68 



They are besides well acquainted with the art of 

 constructin,^ military works, and of protecting them- 

 selves with deep ditches, which they guard with 

 branches of thorn, and strew caltrops in the environs 

 to repress the incursions of the enemy's horse. In 

 short, there aré few military stratagems that they do not 

 employ at a proper time and place. The celebrated 

 Spanish poet, Ercilla, who fought against them under 

 Don Garcia, expresses his admiration at meeting 

 with troops so well disciplined, and possessing such 

 perfection in tactics, which, to use his expressions, 

 tlie most celebrated nations in the world have not 

 been able to attain without great trouble, and after a 

 long course of years. 



A'Vhen an action becomes necessary, they separate 

 the cavalry into two wings, and place the infantry hi 

 the centre, divided into several battalions, the files 

 being composed alternately of pikemen and soldiers 

 armed with clubs, in such a manner that between 

 every pike a club is always to be found. The Vice 

 Toqui has the command of the right Aving, and that 

 of the left is committed to an experienced officer. 

 The Toqui is present every where as occasion may 

 require, and exhorts his men with much eloquence 

 to fight valiantly for their liberties. But of this there 

 appears little need, as the soldiers manifest such ar- 

 dour, that their officers have much more difficulty 

 in restraining their impetuosity than in exciting 

 them to action. Fully impressed with the opinion 

 that to die in battle is the greatest honour that a man 

 can acquire in this life, on the signal for combat be- 

 ing given, they advance desperately, shouting in a 



