252 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period III. 



similar to the order of knightlioocl. Admission to tliis 

 order was the reward given by the Aztec princes for 

 martial prowess, and entitled the recipient to wear 

 ornaments on his arms and person.^ 



The dress of the officers was magnificent. The principal 

 defence was a light tunic of quilted cotton, so thick as to 

 serve as a protection against the light missiles of Indian 

 warfare. Instead of this, and sometimes over it, the 

 wealthier chiefs wore cuirasses made of thin plates of 

 gold or silver, over which was thrown a surcoat of 

 gorgeous feather work. The helmets were of wood or 

 silver, fancifully decorated with brilliant plumes, gold 

 ornaments, and precious stones. Collars, bracelets, and 

 earrings, of the same rich materials, were also very 

 much used.^ 



The armies were divided into bodies of 8,000 men, and 

 these again into companies of three or four hundred men, 

 each under separate commanders. Each company had 

 its banner, as also had each division of 8,000, while the 

 commander-in-chief of the whole army displayed the 

 national standard, which contained, in gold embroidery 

 and feather- work, the armorial ensigns of the state.^ 



Their tactics were simple, and yet somewhat advanced. 

 They were proficient in ambuscades, surprises, and all the 

 ruses of guerrilla warfare. They advanced in battle in 

 admirable order, singing and shouting their war-cries. 

 The discipline was strict, disobedience of orders being 

 punished with death. Their weapons were slings, bows 

 and arrows, javelins, and darts.* 



Such was the military system of the populous, wealthy, 

 and warlike nation that Cortez, the Spanish cavalier, set 

 out to conquer. The force at his disposal amounted to 

 110 mariners, 553 soldiers, including thirty-two crossbow- 

 men and thirteen arquebusiers. He was also provided 

 with ten heavy guns, four falconets, a good supply of 

 ammunition, and sixteen horses, which had been trans- 

 ported with great difficulty, and at enormous expense. 

 Such was the paltry force at his disposal in setting out on 



' Prescott, Conquest of Mexico, i. 24. ^ Ibid. i. 2.^). ^ Ibid, 

 i. 25. * Ibid. i. 241. 



