he never was a patriot, that I wanted to tell you of another man's
treason, not to excuse Arnold, but to show you that he wasn't alone in
preferring the British side of the question, and that there were bolder
patriots than Paulding, Williams, and Van Wert, the captors of André.

"We know there were plenty of traitors and patriots in the country
without a showing," said Kinnison, "but go on with your narrative."

"But this will prove that all censure should not be heaped upon Arnold's
head, nor all the praise on the militia-men of Tarry-town," observed
Davenport.




THE TREASON OF BETTYS.


"When the Revolutionary War broke out," said Davenport, beginning his
narrative, "there was a man named Joseph Bettys, who lived in Ballston,
New York, remarkable for his courage, strength and intelligence. Colonel
Ball of the Continental forces saw that Bettys might be of great service
to our cause, and succeeded in enlisting him as a serjeant. But he was
soon afterwards reduced to the ranks, on account of his insolence to an
officer, who, he said, had abused him without cause. Colonel Ball was
not acquainted with the facts of the affair, but being unwilling to lose
so active and courageous a man, he procured him the rank of a serjeant
in the fleet commanded by General Arnold, on Lake Champlain. Bettys was
as skilful a seaman as could be found in the service, and during the
desperate fight between the fleets which occurred in the latter part of