442 SOUTH AMERICA— THE ANDES REGIONS. 



But if few traces survive of the old Quichua masters of North Chili, abundant 

 evidence has been found of the presence of their Aymara rivals. The Atacamas 

 and the Lipez, who have left their names to parts of the plateau and of the arid 

 coastlands, belonged to this ethnical stock. The Chungos, who live in the vicinity 

 of Cobija, and whose fishing-nets are supported by floats made of inflated seal- 

 skins, are also pure Aymaras. But in the oases of the desert, and farther south 

 in all the coast districts where agriculture, mining and other industries have 

 attracted a white population, the Indian type has been assimilated to that of the 

 modern Chilians of Spanish speech. 



The Calchaquis, from beyond the mountains, appear to have been formerly 

 strongly represented amongst the coast peoples. The Huasco Valley, where the 

 Indian race has been best preserved, and where are situated the towns of 

 Vallenar and Freirina, still possesses a type quite distinct from that of the popu- 

 lations of European origin. It is marked by a dull brown complexion and 

 features sharply chiselled in strong relief. In general these aborigines surpass 

 the other Chilian populations in beauty, muscular vigour, dignified presence and 

 graceful carriage. 



The Araucanians. 



At the arrival of Almagro the Chilian territory proper WdS occupied by a 

 powerful people which had taken the name of Mola-chc, " Warriors." From 

 the Spaniards they received the designation of Araiicans {Ayaucanians), a term 

 which seems derived from the Quichua word Aiieaes, " Rebels," uttered with a 

 strong guttural sound. They had offered a stout resistance to the Quichuas, and 

 they defended themselves no less valiantly against the Spaniards. Yet they did 

 not constitute a nation in the proper sense, but were divided and subdivided into 

 a large number of tribes, septs and clans, each independent and recognising no 

 master. Every family gi'oup had its isolated habitation under the shade of some 

 wide-branching tree, enlivened by the ripple of some babbling brook. No 

 cacique had any authority in time of peace ; no man owned any serf or slave 

 subject to his pleasure ; even the father did not presume to rebuke or chastise his 

 son. There were no laws or any penal code, and the vendetta remained a private 

 affair to be settled between the parties concerned. 



Yet despite this absolute lack of legal or political cohesion, the Araucanians 

 were merged in a single peoj^le the moment their independence was threatened. 

 The family and tribal groups coalesced, and all rose as one man, electing their 

 toqni, or war chiefs, and deposing them if lacking in vigour during a protracted 

 struggle. Their forefathers, as they believed, watched them from the firmament, 

 where they shone as stars moving along the Milky Way. 



With the year 1550 began the long conflict Avith the Spaniards, who sought 

 to gain a footing in Araucanian territory, and who belonged to that group of 

 veterans who had achieved so many triumphs over less resolute foes. After the 

 first defeats, due to their ignorance of the resources of the invaders, the Aran- 



