66 



nians on first seeing negroes with the Spaniards, 

 imagined that they prepared from them the powder 

 which they used. Soon after, having taken one of 

 those unfortunate men, they first covered him with 

 stripes from head to foot, and afterwards burned him 

 to a coal, in order, by reducing it to powder, to ob- 

 tain the so much wished for secret, but were soon 

 convinced of the faUacy of their chymical principles. 

 In their various encounters with the Spaniards, they 

 occasionally took from them powder and muskets, 

 which in the subsequent battles they employed 

 with as much skill as if they had been fora longtime 

 accustomed to them, but as soon as the powder was 

 expended they resumed their former arms. 



The Dutch when they took the city of Valdivia 

 attempted to form an alliance with them, and promis- 

 ed to supply them with powder and cannon, but, as 

 they distrusted all the Europeans, they would not 

 listen to their proposal. 



Before setting out on his expedition, the general 

 assigns three days for consultation, in order to consi- 

 der anew the plans of the campaign and to adppt the 

 best expedients. Upon this occasion, every one has 

 the liberty of oflcring his opinion, if he deems it 

 conducive to the public welfare. In the mean time 

 the general consults in secret with the officers of his 

 staff, upon the plans that he has formed, and the 

 means of remedying sinister events. 



After this, the army commences its march to the 

 sound of drums, l;)eing always preceded by several 

 advanced parties, in order to avoid a surprise. The 

 infantry, as well as cavalry, proceed on horseback. 



