119 



which they stood with the general. He also dis- 

 patched Alderete, with sixty men, to form a settle- 

 ment on the shore of the great lake Lauquen^ to 

 which he gave the name of Villarica, from the great 

 quantity of gold that he found in its environs. 



In the mean time, having received fresh rein- 

 forcements, he commenced his march towards the 

 south, still kept in view by Lincoyan, who sought a 

 favourable opportunity of attacking him, which his 

 timid caution constantly prevented him from finding. 

 In this manner the Spanish commander traversed 

 with little loss the whole of Araucania from north 

 to south, but on his arrival at the river Caliacallay 

 which separates the Araucanians from the Curiches, 

 he found the latter in arms, determined to oppose 

 his passage. While he was deliberating what mea- 

 sures to pursue, a woman of the conntry, called Re- 

 cloma, either from interested motives or a real desire 

 to prevent the effusion of blood, came to him and 

 promised to persuade her countrymen to withdraw. 

 In consequence, having passed the river, she ad- 

 dressed the Cundiese general with such eloquence 

 in favour of the strangers, that, without foreseeing 

 the consequences, he permitted them to pass unmo- 

 lested. The Cunches form one of the most valiant 

 nations of Chili. They inhabit that tract of country 

 which lies upon the sea, between the river Calacaila, 

 at present called Valdivia, and the Archipelago of 

 Chiloe. They are the allies of the Araucanians, and 

 mortal enemies to the Spaniards, and are divided 

 into several tribes, which, like those in tlie other parts 

 of Chili, are governed by their respective Ulmenes. 



