 
 Although Smith did not make it kuovm 
 to Arnold, either by his language or manner, 
 yet he was any thing but pleased with the re- 
 quest that he should not be present at the 
 interview between the General and Anderson. 
 It seemed to imply a reserve of confidence 
 which he had never noticed till now^ ; and con- 
 sidering all the sacrifices he had made to bring 
 about the meeting, he began to regard himself 
 in the light of a dupe, or tool, for the comple- 
 tion of some purpose very difierent from that 
 alleged by the General to him. The more he 
 reflected upon it, the more vexed did he be- 
 come ; and he paced back and forth along the 
 shore in no enviable mood, expecting every 
 moment to see the concealed parties make 
 their appearance. Minute after minute went 
 by, an hour rolled away, and then another, 
 and still the General and Anderson came not. 
 The oarsmen, meantime, had fallen asleep in 
 the boat, and Smith was thus left entirely to 
 himself. 
 
86 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 At last, his patience having hecome com- 
 pletely exhausted — more especially as the 
 cold night dew was beginning to affect, some- 
 what seriously, a frame none of the strongest, 
 and which had of late suffered no little from 
 the tertian ague — Smith aroused the boatmen, 
 and asked them if they were willing to assist 
 in rowing the boat back to the vessel. 
 
 "No," replied Sam, "not an inch, even if 
 General Arnold puts us under arrest for not 
 doing it." 
 
 " Well," returned Smith, " it is near morn- 
 ing, and we must leave here, at all events." 
 
 He then went into the bushes toward the 
 spot where Arnold was concealed, who hear- 
 ing him approach, called out : 
 
 "Well, who's there?" 
 
 " The night is far spent," replied Smith, 
 " and I have come to tell you that it is neces- 
 sary the boat should leave here before day- 
 light." 
 
 " Ah ! then I will back to the vessel," said 
 the voice of Andre, " and we will finish this 
 business some other time, General." 
 
 " You can not return to-night, Mr. Ander- 
 son," rejoined Smith, " for no persuasion 
 would induce the boatmen to go back ; and 
 besides, I fear we have hardly time to get up 
 the bay before the break of day." 
 
 " Good heavens ! what is to be done 
 then ?" cried Andre, in a voice that denoted 
 alarm. 
 
 "Have no fear," replied Arnold; "I will 
 conduct you to Smith's house, where you will 
 be safe till I can find a way for you to return 
 to your vessel. Follow me. I have two horses 
 just up the hill, and the servant who rode one 
 can go back afoot. I think. Smith, you had 
 better have the boat rowed up to Haverstraw 
 Creek as soon as possible, and we will meet 
 you at your own house." 
 
 "Very well," replied Smith; and as he 
 went back to the boat, Arnold and Andre pro- 
 ceeded to where the black was still holding 
 the horses. 
 
 Bidding the latter hasten to his master, Ar- 
 nold saw Andre mounted on one beast, and 
 mounting the other himself, 'the two set off 
 toward Haverstraw village, making a circuit 
 as they neared it, so as to avoid notice. But 
 they were not successful in eluding observa- 
 
 tion ; for just as they came abreast of the 
 place, the voice of a sentry cried out : 
 
 " Who goes there ?" 
 
 " Friends," replied Arnold. 
 
 " Stand, and give the countersign." 
 
 " Congress," was Arnold's response. 
 
 "Pass on," rejoined the sentry; and our 
 party continuing their course, soon found 
 themselves in the broad highway. 
 
 " My God I" exclaimed Andre, as soon as 
 he dared permit himself to speak ; " is it pos- 
 sible that I am within the American lines 1" 
 
 " Even so," said Arnold ; " but have no fear, 
 my friend, you are under my protection, and 
 I assure you, you shall return in safety to your 
 friends." 
 
 Andre did not reply to this, but his feelings 
 it is impossible to describe. Unconsciously, as 
 it were, he had placed himself within the very 
 jaws of danger, beyond the power of retreat, 
 and nothing could now be done but abide the 
 result. Tin til he heard the challenge of the sen- 
 tinel, he had fancied himself secure on neutral, 
 or, at least, unoccupied ground ; but now all the 
 perils of his situation rose up before him, and 
 strange forebodings filled his mind with gloom 
 and dread. He remembered the awful pre- 
 diction of the astrologer, and he shuddered as 
 he recalled the words, " Thou art doomed to 
 die upon the scaffold." Might not those words 
 come true ? If detected, he would certainly 
 be tried as a spy ; and if convicted, the pe- 
 nalty attached to the crime, by all nations, was 
 too well known to him to leave any doubt on 
 his mind as to what would be his fate. He re- 
 membered, too, the caution of his kind bene- , 
 factor. Sir Henry Clinton, not to go on shore, 
 not to disguise himself, and not to permit him- 
 self to take papers. Two of these injunctions 
 he had disobeyed, and his hear;t smote him for 
 it, although he had reasoned himself into the 
 belief that he was acting for the best. And 
 then he thought what would be Sir Henry's 
 feelings, should he hear his project had been 
 discovered, and his messenger detected and 
 doomed to death. And then his poor mother 
 and sisters, in the far away land beyond the 
 seas^how would they bear the news of his 
 loss, their sole dependence, and what a stigma 
 would an ignominious death bring upon the 
 family name I In all his gloomy reflections, 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 87 
 
 Andro thought more of others than of himself, 
 gave so far as his death would contribute to 
 their woe, and this showed the greatness and 
 nobleness of a soul above the comprehension 
 of meaner minds. 
 
 So lost was Andre in reflections of this na- 
 ture, that several remarks of Arnold passed 
 unheeded, unheard; and even such as were 
 forced upon his notice, failed to arouse his 
 conversational powers, or even draw his mind 
 from its painful reverie. At last, just as dawn 
 was breaking, they drew up before Smith's 
 mansion ; and bidding Andre alight and enter, 
 Arnold conducted him at once to the library. 
 Here, as Andre threw off his overcoat, Ar- 
 nold for the first time became aware that he 
 was in uniform ; and with a start of surprise, 
 he exclaimed : 
 
 " Ah ! Major, you should have come in dis- 
 guise; it will be as much as both our necks 
 are worth, if you are discovered in these habili- 
 ments. Smith will see your dress, of course ; 
 but I must trump up some plausible story to 
 him about your excessive vanity, and endeavor 
 to procure a change, for it will not do for even 
 him to know that you are a British officer." 
 
 " When I left the Vulture to meet you, of 
 course I expected to return before daylight," 
 replied Andre, rather coldly ; " and therefore 
 only provided myself for such an adventure. 
 Had I been aware it was General Arnold's 
 intention to detain me tiU morning, and then 
 conduct me within the American lines, I cer-, 
 tainly should have declined the risk of such a 
 meeting, even had I known that the business 
 on which I came would thereby never have 
 gone beyond a very interesting mercantile 
 eorrespondence." 
 
 " It was not my intention to detain you," re- 
 plied Arnold, quickly ; " but you well know 
 our arrangements were not effected when 
 Smith interrupted us, and you heard whathe 
 said about the boatmen refusing to take you 
 back. I can not govern circumstances any 
 more than yourself, Major Andre, and must 
 say your sneering insinuations are, in very 
 bad taste, and ill-timed. You should not over- 
 look the fact, that if through me you are 
 placed in jeopardy, my neck is in just as 
 much danger as your own." 
 
 What reply Andre would have made is un- 
 
 certain, had not Smith entered the room just 
 as Arnold ceased speaking. He started back 
 in surprise, on perceiving Andre in the full 
 dress of a British officer ; but Arnold imme- 
 diately took him aside, and said : 
 
 " What foolish vanity some men have, my 
 dear Smith. Now you see, this young An- 
 derson, who never in his life aspired to any 
 thing above a counting-house ledger, just to 
 appear consequential in his interview with 
 me, must foolishly go and borrow an officer's 
 uniform, as if such trappings could influence 
 my decision in any way." 
 
 " Ridiculous," sneered Smith. 
 
 " Ay, my dear friend, you may well say 
 ridiculous ; and would to Heaven that were 
 the worst of it — I would then let him enjoy 
 his borrowed honors ; but just suppose he 
 should be seen by any one — all the assevera- 
 tions in the world would not convince a stu- 
 pid head that he is not what he seems ; and 
 the report would go abroad that we are enter- 
 taining a British officer ; and I need not say 
 to one of your sound sense and judgment, 
 what would be the consequence to us, should 
 such a rumor once get started." 
 
 " He should change his dress, then, with- 
 out delay," said Smith. 
 
 " Ay, my friend," rejoined Arnold, " that 
 is just the point I was coming at ; and if you 
 will lend him somer clothes of your own, I 
 will insist on his doing so." 
 
 " I can furnish him a coat, if that will do," 
 returned Smith ; and Arnold signifying that 
 a coat might answer, the former immediately 
 quitted the room to get it. 
 
 In a few minutes Smith returned, bring- 
 ing the desired article ; and on presenting it to 
 Andre, he at once divested himself of his own 
 coat and put it on, and it proved to be a very 
 good fit. Arnold now made some excuse and 
 went out ; and Andre, turning to Smith, said : 
 
 " You must pardon me, Mr. Smith, if I 
 envy you the possession of this mansion and 
 grounds. What a delightful view of the Hud- ■ 
 son you have from these windows ;" and he 
 approached the southern one, as he spoke, 
 and looked down the bay. 
 
 Morning had fairly dawned, and the whole 
 landscape reposed in that soft, ro^ light 
 which invests every object with interest, if not 
 
THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 with beauty. No mist was on the water, and 
 the eye had a full range of Ilaverstraw Bay, 
 whose tranquil hosom was like a large mirror, 
 or plate of burnished steel. Away in the dis- 
 tance, where the Hudson narrowed to its re- 
 gular channel, and a bend in the river out off 
 all further view in that direction, the low, 
 black hulk, and taU, trim, tapering spars of 
 the Vulture, could be seen clearly defined 
 against the slightly retreating back-ground 
 of the picture. On this vessel Andre fixed 
 his gaze with a wistful look, and sighed at 
 the thought he was not now on board. Smith 
 approached the window also, and glancing in 
 the same direction, said, with a self-satisfied 
 air, in reply to the other's remark : 
 
 "Yes, I have a very pleasant residence 
 here for the summer season." 
 
 ^.t this moment a bright flash was seen on 
 the west bank of the river, opposite the vessel ; 
 another and another followed in quick succes- 
 sion, and then boom, boom, boom, came the 
 roar of cannon. 
 
 "My God!" cried Andre, starting back, 
 and clasping his hands with a look of horror, 
 "they have attacked the vessel! Oh, hea- 
 vens ! what will become of me 1" 
 
 " Do not be alarmed," returned Smith, in 
 a soothing tone. " I do not apprehend they 
 will do her much damage. See ! they are ac- 
 tive on board, and a few minutes will sufSce 
 to let them drop down the stream, beyond 
 reach of the shot.'' 
 
 " Ha ! look ! behold !" cried Andre, again. 
 " Great God I she is on fire ;" and as he ut- 
 tered these words, his pale, noble counte- 
 nance wore an expression of such intense'an- 
 guish, that Smith, who caught a glance of his 
 features, afterward averred, that were he to 
 Uyb a thousand years, he could never forget 
 that look. 
 
 The vessel did seem on fire, sure enough ; 
 and a bright sheet of flame shooting upward, 
 and a dense volume of smoke rolling down 
 toward the water, for a time completely ob- 
 ecured her decks and hulk. But presently 
 the flames were, got under, the smoke cleared 
 away, the vessel dropped down the stream, 
 the cannonade ceased, and Major Andre re- 
 sumed his former composure. "We may as 
 well mention, in this connection, that the firing 
 
 upon the Vulture was occasioned by a report 
 having been made to Colonel Livingston, that 
 the ship was so near the shore the inhabitants 
 of Teller's Point and vicinity were apprehen- 
 sive boats would land and commit depredor 
 tions, and he had, therefore, ordered down a 
 detachment of artillery to force her from her' 
 position. The fire on board was merely the 
 burning of some canvas and tar, which had 
 caught by accident. 
 
 After breakfast. Smith left Arnold and An- 
 dre together in the library, and here the vile 
 scheme of treason was consummated, and 
 every arrangement made for putting the Bri- 
 tish in possession of West Point— ay, even the 
 day set when the latter were to sail up the 
 river to a bloodless victory. It is not our in- 
 tention to weary the reader with a detail of 
 the "bargain and sale" of this transaction — 
 for we have not space, even if we had the in- 
 clination so to do — and therefore we shall 
 give the substance of the agreement in as few 
 words as possible. In the first place, Arnold 
 was to make such disposition of the troops at 
 West Point, as would weaken this post, and 
 cause it to fall into British hands with but lit- 
 tle, if, any, bloodshed. For this purpose, so 
 soon as it should be known that the enemy 
 was ascending the river, small parties of the 
 garrison were to be sent out in different di- 
 rections into the gorges of the hills, under 
 pretense of attacking the British ; and here 
 they were to remain idle, while the latter 
 were to land, march up the hill by different 
 routes, and simultaneously take possession 
 of the works, with but trifling opposition. On 
 his part, Andre agreed, that in the event of 
 this plan being successfully carried out. Ge- 
 neral Arnold should receive from the British 
 government the sum of ten thousand pounds 
 sterling, and the commission of brigadier- 
 general in his Majesty's royal army. 
 
 Arnold then put into Andre's possession six 
 separate papers, which, according to Sparks, 
 were as follows: "First, artillery orders, 
 which had recently been published at West 
 Point, giving directions how each corps should 
 dispose of itself in case of an alarm. This 
 paper was of the utmost importance, as it 
 would enable the enemy, when they should 
 make an attack, to know the precise condition 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 89 
 
 of every pari of the garrison. Secondly, an 
 estimate of the force at West Point and its 
 dependenciea. Thirdly, an estimate of the 
 number of men requisite to man the works. 
 Fourthly, a return of the ordnance in the dif- 
 ferent forts, redoubts, and batteries. Fifthly, 
 remarks on the works at West Point, describ- 
 ing the construction of each, and its strength 
 or weakness. Sixthly, a report of a council 
 of war lately held at head-quarters, which 
 contained hints respecting the probable ope- 
 rations of the campaign, and which General 
 Washington had sent to Arnold a few days 
 before, requesting his opinion on the subjects 
 to which it referred." 
 
 " These papers," said Arnold, as he gave 
 them into Andre's possession, "I think you 
 had better place between your stockings and 
 feet, as they will be more concealed there 
 than elsewhere about your person ; and 
 should any accident happen, I rely upon 
 you, as a man of honor and a gentleman, to 
 have them destroyed." 
 
 " Rest assured, General Arnold," replied 
 Andre, " that I shall take good care to com- 
 ply with your request ; for my safety, as well 
 as your own, depends upon my doing so. 
 When I enter the boat, I will have them tied 
 round with a string, with a weight attached ; 
 and if any danger menaces, they shall be sent 
 to the bottom of the stream. And apropos : 
 what time will the boat be ready for me 1" 
 
 "Why," hesitated Arnold, "I have been 
 thinking the matter over, and, all things con- 
 sidered, have come to the conclusion that it 
 will be your best plan to return by land." 
 
