257 



the cities of Osorno, Villarica, and Imperial. 

 Amidst so many misfortunes, an expedition of 

 five ships of war from Holland arrived in 1600 

 upon the coast of Chili, which plundered the 

 island of Chiloe, and put the Spanish garrison to 

 the sword. Nevertheless, the crew of the com- 

 modore having landed in the little island of 

 Talca, or Santa Maria, was repulsed with the 

 loss of twenty-three of their men by the Arau- 

 canians who dwelt there, and who probably sup- 

 posed them to be Spaniards. 



QuinoneSj disgusted with a war which was far 

 from promising a fortunate issue, solicited and 

 obtained his dismission from the government. 

 He was succeeded by the old quarter-master, 

 Garcia Ramon, of whom much was expected, 

 from his experience and long acquaintance witli 

 the enemy. But that very knowledge induced 

 him to act on the defensive, rather than hazard 

 that part of the kingdom which was still subject 

 to Spain, although he had received a regiment 

 of select troops from Lisbon, under the command 

 of Don Francisco Ovalle, father to the historian 

 of that name. His government was, however, 

 but of short duration. Alonzo Rivera, an officer 

 who had rendered himself famous in the wars of 

 the Low Countries, was sent out by the king as 

 governor in his place, with a regiment of vete- 

 rans. On assuming his office, he fortified with 

 strong forts the shores of the Bio-bio, and greatly 



VOL. II. s 



