222 
VOYAGE TO THE 
should be, and the company assembled in a fair plain, a little 
above Talcahuana. The marines landed about ten o’clock, 
and shortly afterwards Venancio and Peneleo, at the head 
of about two hundred men, arrived. They were as usual 
mounted, and advanced irregularly with a shrill war-hoop, 
brandishing their long lances: short drawers of skin or 
cloth and iron spurs, formed the whole dress of the greater 
number, their ponchos being laid over their saddles. Their 
hair, which is black and coarse, covered their heads in wild 
masses ; their necks are thick and short, and their shoulders 
high; so that they appear taller than they really are, and 
have altogether a fierce and savage appearance. Their 
horses were as ragged looking as themselves, but equally 
hardy and sure-footed. Many of the riders were armed with 
swords, and all had their native weapons, the long Indian 
lances. 
At the command of Venancio they went through their 
exercise. On a given signal they galloped off at once, bran¬ 
dishing their spears, and uttering the most discordant cries ; 
then stopped suddenly and drew up in a body, round which 
the chiefs galloped repeatedly; then they dismounted, and 
advanced as if to charge on foot, beating time with their 
lances, and working themselves up by shouts and bowlings 
* Very coarse cloth, woven of the fine hemp of the country. 
