1835. 



VILLAGRAN^ — ERCILLA. 



435 



Rosas was carr3/ir)g on a war of extermination against the 

 Pampa and Patagonian Indians, on the banks of the rivers 

 Colorado and Negro, he had with him horses so superior, that 

 it was said he could always ensure escape, if by chance he 

 should be pursued : and one of them was invariably led about, 

 saddled and bridled, near his tent. 



Saddling our own steeds, and quitting the thin-faced dis- 

 penser of tough hens and sour apples, we set off at a gallop, 

 leaving the lazy guide whom we brought from Talcahuano, to 

 return there with the two worst animals (it was fortunate indeed 

 we had brought with us a spare one), and in two hours we 

 reached the foot of Villagran ; that hill so famed in Araucanian 

 story. 



Being a natural barrier, it was a spot often chosen by the 

 Araucanians, at which either to lie in ambush for the Spa- 

 niards, or openly oppose them. In one battle, the brave Villa- 

 gran, after whom this ridge of hills is named, and a small 

 Spanish force, opposed a multitude of Indians who had hem- 

 med them in on every side. The only opening by which Villa- 

 gran could escape, was stopped up with a barrier of branches 

 and fallen trees, behind which the Indians stood discharging 

 arrows and slinging stones. Ercilla gives an animated descrip- 

 tion of this scene ; but as his book is scarce, I will attempt a 

 free translation of that passage, lame as it must necessarily be. 



• the veteran Villagran, 



Heedless of any kind of death, 



Hazarded all upon a cast. 



He rode a stately powerful horse, 



Purest of Spanish blood — 



Strength and activity were well combined 



In that courageous steed — 



Swift and high-spirited, he yet obeyed 



The slightest touch of finger on the rein. 



The danger reached — instant as thought — 

 The warrior's spurs excite the noble brute — 

 He dashes on — and down the barrier goes. 

 A deafening crash and dire dismay 

 Followed, as onward tore their Avay 

 Those few determined men. 



2 F 2 



