The American sentries were ordered not to fire at the British unless the latter began; but the British did begin, and there was freciuent firing between the pickets. One day a British otHcer walking on the shore of Randall's Island was wounded by a shot from an American sentinel. An officer with a flag soon after came down to the creek, and calling for the American officer of the guard, informed him that if the American sentinels fired any more the commander on the island would cannonade Colonel Morris' house, in which the American picket officers were quartered. The American oflicer sent word to General Heath asking for instructions as to what reply he should make. He was told to answer that the Americans were instructed not to fire unless they were fired upon and then to return the fire ; that such would be their conduct, and that as to cannonading Colonel Morris' house, they might act their pleasure. The firing ceased for some time, but one day a Scotch sentinel on the British side fired at an American and the shot was returned. A British otficer came down and said that he thought there was to be no firing between the sentinels. The Americans retorted that the British fired first. The British officer replied, "He shall then pay for it." The sentinel was relieved and there was no further firing between the pickets at that place, and they were afterwards so civil to each other that they used to exchange tobacco by throwing the roll across the creek.