137 



alarm was greatly heightened by the news of the 

 near approach of Lautaro. Villagran, who thought 

 it impossible to defend the city, embarked precipi- 

 tately the old men, the women and the children, on 

 board of two ships that were then fortunately in 

 the harbour, with orders to the captains to conduct 

 part of them to Imperial, and part to Valparaiso ; 

 while with the rest of the inhabitants he proceeded 

 by land to Santiago. 



Lautaro, on entering the deserted city, found in it 

 a very great booty, as its commerce and mines had 

 rendered it very opulent, and the citizens more at- 

 tentive to save their lives than their riches, had on 

 their departure taken scarcely any thing with them 

 except a few provisions. After having burned the 

 houses and razed the citadel to its foundation, the 

 victor returned with his army to celebrate his tri- 

 umph in Arauco. 



CHAPTER IV. 



Villagran raises ths siege of Imperial and of Valdivia; 

 The smalUpox break out among the Araucanians ; 

 Conception having been rebuilt ^ Lautaro returns 

 and destroys it ; He marches against Santiago, and 

 is killed, 



MEANWHILE the commanders of the cities of 



Imperial and Valdivia, closely besieged by Caupoli- 



can, demanded succours of the governor, who, not- 

 VoL.II. s 



