Beyond Gravesend the ancient path proceeded through New Utrecht to Nayack, and there afforded ready communication, by a short canoe trip across the Narrows, with the natives of Staten Island, and the Raritan and Navasink in eastern New Jersey.

Indian Pond (106) is a picturesque little lake which is situated near Mechawanienck, now Kings highway, upon the boundary of Gravesend and New Utrecht (pi. xxvi). This interesting natural landmark retained until quite recently its pristine character. It was the source of a brook, extending south between Avenues Q and R, at about the line of West 8th street in South Bensonhurst. The native deed of 1645 to Lady Moody and her associates mentions

INDIAN NOTES

INDIAN PATHS

THE INDIAN POND, IN THE INDIAN FIELD. ALONGSIDE MECHA- WANIENCK, THE ANCIENT PATHWAY AT THE BOUND- ARY BETWEEN GRAVESEND AND NEW UTRECHT (STATION 106, MAP VIM, C) Photograph by Adam Dove

THE CANARSEE

a "certaine pond in an old Indian field on the north side of the plantation of the said Robert Pennoyer," and thus affords us a clue to the existence of a native station with its accompanying planting field. The situation was desirable, alongside the native path, within a short walk of the shore of Gravesend bay.

The line of the ancient pathway proceeding further westward crossed the area later occupied by the village of New Utrecht (107). Its successor, the King's highway, made two sharp bends at Twentieth and at Eighteenth avenues, perhaps due to village developments or to cultivated tracts. From the turn at 20th street there extended to Gravesend beach a lane known as De Bruyn's (Brown's) lane. This was probably an Indian trail, and seems to indicate the existence of a native station preceding the establishment of the Dutch village. It extends from 81st street to the old margin of the bay, beyond Cropsey avenue, and is near the line of Twentieth avenue.