But nothing in this world ever long continues tranquil.  The storm ever succeeds the calm.  In November, of the year 1613, Captain Argal, an Englishman, in a war vessel, looked in upon the little defenceless trading hamlet, at the mouth of the Hudson, and claiming the territory as belonging to England, compelled Christiaensen to avow fealty to the English crown, and to pay tribute, in token of his dependence upon that power.  Christiaensen could make no resistance.  One broadside from the British ship would lay his huts in ruins, and expose all the treasures collected there to confiscation.  He could only submit to the extortion and send a narrative of the event to the home government.

The merchants in Holland were much alarmed by these proceedings.  They presented a petition to the States-General, praying that those who discovered new territory, on the North American continent, or elsewhere, might enjoy the exclusive right of trading with the inhabitants of those regions during six consecutive voyages.

This request was granted, limiting the number of voyages however to four instead of six.  In the meantime the Dutch merchants erected and garrisoned two small forts to protect themselves from such piratic excursions as that of captain Argal.  In the year 1614 five vessels arrived at Manhattan to transport to Europe the furs which had been purchased.  Just as Captain Block was preparing to return, his ship, the Tiger, which was riding at anchor just off the southern point of Manhattan island, took fire, and was burned to the water’s edge.

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He was a very energetic man, not easily dismayed by misfortune.  The island abounded with admirable timber for ship building.  He immediately commenced the construction of another vessel.  This yacht was forty-four and a half feet long, and eleven and a half feet wide.  The natives watched the growth of the stupendous structure with astonishment.  In the most friendly manner they rendered efficient aid in drawing the heavy timber from the forest to the shipyard.  They also brought in abundant food for the supply of the strangers.

Early in the spring of 1614 the “Restless” was launched.  Immediately Captain Block entered upon an exploring tour through what is now called the East River.  He gave the whole river the name of the Hellegat, from a branch of the river Scheldt in East Flanders.  The unpropitious name still adheres to the tumultuous point of whirling eddies where the waters of the sound unite with those of the river.

Coasting along the narrow portion of the sound, he named the land upon his right, which he did not then know to be an island, Metoac or the Land of Shells.  We should rather say he accepted that name from the Indians.  On this cruise he discovered the mouths of the Housatonic and of the Connecticut.  He ascended this latter stream, which he called Fresh River, several leagues.  Indian villages were picturesquely scattered along the shores, and the birch canoes of the Indians were swiftly paddled over the mirrored waters.  All else was silence and solitude.  The gloom of the forest overshadowed the banks and the numerous water-fowl were undisturbed upon the stream.  The natives were friendly but timid.  They were overawed by the presence of the gigantic structure which had invaded their solitude.