94 
MOONLIGHT SCENERY. 
such an extent, the nearest heights are often covered with their 
flocks. The aspect of the people, whom we saw tending these 
herds, showed in their countenances at least, marks of such 
milder pursuits. They looked well fed, and peaceable. But 
the old insignia of assassination still hung at their girdle ; and a 
gun was slung across their shoulders. We met others of the 
same establishments fording the river to gain the main road, 
whose garbs were yet more of the ancient warlike costume. 
They bore, besides the arms just mentioned, swords, somewhat 
curved ; and close to the hilt of each was fastened a small round 
shield, covered with leather, and studded curiously with nails. 
In dimensions, it is less than the rondel of the days of our Eli¬ 
zabeth, and exactly resembles that which the English bowmen 
wore in the time of Henry the Fifth. These mountaineers, I 
am told, are very expert in its management when using the dag¬ 
ger. They are tribes of the Mahometan and Pagan Ossi. 
We followed the course of the Aragua, the whole day; halting 
for a short time at another fortified post called Passanour, where 
we changed our horses and escort. 
