^188 



sent to Peru. This sentence was^ however^ more 

 bitter to them than death. Whenever they came 

 in sight of land, which is very common during 

 that navigation, they hesitated not to throw 

 themselves overboard, in the hope of escaping 

 by swimming and returning to their country. 

 Many had the good fortune to save themselves 

 in this manner ; but those who were not able to 

 elude the vigilance of the sailors, as soon as they 

 were landed on the island, or at the port of Cal- 

 lao, exposed themselves to every peril to effect 

 their escape and return to their much loved 

 country, coasting with incredible fatigue the 

 immense space of ocean between the port and the 

 river Bio-bio. Even their relations, more soli- 

 citous to deliver them from the miseries of exile 

 than from death itself, when they were con- 

 demned to that punishment, frequently sent em- 

 bassies to the governor to negotiate their rans^n. 

 but he always refused to consent to it, until they 

 had laid down their arms, and submitted to his 

 orders. 



Laso had greatly at heart the performance of 

 the promise, which, like several of his prede- 

 cessors, he had made the king, of putting an end 

 to the war. He of course put in operation every 

 means possible of attaining that end. Indeed, 

 no one was more capable of succeeding ; but he 

 had to contend with an invincible people. Never- 

 theless, he employed every measure that military 



