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, and very singularly the horses came to the very spot where the captors were hidden. They were prepared with bridles, and the two horses were in- -stantly and mounted - Ferris and Carpenter riding Goliah and Knapp the mare. It had previously
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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 neighboring 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 un- -expectedly inquired if they were going to water the Colonel's horses and they answered in the affirmative When they began to descend the hill at Williams's they beheld the first of the danger that was in store for them. A party of Refugees returning from above and overtaken
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by the shower had pulled up here, dismounted, and taken the saddles off their horses. With great pre- -sence of mind our three adventurers put the steeds that carried them to their utmost speed, shouting aloud and looking behind them: "Here they are, boys! - Come on, quickly! - We'll takem them all!" The sen- -tinel and dragoons were panic struck with this sudden attack. The former discharged his musket, and all ran for shelter to the woods and bushes on the banks of the Bronx; but the dragoons soon discovering the trick practiced upon them mounted again and pursued the runaways, who soon perceived another peril to be encountered.