Andre.

The little town of Lancaster was an important place during the
Revolution. In 1777 the Continental Congress had held its sessions in
the old court-house there, and during the whole time of the war the town
was famous as the depot of supplies for the army. A great deal of powder
was stored in the town, and rifles, blankets, and clothing were
manufactured there in large quantities.

In the autumn of 1775 Major Andre, who had been captured while on his
way to Quebec, was brought to Lancaster for safe keeping. He was allowed
certain liberty on parole, and lived in the house of a near neighbor of
the Fultons, named Caleb Cope. Major Andre was very fond of sketching,
and spent much of his time in the fields painting pictures of the
picturesque little village. No sooner had Rob Fulton heard of the
English major's skill with colors than he hunted him up and asked for a
few lessons. Andre was a very amiable young man, and took a great liking
to the boy. He gave him many lessons in drawing, and also in the use of
colors, and young Fulton learned rapidly under his tutoring. Andre was
also in the habit of playing marbles and other games with Rob and his
young friends, and the boys found him delightful company.

At about the same time one of Robert's playmates learned a new way of
mixing and preparing colors, using mussel-shells to show them off. This
boy carried the shells covered with his new paint to school one day and
showed them to Robert. No sooner had young Fulton seen them than he
begged to be taught how they were made, and immediately started to work
mixing his own colors. The Revolution had made it very difficult to
obtain painting materials from abroad, and almost all the paints the
boys used were home-made. Fulton now began to study the making of
colors, and in a very short time was able to add to his stock.

Wherever he went the young inventor and painter was popular. In the near
neighborhood of his home there were several factories making arms and
ammunition for the war, and guards were stationed about the doors to
make sure that no trespassers entered. But "Quicksilver Bob" was allowed
to come and go as he would. Whatever he saw he studied, and the first
thing they knew the men in charge of the factories would find the boy
submitting new plans and new suggestions to them for the improvement of
guns or powder. Much to their surprise these suggestions were almost
always good ones, and he became a very welcome