APPENDIX. 425 



After thirty-two days' march we arrived at the toldos, or habitations of the 

 Indians ; and chose for our encampment a situation at the base of a hill, about 

 one mile distant from the dwelling of one of the caciques. A deep river 

 and two smaller streams ran parallel with our front, which they covered 

 securely ; our left flank was defended by a branch of the same river ; and 

 our right was protected by an advanced post. Our position was the most 

 eligible in the country, as it would be impossible to surprise us ; however the 

 Indians requested we would decamp, as they had serious doubts for our safety 

 if we persisted in our desire to hold this ground. It was supposed among 

 them (from some tradition or prophecy) that that hill was the habitation 

 and resort of an infinite number of gualichi or evil spirits, who punished with 

 death or disease the temerity of all such as dared to intrude on the confines 

 of this enchanted ground. Our first idea on receiving this information of 

 the Indians was, that as the grass was luxuriant and of excellent quality, 

 they wished by this artifice to preserve it for themselves, and induce us to 

 remove to some other part ; but on consulting with Guelmo, the General was 

 convinced that they spoke the sentiments of their minds, without any inten- 

 tion to deceive us, and that their importunity in urging us to decamp was 

 owing to their solicitude for our safety. The spot was most desirable, yet 

 there was no vestige of habitation ; and the untrodden appearance of the 

 ground, and their little knowledge of the passes of the river in that place, 

 indicated that it was little frequented by the Indians. Carrera quieted their 

 fears, assuring them that those gualichi had no power against his soldiers, and 

 that in a very few days he did not doubt but they would be entirely ex- 

 pelled from the hill. The Indians retired from the unhallowed ground, 

 filled with hope and fear for our fate. Very early next morning they came 

 to visit us, and hear what adventures we might have had in the course of the 

 night ; and expressed the greatest joy and astonishment, at hearing that the 

 evil genii of the mountain had no power when they were opposed by us. 

 They gradually lost their fears of the place, and in a few days their visits 

 became so frequent and of such duration as to be a test to our patience. 



Their attachment to Carrera daily increased. All the neighbouring 

 caciques came to congratulate and welcome him to their country ; offering at 

 the same time to serve with him in any part against his enemies. Deputies 

 were sent to Chile and the more distant nations, requiring the attendance of 

 their caciques in the encampment of the Pichi Rey, or little king (as such 



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