372 



CHILT. 



At length, in the end of December 1821 , dis- 

 covering the miserable state to which he was re- 

 duced, he entreated Brigadier Don Joaquin Pri- 

 eto, Intendant of Conception, that he might be 

 received, on giving himself up along with his par- 

 tisans. This generous chief accepted his offer, 

 and informed the supreme government ; but, in 

 the meantime, Benavides embarked in a launch 

 at the mouth of the river Lebo, and fled, with the 

 intention of joining a division of the enemy's ar- 

 my, which he supposed to be at some one of the 

 ports on the south coast of Peru. It was, indeed, 

 absurd to expect any good faith from such an in- 

 triguer, for, in his letters at this time, he offered 

 his services to Chili, and promised fidelity, while 

 his real intention was still to follow the enemy. 

 He finally left the unhappy province of Concep- 

 tion, the theatre of so many miserable scenes, over- 

 whelmed with misery which he had caused, with- 

 out ever recollecting that it was in that province 

 he had first drawn his breath. 



" His despair made his conduct in the boat in- 

 supportable to those who accompanied him ; and 

 they rejoiced when they were obliged to put into 



