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having been exposed to infinite fatigue^ and 

 many conflicts with the adjoining savages, 

 reached the Cordilleras just at the commence- 

 ment of winter, destitute of provisions, and but 

 ill supplied with clothing. In this season the 

 snow falls almost continually, and completely 

 covers the few paths that are passable in summer. 

 Notwithstanding, the soldiers, encouraged by 

 their general, who had no idea of the danger of 

 the passage, advanced with much toil to the top 

 of those rugged heights. But victims te the 

 severity of the weather, 150 Spaniards there 

 perished, with 10,000 Peruvians, who, being 

 accustomed to the warmth of the torrid zone, 

 were less able to endure the rigours of the frost. 



The historians who have given an account of 

 this unfortunate expedition concur in saying, 

 that of all this army not one would have escaped 

 with life, had not Almagro, resolutely pushing 

 forward with a few horse, sent them timely suc- 

 cours and provisions, which were found in 

 abundance in Copiapo. Those of the most 

 robust constitutions, who were able to resist the 

 inclemency of the season, by this unexpected 

 aid were enabled to extricate themselves from 

 the snow, and at length reached the plains of 

 that province, which is the first in Chili, where 

 through respect for the Peruvians they were 

 well received and entertained by the inhabitants. 



The Inca PauUu, who was well acquainted 



