Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/434



404 TO THE TEBICUARY RIVER.

of the Tebicuary stood outposts and videttes, the comercio or camp bazar, and the host of women without which apparently the Brazilian camp cannot move. The glorious sun flashed through the clear morning air, gilding helmet and lance- headj bayonet and sabre, and the young day smiled upon the pomp and circumstance of war. Superior oflicers, each followed by his staff, moved slowly across the green plain, whilst adjutants and orderlies dashed about in all directions. With bands playing and colours flying, infantry in heavy marching order debouched upon the bank, marching in the loose, lithe French style, which looks so soldier-like after the heavy tread and stiff progress of our Islandry. After the signal of boot and saddle, cavalry corps came up at the trot, their round-backed horses neighing with excitement ;

" While trumpets sound their loudest point of tone."

There was a rumble of field-guns and a loud hum of men, and the absence of shout and clamour showed that military discipline had done its best. The sailors of the squadron, neatly clad in Glengarrys, with overalls and shirts of light- blue serge, not without the normal white flap or faliing collar, worked their hardest. Four thousand cutlasses are not to be despised in such guerilla warfare, and it is surprising that the Brazilian authorities refused to adopt the naval brigades which amongst us did such good service in India and elsewhere. The spectacle was pleasing in the extreme, and all the men appeared to enjoy the best health, and spirits in proportion.

As the Vale of Doon was about to turn her head down stream, a passenger came hurriedly up to me, and asked if I would land to see a ^' barbaridade.^^ Captain Smith, how- ever, was behind his time, and he could not afford us another minute. Close to the River Pass, according to report, were six corpses laid out straight^ with their feet towards the enemy.