Here the British refugees got upon the left flank of the Americans, and compelled them to move by their right, across some open ground. Kipp, one of Delancey's captains, taking immediate advantage of this circumstance, led his troop to the charge; but a sharp fire from the rear of the Continental party, which killed or wounded several of the dragoons, here brought the pursuers to a stand, which was converted into a flight when the volunteers and guides urged

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forward their jaded horses to a return charge. Cushing then continued his retreat unmolested through the fields north of the road, with the intention of gaining the highway which passes along the Saw-Mill river. His men finding them-selves no longer pursued, began to congratulate one another, and to fancy their fatigues at an end and themselves in secur-ity. They were now passing a smooth and beautiful tract of land, consisting of large wheat-fields, called Acker's slope, that declined gently toward the west; when one of the captive officers addressed Michael Dyckman by whose side he was riding; "If our folks were here, this is the very spot where they would charge you." These words were scarcely uttered, when the blast of a trumpet was heard, which in the gray obscurity of early morning, and in the devious places they were traversing, seemed like the summons of the Archangel. In an instant, every foot became motionless and every eye was directed toward the rear, from which quarter the sound approached; when a party of horsemen came in sight close at hand, and commenced forming, apparently for a charge. It consisted, in fact, of the yager dragoons, from Kingsbridge, who had just come up, and joined themselves to Delancey's horsemen, apparently determined upon attacking their weary foes with numbers that' seemed irresistible.