This time, however, when he pried open the shutters, which were old, they made a creaking sound, and Dyckman said, "Take care, if you make so much noise you'll startle the refugees." "It's too late now," answered Oakley. "They are running for their arms.-- Quick, follow me." Getting the fingers of both hands, fully between the shutters and pulling with his utmost force, he fortunately drew them open and instantly threw himself head foremost upon the glass window, carrying the lower sash in with him, and descending at full length upon the floor, followed by Dyckman and Blake, both of whom fell upon him. It was the effort of but a moment to extricate himself from the situation in which he lay, and to gain his feet, when he drew his sword and exclaimed to the astonished refugees: "Be still upon your lives. You are surrounded and can't escape. If one of you draws trigger, you shall all be put to

12 THE McDONALD PAPERS

death." At this instant Dyckman with great presence of mind unbarred the door, whereupon Captain Cushing with guides, volunteers and Continental soldiers, to the number of thirty or more, entered the room and put an end to all oppo-sition. One captain, two subalterns and seventeen non-commissioned officers and privates were captured, being the whole force at that time in the house. Colonel Delancey himself escaped upon this occasion, by accident. He had left his quarters toward night-fall to meet a flag of truce at Underhill's, near Williamsbridge, and was prevented from returning, by the rain. A British patrol that came in at this time, and some men taken at a neighboring house, swelled the number of prisoners to thirty-four. The American com-mander lost not a moment in securing his prisoners, and then fell back upon his covering-party, knowing full well that his only chance for safety lay in a rapid retreat, which was the more requisite, as some soldiers, quartered in the out-buildings, not-withstanding every precaution, had effected their escape.