76 



Me to attain without great trouble, and after ft 

 long course of years. 



When an action becomes necessary, they sepa- 

 rate the cavalry into two wings, and place the 

 infantry in the centre, divided into several bat- 

 talions, the files being composed alternately of 

 pikemen and soldiers armed with clubs, in such 

 a manner that between every pike a club is al- 

 ways to be found. The Vice Toqui has the 

 command of the right wing, 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 elo- 

 quence to fight valiantly for their liberties. But 

 of this there appears little need, as the soldiers 

 manifest such ardour, that their oflficers have 

 much more difficulty in restraining their im- 

 petuosity 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 being given, 

 they advance desperately, shouting in a terrific 

 manner, and notwithstanding the slaughter made 

 among them by the cannon, endeavour to pene- 

 trate the centre of the enemy. Though they U 

 know full well that the first ranks will be ex- 

 posed to almost certain destruction, they eagerly 

 contend with each other for these posts of ho 

 nour, or to serve as leaders of the files. As soon 



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1 



