They then cried out: "Clear the way! - They'll gain the race!" The dragoons opened right and left and let them pass, but immediately perceived the ruse and pursued. One or two miles from Williams Bridge is a hollow near V. Briggs's. Ferris said: "Now, boys, I'm to leave you - the horse never'll carry two." He then jumped off right, among the briers and hauled them about him. It was a bright moon shining night, almost as light as day. A few moments after he had concealed himself his pursuers
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passed at full speed. Ferris then proceeded home on foot, and found the horse and mare both at Carpenters who then lived opposite the blacksmith's shop by Samuel Smith's Tavern. Tim Knapp was not along with the three that took off those horses although he might have given information about them. I have heard Ferris say he, (Tim Knapp) was innocent and hanged without Judge or Jury. Ferris went over to Long Island near Oyster Bay, and captured a horse named Bashaw. Ferris covered his nose with a silk handkerchief to keep him from squealing, mounted, and ran him about fifteen miles to a spot where whaleboats lay which had engaged to meet him. He then plunged Bashaw into the water and the boats towed him across the Sound near Norwalk. (?)
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In going across they landed on one of the islands, and led him across it. This horse (Bashaw) became blind in consequence of plunging into the water in a heated state. [X] Back rate was enforced in Middle Patent. Dr. Isaac Smith once took the bedding from my father's house for this rate. This was James Smith's father. (When James Miller was killed I saw two of the Dragoons in red (regulars I suppose) who came down