Chap. V. SIEGE OF AREQUIPA. 85 



his artillery. At leiigtli, overpowered by numbers, they were 

 forced to retire, disputing every incli of the ground. They 

 rallied at the convent of Santa Rosa, and obstinately defended 

 the position for several hours, until night closed in upon tlie 

 combatants. Next morning, being the 7th of March, some 

 further resistance was made, but the troops of Castilla finally 

 stormed the barricades, and ckove everything before them, 

 Vivanco escaped in the disguise of a friar to Islay, and thence 

 to Chile, while his officers looked after themselves, leaving 

 the gallant defenders of Arequipa to their fate. Tacna and 

 Arica at once returned to their allegiance, and the ' Apuri- 

 mac' was given up to Castilla's ministers at Lima by the 

 mutinous Montero. 



The Cholos of Arequipa thus defended their position, with 

 great bravery and resolution, against Castilla's disciplined 

 army for upwards of eight months ; and during the assault, 

 which lasted for two days, their desperate valour was as 

 remarkable as their extraordinary endurance, for, such was 

 the negligence of Vivanco and his officers, that they were 

 kept without refreshment or even water during the many 

 hom's in wliich they sustained a deadly and unequal struggle 

 against Castilla's troops. It should also be recorded to their 

 credit, that, although the town was on several occasions en- 

 tirely in then- hands, there was no instance of any act of 

 pillage or excess being committed by them ; and, when all 

 authority was withdrawn, they showed no disposition to take 

 advantage <.)f their power, but displayed a regard for order 

 which would not be found among the lower orders of most 

 other countries diu-ing periods of great excitement. 



There is a very striking difference, however, between the 

 Cholos of Arequijia and the Inca Indians of the interior, who 

 appear in the streets with their llamas laden with silky vicu- 

 na-wool: the former a turbulent, excitable race, who will 

 fight desperately behind walls, but who are without stamina 



