67 



but on coming to action they immediately dismount, 

 and form themselves into their respective compa- ' 

 nies. Each soldier is obliged to bring from home 

 not only his arms but his supply of provisions, ac- 

 cording to the custom of the Romans. As ail are 

 liable to military service, so no one in particular is 

 obliged to contribute to the support of the army. 

 The provision consists in a small sack of parched 

 meal for each, which, diluted with water, furnishes 

 sufficient food for them until they are enabled to live 

 at free quarters upon the enemy. By adopting 

 this mode, the troops, being free and unincumbered 

 with baggage, move with greater celerity, and never 

 lose an opportunity of attacking the enemy with ad- 

 vantage, or of making, when necessary, a rapid re- 

 treat. Frederick the Great of Prussia, and the cele- 

 brated Marshal Saxe, attempted to restore this an- 

 cient method of provisioning armies, but the Euro- 

 pean soldiery, so accustomed to a différent mode of 

 living, were not willing to return to that state of 

 primitive simplicity. 



The Araucanian troops are extremely vigilant ; 

 they adopt at night the most prudent measures, by 

 encamping in secure and advantageous positions. 

 On these occasions centinels are placed upon all 

 sides, and in presence of the enemy they re- 

 double their precautions, and strengthen the posts 

 they occupy with strong entrenchments. Every 

 soldier during night is obliged, in order to prove his 

 vigilance, to keep upa fire before his tent : the great 

 number of these fires serve to deceive the enemy, 

 and have at a distance a very singular appearance. 



