Pagina 129 di 266

["High and sharp," or rising to a peak, is of course somewhat

exaggerated as applied to dust. The commentators explain the

phenomenon by saying that horses and chariots, being heavier than

men, raise more dust, and also follow one another in the same

wheel-track, whereas foot-soldiers would be marching in ranks,

many abreast. According to Chang Yu, "every army on the march

must have scouts some way in advance, who on sighting dust raised

by the enemy, will gallop back and report it to the

commander-in-chief." Cf. Gen. Baden-Powell: "As you move along,

say, in a hostile country, your eyes should be looking afar for

the enemy or any signs of him: figures, dust rising, birds

getting up, glitter of arms, etc." [1] ]

When it branches out in different directions, it shows that

parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust

moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.