I'd like to find out a bit more about "The Silk Merchant's Daughter", an American trad. ballad from a British broadside. I'm especially interested in the verses about the Indians. Laws' summary says, "On her way she kills one of two heathens who attempt to murder her." All of the versions I've looked at are US versions and, where the verses are included at all, say "Indians". Are they Indians in British versions? In the original broadside? When did this broadside come out? The verses don't seem to have a very strong connection to the main story line; they just give her a specific incident to tell the sea captain to show what a brave person she is. Is there a stronger link in some other versions? Is this a side-story that got popped in from some other ballad or for some other reason as sometimes happens? Is this *at all* interesting to any other mudcatters? (she asks a bit nervously).

Cheers, Judy Cook