Thus they dwelt among, the Indians,
Thus they tarried in the village.
For a moon and more they lingered
Waiting for the dread pursuers,
Sent by angry Peter Barber,
Hunting by the Central River,
Hunting up and down the meadows,
Hunting eastward towards the sunrise,
Hunting through the western woodlands,
Hunting for his wayward daughter.
18. ANSWERED THEN THE SHERIFF, SAYING, 'WE HAVE COME TO CAPTURE WHITE GIRL'
The Constable and Sheriff came
To the little Indian village
Presenting Peter Barber's claim
For his wayward daughter, Molly.
Slowly through the gloomy forests,
From the Mighty Central River,
Came the Constable and Sheriff—
Seen afar and soon reported
By the faithful scouts of Tomo-
Sent by angry Peter Barber
And the money he had promised,
If they caught his wayward daughter.
When the sun was high at midday,
Shining warmly in the valley,
In the valley of the Tunxis,
Came they to the Indian village.
Tomo met them by his wigwam,
Asked their names and all their business
In the peaceful Indian village.
Answered then the Sheriff, saying,
"We are Constable and Sheriff
From the Mighty Central River,
Sent by angry Peter Barber,
Hunting for his wayward daughter
Fleeing from her father's wigwam
With her Indian husband, Chaugham.
"We have come to capture White Girl,
Pretty White Girl, Molly Barber,
Long and golden are her tresses,
Banked in ringlets o'er her shoulders.
Fair and white the youthful maiden,
Like the lilies in the springtime.
"Chieftain Tomo, have you seen her?
With her Indian husband, Chaugham?
Is she hiding in your village?"
Slowly spoke the stately Tomo,
"This a peaceful Indian village,
And your questions shall be answered.
All we have we show you gladly,
All our people and our wigwams."