10 



inhabited the delightful country lying between the 

 rivers Rape! and Maule, and were distinguished 

 from all the other tribes by their fondness for every 

 species of amusement. The love of pleasure had 

 not, hoMcver, rendered them effeminate : they op- 

 posed the Peruvian army with the most heroic va- 

 lour, and entirely defeated it in a battle, which, ac- 

 cording to Garcilasso the historian, was continued 

 for three days in succession, iu consequence of the 

 continued reinforcements of both parties. 



Tiie Inca, on learning the ill success of his arms, 

 and the invincible valour of the Promaucians, gave 

 orders, that in future the river Rapel should serve as 

 the boundary of his dominion on that side. Garci- 

 lasso says, that it was the river Maule, but it is by 

 no means probable, that the conquerors should be 

 comprehended within the territories of the vanquish- 

 ed. In fact, not fir from the river Cuchapoal, which, 

 together with the Tinguiririca, forms the Rapel, are 

 still to be seen upon a steep hill, the remains of a 

 fort of Peruvian construction, Avhich was undoubt- 

 edly built to protect that part of the frontier against 

 the attacks of the unconquered Promaucians. 



Thus Chili became divided into two parts, the 

 one free, and the other subject to foreign domi- 

 nation. The tribes, ^\•ho had so readily submit- 

 ted to the Peruvians, were subjected to an annual 

 tribute in gold, an imposition which they had never 

 before experienced. But the conquerors, whether 

 they dared not hazard the attempt, or were not able 

 to eflect it, never introduced their form of govern- 



