

234- 



THE VAQUEIROS. 



thenticity; but it is too general to be aught 

 but what is right. The offspring of white and 

 black persons leans, in most instances, more to 

 one colour than to the other, when perhaps a 

 second child, will take a contrary tinge.* These 

 remarks do not only hold good in the Sertam, 

 but are applicable to all the country which I 

 had opportunities of seeing. The Sertanejo, if 

 colour is set aside, is certainly handsome j and 

 the women, whilst young, have well-shaped 

 forms, and many of them good features ; in- 

 deed I have seen some of the white persons 

 who would be admired in any country. Their 

 constant exposure to the sun, and its great 

 power at a distance from the sea, darkens the 

 complexion more than if the same persons had 

 resided upon the coast ; but this gives them a 

 decided dark colour, which has the appearance 

 of durability, and is much preferable to a sal- 

 low sickly look, though of a lighter tint. 



The persons who reside upon and have the 

 care of the cattle estates, are called Vaqueiros, 

 which simply means cowherds. They have a 

 share of the calves and foals that are reared 

 upon the land, but of the lambs, pigs, goats, 

 &c. no account is given to the owner; and 



* A mulatto woman once said to me, " The children of 

 mulattos are like whelps, they are of all colours. Filho dc 

 mulatto, he como Jilho de cachorro, hum mhc branco, outro 

 par do e outro negro." 



