172 



to death with the most cruel tortures. The follow- 

 ing da}'-, however, that traitor being taken as a 

 spy, was suspended by his feet from a tree and suf- 

 focated with smoke. 



Don Garcia at length commenced his attack upon 

 the Araucanian encampment, by a violent cannonade 

 from all his artillery. Caupolican, instigated by his 

 soldiers, who were eager to make a vigorous sally, fell 

 with such fury upon the Spaniards, that, at the first 

 charge, they killed about forty, and continued 

 slaughtering them until, by a skilful evolution, the 

 Spanish general cut oif the retreat of the Arauca- 

 nians, and surrounded them upon all sides. Caupo- 

 lican, nevertheless, valiantly seconded by his intre- 

 pid band, for the space of six hours rendered the 

 issue of the battle doubtful, till, seeing Tucapel, 

 Colocólo, Renco, Lincoyan, Mariantu, Ongolmo, 

 and several others of his most valiant officers slain, 

 he attempted to retreat with the small remnant of 

 his army, but being overtaken by a detachment of 

 horse, he slew himself to avoid the melancholy fate 

 of his father. 



Although the events that afterwards occurred had 

 convinced Don Garcia that he had deceived himself 

 in supposing, that the spirit of the Araucanians was 

 entirely broken after the dreadful massacre at Ca- 

 ñete, he however on this occasion thought he had 

 good reason to believe the war wholly at an end. 

 The battle of Quipco appeared to him decisive 

 in every point of view ; the principal officers who 

 supported the courage of the enemy had all per- 

 ished on that fatal day ; their nation was without 



