

VALENTOENS. 



399 



lation of these stories ; it was at all times harsh ; 

 but now there was imparted to it a consider- 

 able degree of unpleasant wildness. When I 

 expressed my doubts of the efficacy of the beads 

 against a musket-ball well-directed, his anger 

 rose, but there was pity mingled with it, for 

 one who had not seen those times of wonder. 

 He seemed to be glad that they were over, and 

 that all was now quiet ; but yet he cherished a 

 sort of regard for men whose lives had been 

 passed in deeds of danger ; for notwithstanding 

 the charms, such he considered them to be, 

 the death of these men was generally violent, 

 owing, as Vicente said, to some unfortunate re- 

 moval of the beads from the person of him 

 whose destined hour was arrived. It was not, 

 however, from this person alone that I heard 

 accounts of the Valentoens. * 



* A man of large property being much provoked at some 

 outrage which had been committed by one of these Valen- 

 toens, (who was a white man,) had said at his own home, that 

 when he met the man he would horsewhip him. This was 

 repeated to the outlaw, and shortly afterwards they met 

 accidentally in one of the narrow-paths in the neighbour- 

 hood. The Valentam was well-armed with musket, sword, 

 and knife ; he requested the gentleman to stop, as he had 

 something to say to him. The outlaw asked him for a pinch 

 of snuff, and then offered his own box, from which a pinch 

 was in like manner taken. He then mentioned the injurious 

 words which had been repeated to him. The unfortunate 

 offender directly imagined what would follow, and therefore 

 set spurs to his horse, but the road was without any bend for 



