Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-05-05

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say, he had assisted at the capture of st.
Johns, where Andre and his regiment
were taken prisoners. Neither of the
men at the time belonged to the service,
but all of them had occasionally joined
in the predatory warfare just described
nor need we suppose that, in their scout
ing expeditions, they had always kept
within the strict letter of the law On
this occasion they were certainly mere
adventures. They were three young
men out of employment, trying to pick
up something from the enemy which
they could turn to account. On their
way toward the Hudson river, they were
joined, it seems, by four other scouters,
making party of seven, armed with
muskets.
That night they slept in barn near
by, and, about half past seven the next
morning, took post near the road that
still runs along the Hudson river, at
point about half mile from Tarrytown.
The three friends kept watch by the
road, while their four comrades watched
from the summit of hill, lest the Amer
ican light horse should break up the
party for they were engaged in bust
ness which was, at least, not specially
authorized.
The three friends, to pass their time,
begun to play a game of cards. When
they had been upon the ground little
more than an hour about half past
eight in the morning-one of them,
looking up from his cards, saw approach
ing man well mounted, enveloped in
an old cloak, but otherwise well dressed
and well appointed. There was some
thing incongruous in his appearance
He had military air and some military
equipments, without being in the uni
form of either army.
There comes trader going to New
York, " said one of the card players.
There comes a gentleman-like look
ing man." said another, speaking to
Paulding, who was decidedly the leader
of the party, and the only one of them
who could read. He appears to be
well dressed and has boots on. You had
better step out and stop him, if you
don't know him."
As Andre had quickened his pace, he
was soon up with them, and all three
presented themselves in the road with
their weapons. He reined up his horse
and said:
my lads, hope you belong to our
party !"
Which party do you mean ?" asked
one of the scouters.
"The lower party" was his reply.
We are of the lower party" said
one of the men.
Thank God !" exclaimed Andre, "
am once more among friends" and, as
he said these words, he glanced at the
royal uniform coat which Paulding wore
g am glad to see you," continued
Andre, " | am British officer out in
the country on particular business, and
| hope you won't detain me minute"
BY way of proving the truth of his
words, he took out his gold watch, an
article then seldom possessed by Ameri-
can officers.
=" You are our prisoner" said Pauld.
ing. "We are Americans, and you
must dismount."
Upon hearing this he laughed, and as
sumed an air OF unconcern.
my God +" he said, still affecting tc
laugh, 81 must do anything to gel
along
As he said these words he produced
the pass which General Arnold had Civ
en- him. Paulding looked at it, but re
membering the frankness Of Andre:
first avowal, exclaimed:
"Confound Arnold's pass
Paulding always said, afterwards, thai
if Andre had shown Arnold's pass first
he should have let him go. They now took
him aside to an immense tree, nearly
nine feet in diameter, long landmark
in that region, and under its shadow
they began to search him"
my lads" said he, "you will get
yourselves into trouble
Garment by garment his clothing wa,
taken of, but nothing was found till on,
of his boots had been drawn off, wher
it was evident that something was con
eealed at the sole of the foot, inside tn,
silk stocking.
J Here it is, cried Paulding.
The stockings were instantly removed
and several folded half sheets of paper
were found in each"
Then it was that Andre offered to pay
them sum of money (variously stated
from hundred TO thousand guineas
if they would conduct him safely to tn,
Harlem river. Paulding swore he would
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