288 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



"I have been thus particular in my account of the times and neighborhood, 

 that the reader might the more readily comprehend the surrounding dangers in 

 this, the heroic age of the Roost. 



'' It was commanded at the time, as I have already observed, by the stout Jacob 

 van Tassel. As I wish to be extremely accurate in this part of my chronicle, 1 

 beg that this Jacob van Tassel, of the Roost, may not be coufounded with an- 

 other Jacob van Tassel, commonly known in border story by the name of 

 'clump-footed Jack,' a noted tory, and one of the refugee band of Spiting 

 Devil. On the contrary, he of the Roost was a patriot of the first water ; and, if 

 we may take his own word for granted, a thorn in the side of the enemy. As 

 the Roost, from its lonely situation on the water's edge, might be liable to attack, 

 he took measures for defence. On a row of hooks, above his fire place, reposed 

 his great piece of ordnance, ready charged and primed for action. This was a 

 duck, or, rather, goose-gun of unparalleled longitude — with which it was said he 

 could kill a wild goose, though half way across the Tappan Sea. « Indeed, there 

 are as many wonders told of this renowned gun as of the enchanted weapons of 

 the hero es of classic story. 



"In different parts of the stone walls of his mansion he had made loop-holes, 

 through which he might fire upon an assailant. His wife was stout-hearted as 

 himself, and could load as fast as he could fire ; and then he had an ancient and 

 redoubtable sister, Nocnie van Wurmur, a match, as he said, for the stoutest 

 man in the country. Thus garrisoned, the little Roost was fit to stand a siege, 

 and Jacob van Tassel was the man to defend it to the last charge of powder. 



"He was, as I have already hinted, of pugnacious propensities; and, not content 

 with being a patriot at home, and fighting for the security of his own fireside, he 

 extended his thoughts abroad, and entered into a confederacy with certain of the 

 bold, hard-riding lads of Tarrytown, Petticoat Lane and Sleepy Hollow — who 

 formed a kind of holy brotherhood, scouring the country to clear it of skinners 

 and cow-boys, and ail other border vermin. The Roost was one of their rallying 

 points. Did a band of marauders from Manhattan island come sweeping through 

 the neighborhood, and driving off cattle, the stout Jacob and his compeers were 

 soon clattering at their heels ; and fortunate did the rogues esteem themselves if 

 they could but get a part of their booty across the lines, or escape themselves, 

 without a rough handling. Should the moss troopers succeed in passing with 

 their cavalgada, with thundering tramp and dusty whirlwind, across King's 

 Bridge, the holy brotherhood of the Roost would reign up at that perilous pass, 

 and, wheeling about, would indemnify themselves by foraging the refugee region 

 of Morrisania. 



" When at home at the roost, the stout Jacob was not idle ; he was prone to 

 carry on a petty warfare of his own, for his private recreation and refreshment. 

 Did he ever chance to espy, from his look-out place, a hostile ship or galley 

 anchored or becalmed near shore, he would take down his long goose-guu from 

 the hooks over the fire-place, sally out alone, and lurk along shore, dodging 

 behind rocks and trees, and watching for hours together, like a veteran mouser 

 intent on a rat hole. So sure as a boat put off for shore, and came within shot, 



a The goose-gun is still in existence, having been preserved for many years in a hollow 

 tree. It is now in the possession of Mr. Caleb Brush, of Grove street, New York, who mar- 

 ried the celebrated heroine, Laney van Tassel. 



