60 



the main body of the Indians to fly, Caupolican, though victorious 

 in his quarter, sounds a retreat when he perceives this event. 

 The Indians fly in great disorder. Rengo tor some time sustains 

 an unequal conflict, and at last retreats sullenly into a wood, where 

 lie collects several of the scattered fugitives. As Ercilla ad- 

 vances towards this spot, a Spaniard, called Remon, exhorts him 

 by name to attempt the dangerous but important exploit of 

 forcing this Indian party from the wood. His honour being 

 thus piqued, he i-ushes forward with a few followers, and, after 

 an obstinate engagement, in Avhich many of the Indians arc cut 

 to pieces, the Spaniards obtain the victory, and return to their 

 camp with several prisoners. After this great defeat of the Indian 

 army, the Spaniards, to deter their enemies from all future 

 resistance, barbai-ously resolve to execute twelve Chieftains of 

 distinction, whom they find among their captives, and to leave 

 their bodies exposed «n the trees that surrounded the field of 

 battle. The generous Ercilla, lamenting this inhuman sentence, 

 intercedes particularly for the life of one, alledging that he had 

 seen him united with the Spaniards. This person proves to be 

 Galvarino ; who, on hearing the intercession for his life, produces 

 liis mangled arms, which he had concealed in his bosom, and, 

 giving vent to his detestation of the Spaniards, insists on dying 

 with his countrymen. Ercilla persists in vain in his endeavour to 

 save him. As no executioner could be found among the Spanish 

 soldiers, a new mode of destruction, says our Poet, was invented ; 

 and every Indian was ordered to terminate his own life by a cord 

 which was given him. These brave men hastened to accomplish 

 their fate Avith as much alacritj-, continues Ercilla, as the most 

 spirited warrior marches to an attack. One alone of the twelve 

 begins to hesitate, and pray for mercy ; declaring himself the 

 lineal descendant of the iiiost ancient race, and sovereign of the 

 country. He is interrupted by the reproaches of the impetuous 

 Galvarino, and, repenting his timidity, atones for it by instant death. 

 The Spaniards advance still farther in the country, and raise a 

 fort where Valdivia had perished. Ercilla finds his old friend the 

 Magician once more, who tells him that Heaven had thought proper 

 to punish the pride of the Araucanians by their late defeat ; but that 

 the Spaniards would soon pay dearly for their present triumph. 

 After this pro])hecy he retires, and Avilh much reluctance is per- 

 suaded by Ercilla to let him follow him into his cavern, where he 

 again gratifies him with a sight of the miraculous globe, and points 



