ARMS OF THE BOUTEAS. 
223 
protect him from or enable him to destroy his enemy. 
Being tolerably good marksmen, they conceal them- 
selves and fire as opportunity offers ; but as their 
enemies for the most part adopt the same mode of 
warfare, it will not create surprise that few are killed 
or wounded in their military encounters. 
There are a few troops in regular pay about the 
person of the Bajah, composing his body-guard. 
These are better appointed than the great body of 
his forces. Their accoutrements, when fully equip- 
ped for the field, are very cumbrous. The body is 
wrapped in a quantity of loose clothing, which must 
tend greatly to embarrass their movements. In ad- 
dition to the common mantle, which reaches nearly 
to the calf of the leg, a blanket is frequently thrown 
over the shoulders ; and sometimes they are encum- 
bered with a thick quilted jacket capable of resisting 
an arrow, and in many instances even the thrust of a 
spear. Their helmet is of simple construction, being 
formed of cane stained with a particular dye, and 
coiled in the shape of a flattened cone : some of these 
helmets, however, are made of cotton rope quilted 
between two pieces of cloth. On each side are small 
flaps, which at night may be turned down over the 
ears to secure them from cold ; and in front there is a 
strap, intended in like manner to protect the nose, 
which else might become frost-bitten. These hel- 
mets, though not quite proof against the stroke of a 
sword, are sufficiently so to prevent in general a fatal 
issue. Their conical shape diverts the blow from 
its intended aim ; and this effect the slippery surface 
of the cane tends greatly to aid. 