 " 5ow !" exclaimed Andre, in surprise ; 
 " am I not to be sent back to the Vulture ?" 
 
 " If you insist upon it, of course ; but if you 
 take my advice, you will not ; for in returning 
 to New Tork by land, you will be more likely 
 to escape detection, than in passing from here- 
 to the Vulture by water ; for every night the 
 countersign of the guard-boats is changed; 
 and I could not learn what the word is for to- 
 night, vrithout incurring suspicion ; and with- 
 out it you would undoubtedly be captured." 
 
 " Notwithstanding this," rejoined Andre, in 
 a decided tone, " I must return to the Vulture, 
 and I insist upon General Arnold's keeping 
 his promise, and putting me on board." 
 
 " Well, well, I will see what can be done.," 
 returned the other, evasively. " Meantime, let 
 mo see these papers secured as I requested;" 
 and while Andre, taking off his boots and 
 stockings, placed them next his feet, Arnold 
 sat down at the table and wrote a few lines^ 
 which he handed the young oficer, saying, 
 " Here is your pass, and Heaven send you a 
 safe and speedy return to the city. I must 
 now leave you, and set out for head-quarters ; 
 but youmay rest assuredl shall look anxiously 
 forward to our next meeting, when I trust a 
 rebel passport will no longer be needed to 
 make your journey up or down the Hudson a 
 safe one. I will see . Smith before I go, and 
 give him the necessary instructions for guid- 
 ing you safely back to your friends. Commend 
 me to his excellency. Sir Henry Clinton, and 
 say to him I hope the day is not far distant, 
 when we, who have so long been enemies, 
 may meet as friends. Adieu, Adjutant !" 
 
 "Farewell, General Arnold," returned 
 Andre, solemnly: "God send we may meet 
 again under different circumstances !" 
 
 The two officers then shook hands and 
 parted; but the prayer of the young soldier 
 was never granted. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 THE JOTTBNET. 
 
 It was between nine and ten o'clock in the 
 morning, when Arnold and Andre separated 
 for the last time ; and as it was of material 
 importance that none but those already in 
 the secret should know of the latter's presence 
 in Smith's mansion, the young Adjutant, in 
 consequence, remained a close prisoner in 
 the library, where the entire day was passed 
 in solitude, not even the host himself in- 
 truding upon his meditations. 
 
 And a sad, weary day it was to Andre — a 
 day spent in gloomy reverie, with dire fore- 
 bodings. For hours did he pace to and fro 
 across the chamber, with his head bowed 
 upon his bosom, his eye riveted on the floor, 
 but his vision far away, and fixed upon the 
 scenes called up by his fertile imagination. 
 And strangely varied were these imaginary 
 creations. At one time he fancied himself 
 
90 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 detected as a spy, hooted at by the rabble, 
 dragged before a military tribunal, tried, 
 condemned, and led forth to execution ; at 
 another time he was at the head of a gallant 
 body of troops, storming the heights of West 
 Point, and leading his men on to victory; 
 and he sa-w the cross of St. George, by his 
 direction, planted on the summit of the 
 highest mount, and waving in victory ; while 
 the loud huzzas of the soldiery awoke the 
 sleeping echoes of the pass, and told him his 
 long-sought hour of glory had come. 
 
 And so life-like, so like reality, was each 
 imaginary scene to Andre, that his counte- 
 nance betrayed all the different feelings which 
 such opposites might be supposed to excite ; 
 now sad, troubled, desponding, and gloomy — 
 now bright, animated, enthusiastic, and joy- 
 ous. But the dark scenes prevailed over the 
 light, and his features, for the most part, 
 wore a solemn, anxious, troubled look. 
 
 Occasionally would Andre pause at the 
 window and look out — occasionally would he 
 throw himself into a seat and seize upon a 
 book ; but nothing seemed to divert his mind 
 from the one great object of solicitude — a safe 
 return to his friends — and the day in conse- 
 quence dragged slowly and wearily to a close ; 
 while action of body, in walking up and down 
 his narrow limits, seemed actually necessary 
 to keep pace with his excited and troubled 
 thoughts. 
 
 Toward night, Andre grew more and more 
 impatient to see darkness once more settle 
 over the earth; and he watched the sun's 
 decline with the same anxiety one in prison, 
 whose time of confinement is nearly expired, 
 might besupposed to await the coming of his 
 jailer to set him free. At length the sun went 
 down ; and as his dying rays were about to 
 depart from the lofty summits of the neigh- 
 boring hills, Smith entered the library. 
 
 "Well," said Andre, advancing toward him 
 with a hasty step, " is all prepared for my 
 departure 1" 
 
 " Yes, Mr. Anderson, all is ready. Your 
 supper waits, and I have ordered out the 
 horses." 
 
 " The horses !" exclaimed Andre, in sur- 
 prise. " Am I not to return as I came, in a 
 boat?" 
 
 "No, that is impossible." 
 
 " How impossible 1" 
 
 " I have no boat ready, and no one to row 
 it if I had." 
 
 " Why not get the same boat and men you 
 had last night ?" 
 
 " Because the men would not go if I asked 
 them, and were only induced to go last night 
 by the threats, not the persuasions, of General 
 Arnold, and he is not here now." 
 
 "But, surely, you can get others, Mr. 
 Smith?" 
 
 "No, you are mistaken; there are none 
 would rua the hazard of so perilous an under- 
 taking ; and to tell you the truth, I should not 
 like to repeat the excursion myself — not only 
 on account of the danger attached to it, but 
 because I have suffered all day with a chill 
 from my venture on the water last night." 
 
 " 0, this is vexatious !" rejoined Andre, in 
 no very pleasant humor. " I would to Heaven 
 I had never left the Vulture ! I thought 
 General Arnold had made preparations for 
 sending me back in the same manner I came 
 — at least he gave me to understand he would 
 when we parted." 
 
 "He mentioned something about it to me," 
 returned Smith ; "but when I told him posi- 
 tively it could not be done, he replied that I 
 must do the best I could to get you safely to the 
 city, and left me two passports, one authorizing 
 me to go by water, the other by land." 
 
 " Well," rejoined Andre, with a sigh, " I 
 suppose I must submit to my fate. But do 
 not let us delay ; if the horses are ready, I 
 am ; which route do we take 1" 
 
 " We must cross the river here at King's 
 Perry, and go down on the opposite side. But 
 you will take some supper before you start ?" 
 
 " No, I am in no mood for eating, though I 
 thank you none the less for your hospitable 
 ■ofi'er." 
 
 Smith, however, prevailed upon Andre to 
 eat a few mouthfuls ; and shortly after the 
 two set out, accompanied by a servant, and 
 all three well mounted. Andre still retained 
 Smith's coat, and left his own behind; but 
 the blue-cloth ovarcoat, buttoned close to the 
 throat, with its broad, heavy cape, completely 
 concealed his dress, and gave him the appear- 
 ance of a private citizen on a journey. 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 91 
 
 On their way to the ferry, Smith met several 
 persons with whom lie was acquainted ; and 
 to every one he had something to say in a jocu- 
 lar torije, indicating not only a mind at ease, 
 but in an unusually light and buoyant state. 
 
 " How now, neighbor Mason," he said to 
 one—" how comes on the bob-tail roan ? — it's 
 lucky for her the fly season is over." — " Ah, 
 Peter, still with crutches, I see I I suppose, 
 though, you will hick against them erelong." 
 "Well, Parson Thorndike, I understand they 
 are getting up a subscription for you as long 
 as one of your sermons. If they contribute 
 Continental scrip, there will not be much dif- 
 ference in the exchange." — "Ha ! Bunstead," 
 he said, to a red-nosed man, standing in the 
 door of a suttler's shanty, " you are a capital 
 sign for this place ; for every one can see by 
 your face there is plenty of liquor within." 
 
 The man laughed, and invited Smith to try a 
 bowl of punch with him. He consented; but 
 Andre rode on, and reaching the ferry before 
 him, awaited in moody silence his coming. 
 
 As the party crossed over from Stony Point 
 to Verplank's Point, Smith made several re- 
 marks about the taking of the former from the 
 British the year previous ; but as Andre did 
 not reply, nor seem to take any interest in the 
 matter, the other dropped the subject. 
 
 It was almost dark when they landed on 
 the east bank of the Hudson, and rode up 
 through the works at Verplank's Point. Smith 
 stopped at Colonel Livingston's tent, which 
 was near the road, and entered into conversa- 
 tion with that officer — ^but Andre and the ser- 
 vant continued to move along at a slow pace. 
 In a few minutes Smith overtook his compa- 
 nion, and the party pushed forward in silence. 
 Nothing worthy of note occurred, tiU some six 
 or eight mUes intervened between our travelers 
 and the ferry, when a clear voice rang out: 
 
 "Who goes there?" 
 
 " Friends," answered Smith. 
 
 "Give the countersign!" 
 
 "I do not know it." 
 
 "Halt, then, for examination!" 
 
 Smith dismounted, and leaving his horse 
 with his servant, went forward to where the 
 sentry was standing, and inquired who com- 
 manded the party. 
 
 " Captain Milford," was the answer. 
 
 "And where can I find him?" 
 
 " Here," answered another voice ; and turn- 
 ing, Smith discovered a person approaching 
 Mm. "Well, sir," continued Milford, as he 
 came up, "who are you? where do you be- 
 long? and what is your business here at this 
 timie of night ?" 
 
 "My name," answered the other, promptly, 
 "is Joshua Smith; my residence is a couple 
 of miles below Stony Point ; and myself and 
 another gentleman are going down as far as 
 White Plains, on important business for Gene- 
 ral Arnold, from whom. I have a passport ; 
 and with your permission. Captain, we will 
 resume our journey without delay." 
 
 " But may I inquire, sir, how far you intend 
 to proceed to-night ?" 
 
 "As far as Major Strang's, or Colonel 
 Drake's." 
 
 "Well, sir, I am sorry to inform you, that Ma- 
 jor Strang is not at home, and Colonel Drake 
 has removed to another part of the country." 
 
 " Indeed !" rejoined Smith ; "I am sorry to 
 hear it." 
 
 "Better take lodgings in the neighbor- 
 hood here, and go on by daylight," suggested 
 Milford. 
 
 "No," answered Smith, "we must pursue 
 our route to-night — for much delay is contrary 
 to the General's express request." 
 
 "Pardon me, then! but I must axamiue 
 your passport before you proceed further. 
 My orders are very strict, and these are times 
 requiring unusual vigilance." 
 
 "Here it is," said Smith, handing Milford 
 a paper, " but you will not be able to read it 
 in the dark." 
 
 "Very true ; but if you will accompany me 
 to the house yonder, it will be an easy matter 
 to procure a light," returned the Captain. 
 
 "I will attend you,'' rtjoined Smith ; "but 
 first I will speak a word with my companion ;" 
 and he hurried back to where Andre was await- 
 ing him, on horseback, only afewpaces distant. 
 
 " Well," said the latter, in a low, agitated 
 tone, "have we got into trouble already?" 
 
 "No, nothing alarming, Mr. Anderson. 
 This officer is rather inquisitive, and we shall 
 be obliged to humor him. He has now gone 
 forward to yonder house to examine my pass- 
 port; but give yourself no uneasiness — the 
 
92 
 
 THE FEMALK SPY; OR, 
 
 paper is all correct — and he will not dare 
 detain us after reading it." 
 
 "I feared something of this kind," returned 
 Andre, despondingly. " Oh ! tvould to Heaven 
 I had been put on board the Vulture I" 
 
 "Well, well, regrets will not mend the mat- 
 ter now ; so come on, show a bold face, and 
 depend upon it we shall get off without any 
 difficulty." 
 
 Smith mounted his horse as he spoke, and 
 the party set forward toward the house in 
 question, Andre silent and uneasy. As they 
 drew up before the door, Blilford, who had 
 reached the house in advance of them, came 
 out, and handing Smith the pass, said : 
 
 "I am happy to say, Mr. Smith, I find the 
 paper all correct, and will no longer detain 
 you — unless," he added, " you will grant me 
 the favor to step this way a moment." Smith 
 dismounted, and having followed Milford 
 beyond earshot of Andre, the Captain con- 
 tinued: "If not objectionable, Mr. Smith, I 
 should be pleased to know the name of the 
 gentleman accompanying you V 
 
 "Certainly — Mr. John Anderson." 
 
 "Ha ! John Anderson !" repeated the Cap- 
 tain, with a start, instantly recalling the con- 
 versation he had held about this personage at 
 the house of Peter Burnside. " So-so," he 
 muttered to himself, "then he was not hung. 
 Strange ! But perhaps the boy lied about the 
 whole affair ! Ha ! I see it now. The officer 
 alluded to had Anderson's letter, but believed 
 Anderson to be a British spy, at the very time 
 he was playing spy for Arnold. But then, 
 again, who knows but he may be a British 
 spy, deceiving Arnold? I would there were 
 some way to ascertain." 
 
 "Do you know this Mr. Anderson ?" inquired 
 Smith, interrupting the Captain's meditations. 
 
 "No, not personally, though his name is 
 somewhat familiar," replied Milford, at the 
 same time running over in his mind his best 
 plan of operations to find out the mystery con- 
 cerning Anderson — for mystery there un- 
 doubtedly was— and prove to his own satis- 
 faction which party, Clinton or Arnold, was 
 the real dupe of his duplicity. " Ah ! I have 
 it," he said, mentally. " I must find out all I 
 can from Smith, vrithout letting him suspect 
 my object; and if this is not satisfactory, I 
 
 will try and detain him over night, and give 
 Paulding a hint to be on the lookout below.'' 
 This plan being quickly arranged in Captain 
 Milfo'rd's active mind, he continued to Smith: 
 "When I say the name is familiar, do not un- 
 derstand me, that I know this John Anderson 
 and the one I have before heard mentioned to 
 be identical — though, for aught I know to the 
 contrary, they may be. But may I inquire 
 what important business takes you down so 
 near the enemy's lines, and induces you and 
 Mr. Anderson to travel so dangerous a road 
 at night ? I do not wish to be thought too 
 inquisitive, Mr. Smith ; but really, you can 
 not know the perils of the route so well as I, 
 or else your business is indeed of the most 
 pressing nature." 
 
 " You think the road dangerous, then ?" 
 queried Smith, in reply. 
 
 "Very dangerous, sir, indeed. The Cow 
 Boys have recently been committing serious 
 depredations, and are now believed to be far 
 up the country. Of late they have leagued 
 in several cases with the Skinners, and only 
 last week I had abrush with them myself. I 
 accidentally heard of a plot to attack and 
 murder an honest farmer and his family, on 
 a certain night ; and raising a party, I went 
 down to his protection, and succeeded in kill- 
 ing and capturing nine of the ruffians. What 
 were not killed in the affray, have since been 
 hung; but this, so far from producing a 
 salutary effect upon the others, I believe has 
 only tended to make them worse ; for since 
 then they have been more lawless and blood- 
 thirsty than ever. They have murdered 
 several innocent persons already, and, I un- 
 derstand, have vowed to be revenged, by 
 tating two lives for one ; so you can judge 
 for yourself whether or not it is safe for yoa 
 to pursue your journey to-night." 
 
