The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-02-17

conversation for an hour or more, and
evidently one of the men had been try
ing to persuade the other to enter in
to some project he was proposing. He
had been speaking earnestly but in
such low tones that none of the few
stragglers that entered the room could
hear what he was saying but his COM
panion was plainly interest, and while
he said little, he was listening atten-
lively to the words of his friend.
And we'll he might, for the talker
was none other than Joe Bettys, whose
nameAyas known and feared through
out that region At the breaking out
OF the Revolution he had been an ar
dent Wing: but he was captured by
the British in Arnold's struggle on
Lake Champlain. and from that day he
was a changed man; for while he was
q captive in Canada he had listened to
the words of his captors, aud accepted
the position OF ensign under the royal
standard. Hatred and malice seemed
to rule him after that, and he was
ever active in plots against his former
friends. He became notorious as a spy,
and not long before this very time
had been captured and sentenced
to be hanged. Indeed he al
ready had been led upon the gallows,
and was about to have the moose placed
about his neck when Washington,
overcome by the tears and pleadings
of his mother, had released and par
doned the traitor on the one condition
that he would reform. Joe Bettys
had promised readily enough, but had
gone directly from Washington's camp
to that of the enemy, and instead OF
any feeling of gratitude, had re
doubled his energy and evil deeds.
Murders, plundering and burning the
homes of the Wings had followed and
of late he had been unusually active
in kidnapping isolated colonials, anG
sending them to Canada for exchange.
He had no forebodings of his fate
then but when, year later, he agair
was captured and executed at Albany
all the region breathed sigh of re
lief.
His companion at this time wa,
John Waltermeyer, as bold Tory anG
bitter partisan as he; but as he wal
lacking in some of the bolder qualities
of Bettys, he was better in executing
the plans of others, than in devisine
them himself. And Bettys had met
him by appointment, and had been ex.
planning to him the details of his pro
posal. ,&
The spy was disguised, but none the
less he was watchful and nervous, and
his suspicious had been aroused by the
entrance of stranger who, while he
gave no signs of his being aware oi
the presence of others in the room,
nevertheless had impressed Bettys that
his quick glance and keen eyes were
not unmindful of passing events.
81 know him." said Waltermeyer
"He's one of the strongest loyRlists il
Albany. You need have no fears ol
him."
81 don't Just like his looks though,
replied Bettys. "Come out into the
yard;" and the two men arose and
left the house.
''Now mind" continued Bettys,
when he and his friends were once
outside. I'm see that you have 6
gang of just the right sort. Some o.
the Tories will be glad to go in, and
I'll have some Canadians and Indians
along too. 1t won't do to trust toe
much to the locals, for they may bt
weak kneed at the last
Gan right" replied WaltermeYer
who had decided to do as the spy
directed. "You have them at the
meeting of the roads, about five milel
out of the town tomorrow evening
and I'll be there.
"I'll not fail" replied Bettys
"Good luck to you and good-bY," ht
added, as he stood tor a moment, and
watched his friend as he mounted hi
horse, and soon disappeared in the
darkness. Then the spy himself started
northward, just as the stranger he haC
suspected appeared in the doorway o.
the tavern.
"a bold plan but it ought not Il
work. In fact, much as l dislike TO-
l think I'll have to take a hand in Il
myself A mans friends sometimes
may be higher than King George him
self, murmured the stranger to him
self.
And what was the "bold plan" L
which he had referred9 Nothing lesl