July 26, 2025 • 18 mins
Dive into the inspiring life story of George Washington, a man whose personal journey is intricately linked with the history of the nation he helped shape. This book offers not just a look into the American Revolutionary History but also an intimate portrayal of the Father of his Country. Carefully crafted to engage young readers, the book seeks to offer a clear and compelling picture of Washingtons exceptional character and invaluable contributions to the nation. Discover how he became an enduring symbol of American values and leadership in a story that unfolds within a childs comprehension.
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Chapter twelve, The Life of George Washington in Words of
One Syllable by Josephine Pollard. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. The
Life of George Washington in Words of One syllable by
(00:20):
Josephine Pollard, Chapter twelve, Foes in the Camp. It is
much worse to have one foe in the camp than
to have a host of foes outside, For who can
tell what harm he may do? Who comes in the
guise of a friend. In the year seventeen seventy four,
a young man named John Andre came with the King's
(00:41):
troops and fought in their ranks at Saint John's and
Crown Point. He had a brave heart and a fine mind,
and did much to keep up the hearts of the
men when in the camp. He was fond of the
fair Sex, and had praised in rhyme the charms of
a Miss Shippin, who wed Benedict Arnold in the year
(01:02):
seventeen eighty. Arnold had fought well on our side at
the north and won much praise. He had been a
seaman in his youth, and was both strong and brave,
but he grew proud and vain, and sought to rank
as high as the commander in chief, with whom he
found much fault. Wash ing Ton had great faith in him,
(01:23):
and did not dream he was false at heart for
some ill deeds. While at Philadelphia, Arnold had been brought
to court and tried, and his guilt proved. And this
had made him wroth with wash ing Ton and the
cause he had sworn to aid. He sought for a
way to pay back the slight and raise himself to fame.
(01:45):
With this end in view, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton,
but did not use his own name, that he would
like to join the cause of King George on the
terms that he had set forth. He was in need
of funds, for he was deep in debt, but Clinton
did not see fit to make use of him. Two
or three more of his schemes failed, and at last
(02:07):
he asked that he might have charge of the post
at West Point. This Washington gave him, and in August
Arnold fixed himself in a fine house that stood on
the east side of the stream, half a mile or
so south of West Point. From this place he sent
notes to Andrea, the aide de camp of Clinton, who
(02:29):
wrote back and signed his name John Anderson. Arnold's plan
was to throw West Point and the Highlands into the
hands of Sir Henry Clinton. At the time that Washington
was at King's Bridge and the English troops in New York.
A fleet with a large land force on board was
to come up to the Highlands, and Arnold would at
(02:49):
once yield up the post into their hands. This act,
he thought, would bring the war to an end, with
the flag of King George at high mast, and then
great would be the name and fame of Benedict Arnold.
That the scheme might not fail, Arnold wrote to andre
to meet him at Dobbs Ferry September eleventh at noon.
(03:11):
But Arnold had spent the night of the tenth at
Harvestrow on the West Shore, and on his way back
in his barge, as he had no flag, he was
fired on by the guard boats of the King's troops,
so he had to put off his plans for a
day or two. In the meantime, the sloop of war Vulture,
(03:31):
a good name for such a bird of prey, was
brought up the Hudson so as to be near at
hand to aid in the vile scheme. On September eighteenth, Washington,
with his suite, crossed the Hudson at vander Plank's Point
in Arnold's barge on his way to Hartford. Arnold went
with him as far as Peakskill and talked with him
(03:53):
in a frank way, as if he were most true
to the cause. Andre went up the Hudson on the
twentieth and went on board the Vulture, where he thought
to meet Arnold, But Arnold knew it would not be
safe for him to be there, so he kept in
the background. The next night a boat crept up to
the side of the Vulture, in which were two men.
(04:14):
Their oars scarce made a sound. Andrea, who wore a
blue greatcoat, went on board this boat and was rowed
to the west side of the stream, six miles south
of Stony Point. They came to a shore at the
foot of a high mount known as Long Clove. It
was midnight, dark was the hour, and dark the place,
(04:34):
and dark the deed. Arnold was there, hid in the
shade of the woods. A man was near who came
to wait on him and take care of his horse.
