



jtiti, until tbeir utt6r ruin, to k^p the Spaniardi 

 tloselj besieged, attacking them upoa every oc- 

 casion that offered, and cutting off their pro- 

 Ti<!iens in such a mtnner, that thcj y^ete com- 

 pelled to subsist upon unwholesome and loath- 

 some Tiands, and on the little grain which they 

 cduld raise beneath the cannon of the place. 

 The fertile plains ih the neighbourhood had 

 become desert and uncultivated, as the inhabit- 

 ants had destroyed their crops, and retired to 

 the mountain^. 



- A mode of life so different from what they e*- 

 pected, wearied and disgusted the soldiers, and 

 they finally resolved to kill their general, whom 

 they helieved obstinately attached to his plans, 

 and to returii to Peru, where they hoped to enjoy 

 more ease and tranquillity. This conspiracy 

 having fortunately been discovered by Valdivia, 

 he began by conciliating the least seditious, 

 which he readily effected, for he possessed great 

 prudence and address. As he had yet only the 

 title of general, he assembled the magistracy of 

 the city, and persuaded them to appoint him 

 governor. Invested with tliis imposing, though 

 less legitimate character, he punished with death 

 the authors of the conspiracy ; but perceiving 

 that this exertion of a precarious authority could 

 ot be productive of a durable effect, he pru- 

 dently applied himself to soothe these turbulent 

 spirit?, and to divert their winds from such dan- 



