INHABITANTS OP PERU. 



287 



communication, one at the side of the steep ascent, and the 

 other next the level ground. The whole represents a half 

 moon, with the convex part turned towards the forest. In 

 this way, while they are assailed at one of the doors, and 

 while a part of them repress the enemy's impetuosity, the rest 

 gain the forest by the other outlet, and, having divided them- 

 selves into two wings, maintain advantageously the defence of 

 the place. With the same view, deep excavations are made 

 in the centre of the half moon, and, in other parts, brambles 

 and stones are heaped together, and covered over with earth 

 and palm-leaves, to the end that, by entangling the feet of the 

 incautious in their progress, they may be prevented from ad- 

 vancing with promptitude. At a certain distance, drums 

 made of hollow trunks are suspended from the trees : being 

 slightly secured in the ground, the passage of the enemy dis- 

 engages the cord, and the noise they make in their fall gives 

 notice of the danger. As all these Indians are, however, of 

 the same stamp, they are acquainted with and deride these 

 stratagems. 



As soon as the invaders imagine themselves near to the po- 

 pulations they mean to assault, they halt, and dispose them- 

 selves in a column. The general now harangues them a se- 

 cond time, and inflames their courage. They then proceed 

 to adjust carefully the llautos, or plumes, as well as the collars, 

 and bracelets, preparing their weapons, and rushing impetu- 

 ously on each other, with a view to render themselves formi- 

 dable. After these preliminaries, they send out their scouts to 

 reconnoitre the ground and the trees, and to ascertain the 

 path by w^hich they may proceed with security. Having 

 found it, they advance with the utmost silence, towards the 



dwellings, 



