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Spaniards or for some other reason of which vf 

 are not informed^ had not left his encampment, 

 sent to their assistance two thousand men under 

 the command of Lautaro^ who was well expe- 

 rienced rn such expeditions. The young general, 

 exasperated against what he had termed obstinacy, 

 passed the Bio-bio without delay, and attacked^' 

 the Spaniards, who, imprudently confiding in 

 their valotrr, a:waited him in the open plain. 

 The first encounter decided the fate of the battle. 

 The citizens, struck with terror, returned to the 

 fort with such prccfpitaiion as not ercn to have 

 an opportunity of closing the gate. The Arau- 

 canians entered with them, and killed a great 

 number. The remainder were dispersed, part of 

 them embarking in a ship which was in the port, 

 and part taking refuge in tire woods, whence by 

 bye-paths they returned to Santiago. Laularo, 

 having plundered and burned the city as before, 

 returned laden with spoils to his wonted station. 

 The success of this enterprise excited Caiipo- 

 lican to undertake once more the sieges of Im- 

 perial and Valdivia. The glorious exploits of 

 his Lieutenant stimulated him to attempts of 

 greater importance, and such as were worthy of 

 the supreme command. Lautaro undertook to 

 make a diversion of the Spanish forces, by march^ 

 ing against Santiago, as the capture of this city 

 appeared to him an enterprise of not much diffi- 

 culty, notwithstanding its great distance. His 



