CHARACTER OF INDIAN DEFENCES. 



91 



terrge infigunt, circa oppidi ingressum circulum nonnihil contrahendo cochleae in 

 morem, ut aditum angustiorem reddant, nee plures quam binos conjunctim admit- 

 tentem, torrentis etiam aiveo ad liunc aditum ducto ; ad hujus aditus caput solet 

 aedicula rotunda extrui, altera item ad ejus sinum, singulse rimis et foraminibus 

 plenae, et eleganter pro regionis ratione constructse. In his constituuntur vigiles 

 viri -ilh, qui hostiuni vestigia e longinquo odorantur ; nam simul atque aUquorum 

 vestigia naribus perceperunt, adversus contendunt, et iis deprehensis clamorem 

 attollunt, quo exaudito incote statim ad oppidi tutelam convolant ; arcubus sagit- 

 tis, et clavis armati. Oppidi meditullium occupant, Regis a;des nonnihil sub terram 

 depressfe ob solis cestum ; has cingunt, nobiliorum aides, omnes palmse ramis 

 leviter tectte, quia novem mensibus dumtaxat iis utuntun, tribus aliis mensibus, 

 ut diximus, in sylvis degentes. Unde reduces, domos repetunt ; sin eas ab hostibus 

 incendio absumptas reperiunt, novas simili materia exstruunt, adeo magnifica sunt 

 Indorum palatia." 



" The Indians build their towns in this vrise. Having made choice of a spot 

 near a running stream, they level it off as even as they can. They next draw a 

 furrow of the size of the intended town in the form of a circle, in which they 

 plant large round stakes, twice the height of a man, and set closely together. At 

 the place where the entrance is to be, the circle is somewhat drawn in, after the 

 fashion of a snail-shell, making the opening so narrow as not to admit more than 

 two at a time. The bed of the stream is also turned into this entrance. At the 

 head of the entrance, a small round building is usually erected ; within the passage 

 is placed another. Each of them is pierced with slits and holes for observation, 

 and is handsomely finished off after the manner of the country. In these guard- 

 houses are placed those sentinels who can scent the trail of enemies at a great 

 distance. As soon as their sense of smelling tells them that some are near, they 

 hasten out, and, having found them, raise an alarm. The inhabitants on hearing 



