Chapter XIV 270

OLD NINETY-NINE’S CAVE

BY ELIZABETH H. GRAY

THE C. M. CLARK PUBLISHING CO. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 1909

Copyright, 1909 by The C. M. Clark Publishing Co. Boston, Massachusetts U. S. A.

All Rights Reserved

PRESS OF MURRAY AND EMERY COMPANY BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

_DEDICATED To the loving memory of my Father and in grateful recognition to my friend J. F. C., whose encouragement made this book possible._

ILLUSTRATIONS

Reuben _Frontispiece_

_Page_

Margaret 61

Into this den of venomous serpents, only the hardy dared penetrate 149

Tim Watson 170

Jack De Vere 194

Beyond the hills melting into a pinkish haze 206

Canal boats still crept sleepily on 248

Sam’s Point 255

The Rondout Creek tumbled musically over the rocks below forming many beautiful cascades 292

The laurels take on a rosier hue in the warm afterglow 308

INTRODUCTION

Tourists in the Shawangunk region are unanimous in pronouncing it one of the most beautiful spots east of the Mississippi, and in some respects unique on this continent. Mokonk and Minnewaska need no eulogy from any pen, Sam’s Point tells its own story, while the entire Rondout Valley has a charm of its own.

It has been the author’s good fortune to have access to old books and papers relating to the local tradition of “Old Ninety-Nine.” He is said to have been the last of the Delawares in the Rondout Valley, and, excepting his death, on which tradition is silent, the account given is the one generally told.

The house of Benny De Puy is still standing and the “very spring from which old Ninety-Nine drank on his way to and from his cave” yet gushes out not far from the door.

The photographs of Sam’s Point and Margaret are by V. T. Wright. That of Reuben and others used are by A. V. Turner.

The author feels indebted to “The Four Track News and Travel Magazine” for courteous permission to reprint parts of two articles by herself that were published by them.

Old Ninety-Nine’s Cave