40 



has a direct communication with the sea, and 

 might easily be rendered navigable for ships of 

 the largest size. 



This city, however, contains at present ( 1787) 

 more than forty thousand inhabitants, and is 

 rapidly increasing in population, from its being 

 the seat of government, and from its great com- 

 merce supported by the luxury of the wealthy 

 inhabitants. 



Meanwhile, the natives saw with a jealous eye 

 this new establishment, and concerted measures, 

 although late, for freeing themselves of these 

 unwelcome intruders. Valdivia, having dis- 

 covered their intentions in season, confined the 

 chiefs of the conspiracy in the fortress, and sus- 

 pecting some secret intelligence between them and 

 the neighbouring Promaucians, repaired with 

 sixty horse to the river Cachapoal to watch their 

 movements. But this measure was unnecessary ; 

 that fearless people liad not the policy to think 

 of uniting with their neighbours in order to 

 secure themselves from the impending danger. 



The Mapochinians, taking advantage of the 

 departure of the general, fell upon the colony 

 with iiiconceivable fury, burned the half-built 

 houses, and assailed the citadel, wherein the in- 

 habitants had taken refuge, upon all sides. 

 While they defended themselves valiantly, a 

 woman, named Inez Suarez, animated with a 

 spirit more cruel than courageous, seized an axe. 



