162 POLLIPELL'S ISLAND. 



surmise that no beings, unless endowed with the strength thai 

 is claimed for those aboriginal giants, could have worked such 

 a craft up the current that must have been running at the time 

 the Hudson broke its way through the Highlands. 



In conclusion, it may be said, that as for the grape vine by 

 which these primitive navigators moored the island, that must 

 have been somewhat stronger than the chain cable, which, at 

 the period of the Revolution spanned the river a few miles be- 

 low. This is, however, a region of wonders, and that Pollipell's 

 island does actually change its position is proven by the fact 

 that for the last hundred years every land surveyor who has run 

 his lines over property adjacent, on either side of the river, has 

 managed to bring it within his plot; until now there are so many 

 claimants to the rock that a yacht club, who would make it their 

 head quarters, can find no one to give a good title. The re- 

 mains of an old powder magazine in a natural hollow of the 

 rock, would indicate that either the State or the General gov- 

 ernment are the true owners of this queer, knotty, marvellous, 

 and storied little cock-boat, changeling, and hermit of an island. 



