Neither Whalley nor Goffe had been seen since the day that Robert Stevens assisted the latter to make his escape.
The Indians, whose cupidity had been aroused by English gold, had searched the forest far and near for the regicides.

Their knowledge of the forest and cunning in following a trail had two or three times brought them face to face with Cromwell's stern old battle-trained warriors.

Then they had learned to their cost that they had roused a pair of lions in their lairs; but the regicides finally disappeared.
They had last been seen near Hadley, and it was currently reported they were dead.
Rumors of an Indian outbreak were rife; still the good people of Hadley were living in comparative security.

It was a quiet sabbath morn, and the drowsy hum of the bees made music on the air.

The great meeting-house stood with its doors thrown wide open inviting worshippers.