27 



tlie few paths that are passable in summer. Not- 

 Avithstanding, the soldiers, encouraged by their gen- 

 eral, who had no idea of the danger of the passage, 

 advanced with much toil to the top of those rugged 

 heights. But, victims to the severity of the weather, 

 150 Spaniards there perished, with 10,000 Peru- 

 vians, who, being accustomed to the warmth of the 

 torrid zone, were less able to endure the rigours of 

 the frost. 



The historians who have given an account of this 

 unfortunate expedition concur in saying, that of all 

 this army not one would have escaped with life, had 

 not Almagro, resolutely pushing forward with a few 

 horse, sent them timely succours and provisions, 

 which were found in abundance in Copiapo. Those 

 of the most robust constitutions, v/ho were able 

 to resist the inclemency of the season, by this un- 

 expected aid were enabled to exti'icate themselves 

 from the snow, and at length reached the plains of 

 that province, which is the first in Chili, where 

 through respect for the Peruvians they were well 

 received and entertained by the inhabitants. 



The Inca Paullu, who was well acquainted with 

 the object of the expedition, thought that nothing 

 would contribute more to raise the spirits of his de- 

 jected friends, than by letting them know the im- 

 portance of their conquest. With this intent, he 

 obliged the peasants to deliver up to him all the gold 

 in their possession, and having by this means collect- 

 ed 500,000 ducats, he presented them to Almagro. 

 The Spaniard was so highly pleased, that he distri- 

 buted the whole among his soldiers, to whom he also 



