The
defenses of West Point were to be so arranged that they could not
meet a sudden attack and Arnold was to surrender with his force
of three thousand men. Such a blow following the disasters at
Charleston and Camden might end the strife. Britain was prepared
to yield everything but separation; and America, Arnold said,
could now make an honorable peace.
A chapter of accidents prevented the testing. Had Andre been
rowed ashore by British tars they could have taken him back to
the ship at his command before daylight. As it was the American
boatmen, suspicious perhaps of the meaning of this talk at
midnight between an American officer and a British officer, both
of them in uniform, refused to row Andre back to the ship because
their own return would be dangerous in daylight. Contrary to his
instructions and wishes Andre accompanied Arnold to a house
within the American lines to wait until he could be taken off
under cover of night. Meanwhile, however, an American battery on
shore, angry at the Vulture, lying defiantly within range, opened
fire upon her and she dropped down stream some miles. This was
alarming. Arnold, however, arranged with a man to row Andre down
the river and about midday went back to West Point.
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