The Soldiers Employed By These Kings Are Called _Nayres_, Who Are All Gentlemen, And Who Follow No Other Office Or Employ But That Of Fighting When Needed.

They are all idolaters, armed with bows, arrows, spears, daggers of a hooked form, and targets, and they march

In a very regular and warlike manner; but they go entirely naked and barefooted, wearing only a piece of painted cotton cloth, which reaches from the girdle to the knees, and a cloth or kerchief on their heads. All these men live continually at the charge of the king and nobles of the country, from whom they have small stipends for their maintenance; and they esteem themselves so highly on account of their gentility of blood, that they will not touch an husbandman, nor allow any such to enter into their dwellings. When any husbandman goes through the streets they must continually call out aloud _hoo hoo_; for if commanded by a nayre to make way, they may be slain if they refuse. The king cannot raise any one to the rank of a _nayre_, who are all such by descent. These _nayres_ serve very faithfully under those who give them their wages, not sparing by day or night to use their best endeavours to serve their chiefs, nor making any account of want of food or sleep, or of fatigue, when their service is required or may be effectual. Their expences are so small, that on half-a-crown, which is their only monthly pay, they can sufficiently maintain themselves and a boy, whom each has as a servant.

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