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the plan, it appeared to him not to be difficult of 

 execution. Having killed in a skirmish three or 

 four Spaniards, and among them one of the pre- 

 tended Captains of Friends, he dispatched, ac- 

 cording to custom, a messenger with one of their 

 fingers, to the Chilians in the Spanish provinces, 

 inviting them to take arms at a signal to be given 

 by kindling fires upon the tops of the highest 

 mountains. On the 9ih of March, 1723, the 

 day appointed for the open declaration of hosti- 

 lities, fires were accordingly kindled upon the 

 mountains of Copiapo, Coquimbo, QuilIota_ 

 Rancagua, Maule, and Itata. Owing to the 

 smallness of their numbers, or their apprehension 

 of the issue of the war, the natives, however, 

 made no movement. 



Vilumilla was, however, by no means discou- 

 raged on seeing his projects evaporate in smoke. 

 As soon as he had declared war, he set out imme- 

 diately at the head of his troops to attack the 

 Spanish settlements. But before commencing 

 his march, he was careful to give information to 

 the missionaries, and request them to quit the 

 country, in order to avoid being ill-treated by 

 his detaclred parties. The capture of the fort 

 of Tucapel was the first fruit of this expedition. 

 The garrison of Arauco, fearing the same fate,, 

 abandoned the place. Having destroyed these 

 fortresses, he directed his march against that of 

 Puren, which he expected to possess himself of 



