But being a freemason, he made himself
known to the British officer commanding the party, who was also a
mason, and lie Avas released and taken to Tieonderoga, where ho
was set to' work with a team.
At the same time James Bextley senior, who had settled in
Middlebury, and his daughter wore at the house of Blodgett, and
to escape from the Indians, he crawled into a hollow log, and the
women threw brush over the entrance and so effectually concealed
him, that he escaped.
Tlie following account of the capture of Eldai* Andrews, taken
in 1777, at the same time as Samuel Blodgett. was furnished by
Mr. RuFUS Mkad, who obtained it from tliose Avho received it di-
rectly from Mr. Andrews :
Eld AD Andrew.^, one of the first three settlers in Cornwall, Avas
taken by Indians, and carriedacross the lake. The savages came to
his house, Avhile he Avas in the field at Avork ; finding Mrs. A. en-
gaged in making cheese they devoured the curd and everything eat-
able in the house, without committing any personal violence. LeaA'-
inf the house, they captured Mr. A. and took him to Ticonderoga.
He Avas at length released and an Indian deputed to row him across
the lake. Mr. A. had not gone far before he discovered the Indian
on his trail, and the conclusion was that the Indian coveted his scalp.
He made no sign hoAVCA'cr, but armed himself with a heavy club.
As twilight came on, he passed a deep ravine, in going into which
he passed over a large fallen tree, and laid down behind it concealed.
His pursuer Avas soon standing over him