He had been below with a small party which had been very success-ful, and was returning at night, along the Sprain road, with seven or eight prisoners and their arms and horses, but upon passing a farmhouse somewhat celebrated for the hospital-ity of its owner, Mr. Jacob Vermilye, five or six of the men an-nounced their determination of stopping for refreshment. It was in vain that the commander of the detachment and the guide opposed this proceeding, and remonstrated with them upon the danger of making a halt so near the enemy. The men said they were faint and weary, and without more words went in, while the rest of the party pushed forward with the

THE WESTCHESTER GUIDES 89 prisoners and booty, and made good their retreat. Odell had joined the commander in warning those who stopped, of their imprudence, but when he found remonstrance unavail-ing he also dismounted. "You will," said he, "in all prob-ability be surprised, but I will try and bring you off." His first care was to secure his horse at some distance from the house. He then entered and told the men, if the enemy came upon them to keep near him, and to follow his example. The event he had foreseen happened while they were at sup-per, when the house was surrounded by a party of refugee cavalry under Lieutenant James Kipp, an officer of DeLancey's dragoons. Odell sprang out from a window, followed by the others, and throwing himself sword in hand upon the refugees, forced a passage for himself and the two who were nearest, Isaac Lent and a boy named Van Nostrand. The other four who had also jumped from the same window and fol-lowed their guide, were overpowered and taken. Odell soon afterward returned and obtained possession of his horse, but the steeds of his two companions in flight were captured.