352 



CHILI. 



be on the spot. I had little hope of success, in- 

 deed, since hearing of the Chacabuco's attack on 

 the place ; for it seemed probable, that, on that 

 occasion, the prisoners would be sent off to the in- 

 terior. 



On entering the bay, I had the mortification to 

 perceive, by various symptoms, that we were too 

 late : for, on the bar of the river Toobool, which 

 passes near the town, one of the prizes was in 

 flames ; behind the high grounds forming the 

 harbour rose a great column of smoke, from ano- 

 ther burning ship ; and the town of Arauco itself 

 was also on fire. All this showed that an attack 

 had been made, and that the Indians had fled; 

 since it is their invariable practice to burn their 

 towns, and everything they cannot carry with 

 them, whenever they are obliged to retreat. I 

 anchored ofi* the flaming town, late in the even- 

 ing, and having communicated with the Chilian 

 ships lying there, learned that the Araucanians, 

 under one of Benavides'^ officers, had been attack- 

 ed on that morning, but had speedily given way, 

 and fled to the woods, after setting fire to the 

 town and all the ships. 



