received was the rifle and pistols of Bettys. The men who captured André
were patriotic enough, but their work was easy compared with that of
Cory, Fulmer and Perkins. Yet the names of these heroes are scarcely
ever mentioned, and the story of their daring exploit is not generally
known."

[Illustration: SEIZURE OF THE BETTYS.]

"Did this affair happen before that of André's?" enquired Hand. "If so,
these men only imitated the noble example of Paulding, Williams and Van
Wert."

"It did occur after the capture of André," replied Davenport. "But that
takes nothing from the danger of the attempt, or the amount of the
temptation resisted."

"That's true," replied Hand; "but the capture of André, and the favour
with which our countrymen regarded his captors, may have stimulated many
to patriotic exertions, and thereby have made such deeds so common as
not to receive special notice. I've no doubt the researches of
historians will yet bring to light many such deeds."

"How the conduct of such men as Arnold and Bettys contrasts with that of
Samuel Adams and his fellow-patriots!" remarked Warner. "When the first
resistance was made to quartering the British troops in Boston, Samuel
Adams was the leader and mouth-piece of the patriots, and the royal
rulers of Massachusetts tried every way to induce him to abandon the
cause he had espoused. In the first place, they threatened him with
severe punishment. But they couldn't scare him from his chosen course.
Then they flattered and caressed him, but it was of no effect. At last,