The Americans drew up towards the highlands, holding their headquarters at Peekskill. The intervening country, from Crotou River to Spiting Devil Creek, was the debateable land, subject to be harried by friend anil foe, like the Scottish borders of yore. It is a rugged country, with a line of rocky hills extending through it like a back bone, sending ribs on either side ; but among these rude hills are beautiful winding valleys, like those watered by the Pocautico and the Neperan. In the fastnesses of these hills, and along these valleys, exist a race of hard-headed, hard-handed stout-hearted Dutchmen, descended of the primitive Netherlanders. Most of these were strong whigs throughout the war, and have ever remained obstinately attached to the soil, and neither to be fought nor bought out of their paternal acres. Others were tories, and adherents to the old kingly rule ; some of whom took refuge within the British lines, joined the royal bands of refugees, (a name odious to the American ear,) and occasionally returned to harrass their ancient neighbors.

" In a little while, this debateable land was overrun by predatory bands from either side ; sacking heu-hoosts, plundering farm-houses, and driving off cattle. Hence arose those two great orders of border chivalry, the Skinners and the Cow Boys, famous in the heroic annals of Westchester county. The former fought, or, rather, marauded under the American, the latter undei the British banner ; but both, in the hurry of their military ardor, were apt to err on the safe side, and rob friend as well as foe. Neither of them stopped to ask the politics of horse or cow, which they drove into captivity ; nor, when they wrung the neck of a rooster, did they trouble their heads to ascertain whether he were crowing for Congress or King George.