9
uncertain, but as Smith says he went up to warn Arnold of the approach of daylight, it could not have been less than three hours, if we allow two hours from
midnight to reach the dock from Haverstraw, and the sun to rise at six. Arnold had foreseen a prolonged discussion, and had caused a negro servant1 to ride a
horse to some spot convenient to the meeting place, so that Andre might have a
mount if necessary. The warning of Smith ending the conference, Andre
mounted, the negro going to the boat, which the Colquhouns rowed back up
stream to Hay's dock in Haverstraw Creek.2 The mounted pair took their way
over the old highway (now disused and closed by a locked gate). At some
distance from the | Firs," it joins the present highway, called the Clove road.
Haverstraw in 1780 was a mere hamlet, the original buildings of which
have long since disappeared before the advance of the cavernous brick yards,
some of which have in their turn been abandoned. Its southern limit was
probably about the spot now called Kierse's dock (formerly owned by descendants
of the Stony Point quartermaster.) Near this must have been the sentry 8 whose
unexpected challenge must have sent a thrill through Andre, showing as it did
that he had—unwittingly—violated Clinton's first injunction, by entering the
American lines. It was too late to draw back—Arnold gave the countersign, and
they passed on. The way to Smith's house, whither they were bound, led
through a thinly populated tract.
Until Colonel
Hay's house was seen,
in the gray of morning.
Near this was the dock,
all traces of which have
been obliterated by one
of the all-devouring brick
yards. Hay's house has also gone, its site alone being identified by an old frame
building on an eminence left by cutting down the rest of the plateau for brick-clay.
t Probably Smith's own, whom we shall meet again.
On September 19th Arnold wrote to one Jefferson:
Headquarters,
Robinson House, Sept. 19, 1780.
To Mr. Jefferson,
Fredericksburg, N. Y.
Sir—You will please to pick out of the horses you have now in your custody, or which you may hereafter
receive, a pair of the best wagon-horses, as also two of the very best saddle horses you can find, for my use.
You '11 send them to me as soon as possible.
I am, Sir, your most obedient servant,
B. Arnold, M. G.
The saddle horses may have been those used on this occasion.
2 The vexed question why they did not take Andre1 back to the Vulture, may be compared with his own state-
ment in Ch. V. He evidently expected to return to the vessel next day. My own idea is that the
Colquhouns, both tired by their work and angry at being compelled to it by Arnold, were also suspicious
of the whole business, and anxious to be rid of it; so they used the adverse tide as a convenient excuse for
refusing Smith's request to return to the Vulture. Very probably they were not sorry for the chance of
thus " getting even with Arnold.
s Of Spencer's New Jersey Regiment (see page 15). * Ann Hawkes Hay, page 10.
