184 



nightly watch, had retired io take their siesta* 

 The crafty Chilian highly praised his project, 

 and offered himself to keep a gate open on the 

 day assigned for the enterprise. The Arauca- 

 nian, elated with joy, hastened to give informa- 

 tion to Caupolican, who was at a short distance, 

 and Andrew proceeded immediately to disclose 

 the plot to the commander of the fort, who di- 

 rected him to keep up the deception by appearing 

 to carry it on, in order to take the enemy in their 

 own snare. 



Caupolican, occupied with an ardent desire of 

 accomplishing this enterprise, lost sight on this 

 occasion of his wonted prudence, and too easily 

 reposed faith in this ill-concerted scheme. In 

 order the better to devise his measures, he ex- 

 pressed a wish to converse with the Chilian; 

 Pran immediately gave notice to his supposed 

 friend, who appeared before Caupolican with all 

 that air of respect and flattering show of attach- 

 ment which villains of this stamp know so well 

 to assume. He broke out into invectives against 

 the Spaniards, whom he said he had always de- 

 tested, and renewed his promise, declaring that 

 nothing could be easier than the execution of 

 the plot. The Araucanian general applauded 

 his patriotism, loaded him with caresses, and 

 promised to give him, if the enterprise should 



Afternoon sleep. 







