143 



the majesty of his countenance^ although de- 

 ficient in an eye^ gave an additional lustre to the 

 inestimable endowments of his mind. Having 

 assumed the- axe, the badge of his authority, he 

 immediately appointed the officers who were to 

 command under him, among whom were all his 

 competitors, and even Lincoyan himself; but the 

 office of Vice To qui he reserved for Mariantu, 

 in whom he had the utmost confidence. The 

 violent Tucapel, who aspired to the chief com- 

 mand, did not disdain to serve under his vassal, 

 manifesting by this, that the sole motive of his 

 ambition was his wish to serve his country. 



The Araucanians, who considered themselves 

 invincible under their new Toqui, were desirous 

 of going immediately from the place of meeting 

 to attack the Spaniards ; but Caupolican, who 

 was no less politic than valiant, repressed this 

 ardour with prudent arguments, advising them 

 to provide themselves wilh good arms, in order 

 to be in readiness at the first orders. He then 

 reviewed his army, and resolved to commence 

 his operations by a stratagem, which on the day 

 of his expedition was suggested to him by acci- 

 dent : Having that morning taken a party of 

 eighty Indians, auxiliaries of the Spaniards, who 

 were conducting forage to the neighbouring post 

 of Arauco, he substituted in their place an equal 

 number of his biaVest soldiers, under the com- 

 mand of Cajuguen\i and Alcatipa}*, whom he di- 



3 



