40 



CHAPTER VIL 



The Copiapins defeat a body of Spaniards; Suc- 

 cessful stratagem employed by the Qiiillotanes ; 

 Valdivia receives reinforcements from Peru ; He 

 founds the city of Coquimbo^ which is destroyed 

 by the natives ; The Promaucians form an alliance 

 with the Spaniards; Foundation of the city of Con- 

 ception. 



IN the mean time, as the state of affairs was ur- 

 gent, Valdivia resolved to send to Peru by land two 

 of his captains, Alonzo Monroy and Pedro Miranda, 

 with six companions, whose spurs, bits and stirrups 

 he directed to be made of gold, hoping to entice, 



i)y this proof of the opulence of the country, his fel- 

 ow citizens to come to his assistance. These mes- 

 sengers, although escorted by thirty men on horse- 

 Ipack, who were ordered to accompany them to the 

 liorders of Chili, were attacked and defeated by a 

 hjundred archers of Copiapo, commanded by Coteo, 

 a^i officer of the ulmen of that province. Of the 

 wihole band none escaped with life but the two offi- 

 cers, Monroy and Miranda, who were brought co- 

 vered with wounds before the ulmen. 

 j Whilst that prince, who had resolved to put them 

 to death as enemies of the country, was deliberating 

 en the mode, the ulniena or princess, his wife, 

 movec} with compassion for their situation, interced- 



