| | 1 | Author: | Ingraham
J. H.
(Joseph Holt)
1809-1860 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | The treason of Arnold  | | | | Published: | 1997 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Library, Text collection | UVA-LIB-Text | University of Virginia Library, Early American Fiction, 1789-1875 | UVA-LIB-EarlyAmFict1789-1875 | | | | Description: | The disc of the setting sun just touched the outline of the
forests crowning the heights of Hoboken, on a bright afternoon
in September, 1780, when a single horseman made his appearance
on the river-road leading from Tarrytown to New York, towards
which place, then in the possession of the British troops
under Sir Henry Clinton, he was slowly trotting his horse. His
journey was nearly ended with the day, for the needle-like spire
of Trinity Church had been, for the last half hour, a prominent
object in his eye, and the expanded bay, girt with its majestic islands,
and covered with the fleets of England, assured him that
he was approaching the headquarters of the British armies. “Sir:—I send forward, under charge of Lieutenant Allen
and a guard, which will arrive at Beverly House by noon, a certain
John Anderson, who had been taken while going towards New
York. He had a passport signed in your name, which doubtless,
is forged, and a parcel of papers, taken from his stockings, which
are of a very dangerous tendency. I send him to you as commanding
officer, feeling that it is a case presenting too many difficulties,
and involving too much for me to decide upon. “Sir:—What I have said concerning myself to my captors
was in the justifiable attempt to be extricated; I am too little accustomed
to duplicity to have succeeded. “Dear Major Andre:—Though miserable myself I cannot
be altogether so absorbed in my own wretchedness as to forget
the griefs of others. Listen to me. I know your high notions
of honor and the spirit of chivalrous self-sacrifice that fills your
bosom, but oh! for my sake—for your own—for that of your
mother and sisters—for the sake of your country—do what I am
about to ask of you! Accept life while it is in your power!
Do not remain to die like a criminal! Life is now yours—to-morrow
it may be due to justice! Alas! my heart tells me what
will be your reply—but I will not therefore cease my exertions to
save you. Assisted by a faithful slave, I this morning loosened
two of the planks in your room. They afford communication
with the cellar. Descend into it and Peter will meet you with a
disguise, and conduct you, by the western outlet, which opens
among high shrubbery, into the garden, where he will conceal
you till night, and then provide a boat for your escape. Do not,
Andre, neglect this opportunity! Fly now! General Washington
and his staff are busy in the library, and nothing can prevent
the success of the plan but your own obstinacy. Fly, Andre!
Escape! For the sake of all you hold dear on earth losse not a
moment, but fly! | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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