144 



cavaln- alone were able to save tliemselves from 

 slau irhter. 



Young Villagran, receiving new reinforcements, 

 returned three times to the attack of Lautaro *s camp, 

 but being constantly repulsed with loss, he encamp- 

 ed his annv in a low meadow, on the shore of the 

 Mataquito. The Araucanian general, who occu- 

 pied a neighbouring mountain, formed the plan of 

 inundating at night the Spanish encampment, by 

 turning upon them a branch of the river. But this 

 bold desiârn, which would have insured the destruc- 

 tion of the Spaniards, failed of success, as Villagran, 

 being informed of it by a spy, retired a short time 

 before it was carried into execution with his anny to 

 Santiago. 



The elder Villagran having recovered his health, 

 and strongly solicited by the citizens, who every 

 moment expected to sec the Araucanians at their 

 gates, at length, in 1556, began his march with 196 

 Spaniards and 1000 auxiliaries in search of Lautaro. 

 But too well remembering the defeat of Maiiguenu, 

 he resolved to attack him by surprise. With this 

 intent he quitted the great road, secretly direct- 

 ed his march by the seashore, and, under the gui- 

 dance of a spy, by a private path came at day break 

 upon the Araucanian encampment. 



Lautaro, who at that moment had retired to rest, 

 after having been upon guard, as was his custom 

 during the night, leaped from his bed at the first 

 alarm of the sentinels, and ran to the intrenchments 

 to observe the enemy. At the same time a dart, 

 hurled by one of the Indian auxiliaries, pierced his 



