“One of these places was on the banks of that stream, where the water was so wide and deep as to render it perilous for any but an expert and experienced swimmer to attempt its passage, and always placid, with a sort of oily surface looking like the backed waters of a mill-pond.  The banks were covered with a thick undergrowth of vines, saplings, and trees in abundance, so that autumn did not, by taking away the leaves, expose the spot to the observation of the passer-by.  Here a rude board shanty had been knocked up in a hurry, and was used to shelter the men from the intense cold of the winter nights.  This episode in the stream Nick had named ‘Dead Man’s Lake,’ in consequence of finding on its banks the body of a man who had been murdered and mutilated by his old enemies, the Skinners.

“One evening, in the depth of winter, Nick, who had been a long distance above White Plains, hastened back to the lake in order to intercept a body of Skinners, on their way from Connecticut to the city, with considerable booty taken from the inhabitants in the vicinity of the Sound.  They numbered about eighty, under the control of a petty Scotch officer named McPherson.  Nick had contrived to gain intelligence of their movements and access to their party, by means of John Valentine, one of his own scouts, who, by his direction, had met and joined the tories with a specious tale, and promised to lead them through the country so securely that none of the prowling rebels should encounter them.

“Previous to John’s starting on his perilous adventure, it was agreed that Nick, with all his men, should remain the whole night in question concealed at the lake, without entering the hut.  John was then to bring the refugees to the spot, shelter them in the hut, and, at a favorable moment, he would sing out, ’Hurrah for Gin’ral Washington, and down with the red-coats!’ when the Cow-boys were to rush in, and take them by surprise.

“Having reached the lake about nine o’clock in the evening, Nick proceeded to devise a plan for concealment, for he expected to wait several hours.  The cold was intense, and, like all the servants of Congress, Nick and his men were but ill prepared to resist the inclemency of the weather.

“Nick was in perplexity; no plan could be devised with satisfaction to the majority, and they stood in absolute danger of perishing with cold.  The debate on the subject was still in progress, when heavy flakes of snow began to fall briskly, with promising appearances of a long continuance.  ‘Good!’ said Nick, half in soliloquy, as he viewed the feathery element, and a new idea seemed to strike him, ’I have hit it at last.  Boys, no grumblin’ or skulkin’ now, for I won’t have it.  You must do as I am goin’ to order, or we part company.’