80 SKILFUL HORSEMEN. 
in the work of rapine and murder, and at length 
withdrew to their mountains laden with rich 
booty. 
These Araucanians, among whom such expe- 
ditions are not unfrequent, are, according to the 
accounts of officers here, a very warlike peo- 
ple, well armed with bows, arrows, and lances: 
they make their onset in great hordes, witha 
wild yell, and with such fury and rapidity that 
it is not easy even for regular troops to resist. 
If this, however, can be firmly withstood, they 
are in a few minutes defeated and put to flight. 
When pursued, they escape shots and sabre 
strokes by the dexterity with which they fling 
themselves on either side of their horses ; some- 
times even hanging under the horse’s belly 
while it is gomg at full gallop. When escape 
is impossible, they defend themselves to the 
last, preferring death to captivity. 
From Rio Janeiro I had brought a letter of 
introduction to a once rich and still prosperous 
merchant in Conception, named Mendiburu ; 
I immediately sought him out, and was received 
and entertained with the kindest hospitality. 
His house proved to. be the same which, on my 
