And when Sheriff Drew at last forced the confession From Evans, the uncle, a fiend among men, That he had done wrong, and great was his transgression, That search was abandoned; but not until then! Abandoned! but 'twas for the sake of another, To be in the night,—in the darkness intense; For one that would bring a dead child to its mother, But for a lost idol make small recompense.
With lantern in hand, went the Sheriff with Evans; The wind in the forest did dismally moan; No bright moon or star could be seen in the heavens; Around all was darkness,—and darkness alone, Save the small light by the lantern was given; And on went the Sheriff, his eye on the wretch, Who, if caught by a crowd could no prayer-time be having; His form from the nearest stout tree-branch would stretch!