He and Andrea had a long talk one two three
hours passed, and still there was more to say. One
of the men who had brought Andre and whose name
was Smith, warned them that it was near daybreak and
(04:58):
the boat would be seen by our guard if they
did not go back soon. Arnold feared that the sight
of a boat on its way to the Vulture might
bring harm to him and his scheme, so he urged
Andrea to stay on shore till the next night. The
boat was sent to a creek up the Hudson, and Andre,
on the horse that Arnold's man had rowed, set off
(05:20):
with Arnold for Smith's house. The road took them through
the small town of Haverstraw. As they rode on in
the dark, the voice of one of the guards at
an outpost made Andrea start, for he knew he must
be within our lines, but it was too late to
turn back, and at daybreak they reached Smith's house. Scarce
was the door closed on them when the boom of
(05:42):
great guns was heard from down the stream. Andrea felt
ill at ease and had good cause for fear. The
fact was that as soon as Livingstone, who had charge
of our troops at vander Plank's Point heard that the
vulture was within shot of Teller's Point, which juts out
TwixT Harshaw Bay and tap and Sea. He sent some
(06:05):
men and some big guns to that point in the
night to fire on the Sloop of War. Andrea kept
a close watch on the scene from a top room
in Smith's house. At one time he thought the Vulture
was on fire, but his heart gave a throb of
joy when he saw the Sloop of War drop down
the stream out of reach of gunshot. Arnold gave Andre
(06:26):
the plans of the works at West Point and told
him what and how he was to do. As the
Vulture had changed her place. He told Andrea it would
be far more safe for him to go back to
New York by land, and he would reach there in
less time. But Andrea said that he must be put
on board the Sloop of War the next night, and
(06:47):
in case he should change his mind, Arnold gave him
a pass that he might go by sea or by land.
At ten o'clock that morn, Arnold left him to his fate.
Time moved at a slow pace with or Andre. Once
on board the Vulture, he would be safe his task
would be done, and West Point would soon be in
(07:07):
the hands of the Red Coats. As knight set in,
he grew still more ill at ease and asked Smith
how he had planned to get him on board the Vulture.
It gave him a shock to learn that Smith had
not done the least thing. The boatmen had gone home,
and he would not take him on board the Vulture.
But he said he would cross the Hudson with him
(07:29):
and start him on the road to New York by land,
and go some of the way with him on horseback.
They set off at sunset and went for eight miles
on the road to White Plains when they were brought
to a halt by a band of our troops who
were out as watchmen. Andrea showed his pass signed with
Arnold's name, and so they took him for a friend
(07:50):
and not a foe. He wore a coat of Smith's
that made him look like a plain man. The two
were warned that it was not safe for them to
be on the road at night, as they might meet
the cowboys from the King's troops, who but a short
time since had swept through that part of the land.
Smith was full of fears and Andrea had to yield
(08:10):
to his wish to take a bed in a farmhouse
near at hand. This they did, but Andrea could not sleep.
He knew that he was not safe. At daybreak, he
woke Smith and made him haste to leave the place.
Two and a half miles from Pine's Bridge on the
Croton River, Andre and Smith took a scant meal at
(08:31):
a farmhouse which had been stripped by the cowboys. Here,
Smith took leave of Andre, who was to go the
rest of the way to New York alone. He felt
no fear now, as he had passed our lines and
was clear of those who kept watch on the outposts.
Six miles from Pine's Bridge, he came to a fork
in the road. The left branch led to white plains,
(08:52):
the right branch led to the Hudson. He had thought
at first that he would take the left hand road,
as the right one was said to be filled with cowboys,
but he had not to fear from them, as he
was on their side, and as it was a more
straight road to New York, he turned down it and
took his course on the banks of the Hudson. He
(09:15):
had not gone far when he came to a place
where a small stream crossed the road and ran down
a dell that was thick with trees. A man stepped
out with a gun and brought Andrea to a stand.
Two armed men came up to aid, the first one
whose name was Paulding. Paulding's coat was in rags and
was of the kind that was worn by the King's troops.
(09:38):
When Andrea caught sight of it, his heart leapt for joy,
for he was sure he was safe, so sure that
he did not guard his tongue. He asked the men
if they were on his side, and they said they were.
