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pressed that wants courage； he will not only act faintly； but by
his cowardice dishearten others。 But if an invasion is made on
their country they make use of such men； if they have good bodies；
though they are not brave； and either put them aboard their ships
or place them on the walls of their towns； that being so posted
they may find no opportunity of flying away； and thus either
shame； the heat of action； or the impossibility of flying； bears
down their cowardice； they often make a virtue of necessity and
behave themselves well； because nothing else is left them。 But as
they force no man to go into any foreign war against his will； so
they do not hinder those women who are willing to go along with
their husbands； on the contrary； they encourage and praise them；
and they stand often next their husbands in the front of the army。
They also place together those who are related； parents and
children； kindred； and those that are mutually allied； near one
another； that those whom nature has inspired with the greatest
zeal for assisting one another； may be the nearest and readiest to
do it； and it is matter of great reproach if husband or wife
survive one another； or if a child survives his parents； and
therefore when they come to be engaged in action they continue to
fight to the last man； if their enemies stand before them。
And as they use all prudent methods to avoid the endangering their
own men； and if it is possible let all the action and danger fall
upon the troops that they hire； so if it becomes necessary for
themselves to engage； they then charge with as much courage as
they avoided it before with prudence： nor is it a fierce charge at
first； but it increases by degrees； and as they continue in
action； they grow more obstinate and press harder upon the enemy；
insomuch that they will much sooner die than give ground； for the
certainty that their children will be well looked after when they
are dead； frees them from all that anxiety concerning them which
often masters men of great courage； and thus they are animated by
a noble and invincible resolution。 Their skill in military affairs
increases their courage； and the wise sentiments which； according
to the laws of their country； are instilled into them in their
education； give additional vigor to their minds： for as they do
not undervalue life so as prodigally to throw it away； they are
not so indecently fond of it as to preserve it by base and
unbecoming methods。 In the greatest heat of action； the bravest of
their youth； who have devoted themselves to that service； single
out the general of their enemies； set on him either openly or by
ambuscade； pursue him everywhere； and when spent and wearied out；
are relieved by others； who never give over the pursuit； either
attacking him with close weapons when they can get near him； or
with those which wound at a distance； when others get in between
them； so that unless he secures himself by flight； they seldom
fail at last to kill or to take him prisoner。
When they have obtained a victory； they kill as few as possible；
and are much more bent on taking many prisoners than on killing
those that fly before them； nor do they ever let their men so
loose in the pursuit of their enemies； as not to retain an entire
body still in order； so that if they have been forced to engage
the last of their battalions before they could gain the day； they
will rather let their enemies all escape than pursue them； when
their own army is in disorder； remembering well what has often
fallen out to themselves； that when the main body of their army
has been quite defeated and broken； when their enemies imagining
the victory obtained； have let themselves loose into an irregular
pursuit； a few of them that lay for a reserve； waiting a fit
opportunity； have fallen on them in their chase； and when
straggling in disorder and apprehensive of no danger； but counting
the day their own； have turned the whole action； and wrestling out
of their hands a victory that seemed certain and undoubted； while
the vanquished have suddenly become victorious。
It is hard to tell whether they are more dexterous in laying or
avoiding ambushes。 They sometimes seem to fly when it is far from
their thoughts； and when they intend to give ground； they do it so
that it is very hard to find out their design。 If they see they
are ill posted； or are like to be overpowered by numbers； they
then either march off in the night with great silence； or by some
stratagem delude their enemies： if they retire in the daytime；
they do it in such order； that it is no less dangerous to fall
upon them in a retreat than in a march。 They fortify their camps
with a deep and large trench； and throw up the earth that is dug
out of it for a wall； nor do they employ only their slaves in
this； but the whole army works at it； except those that are then
upon the guard； so that when so many hands are at work； a great
line and a strong fortification are finished in so short a time
that it is scarce credible。 Their armor is very strong for
defence； and yet is not so heavy as to make them uneasy in their
marches； they can even swim with it。 All that are trained up to
war practice swimming。 Both horse and foot make great use of
arrows； and are very expert。 They have no swords； but fight with a
pole…axe that is both sharp and heavy； by which they thrust or
strike down an enemy。 They are very good at finding out warlike
machines； and disguise them so well； that the enemy does not
perceive them till he feels the use of them； so that he cannot
prepare such a defence as would render them useless； the chief
consideration had in the making them is that they may be easily
carried and managed。
If they agree to a truce； they observe it so religiously that no
provocations will make them break it。 They never lay their
enemies' country waste nor burn their corn； and even in their
marches they take all possible care that neither horse nor foot
may tread it down； for they do not know but that they may have use
for it…themselves。 They hurt no man whom they find disarmed；
unless he