 "You certainly do not talk very encourag- 
 ingly of the prospects ahead," returned Smith, 
 in a tone that showed he felt considerable un- 
 easiness. " But nevertheless," he continued, 
 after a moment's reflection, "I suppose I shall 
 have to run my chance, for my business ad- 
 mits of little delay." 
 
 " Pardon me, Mr. Smith — ^but it must be a 
 very pressing emergency that requires you to 
 put your life in such jeopardy." 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 93 
 
 ' "Why, it is rather pressing," replied Smith, 
 hesitatingly. " The fact is,' you see, Mr. An- 
 derson and myself are employed by General 
 "Arnold to procure intelligence from the enemy, 
 and we expect to meet a person at or near 
 White Plains for this purpose, and any delay 
 on our route might frustrate the intervieiv and 
 cause serious disappointment to all parties." 
 
 "Well, Mr. Smith," returned Milford, "I 
 must say, with all due deference to your judg- 
 ment, that I do not think the reasons you have 
 given for persuing your journey to-night, by 
 any means justify the risk of doing so. You 
 will be liable to surprise and capture at any 
 moment, by some gang of marauders ; and I 
 hardly need add, after what I have told you, 
 that if so taken, you wUl be uncommonly for- 
 tunate to escape with even life. Now, a few 
 hours, certainly, can make no great difference 
 in this matter ; for knowing the danger and 
 difficulty of travelling through such a country 
 as this, your informant, if he gets to the ren- 
 dezvous before you, will make all due allow- 
 ance for your tardiness ; and therefore I would 
 seriously advise you, as you value your life, to 
 turn back and take lodgings at one Andreas 
 Miller's, whose house you just passed on your 
 way hither. If you have any scruples about 
 seeking lodgings there, I will do the business 
 for you ; and as soon as it is daylight, you can 
 set off and pursue your route with compara- 
 tive safety. Come, what say you V 
 
 Smith reflected a moment, and then replied 
 that he would consult his fellow-traveler. Re- 
 turning to Andre, he informed him what Cap- 
 tain Milford had said, and asked what be 
 tnought of his suggestion. 
 
 " I am for going on, at all hazards," an- 
 swered Andre, who, for reasons known to the 
 reader, if not to Smith, preferred the dangers 
 of the road to remaining in such close prox- 
 imity to the patrolling party of one so prying 
 and vigilant as Captain Milford. " Tell the 
 Captain," he continued, with something of 
 irony in his tone, " that I am greatly obliged 
 to him for his cautious suggestions ; but that, 
 Rowing my own business best, I must decline 
 accepting his well-meant proposition." 
 
 " But," hesitated Smith, " I can not say, all 
 things considered, that I would like the road 
 overly well to-night myself. It is now hard 
 
 upon ten o'clock, and will tboreforo only 
 be some six hours to daybreak ; by lying 
 over, resting ourselves and horses, and going 
 by daylight, instead of blundering along 
 in the dark, we shall doubtless make up for 
 lost time, and certainly travel with more 
 safety." 
 
 "Well," rejoined Andre, with some asperity, 
 " no argument will convince me it is better to 
 wait than go forward." 
 
 Smith made no answer to this, but called tu 
 Captain Milford ; and on that officer's an- 
 proaching him, said : 
 
 " Mr. Anderson is desirous to get on as ex- 
 peditiously as possible, and I wish to know 
 which road yo;a think the safest for us to 
 travel." 
 
 " Why, as to that," replied Milford, "I con- 
 sider neither safe ; and though I do not count 
 myself a coward, yet I frankly confess I should 
 not like to ride alone over either to-night. Of 
 the two, however, I should prefer the one 
 through Northcastle ; for the Lower Party, 
 or Cow Boys, have recently been out on the 
 Tai'rytown road, and committed some serious 
 depredations in that quarter. You will run 
 great risk in taking either road ; and I must 
 repeat my advice, that you lie over till day- 
 light — though of course you are at liberty to 
 do as you please." 
 
 " If we push on now," said Smith to Andre, 
 in a tone too low to be overheard by Milford, 
 " the Captain will suspect there is something 
 wrong, and perhaps seta spy to watch us ; and 
 as I said before, a few hours c?in make no 
 great difiference, except in our favor." Then 
 turning to Milford : "I shall take your ad- 
 vice, and lie over tiU morning." 
 
 " You will find it to your advantage, be- 
 lieve me. Shall I accompany you to Miller's 1" 
 
 " 0, no, I thank you, I will not put you to 
 that trouble." 
 
 No choice was thuS left Andre ; and accord- 
 ingly he and Smith and the servant turned 
 their horses' heads in a direction opposite to the 
 course they were pursuing, and bidding the 
 Captain good night, were soon lost in the 
 darkness. Captain Milford watched them out 
 of sight ; and then springing over a fence, he 
 crossed an open field of some thirty rods in 
 extent, when he came to a thicket, in the 
 
94 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR 
 
 centre of which a fire was burning, and around 
 which were grouped some three or four figures, 
 squatted upon the earth, while several others 
 were lying stretched out on blankets, with 
 their feet toward the flame. 
 
 " Josh !" called out Milford, halting just 
 without the thicket. 
 
 "Here I be, Capting," returned a voice, 
 with the real nasal whine. 
 
 "Come here, then, I wish to speak with 
 you." 
 
 There was a rustling among the bushes, and 
 the next minute our hero of chimney celebrity 
 made his appearance. 
 
 " Wal, what d'ye want?" he said, as he 
 came up to where the other was standing. 
 " Some other darned pokerish expedition, I 
 expect." 
 
 " You are right," returned Milford ; " but 
 come with me, and I will tell you as I go 
 along." 
 
 " I knowed it," returned Josh ; " I 'spect 
 you think I've got as many lives as a cat has, 
 don't ye, Capting ?" 
 
 " I want you," pursued the Captain, in a 
 low tone, without heeding the other's remarks, 
 " to set out immediately for the cross-roads 
 below Teller's Point, find John Paulding, and 
 deliver him a letter." 
 
 "Whatl to-night?" 
 
 "Yes, this very night ; and if he is not there, 
 find out where he is, and take it to him, with- 
 out delay." 
 
 " Gosh darn it ! I've done a lot of things in 
 my life, Capting, that was a great deal agreea- 
 bler than this." 
 
 " Doubtless ; and you may hate to do some, 
 before you die, not so agreeable," returned 
 the Captain dryly. " It is a dangerous route, 
 I do not deny, and you will have to go afoot." 
 
 " You don't say ! thunder and lightning ! 
 and I'm as tired as all git out." 
 
 " I should have no objections to your riding, 
 wereitsafe ; butif you ride, you must of course 
 follow the highway ; and I scarcely need tell 
 you, that a horse does not move along without 
 noise." 
 
 " That's a fact, Capting, clear as mud." 
 
 "And should any of the free-booters be 
 about," pursued Milford, "the noise of a 
 horse's feet would be likely to attract their 
 
 attention, and I presume you have no ambi- 
 tion to fall into their hands again." 
 
 " No, I'll be gall-darned if I have I" 
 
 " Therefore, your own feet will be safest," 
 concluded Milford ; " for you can either travel 
 the road, or cross the fields, as you choose." 
 
 " Ye-a-s, I see, and a darned nice time I'll 
 have on't. Wal, if I've got to go, I've got to, 
 and that's the up-shot on't. Where's the let- 
 ter, Capting ?" 
 
 " That will soon be ready." 
 
 By this time the two had reached the high- 
 way ; and bidding Josh await his return, the 
 Captain went forward to the little shanty 
 where he had procured a light to read Smith's 
 passport, and after an absence of some five or 
 ten minutes, again made his appearance, and 
 handed Josh a sealed note, saying : 
 
 "Find Paulding, if he is to be found, and 
 give him this missive, and you shall be paid 
 well for your journey in addition to your re- 
 gular wages. You will be likely to hear of 
 him at Brinslow's, near Pine's Bridge. Here, 
 take these pistols, powder and ball. Away, 
 now, and mind you bring me an answer from 
 Paulding !" 
 
 " I'll do it, or break a tug," said Josh. 
 " Good-by, Capting." 
 
 " Good-by, and may you have a safe jour^ 
 ney back ! Do not forget to call at Brinslow's, 
 as it is possible Paulding may be there." 
 
 " I shan't forget any thing 'cept 'tis the 
 extra pay," laughed the Yankee, as he disap- 
 peared from the Captain's' sight. 
 
 " Now, if this Anderson is a British spy," 
 mused Milford, as he walked slowly up the 
 road, " and on his way to New York, as I 
 suspect, he will be likely, after what he heard 
 me say about the Cow Boys, to take the Tar- 
 ry town road ; and a hint to Paulding, to be 
 on the watch and overhaul him, may somehow 
 lead to an explanation of what I must confess 
 looks to me very mysterious. There may be 
 something more in the hints of that boy than I 
 gave him credit for. He seemed shrewd, and 
 intelligent, and such servants are sometimes 
 ahead of their masters in getting at the truth 
 of a mystery. At all events, there can be no 
 harm in being cautious, vigilant, and prepared 
 for the worst. Strange, he should hint about 
 treason in high places, and then inquire if I 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 95 
 
 knew Anderson's correspondent to be a man 
 of stern integrity ! But pshaw I Arnold is 
 above suspicion, tliough this man may be de- 
 ceiving him. But speculations avail nothing 
 now, and time perhaps will show ;" and with 
 tliis reflection, Milford turned off and sought 
 hia quarters for the night. 
 We must now return to our travelers. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 THE CAPTURE. 
 
 At the house of Andreas Miller, Smith and 
 Andre found a welcome reception ; but the 
 host was a man in ,humble life, with limited 
 means and accommodations, and in conse- 
 quence our two travelers were obliged to share 
 the same bed. The night proved a troubled 
 one to Andre ; for dire forebodings crowded 
 his mind, and deprived him of sleep. All 
 night long he rolled to and fro on his bed, and 
 moaned or paced the floor with an agitated 
 step. It appeared to him that Captain Mil- 
 ford had somehow penetrated his disguise, 
 and had purposely magnified perils to delay 
 his journey, in order to have time to procure 
 an order for his arrest. Every unusual sound 
 he fancied to be the tread of armed men com- 
 ing to make him prisoner ; and he who had 
 never in his life before been guilty of a disho- 
 norable action — even if his interview with 
 Arnold, under the circumstances, could pro- 
 perly be called one — now quaked and quailed 
 like a wretch who had committed some hein- 
 ous crime, andstoodinfearof avenging justice. 
 
 In consequence of Andre's restlessness. 
 Smith had little sleep ; and much of the time 
 he lay awake, and, as he afterward averred, 
 wondered what so disturbed the mind of his 
 companion. 
 
 Andre did not undress himself the whole 
 night ; and as soon as the first streak of day- 
 light penetrated his humble apartment, he 
 called his companion, and declared himself 
 in readiness to proceed on his journey. The 
 latter immediately dressed himself, aroused 
 his servant, and in a few minutes the horses 
 were at the door. The host, hearing the pre- 
 parations of his guests for instant departure, 
 also made his appearance, and urged them to 
 delay a short time, and partake of breakfast; 
 
 but this Andre declined, pleading .irgont bu- 
 siuess below as an excuse. Although warmly 
 pressed to take pay for his hospitality, the 
 host generously refused; and with many 
 thanks for his kindness and trouble, our trar 
 velers set off in the gray light of morning. 
 
 The day proved a delightful one, neither too 
 warm nor too cold for comfort, and the morn- 
 ing breeze stole over the romantic hills on 
 their route, and came to our travelers with an 
 invigorating effect. The patrolling guards of 
 Captain Milford were passed without molest- 
 ation or hindrance ; and when he found him- 
 self fairly beyond them, on the highway to 
 Pine's Bridge, the spirits of Andre, much to 
 the surprise of Smith, rose in exact propor- 
 tion to their late depression. He could not 
 as yet look upon himself as safe ; but in his 
 view the worst dangers were passed ; and as 
 he had gone through these without harm, u 
 bright hope of ultimate deliverance from his 
 perilous undertaking and position made his 
 heart buoyant. 
 
 Crossing one of the head-water branches of 
 the Croton, the party ascended a steep hill ; 
 and on reaching its summit, whence a delight- 
 ful landscape spread before them, Andre 
 turned to Smith, and with a joyful animation 
 of look, speech, and manner, strangely con- 
 trasting with his late gloom and -taciturnity, 
 suddenly exclaimed : 
 
 " 0, what a beautiful scene ! — how grand 1 
 how soul-inspiring ! The sun just rising in 
 all his golden splendor, and pouring his soft 
 light down upon every object, giving each, as 
 it were, a renewed life ; yon tranquil Hudson 
 rolling along in quiet beauty, showing the 
 mountains their faces far down the silent 
 depths ; and those mountains, proudly lifting 
 their heads far heavenward in the ethereal 
 blue, as if conscious of their greatness and 
 grandeur ; and behold here and there a forest, 
 here and there a plain, here and there a val- 
 ley, here and there a sparkling streamlet, 
 and here and there a farm-house, once the 
 abode of peace and plenty, but now, alas ! too 
 often deserted. This only — the lack of the 
 husbandman, with his well-fenced, well-tilled, 
 well-stocked fields — his lowing kine, bleating 
 sheep, and neighing and prancing steeds — 
 these only are wanting to make the picture 
 
96 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 complete, and enrapture the gaze of an artist. 
 And this desolation comes of war, ruthless 
 ■war, with its iron heel, gauntlet-hand, and 
 bloody front. Oh ! when will it cease, and 
 benign peace repeople such scenes as these, 
 and let all nature smile in the face of happy, 
 contented man ? Ah ! who can love war for 
 the sake of war, and laud the yictor, whose 
 title to fame is written in human blood and 
 widow's tears ! and the shouts for whose en- 
 sanguined triumph is answered by dying 
 groans and the orphan's wail ! And what, 
 after all, are the victories of war, compared to 
 the victories of peace I Is the sword of the 
 warrior to be put on an equality -tvith the 
 poet's pen, the artist's pencil ? Is the renown 
 of having been more successful in human 
 butchery than another, to carry the name of 
 the so-called hero down to far'posterity, along 
 side of his who has uttered great truths, no- 
 ble thoughts, heaven-inspired wisdom, and 
 left behind him pure, lofty, and deathless cre- 
 ations of the mortal mind ? No, no, no ! What 
 are the heroes of antiquity, compared with 
 those giant laborers in the field of thought, who 
 saved their names from total oblivion? Mere 
 pigmies beside colossuses — mole-hills beside 
 mountains — planets beside the universe ! 
 Then let war be put away from among na- 
 tions ; let arbitration settle all disputes ; let 
 standing armies be disbanded; and let the 
 blood-red soldier turn his mind and bend his 
 energies to the useful arts and sciences, and, 
 instead of destroying his fellows, seek how 
 he shall benefit mankind ; and then will come 
 the great jubilee of the world, and the human 
 mind will then be seen in all that great- 
 ness which most nearly approaches the Di- 
 vinity ! 
 
