171 



ff possible, the glory of terminating with sucn 

 cess the obstinate war with the Araucanians, 

 With this view he caused a great number of 

 recruits to be raised throughout his extensive 

 viceroyalty. The civil dissentions being at an 

 end, Peru at that time abounded with military 

 adventurers who were desirous of employment. 

 Of course he was in a short time joined by a 

 large number of soldiers, part of whom, from a 

 warlike spirit, and others from a desire to obtaia 

 favour with the viceroy, offered to fight under 

 the banners of his son. 



The infantry, well equipped and appointed 

 with a great quantity of military stores, em- 

 barked on board of ten ships under the command 

 of Don Garcia in person, and the cavalry pur- 

 sued their way by land under the orders of the 

 quarter-master-general, Garcia Ramon. The 

 fleet arrived in April, 1557, in the bay of Con- 

 <ception, and came to anchor near the island of 

 Quiriquina, which, being the most secure situa- 

 tion, had been chosen for the head quarters. 

 The few inhabitants who were found there 

 bravely attempted to prevent the disembarkation; 

 but being soon dispersed by the artillery, thej 

 retired in their piragues to the continent. The 

 governor having taken some of the hindmost, 

 ^ent two or* three to the Araucanians, with di- 

 rections to inform them of his arrival, and the 



