He was, as I have already hinted, of pugnacious propensities, and, not content with being a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his own fireside, he extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a confederacy with certain of the bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, Petticoat Lane and Sleepy Hollow, who formed a kind of holy brotherhood, scouring the country to clear it of skinners and cow-boys, and all other border vermin. The Roost was one of their rallying points. Did a band of marauders from Manhattan island come
a The goose gun is still in existence, having been preserved for many years in a hollow tree. It is now in the possession of Mr. Caleb Brush, of Grove street, New York, who married the celebrated heroine, Laney van Tassel.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. ' 195
sweeping through the neighborhood, and driving off cattle, the stout Jacob and his compeers were soon clattering at their heels ; and fortunate did the rogues esteem themselves if they could but get a part of their booty across the lines, or escape themselves, without a rough handling. Should the moss troopers succeed in passing wiih their cavalfrada, with thundering tramp and dusty whirlwind, across King's Bridge, the holy brotherhood of the Roost would rein up at that perilous pass, and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves by foraging the refugee region of Morrisania.
When at home at the Roost, the stout Jacob was not idle ; he was prone to carry on a petty warfare of his own, for his private recreation and refreshment. Did he ever chance to espy, from his look-out place, a hostile ship or galley anchored or becalmed near shore, he would take down his long goosegun from the hooks over the fire-place, sally out alone, and lurk along shore, dodging behind rocks and trees, and watching, for hours together, like a veteran mouser intent on a rat hole.