Returning slowly down the stream, they soon found that some tolerably lively adventures had been prepared for (hem by the alert American commander. At Tarrytown, on the 4th of August, they were boldly engaged by a number of galleys -- the " Washington," kk Lady Washington," kl Spitfire," k Whiting," kk Independence," and " (Vane " -- which Washington had procured from the governors of ( Connecticut and Rhode Island, and dispatched for the purpose of annoying the two warships. One of the participants on the American side, in an account of this spirited encounter, says: kk We had as hot a lire as, perhaps, was ever known, for an hour and a half. Our commodore, Colonel Tupper, thought it prudent to give the signal for our little fleet to withdraw, after manfully fighting a much superior force for two hours. Never did men behave with more firm, determined spirits than our little crews. One of our tars, being mortally wounded, cried to his messmate: kI am a dying man; revenge my blood, my boys, and carry me alongside my gun, that I may die there.' We were so preserved by a gracious Providence that in all our galleys we had but two men killed and fourteen wounded, two of which are thought dangerous." An (wen more exciting experience was reserved for the kk Phoenix," kk Rose," and their tenders. Two fire vessels, constructed by Washington's orders, approached them at their anchorage on the night of the 10th of August. The resulting transactions have been picturesquely described by numerous writers, but with many variations as to details. The precise location of this affair of the fire-ships is impossible of determination, so conflicting are the statements on that point. The thrilling scene is variously located off Tarrytown, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings, and Vonkers.