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.

September 22d two seamen deserted from the British frigate " La Brune," which was lying near Randall's Island, and stated that they had but a few men on the island, that the cannon which had been on the island had been put on board the " La Brune," but that there were a number of officers at the house. Acting on this information, an expedition consisting of two hundred and forty men, was sent on board of three flat-boats with a fourth astern with a light three-pound cannon on board in case it might be found necessary. They were to drop down Harlem River with the ebb tide, and they calculated that at daybreak the tide would be sufficient on the flood to float the boats off the flats at the island. Major Henly of the general's staff, volunteered to be one of the party, and much against the general's wish he was permitted to go. Notice had been given to the pickets on the York Island side not to fire on the boats or hail them as they went down the river, but the sentinel nearest the island had not been instructed. General Heath was standing nearly opposite, on the Westchester side, to witness the attack. The sentinel challenged the boats and ordered them to come to the shore ; the people on board the boats said that they were friends, but the sentry kept on challenging.