[47] Acrelius’ History N.
Sweden. For some notices of this
miraculous
discomfiture of the Swedes, see N.Y. Hist.
Col., new
series,
vol. i., p. 412.
Jan Claudius Risingh, who succeeded to the command
of New Sweden, looms largely in ancient records as
a gigantic Swede, who, had he not been rather knock-kneed
and splay-footed, might have served for the model of
a Samson or a Hercules. He was no less rapacious
than mighty, and withal, as crafty as he was rapacious,
so that there is very little doubt that, had he lived
some four or five centuries since, he would have figured
as one of those wicked giants, who took a cruel pleasure
in pocketing beautiful princesses and distressed damsels,
when gadding about the world, and locking them up
in enchanted castles, without a toilet, a change of
linen, or any other convenience. In consequence
of which enormities they fell under the high displeasure
of chivalry, and all true, loyal, and gallant knights
were instructed to attack and slay outright any miscreant
they might happen to find above six feet high; which
is doubtless one reason why the race of large men
is nearly extinct, and the generations of latter ages
are so exceedingly small.
Governor Risingh, not withstanding his giantly condition,
was, as I have hinted, a man of craft. He was
not a man to ruffle the vanity of General Van Poffenburgh,
or to rub his self-conceit against the grain.
On the contrary, as he sailed up the Delaware, he
paused before Fort Casimir, displayed his flag, and
fired a royal salute before dropping anchor. The
salute would doubtless have been returned, had not
the guns been dismounted; as it was, a veteran sentinel
who had been napping at his post, and had suffered
his match to go out, returned the compliment by discharging
his musket with the spark of a pipe borrowed from a
comrade. Governor Risingh accepted this as a
courteous reply, and treated the fortress to a second
salute, well knowing its commander was apt to be marvelously
delighted with these little ceremonials, considering
them so many acts of homage paid to his greatness.
He then prepared to land with a military retinue of
thirty men, a prodigious pageant in the wilderness.
And now took place a terrible rummage and racket in
Fort Casimir, to receive such a visitor in proper
style, and to make an imposing appearance. The
main guard was turned out as soon as possible, equipped
to the best advantage in the few suits of regimentals,
which had to do duty, by turns, with the whole garrison.
One tall, lank fellow appeared in a little man’s
coat, with the buttons between his shoulders; the skirts
scarce covering his bottom; his hands hanging like
spades out of the sleeves; and the coat linked in
front by worsted loops made out of a pair of red garters.
Another had a cocked hat stuck on the back of his head,
