The path probably ran along the easterly side of the avenue, on

INDIAN NOTES

UPPER MANHATTAN 75

the line of the old Harlem lane, which was the successor of the Indian thoroughfare. The course headed directly across the level meadowlands now covered by modern Harlem, toward the foot of Washington Heights. Along its route at or near 115th street, at Seventh avenue, the pioneer white settler fixed the location of his clearing, Vredendal, or "Quiet Vale," the home of the Montagne family. This site may have been selected on account of its proximity to the path, and reasonably convenient access to a supply of water, the nearest brook being about five hundred feet to the south, and the upper branch of Harlem creek extending on the east about an equal distance from the house-site. Riker 12 says:

"Harlem Lane, as we have reason to believe, was at first an Indian trail. Such forest paths, conveniently marked out by savage instinct, were often adopted by the white settlers as the best routes for highways. "In traveling from New Amsterdam to Spuyten Duyvil, at McGown's pass was the natural descent to the plain, the path striking its northern end, where it would as naturally fork to the left and right, for the equal convenience of the pedestrian passing through the

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UPPER MANHATTAN

80 INDIAN PATHS of Fort Washington and Fort George, to the low-lying valley of Inwood. At 195th street a brook, later known as "The Run," crossed the path from west to east, at the head of the swampy ground which extended in from Sherman creek (Map V). In the sloping ground north of the watercourse, which has been cultivated for many years as a truck garden, various objects of native handling have been turned up by the spade, but these are not sufficient to indicate its use for more than a campsite.