ghed
the waves of the unknown river, till, having accomplished forty miles,
just at sunset they dropped their anchor in the still waters which are
surrounded by the grand and gloomy cliffs of the Highlands.

The next morning, the river and its shores, were enveloped in a dense
fog, so that one could see but a few yards before him. Taking
advantage of this, the Indian captives, whom Sir Henry Hudson had so
treacherously ensnared, leaped out of one of the port-holes, and swam
ashore. As soon as they reached the land, they raised loud shouts of
hatred and defiance.

The sun soon dispelled the fog, and the voyage was continued, and by
night the Half Moon reached a point supposed to be near the present
site of Catskill Landing. The natives were numerous, and very
friendly. They came freely on board, apparently unsuspicious of
danger. It was noticeable that there were many very aged men among
them. The river seemed full of fishes, and with their hooks they took
large numbers. The next day the Indians came on board in crowds,
bringing pumpkins and tobacco. The vessel's boats were sent on shore
to procure fresh water.

Early the ensuing morning, they pushed up the river five miles, to a
point probably near the present city of Hudson.

Sir Henry Hudson does not appear to advantage in the account
transmitted to us of this exploration. Mr. Sparks, in his American
Biography, gives the following extraordinary account of one of his
procedures.

"It is evident that great distrust was entertained by Hudson
and his men towards the natives. He now determined to
ascertain, by intoxicating some of the chiefs, and thus
throwing them off their guard, whether they were plotting
any treachery. He accordingly invited several of them into
the cabin, and gave them plenty of brandy to drink. One of
these men had his wife with him, who, the Journal informs
us, 'sate so modestly as any of our countrywomen would do in
a strange place.' But the men had less delicacy and were
soon quite merry with the brandy.

"One of them, who had been on board from the first arrival
of the ship, was completely intoxicated, and fell sound
asleep, to the great astonishment of his companions, who
probably feared that he had been poisoned; for they all took
to their canoes and made for the shore, leaving their
unlucky comrade on board. Their anxiety for his welfare soon
induced