madge what would probably be the result
of his capture. In reply Tallmadge reminded him of the fate of the
unfortunate Captain Hale.

"'But you surely do not consider his case and mine alike?' said Andre.

"'Yes, precisely similar, and similar will be your fate,' replied
Tallmadge.

"The prospect of that--the being branded as a spy--greatly distressed
poor Andre; he seemed to feel it the very worst part of his sad fate."

"To be called a spy, papa?" asked Ned.

"Yes; it is an odious name, and in his case would not have the excuse
that it was work undertaken for the salvation of his country, as it
was in that of Nathan Hale."

"Nathan Hale? Who was he, papa? and what did he do?"

"I must go on with this story now, and you shall learn that of Captain
Hale at another time," replied his father.

"Washington now made arrangements for the security of West Point,
then went to the army at Tappan. There he called together a board of
general officers and directed them to inquire into the case of Andre
and report to him, stating in what light they thought the prisoner
should be regarded and what his punishment should be. That court was
convened at Tappan on the 29th of September, and Major Andre arraigned
before it. He made a plain statement of the facts, acknowledged and
confirmed the account he had given in his letter to Washington,
confessed that he came ashore in the night and without a flag, and
answered the question whether he had anything further to say in regard
to the charges against him by the remark, 'I leave them to operate
with the board, persuaded that you will do me justice.'

"He was sent back to prison while the board deliberated long and
carefully over the question of his guilt. Their final verdict was that
'Major Andre, adjutant-general of the British Army, ought to be
considered as a spy from the enemy, and that agreeably to the law and
usage of nations, it is their opinion that he ought to suffer death.'

"The next day Washington's approval of the decision was given,
accompanied by the order that the execution should take place on the
following day at five o'clock P. M."

"What a pity!" exclaimed Grace. "I think I have read that our officers
felt sorry for him and would have been glad to spare his life. Was it
not so, papa?"

"Yes," the captain said. "There was a general desire on the part of
the Americans to save his life, and I think no one desired it more
earnestly than Washington, if it coul