He then told who he was, and that he had
been sent to a post up to Hudson, and was
in haste to get back. As he s spoke, he
(10:00):
drew out a gold watch, such as few owned in
those days, and none but men of wealth. Think what
a shock it must have been to Andrea when Paulding
said they were not his friends, but his foes, and
he was in their hands. Then Andrea tried to make
out what he first told was a lie, but that
he would now tell the truth, And he drew forth
(10:23):
his pass to prove that he was all right. Had
he done this in the first place he might have
gone on his way. A still tongue shows a wise head.
The men seized his horse by the rein and told
Andrea to get off. He warned them that he had
been sent out by General Arnold, and that they would
be ill dealt with if they held him back. We
(10:44):
care not for that, they said, as they led him
through the shrubs on the edge of the brook. Then
they went to work to search him, and took note
of the way in which he was dressed. They were
poor men and had not had a chance to see
such fine clothes. Andrea wore a round hat, a blue greatcoat,
neath which was a red coat decked off with gold lace,
(11:07):
a nankeen vest, small clothes, and boots. They made him
take off his coat and vest, and found not to
prove that he had sought to harm their cause, and
they had a mind to let him go. Paulding, who
had been twice in the hands of the Red Coats
and ill used by them, was still not quite free
from doubt. A thought came to his mind. Boys said
(11:31):
he his boots must come off. At this, Andrea's face flushed,
and he said that his boots were hard to get off,
and he begged that he might not lose time in
this way, but the men were firm. They made him
sit down. His boots were drawn off, and the plans
that Arnold gave him were brought to light. Paulding looked
(11:51):
at them and cried out, he is a spy. He
then asked Andrea where he had got these plans from
a man at pine Bridge. He said, a man whom
I did not know. As he put on his clothes,
Andre begged the men to let him go. He would
pay them a large sum and stay with two of
the men while one went to New York to get it.
(12:13):
Here Paulding broke, in, keep your gold, we want none
of it. Were at ten times as much. You should
not stir one step. Andrea had to yield to his
fate and was led by the men to our post,
which was ten or twelve miles off. Andre rode on horseback,
with one man in front and one at each side.
At noon, they came to a farmhouse, and those who
(12:35):
dwelt there sat at the midday meal. The housewife, whose
heart was touched by a sight of Andrea's youth and
look of grief, asked him to draw near and take
some of the food. Then, as she caught sight of
his gold laced coat, the good Dame said that she
knew it was poor, fair for such as he, but
(12:56):
it was the best she had. Poor Andrea shook his
head and said, oh, it is all good, but indeed
I cannot eat. When the four reached the outpost and Jameson,
who was in charge, saw the plans that had been
found on Andre, he at once saw that they had
been drawn up by the hand of Benedict Arnold. He
(13:16):
at once did the thing he ought not to have done,
which was to write to Arnold and tell him that
a man who said his name was John Anderson had
been caught and held, though he bore a pass signed
by him. The plans found on him had been sent
to the commander in chief, and Andre, with a strong guard,
(13:36):
was sent with a note to Arnold. In a short time,
Major Talmadge, who was the next in rank to Jamison,
came back from a trip to White Plains. He had
a clear head, and as soon as he heard the case,
he at once urged Jamison to send a man in
haste to bring Andre back. This was done, but Jamison
(13:57):
had not thought to have a note to Arnold brought back,
so it sped on to let the knave know that
his plot had failed. As soon as Arnold read the note,
he sprang on the horse of the man who brought it,
and rode with all speed to the dock where his
six sword barge lay moored. He threw himself into it
and bade his men pull out in midstream and row
(14:20):
as fast as they could to Teller's Point, as he
must be back in time to meet Washington, who was
then on his way to West Point. The guards knew
his barge, so they did not fire on it, and
a bit of white cloth waved in the air served
as a flag of truce. He soon was on board
the Vulture, where he gave himself up and the cockswain
(14:42):
and six bargemen with him. This was a mean act
and showed just what kind of man Arnold was. But
as soon as the men made it known that they
had been led to think that all was all right,
and that a flag of truce gave them a safe pass,
they were at once set. F Arnold gave the Red
Coats much aid, and they were glad to make use
(15:04):
of him, but they did not care to make friends
with so base a man. At the close of the war,
he went to England and made his home there. He
was shunned by all and died in the year eighteen
o one, at the age of three score. As Washington
drew near the fort at West Point, he thought it
strange that no guns were fired. Is not General Arnold here,
(15:27):
he asked one of the men who came down to
the shore to meet him. No, sir, he has not
been here for two days past, nor have I heard
from him in that time. This was strange, But soon
the note from Jamison was placed in his hands. When
he had read of the deep laid scheme, he said,
with a deep sigh, whom can we trust now? Word
(15:48):
was at once sent out to the guards to check
Arnold's flight, but it was too late. He had slipped
from their grasp. Let us now see how Andre bore
his hard fate. He had the best of care and
made hosts of friends, who grieved that one so young,
so well bred, and of such high rank should have
(16:08):
done a crime for which he must be hung. It
was a great grief to Washington, who would have felt
no pang had Arnold been in Andre's place, But death
to the spy was one of the rules of war,
and on October second was the day set for Andrea
to be hung. He had asked that, since it was
(16:29):
his lot to die, he might choose the mode of death,
and he begged that he might be shot. This Washington
could not grant, though in his heart he longed to
do so, but thought it best that Andrea should not know.
