Upon the heights each side of the bridge redoubts were thrown up ; and here, in January, 1777, a bloody conflict occurred between the Americans, xmder General Heath, and a large body of Hessian mercenaries, under General Knyphausen. The place was held alternately by the Americans and British ; and little more than half a mile below the bridge an ancient story-and-a-half house is yet standing, one hundred and twenty-five years old, which served as head-quarters at difi'erent times for the officers of the two armies : it is now a house of public entertainment, and is known as " Post's Century House."

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CHAPTEll XX.

JHE Harlem Eivcr (called Mits-coo-ia by the Indians), which extends from Kingsbridge to the strait between Long Island Sound and New York Bay, known as the ^^^.^ East River, has an average width of nine hundred /fV^ feet. In most places it is bordered by narrow marshy

I;||' flats, with high hills immediately behind. The scenery along its whole length, to the villages of Harlem and Mott Haven, is picturesque. The roads on both shores afford pleasant drives, and fine country seats and ornamental pleasure-grounds, add to the landscape beauties of the river. A line of small steamboats, connecting with the city, traverse its waters, the head of navigation being a few yards above Post's Century House. The tourist will find much pleasure in a voyage from the city through the East and Harlem liivers.

The " High Bridge," or aqueduct over which the waters of the Croton How from the main land to Manhattan Island, crosses the Island at One Hundred and Seventy-Third Street. It is built of granite. The aqueduct is fourteen hundred and fifty feet in length, and rests upon arches supported by fourteen piers of heavy masonry. Eight of these arches are eighty feet span, and six of them fifty feet.