155 



sustain with levelled spears the attack of the horse, 

 and the mace bearers with their heavy club$ to strike 

 at their heads. The cavalry by this unexpected 

 reception being thrown into confusion, the Aurau- 

 canian general, followed by his men, broke into the 

 centre of the Spanish infantry with great slaughter, 

 killing five enemies with his own hand. Tucapel, 

 advancing in another quarter with his division, at 

 the first attaçk broke his fance in the body of a 

 Spaniard, and instantly drawing his sword, slew 

 seven others. In these various encounters he re- 

 ceived several severe wounds, but perceiviiig the 

 valiant Rencu surrounded by a crowd of enemies, 

 he fell with such fury upon them, that after killing 

 a considerable number, he rescued his former rival, 

 and conducted him safely out of danger. 



Victory, for a long time undecided, was at length 

 on the point of declaring for the Araucanians, when 

 Don Garcia perceiving his men ready to give way^ 

 gave orders to a body of reserve, to attack the di- 

 vision of the enemy, commanded by Lincoyan and 

 Ongolmo. This order, which was promptly execut- 

 ed, preserved the Spanish army from total ruin. 

 This line of the Araucanians being broken, fell back 

 upon their victorious countrymen, who were thrown 

 into such confusion, that Caupolican after several 

 ineíFectual efforts, dispairing of being able to restore 

 order, sounded a retreat, and yielded to liis ene- 

 mies a victory that he deemed secure. The Arau- 

 canian army would have been cut in pieces, had riot 

 Rencu, by posting himself in a neighbouring wood 

 with a squadron of valiant youth, called thither the 



