un 



in the little island of Taboga in the gulph oiF 

 Panama. 



The Marquis of Cañete, viceroy of Peru, being 

 informed of this disaster, appointed to the vacant 

 office his son Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoza. 

 But as this charge had now become very dangerous, 

 he resolved that at his departure he should be ac- 

 companied by a body of troops capable of support- 

 ing him, and acquiring him, if possible, the glory of 

 terminating with success the obstinate war with the 

 Araucanians. With this view he caused a great 

 number of recruits to be mised throughout his ex- 

 tensive viceroyalty. The civil dissentions being at 

 an end, Peru at that time abounded with milita- 

 ry adventurers who were desirous of employment. 

 Of course he was in a short time joined by a 

 large number of soldiers, part of whom from a 

 warlike spirit, and others from a desire to obtain 

 favour with the viceroy, oiFered to fight under the 

 banners of his son. 



The infantry, well equipped and appointed with 

 a great quantity of military stores, embarked on 

 board of ten ships under the command of Don Gar- 

 cia in person, and the cavalry pursued their way by 

 land under the orders of the quarter-master-general, 

 Garcia Ramon. The fleet arrived in April, 1557, in 

 the bay of Conception, and came to anchor near the 

 island of Quiriquina, which, being the most secure 

 situation, had been chosen for the head quarters. 

 The few inhabitants who were found there bravely 

 attempted to prevent the disembarkation ; but 

 being soon dispersed by the artillery, they retired 



