' 175 



Irurried on by his unparalleled lastn^^g, f!ir6w 

 himself into the fort, and, killing four of his' 

 eliemies with his formidable mace, escaped by 

 Ifeaping over a precipice amidst a shower of balls. 



Whilst the combat raged with such fury 

 around the fortress, the Spaniards who were itt 

 the island, perceiving the danger of the be- 

 sieged, came over to their aid, and formed them- 

 selves in order of battle. Caupolican observing' 

 the disembarkation, sent immediately a part of 

 his troops against them. These, after a severe 

 conflict of several hours, were driven back to 

 the mountain, so that the assailants were placed 

 between two fires. They nevertheless lost not 

 their courage, and continued fighting till mid 

 day. At length, extremely fatigued with the 

 length of the combat, they withdrew to the Bio- 

 bio with a determination to raise new forces and 

 return to the attack. 



Caupolican having in a short time reinforced 

 his army, began his march towards Conception, 

 but learning on the road that the Spaniards had 

 received a numerous reinforcement, he halted on 

 the shore of the Bio-bio, deeply chagrnied at 

 not being able to effect what Lautaro had twice 

 performed with the universal applause of the 

 nation. In fact, the day preceding, two thousand 

 auxiliaries had arrived at Conception, with the 

 cavalry, from Peru, consisting of a thousand^ 



