608 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER. 



high. Nothing can exceed the boldness ofthe scenery, as viewed from 

 this elevated spot ; below, the steep sides of the neck are bordered with 

 beautiful woodland that skirts the shores of the majestic Hudson ; while 

 beyond, the palisades are seen abruptly rising in all their grandeur from 

 the opposite margin of the river. South-east are the distant heights 

 of Fordham and Westchester, and north, the Hudson reaching into the 

 Tappaan Zee. 



The remains of " Indian shell beds" are still visible immediately in 

 the rear of the fort. Foot paths leads through the woods that skirt the 

 river to the extreme point of the neck. The Berrian residence, a fine 

 structure of stone, now occupied by Mr. Tucker, is situated on rising 

 ground near the extreme point ; its beautiful situation claims notice. 

 The Hudson here expands its waters; and, united with those of the 

 Haarlem river at the mouth of the Spuyten Duyvel, gives a beautiful lake- 

 like appearance to the whole ; the winding creek, the heights of Ford- 

 ham and wooded hills of New York island, serve to unite and blend a 

 landscape which might have inspired the pen of a Thompson or the 

 pencil of a Claude. The old Tippett mansion is located on the eas- 

 tern side of this neck, embosomed in the bank and shaded with tall pop- 

 lars. It possesses a desolate and antiquated appearance, in perfect 

 keeping with the strange stories that are told of its still being haunted 

 by the ghosts of the old tories. Deer are said to have frequented the 

 woods bordering on this neck as late as 1782. 



The mouth of the Spuyt den duyvel kil and Berrian's neck will ever 

 be memorable as the scene of the fight between Hendrick Hudson and 

 the Indians, A. D. 1609. 



At day-break on the 2 2d of October, the Halve Maen (Crescent) 

 sailed from Teller's Point on her passage down the river, with a fair 

 wind, twenty-one miles, till the tides set too strong against her, when she 

 came to anchor near the upper end of Manhattan Island. " The two 

 captive Indians who had escaped at West Point had, it appears, made 

 their way on the east side of the river, rousing on their return the spirits 

 of Sleepy Hollow," or the more ferocious Manhatta, b and here ' in the ' 

 inlet of Haarlem river, they had concentrated a force that impatiently 

 awaited the arrival of the rich booty, which they flattered themselves 

 they should obtain.' 



"They had not waited long ere the Halve Maen appeared, and im- 

 mediately hove to, near their place of ambush. One of the Indians who 



a ( if the Mahtcanni nation, wno lived, says Moulton, a little north-west of White-Plains.— 

 Irving'* Sketch Book, 



b Who probably extended to Tappan Bay.— Moulton. 



