o first
discovered the magic artifice of conjuring a quart of wine into a pint
bottle. Then the Van Kortlandts, who lived on the wild banks of the
Croton, and were great killers of wild ducks, being much spoken of for
their skill in shooting with the long bow. Then the Van Bunschotens, of
Nyack and Kakiat, who were the first that did ever kick with the left
foot; they were gallant bush-whackers and hunters of raccoons by
moonlight. Then the Van Winkles, of Haerlem, potent suckers of eggs, and
noted for running of horses, and running up of scores at taverns; they
were the first that ever winked with both eyes at once. Lastly came the
Knickerbockers, of the great town of Schaghtikoke, where the folk lay
stones upon the houses in windy weather, lest they should be blown away.
These derive their name, as some say, from Knicker, to shake, and Beker, a
goblet, indicating thereby that they were sturdy toss-pots of yore; but,
in truth, it was derived from Knicker, to nod, and Boeken, books; plainly
meaning that they were great nodders or dozers over books; from them did
descend the writer of this history.

Such was the legion of sturdy bush-beaters that poured in at the grand
gate of New Amsterdam; the Stuyvesant manuscript, indeed, speaks of many
more, whose names I omit to mention, seeing that it behooves me to hasten
to matters of greater moment. Nothing could surpass the joy and martial
pride of the lion-hearted Peter as he reviewed this mighty host of
warriors, and he determined no longer to defer the gratification of his
much-wished-for revenge upon the scoundrel Swedes at Fort Casimir.

But before I hasten to record those unmatchable events, which will be
found in the sequel of this faithful history, let us pause to notice the
fate of Jacobus Van Poffenburgh, the discomfited commander-in-chief of the
armies of the New Netherlands. Such is the inherent uncharitableness of
human nature that scarcely did the news become public of his deplorable
discomfiture at Fort Casimir, than a thousand scurvy rumors were set
afloat in New Amsterdam, wherein it was insinuated that he had in reality
a treacherous understanding with the Swedish commander; that he had long
been in the practice of privately communicating with the Swedes; together
with divers hints about "secret service money." To all which deadly
charges I do not give a jot more credit than I think they deserve.

Certain it is that the general vindicated his character by th