On the mourn of the second Andrea dressed himself with
great care in the full suit worn by those who
(16:50):
bore his rank in the King's troops. He was calm,
while all those near him were in tears. He walked
with a firm step to the place where he was
to end his life, arm in arm with two of
our troops. When he caught sight of the rope, he
gave a start and asked if he was not to
be shot. When told that no change could be made,
(17:12):
he said, how hard is my fate, But it will
be but a brief pang. Then he stepped into the cart,
took off his hat and stock loosed his shirt at
the throat, put the noose round his neck, and bound
his own eyes. When told that there was a chance
for him to speak if he chose he said, I
(17:32):
pray you to note that I meet my fate like
a brave man. Then the cart was moved off, and
he was left in mid air, and death took place
in a short time. Andrea was laid in a grave
near the place where he was hung. But in eighteen
twenty one was born to the land of his birth
and placed near the tombs of kings and queen's. He
(17:54):
that breaks laws must pay the price. If you want
to make friends and to have them love and trust you,
be true. Let no one coax you to sin. The
eye of God is on you, and he sees all
your deeds. You may hide your crime for a while,
but you may be sure your sin will find you out.
(18:15):
Be not an Arnold nor an Andrea. End of chapter twelve.
Chapter twelve, The Life of George Washington in Words of
One Syllable by Josephine Pollard. This is a LibriVox recording.
All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more
information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox dot org. The
Life of George Washington in Words of One syllable by
(00:20):
Josephine Pollard, Chapter twelve, Foes in the Camp. It is
much worse to have one foe in the camp than
to have a host of foes outside, For who can
tell what harm he may do? Who comes in the
guise of a friend. In the year seventeen seventy four,
a young man named John Andre came with the King's
(00:41):
troops and fought in their ranks at Saint John's and
Crown Point. He had a brave heart and a fine mind,
and did much to keep up the hearts of the
men when in the camp. He was fond of the
fair Sex, and had praised in rhyme the charms of
a Miss Shippin, who wed Benedict Arnold in the year
(01:02):
seventeen eighty. Arnold had fought well on our side at
the north and won much praise. He had been a
seaman in his youth, and was both strong and brave,
but he grew proud and vain, and sought to rank
as high as the commander in chief, with whom he
found much fault. Wash ing Ton had great faith in him,
(01:23):
and did not dream he was false at heart for
some ill deeds. While at Philadelphia, Arnold had been brought
to court and tried, and his guilt proved. And this
had made him wroth with wash ing Ton and the
cause he had sworn to aid. He sought for a
way to pay back the slight and raise himself to fame.
(01:45):
With this end in view, he wrote to Sir Henry Clinton,
but did not use his own name, that he would
like to join the cause of King George on the
terms that he had set forth. He was in need
of funds, for he was deep in debt, but Clinton
did not see fit to make use of him. Two
or three more of his schemes failed, and at last
(02:07):
he asked that he might have charge of the post
at West Point. This Washington gave him, and in August
Arnold fixed himself in a fine house that stood on
the east side of the stream, half a mile or
so south of West Point. From this place he sent
notes to Andrea, the aide de camp of Clinton, who
(02:29):
wrote back and signed his name John Anderson. Arnold's plan
was to throw West Point and the Highlands into the
hands of Sir Henry Clinton. At the time that Washington
was at King's Bridge and the English troops in New York.
