208 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER. 



ment a covert-way and parapet ; every hollow road a pro- 

 tector or ambuscade for cavalry or infantry ; the scarped 

 summit of every hill a battery ; in short, by avoiding 

 exposure, and by every means that ingenuity can devise, 

 to make the invaders, during every step of their advance, 

 smart under a lash, and fall from blows, administered 

 by a nimble, intellectual army which they feel, which 

 they are literally dying to see, but which is skilfully 

 continuing, out of their reach, to decimate their ranks, 

 in order that when the great battle is given, the in- 

 vading army though infinitely superior when it disem- 

 barked shall be reduced to a force inferior in number to 

 that of the stern, steady, stalwart defenders of their native 

 soil. 



It is evident, however, that to carry on war on the 

 above principle, it will be necessary that cavalry, in their 

 equipment as well as drill, should undergo a complete 

 revolution, with a view to enable them in future, in addi- 

 tion to the use of their sabres, to help artillery with their 

 lassos, act as mounted infantry, in short, make them- 

 selves generally useful; for, at present, they form on a 

 field of battle so large a target, that under existing cir- 

 cumstances they would have, either out of harm's way to 

 sit on their horses all day long waiting for an opportunity 

 not likely to occur, or be destroyed by rifled guns and 

 muskets before their services could be required : in fact, 



