When the savages learned that he could converse with them in their own language, and had been among their j^eople as a trader, they treated him with consideration. The son was compelled to run the gauntlet, that is, to make what speed he could between two armed files of Indians, whose blows he might esca]3e by dodging. His father warned him that the yoimg men would try to get in his way and impede him. Remembering this caution, he struck the first one who interfered so hard a blow that the Indian fell sprawling among his companions and in the confusion Anthony completed his run without injurv. About the same time Captain Jeremiah Snyder and

The Catskill Region 493

his son Elias, of Saugcrties, were taken b)' Tories and Indians whik^ ])loughing in a field. The}' atteni])ted to escape by running, ])iit were captured, and Ca])tain Snyder wounded l)y a l)low from a tomahaw4<. These captives were conducted ])y the same general route as that generally taken by marauding bands from Canada -- by way of the Delaware, Susquehanna, and Genesee rivers. They were closely guarded by day, and at night a rope, ])assed around the arms of each and securely tied behind, was stretched to l)egs on either side, an Indian sleeping upon each ro]3e. The stor}' of the captivity of these men is a romance, but too long for insertion here. The Snyders and Abeels met in Canada, and afterw^ards succeeded in making their escape together, subsequently returning to their homes. The capture of the boy Schermerhorn, known as the 'Tvow Dutch Prisoner," was attended with the horror of murder and arson. The old i;)eo|)le with whom he lived, Mr. Stro]:)e and his wife, were tomahawked, and the house rifled of all of \-alue that it contained before it was finall_\- fired.