The Americans waited -- waited -- in anxious -- at last sickening suspense. Their cotnpanions came not -- the hours rolled on-- no boat hailed -- no oar splashed in the surrounding darkness. The east grew gray with the dawn -- the sun shone brightly above the horizon, nought but a few shattered vessels lying near the shore -- the flotilla -- the batteries -- and the minarets of Tripoli gilded by the morning sunbeams, met their gaze. Those noble spirits had written their history. Whether consigned to eternity by a shot of the enemy, prematurely exploJing the magazine, or from the firing of the train by their own hands, must always remain untold and unknown."*

The U. S. brig Somers, lost in a gale off Vera Cruz, January, 1847, was also named after this young hero.

Under the Mohegan Indians, Somerstown formed an appendage to the great territory of Aniaghpogh or Amrnawalk, In 1699 a deed for this tract was executed by Sachima Wicker, the chief of the Kightawonck tribe, (within whose limits Amagh pogh was comprehended,) to Stephanus van Cortlandt.

The principal Indian settlement appears to have stood upon

Sillimau's Gallop among American Scenery.

132 '- • HISTORY OF THE

the summit of a rocky ridge bordering the Croton river, on the lands of Gerard Crane, Esq. Indian lodges also occupied the higher grounds and adorned the romantic banks of the numerous streams intersecting this town. In the woods of Ray Tompkins, Esq., situated upon the east side of Angle Fly brook, are yet visible the remains of Indian habitations. The Indian burying ground lies near Wood's bridge, at the junction of Plum brook and Croton river. This beautiful portion of Westchester county, so highly diversified with hills and dales was once covered with extensive forests, abounding with every species of wild game.