204 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period III. 



'^' i. 



of kiiightlio(3d, in which the neophyte watched his arms 

 in the temple for fifty or sixty days, then listened to a 

 grave discourse on his new duties, when his arms were 

 restored to him. In the actions with these people the 

 small force of horsemen mainly contributed to the 

 Spanish success, the firearms and cannon also having a 

 very important influence. The Tlascalans in the action 

 which took place on the 5th September, 1519, were in 

 great strength, their army being drawn up in five 

 battalions of 10,000 men each. 



The common soldiers in their ranks were almost naked. 

 They were armed with bows and arrows, slings and 

 iavelins. They could discharge two or three arrows at 

 a time with good aim. The most dangerous weapon was 

 a javelin, with a thong to withdraw it after throwing it.' 



The chief warriors wore the quilted cotton mail, which 

 was adopted by the Spaniards. It was about two inches 

 thick, and was a tolerable defence against light missiles. 

 Over this it was that the wealthier officers wore the 

 cuirasses of gold and silver. The discipline, the bravery, 

 and the steadiness of Cortez's little band, aided as it was 

 by firearms, horsemen, and artillery, gained the victory 

 after most desperate fighting. 



It would take up too much space to follow further the 

 operations of Cortez, and those of Pizarro afterwards in 

 South America. We have simply referred to the war as 

 an important episode in the history of the cavalry service, 

 and having described the arms, armour, and organisation 

 of the Indians of that day, may conclude by saying 

 that the horsemen, from the commencement to the end 

 of the struggle, formed the most valuable portion of the 



invading armies. 



Prescott, i, 241. 



