He never hesitated to accept a challenge from the enemy or to encounter superior numbers, however great the odds might be. Once, in 1781, while reconnoitring near Fort Independence at the head of five guides and volunteers, a patrol of DeLancey's dragoons far superior in numbers, advanced upon him with loud shouts; but he lost not a moment in becoming the assailant himself, and a long combat with the sabre ensured, in which five of the dragoons, each one of whom was wounded, were taken prisoners. Subse-quently, about ten days before his death, he was in command of a party of thirteen, and while retiring from Morrisania, incumbered with prisoners and captured horses, he was pur-sued and overtaken by a numerous detachment of the enemy's dragoons, which approached with that confidence, that supe-rior strength generally inspires; but the guide of Kingsbridge commanded his brave followers to face about, and by a vigor-ous charge put to flight the whole body of pursuers, of whom one was taken. His death, which was long and deeply la-mented, appears related in the chief newspapers of the day, the Whig journals dwelling upon his remarkable courage and services, and mourning his departure, and the Royal gazettes of New York City, while they give some particulars of the skirmish, recording his fall with seeming satisfaction. In recounting the losses sustained by the Americans, Rivington

THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES 87 says: "Among the killed, is the noted Abraham Dyckman, a principal rebel guide." The circumstances which marked the end of his career were such as are hoped and prayed for by many a youthful and patriotic soldier. He fell while yet young in good cause, in the service of his country, with his face to the foe, and with battle harness on his back. The only relic of what once belonged to him is his sword, a sabre of the largest size, which has been preserved with pious care, and is still shown to the curious, bearing undoubted marks of long usage in battle.