Alas ! never more were they to be gladdened by the melody of their favorite trumpeter ! It was a dark and stormy night when the good Anthony arrived at the famous creek (sagely denominated Harlem river) which separates the island of Manna- hata

« Egbert Benson's Mem N. Y. 94.

Vol. II. 56

-»44^.' / • ^ HISTORY OF THE

from the main land. The wind was high, the elements were in an uproar, and no Charon could be found to ferry the adventurous sounder of brass across the water.

" For a short time he vapoured like an impatient ghost upon the brink, and then, bethinking himself of the urgency of his errand, took a hearty embrace of his stone buttle, swore most valorously, that he would swim across, en spyt den duyvel, (in spite of the devil !) and daringly plunged into the stream. Luckless Anthony ! scarce bad he buffeted half way over, when he was observed to struggle violently, as if battling with the spirit of the waters -- instinctively he put his truinpet to his mouth, and giving a vehement blast, sunk forever to the botloin !

''The potent clangour of his trumpet, like the ivory horn of the renowned Paladin Orlando, when expiring in the glorious field of Roncesvalles, rung far and wide through the country, alarming the neighbours round, who hurried in amazement to the spot. Here an old Dutch burgher, famed for his veracity, and who had been a witness of the fact, related to them the melancholy affair, with the fearful addition, (to which I am slow of giving belief,) that he saw the duyvel, in the shape of a huge moss-bonker, seize the sturdy Anthony by the leg, and drag him beneaih the waves. Certain it is, the place with the adjoining promontory which projects into the Hudson, has been called spyt den duyvel, or spiking duyvel. ever since.