Miss Susan Valentine, when a young woman, prevented a large party from entering the house by threatening them, single handed, with a large oven shovel, solemnly protesting she would split the head of the first man that dared to cross the thresh hold. Her courage and determination alone served to protect the house from plunder. On another occasion, an intimate friend, Mr. Sneden, had entrusted her with the care of £30 in gold and silver, not daring to carry this amount about his person, as he was going a long journey into the interior.

On receiving her charge. Miss Valentine, for greater secu ity concealed it in her dress, designing to keep it there until the owner's safe return.

The same evening of Mr. Sneden's departure, a party of Skinners forced their way into her bed-room, dragged her from the bed, and demanded her money. This she either denied possessing, or refused to deliver ; whereupon, becoming violent, u.-. called to her brother. During the scuffle that followed her brother's entrance, she contrived to crawl out at the foot of the bed. hoping, in this way, to escape unobserved. In this she was disappointed ; the villains observed and again seized her. In the violent attempt made to extricate herself the second time, the

4^y , HISTORY OF THE ,,: ,

money fell on the floor, or, as she herself described it, " was fairly shook out of her." The freebooters greedily seized it, and marched off, delighted with the success of their enterprize.