 "Ah! I see, my friend," pursued Andre, 
 "my enthusiasm, after my late taciturnity, 
 surprises you ; but the cool, invigorating air 
 of the morning, and the splendid scene before 
 me, have aroused me from my mental stupor, 
 and led me into a train of thought, which ever 
 has had, and ever will have, deepest hold 
 upon my heart's sympathies." 
 
 " I was thinking while you were speaking," 
 replied Smith, gazing admiringly upon his 
 companion, "that you are other than you 
 seem ; and that if circumstances have placed 
 
 you in the counting-house, nature has been 
 foully wronged ; for she has given you orato 
 rical powers which should be heard in the 
 senate chamber of a nation." 
 
 " You flatter me beyond my abilities," re 
 joined Andre, coloring; "I shall never aspire 
 to such a dignity." 
 
 Thus conversing, our two wayfarers rode 
 cheerfully along, Andre occasionally giving 
 evidence of possessing a lofty mind, in flashes 
 of eloquence not unlike what we have quoted, 
 and which deeply interested, and sometimes 
 seemed fairly to charm his hearer. Nothing 
 occurred to interrupt their progress, and 
 almost before they were aware of it, they 
 came opposite an humble dwelling, within 
 some two or three miles of Pine's Bridge, 
 when Smith, looking around him, declared 
 that here his journey "toward White Plains 
 must end. 
 
 " But we will breakfast together before we 
 part," he added — " that is to say, if we can 
 find any thing to eat. Let us try at this 
 shanty — we may be able to get something to 
 stay our stomachs." 
 
 Accordingly, they rode up to the dwelling 
 before mentioned, which they found occupied 
 by a middle-aged Dutch woman. On inquir- 
 ing if they could be accommodated with 
 breakfast, the mvw replied, 
 
 " I give you so goot as I got ; put the tiev- 
 lish Cow Boys have peen robbing me lasht 
 night, and dey took away ebery ting so much 
 dat I gives you no more ash pudding and 
 melhen." 
 
 " Well, well, good dame, we can do very 
 well on pudding and milk," answered Smith, 
 " so you will only make haste and let us have 
 it, for we are anxious to be on the move." 
 
 " So quick ash der fire heats him," rejoined 
 the other, as she flew about the room making 
 the necessary preparation for our travelers' 
 breakfast. 
 
 After Smith and Andre had satisfied their 
 appetites, the former divided his small stock of 
 Continental scrip with the latter ; and having 
 made arrangements by which Smith's horse 
 should be returned or paid for, the two shook 
 hands, and with many well-wishes for each 
 other's safety and happiness, parted — Smith 
 Retracing his steps and pursuing the route to 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 97 
 
 Pcekskill, iinii Andre proceeding direct to 
 Pine's Bridge, and then.06 toward New York. 
 A short distance belo-w Pine's Bridge^ tlie 
 road which Andre -was traveling forked to the 
 right, and led off to the highlands along the 
 Hudson, and so on to Tarryjiown, and this was 
 called the river, or Tarrytown road ; while the 
 other continued straight forward, and led di- 
 rect to White Plains — ^both having one ter- 
 minus, namely, New York. When he came 
 to this fork, Andre reined in his horse, and for 
 a moment seemed undecided which route to 
 take ; but remembering Captain Milford had 
 said that the Lower Party, or Cow Boys, had 
 been far up the Tarrytown road, he chose this, 
 as being in his view the safest: for the Cow 
 Boys, belonging to the British side, would not 
 be likely to trouble him, when once convinced 
 he was an officer in the royal army. This de- 
 cision showed the sagacity of Milford in his 
 letter to Paulding — ^but let us not anticipate. 
 The day was delightful, the scenery on all 
 sides beautiful, and Andre, believing himself 
 nearly out of danger, jogged along in good 
 spirits, occasionally turning on his saddle to 
 admire some view more picturesque, romantic, 
 and attractive than the others. At length, 
 about ten or 'eleven o'clock in the day, _he 
 came to a deep dingle, through which flowed 
 a gurgling streamlet of pure, fresh water. He 
 halted here to let his horse drink ; and while 
 the animal was thus employed, he looked 
 around ; and for the first time since leaving 
 Miller's that morning, a cold shudder passed 
 over him, and he experienced an awful dread 
 of some impending calamity. The dingle 
 was very dark; for large spreaiding trees, 
 with a dense undergrowth, walled in the 
 path, or rqad, on either hand, and interlocking 
 branches overhead almost excluded daylight. 
 It was, in fact, just such a place as would 
 make the lonely traveler think of robbery, 
 murder, and all the worst crimes in the calen- 
 dar ; and hardly waiting for his horse to ;finish 
 dfinking, Andre jerked the rein, and spurred 
 bim up the opposite steep hill. He had 
 scarcely advanced a half a dozen rods, after 
 reaching its summit, when he heard a rnstlini; 
 in tlxe thicket to his right, saw the bushes' vio- 
 lently agitated, and the next moment a man 
 sprang into the road before him, and pointing 
 
 a loaded niuskot to his breast, said, sternly : 
 "Halt! or I fire." 
 
 Andre instantly turned pale, reined in his 
 horse, and looked hard at the other a moment, 
 as if to determine wliat course to pursue — 
 whether to shoot hira down, and attempt an 
 escape by flight, or hold a parley with him, 
 and endeavor to get off by milder measures. 
 His decision was soon made ; for the next in- 
 stant two more stout fellows, armed with 
 muskets, entered the road before and behind 
 him, and convinced him that i-egistanoe were 
 useless'. All three had on round hats, and 
 each wore a gray blouse belted around the 
 waist. Their features were sun-brpwned, and 
 each had that stern, sullen, dogged expression 
 of countenance, so often seen on persons of 
 the humbler class, when they havp resolved 
 upon some, bold act, and yet are not exactly 
 convinced in their own minds that their de- 
 sign is justifiable, nor what will be the conse- 
 quence to themselves if they persist in carry- 
 ing it out. But the one who first entered the 
 road appeared the most intelligent of the 
 three ; ■ and though his look was stern, and 
 his determination seemed inflexible, yet his 
 dark eye had a kindly gleam, and his whole 
 countenance was marked by an expression of 
 frankness, honesty, benevolence, and sim- 
 plicity. It will only be necessary to add, 
 that this individual was John Paulding ; and 
 that his two companions were David Williams 
 and , Isaac Van Wart — men in humble life, 
 whose names were made immortal by the 
 very deed we are on the point of recording. 
 
 Scanning eabh and all with a rapid glance, 
 Andre looked Paulding full in the eye, and 
 said, in a bland tone, and with as much com- 
 posure as he could assume : 
 
 " I trust, sir, that' you, and these gentlemen 
 with you, will dome no harm." 
 
 "Where are you going?" demanded Pauld- 
 ing, in the same stern tone as before. 
 
 " Below," replied Andre. 
 
 "How far below?" 
 
 " Gentlemen," rejoined the Adjutant, evad- 
 ing the question, " I hope you belong to our 
 party." 
 
 " What party 1" asked Paulding. 
 
 " The Lower Party." ,,., 
 
 "Well, we do— what then?" 
 
98 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " Then I trust it will only be necessary for 
 me to prove to you I am a British oiEoer, out 
 of the country on particular business." He 
 pulled out and exhibited a gold watch, as he 
 spoke, as an evidence of the truth of his asser- 
 tion — for, at that day, it was a very rare thing 
 to find such an article of luxury in any hands 
 but those of English officers, or English gen- 
 tlemen. " After this," he added, " I hope you 
 will not detain me a moment." 
 
 " The Captain was right," muttered Pauld- 
 ing to himself; and then, in a harsher tone 
 than ever, and with brows contracted, he said 
 to Andre : " Dismount, sir, at onoe." 
 
 Andre turned pale as death ; he saw he had 
 made a great mistake; but controlling his 
 emotion as much as possible, he said, with a 
 kind of laugh : 
 
 " My God 1 I suppose a man must do any 
 thing to get along." He then dismoiinted, and 
 producing Arnold's pass, continued: "Gen- 
 tlemen, you had better let me go, or you wiU 
 get yourselves into difficulty; for your stop- 
 ping me will detain the General's business ; 
 and if you know any thing of Arnold, you 
 know he is not one to treat lightly any disre- 
 spect offered to his messenger, especially when 
 that messenger has his written guarantee of 
 safety. I am on my way to Dobbs' Ferry, 
 where I expect to meet a person who will give 
 me intelligence of an important nature for 
 General Arnold, and I demand to be released 
 instantly, and allowed to pursue my journey." 
 
 "What's your name?" asked Paulding, 
 looking at the passport. 
 
 "John Anderson," replied Andre. 
 
 " Then what did you say you was a British 
 officer for?" 
 
 "Because you said you belonged to the 
 Lower Party, and I thought that would be 
 the easiest modfl of getting past you." 
 
 "Well," returned Paulding, shaking his 
 head doubtfully, "you musn't be offended, 
 Mr. Anderson, at what we are going to do ; 
 we don't intend to take any thing from you ; 
 bat there is so many bad people going about 
 these times, that we have to be on the lookout 
 for every body. I don't say, mind, that you 
 be one of these characters; but you're a 
 stranger to us, you know ; and as you have 
 told so far a crooked story, by your own ad- 
 
 mission, I feel myself in duty bound to have 
 you searched. Ike, [to oneof his companions,] 
 just fasten the gentleman's horse, while me 
 and Dave take him into the bushes here, and 
 make him strip." 
 
 AVho can tell thei^eelings of Andre, who now 
 found himself on the point of exposure, at the 
 very moment when he had felt himself most 
 secure ! They must have been terrible, if one 
 might judge by his pale face and ashy lips;: 
 but like a brave man, he had resolved to 
 bear his misfortune without complaint, and 
 with true heroism ; and as his captors were 
 taking him into the bushes, he merely 
 said: 
 
 "Gentlemen, I trust_youwiH conduct your 
 search with as much forbearance and delicacy 
 as possible.'' 
 
 " You shan't have any cause to complain 
 on that score," replied Paulding. 
 
 "We're not gentlemen born, as they say 
 in England," chimed in 'WlUiams; "but we're 
 not such boors but what we know how to treat 
 a fellow-being with decency. There, this 
 place will do ; and now, Mr. Anderson, you 
 may strip as quick as you've a mind to." 
 
 Andre, without a word, proceeded to divest 
 hiipself of his blue overcoat ; then his round 
 hat ; next the coat lent him by Smith — which 
 was a deep claret, the buttons and button- 
 holes laced with gold tinsel — nest his nankeen 
 waistcoat ; and lastly, hisbreedies, which left 
 exposed a flannel waistcoat and drawers, and 
 high top-boots. Each article, as he removed 
 it from his persoin, he handed in silence to his 
 captors, who proceeded to search them with 
 great care, but of course without making any 
 important discovery. 
 
 " Nothing, so far," said Pauldihg. 
 
 " Not a stiver," returned Williams. 
 
 " We haint searched the boots," put in Vaa 
 Wart, who had joined the partyi 
 
 ' ' That's true^ — we must look into them," re- 
 joined Paulding. " Come, Mr. Anderson, will 
 you take them off, or shall we do itfor you V 
 
 "I protest against this unlawful search," 
 answered Andre, in a voice that quavered,, in 
 spite of his apparent efforts to. be composed. 
 
 " We must do our duties," rejoinedPaulding, 
 in a determined manner. " You're suspected 
 of something wrong, Mr. Anderson ; but the 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 90 
 
 minute you give full proof of being innocent, 
 you shall be set at liberty. Come, the boots !" 
 Andre groaned mentally, and a sudden 
 treakness came over him, as he remembered 
 the awful prediction of Carlini. He had not 
 strength to withdraw the boots himself ; but 
 with a resignation bordering on despair, he 
 sat down on a stone, and extended one foot to 
 his captors. Van "Wart instantly seized the 
 boot, and drew it from his leg ; and while the 
 others were searching it, he proceeded to feel 
 around the foot. Suddenly he exclaimed : 
 
 " Here's papers !" 
 
 " Where ?" cried Paulding and Williams, 
 in a breath. 
 
 " Here, next his foot, inside the stocking." 
 
 " Quick ! off with it 1" said Paulding. 
 
 The stocking was jerked off with little cere- 
 mony, and three folded papers fell to the 
 ground. Paulding seized, opened them, 
 glanced at their contents, and immediately 
 exclaimed : 
 
 "By heavens! he's a spy." 
 
 All now looked at Andre with that peculiar 
 expression with which men of sympathetic 
 feeling regard a fellow being irrevocably 
 doomed to the law's last and heaviest penalty. 
 Andre was very pale, but apparently calm ; 
 and he returned the look of his captors, with 
 the expression of a brave man who knows his 
 fate, and yet feels grateful for the commi^erar 
 tion of those whose duty hurries him to his 
 doom. That silence and exchange of looks 
 was far more solemn and impressive than 
 tvords ; for the language of the heart is ever 
 more powerful than that of the tongue. 
 
 Paulding was the first to break the silence : 
 
 " This is a mighty bad business, Mr. An- 
 derson." 
 
 " Let's search tother boot," said Van Wart. 
 
 Andre took this off himself, also the stock- 
 ing, and handed Paulding three more papers, 
 who, after looking at them, inquired : 
 
 " Ally thing more, Mr. Anderson 1" 
 
 " That is all, I pledge you my honor as a 
 gentleman," replied Andre. 
 
 " Then you may dress yourself, as quick as 
 you please, for you must go with us." 
 
 As Andre arose, and proceed«d to don his 
 garments, Williams' said : 
 
 " You're caught in a mighty bad business, 
 
 Mr. Anderson, and I hardly need tell such as 
 you what'U follow, unless you get away. Now, 
 what'U you give us to let you go ?" 
 
 " Any sum of money you may demand," 
 answered Andre, eagerly, his features bright- 
 ening with a ray of hope. 
 
 "Will you give us your horse, saddle, bridle, 
 pistols, watch, and ahundred guineas besides?" 
 
 " Yes," replied Andre quickly ; ' ' and though 
 I have not the money with me, I will send it to 
 any place you may name, even if it be to this 
 very spot, so that you shall be sure to get it." 
 
 " Well, wouldn't you give us more t" pur- 
 sued Williams. 
 
 "Yes, I will give you any amount of dry 
 goods, and, as I said before, any sum of money 
 you may ask — ay, gentlemen, even though 
 what you demand impoverish me and enrich 
 you," replied Andre; "and I swear to you, 
 by the soul of her I love best, who is now in 
 Heaven ! that I will religiously keep my pro- 
 mise; and send the amount agreed upon to 
 any place yourselves may name." 
 
 "No," sternly interposed Paulding, " if you 
 would give us ten thousand guineas, you 
 should not sti* one step !" 
 
 Andre's countenance fell. He saw in that 
 look of honest determination there was no 
 hope — that however humble that man before 
 him might be, he possessed a soul above cor- 
 ruption. He sighed, hung down his head, and 
 was silent. 
 
