37 



hours in order to secure themselves froin the im- 

 pending danger. 



The Mapochinians, taking advantage of the de- 

 parture of the general, fell upon the colony with in- 

 conceivable fury, burned the half- built houses, and 

 assailed the citadel, wherein the inhabitants had ta- 

 ken refuge, upon all sides. While they defended 

 themselves valiantly, a woman, named Inez Suarez, 

 animated with a spirit more cruel than courageous, 

 seized an axe, and beat out the brains of the captive 

 chiefs, who had attempted to break their fciiers and 

 regain their liberty. 



The battle began at day break, and was continued 

 till night, while fresh assailants, with a firmness 

 worthy of a better ñite, constantly occupied the 

 places of those that were slain. In the mean time, 

 the commander of the fort, Alonzo Monroy, found 

 means during the confusion to dispatch a messen ^ 

 ger to Valdivia, vrho returned immediately, and 

 found the ditch filled with dead bodies, and the en- 

 emy, notwithstanding the loss they had sustained, 

 preparing to recommence the combat ; but, joining 

 the beseiged, he advanced in order of battle against 

 their forces, which were posted on the shore of the 

 Mapocho. There the battle was again renewed, and 

 contested with equal valour, but with great disad- 

 vantage on the part of the nati^'es, who were far in- 

 ferior to their enemies in arms and discipline. The 

 musketry and the horse made a dreadful slaughter 

 among men, who were armed only with bows and 

 slings ; but, obstinately contending with even their 

 own impotence, they furiously rushed on to destruc- 



