INHABITANTS OF CHILI. 



443 



canians assumed the offensive, storming and razing the Spanish towns and 

 strongholds, carrying off arms, cattle and horses, and even organising troops 

 of cavalry to sweep down on the scattered bands of the enemy. 



Reinforcements had frequently to be sent from Spain to protect the northern 

 settlers from the Araucanian incursions, and to recover the towns founded in their 

 territory. The Araucanian wars cost Spain more men than had fallen in the 

 conquest of Mexico and Peru. Yet all the Araucanian warriors together 

 formed an army less numerous than that by which Atahuallpa was surrounded 

 when he was dragged from his throne by Pizarro in the public square at 



rig'. 167. — Group of Aeattcanians. 



Cajamarca. Hence the Spaniards themselves, who were good judges of valour, 

 frankly acknowledged the prowess of their adversaries, and Alonzo de Ercilla's 

 Araucana, the finest poem inspired by the discovery and conquest of the New 

 World, written by a poet who had himself taken part in the war, was dedicated 

 to the glory of the Indian warriors. 



Three generations were consumed in the struggle, yet after over a century 

 of incessant strife, the victory remained with the natives. By the treaty of 

 1641, confirmed in 1655, the representatives of Spain solemnly recognised the 

 independence of the valiant Araucanians, these engaging on their part to allow 

 no enemy of Spain to land in their territory. They kept their word through 



