Then remain on board of the Reindeer until you arrive at Kingston Point, on the Hudson River, and commence the search from there. It will be but four days travel to Hawk’s Nest Mountains, and then you are in the country of the Cahoonshees.

The Reindeer remained at New York a few days, and then proceeded up the Hudson to Kingston Point.

This was a sandy point of land extending out in the river. South of the point were extensive mud flats through which flowed the Wallkill River, of which the Rosendale is a tributary. The head waters of the Rosendale was the north-east end of the Mamakating Valley, and about twenty-five miles from the Delaware River. About one mile north of Kingston Point, was situated a rocky island about half-a-mile long and four hundred feet wide, and about a thousand feet from the west shore of the river, which at this point is about one mile wide.

Opposite Kingston Point, on the east bank of the Hudson, was a small settlement called Becktown. In after years a man by the name of Rhine married a Beck. Then the place was called Rhinebeck, which name it still retains.

About one mile from the shore was a large stone house in which Judge Hasbrook lived.

The island above described was occupied by a man called Shell. He was far advanced in years, and lived alone on the island and held but little intercourse with the outside world. Why he lived a hermit’s life was unknown. He lived by fishing and hunting. His garden furnished him with vegetables, and drift-wood with fuel.

A few days after the Reindeer anchored, Judge Hasbrook gave a ball in honor of the officers, and the principal part of the inhabitants were invited. Walter was anxious to start on his contemplated journey, as Tom Jones and Jack Frost were to accompany him. He felt no interest in balls and parties, and would gladly have excused himself, but through the solicitation of Mrs. Davis and Cora, he consented to defer the journey until after the ball.

A large party had assembled at the Judge’s house, which included all the beaux and belles for miles around, in which all seemed to enjoy themselves except Walter. His interests were toward the setting sun and the land of the Cahoonshees. He could not be prevailed upon to take a part in the dance, but remained a silent spectator. Cora tried to rouse him to at least allow himself to be introduced to the ladies present. Failing in this, she took him by the arm and said:

Come, Walter, this will never do for a Lieutenant in the English Navy. Come and take a walk with me. Let us go to the arbor and pick some grapes.

Certainly, he replied. That will be in keeping with my thoughts, and by the moonlight they walked toward the grape arbor.