I mention these minute particulars, because it is the
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
General himself who breaks all his own horses. He is an excellent and bold horseman, leaping the highest fences, and going extremely quick, without standing upon his stirrups, bearing on the bridle, or letting his horse run wild ; circumstances which our young men look upon as so essential a part of English horsemanship, that they would rather break a leg or an arm than renounce them.
"It was off Verplanck's Point that Hudson's vessel, the 'Half Moon,' came to an anchor on the 1st of October, 1609,°
"Here he was visited by the native Highlander's,6 who came flocking to the ship, expressing their wonder and astonishment to behold a vessel so superior to their canoes, and weapons so much more terrible than their own. Anxious to carry away to their friends some part of this floating world of wonders, and not satisfied with the trifles they received in return for skins, one of the canoes with one man in it lurked about the stern with a thievish tardiness, notwithstanding he was warned off. Watching an opportunity, he at length crawled up the rudder into the cabin window, and stole a pillow and a few articles of wearing apparel. The mate, little anticipating that justice, though slow, is sure, and would follow him even to the Arctic circle, shot at the poor pilferer and killed him. The rest fled ; panic struck, and in their precipitance, some leaped into the water. The ship's boat was manned and sent to recover the articles ; one of those who had leaped into the water got hold of the boat for the purpose of overturning it, as was thought, but the cook stood ready with his sword, and with one blow cut off one of his hands, and he was drowned.