They were watched with great care as it had been given out that they would be taken off by persons from above to retaliate for some predatory excursions of the DeLancey's Refugees. It was some time before they could discover where they were kept. At length they found the place and soon after the horses were turned loose, in a large meadow that was surrounded with briers and hazel bushes among which they con- -cealed themselves, for several persons [margin: Capture of DeLancey's horses]

248 748 were about sufficiently near to see them and give an alarm the instant they left their cover. These persons at last disappeared and the horses were then alone, under care of a negro boy who remained, near by and watched them. Still the three adventurers hesitated to uncover themselves for fear the boy would sound an alarm before they could have time to secure him. Fortunately, a sudden shower of rain came to their aid in the midst of which the boy scampered for shelter to a neighbouring house; & alvery singularly the horses came to the very spot where the captors were hidden. They were prepared with bridles, and the two horses were instantly and mounted. Ferris and Carpenter riding Goliah and Knapp the mare. It had been previously [page break] 749 251 been determined that their safest route would be to cross Williams' Bridge notwithstanding the guard constantly kept there. Ferris and Knapp well acquainted with the neighbouring grounds crossed the country towards Williams Bridge with the utmost expedition passing most of the way through open fields and meeting with no obstruction, but taking care to approach nobody within speaking distance. One person upon whom they came unexpectedly inquired if they were going to water the Colonel's horses and they answered in the affirmative.