270 MIGRATION OF SPANISH SETTLERS. 1550-70. 
harassing war against the Spaniards, in which the above-men- 
tioned cities were all destroyed, and the greater number of their 
inhabitants put to death. 
The destruction of the city of Osorno caused the province 
of Childe, or, at least, the adjacent districts of Calbuco and 
Carelmapu, to be occupied. This town, being more distant 
from the seat of war, where the main body of the Indian army 
was actively employed, was enabled to hold out for some time ; 
but, at last, cut off from assistance, prevented from com- 
municating with friends, and utterly destitute of supplies, the 
inhabitants retired to the fort, or citadel ; which they main- 
tained, until compelled, by absolute want of provisions, to 
abandon their position, and proceed to the south, with a view 
of establishing themselves in Carelmapu and Calbuco ; where 
they hoped to be safe from attack. 
Their retreat was attended by much suffering ; many died 
from fatigue, and many were cut off by the Indians, who hovered. 
about them and murdered all who fell into their hands.* At 
last they reached their destination, and established themselves 
first at Carelmapu, which is on the main-land, on the north side 
of the Boca de Childe, opposite to San Carlos; and afterwards 
at Calbuco, on an island at the entrance to the Gulf of Relon- 
cavi. The latter position by its insularity, was effectually pro- 
tected against any attack from Indian tribes, who, for many 
years, continually harassed the inhabitants of Carelmapu. 
At what date this journey was made does not appear ; nor is 
it certain that these places were occupied before the foundation 
of the city of Castro, in 1566, by the Licentiate Lope Garcia 
de Castro, in pursuance of an order from the Viceroy of Peru, 
Marshal Don Martin Ruiz de Gamboa. 
The island of Childe, from its situation, is a place of con- 
siderable importance, and may be termed the key of the Pacific, 
* A very full and detailed account of this journey is given by Agiieros, 
in his ‘ History of the Province of Childe,’ pp. 50 to 56, as well as in the 
‘Chronicles of the Province of Lima, by Padre Fr. Diego de Cordova,’ 
Salinas, chap. xvii. p. 485. 
+ Agiieros, l. c. p, 57. 
