The temptation was too great to be resisted ; bang 1 as usual went the great goose-gun, shivering the cabin windows, and driving all hands forward. Bang! bang I the shots were repeated. The reports brought several sharp-shooters of the neighborhood to the spot : before the transport could bring a gun to bear, or land a boat, to take revenge, she was soundly peppered, and the coast evacuated. She was the last of Jacob's triumphs. He fared, like some heroic spider, that

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER^

had unwittingly snared a hornet -- to his immortal glory, perhaps, but to the utter ruin of his web.

" It was not long after this, during the absence of Jacob van Tassel on one of his forays, and when no one was in garrison but his stout-hearted spouse, his redoubtable sister Nochie van Wurmcr, and a strapping negro wench called Dinah, that an armed vessel came to anchor off the Roost and a boat full of men pulled to shore. The garrison flew to arms-- that is to say, to mops, broomsticks, shovels, tongs, and all kinds of domestic weapons-- for, unluckily, the great piece of ordnance, the goose-gun, was absent with its owner. Above all, a vigorous defence was made with that most potent of female weapons, the tongue. Never did invaded hen-roost make a more vociferous outcry. It was all in vain. The house was sacked and plundered, fire was set to each corner, and, in a few moments, its blaze shed a baleful light far over the Tappan Sea. The invaders then pounded upon the blooming Laucy van Tassel, the beauty of the Roost, and endeavored.to bear her off to the boat. But here was the real tug of war. The mother, the aunt, and the strapping negro wench, all flew to the rescue.