 " Come," pursued Paulding, " hasten and 
 dress yourself, for we must be on the march." 
 
 "Whither will you take me ?" asked Andre, 
 ; dejectedly. 
 
 " Where you'll be safe till you have your 
 trial." 
 
 Andre shuddered, made no reply, but pro- 
 ceeded to don his garments with a haste that 
 betrayed no little agitation. 
 
 " I suppose you'U get away, if you find an 
 opportunity ?" said Williams, inquiringly. 
 
 " Yes, I certainly shall," frankly answered 
 Andre. 
 
 " Well, we don't intend to let you have an 
 opportunity," was the chilling response. 
 
 " Look well to your muskets, boys," said 
 Paulding — " see that the priming's in good 
 order." And as each turned down the pan to 
 put in fresh powder, he continued to Andre : 
 
100 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 " We intend to treat you like a gentleman, so 
 long as you behave decent ; but if you attempt 
 to get aivay, by heavens ! ive'll shoot you 
 down like a dog." 
 
 When Andre had dressed himself, his cap- 
 tors oonduotedhim to the road ; and while two 
 of them guarded him, one on either side, the 
 third walked close behind and led the horse. 
 Tn this manner they set off for Northcastle, 
 the nearest military station. 
 
 For some time the whole party maintained 
 silence, each busy with thoughts of his own. 
 At length Paulding inquired : 
 
 " Is General Arnold concerned in this mat- 
 ter, Mr. Anderson ?" 
 
 " That is a very improper question," replied 
 Andre, evasively. 
 
 " Well, I'd like to know if your real name 
 is Anderson ?" put in Van Wart. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I am your prisoner," said An- 
 dre, with a lofty dignity that was not without 
 its effect upon his captors ; " you can com- 
 mand my person, but not my secrets. You 
 are now conducting me, strongly guarded, to 
 deliver me OTer as a spy to the proper mili- 
 tary authorities. Let what you know suffice 
 you for the present ; and let me beg of you, as 
 a favor, you will ask me no more questions. 
 Enough, that I now assure you, when brought 
 into the presence of a military commander, I 
 will reveal all." 
 
 The men all looked abashed at this reproof, 
 and no more questions were put to their pri- 
 soner. In the afternoon of the day of his 
 capture. Major Andre arrived at Northcastle, 
 and, together with all the papers found on 
 his person was delivered over to Lieutenant 
 Colonel Jameson, the commander of that mili- 
 tary outpost. 
 
 CHAPTER XXn. 
 
 JPLIGHT OF THE TRAITOE. 
 
 On examining the treasonable papers given 
 him by Paulding, Colonel Jameson found 
 them to be in the undisguised handwriting of 
 General Arnold ; and yet, so far from suspect- 
 ing the General of any sinister design, he 
 sought Andre for an explanation of the whole 
 affair. This courae was certainly a most extra- 
 
 ordinary one, considering that hitherto this 
 man had been regarded as possessing common- 
 sense. Andre, of course, represented the mat- 
 ter in the most favorable light possible, said 
 that if confronted with Arnold he would make 
 a full explanation, and requested that he might 
 at once be sent to head-quarters. Absurd 
 as was this request, yet Jameson was insane 
 enough, or foolish enough — whichever you 
 please, reader — to grant it. He immediately 
 wrote a note to Arnold, saying, " I send to you, 
 under the charge of Lieutenant Allen and a 
 guard, acertain John Anderson, who was taken 
 while going toward New York. He had a pass- 
 port, signed in your name, and a parcel of pa- 
 pers, taken from under his stockings, which, I 
 think of a very dangerous tendency." Here he 
 gave a description of the papers referred to, 
 and concluded, " These I have reserved and 
 forwarded to General Washington." 
 
 What could be more extravagantly foolish 
 than this, when we take into consideration 
 that Jameson had no sinister motive in so 
 doing ? Could not the man foresee that if 
 Arnold were concerned in the plot, he would, 
 of course, attempt an immediate escape ? that 
 whether he 'were or not, it was only right and 
 proper that such a grave affair should have a 
 judicial investigation, and that it was his 
 duty to make all known to the commander-in- 
 chief, and leave him to act ? With regard to 
 ibresight, some men seem born like moles, and 
 of this class was Jameson. 
 
 As soon as the escort had departed with 
 Andre, Jameson dispatched an express, writh 
 the treasonous papers, to meet General Wash- 
 ington, then supposed to be on the road re- 
 turning from Hartford, where he had been, as 
 the reader knows, to hold an interview with 
 the French CountRochambeau. But Washing- 
 ton came back by a different route than he went, 
 and, in consequence, the courier missed him. 
 
 As we design to be brief in touching upon 
 this portion of our true history, we can not do 
 better than quote the language of Sparks in 
 his biography of Arnold : 
 
 " At the time when Andre was brought in 
 a prisoner," says the biographer, "Major 
 Tallmage, next in command under Jameson, 
 was absent on duty .below White Plains, and 
 did not return till evening. He was filled with 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 101 
 
 astonishment -when Jameson related what had 
 happeped, and could not refrain from express- 
 ing his surprise at the course that had been 
 pursued. To his mind, the case was so clear, or, 
 at all events, was attended by such peculiar cir- 
 cumstances, as not only to justify, but require, 
 prompt, bold, and energetic measures on the 
 part of Jameson. In short, he declared his sus- 
 picions of Arnold, and offered to take on him- 
 self the entire responsibility of proceeding on 
 that ground. To this idea Jameson would not 
 listen. He was agitated and irresolute at first, 
 but finally refused to sanction any measure 
 which should imply a distrust of Arnold. 
 
 " Failing in this object; Tallmage earnestly 
 requested that the prisoner might be brought 
 back"; to which Jameson, with some reluct- 
 ance, consented. As the parties from below 
 had been higher up the country than the post 
 at Northcastle, there was room to apprehend 
 that he might be recaptured ; and this was, 
 probably, the prevailing reason with Jameson 
 for countermanding the order. Strange as it 
 may seem, however, if any thing can seem 
 strange in this string of blunders, he would 
 insist on sending forward the letter he had 
 written to Arnold, as will appear hy his order 
 of countermand to Lieutenant Allen. 
 
 " ' From some circumstances which I have 
 just discovered,' he wrote to that officer, ' I 
 have reason to fear that a party of the enemy 
 is above ; and as I would not have Anderson 
 retaken or get away, I desire that yon will 
 proceed to Lower Salem with him, and deliver 
 him to Captain Hoogland. You will leave the 
 guard with Captain Hoogland, also, except 
 one man, whom you may take along. You 
 may proceed to West Point, and deliver the 
 letter to General Arnold. You may also show 
 him this, that he may know the reason why 
 the prisoner is not sent on. You will please 
 to return as soon as you can.' " 
 
 The messenger with this letter soon over- 
 took Lieutenant Allen, who, instead of taking 
 Andre to Lower Salem, as directed by Jame- 
 son, immediately set out on his return to 
 Northcastle, which post he reached the same 
 night. On beholding the prisoner. Major 
 TaUmage was at once struck with his deport- 
 ment, which he considered decidedly military, 
 and especially his manner of walking the floor, 
 
 and turning on his heel ; and he expressed to 
 Jameson his conviction that the man had been 
 bred to arms, and that, under tlie circum- 
 stances, he should be kept closely guarded 
 till orders should be received from Giineral 
 Washington, or Arnold. As Northcastle was 
 not so safe a military post as Lower Salem — 
 which, being farther inland, was less exposed 
 — it was accordingly decided that Andre 
 should be conducted thither forthwith. In his 
 consultation with Jameson, TaUma;.;". remem- 
 bering the letter he ha.d some days Liel'ore re- 
 ceived from Arnold concerning one Jolm An- 
 derson, could not avoid a strong suspicion of 
 the General ; and he so expressed himself to 
 Jameson ; but the latter refused to credit there 
 being anything wrong in that quarter, and still 
 insisted that the letter wliicli Liouteiiaut Allen 
 had brought back should be sent forward. 
 
 Finding he could do nothing with J.ameson 
 as regarded Arnold, Tallmago determitieil that 
 Andre, at least, should not escape ; and so he 
 set off with him to Salem. On the arrival of 
 Andre at this place, he was introduced to a 
 Mr. Bronson, who was attached to Sheldon's 
 regiment, and who occupied a small apart- 
 ment, which he consented to share with the 
 prisoner. Andre at first was in nowise talk- 
 ative ; but after having rested a while, and 
 procured a change of a portion of his gar- 
 ments from his room mate, he relaxed into fa- 
 miliar conversation, and even proceeded to 
 make a ludicrous sketch on paper of the es- 
 cort and himself, which he handed to Bronson, 
 saying : 
 
 " This will give you an idea of the style in 
 which I have had the honor to be conducted 
 to my present abode.'' 
 
 Sometime after this, knowing that all hope 
 of being sent to Arnold must be abandoned, 
 he resolved to throw off his disguise, and 
 stand forth in his true colors. Accordingly, 
 he sat down and wrote a letter to Washington, 
 disclosing his real name, rank, and intentions, 
 and begged to be treated as a gentleman and 
 British officer. Without mentioning the name 
 of Arnold, he stated that he had come up the 
 river for the purpose of meeting a person on 
 the neutral ground, in order to obtain import- 
 ant intelligence ; that, unknown to himself at 
 the time, he had been drawn within the Ameri- 
 
102 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 ca^ lines ; as also what course he had pursued 
 to get back to New York, and how he had 
 been arrested by volunteers. This letter, 
 which, had we space, we would give verbatim, 
 was signed by Andre with his real name, and 
 handed open to Major Tallmage, who perused 
 it with astonishment. He had previously, as 
 the reader knows, come to the conclusion that 
 the prisoner had been bred to arms ; but he 
 had no idea he was a personage of such rank 
 and importance. 
 
 Having stripped himself of all disguise, and 
 frankly confeijsed the business on which he 
 had been engaged, Andre felt greatly relieved 
 in mind, and grew so cheerful and entertain- 
 ing, that he won the regard of all who formed 
 his acquaintance. We must now leave hiid, 
 and follow up events in another quarter. 
 
 We left Smith going up the river. The 
 same day he parted with Andre, he returned 
 to his family at Fishkill ; but on his way he 
 called on Arnold, and informed him where he 
 had quitted the person called Anderson. This 
 greatly relieved the mind of the General, who 
 believed that Andre would get safely to New 
 York, and consequently that he had nothing 
 more to fear. It has been stated that the ex- 
 press sent off to Washington missed him, on 
 account of the General having taken a differ- 
 ent route back than was expected ; and the 
 reader has seen that the letter dispatched to 
 Arnold from Jameson, met with a delay, by 
 reason of the return of Lieutenant Allen. 
 
 We must now repair to General Arnold's 
 head-quarters, at Robinson's house. It is the 
 second morning since the capture of Andre, 
 and yet the General has heard nothing of his 
 misfortune, and is, at the moment introduced, 
 secretly congratulating himself that he is safe 
 within the British lines. The servants of Ar- 
 nold are busy preparing breakfast, Mrs. Ar- 
 nold is superintending the domestic affairs 
 within, the aids of the General have strolled 
 out for a short walk, to catch the invigorating 
 breath of morning, and he himself is slowly 
 walking up and down the piazza, with a limp- 
 ing gait, and thinking how soon he will ex> 
 change his solitary residence in the country 
 for one of life in the gay city, and his com- 
 mand of half-paid, half-starved rebels, for that 
 of the well-paid, well-fed soldiers of King 
 
 George. Suddenly his attention is attracted 
 to a baggage wagon, which turns up to the 
 mansion, accompanied by three men, and 
 filled with trunks. One of the men, separat- 
 ing from the others, approaches him, and doff- 
 ing his hat, makes a respectful salute. 
 
 " Well," said Arnold, sternly, " what is your 
 business ?" 
 
 " So please your excellency," replied the 
 man, bowing, " this is the baggage of General 
 Washington and suite." 
 
 " Ha ! so he has come at last;? I am glad 
 to hea* it ; but he is two days behind his 
 time ; I expected him on Saturday ; where is 
 he now?" 
 
 "I left him at Fishkill, your excellency, 
 and he desired me to say he would be here to 
 breakfast." 
 
 "At Fishkill? you mean Peekskill?" 
 
 " No, your excellency, he returned by the 
 upper road, and staid last night at Fishkill. 
 He did intend to lodge here, and set out from 
 Fishkill before night to come down ; but on the 
 way he met the French minister and went 
 back." 
 
 " Who is with him ?" 
 
 "General Knox, Gtoeral Lafayette, Co- 
 lonel Hamilton, Colonel Tilghman, Colonel 
 Lamb—" 
 
 " There, that will do, my man," interrupted 
 Arnold, " You may take the baggage into 
 the hall, and — but never mind, I will attend 
 to it myself;" and as the other bowed and 
 withdrew, he entered the house. 
 
 In a few minutes he came out again, and 
 for the best part of an hour continued to walk 
 up and down the piazza. 
 
 " Well, "Varick," he said, as one of his aids 
 now approached the house, " where is your 
 companion 1" 
 
 "Just below here. General; shall I call 
 him ?" 
 
 " Y,ou may as well inform him that General 
 Washington wiU breakfast with us, and I ex- 
 pect him and suite every moment ; so he had 
 better not stroll away, for the meal is now 
 ready, and we shall sit down immediately the 
 company arrives." 
 
 Major Varick departed, but soon returned, 
 accompanied by Major Franks. As they drew 
 near the mansion, two officers dashed up the 
 
TREASON IN THE QAMP. 
 
 103 
 
 road, and exchanging talutes with the Gene- 
 ral's aids, drew up before the General' him- 
 self. These were Hamilton and Tilghman. 
 
 "Ah! good morning, gentlemen," said Ar- 
 nold, blandly. " A fine morning for a ride ; 
 good air — excellent — but where are the rest 
 of our friends ?" 
 
 " Why, his excellency, General Washington, 
 has just ridden down to examine the redoubts 
 on this side the river,'' replied Hamilton ; " and 
 the rest of his suite, save ourselves, keep him 
 company. He bade us ride forward and say to 
 General Arnold, that as he should be some time 
 detained, the breakfast had better not wait." 
 
 " Ah ! just like our pommander-in-ohief," 
 rejoined Arnold ; " always business before 
 pleasure ; and oftentimes, as in the present 
 instance, business before eating. Well, then, 
 ■we will to breakfast. Come, gentlemen, leave 
 your horses in charge of the baggage-men, 
 and we will sit down to our repast without 
 further delay. This way, gentlemen;" and 
 Arnold passed into the mansion, followed by 
 his own and Washington's aids. 
 
 The new-comers were introduced to Mrs. 
 Arnold, and all sat down to the morning's 
 jneal. Arnold himself did the honors of the 
 table, and seemed in fine spirits. Every thing 
 ■went off pleassi^tly, and the meal was nearly 
 finished, when one of the servants announced 
 a messenger with a letter for the General. 
 
 " Bring it here," said Arnold. 
 
