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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 is a spy。 When a town is surrendered to them； they take
it into their protection； and when they carry a place by storm；
they never plunder it； but put those only to the sword that
opposed the rendering of it up； and make the rest of the garrison
slaves； but for the other inhabitants； they do them no hurt； and
if any of them had advised a surrender； they give them good
rewards out of the estates of those that they condemn； and
distribute the rest among their auxiliary troops； but they
themselves take no share of the spoil。
When a war is ended； they do not oblige their friends to reimburse
their expenses； but they obtain them of the conquered； either in
money； which they keep for the next occasion； or in lands； out of
which a constant revenue is to be paid them； by many increases；
the revenue which they draw out from several countries on such
occasions； is now risen to above 700；000 ducats a year。 They send
some of their own people to receive these revenues； who have
orders to live magnificently； and like princes； by which means
they consume much of it upon the place； and either bring over the
rest to Utopia； or lend it to that nation in which it lies。 This
they most commonly do； unless some great occasion； which falls out
but very seldom； should oblige them to call for it all。 It is out
of these lands that they assign rewards to such as they encourage
to adventure on desperate attempts。 If any prince that engages in
war with them is making preparations for invading their country；
they prevent him； and make his country the seat of the war； for
they do not willingly suffer any war to break in upon their
island； and if that should happen； they would only defend
themselves by their own people； but would not call for auxiliary
troops to their assistance。
