152 



place they ought to free their country frora the 

 foreign establishments that were still remaining. 

 But Tucapel^ followed by the most daring of the 

 officers, maintained, that in the present circum- 

 stances they ought to attack the Spaniards ina- 

 mediately while in a state of consternation, in 

 the very centre of their colonies, in the city of 

 Santiago itself, and pursue them if it were pos- 

 sible to Spain. Caupolican applauded the senti- 

 ments of Tucapel, but adhered to the counsel of 

 the elder chiefs, recommending it as the most 

 secure and most beneficial for the country. 



Whilst they were deliberating upon these im- 

 portant objects, Lincoyan, who was traversing 

 the country with a detachment of troops, fell in 

 with and attacked a party of fourteen Spaniards 

 coming from Imperial to the assistance of Val- 

 divia, of whose fate they were uninformed. 

 These, in making head against the enemy, whom 

 they soon expected to put to flight, regretted 

 that their number was not reduced to twelve, in 

 order to be able to style themselves, according to 

 the chivalrous idea of the age, " the twelve of 

 fame." But their wishes were soon more than 

 fulfilled, for at the first encounter but seven of 

 their company were left, who, taking advantage 

 of the swiftness of their horses, escaped, severely 

 'Vi^ounded, to the fortress of Puren. 



Having brought with them the news of the 

 total rout of Valdivia's army, the Spanish in- 