A fleet with a large land force on board was
to come up to the Highlands, and Arnold would at
(02:49):
once yield up the post into their hands. This act,
he thought, would bring the war to an end, with
the flag of King George at high mast, and then
great would be the name and fame of Benedict Arnold.
That the scheme might not fail, Arnold wrote to andre
to meet him at Dobbs Ferry September eleventh at noon.
(03:11):
But Arnold had spent the night of the tenth at
Harvestrow on the West Shore, and on his way back
in his barge, as he had no flag, he was
fired on by the guard boats of the King's troops,
so he had to put off his plans for a
day or two. In the meantime, the sloop of war Vulture,
(03:31):
a good name for such a bird of prey, was
brought up the Hudson so as to be near at
hand to aid in the vile scheme. On September eighteenth, Washington,
with his suite, crossed the Hudson at vander Plank's Point
in Arnold's barge on his way to Hartford. Arnold went
with him as far as Peakskill and talked with him
(03:53):
in a frank way, as if he were most true
to the cause. Andre went up the Hudson on the
twentieth and went on board the Vulture, where he thought
to meet Arnold, But Arnold knew it would not be
safe for him to be there, so he kept in
the background. The next night a boat crept up to
the side of the Vulture, in which were two men.
(04:14):
Their oars scarce made a sound. Andrea, who wore a
blue greatcoat, went on board this boat and was rowed
to the west side of the stream, six miles south
of Stony Point. They came to a shore at the
foot of a high mount known as Long Clove. It
was midnight, dark was the hour, and dark the place,
(04:34):
and dark the deed. Arnold was there, hid in the
shade of the woods. A man was near who came
to wait on him and take care of his horse.
He and Andrea had a long talk one two three
hours passed, and still there was more to say. One
of the men who had brought Andre and whose name
was Smith, warned them that it was near daybreak and
(04:58):
the boat would be seen by our guard if they
did not go back soon. Arnold feared that the sight
of a boat on its way to the Vulture might
bring harm to him and his scheme, so he urged
Andrea to stay on shore till the next night. The
boat was sent to a creek up the Hudson, and Andre,
on the horse that Arnold's man had rowed, set off
(05:20):
with Arnold for Smith's house. The road took them through
the small town of Haverstraw. As they rode on in
the dark, the voice of one of the guards at
an outpost made Andrea start, for he knew he must
be within our lines, but it was too late to
turn back, and at daybreak they reached Smith's house. Scarce
was the door closed on them when the boom of
(05:42):
great guns was heard from down the stream. Andrea felt
ill at ease and had good cause for fear. The
fact was that as soon as Livingstone, who had charge
of our troops at vander Plank's Point heard that the
vulture was within shot of Teller's Point, which juts out
TwixT Harshaw Bay and tap and Sea. He sent some
(06:05):
men and some big guns to that point in the
night to fire on the Sloop of War. Andrea kept
a close watch on the scene from a top room
in Smith's house. At one time he thought the Vulture
was on fire, but his heart gave a throb of
joy when he saw the Sloop of War drop down
the stream out of reach of gunshot. Arnold gave Andre
(06:26):
the plans of the works at West Point and told
him what and how he was to do. As the
Vulture had changed her place. He told Andrea it would
be far more safe for him to go back to
New York by land, and he would reach there in
less time. But Andrea said that he must be put
on board the Sloop of War the next night, and
(06:47):
in case he should change his mind, Arnold gave him
a pass that he might go by sea or by land.
At ten o'clock that morn, Arnold left him to his fate.
Time moved at a slow pace with or Andre. Once
on board the Vulture, he would be safe his task
would be done, and West Point would soon be in
(07:07):
the hands of the Red Coats. As knight set in,
he grew still more ill at ease and asked Smith
how he had planned to get him on board the Vulture.
It gave him a shock to learn that Smith had
not done the least thing. The boatmen had gone home,
and he would not take him on board the Vulture.
But he said he would cross the Hudson with him
(07:29):
and start him on the road to New York by land,
and go some of the way with him on horseback.
