For instance, there was what we call a review.

Infantry marched, some of them armed with swords and spears, though these I took to be an ornamental bodyguard, and others with tubes like savage blowpipes of which I could not guess the use.

There were no cannon, but carriages came by loaded with bags that had spouts to them.

Probably these were charged with poisonous gases.

There were some cavalry also, mounted on a different stamp of horse from ours, thicker set and nearer the ground, but with arched necks and fiery eyes and, I should say, very strong.