Among the most daring v.-cre the guides -- such men as Ahrahn?ii D'jChni'j,, Ccrnelius Oafdey and JoIlTi Oddl. In the darkness of night they have oft'.'n sniiirisod and carried off captains, officers and men, under the guns of the British forts at Morrisania, or in small parties amused themselves by 'seating up De Lancey's quarters. Frequent alarms iiad made them watchful of surprise, and success rendered them reckless of danger, till they became the chosen leaders of each dangerous enterprise against the encm}'.

Why Gen. Howe so suddenly left the battle-field at ^^'hite Plains has been a mystery to many, but the following may explain it: "When he

" » At the ea.-it oud or ttu; village is »t\\\ to be seen tlie reia-iins oE Washiuston's cMCutupmeiir. or tlus iK.tUii/yr is 1^•H I'ut n .itn.i:: p.irtio:! nf iv.i- rTuti.mkun'nt that imims jiartly iicmss t!i-sirv>tt, oil TlK'snrf.ii;,' ot uliu-ii rcits a miitilatea Uowitzef. Tliii lelie of the past was disinrerred near liie spot it occupits.

570 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

landed witii his forces on Throg's Neck, Gen. ^Vashington ^^-ithd^e^v all his army -- except a garrison at Fort Washington, a very strongly fortified position, and considered impregnable. But treason can do what valor and skill cannot.

Gen. Plowe, as we shall see, had good reason to change his whole plan ; and that cause was, the treason of a commissioned officer of the American army. Four years before, the traitor Arnold attempted to betray West Point. A similar, but more successful traitor, betrayed Mount Washington. On the 2d of November, 1776, Adjutant ]^Iaga\v, passed undiscovered, out of Fort Washington into the British camp, convejing the plans of the fort and full information as to all its works and garrison, and placed them in the hands of Lord Percy.