They set off at sunset and went for eight miles
on the road to White Plains when they were brought
to a halt by a band of our troops who
were out as watchmen. Andrea showed his pass signed with
Arnold's name, and so they took him for a friend
(07:50):
and not a foe. He wore a coat of Smith's
that made him look like a plain man. The two
were warned that it was not safe for them to
be on the road at night, as they might meet
the cowboys from the King's troops, who but a short
time since had swept through that part of the land.
Smith was full of fears and Andrea had to yield
(08:10):
to his wish to take a bed in a farmhouse
near at hand. This they did, but Andrea could not sleep.
He knew that he was not safe. At daybreak, he
woke Smith and made him haste to leave the place.
Two and a half miles from Pine's Bridge on the
Croton River, Andre and Smith took a scant meal at
(08:31):
a farmhouse which had been stripped by the cowboys. Here,
Smith took leave of Andre, who was to go the
rest of the way to New York alone. He felt
no fear now, as he had passed our lines and
was clear of those who kept watch on the outposts.
Six miles from Pine's Bridge, he came to a fork
in the road. The left branch led to white plains,
(08:52):
the right branch led to the Hudson. He had thought
at first that he would take the left hand road,
as the right one was said to be filled with cowboys,
but he had not to fear from them, as he
was on their side, and as it was a more
straight road to New York, he turned down it and
took his course on the banks of the Hudson. He
(09:15):
had not gone far when he came to a place
where a small stream crossed the road and ran down
a dell that was thick with trees. A man stepped
out with a gun and brought Andrea to a stand.
Two armed men came up to aid, the first one
whose name was Paulding. Paulding's coat was in rags and
was of the kind that was worn by the King's troops.
(09:38):
When Andrea caught sight of it, his heart leapt for joy,
for he was sure he was safe, so sure that
he did not guard his tongue. He asked the men
if they were on his side, and they said they were.
He then told who he was, and that he had
been sent to a post up to Hudson, and was
in haste to get back. As he s spoke, he
(10:00):
drew out a gold watch, such as few owned in
those days, and none but men of wealth. Think what
a shock it must have been to Andrea when Paulding
said they were not his friends, but his foes, and
he was in their hands. Then Andrea tried to make
out what he first told was a lie, but that
he would now tell the truth, And he drew forth
(10:23):
his pass to prove that he was all right. Had
he done this in the first place he might have
gone on his way. A still tongue shows a wise head.
The men seized his horse by the rein and told
Andrea to get off. He warned them that he had
been sent out by General Arnold, and that they would
be ill dealt with if they held him back. We
(10:44):
care not for that, they said, as they led him
through the shrubs on the edge of the brook. Then
they went to work to search him, and took note
of the way in which he was dressed. They were
poor men and had not had a chance to see
such fine clothes. Andrea wore a round hat, a blue greatcoat,
neath which was a red coat decked off with gold lace,
(11:07):
a nankeen vest, small clothes, and boots. They made him
take off his coat and vest, and found not to
prove that he had sought to harm their cause, and
they had a mind to let him go. Paulding, who
had been twice in the hands of the Red Coats
and ill used by them, was still not quite free
from doubt. A thought came to his mind. Boys said
(11:31):
he his boots must come off. At this, Andrea's face flushed,
and he said that his boots were hard to get off,
and he begged that he might not lose time in
this way, but the men were firm. They made him
sit down. His boots were drawn off, and the plans
that Arnold gave him were brought to light. Paulding looked
(11:51):
at them and cried out, he is a spy. He
then asked Andrea where he had got these plans from
a man at pine Bridge. He said, a man whom
I did not know. As he put on his clothes,
Andre begged the men to let him go. He would
pay them a large sum and stay with two of
the men while one went to New York to get it.
(12:13):
Here Paulding broke, in, keep your gold, we want none
of it. Were at ten times as much. You should
not stir one step. Andrea had to yield to his
fate and was led by the men to our post,
which was ten or twelve miles off. Andre rode on horseback,
with one man in front and one at each side.
