256 



of the pretended Captains of Friends, he dispatch- 

 ed, according to custom, a messenger with one of 

 their fingers, to the Chilians in the Spanish pro- 

 vinces, inviting them to take arms at a signal to be 

 given by kindling fires upon the tops of the highest 

 mountains. On the 9th of March, 1723, the day 

 appointed for the open declaration of hostilities, fires 

 were accordingly kindled upon the mountains of 

 Copiapo, Coquimbo, Quillota, Rancagua, Maule 

 and Iiata. Owing to the smallness of their numbers, 

 or their apprehension of the issue of the war, the 

 natives, however, made no movement. 



Vilumilla was, however, by no means discou- 

 raged on seeing his projects evaporate in smoke. 

 As coon as he had declared war he set out immedi- 

 ately at the head of his troops to attack the Spanish 

 settlements. But before commencing his march, he 

 was careful to give information to the missionaries, 

 and request them to quit the country, in order to 

 avoid being ill treated by his detached parties. The 

 capture of the fort of Tucapel was the first fruit of 

 this expedition. The garrison of Arauco, fearing 

 the same fate, abandoned the place. Having destroy- 

 ed these fortresses, he directed his march against 

 that of Puren, which he expected to possess himself 

 of without resistance. But Urrea, the commanding 

 officer, opposed him so vigorously that he was com- 

 pelled to besiege it. In a short time the garrison was 

 reduced to great extremities from hunger and thirst, 

 as the aqueduct which supplied them with water 

 had been destroyed by the enemy, and the com- 