 The letter was brought, and, without rising 
 from his seat, Arnold proceeded to break it 
 open and read it ill the presence of the compa- 
 ny ; it was the long-delayed missive of Jame- 
 son ; and the first words his eye fell upon, 
 showed the traitor that his scheme of treason 
 was detected, and that Andre was a prisoner. 
 He turned pale as death, and for a moment 
 exhibited great agitation. There was no time 
 to be lost, for his neck might be in the halter 
 at any moment. Controlling his emotions 
 with a powerful effort, he said, in a low tone : 
 ' " Gentlemen, I must beg you to excuse me. 
 My presence is immediately required at West 
 Point. When General Washington arrives, 
 inform him that I have been suddenly called 
 over the river, but will return soon. William, 
 [to one of his blacks,] saddle my horse, and 
 bring him to the door without delay." 
 
 , Arnold then quitted the room, sought his 
 chamber, and sent for hid wife. As Mrs. Ar- 
 nold entered his apartment, he shut the door 
 quickly, looked it, and then said, with great 
 rapidity, while the muscles of his face fairly 
 quivfered with excitement : 
 
 " I have no time to mince matters. We 
 are about to part, perhaps never to meet 
 again. I have been concerned in a plot of 
 treason, which is detected, and my life now 
 depends on my reaching the Vulture." 
 
 "Oh! my God! my God!" shrieked Mrs. 
 Arnold, in terror. 
 
 " Hush ! or you will alarm the hou«e ! Fare- 
 well ;" and the traitor turned back the bolt 
 of the door to fly. As he did so, he heard a 
 heavy fall on the floor. He looked around, 
 and saw the partner of his bosom lying life- 
 less at his feet. Whether living or dead, he 
 had no time to examine. " Poor thing !" he 
 groaned — "poor thing!" and hurried down 
 stairs. " Your mistress is ill;" he said to a ser- 
 vant, as h6 passed through the house ; " at- 
 tend to her instantly." The next moment he 
 was outside. The servant had not yet brought 
 his horse, but one belonging to Varick stood 
 saddled, and hitched to a post by the door. 
 There was no time for idle ceremony. Jerk- 
 ing the rein loose, he mounted in haste, and 
 the next moment was dashing away toward 
 the river. There he found a boat ready, 
 manned by six oarsmen. Dismounting, and 
 giving his horse his freedom, he sprang into 
 the boat, saying : " Push out, men ! row for 
 the center of the stream ;" and as the boat- 
 men, knowing nothing of his sinister inten- 
 tions, obeyed him, he continued : " I want 
 you, men, to row me to the Vulture with aU 
 speed. I am going with a flag, and bear im- 
 portant dispatches; and am in great haste to 
 return, as I expect to meet General Washing- 
 ton at my house. Now, pull up, boys, let us 
 see what you Can do in the way of aquatio 
 exercise, and you shall have two gallons of 
 rum as soon as I return." 
 
 The men sprang to with energy, the oars 
 bent with their strength, and the boat passed 
 rapidly down the stream. We will not at- 
 tempt to describe the feelings of the traitor on 
 that guilty flight ; but it must have been oae 
 of intense agony — ^not of remorse,, but fear — 
 
104 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 ,», 
 
 for every moment he trembled lest he should 
 hear a military summons for the men to land 
 the boat and deliver him up to justice. Time 
 sped, and every minute he became more se- 
 cure. At length he came in sight of King's 
 Ferry, and his heart almost died within him. 
 Could he pass this, he would be comparatively 
 safe ; but he feared .lest Washington, having 
 got news of his treachery and flight, had sent 
 a messenger here before him. He would soon 
 know ; and taking a white handkerchief from 
 his pocket, he held it up, and let it flutter in 
 the breeze. Colonel Livingston saw it, and 
 supposing the boat a flag-boat, sent down in 
 haste, did not order it to laud. Joy to the 
 traitor ! A little more time, and he would be 
 safe. The Vulture was just in sight, at the 
 lower end of the bay ; he had only to reach 
 that, and all fear of the halter would be at an 
 end. He urged the men to do their utmost, 
 and the boat sped over the waters. Nearer, 
 nearer, and more* near it drew to the Vulture, 
 and the spirits and hopes of Arnold rose in 
 proportion. At last the boat ran along side, 
 and Arnold, mounting to the deck, ordered 
 the men to follow him. Inquiring for Captain 
 Sutherland, he was shown into the cabin, 
 where he found that officer, to whom he at 
 once made himself known, and conveyed the 
 startling intelligence that Andre was a pri- 
 soner. He then called down the leader of 
 the boatmen, and in a haughty, overbearing 
 tone, said : " Sir, you and all your fellows 
 are prisoners." 
 
 '•What do you mean. General Arnold?" 
 replied the man, with spirit. " Didn't we 
 come aboard with a flag of truce 1" 
 
 " That makes no difference, insolence !" 
 returned the traitor, savagely. " I tell you, 
 
 you are all prisoners ; and by 1 not 
 
 one of you shall quit his Majesty's ves- 
 sel." 
 
 "I appeal to you. Captain," said the man, 
 turning to Sutherland. " I came on board 
 with a flag of truce, and consequently have a 
 right to depart. Do you detain me ?" 
 
 "Why, I do not wish to interfere with 
 General Arnold's arrangements,'' replied the 
 Captain ; " but I will grant you leave, on 
 parole, to go ashore and get such things as 
 you and your companions may want ; and 
 
 doubtless when you get to New York, Sir 
 Henry will discharge you." 
 
 Such proved to be the case. Sir Henry, 
 like a man of honor' and a gentleman, after- 
 ward set them all at liberty. We have re- 
 corded this incident, merely to show the low, 
 little, despicable meanness of Benedict Ar- 
 nold, in retaining as prisoners the very men 
 who, by their manly exertions, had just saved 
 his neck from the halter. 
 
 Let us now return to Washington. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 WASHINGTON AT ROBINSON's HOUSE. 
 
 Within half an hour after the flight of the 
 traitor, Washington, having finished his in- 
 spection of the redoubts, arrived at Arnold's 
 head-quarters with his suite. Majors Franks 
 and Varick, as the representatives of the ab- 
 sent General, met the party, and gave them a 
 cordial welcome, stating that some pressing 
 business had called Arnold over the river, 
 but that he would soon return, 
 
 " Ah ! so he has gone over to West Poifit 1" 
 said Washington. " Well, as I wish to visit 
 the works there, I will make a hasty breakfast, 
 cross over, and meet him. Come, gentlemen, 
 don't let us stand on cereil|,ony ;" and he 
 immediately led the way into the house. 
 " Where is your mistress 1" he inquired of one 
 of the servants'; 
 
 " She's taken suddenly ill, your excellency, 
 and can't come down." 
 
 "111! I am sorry to hear it. I hope 
 nothing serious ?" 
 
 " I don't know, your excellency, she seema 
 very bad." 
 
 "The breakfast is ready, your excellency," 
 said another servant, approaching. 
 
 " Come, gentlemen, and sit down ;" and the 
 commander-in-chief immediately took his 
 place at the head of the table. 
 
 The meal was a hurried one, and passed 
 off in silence. As soon as Washington had 
 finished, he arose, and merely saying to 
 Colonel Hamilton, "You will remain here 
 till we return, which I trust will be in time 
 for dinner," he proceeded at once to the 
 river, accompanied by all the others. 
 
 Here Arnold's baro;e was in waiting ; and 
 
TREASON IN TUB CAMP. 
 
 105 
 
 stepping into it, with Us suite, Washington 
 ordered the men to row them over to West 
 Point, which was a mile or two ahovo on the 
 opposite side. As the boat gained the middle 
 of the stream, every one looked around with 
 delight. The river was narrow, calm, and 
 deep ; and on either side steep mountains rose 
 far heavenward, and in some places almost 
 overhung the dark glassy waters, which gave 
 back, with all the minuteness of nature, their 
 rugged and romantic forms. To the right, 
 some distance up the mountain, and half- 
 buried in the checkered foliage of autumn, 
 could be seen the mansion they had just quit- 
 ted ; while forward to the left, among the rocks, 
 and retreating up another mountain, the re- 
 doubts of West Point were visible, with the im- 
 pregnable Fort Putnam towering high above, 
 and crowning the whole. The scenery here, 
 in every point of view, was truly grand and 
 majestic ; and as the barge glided smoothly over 
 the still water, with a faint pleasing ripple 
 under her light prow, Washington cast his eyes 
 around, and with cheerful animation, said : 
 
 " Well, gentlemen, I am glad, on the whole, 
 that General Arnold has gone before us ; for 
 we shall now have a salute ; and the roaring 
 of the cannon will have a fine effect among 
 these mountains." 
 
 "Ay," returned Lafayette, "every salute 
 fired here will be a dozen ; and we shall have 
 a double welcome, in being greeted both by 
 art and nature — for if echo has a home, it 
 must be here." 
 
 The boat glided on, but no cannon was 
 heard. Nearer and nearer it drew to West 
 Point ; but still all remained quiet. And to 
 the surprise of all, no one was seen moving 
 about, and no preparations for receiving such 
 distinguished visitors were apparent. 
 
 "What is the meaning of this ?" said Wash- 
 ington, with a look of displea^re. " Do they 
 not intend to salute us ? are we not to be re- 
 ceived with the respect due to our rank 1" 
 
 The boat now headed to the shore, and at 
 this moment an officer was espied wending 
 Ms way among the rocks down the hill. He 
 reached the foot of the acclivity just as the 
 barge grated on the beach ; and on perceiv- 
 ing who were its occupants, he started, and 
 his face grew scarlet with confusion. 
 
 " Pai'dou me, your oxosllonoy, and gentle- 
 men," he said ; " had I known of your coming, 
 I should have been prepared to give you a 
 different reception; but being taken wholly 
 by surprise, as I am, I trust you will excuse 
 my apparent neglect, and also my not having 
 put the garrison into a suitable condition for 
 a review." 
 
 " How is this, sir 1" exclaimed Washington, 
 in surprise ; " is not General Arnold here ?" 
 
 " No, your excellency," replied the com- 
 mandant of West Point— for such the officer 
 proved to be — " the General is not here, nor 
 have I seen him for the last two days." 
 
 " This is most extraordinary," rejoined 
 Washington, his astonishment increasing. 
 "We were told he had crossed the river, 
 and that we should find him here. How is 
 this, Varick?" 
 
 " Such was the statement he made on 
 leaving," answered that officer. 
 
 " It is as I tell your excellency," said the 
 commandant. 
 
 "No one doubts your word, sir," rejoined 
 the commander-in-chief. "Arnold is not here, 
 and his absence is inexplicable. However, our 
 visit must not be in vain. Since we have come, 
 though unexpected, we must look round a 
 little, and see in what state things are with you. 
 Lead the ■»ay, commandant! Come, gentle- 
 men;" and the whole party set off up the 
 hill. 
 
 It was nearly four o'clock in the afternoon 
 when General Washington and his suite re- 
 turned to Robinson's house. As they landed 
 at the foot of the mountain, and began to 
 ascend by a winding path to the mansion, 
 Colonel Hamilton was perceived coming to- 
 ward them with a quick step, while his coun- 
 tenance betrayed anxiety and alarm. 
 
 "What can have happened ?" said Wash- 
 ington to Lafayette, who was walking by his 
 side. " Do you not see that Hamilton is very 
 much agitated 1" 
 
 " He seems so," replied the Marquis, " and 
 his face is very pale." 
 
 "Well, what now?" asked Washington, 
 anxiously, as the Colonel came within speak- 
 ing distance. 
 
 " Something for your private ear. General." 
 
 " Let us to the house then, at once ;" and 
 
106 
 
 TUB FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 quickening his pace, the commander-in-chief 
 separated from the other officers, and walked 
 alongside of Hamilton, without speaking, till 
 both entered the mansion. Hastening to a 
 private room, the General closed the door, 
 and then said : " Well, sir 1 well, sir ?" 
 
 "General Arnold is a traitor!" replied 
 Hamilton, abruptly. 
 
 " Ha!" exclaimed Washington, with a start, 
 " what proof have you of the charge ?" 
 
 " These, your excellency," rejoined the 
 other, presenting the papers taken from 
 Andre's boots, and also the letter written by 
 Andre himself. 
 
 A heavy frown gathered on the noble brow 
 of AVashington, as he threw his eye rapidly 
 over each, and there was a slight agitation 
 of the muscles around the mouth. 
 
 " When were these brought in ?" he de- 
 manded, in a stern but even tone of voice. 
 
 " A few minutes before your excellency's 
 arrival," answered Hamilton. "As they were 
 represented to be of the utmost importance, I 
 ventured to break them open." 
 
 " But why so much delay ? Jameson's note 
 is dated the twenty-third — this is the twenty- 
 fifth — two'days." 
 
 " Why, your excellency, it seems that the 
 express dispatched to meet you took the lower 
 road to Hartford, which he followed till he 
 learned your excellency had returned by the 
 upper. He then came back to Lower Salem, 
 Where Major Andre now is, and thus became 
 the bearer of his letter also. But what is 
 more strange, your excellency, it seems that 
 Jiameson dispatched a note to Arnold, telling 
 Mm his confederate was captured, and that 
 reached him this morning, which accounts 
 for his hasty departure."! 
 
 " I see it all now," almost groaned Wash^ 
 ington, pressing one hand to his temple. " Oh ! 
 Hamilton, this is trying ! this is trying ! to fight 
 a powerful enemy with such rank treason in 
 the camp. But how do you explain Jameson's 
 conduct. Colonel ? is he in the plot, too ?" 
 
 " I think not, General ; for had he been in 
 the plot, he would not have forwarded your 
 excellency these papers, and would have 
 managed to give his prisoner liberty ; but his 
 peculiar conduct I cannot explain, only by 
 supposing that hs did not look upon Arnold 
 
 as a traitor, and thought there was some 
 design of the enemy to ruin his character." 
 
 " You may be right,'' replied Washington ; 
 " but his strange misconception and egregious 
 folly are almost tantamount to an overt act. 
 Arnold has fled to the enemy, of course; but 
 it is possible he may have met with some un- 
 foreseen delay. Mount, Colonel, and ride in all 
 haste to Verplank's Point, and tell Colonel Liv- 
 ingston to let no boat pass. Arrest the traitoB, 
 if possible — if not, take such steps for the pre- 
 servation of the country as, in yOur judgment, 
 the emergency demands, and report to me as 
 soon as you have done. We know not how 
 many are in the plot, nor on whom we can roly 
 — therefore, be active, discreet, and vigilant 
 It is a heavy blow, to come at this time — but 
 we must strive to ward it. There, go." 
 
 Hamilton, without a word, quitted the room, 
 and ordering his horse in haste, mounted and 
 rode swiftly away. Washington remained be- 
 hind for a moment or two, buried in thought. 
 His brow was clouded, and his features looked 
 troubled ; but soon the whole countenance re- 
 sumed its naturally calm, sertjne asp«ct ; and 
 with his wonted slow, firm, dignified step, 
 he made his appearance in the sitting-room. 
 Here he found all the officers assembled, 
 awaiting his appearance ; and beckoning La- 
 fayette and Knox to follow him, he returned 
 to the same apartment where he had held the 
 interview with Hamilton ; and as he closed 
 the door, said, without the least visible agita- 
 tion in manner or speech : 
 
 " Gentlemen, I have most distressing intel- 
 ligence to communicate. General Arnold has 
 been detected in a plot of treason, and has 
 fled to the enemy." Both ofiioers gave a start 
 of astonishment, and looked inquiringly at 
 their commander-in-chief, who merely handed 
 them the proofs, and added : " There, readier 
 yourselves." 
 
