205 



readily accepted the command, but represented 

 to the electors, that as almost all the youth of 

 the country had perished, he thought it expe- 

 dient for them to retire to some secure situation^ 

 until ah army could he collected of sufficient 

 strength to keep thevfield. This prudent advice 

 was approved by all. Antiguenu retired with 

 the few soldiers that he had with him to the in- 

 accessible marshes of Lumaco, called by the 

 Spaniards the Rochela, where he caused high 

 scaffolds to be erected to secure his men from the 

 extreme moisture of this gloomy retreat. The 

 youth who were from time to time enlisted went 

 thither to be instructed in the science of arms, 

 and the Araucanians still considered themselves 

 free since they had a Toqui. 



As soon as Antiguenu saw himself in a situ- 

 ation to make himself feared, he quitted his re- 

 treat, and began to make incursions into the Spa* 

 nish territory, in order to practice his troops, and 

 subsist them at the expense of the enemy. When 

 this unexpected information teached St. Jago, it 

 caused greatjn quietude to Villagran, who, from 

 his long experience of the daring spirit of the 

 Araucanians, foresaw all the fatal consequences 

 that might result from this war. But in order, 

 if possible, to stifle the bursting flame at its com- 

 mencement; he sent forward immediately his 

 son Pedro, with as many troops as could be 

 yaised in so short ^ time, and soon after set out 



