WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 



33 



are, to the present day, engaged in a war of ex- 

 termination with the Chihno Spaniards. 



The Araacano Indian is strong-built and active, 

 with long shaggy dark hair hanging all round 

 his head, as low as his shoulders j and when at- 

 tacking an enemy, it is allowed partially to cover 

 his face : his person is on these occasions fre- 

 quently smeared over with mare's blood. His 

 legs are bare to the knees ; he wears a kind of 

 short loose drawers, made of Indian manufac- 

 ture, with a poncho of the same material ; rides 

 a horse of poor appearance, but great capacity, 

 with large spurs of iron, if he can get them, 

 secured to his bare heel with hide straps ; his 

 stirrups are only large enough to admit his great 

 toe. Under his poncho, round his waist, is a 

 large knife, often as broad as an English bill- 

 hook; a set of bolas and attached to his saddle 

 is his lasso. His spear is a long bamboo staff, 

 with a sharp iron point on its end, which, from 

 its length (twenty-five feet or more), is very flex- 

 ible, and when in use is kept constantly moving, 

 so that the eye of the adversary cannot discover 

 the intended spot of thrust. The women are often 



* Balls, about the size of a billiard ball, attached with a 

 string ; used in warfare, and for the purpose of killing game. 



D 



