Page:Columbus and other heroes of American discovery; (IA columbusotherher00bell).pdf/125

 On the 18th August, 1609, Hudson landed near the site of a town now bearing his name, where he was most hospitably entertained by an old chieftain. On the 19th he passed the site of the present Albany, and on the 22d he came to the rocky promontory close to which the modern village of Half Moon now stands, at which point he decided to retrace his steps, the river being apparently too shallow for further navigation.

THE HALF MOON AT THE MOUTH OF THE HUDSON.

The return trip down the Hudson was, alas! darkened by a terrible act of oppression on the part of the white men. An Indian, one of a crowd of visitors who had come down from the mountain to see the wonders on board the Half Moon, was carrying off a few trifling articles he had stolen, when he was detected by the mate, who at once shot him dead. A general mêlèe ensued, the natives were hotly pursued by Hudson's men, and, though only one other was then killed, the next day a party of dusky warriors bore down upon the European vessel; a fierce struggle took place, and though the Dutch were victorious, all hope of further exploration was at an end. Dif