He was accompanied by his own staff, and by Knox and Lafayette with their officers.  With him, too, went the young Count Dumas, who has left a description of their journey, and of the popular enthusiasm displayed in the towns through which they passed.  In one village, which they reached after nightfall, all the people turned out, the children bearing torches, and men and women hailed Washington as father, and pressed about him to touch the hem of his garments.  Turning to Dumas he said, “We may be beaten by the English; it is the chance of war; but there is the army they will never conquer.”  Political leaders grumbled, and military officers caballed, but the popular feeling went out to Washington with a sure and utter confidence.  The people in that little village recognized the great and unselfish leader as they recognized Lincoln a century later, and from the masses of the people no one ever heard the cry that Washington was cold or unsympathetic.  They loved him, and believed in him, and such a manifestation of their devotion touched him deeply.  His spirits rose under the spell of appreciation and affection, always so strong upon human nature, and he rode away from Fishkill the next morning at daybreak with a light heart.

The company was pleasant and lively, the morning was fair, and as they approached Arnold’s headquarters at the Robinson house, Washington turned off to the redoubts by the river, telling the young men that they were all in love with Mrs. Arnold and would do well to go straight on and breakfast with her.  Hamilton and McHenry followed his advice, and while they were at breakfast a note was brought to Arnold.  It was the letter of warning from Andre announcing his capture, which Colonel Jameson, who ought to have been cashiered for doing it, had forwarded.  Arnold at once left the table, and saying that he was going to West Point, jumped into his boat and was rowed rapidly down the river to the British man-of-war.  Washington on his arrival was told that Arnold had gone to the fort, and so after a hasty breakfast he went over there himself.  On reaching West Point no salute broke the stillness, and no guard turned out to receive him.  He was astonished to learn that his arrival was unexpected, and that Arnold had not been there for two days.  Still unsuspecting he inspected the works, and then returned.

Meantime, the messenger sent to Hartford with the papers taken on Andre reached the Robinson house and delivered them to Hamilton, together with a letter of confession from Andre himself.  Hamilton read them, and hurrying out met Washington just coming up from the river.  He took his chief aside, said a few words to him in a low voice, and they went into the house together.  When they came out, Washington looked as calm as ever, and calling to Lafayette and Knox gave them the papers, saying simply, “Whom can we trust now?” He dispatched Hamilton at once to try to intercept Arnold at Verplanck’s Point, but it was too late; the boat had passed, and