33 



but sooh recovering from the effects of surprise^ 

 they opposed with intrepidity their new enemies 

 tipon the shore of the Rio-claro. Almagro, 

 despising their force, placed in the first line his 

 Peruvian auxiliaries, increased by a number 

 whom Paullu had drawn from the garrisons; 

 but these, being soon routed, fell back in con- 

 fusion upon the rear. The Spaniards, who ex- 

 pected to have been merely spectators of th^ 

 battle, saw themselves compelled to sustain the 

 vigorous attack of the enemy, and advancing 

 with their horse, began a furious battle, which 

 continued with great loss upon either sidc^ till 

 night separated the combatants. 



Although the Promaucians had been very 

 roughly handled, they lost not their courage, 

 but encamped in sight of the enemy, determined 

 to renew the attack the next morning. The 

 Spaniards, however, though by the custom of 

 Europe they considered themselves as victors, 

 having kept possession of the field, were very, 

 differently inclined. Having been accustomed 

 to subdue immense provinces with little or no 

 resistance, they became disgusted with an enter- 

 prise, which could not be effected without 

 great fatigue and the loss of much blood, since> 

 in its prosecution they must contend with a bold 

 and independent qation, by M'hom they were 

 not* believed to be immortal. Thus all, by 



VOL. li. t) . 



