whose face he thought familiar,--a man who
glanced at him sharply and then passed from the
room. Later it was said to have been his own
cousin who betrayed him. Fortunately, there is
not a word of truth in the assertion.

Although Deacon Hale writes that his son was
undoubtedly betrayed by some one, it appears to
have been effectually disproved that he was betrayed
by a relative--a cousin who, it is stated, had
never seen him, and therefore could not have recognized
him. A much more probable rumor is
that he was recognized by a loyalist woman who
might easily have seen him before the American
army retreated farther north on the island, and been
impressed by his personal appearance and by his
prowess in kicking the football over the trees in
the Bowery. This feat Hale is said to have performed.

The report goes on to say that a man suddenly
entered saying that a boat was approaching, and
that Hale, supposing this boat to have been sent
for him, at once left the room and went to the shore.
If there is any truth in this narrative, it is very
possible that here Hale committed his one indiscretion.
In his joy at seeing the friends who had
been sent for him, he may have uttered words of
such joyous welcome that the officer who heard

[[81]]

p080 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p081w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p082

v?