From some point near the village alongside the Mosholu brook, a branch trail must have extended to the Riverdale district, toward the native castle of Nipnichsen (17) ,16 which was situated on the strategic position of Spuyten Duyvil hill, commanding an outlook over a wide expanse of land and water. Such a trail most probably skirted the base of the hill by the line of the old Dash's lane, which extends along the west bank of the Mosholu (pi. vin).

The lane passes an occupied place, marked by scattered oyster-shells and a large pit filled with shells, bones, and carbonized

AND MONOGRAPHS

INDIAN PATHS

material, on a projecting tongue of land just south of the intersection of the lane with the recent extension of 238th street. This trail probably made its way round the base of Spuyten Duyvil hill close to the river bank, as shown in Map V, as far as the present Spuyten Duyvil railroad station. A scattered shell-deposit covered the area now buried under the railroad yard, and indicated the site of a native station conveniently accessible across the stream from the Shorakapkok stations on Manhattan, the scene of abundant Indian life.

Above this sheltered place, on the summit of the steep hill which was afterward known as Konstabelsche hook, or Berrians neck, there was the native station of Nipnichsen, which is said to have been a stockaded position. It overlooked the junction of the creek and the river, commanding a wide view of the great estuary, as well as of the Dyckman flatlands and, all the surrounding hills. Such a defensive place was doubtless planned as a refuge in case of incursion by the overbearing Mohawk, and must have been accessible by paths or trails