 " Oh I this is terrible !" exclaimed the Mar- 
 quis, after having hastily ghmced over the 
 different pa.pers. 
 
 "The villain !" ejaculated Knox. 
 " Whom can we trust now ?" said Washing- 
 ton, almost mournfully^ 
 
 Some further conversation took place, re- 
 lative to the steps to be taken to prevent the 
 plot from succeeding ; and then requesting the 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 107 
 
 officers -with him not to diyulge the secret to 
 any one, Washington led the way back to the 
 sitting-room, where he made several trivial 
 remarks to the gentlemen there present, as 
 though his mind were perfectly at ease. 
 
 " How is your mistress 1" he inquired of a 
 servant, who was passing in haste. 
 
 " She is very bad, your excellency," whis- 
 pered the domestic. " She's raving, sir, and 
 keeps a calling for you." 
 
 " For me 1" returned the General, in sur- 
 prise ; " why did you not tell me sooner ? But 
 no matter ; I will see her now ; lead the way ;" 
 and Washington followed the servant to Mrs. 
 Arnold's chamber. 
 
 Here he became involved in a scene calcu- 
 lated to unmana stoic, and unstring the nerves 
 of the bravest. Mrs. Arnold — ^her lovely fea- 
 tures deadly pale, and marked with strong 
 emotion ; her bright eyes gleaming strangely 
 and wildly ; her dress disordered; her hair dis- 
 heveled, and falling in heavy masses around 
 her neck and shoulders — ^was seated in a chair, 
 with her infant in her arms, clasped to her 
 breast, and she was swaying to and fro, and 
 moaning piteously. On perceiving who had 
 entered the room, she started up hurriedly, and 
 advanced a step or two toward Washington. 
 Then stopping suddenly, she drew herself up 
 to her full height, and glaring upon him with 
 the ferocity of a maniac, exclaimed : 
 
 " So you have come at last. General Wash- 
 ington, here, to face me in my own apartment? 
 They told me villains were cowards, and I did 
 not think you would thus venture in the open 
 light of day. But they lied — villains are not 
 all cowards — else why are you here ?" 
 
 " Be calm, Mrs. Arnold," said Washington, 
 soothingly. " Pray sit down, and be calm ! I 
 would not injure you for the world." 
 
 "Not me — oh, no, not me — ha, ha, ha! 
 You told no lie there. General ; you would 
 not harm me, I know ; but you would kill my 
 chUd. Ha ! ha 1 you start — ^you see I know. 
 Yes, you would kill my child — my poor little 
 innocent child, who never did any body wrong. 
 Yes, I have heard all about it — it is a horrible 
 plot you have concocted to murder this little 
 innocent. My God ! perhaps you have come 
 now to do your butcher-work ! But you shall 
 not-T-you shall not!" she fairly shrieked. 
 
 straining the child closer to her bosom, and re- 
 treating to the farther part of the room. " No, 
 no — you shall not harm it. Stab me, if you 
 like — send my soul to its Maker — but touch 
 not the child ! Oh ! harm it not !" she con- 
 tinued, softening her tone to one of earnest 
 pleading : ' ' harm it not ! harm it not .! it never 
 did you wrong. See 1 see ! the little innocent 
 smiles in your face — it is so sweet, so gentle ;" 
 and she fell to kissing it, and to weeping. 
 
 " My dear madam," said Washington, much 
 affected, "neither you nor your child have any 
 thing to fear from me ; so I pray you be calm." 
 
 " Ah ! kind sir, good sir, I knew you would 
 be gentle, and relent toward the unfortunate," 
 replied the lonely mother, again coming for- 
 ward, smiling through her tears, and taking 
 the seat she had vacated on the General's 
 entrance. " Yes, I knew you would be kind ; 
 for you are the great General Washington, of 
 whom even his enemies speak in praise. You 
 are he men call the Father of his Country, and 
 I know you would not wrong one of your chil- 
 dren. Is it not a beautiful babe, sir ?" 
 
 " A sweet little child, madam." 
 
 " So like its father." Here a shriek of an- 
 guish indescribable interrupted the word that 
 brought back to the poor wife a full sense of 
 all her misery. " Oh ! what was I about to 
 utter !" she continued, wildly. "Look like its 
 father ! Oh Heaven ! be merciful, and change 
 it to some hideous monster, rather than let it 
 wear the face that will doom it to undying 
 infamy ! Here, sir, here, sir — take and kill 
 it — kill it in its innocence — and spare it the 
 misery which must be its portion else ! Its 
 father is a criminal ; he will die on the gallows ; 
 and the world, unsatisfied with this revenge, 
 will heap insult on the child, and shun it as 
 a viper — ay, worse, worse than a viper — the 
 child of a traitor ! Me che world may shun, 
 may deride, despise, hoot at, and insult in 
 every possible form — I can bear it; but, oh ! it 
 tears my heart-strings to think such a destiny 
 is in store for this little innocent ;" and she 
 again fell to weeping and moaning in the most 
 'heart-touching manner, occasionally ejacu- 
 lating: "Poor child! God protect thee ! it was 
 wrong for thy father to treat thee so ! — he 
 should have been true to his country, and his 
 God, for thy sake, if not for his own." 
 
108 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY; OR, 
 
 It was a trying scene to Washington, to wit- 
 ness so young, beautiful, accomplished, and ap- 
 parently innocent a wife and mother, bewail- 
 ing the sad fate of herself and child, brought 
 on by the infamous deeds of one in whom he 
 himself had reposed eoniidence, but to whom 
 he must henceforth be an implacable enemy, 
 and should he be taken, must, as his judge, 
 doom to the halter. He felt the delicacy of 
 his position, and how impotent were words to 
 heal the wounds of a heart so lacerated ; and 
 he took the first favorable opportunity of with- 
 drawing from a spectacle so af&ioting. 
 
 When he again entered the sitting-room, 
 there was nothing in his look, speech, or 
 manner to imply that any thing unusual had 
 occurred to disturb his equanimity. Dinner 
 being announced, he merely said: 
 
 " Come, gentlemen, since Mrs. Arnold is 
 unwell, and the General is absent, let us sit 
 down without ceremony." 
 
 This self-possession, and wonderful com- 
 mand of his feelings, were among the remark- 
 able traits of this great man. Where others 
 would have appeared excited and indignant, 
 he preserved his dignity and evenness of tem- 
 per. Yet the reader must not suppose him 
 indifferent, or that his feelings were not tried 
 as other men ; nor must he attribute his slow, 
 calm movements to any lack of energy, or 
 want of decision. From the very first he had 
 decided upon his course ; but haste or agita- 
 tion would- betray something wrong and excite 
 suspicion; and what this might effect it was 
 impossible to tell, since he knew not how 
 many, nor whom, might be concerned in Ar- 
 nold's plot. It was necessary for him to be 
 discreet and composed ; and in exercising this 
 great self-command, he showed not only bis 
 wisdom, but his superiority, in rising equal 
 to any emergency. 
 
 When dinner was over, Washington arose, 
 and with Lafayette and Knox, retired to a pri- 
 vate room. Here a consultation was held and 
 letters written and dispatched to the different 
 military posts throughout the American lines. 
 Haste was enjoined upon every courier; and' 
 such vras the exertions made by each, that by 
 midnight every mission was executed. 
 
 At midnight that night, Andre was sum- 
 moned from his bed, to be escorted to General 
 
 Arnold's late head-quarters. The night was 
 dark and dismal, and the rain fell in torrents. 
 It was a gloomy journey. 
 
 At midnight that night, a party of armed 
 soldiers, with fixed bayonets, and commanded 
 by a French officer, burst into the room where 
 Smith was sleeping with his wife, and ordered 
 him to dress without a word, and follow them. 
 He obeyed, and was also conducted through 
 the cold, chilling rain to Washington's present 
 quarters. 
 
 At midnight that night, the roll of the drum 
 was heard in the American encampment at 
 Tappan, the soldiers sprang from their beds to 
 arms, and the left wing of the array was put 
 in motion, and marched through darkness, 
 mud, and rain, to King's Ferry. 
 
 Before the morning dawned, every officer, 
 in every section of the country, had received 
 his orders, and was hastening to obey them. 
 
 And all this was the work of the great com- 
 mander of the American forces. ' 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 WASHINRTOK AT HEAD- QUARTERS. 
 
 We are aware that we have deviated from 
 the rules which should govern every novelist, 
 in so long neglecting many of our most import- 
 ant characters ; but we must plead, in ex- 
 tenuation, that we have been recording facts, 
 which in themselves possess so mucli of dra- 
 matic plot and incident, that we could not 
 think of casting them aside and substituting 
 fiction. Every one, we premise, has heard of 
 Arnold's treason, and Andre's capture and 
 untimely end ; but, at the same time, the very 
 fewest number have traced out, one by one, 
 the machinations and incidents of that damna- 
 ble plot, whose timely detection saved our be- 
 loved country from total ruin, and consigned 
 to an ignominious death one of the brightest 
 and noblest spirits that ever adorned the 
 British army. Major John Andre was a vic- 
 tim of circumstances. Possessing genius of a 
 high order, a disposition the most amiable, a 
 soul above every mean and base action, ao- 
 cdmplishraents the most rare, he went through 
 life beloved by all that knew him. Even the 
 very act that doomed him to the gallows, was 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 109 
 
 looked upon by all as justifiable in him, save 
 so far as the rigorous policy of war required 
 that he should be made a startling example, to 
 deter others from a like attempt. While Ar- 
 nold, by every act of his, was damning himself 
 as a dastardly traitor — Andre, in aiding his 
 conspiracy, was only zealously serving liis 
 king. There can be no parallel drawn of 
 either their deeds or motives. All stratagems 
 in war, to gain a decided advantage, are granted 
 as fair in the most strict codes of honor — the 
 parties of whatever venture is made, of course 
 abiding the consequences, if apprehended by 
 the enemy. Andre made his venture, was de- 
 tected, and the penalty of his detection, not his 
 crime, followed ; for no one can denominate 
 that as crime, which is sanctioned by custom 
 in every commander, of every army, in every 
 portion of the world. Pure and noble-minded 
 as was Washington himself, he did not scruple 
 to have his secret agents, his spies, of whom 
 to obtain important intelligence of the enemy's 
 design ; nor did he look upon these agents in 
 any other light than as brave men, perilling 
 their all in the cause of their country, without 
 any hope of reward, beyond a satisfied con- 
 science. Andre was himself an agent of Sir 
 Henry Clinton ; nor did he in his negociationa 
 with Arnold once feel that his own honor was 
 being compromised, however much, in his own 
 heart, he might have despised the man with 
 whom he was dealing. One question, by way 
 of illustration, and we have done — though, 
 candidly, we can not think that the conduct 
 of poor Andre requires even this justification 
 at our hands, to induce the reader to regret 
 his fate. Had a British officer made an over- 
 ture to Washington, to surrender to him, for 
 a conslideration, an important military post, 
 does any one suppose he would, on the ground 
 of honor, have rejected the proposition ? — and 
 had he deputed Colonel Hamilton to settle the 
 preliminaries, would any one regard Hamil- 
 ton as in the least debased by obeying the 
 order or request of his commander-in-chief? 
 KeooUect, then, that what Colonel Hamilton's 
 position in such an event would have been, 
 I^ajor Andre's was ; and hence the sympathy 
 that was felt for him in every circle through- 
 out the land, among his enemies as well as 
 among his friends. 
 
 The reader must suppose several days to 
 have ohxpsed since the closing events uf the 
 foregoing chapter. In the moaiitimo, tho 
 Vulture has gone down to Now York, boariug 
 the treacherous Geneial to his new friends, 
 with the intelligence of tho failure of his 
 scheme, and the capture of Andre. Tho ivife 
 of the traitor, hearing of tho safety of her hus- 
 band, and having become more composed, has 
 gone 'with her infant to visit her friends in 
 Philadelphia, prior to her joining the father of 
 her child in Nevf York, xindre )ias been re- 
 moved from West Point to Tiippan, the head- 
 quarters of the American army, has gone 
 throngh his examination before tho board of 
 general ofioers, and this is tlioir report : 
 
 " First, that Major John Andre came on 
 shore from the Vulture sloop-of-war in tho 
 night, oh an interview with General Arnold, 
 in a private and secret manner. 
 
 " Secondly, that he changed his dress within 
 our lines, and under a feigned name, and in a 
 disguised habit, passed our works at Stony 
 and Verplank's Point ; was taken at Tarry- 
 town, in a disguised habit, being then on his 
 way to New York ; and when taken, he had 
 in his possession several papers which con- 
 tained intelligence for the enemy. 
 
 " These facts being established, it is our 
 undivided and unanimous opinion, that Major 
 John Andre ought to be considered as a spy, 
 and as such, according to the law and usage 
 of nations, to suffer death.'' 
 
 Washington had convened this board of of- 
 ficers — which consisted of six major-generals 
 and eight brigadiers, of whom General Greene 
 was chosen president — not as a court-martial, 
 but to examine into the case of Andre, report 
 facts, and express their opinion as to what 
 should be done with him. And the foregoing 
 is the report they brought him, which he sub- 
 sequently transmitted to Sir Henry Clinton, 
 and on which he acted, not as his inclination, 
 but as duty prompted. 
 
 It was about nine o'clock in the evening of 
 the second day following the examination of 
 Andre, and in a private room of a house, 
 known as head-quarters, in the little village of 
 Tappan, the commander-in-chief of the Ame- 
 rican army was seated. The room was a very 
 plain one, and was very meager of furniture. 
 
no 
 
 THE FEMALK SPY; OR, 
 
 A table stood before the General, covered with 
 papers and documents, and a wax-candle, 
 turning in an iron stick, partially lighted the 
 apartment, and gave a bold relief to his pale, 
 calm, noble features. His countenance was 
 grave and thoughtful, and a close observer 
 might have detected a look of care, grief, and 
 anxiety ; though every lineament was perfectly 
 tranquil, and notliing indicating passion was 
 any where apparent. His head was unco- 
 vered, and his venerable hair, brushed back 
 from the temples and forehead, exposed that 
 broad, high, massive brow, which contributed 
 80 much to the majesty of his lofty bearing. In 
 his hand he held a paper, which he was pe- 
 rusing slowly and thoughtfully ; and when he 
 had finished, he turned to the only occupant 
 of the apartment besides himself, who was 
 seated at a little distance from him, and said : 
 
 " This is indeed a trying crisis, my lord. 
 No one, I think, will deny, that since the war 
 began, I have had many a moment of deep 
 affliction, of dark despondency ; yet, sir, I 
 have had very few so trying as the present. 
 Evils that come upon us in the natural course 
 of events, we strive to bear up against and 
 remedy ; but when we find our friends, those 
 in whom we have reposed all confidence, sud- 
 denly deserting us, the heart receives a shock 
 from which it is very hard to recover. We 
 k-now not then where or how to seek remedy ; 
 we become suspicious,which makes us isolated ; 
 we know not whom to trust, nor with whom 
 to counsel. Like the mariner without his 
 compass, we have no guide on which we can 
 rely; and we act upon a venture, fearing 
 every thing we do is wrong ; that instead of 
 extricating ourselves from our difficulties, 
 every step we take may be plunging us into 
 others — that we may be steering a course di- 
 rectly opposite to the haven we would reach." 
 
