ORATORS OF BATTLE. 287 
to which it belonged rushed forward to sustain it; 
this brought the opposing army on, and, from a 
single combat or a skirmish, it became a general 
engagement. The conflict was carried on with the 
most savage fury, such as might be expected in 
barbarous warriors, who imagined the gods, on 
whom their destinies depended, had actually en¬ 
tered into their weapons, giving precision and force 
to their blows, direction to their missiles, and im¬ 
parting to the whole a supernatural fatality. 
The din and clamour of the deadly fray were 
greatly augmented by the efforts of the Rauti. 
These were, as the Druids among the ancient 
Britons, the orators of battle. They were usually 
men of commanding person and military prowess, 
arrayed only in a girdle of the leaves of the ti- 
plant round their waist; sometimes carrying a 
light spear in the left, but always a small bunch of 
green ti-leaves in the right hand. In this bunch 
of leaves the principal weapon, a small, sharp, 
serrated, and barbed airo fax , (bone of the sting¬ 
ray,) was concealed, which they were reported to 
use dexterously when in contact with the enemy. 
The principal object of these Rautis was, to ani¬ 
mate the troops by recounting the deeds of their 
forefathers, the fame of their tribe or island, the 
martial powers of their favouring gods, and the 
interests involved in the contest. In the discharge 
of their duties they were indefatigable, and by 
night and day went through the camp rousing the 
ardour of the warriors. On the day of battle they 
marched with the army to the onset, mingled in the 
fray, and hurried to and fro among the combatants, 
cheering them with the recital of heroic deeds, or 
stimulating them to achievements of daring and 
valour. 
