715 187 48. and popular Lieut Sam Kipp severe.

General Nathaniel Montross: "When Totten was up at Pines Bridge in the Spring of 1781, and was insulted by the officer commanding the guard said to him, on parting: "When will you be up again with a flag?" (or, "When will another flag be sent up?") "The next flag that comes up," replied Totten, "will be a bloody one!" With these ominous words he departed. [page break] 188 716 49. October 18th General Nathaniel Montross: "When the French army lay at White Plains four iron chests of specie were sent from Crompond to pay off the French troops. They stopped at night a short distance from North Castle Church at the house of one Thomas or Joseph Green. The specie was supposed to remain in the covered waggon in which it had been transported and a soldier was posted to guard it. Two white men, named Carpenter, who were before and after, respectable inhabitants of North Castle, and free men, and a negro slave formed a plan to get possession of one or more of the boxes. The plan was for the negro slave (whose name was Jack, who belonged to Captain David Montross of Pines Bridge and was remarkable alike for strength courage and address) to seize and [page break] 717 191 50 secure the sentinel. The free black was then to assist Jack in keeping the Frenchman quiet, and the two two whites were then to rob the military chest. Jack then stripped naked and made his approaches on all fours. Every time the French sentinel turned to countermarch on his post, Jack advanced a little, laying still when he approached. At last Jack got so near that he was fearful of being discovered and shot by the soldiers. He then waited till the Frenchman turned from him when he rose and making a long leap sprang upon the soldier whom he seized and held still. The sentinel attempted to give an alarm but Jack took away his musket, throttled, shook and kept him still. Finding himself enveloped in the arms of a black and [page break] 192 718 51. naked monster, the poor Frenchman was terrified and thought himself for some moments in the hands of Satan. He continued silent from fear. The free negro proved unequal to the task assigned him and ran away when he saw the struggle between Jack and his antagonist. Jack, however, kept his prisoner quiet, and the execution of the plot went on. The two white men approached the waggon and removed the covering when they perceived something move and rise up in the waggon. Supposing it to be a soldier guarding the treasure and that they had now encountered an unforeseen danger they became panic struck and fled leaving their black comrade alone. Jack soon perceived the scrape he was in and found it necessary to secure his safety, [page break] 719 195 52. but was afraid if he let his captive go, an immediate alarm would be the consequence, and his own escape impossible. No time, however, was to be lost, and quick decision became absolutely necessary. Jack took the best course the circumstances permitted. He loosed his grasp of the Frenchman, but, at the moment the latter moved away to resume his post, Jack gave him a blow which sent him sprawling upon the ground, (and he lay for some moments stunned) and ran immediately to the woods where he concealed himself and escaped. This attempt made some noise at the time but the plot was never known until after the conclusion of the war. It was a large dog confined in the waggon that frightened the two white men! My father's slave, Jack, was once [page break] 196 720 53. taken with other prisoners by Simcoe or some British officers (perhaps Colonel DeLancey in May 1781?) He was so full of loyalty to the King and made such professions of attachment to the officers offering to be a servant, &c, and appearing overjoyed when they told him he was a free man that they did not see through him being completely deceived. Jack marched with them some distance, but ran off the first opportunity, and came back to his old master!