The sentinels on the American side were ordered not to presume to fire at those of the British, unless the latter began ; but the British were so fond of beginning, that there was frequently a firing between them. This having been the case one day, and a British officer walking along the bank, on the Montresor's side, an American sentinel, who had been exchanging some shots with a British sentinel, seeing the officer, and concluding him to be better game, gave him a shot, and wounded him. He was carried up to the house on the island. An officer with a flag soon came down to the creek and called for the American officer of the picket, and informed him that if the American sentinels fired any more, the commanding officer of the island would cannonade Col. Morris's house, in ivhich the officers of the picket quartered. The American officer immediately sent up to our general, to know what answer should

318 HISTORY OF THE

be returned. He was directed to inform the British officer that the American sentinels had always been instructed not to fire on sentinels unless they were first fired upon, and then to return the fire; that such would be their conduct; as to the cannonading of Col. Morris's house, they might act their pleasure. The firing ceased for some time ; but a raw Scotch sentinel having been planted one day, he very soon after discharged his piece at an American sentinel nearest to him, which was immediately returned ; upon which a British officer came down, and called to the American officers, observing that he thought there was to be no firing between the sentinels. He was answered, that their own began; upon which he replied, "he shall then pay for it." The sentinel was directly after relieved, and there was no firing between the sentinels, at that place, any more, and they were so civil to each other, on the posts, that one day, at a part of the creek where it was practicable, the British sentinel asked the American, who was nearly opposite to him, if he could give him a chew of tobacco; the latter, having in his pocket a piece of thick twisted roll, sent it across the creek to the British sentinel, who, after taking off his bite, sent the remainder back again."'"'