[marg: Before or after the capture of the horses? Bedford? Irishman 3 miles from Smith's house on the hill east of Byram.]

Nov. 10th James Hopkins:

(I think before the horses were taken), Thomas Ferris, Jedediah [Major?] Owen, and Captain Jonathan Paulding Horton went down to Throgs Neck where Ferris's mother lived with the intention of taking off one or two Refugee officers at that time there. Ferris at this time had constant communication with different persons at Throgs Neck among whom was Captain Simmons of DeLancey's who afterwards left the Westchester Refugees and who was a traitor. The three adventurers were discovered by the Refugees. They lay concealed in the bushes. Some of the Refugees were also afraid to remain at home and also had a nest in the bushes a little way from them along the same line of stone wall which

was lined with bushes. The three did'nt know much this. In the middle of the night a man came to Ferris and took hold of his hand: "Who are you? " And who are you?" answered Ferris. Ferris held on but the man got his hand released and joined his companions. All three then rose. Ferris looking behind found they were pursued and one man near who was very fleet named Golding, and who would certainly have overtaken them had he not fallen into a hole where they had dug and taken out a stone, and which in the dark could'nt be seen. They all three then escaped.