196 



two hundred horse iri'attibi^sh on the road by 

 which he was to pass. The Araucanian general^ 

 although unexpectedly attacked by them, de- 

 fended himself with such presence of mind, that 

 he not only escaped without loss, but cut in pieces 

 a great part of his assailants, and pursued the 

 rest to the gates of Imperial, which he girt with 

 a close siege. 



In the meantime Reynoso and Millalauco, who 

 had several times encountered each other in skir- 

 mishes, agreed to terminate the question of SU" 

 periority between them by single combat. Such 

 duels had become very common during that war. 

 The two champiions fought a long time without 

 either obtaining the advantage, till, wearied and 

 fatigued, they separated by mutual consent, and 

 returned to their former mode of warfare. 



The siege of Imperial was prosecuted with 

 much vigour. Caupolican had made several 

 assaults upon that city, flattering himself with 

 the aid of the Spanish auxiliaries, which, un- 

 cautioned by the misfortunes of his father, he 

 had solicited by means of two of his officers, 

 Tulcomaru and Torquin. These emissaries were, 

 however, discovered and impaled in sight of the 

 Araucanian army, to whom they recommended 

 with their last breath to die in defence of the 

 liberties of their country. 



One hundred and twenty of the auxiliaries 

 \vcrc also hmig on tlie ramparts, exhorting the 



