These divisions proceeded by tluee roads thai 

 led to the canipj and cut in pieces the auxili- 

 aries, who were the first to oppose their pro- 

 gress. Fortunately for the Spaniards, the moon; 

 rising at the moment of the assault, enabled 

 them, after a short period cf confusion, in 

 which they lost several of their men, to form 

 themselves and make head against their assailr 

 ants, who, galled upon all sides by the musketry, 

 began at length to give way. The governor at 

 the same time, charging them with his band of 

 veterans, succeeded in repulsing them, though 

 not without great loss on both sides. 



Cayancura, who had halted at the entrance of 

 the Spanish camp, in order to support the attack, 

 finding his troops retiring exhausted and fa- 

 tigued, permitted them to rest the remainder of 

 the night, and at day-break returned to the at- 

 tack. The Spaniards came out to meet them in 

 the open field, and most obstinate and bloody 

 was the battle that ensued. But, overpowered 

 by the horse and artillery, the Araucanians were 

 finally compelled to quit the field. The authors 

 whom I have consulted satisfy themselves with 

 observing that the victory cost the Spaniards 

 dear, without specifying the number of the slain. 

 The governor himself calls it a bloody one in his 

 patent to Nugno Hernandez. The greatest proof 

 of his loss is, that immediately after the action 

 he raised his camp;, and retired to the frontiers. 



