52 



miles, and nine from north to sojitb, i% defended 

 from the sea by a pleasant island called Quiri- 

 quina ; the entrance upon the north side, which 

 is half a league broad, is the only one of suf- 

 ficient depth to admit ships of the line, the other 

 being narrow, and only navigable for small 

 vessels. The soil, under the influence of a fa- 

 Tourable climate, produces an abundance of tim- 

 ber, minerals, excellent wine, and all the other 

 necessaries of life, and the sea and rivers great 

 quantities of delicate fish. 



The adjacent tribes, perceiving the intention 

 of the Spaniards to occupy this important post, 

 gave information of it to their neighbours and 

 friends, the Araucanians, who, forseeing that it 

 would not be long before the storm would burst 

 upon their own country, resolved to succour their 

 distressed allies, in order to secure themselves. 

 But before I proceed to relate th| events of this 

 war, I have thought proper to give some account 

 of the character and manners of that warlike 

 people, who have hitherto, with incredible 

 Talour, opposed the overvvhelming torrent of 

 Spanish conquest, and from henceforward will 

 furnish all the materials of our history. 