At noon, they came to a farmhouse, and those who
(12:35):
dwelt there sat at the midday meal. The housewife, whose
heart was touched by a sight of Andrea's youth and
look of grief, asked him to draw near and take
some of the food. Then, as she caught sight of
his gold laced coat, the good Dame said that she
knew it was poor, fair for such as he, but
(12:56):
it was the best she had. Poor Andrea shook his
head and said, oh, it is all good, but indeed
I cannot eat. When the four reached the outpost and Jameson,
who was in charge, saw the plans that had been
found on Andre, he at once saw that they had
been drawn up by the hand of Benedict Arnold. He
(13:16):
at once did the thing he ought not to have done,
which was to write to Arnold and tell him that
a man who said his name was John Anderson had
been caught and held, though he bore a pass signed
by him. The plans found on him had been sent
to the commander in chief, and Andre, with a strong guard,
(13:36):
was sent with a note to Arnold. In a short time,
Major Talmadge, who was the next in rank to Jamison,
came back from a trip to White Plains. He had
a clear head, and as soon as he heard the case,
he at once urged Jamison to send a man in
haste to bring Andre back. This was done, but Jamison
(13:57):
had not thought to have a note to Arnold brought back,
so it sped on to let the knave know that
his plot had failed. As soon as Arnold read the note,
he sprang on the horse of the man who brought it,
and rode with all speed to the dock where his
six sword barge lay moored. He threw himself into it
and bade his men pull out in midstream and row
(14:20):
as fast as they could to Teller's Point, as he
must be back in time to meet Washington, who was
then on his way to West Point. The guards knew
his barge, so they did not fire on it, and
a bit of white cloth waved in the air served
as a flag of truce. He soon was on board
the Vulture, where he gave himself up and the cockswain
(14:42):
and six bargemen with him. This was a mean act
and showed just what kind of man Arnold was. But
as soon as the men made it known that they
had been led to think that all was all right,
and that a flag of truce gave them a safe pass,
they were at once set. F Arnold gave the Red
Coats much aid, and they were glad to make use
(15:04):
of him, but they did not care to make friends
with so base a man. At the close of the war,
he went to England and made his home there. He
was shunned by all and died in the year eighteen
o one, at the age of three score. As Washington
drew near the fort at West Point, he thought it
strange that no guns were fired. Is not General Arnold here,
(15:27):
he asked one of the men who came down to
the shore to meet him. No, sir, he has not
been here for two days past, nor have I heard
from him in that time. This was strange, But soon
the note from Jamison was placed in his hands. When
he had read of the deep laid scheme, he said,
with a deep sigh, whom can we trust now? Word
(15:48):
was at once sent out to the guards to check
Arnold's flight, but it was too late. He had slipped
from their grasp. Let us now see how Andre bore
his hard fate. He had the best of care and
made hosts of friends, who grieved that one so young,
so well bred, and of such high rank should have
(16:08):
done a crime for which he must be hung. It
was a great grief to Washington, who would have felt
no pang had Arnold been in Andre's place, But death
to the spy was one of the rules of war,
and on October second was the day set for Andrea
to be hung. He had asked that, since it was
(16:29):
his lot to die, he might choose the mode of death,
and he begged that he might be shot. This Washington
could not grant, though in his heart he longed to
do so, but thought it best that Andrea should not know.
On the mourn of the second Andrea dressed himself with
great care in the full suit worn by those who
(16:50):
bore his rank in the King's troops. He was calm,
while all those near him were in tears. He walked
with a firm step to the place where he was
to end his life, arm in arm with two of
our troops. When he caught sight of the rope, he
gave a start and asked if he was not to
be shot. When told that no change could be made,
(17:12):
he said, how hard is my fate, But it will
be but a brief pang. Then he stepped into the cart,
took off his hat and stock loosed his shirt at
the throat, put the noose round his neck, and bound
his own eyes. When told that there was a chance
for him to speak if he chose he said, I
(17:32):
pray you to note that I meet my fate like
a brave man. Then the cart was moved off, and
he was left in mid air, and death took place
in a short time. Andrea was laid in a grave
near the place where he was hung. But in eighteen
twenty one was born to the land of his birth
and placed near the tombs of kings and queen's. He
(17:54):
that breaks laws must pay the price. If you want
to make friends and to have them love and trust you,
be true. Let no one coax you to sin. The
eye of God is on you, and he sees all
your deeds. You may hide your crime for a while,
but you may be sure your sin will find you out.
(18:15):
Be not an Arnold nor an Andrea. End of chapter twelve.
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