h shipping near by. A heavy shot from the _Vulture_
struck the galley below water mark, and she went down near Caldwell's
Landing. The British again took possession of Stony Point, but little
of value was left them there except the eligible site for a
fortification."

"Wayne was very much praised for the taking of Stony Point, wasn't he,
papa?" asked Grace.

"Yes; the storming and capture of Stony Point was esteemed one of the
most brilliant exploits of the war,--an exhibition of skill and
indomitable courage,--and General Wayne, the leader of the enterprise,
was everywhere greeted with rapturous applause. Congress gave him a
vote of thanks. It also resolved that a gold medal, emblematic of that
action, be struck and presented to General Wayne. Also, rewards were
given to the other officers and to the men."

"Papa, wasn't the home of Captain Molly somewhere in this
neighborhood?" asked Grace.

"Yes; Lossing tells us that she lived, at the close of the war,
between Fort Montgomery and Buttermilk Falls, and was generally
dressed in a woman's petticoats with an artilleryman's coat over
them--perhaps an old one of her husband's, for he was a cannonier.
They were both in Fort Clinton when it was taken by the British. When
the Americans retreated and the British scaled the ramparts, her
husband dropped his match and fled. Molly picked it up, touched off
the piece, then scampered after him and the others. As you probably
remember, she was again with her husband in the Battle of Monmouth,
and when he was shot down took his place at the cannon and worked it
through the rest of the engagement. For that act of bravery Washington
rewarded her with a sergeant's commission."

"I think she deserved it," said Grace. "I admire her bravery, but I
don't know what would tempt me to go into a battle."

"I should be sorry indeed to have you go into one," returned her
father, regarding her with a fond smile.

The yacht was now moving rapidly down the river, all on board greatly
enjoying the beautiful scenery. They landed at Tarrytown and visited
the historical spots in its vicinity, among them the scene of Andre's
capture and the monument to his captors.

"Why did they name this place Tarrytown, uncle?" asked Eric.

"Probably from the fact that a great deal of wheat was raised in the
vicinity. 'Tarwe Town'--meaning wheat town--was what the early Dutch
settlers called it.

"Those living here in Revolutionary days saw stormy scenes