THEIR HEIGHT, FORM, AND STRENGTH. 41 



to their chiefs, at whose discretion they make war or 

 peace. In battle each one follows his own natural 

 ardour, and rushes on the ranks of the enemy with- 

 out paying attention to the course pursued by his 

 comrades. In fleetness they equal and sometimes 

 surpass horses. They mount their horses seizing 

 them by the left ear and using nothing to support 

 their feet. 



" The men salute each other with a kiss, the 

 women also salute each other in the same manner. 

 Although devoid of all polite training, they never- 

 theless treat each other with such kindness and 

 urbanity, that during six months I did not see even 

 the soldiers come once to blows ; this spirit of con- 

 cord seems to extend to the horses and the dogs, 

 Avherefore I am disposed to attribute all this to the 

 mildness of this climate. 



" They eat a great deal when food can be found ; 

 but they also fast with alacrity for two or even three 

 days. On Wednesdays they abstain from flesh 

 meats, and on Fridays from white meats and milk. 

 The knives that are used at table exceed even their 

 daggers in size. At dinner the most honourable 

 person sits in the centre, the next in dignity at his 

 right, and so on in order until the range of seats is 

 filled. All sit facing the entrance door, in order 

 that thus, they say, they may be always ready to 



