126 



don the fort, and retire to that of Puren. This mea- 

 sure had indeed become necessary, as their provi- 

 sions began to fail and tïiey had no hope of being 

 relieved. In pursuance of this plan, at midnight 

 they mounted their horses, and suddenly openmg 

 the gate, rushed out at full speed, and escaped 

 through the midst of their enemies ; the Arauca- 

 nians, who supposed it to be one of their customary 

 sallies, taking no measures to obstruct their flight. 



Caupolican having destroyed this fortress, led his 

 troops to attack that of Tucapel. This post was 

 garrisoned by forty men, under the command of 

 Martin Erizar. That distinguished officer, defend- 

 ed himself valiantly for several days, but much 

 weakened by the continual assaults of the enemies, 

 and provisions failing him, he determined to with- 

 draw to the same fort of Puren, whither the garrison 

 of Arauco had retreated, w^hich he executed, either 

 in consequence of a capitulation with Caupolican, or 

 by an artifice similar to that which had succeeded so 

 fortunately with the commander of Arauco. 



The Araucanian general having destroyed these 

 fortresses, which caused him the greatest anxiety, 

 encamped with his army on the ruins of that of Tu- 

 capel, to wait the approach of the Spaniards, who, as 

 he supposed, would not be long in coming against 

 him. No sooner had Valdivia, who was then in 

 Conception, learned the siege of Arauco, when he 

 began his march for that place, with all the forces 

 that he could collect in so short a time, in opposi* 

 tion to the advice of his mo§t experienced oScers, 



