176 



men well armed, and likewise another squadron 

 of Spanish horse from Imperial. 



After his army had sufficiently recovered from 

 their fatigues, Don Garcia resolved to go in 

 quest of the Araucanians in their ow^n territory. 

 For this purpose he crossed the Bio-bio in boats 

 well equipped, at six miles from its mouth, where 

 that river is fifteen hundred paces broad. Cau- 

 polican made no attempt to obstruct his passage, 

 as the cannon, placed upon the boats, com"> 

 manded the whole of the opposite shore ; but he 

 had occupied a position not far distant, flanked 

 with thick woods, which, if he were defeated, 

 would facilitate his retreat. 



The battle began with a skirmish that was 

 favourable to the Araucanians. The Spanish 

 advanced parties falling in with those of Caupo- 

 lican were repulsed with loss, notwithstanding 

 the assistance sent them by Ramon the quarter- 

 master-general. Alonzo Re3'noso, who was like- 

 wise dispatched to their aid with fifty horse, ex- 

 perienced a similar fate, leaving several of his 

 men dead upon the field. The two armies at 

 length met. The Araucanians, encouraged by 

 the advantage they had gained, endeavoured to 

 come to close combat with their enemies, not- 

 withstanding the heavy fire they had to sustain 

 from eight pieces of artillery in front of the 

 Spanish army. But when they came within 