 " What your excellency says i& too true," 
 replied the Marquis of Lafayett67-for he it 
 was to whom the commander-in-chief ad- 
 dressed himself. 
 
 " Now that Arnold is gone," pursued Wash- 
 ington, " and his plot detected, I feel that such 
 a man may well be spared from among us ; 
 for he was always rash, and always getting into 
 difficulty ; but I am uneasy lest he has se- 
 duced better men into his vile scheme. For 
 
 instance, in this intercepted paper, I find the 
 name of one of our major-generals used in such 
 a connection as to fasten upon him suspicion. 
 It may be a trick of the enemy, to cause disaf- 
 fection in our army, and loss of confidence in 
 one another ; and it maybefounded on reality? 
 and here lies the difficulty, we cannot say 
 which." 
 
 " I see but one way to settle the matter," 
 replied the Marquis ; " and that is to send 
 another spy into the enemy's camp, and let 
 him confer with those already there." 
 
 "In that opinion I concur, my lord, and am 
 even now taking steps for so doing. And' I 
 still have another object in view, which it is 
 possible may be efieeted at the same time. I 
 allude to the recovery of the traitor/' 
 
 " Indeed, your excellency!" 
 
 " Yes ; if Clinton will not give him in ex- 
 change for Andre — and I shall know whether 
 he will or not on the return of Greene, whom 
 I expect every moment— I have thought of 
 the bold device of having him seized in the 
 camp of the enemy, and conveyed across the 
 river to Hoboken, whence he will be safely 
 escorted to this place. Poor Andre I my 
 heart bleeds for him, and I really wish there 
 were some justifiable means of effecting his 
 liberation. The only way it can be done, is 
 by exchanging him for Arnold, and this I fear 
 they will not do. Greene, who has gone to 
 confer with a deputation from New York, 
 concerning the prisoner's release, I have in- 
 structed to hint at the matter ; but I have no 
 hope they wiU accept the terms ; in fact, they 
 can not do so honorably." 
 
 " Poor Andre ! his is, indeed, a hard fate !" 
 said Eafayette, in a tone of deep sympathy. 
 " So young, so talented, so accomplished, so 
 amiable, so every way worthy to live, with 
 such a brilliant future before him !" 
 
 " Believe me, my lord," rejoined Washing- 
 ton, his Voice for the first time betraying emo* 
 tion, "when I signed his death-warranl^ I 
 found my eyes growing dim ; and, my lord 
 Marquis, I seldom weep. And here," he ad- 
 ded, " pray read that letter; which the pri- 
 soner sent me to-dayi and then say, my lord, 
 if it be not hard^^ for one who sympathizes in 
 his noble, soldier-like feelings as I do, to 
 refuse him his last request?" 
 
TREASON IN THE CAMP. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The Marquis took the letter which 'Wash- 
 ington handed him, and read as folhiwa ; 
 
 "Tappan, IstOotobor, 1780. 
 
 " SiK, — Buoyed above the terror of death b}' 
 the consciousness of a life devsted to honor.ible 
 pursuits, and stained -with no action that can 
 give me remorse, I trust that the request I 
 malie to your excellency, at this serious period, 
 and which is to soften my last moments, will 
 not be rejected. 
 
 "Sympathy toward a soldier, -will surely in- 
 duce your excellency, and a military tribunal, 
 to adapt the mode of my death to the feelings 
 of a man of honor. 
 
 "Let me hope, sir, that if aught in my cha- 
 racter impresses you with esteem toward me, 
 if aught in my misfortunes marks me as the 
 victim of policy and not resentment, I shall ex- 
 perience the operation of these feelings in your 
 breast, by being informed I am not to die on a 
 gibbet. 
 
 ' ' I have the honor to be, your 
 " excellency's most obedient, 
 " and most humble servant, 
 
 " JoHK Andke." 
 
 " And this request you can not grant," said 
 Lafayette, as he finished the epistle. 
 
 " No, my lord, the customs of war will not 
 permit it," answered Washington, mournfully. 
 " Andre stands condemned as a spy ; and if 
 he pays the penalty awarded to hia deeds, he 
 must die by the halter. As the chief of the 
 army of these united colonies, I must perform 
 my duty, however painful it be to my feelings." 
 
 " Has your excellency so informed the pri- 
 soner?" 
 
 " No, I have sent no reply — nor shall I — 
 as I know any I could make would deeply 
 wound his sensitive feelings." 
 
 At this moment a hasty step was heard in 
 the adjoining room, the door of the apartment 
 opened, and a military officer, of a stern, reso- 
 lute, uncompromising appearance, entered. 
 It was Major-General Greene. 
 
 "Well, General," said Washington, "have 
 you seen Clinton's delegates on this unhappy 
 affair?" 
 
 " I have had an interview with General 
 Robertson," replied that officer ; " but nothing 
 can be done in the way of exchange." 
 
 " Thou Andre's case is hopeless,'' rejoined 
 the ooiiiuiandor-in-ohief. 
 
 " So I should think," said the oth^r, ab- 
 ruptly. " Robertson evidently h.id little idea 
 with ^^■ham he was dealing. lie opennil his ne- 
 gooiation with fulsome flattery of myself, and 
 expressed his satisfaction in being cniihled fu 
 trout with an officer so distinguished, on an 
 occasion so interesting to the two armies, and 
 to humanity, and all that. I replied, that I 
 was not there as an officer, but as a private 
 gentleman, deputed by your excellency, and 
 that the case of an acknowledged spy admitted 
 of no discussion. He then, after some pream- 
 ble, about being there to state fixcts, and all 
 that, opened his heaviest battery, and pep- 
 pered away, till I grew tired standing a target 
 of his eloquence. His main arguments were, 
 that Andre landed under sanction of a flag; 
 that he acted wholly by the directions of Ar- 
 nold — who, being a major-general, was clothed 
 in authority — and therefore he could not bo 
 regarded as a spy. He then brought up Ar- 
 nolcfs testimony in evidence ; but I soon 
 checked him there, by replying that Andre 
 himself had admitted that he did not consider 
 himself as properly acting under a flag, and 
 that all Americans would believe Andre in 
 preference to a vile traitor. He then wished 
 to have the matter referred to Count de 
 Rochambeau and General Knyphausen, and 
 so on. The interview finally closed, by his 
 requesting that I would represent the whole 
 affair in the fairest light to your excellency. 
 The amount of it is, the enemy is seeking to 
 gain time, hoping something may turn up in 
 favor of the prisoner, and that he will be 
 liberated." 
 
 " Well," rejoined Washington, firmly, " time 
 can not be granted. We have delayed too 
 long already ; but I wished to give the pri- 
 soner another chance for his life. He would 
 have suffered to-day, but for this interview. 
 He dies to-morrow at twelve." He then picked 
 np a pen, and wrote a few lines, and folding 
 the paper, handed it to General Greene, say- 
 ing: "There is the order for his execution. 
 I rely upon you to see it carried into effect." 
 
 There was no tremulousness in his voice, 
 and nothing in his manner that betrayed emo- 
 tion, save that he arose and walked once or 
 
112 
 
 THE FEMALE SPY. 
 
 twice across the room, and then returned to 
 his seat. But notwithstanding, the heart of 
 Washington beat warm with sympathy, and 
 ho deeply felt for the unfortunate Andre. 
 
 Some half an hour later, the Marquis de 
 Lafayette and General Greene took their 
 leave ; and almost immediately after, the 
 guard announced Major Lee. 
 
 " Let him pass," said Washington ; and as 
 the new-comer entered the room, the com- 
 mander-in-chief received him politely, offered 
 him a seat, and then, without wasting words, 
 continued : " I have sent for you. Major Lee, 
 in the hope that you have some one in your 
 corps, who is willing to undertake a secret and 
 dangerous project. He must be a man in 
 whom can be placed implicit confidence — 
 brave, energetic, and discreet. I am free to 
 admit that the project is one of great peril, 
 and one that has more risk than glory. In a 
 ■word, it is nothing more nor less than deser- 
 tion from his corps, flight to the enemy, and 
 a cunning but bold attempt to seize Arnold. 
 If he succeed, he shall be amply rewarded ; 
 if his design is penetrated by the enemy, a 
 gibbet will be his doom. Do you know of 
 one answering my description, who loves his 
 country enough to venture all this ?" 
 
 "I think I do, General," replied Lee. " Ser- 
 geant Champe, of my command, possesses all 
 the qualifications your excellency has named." 
 
 " In this paper, then. Major Lee," rejoined 
 Washington, taking one from the table and 
 handing it to the other, " you will find all 
 necessary instructions. Whoever consents to 
 undertake the service, I wish him to set out 
 this night. You will please hasten the mat- 
 ter forward. Adieu." 
 
 Just as Lee departed, Captain MUford was 
 announced and admitted. 
 
 " Well, Captain," said Washington, " have 
 you come to a decision ?" 
 
 " I have, your excellency : I will go." 
 
 " Bravely said. I could have preferred one , 
 Df lower grade; but, for many reasons, I know 
 3f none so fitted for the undertaking. You 
 
 have already rendered your country good 
 service in many ways, and shall not be forgot- 
 ten. Your instructions are in tbis paper. 
 Get them by heart, and destroy it, l6st it fall 
 into wrong hands, and cost you your l,ife. Ro- 
 salie Du Pont, it seems, you already know. Be 
 very guarded how and where you meet her ; 
 for should you be detected, it would be a dou- 
 ble grief to me to know that she had become 
 involved 'in the same difficulty." 
 
 " Her reputation and life are dearer to me 
 than my own, your excellency," replied Cap- 
 tain Milford, warmly ; and then, bethinking 
 liim what he had said, he looked confused, 
 and his face became scarlet. 
 
 " Ah ! is it so. Captain ?" returned Wash- 
 ington, with a placid smile. "I knew not of 
 this. I understand it all now. Well, well. 
 Captain Milford, your secret is safe with me ; 
 and I will only add, be very prudent, and 
 may you bo prospered in all your undertak- 
 ings ! You will, if favored by circumstances, 
 set out to-morrow night. Remember, that be- 
 sides ascertaining if [here his voice dropped 
 
 to a whisper] General is leagued with 
 
 the enemy, the seizure of Arnold is all im- 
 portant. But that paper will give you fuU 
 instructions. And now. Captain, farewell." 
 
 " Farewell, your excellency," said Milford, 
 with no little emotion, taking the hand of the 
 General, and pressing itreverently tohis lips. 
 " Should my evil star be in the ascendant — 
 should I fall ignobly — I rely upon your ex- 
 aellency to clear my name of all dishonor. 
 Again, farewell!" 
 
 "Once more adieu!" returned Washing- 
 ton ; and the next moment he was alone. 
 "A noble youth," he added to himself; 
 " pray Heaven his fate be not like Aridre's !" 
 and he became lost in a silent reverie. 
 
 In " Rosalie Bu Pont or, Treason in fke 
 Camp," will he found the Second Series and 
 conclusion of The Female Spj/. 
 
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 Phelus' One Hundred Cities and Garge Tovvns of A.mei ica Bein ,' a 
 (^esc/'ipti'jr. of One Hund ed Cities ind Ti wn^, f iving i lie Po.rala ion at ilie 
 irarous Jf nsuses for the past Thirt/ Yean ; toge her w th the prii cipal Pidl- 
 ro^d aid Steamboat Roues and Distal ces with Mips of Pom een of the 
 p inci/al Cities ; Bird's-eye View if New To k; View of Crystal i 'alace, ha. 
 
 Ihos'j lis fing Colored Maps 38 
 
 rhoie having Plain Maps 25 
 
 Fanniijg's Illustrated Gazetteer of tbetJmted States. Census of 1».50. 
 ir.ustrated with Maps of all the State t, ami the largest Cities, tvo. l''ull 
 bound < 1 75 
 
 3 iM, PuliUshed, to be sold onit by subsckipticn, a valuable Book of fiOO Pages, 
 la;rge Octavo, entitled 
 The World, Geographical, Historical, and Statistical, embellished with 
 Engravings and Maps of Countries, States, and Cities, and a beautiful Chart, 
 exhiiiiting the Heads of the various Races of Mankind, Male and Female. 
 Subscription Price, bound in Muslin, Gilt,$2,50. Liberal terms will be offered 
 to all wlio will devote their entire time in Canvassing for this Book ; and, on 
 receipt of |3,5D, a Sample Copy will be sent, free of postage, to any part of 
 the United States. 
 
 Also, a New Historical and Descriptive Work, entitled 
 Me^co , Aztec, Spanish, and Hepublican : a Historical, Geographical, I'oli- 
 tical. Statistical and Social account of that Country, from the period of t^e 
 invasion by the Spaniards to the present time, with a view of the ancient Az- 
 tec Empire and Civilization ; a Historical Sketch of the late War, and not ic«s 
 of New Mexico and Califdrnia ; by Brantz Mayer, formerly Secretary of Lugar 
 tion to Mexico. With numerous valuable illustrations of Cities, Scenery, 
 Public Buildings, Costumes, Antiquities, etc. 
 
 Price in 1 Vol. Leather Embossed, MarlJe edge. , . . . 3 50 
 
 " ' " Imitation Turkey, Full gilt 5 00 
 
 2 Vols. Cloth Embossed 4 00 
 
 AH my publications will be sold for CASH, at the lowest possible prices, as I shall 
 depend more upon an extensive circulation for a remuneration of my services and heavy 
 outlay of capital, than upon large profits. The attention of Booksellers, Agents, Trav- 
 _ elers. Emigrants, Citizens, and the Public, is respectfully invited to this establishment, 
 " where a large assortment of substantial and useful Books are being published. I respect- 
 fully submit the following suggestions to Agents circulating these Publications : All 
 Orders, whether by Mail or Express, should be accompanied with the name of the County 
 and State, as well as the Town, to which Ihey are to be forwarded. Particular directions 
 should accompany each Order, how the Goods are to be marked and forwarded, whether 
 by Express, Stage or Steamboat ; and if there is no Express Ofiioe in the Town to which 
 they are to be sent, some Mercantile or Stage House should be named. 
 
 Sample Copies of any of my Books or Maps, in mailable form, will be sent by Mail 
 (free of posts^e) to any part of the United States, upon receipt of the Retail Price, in 
 Cash or Postage Stamps, by Mail or otherwise, post paid. 
 
 ^ 
 
 > ^^V _ 
 
 H. m. RULISON, 
 Queen City Publishing House, 115^ Main St. Ciu'ti, 0. 
 
 I 
 
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