122 



luis ever since prevailed in the rojal army of Chili.* 

 He then sent Alclcrete to Spain with a particular ac- 

 count of his conquests, and a large sum of money, 

 and commissioned him to use his utmost exertions 

 to obtain for him t'le perpetual government of the 

 conquered country, with the title of Marquis of 

 Arauco. At the same time he dispatched Francis 

 ülloa with a ship to examine the Straits of Magellan, 

 by which he hoped to open a direct communica- 

 tion with Europe, without depending upon Peru. 



CHAPTER II. 



Caiipoücan appointed Toqui ; He attacks the Forts of 

 ylrauco and of Tucapel ; The Spanish Army en- 

 tirely defeated^ and Valdivia slain. 



WHILST Valdivia was engrossed in the con- 

 templation of his extensive plans, \i'ithout suspect- 

 ing the cruel reverse that fortune was preparing for 

 him, an old Ulmen of the province of Arauco, called 

 Colocólo, animated with the love of his country, quit- 

 ted the retirement to which he had longbeforc betaken 



* Rut two of these offices at pvejent eziit ; that of the qimrter- 

 inastcr-general, who is also calUiJ the Intendant, and resides in 

 the city of Conception ; and.that of the serjeant-inajor — the latter 

 has beeiisuice divided into two, one for the cavalry, the other for 

 tlic infantry. That of commissary is only known in the city militia. 



