Speared

I must add, that a speared horseman, who said he had been sent to kill us, demanded ransom. The soldier coming up mediated. We compromised and the man got his fee. Perhaps, having a horse and spear, he was doing a job on his own account: if not, he got double pay.

Taken any way one can, an army on paper is not a satisfactory profession. […] those who shape its destinies are so ready to direct it against matchlock monarchs and speared soldiery; […]

The curtain on the third act was about to go up when we went back, and we were very surprised, as we stood there and gawked, to see a handful of gigantic hillbillies in overalls, red kerchiefs and straw hats mixed in casually with the gypsies, booted soldiers and speared warriors who were about to stride on.