283 



Lientur, who had resolved to share with him the 

 glory of the enterprise, the greater part of them 

 forsook him on the road. Not discouraged by 

 this desertion, and observing that in war there 

 could be no better omen than an eager desire to 

 conquer, he continued his march with thirty-two 

 hundred of the most determined who were re- 

 solved to follow him, and encamped at a short 

 distance from the fort. Some of his officers ad- 

 vised him to attack it that same night, but he 

 declined it, as well for the purpose of resting 

 his troops, as not to give the enemy occasion to 

 reproach him with always taking advantage, like 

 a robber, of darkness to favour his operations. 



Having resolved to offer him battle the next 

 day, the governor made his men prepare them- 

 selves for it in the best manner possible, and that 

 night had a skirmish with an advanced party of 

 the enemy, who had approached very near the 

 wall, and burned the houses of the auxiliaries. 

 At day -break he took possession with his army of 

 the important post of Alvarrada, which was 

 flanked by two deep torrents, placing the cavalry, 

 commanded by the quarter-master Sea, on the 

 right, and the infantry, under the orders of ser- 

 geant-major Rebolledo, on the left. 



Putapichion having observed the movements 

 of the Spaniards, presented himself with his 

 army in. such excellent order, that the governor 

 could not avoid openly expressing his admiration. 



