The next day, the Half Moon descended the river about twenty miles
through Tappan Sea, and anchored, it is supposed, near the head of
Manhattan island. Sir Henry Hudson was apparently oppressed in some
degree with the unjustifiable harshness with which he had treated the
simple-hearted, yet friendly natives. He was continually and
increasingly apprehensive of treachery. A single canoe containing
several men approached the ship Hudson's eagle eye perceived that one
of these men was one of the captives whom he had seized, but who had
escaped from his imprisonment by plunging into the river and swimming
ashore. The sight of this man alarmed the captain, and he refused to
allow any of them to come on board.

It seems to us rather absurd to suppose that half-a-dozen savages
could think of attacking, from a birch canoe, with arrows, a European
ship with its well-armed crew. It should be borne in mind that we have
the narrative from the white man only. The Indians have had no
opportunity to tell their story.

Mr. Brodhead, in his valuable history of New York, gives the following
account of the untoward scenes which immediately ensued, compiling
from the most ancient records:

"But Hudson, perceiving their intent, would suffer none of
them to enter the vessel. Two canoes, full of warriors, then
came under the stern, and shot a flight of arrows into the
yacht. A few muskets were discharged in retaliation, and two
or three of the assailants were killed. Some hundred Indians
then assembled at the Point to attack the Half Moon, as she
drifted slowly by; but a cannon-shot killed two of them,