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CHAP. VII.
To know the surprizes which are contriving against you upon your march.
I Shall satisfy you willingly, as being particularly necessary to any man who is de∣sirous to give a perfect scheme of this discipline.
Whilst an Army is matching, the Generals are above all things to be vigilant that they fall not into any ambushments, which may be done two ways; one when you fall into it bluntly of your self: the other when you are drill'd and wheedled into it by the enemy be∣fore you perceive it. To prevent the first way, it is convenient to send out strong parties to discover the Country, who are to be the more diligent, by how much the Country is more apt and proper for such things, as where it is woody or mountainous; for ambuscades are commonly laid behind some hill, or under the shelter of some wood, and, as if you do not discover them in time, they are very pernicious; so, if your care be sufficient, they are as easily prevented. The birds and the dust have many times discovered the enemy; for when ever the enemy approaches in any great number, he will be sure to raise the dust, which will give you the alarm. Several Generals observing the Pigeons to rise in some place where they were to pass, (or other birds that fly together in flocks) and to hover over their heads without falling again, have thereby discovered the ambushments of the enemy, and either prevented or defeated them.
As to the second way of being drawn in by the artifices of the enemy, you must be cau∣tious of believing any thing easily, that is not reasonable to be supposed: as it would be, if an enemy should leave something for you to pillage on purpose, you must suspect there is some design at the bottom, and be careful it does not succeed. If a great number of the enemy be beaten, and pursued by a few of your men, if a few of the enemy attacks a greater party of yours, if the enemy runs unexpectedly, and without any visible occasion, in those cases you must always suspect; and never fancy your enemy so weak as not to un∣derstand his own business: on the contrary, if you would be less exposed to his stratagems, and run your self less into danger, the weaker and more careless you observe him to be, the more you are to apprehend him. In this case you are to comport your self in two different manners, you are to fear him in your own thoughts, and order your affaris accordingly; but in your words and outward behaviour you are to seem to despise him; this last way makes your Souldiers more confident of Victory, the other makes you more cautious, and less apt to be circumvented. And you must know, that to march thorow an enemies Coun∣try is more dangerous than to fight a field Battel.