APPENDIX. 495 
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 guwalichi 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 
3 
