Indian Paths in the Great Metropolis — Passage 4
[Reginald Pelham Bolton (1922)] of local conditions, influenced by the strong tides, floating ice, rough water, and the carriage of goods in bulk. In particular their use in fishing required strength enough to carry loads of shell-fish, and heavy sea-going fish such as sturgeon. They were often of great size and admirable workmanship, says Winthrop, and sometimes "so great as one will carry eight men." A canoe in which the envoys of the Dutch authorities returned from a visit to Rockaway carried eighteen natives with them to New Amsterdam, a trip which occupied from early morn to 3 p.m. to accomplish. Such heavy craft may well have discouraged travel by water, where AND MONOGRAPHS 38 INDIAN PATHS the same purpose could be accomplished afoot, even by a long detour.