209 



seized and put to a cruel death in sight of the 

 Spaniards^ who were extremely exasperated ia 

 finding themselves so grossly imposed on hy a 

 barbarian. * 



As the siege was protracted to a considerable 

 length, Antiguenu became impatient, and wished 

 to bring it to a conclusion, if possible, by the 

 death of the governor ; with this view he chal- 

 lenged him to single combat. Notwithstanding 

 the remonstrances of his soldiers, Bernal, who 

 deemed himself secure of the victory, accepted 

 the challenge. The battle between these two 

 champions was continued for two hours without 

 either obtaining any advantage or injuring the 

 other, till they were at length separated by their 

 men. But what force had not been able to 

 effect, was performed by famine. Several boats 

 loaded with provisions had repeatedly attempted 

 in vain to relieve the besieged ; the vigilance of 

 the besiegers opposed so insuperable an obstacle, 

 that Bernal saw himself at length compelled to 

 abandon the place. The Araucanians permitted 

 the garrison to retire without molestation, and 

 contented themselves with burning the houses 

 and demolishing the walls. 



The capture of Angol, after that of Canete 

 and Arauco, appeared so easy to Antiguenu, that 

 he gave it in charge to one of his subalterns. 

 That ofScer meeting on the road with a body of 

 Spaniards commanded by Zurita, defeated thera^ 



VOL. II, P 



