[The following Tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who was curious in the Dutch history of the province, and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers. His historical researches, however, did not lie so much among books as among men; for the former are lamentably scanty on his favorite topics; whereas he found the old burghers, and still more their wives, rich in that legendary lore, so invaluable to true history. . . .]

The following Tale was found among the papers of the late Diedrich Knickerbocker, an old gentleman of New York, who vas very curious in the Dutch history of the province and the manners of the descendants from its primitive settlers.