276 A VQYAGE TO Boorc Vill. 



the chief, calling on bis cuftomers in his vvay, and ac- 

 quainting them that he is on his recurn home. Upon 

 this fummons, not one fails of bringing him to tije 

 chief's hut, what had been agreed on. Here they 

 take their leave of him, with all the appearance of a 

 finceie hiendihip, and the chief even orders fome 

 Indians to efcort him to the frontiers, and affift him 

 in driving the cattle he has received in exchange for 

 his goods. 



Formerly, and even till the year 1724, thefe 

 traders carried large quantiiies of wine, of which, as 

 well as of all other inebriating liquors, the Indians 

 are immoderately fond; but on account of the tu- 

 mults and wars that arofe from the inemperate ufe 

 of fpirituous liquors, this branch of trade has been 

 fupprefied, and no more wine allowed to be carried 

 into the Indian territories, than what fhall be judged 

 neceffary to give the mailers of families a cup by way 

 of compliment, and a very fmall quantity for trading. 

 The happy effeéls of this prohibition are felt on both 

 fides Í the Spaniards live in fafety, and the Indians in 

 peace and tranquility. They are very fair dealers, 

 never receding from what has been agreed on, and 

 pundual in their payments. Jc is indeed furprizing 

 that a whole people, who are almoft (hangers to 

 government, and favage in their manners, Ihould, 

 amidft the uncontroulccj gratification of the moil enor- 

 mous vices, have fo delicate a ienfe of jufticc, as to 

 obferve it in the moil irreproachable manner in their 

 dealings. 



Arl the Indians of Arauco, Tucapel, and others 

 inhabiting the more fouthern parts of the banks of the 

 river Biobio, and alfo thofe who live near the Cordil- 

 Jera, have hitherto fruftrated all attempts made for 

 reducing them under the Spanifh government. For 

 in this boundlcfs country, as it may be called, when 

 ftrongly puihed, they abandon their huts, and reti;c 

 into the more diflant parts oí the kingdom, where 



being 



