2ft 



pointed quarter-master, to make an incursion 

 with six hundred men in the provinces of Arauco 

 and Tucapel. But he was not able to take more 

 than a hundred and fifteen prisoners of both 

 sexes, and a small number of cattle, the inhabi- 

 tants having taken refuge with their families and 

 effects in the mountains. Eight only attempted 

 to oppose his march, who paid with their lives 

 for their temerity. 



In the meantime, Putapichion endeavoured io 

 signalize th commencement of his command, by 

 the capture of one of the strongest places be- 

 longing to the Spaniards on the Bio-bio. This 

 was^the fort of Nativity, situated on the top of 

 a high and steep mountain, well furnished with 

 soldiers and artillery, and both from its natural 

 and artificial strength considered as impregnable. 

 These considerations did not at all discourage 

 the ardent temper of the young general. He 

 came upon the fort unexpectedly ; in a moment 

 scaled the difficult ascent, possessed himself of 

 the ditch, and set on fire with burnii:g arrows 

 the palisades and houses of its defenders. But 

 the latter collected themselves in the only bastion 

 that the flames had spared;^ kept up from thence 

 so severe a fire upon the enemy, that Putapichiort, 

 despairing after some time of being able to main- 

 tain himself in the fort, retreated, taking with 

 him twelve priseners and several horses. 



From thence he crossed the Bio-bio, and at-r 

 2 ii 



