In the fall of that year a laboring man (residing near the lake) determined upon securing it if possible. For this purpose he took his station early one morning in the vicinity of one of the beaver's haunts. It soon made its appearance, and commenced felling a small tree, which it drew to the water's edge; but the man who had refrained from firing, in order to watch the motions of the animal, making a slight noise, it became alarmed, and suddenly plunged into the water,"

The numerous rivers of Westchester county must have afforded (the Indian hunter) an abundant supply of this useful animal. Van der Donck, the Patroon of Yonkers. informs us that in 1656, beavers were found not far from his residence, and several were brought in by the Indian hunters ; also that 80.000 of these animals were annually killed o It is said that the same animal was observed in the Fall of 1S37.

45 S

HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

in this quarter of the country. " The Indians (continues the same authority) burn the beaver bones and never permit their dogs to gnaw the same ; alleging that afterwards they will ' be unlucky in the chase. Among all the beaver skins I have seen, no more than one was of a different color, and that was white, the outer-wind hairs were golden yellow. The skin was shipped on board the Princess with Director Kieft, which was lost at sea.""

The deep waters of Lake Waccabuck afford vast quantities of fish, as pickerel, large perch, eels, &c. The two former are said to have been introduced here within a few years. The favorite haunts of the pickerel are the Cove and Raven's rock.