" To these stones they paid all outward signs of worship and devotion, not as to God, but as they are hieroglyphicks of the permanency and immutability of the Deity; because these, both for figure and substance, are, of all sublunary bodies, the least subject to decay or change.''^ This stone lies in an obscure nook on the eastern shore of the Hudson, at the foot of a steep bank whose sides are shaded with masses of wild cedar and laurel, the beautiful lake like appearance of the river giving additional interest and magical illusion to the scene. At ebb tide the huge

a These hills are situated in the town of Newcastle. b Traus. Anier. Autiq. Swc. vol. ii. 33G. e Beverly's Hist. Virorjnia.

404 HISTORY OF THE

boulder must have reminded them of a monstrous Neebanawbaig'; (or water spirit) afloat on the waves. To the superstitious Indian its peculiar position must have been a subject of deep interest. The name of this stone is sometimes applied to a brook that flows in the vicinity. The term Sigghes, which also occurs in some of the deeds, doubtless belongs to the Indian rock, situated still higlier up, west of the post road on the land of J. O. Dyckman. The two rocks or stones and rivulet here referred to, still form a portion of the northern boundary of Yonkers, running east to Bronx's river. In this town are also two Indian bunjirig grounds. The principal one lies two miles north of the village, on Blackwell's hill. Within the recollection of many persons still living, the graves were distinctly indicated by rude mounds of earth, but, alas ! the plough has long since removed these memorials of the ancient dead, and perhaps the mouldering relics themselves.